Familiarity
Breeds Familiarity
When the
Johnson's interviewed a new babysitter, Sparky was outdoors. Mistake. When the
Johnson's went out and left the sitter with the baby, they instructed her to
let Sparky in the house for his dinner. Sparky charged into the house and
promptly let this "intruder" know who was in charge of the baby! The
sitter, experienced with dogs, was immediately able to see what was going on
and got Sparky to concede that they could share responsibility for the baby.
Make sure that
your dog knows your new sitter is friendly. Have your dog observe you as you
welcome this new person into your home and establish the sitter's legitimacy as
a welcome visitor.
Communicating
With Your Dog
You may have
realized by now that dogs aren't simply the easily pleased, ball-chasing
animals that
popular myth portrays. As with any species, they have
feelings, needs and emotions that must be
handled appropriately. The only difference between humans
and dogs is the ways that they communicate
this information.
Just as in
getting to know a new person, you're not going to know everything about your
dog as soon as you meet him. It takes time and commitment to learn about his
habits and general demeanor that, if you adopt him as a puppy, will ultimately
depend on your interaction and time spent together.
Another factor
in the way that dogs behave lies in the genes of the breed and their bloodline.
Were his parents family pets, or working dogs? What kind of influences has he
already been exposed to? And so on. No matter what, behavioral traits are
likely to be modified by the training and attention he receives
from you.
The key to communication
with your dog is to remember that he tries to understand you, just as much as
you try to understand him. If you spend time and have patience with your dog
and firmly establish your position as the boss (or in his mind alpha dog,) he
is likely to be much more responsive to your communication. If you lose your
temper and act aggressively towards him, more often that not he is only going
to feel confusion.
If for some
reason your dog looks quizzically at you much of the time congratulations. This
probably
means that what ever your saying has broken the human/canine
language barrier and he's amazed that
you're not only talking to him, but also putting forward a
strong argument for canine cyber-genetics. (That last bit
was a joke)
Fearful Fido
If you have a
timid dog, you may notice how Uncomfortable he gets in a stressful situation.
Some dogs are so fearful that they tremble and recoil when nothing is
particularly threatening, but the environment is unfamiliar. If this
description fits your dog, try to reassure your dog by making changes to your
own behavior.
Tips in
How to House-Train a Puppy
A puppy isn’t
born knowing that your carpet is not an acceptable place to relieve himself. Here’s
a relatively easy way to train him that doesn’t require punishment.
Steps:
1. Watch your puppy’s behavior while relieving himself
outdoors so you can detect the warning signs and intercept him when indoors.
2. Stay outside as often as possible during nice weather so
your puppy can develop a preference for eliminating outdoors. Help him develop
a liking for surfaces like dirt and gravel by taking him outdoors to eliminate
after eating, playing and sleeping — or, ideally, every 15 minutes.
3. When it’s time, go straight to a pre-designated area and
don’t leave until the puppy urinates.
4. Tuck your puppy into a cozy crate in your bedroom at
night. Dogs are den animals and don’t like to soil the area where they sleep.
5. Carry the puppy outdoors when he becomes restless in the
middle of the night, and wait until he’s finished relieving himself.
6. Supply a litter box (filled with sand or kitty litter)
during the night, unless you plan on getting up every couple of hours to take
him outside. If you do want to take him outside, set your alarm if you sleep
too deeply to notice that your puppy has started fidgeting, and carry him
outside at those times.
7. Carry the puppy outside first thing in the morning so he
won’t soil the floors as he walks outside.
8. Be consistent with training. Consult a pet behaviorist if
you have problems.
9. Reward your dog with puppy treats and praise every time
he successfully eliminates outdoors.
Tips: Corrections and punishments for indoor accidents
will only teach your puppy not to eliminate around you (even when outdoors),
but won’t stop him from eliminating indoors when you’re not around. So be sure
to catch the puppy in the act, say “No!” sharply and carry the puppy outside.
How to
Stop Your Dog's Excessive Barking
Barking is a perfectly natural and normal behavior in dogs,
but that's not a good enough explanation for most angry neighbors and napping
relatives. It's both unfair and unrealistic to expect your dogs to become mute,
but here are a few steps to turn down the volume.
Steps:
1. Try to determine why your dog barks—eliminating the cause
will increase your chances of success.
2. Have your dog’s favorite treat within reach.
3. Praise the dog for barking once he starts by saying “Good
job” and then “What’s the matter?”
4. Tell the dog, “Be quiet.”
5. Wave the treat in front of your dog’s nose. Most dogs
will instantly quiet down, because
they will be concentrating on smelling and attempting to lick the treat, rather
than barking.
6. Keep praising the dog. Tell the dog that he is a good dog
for being quiet.
7. Let the dog have the treat after 3 seconds of quiet time.
8. Wave another treat in front of your dog if he starts to
bark again. This time, try not to let your dog have the treat until 5 seconds of
quiet time have elapsed. Your dog should learn that after each successful
quiet-time interval, he will be rewarded.
9. Scold your dog every time he makes a mistake. If the dog
barks, even for just an instant, as you’re waving the treat in front of his nose,
say “Be quiet,” in a louder voice. Then reward the dog immediately after he
stops barking.
10. Increase the quiet-time intervals by 3 seconds each
time: from 3 seconds to 6 seconds to 9 seconds and so on. It is possible to
continue to a couple of minutes of quiet time during the first session, which
would mean significant progress in curbing your dog’s barking habit.