Will Someone Take Time to Care for Your Dog
I decide to get a dog today; so off to the shelter I go to preview all the canine companions that someone has decided they did not want or could not look after.
The first thing to remember when you get a shelter-- you have decided to take a dog with no background available ( the odd time you may be lucky and get information). So, assume that the information will be nil or the accuracy will be poor. You will be guessing what creates the problems that your will face.
Remember, the most common reason for giving up a pet is untrained behaviour. Most people get a pet and decide that it is only fair to let him be a pup for awhile. Then they decide to enforce rules when the pup is older and run into behaviour problems, so the next thing we know the adorable little pup is a nice dog.... but.... needs a new home.
No matter what is said, few people give the real reason why they have given up their dog, so you are inheriting someone else's. Too many people go to the shelter assuming that they will get a house trained and obedience trained pet. Sorry not always so.
What you will be getting is an animal in need of love, attention and for the first year, will probably cost you money. Is this bad? ... as these animals need someone to love and care for them.. and what you need is time and effort to put in on your pet and you will have the best pet in the world. For each person, their pet should be the best around.
When you take your dog home, start a written list of things that upset your dog and the things that bother you about him. Just because you have never done a thing to hurt or upset him....the previous owner probably did or in a lot of cases, did not do anything at all.
If you cannot solve the problem, then go to a trainer. In a lot of cases, private training is a must; as obedience training in class does not solve the major problems, it can give you building blocks and a firm foundation to solve the problems you face.
Assume that you are going to have to update the shots. A vet visit is a must within the first few days of owning the dog to find out its state of health. ( Ex: ear infection or eye infection). Take in a faecal sample to be checked for worms. This will prevent a minor ailment from becoming a major one.
Also health problems may be creating some of the problems you face. Don't forget you pay the vet as dogs on the average do not have health plans. Prevention will save you money in the long run.
Next on the list is a bed or crate. Where will your dog sleep at your house? I am a firm believer in crates for a number of reasons: 1) it helps solve house training problems; 2) it helps solve chewing problems when you are not at home; 3)it gives the dog a room of its own and it is portable; therefore the dog is able to travel with you wherever you go. If you do not use a crate, have one room in the house that can be dog proofed for all the same reasons as above, except it is not portable.
So now next on the list is to enjoy your dog. Love him, train him and laugh with him. He's good for you. After all who will care for your dog? Remember dogs do not speak marriage vows, but honour their owners all their lives. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, excellent health or ill; good mood or bad ... no matter what goes on they are happy to see you and enjoy being with you.
So rescue a mutt or a purebred... but enjoy your dog!
Rita Lillico
Mystyroch Kennel
published July 14, 1995
Weekender
Ontario
There are few areas in dog training that have as many problems as house training. Many people say that their dog cannot be trained. Failure to housebreak a dog means the animal is kept outdoors all of its life, or is given up to a different home with all the problems and traumas that entails.
A dogs likes to be clean and will keeps its sleeping and play area clean, (unless we as humans give them no choice) so the first thing to do is control its environment. Most people give too much freedom too soon. One thing they do is allow the pup full run of the house. Any area beyond you is not the pup's home territory.
It is up to us as humans to control this. The same applies to the outdoors. We have taken the pup away from its mother, and should watch it as its mother would.
Puppies, as a general rule of thumb, need to go outdoors 1) for a walk to burn off energy, 2) after playing for an hour or two (depending on their age); and 3) shortly after eating ( some signs may be nose grazing, squatting, going around in tight circles or loitering at the door.)
We as humans take punishment to extremes. Expecting a small pup to have full command of the English language and know all the rules of the house; is a bit much. Harsh punishment (striking it with newspaper and rubbing its nose in its business ...) will make the pup fear you. You are likely to produce a dog that given time will bite you or someone else.
Take your pup outside to the area you would like them to use (to do its business). Carry a treat with you as a reward. Upon success, give them the treat and praise to the sky/ “Wow, mom (or dad) likes that, and I get a treat just for going to the bathroom!” is the attitude you will produce.
It will take time, so don't' expect overnight miracles. If the breeder or previous owner has had time to train, then you are off to a good start.
Crate or confine your pup to one room while you are out. In the crate it is less likely to make a mess, unless YOU have been gone too long. If you know you will be away a long period of time and expect a possible mess; being confines to one room mean you won't have to have the house deodorized on a weekly basis.
Be consistent in what you do. Take the pup out first thing in the morning before it gets too active, as its full bladder will have to be emptied. Take the pup out for a run a few minutes before you make meals, before putting the kids to bed etc. In short before you become busy and don't notice what they are doing.
This can make the difference between a dog that learns to relieve itself wherever and whenever; and makes you one unhappy owner.
Keep your dog and you on a schedule for bathroom runs, feeding, etc. It does not have to be rigid, just a general schedule so your pup learns the rules and regulation of living with humans. Take its food up out of reach at night, as you will not be awake to see when it eats or drinks and will not be able to take it outdoors (in case of possible accident).
Give your dog more and more freedom to roam the house as it proves to you its need to go outside by letting you know by some sign you and your pup have developed. Some people have trained their dogs to ring bells they have hung at the door; as some breeds of dogs do not tend to woof or, because of hearing difficulties on the owner's part, as he or she could not hear the dog woof.
Clean up the pup's accident immediately and make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. One thing to think about, do not use ammonia-based products as urine contains ammonia. The lingering smell may attract you dog back to the place you just cleaned up. There are odour control products on the market that work well. Clean-up with vinegar and water works also.
Teach your dog to ask to go outdoors by ringing bells or barking or your choice, as long as it gets you attrition. Above all be consistent.
Rita Lillico
Mystyroch Kennel
Published July 19, 1996
Weekender, Bracebridge, Ont
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