Care and Training

Choosing a breed

Most owners choose their dogs based upon the dog’s appearance.

When you selected your last dog, did you consider why his breed came into existence? When breeds were developed, great importance was put on their ability to do certain work—hunting, guarding, herding and draft work, for example. So the purebred dog comes with instincts that can predict some of his behavior. Some examples of instinctual behavior: a terrier’s untiring playfulness and passion for digging, a Lab’s eagerness to retrieve, a Bernese Mountain Dog’s willingness to pull a cart and a Rottweiler’s tendency to guard.

Be careful—a dog bred to guard that does the job too well is accused of being vicious; a herding dog may chase children, joggers, bicycles and cars, and a hunting dog can follow a trail or scent for miles through the neighborhood.

When you choose your new dog, ask yourself what you expect when he grows up. Why are you getting him? For companionship, a playmate for the children, protection, a status symbol or, to hunt or show?

You also need to think about your lifestyle and how your dog is going to fit in. Some dogs need a great deal of exercise and training to stay calm in the house. Others require less. Some need grooming every day and some only once a week. Any time a decision to get a new dog is taken, then along with that decision must go the commitment necessary to make the relationship successful. This commitment can last a lifetime!

Timing is everything

The age at which you separate a puppy from its mother influences its behavior forever. At the 49th day of life, the puppy’s brain has developed to the state of adulthood, but without any experience. An excellent time to place or buy a puppy because bonding — that special attachment between dog and owner — peaks between 7-12 weeks. If you separate the puppy earlier, he may develop an unhealthy attachment to humans, having never learned behavior necessary for him to be a normal dog and bond to you. If you separate too late, he may remain too attached to other dogs and not humans. The window of opportunity is very short. To get the puppy that can be the best pet, get him after 7 weeks and before 12 weeks of age.

From weeks 7-12, socialize your pet to all the things he may experience as an adult. He needs to interact with you, your family, other humans and dogs. Take him places and have fun, but protect him from traumatic events, as they may have a lasting impact if experienced during this time frame.
Housetraining

Puppies have to eliminate two to three times more frequently than adult dogs. The ability to control elimination increases with age, up to eight hours. Until a dog is 6 months, it is unrealistic to expect it to last more than four hours during the day. When sleeping, most puppies can last through the night.

It’s important to select an outdoor “toilet area” where you want your dog to go. Teach a command, such as “hurry up.” Be patient; let your dog sniff. Afterward, praise your puppy and go back inside. Be vigilant. Take your puppy to the toilet area after eating or drinking, after waking up and after playing. Another sign your dog has to go is sniffing the ground and circling in a small area.

If your dog messes on the carpet, do not acknowledge it. The dog does not understand what you are angry about, and only knows that he came to you and you are angry. When you come upon a mess, keep calm. Put the dog out of sight so he cannot watch you clean up. Use white vinegar, not an ammonia-based cleaner.

Chewing

Starting around 14 weeks, your puppy will start to teethe. This can go on several weeks while his adult teeth come in and he loses his baby teeth. He’ll need to chew—in fact he must chew to dislodge the baby teeth. Make sure you provide him with plenty of chew toys, hard and soft. Stay away from toys he can destroy or ingest (like rawhide). Carrots, apples and ice cubes make great treats. Do not give him an old sock as a toy, since he cannot tell the difference between an old one and a new one.

If, by accident, you lose a pair of shoes because you left them around, don’t scold your puppy; it will only make him afraid of you. Pick up your belongings and don’t put the puppy in a situation where he is alone for a long time with nothing to do but chew something you left around. Restrict his space—see crate training.

Crate training

A crate for a puppy is like a playpen for a child. Dogs like crates. It reminds them of a den—safe, secure and warm. Also important, the crate is a place where your dog can get away from the hustle and bustle of family life and hide out, especially when the kids get to be too much. You should never leave your dog in a crate longer than 4 hours in the beginning. NEVER use a crate as a form of punishment.

Training your dog

Trained dogs are free, welcomed almost anywhere. Untrained dogs are locked away when guests come. So why not train your dog?

Take charge. Dogs are pack animals, and you and your family are now the pack. There must be a leader, and it’s either you or the dog. For safety’s sake, make it you.

During the first year, when your puppy has a fear reaction, never drag your puppy to the object that caused the fear. Don’t pet or reassure the dog, as you may give the impression that you approve of the fearful behavior. Just distract the puppy and do something pleasant.
Start training your puppy as soon as you bring him home. He will learn, whether you train him or not.
A behavior that is no longer rewarded is soon forgotten. Start good training by paying attention to what you are rewarding and ask yourself: Do I really want my dog to do this?
Dogs jump on people as a form of greeting. It is a gesture of affection and good will. Do not punish him for it. Instead, teach him to sit and stay on command.
Always remember to give a release command, such as OK. Make it a strict rule that you give this command after every exercise. Do not get lax about it, because then the dog will decide he can release himself.
A random reward is the most powerful reinforcement of what your dog has learned.
Lack of exercise is the most common reason for objectionable behavior.

From 4 to 8 months is the time when your dog discovers the world. He goes through his teenage stage; hormones develop and unless trained before this, can become bratty. It is best to keep your dog on a leash until he has learned to come when called. NEVER play the game of chasing the dog; let him chase you.

Obedience training:

Coming when called

A dog that does not come when called is a prisoner of the leash and a danger to itself and others when loose. If your dog does not come when called, you don’t have a dog.

Follow these simple rules:

Exercise, exercise, and exercise. Many dogs do not come when called because they do not get enough exercise. At every chance, they run off.
Whenever your dog comes to you, be nice. One example of teaching him not to come is to take him to the park and call him when it’s time to go home. After several times, he will know when you call him the fun is over. Prevent this unintentional training by calling him several times during the outing, sometimes giving a treat or a pat, then letting him go again.
Teach your puppy to come when called as soon as you bring him home, no matter how young.
When in doubt, keep your dog on a leash. Resist the urge to make a fool out of yourself by yelling “come” a million times. The more you yell, the more your dog knows he can ignore you. Patiently go to him and put him on leash. Do not get angry, or he will learn again not to come.
Make sure he always comes to you and lets you touch his collar before you reward with praise or a treat.

Training Tips

Whenever your dog comes to you, be nice. No matter what your dog has done, always be pleasant and reward him for coming to you.

Be consistent. A dog does not understand sometimes. The more black and white you can make your command, the easier it is for your dog to understand.

The thinking dog

Your dog might appear to be able to read your mind, but has actually learned your habits and can anticipate your actions. You can learn to read your dog’s actions and know what’s on his mind. If you know your dog has a bad habit, you can recognize when the behavior is about to occur. Interrupt the naughty thought, distract him and give him a command. If you come home from work and find a mess on the carpet, you may think your dog looks guilty because he understands what he has done; but he looks guilty because he understands you are upset. He has read your mind!

The previous information was pieced together from two wonderful books: “What All Goods Dogs Should Know: The Sensible Way to Train” by Jack Volhard and Melisssa Bartlett, and “Dog Training for Dummies” by Jack Volhard and Wendy Volhard.