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Who wants to stay? We may not want to but a dog can, if we motivate him. Mick is just learning that if he watches me, and then I show him the money (treat), he can wait for me to come back to his side to get reinforced with a snack and a hug and a kiss. He’s new at this so we’re taking baby steps. After giving the command, I stood in front of him for a few seconds to remind him of his job. They I backed up a about 4 feet and then stood there for only about 5 seconds before returning to our starting point. We want our dogs to succeed so we need to keep the challenge manageable for them. Mick is only 5 months old so we’re taking it slow. Repeat this short lesson only about 3 times per day. Increase the distance and…
Last in a series Be ready for your excellent new pupster’s grand entrance. Have a covered crate for nighttime sleeping, food-dispensing toys, and a drag line (6 foot leash the kid will drag from her collar). Puppy food and a water bowl will also come in handy. These little tykes are not born knowing how stay safe or come when called, so bring a leash and a collar (no prongs or chokers, please) on adoption day. Just like people enduring a stressful time, canine babies need gentle handling and connectedness when facing the overwhelming changes of leaving the only lives they’ve ever known. Their tiny heads are spinning. She’ll be confused and easily wigged-out; a warm lap will ease the shock of leaving Mom and littermates behind. Bring a side kick to ride shotgun and avoid the perils of distracted driving. How necessary is the leash your puppy drags when…
How much garbage and other poop should a dog eat on a leash walk? You can yell LEAVE IT! and jerk hard on the leash but your dog may only learn to move faster in his quest for dangerous junk. Besides, scaring your dog with a harsh reprimand could damage the trust you’ve worked hard to build. All dogs want to scavenge when they’re away from home because foraging is natural for them. Their survival in the wild depends on it. Never mind that great dog food is abundant at your house; our dogs are sure that the Great Famine will start in 20 minutes. They have to eat carrion of all descriptions ASAP. Rather than correcting and punishing a natural behavior, your dog can earn a better alternative from you – her reliable leader. Carry food in your treat bag (Karen Pryor Clicker Training Black Treat Pouch by Terry…
We picked our boy Mick, in part because he has a social nature. It turns out that he’s never met a stranger. Mick visits this hen on a daily basis. Maybe she’s his chick. We shouldn’t ask; it’s really none of our business.
Third in a series Have you chosen your own spouse or life partner? How about your friends? Me too. These relationships are imperfect but, gee, I would still never allow someone else to assign my friends to me. Don’t let anybody ask questions about your life and personality and then tell you which puppy should be your best friend. Just say, “Thank you. Have a nice day.” And then move on to a puppy source that will stand back and stay out of your way. You will be more than your dog’s reliable friend; you will be its leader. This species is hard-wired to earn life-giving resources like food, physical affection, access to the wide world outside the territory, everything. Whatever their age they absolutely must recognize us not as the big dog but as Superman or Superwoman. There are boundaries that should be respected but please don’t believe that…
Dogs of any age can learn to walk well on leash and come when called. Start by setting the kid up to succeed with no distractions. I told Mick to heel, only expecting him to stay somewhere in the same county. Of course, he forged ahead. Already pretty good at coming when called (when leashed) I told him, “Mick, Come!” and backed up to remind him of what he needed to do to earn the treat, a kiss, and me telling him how good he is. He’s learning to stay closer when leashed and that the opportunity to earn great things can happen anytime. Notice the treat bag, my bringing the snack toward my eyes as I said Mick’s name, and then luring him forward with the food. You want to show your dog the “money” to keep his eyes on the prize – which always includes praise and physical…
Many puppies are gifted with perfect homes. We love that. Sadly, some are the wrong fit from the get-go. When planning to puppy pick start with common sense. If you are not a robust physical specimen or if you have a small yard, get a small dog. A human couch potato and a mountain climber should be looking for different sizes and personalities. Puppy temperament testing is supported by science but it’s controversial, including among veterinary behaviorists. A lot can change in those developing, immature canine brains. Who knows what behaviors may lurk now and appear later? There are no guarantees but you can objectively evaluate each fuzzy candidate and find pretty good predictors of adult behavior, including future challenges. Relationships matter. I’m talking about you and the breeder/foster. These folks love their parent dogs and they’re proud as punch of those adorable offspring. If you are patient you can…
Mick is getting clear on the concept of “Down” on command but he still needs a little hint so he can succeed every time. There’s no point in putting an early skill to a test too soon. After a canine student of any age has the idea, the food lure can be a partial movement. After a dog gets that right, you can repeat with just a tiny movement of the treat toward the ground. His enthusiasm shows that he has no anxiety about this. Mick will be ready for the command without the food next. One baby step at-a-time, especially for a baby.
First in a series Adopting a baby dog isn’t the only way to bring a member of this excellent species into your life but if you decide to take this path you’ll need to be prepared. Raising youngsters, canine or human, is not for the faint of heart. We dog leaders (call us dog owners or pet parents if you prefer) have a whole lot of influence on how our puppies develop and who they turn out to be. They are not, however, a blank slate on the day they ride home with us. Just like the color of their coats, their brains are programmed with genetic coding. Epigenetic influences are also significant. I’ll explain. Mothers are important. What happens to them from 3 weeks prior to the birth of their litter and until 3 weeks after can have an indelible impact on the genetic wiring of their babies’ brains.…