Training & Socialization

Rama demonstrating the Sit-Stay

Training is something that your pup’s mama has been doing since Day One. Hopefully you had a breeder or caretaker who continued that training until your pup came home to you. With shelter dogs and rescue dogs, we face a much more difficult road. Dogs that were taken from their mothers before eight weeks of age are even more challenging.

Training your pup starts from the moment you meet, and most certainly the very day that adorable little bundle sets paw in your home. Dogs are pack animals and pack animals need structure. Dogs, if given no structure, will seek to create it themselves by securing the alpha position. You have to make sure that this does not occur. This begins with making it clear to your pup that they are the lowest on the ‘ol totem pole, and this is where many owners unfortunately drop the ball.

You can help to establish pack structure by doing some simple things when you bring your pup home:

1. Always make sure that all two-legged pack members (because after all, you are your dog’s pack now) go in and out of doorways first. Pack leaders go everywhere first. Make your dog wait until last. This is a perfect opportunity to teach the “Wait” command.

2. Give your pup his/her own place to sleep. Pack leaders get prime sleeping places. This means your bed. If you are inconsistent in any way with establishing yourself as alpha your dog will sense this and at some point may challenge you for the bed, the blanket, pillow or even your spouse. I have seen children bitten by a beloved family pet that reached maturity and challenged a child for their bed or blanket. Children often do not know how to assert themselves and unfortunately can end up being bitten or at the very least scared. Do yourself a favor and get a crate. It is not cruel. Dogs are denning animals by nature and like small spaces. You will save yourself SO much training (and re-training) time and heartache by employing this very helpful training tool. Say goodnight and put your headphones in. Screaming pups are sad, yes, but it is essential that your dog learns he/she is ok alone and that you will always return. Be firm and consistent and you will be rewarded with a well-rounded, confident dog that doesn’t panic when you are out of his/her sight.

3. Eat before your dog does. Alpha pack members eat first. Even if you don’t eat breakfast, fake it. Let your dog see you putting (or pretending to put) something in your mouth before you feed him or her. Do not feed your dog from the table or allow him/her to beg at the table. This is a very difficult habit to break and if they are never permitted to start you will have much more pleasant mealtimes.

4. Employ NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free). The only exception I make is water. Everything else–including affection–must be earned. They must do something to get something. Make them sit before they get their dinner. Make them sit and wait until everyone else has gone out the front door before they are allowed to go (this helps prevent door darting in the future). Make them sit before being petted. Remember: the action of a dog plopping its paw in your lap, pawing at your arm or forcing its head against your hand is all demanding behavior. Only the alpha pack members get showered with affection and attention for doing nothing. Teach them to sit before a stranger is allowed to pet them. This will not only help with teaching them not to jump up, but will teach them that unless they are in the correct position, they will not be getting any attention.

5. Handle your dog EVERYWHERE. Get your pup used to being handled. While watching tv, sit on the floor and handle his/her paws, muzzle, ears, poke around the mouth and tug on that tail. A dog that is not used to being handled can react quite aggressively to someone trying to trim nails, clean ears or do an examination, such as your groomer or veterinarian will need to do from time to time. Little children are notorious ear and tail pullers, so desensitizing your pup to this can help avert an unpleasant encounter later.

6. If your dog pulls you while walking, stop. This will communicate to them that the fun stops if they are pulling. Only continue on when they are walking nicely, and make sure you praise them when they are doing so.

7. Take your dog to a puppy kindergarten class, then to a basic obedience class. Every dog should do at least these two very important rounds of classes. One for early socialization and the basics of learning, the other for formal and more serious training to help your dog be a model canine citizen. A well-behaved dog is a treasure. An ill-mannered one is a nightmare. It is much easier to deal with a pup misbehaving than an adult dog. Focus their young puppy minds in a positive direction and you might even develop a love for some type of doggie sport! Obedience competition, agility, even therapy work. There are many ways to enjoy and share your dog and his/her many talents.

8. Be consistent and clear. Set rules and stick to them. To dogs there is no grey area, only black or white. If you allow your dog on the couch on weekends you cannot scold them for jumping up there during the week. If you greet your dog enthusiastically when they jump up on you to greet you upon your arrival home, you cannot scold them for jumping on your guests. When teaching your dog basic commands, avoid confusion. The general rule is, one word to one action/command. “Down” cannot mean “get off of me” and the act of lying down on the ground. It cannot mean two things. This creates confusion in the dog’s mind and in turn frustrates owners. Don’t set your dog up for failure.

9. Teach your pup that everything belongs to you. What I mean by this is, teach them that everything is yours. Food, toys, treats. Everything. You are but allowing them to eat or play with it. Have your hand in their bowl while they are eating, practice taking away toys and making them move abruptly from their bed. Possessiveness (particularly food and toy aggression) can be very dangerous. You should be able to take anything from your dog at any time. This is especially helpful in case your pup accidentally gets hold of something that he/she can choke on or could be harmful, such as a pill bottle accidentally dropped on the floor.

10. Don’t anthropomorphize your dog. This means do not attribute human characteristics and feelings to your dog. This is a very common mistake of dog owners. Dogs are not little people in fur coats. They are dogs. They do not think and reason as we do. They think and reason like dogs. Therefore it is crucial that when training and living with them we keep this in mind.

It is our responsibility to train our dogs to behave properly. We should be relaxed and enjoy our dogs when we go out in public with them, not be afraid of what they will do or embarrassed by their behavior. Remember that what you put into your dog, you will get out of them, and that training never ends. It is a lifelong pursuit. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your dog!

Socialization

At Starbucks

Socializing your dog is a must. A dog that never goes anywhere, never gets to get out and meet new folks, see new things and experience the world is often afraid of everything and/or completely unruly/untrustworthy in public. From the time I bring a new pup home–even fosters–they are out being socialized as soon as possible. You first want to make sure your pup is current on all vaccinations, and with very young puppies, I never let their feet touch the ground out in public until they’ve had at least two distemper series.

I take young pups everywhere possible and encourage everyone to pet them, handle their feet, ears, look in their mouths, etc. This desensitizes them to being handled. I also enroll them in Puppy Kindergarten when they are old enough. This is a wonderful experience for young pups, as they learn to socialize with not only people but other dogs. Everyone with a new pup should be required to take their pup to this type of class. It is invaluable.

I also take them into the vet occasionally and have the techs behind the counter love on them, give them cookies and lots of positive attention, then we leave. The vet’s office becomes a fun and exciting place to them, instead of some place they only go to get shots or have unpleasant things done to them. It becomes a positive association rather than a negative one.

Many folks are mistakenly under the impression that socializing their dog makes them “too friendly” and not a good watchdog. This is not true. Dogs who are well socialized and used to meeting friendly folks are better rounded and will know the difference when they encounter a suspicious character. And they most certainly will defend their territory and their families. A dog that is not socialized will fear anything and everything and will not differentiate between friendly folks or a threat. Everything is a threat. Definitely not what you want in this day and age.

A well socialized dog is a pleasure. One that is not is a menace. It is our responsibility as owners to socialize our dogs and make sure they are good canine citizens.