Proper training should come with holiday pups
Article Source: salemnews.net
It happens every year.
Parents want to teach their children responsibility and have fun at the same time, so they get a puppy for Christmas.
Unfortunately after the initial excitement wears off, the parents end up shouldering the burden of the new family member, who often does not want to play by the rules.
According to Dani Edgerton, owner and operator of Columbiana’s A Place for Paws, which offers both doggy day care and dog training, a lot of people bring puppies to be trained shortly after Christmas, seeking to have those unruly Christmas gifts taught to behave.
Properly training a dog is important if the owner and pet are to maintain a happy relationship over the course of the dog’s life, Edgerton said.
“Generally any type of training helps in the next step, so proper training is essential to a happy relationship with a well-behaved dog,” she said. “If
you never develop leadership over the dog, then it is less likely to work for you
in other aspects.”
For those who are considering purchasing a puppy for Christmas, or have already done so, Edgerton offers some advice that she thinks will make life much easier for both the humans and the canine.
Appropriateness: “Make sure the dog is appropriate for the household,” she said. Some dogs are naturally more active than others, so homes with small children or older pets should be aware of the dog’s breed. Do your research before the purchase.
Training: “Start training basic behaviors at the very beginning,” she said. Behaviors such as sitting, lying down, waiting and coming when called can be taught early to avoid any future problems with more difficult issues.
Rewarding: “Understand what is rewarding to your dog and reward the desired behavior,” she said. Dogs react differently to certain actions than humans, so sometimes an action like pushing a jumping puppy away is the reward, not the punishment.
Classes: “A dog’s actions can be misunderstood, so getting them in training classes not only helps the puppy, but the owners, as well, because they can ask questions and learn what things mean,” she said. New owners can also read training books to learn why dogs act a certain way.
Edgerton also offered answers to three popular questions once training has begun.
How to eliminate pulling on the leash: Never reward the dog for pulling on the leash; do not go somewhere because it pulls in that direction, say “no” and wait for the undesirable action to stop. Then reward the dog for walking loosely.
How to stop the dog from jumping: Ignore the undesirable behavior; if the dog jumps, do not acknowledge it. Wait until the dog sits calmly, and then reward it.
How to create reliable recall: Remember that “come” should mean good things, not punishment; if the dog is rewarded for answering its master’s call, it will be more likely to do so. A positive relationship can be established by playing recall games in which the dog must come when called. And always make sure to catch the dog, or the “coming” is useless.
Questions to ask before buying a puppy, according to the American Kennel Club’s Web site, www.akc.org:
- How big will the dog get?
- How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
- How protective will the dog be?
- How often will the dog need to be groomed?
- How does he get along with other animals?
- How long can he be left alone at home?
- How much exercise does the dog need?
- What are the best training methods for this dog?
- What possible health problems might this dog develop?
Tags: holiday pups