Dog-training expert and author Sarah Hodgson explains how to test a puppy's temperament and begin your dog's basic training. The first step in training your dog is to train yourself to think differently about dogs.
Picking the right puppy to train is extremely important. You must begin by identifying your own style and discovering which breed of puppy is the best match for you.
Your dog thinks of you as a member of its pack. Within a pack, every puppy has a place in the hierarchy: the leader, the next in line, the "middleman," the passive pup and the shy pup.
If you enjoy a challenge, consider the leader of the pack. She needs an owner who has time for serious training.
If you have a busy lifestyle or a family that includes kids, take a look at the middleman pup. He is happy in almost any situation and responds easily to training.
If you're patient and calm, the passive pup is your perfect match (figure A ). With gentle training and plenty of praise, the passive dog makes a wonderful companion for a quiet owner.
Puppy Try-Outs Here's a simple hands-on test that can reveal a puppy's temperament: - First, observe the litter and see whether you can identify the personalities described above.
- Lift each puppy by his middle, and see how he reacts. Does he remain motionless and content, or does he move constantly (figure B)?
- Perform the flip-flop test: turn each puppy over, and see how she reacts. Does she relax immediately, in a few seconds or not at all (figure C)?
- Do the gentle caress test. Tuck the puppy lovingly between your knees and observe how he reacts (figure D).
- Put the puppy down, and do a "wacky walk". Walk around in different directions and observe the pups' behavior. Do they follow you around, or are they uninterested?
- Shake a set of car keys vigorously, then drop the keys. Watch how the puppies react.
- If you have children, try the crash test (figure E). Bring in the children and allow the dog to sniff them. Ask a child to fall and pretend to be injured, and observe the dog's reaction.
These tests can help you determine whether a puppy is active, middleman or passive. Once you know that, you should match the puppy to your lifestyle.
The busiest pups get an A for active: these pups love to challenge and win.
Neutral middleman pups (figure F) will defend themselves from tough guys but prefer more peaceful games such as exploring.
Passive and shy (figure G) puppies require quiet, gentle handling.
After testing, rate each puppy as active, middleman or passive and keep track of your score. You are now ready to choose your favorite.
Dog Breeds and Groups Another key consideration is the breed of dog. Before you choose a dog, think about the breed's characteristics. The American Kennel Club recognizes more than 140 different breeds in several groups: sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, herding and miscellaneous.
The sporting group includes pointers, setters, retrievers and spaniels. These dogs were bred to hunt, retrieve and work with their owners and are relatively easy to train.
Breeds in the hound group (including dachshunds and beagles) aren't predisposed to listen to people and often choose not to (figure H). These independent dogs need a lot of training to become well-behaved family pets.
Scent hounds are more interested in trailing the scent of a rabbit than in staying home and learning commands. Sight hounds follow anything that moves and may confuse other household pets with lunch.
Dogs in the working group (including Doberman pinschers, Siberian huskies, great Danes and boxers) were bred to perform specific jobs. Whether the task is guard duty, search-and-rescue missions or pulling a sled, these dogs love and need to work.
Dogs in the herding group (figure I) (for example, German shepherds, collies, Shetland sheepdogs and Australian shepherds) are hard-working animals, and without sheep to herd, they'll herd other things. Herding dogs are easy to train, but training is essential or their busy behavior becomes annoying.
The non-sporting group (figure J) includes a great diversity of breeds, from the standard and miniature poodle to the Dalmatian and bulldog. Study each breed you're considering to determine whether it would make a compatible pet for you and your household.
Small dogs need training too. Those in the terrier group don't like to lose and are very determined and independent. If you're a control freak, these dogs aren't for you.
The toy group includes the toy poodle (figure K), Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier and Chihuahua, among other small breeds. They're actually miniature working dogs bred to be small and adorable -- and because they're so charming, it's easy to spoil them and turn them into tiny tyrants. One of the best ways to show your affection is to train your toy dog well.
Coming Home and Beginning Housebreaking Before you bring your new pet home, have on hand a dog crate or cardboard box, water and food bowls, puppy food, a collar, a leash and a dog tag.
Make the homecoming transition smoother by bringing the puppy home to a calm and relaxed environment. In fact, many experts recommend that you not adopt a puppy during the Christmas holidays, when the household is anything but calm.
The puppy needs to feel safe and secure, so you need to have a containment system such as a crate (figure L), a small gated area (figure M), or even a cardboard box (figure N).
The tag should include only your phone number and the words "Help me home" so you don't give away the name of your puppy or your address.
Remember, your puppy doesn't know the difference between an expensive oriental rug and the grass, so immediately select a spot outdoors where he can eliminate.
Blaze a trail to the spot, and be consistent, following the same path each time you take the puppy out, using words such as "outside" or "to your papers."
While your dog eliminates, use a command such as "get busy." Eventually he will learn to go on command.
Once he's finished, give him a reward in the form of lavish praise.
Nighttime can be challenging for you and the new puppy. It's wonderful if she will sleep with you -- but you may have to put a hot-water bottle or a ticking clock with her in a quiet, dark room to encourage sleep.
At first small puppies may wake up a few times during the night. If that happens, take the pup to her outdoor spot. This phase will pass, so be patient, and stay relaxed. Your puppy will eventually be housebroken, but it won't happen overnight.
RESOURCES :
Halloween Products
Doctors Foster and Smith
Website: www.drsfostersmith.com
The American Kennel Club
Petopia.com
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Choosing, Training and Raising a Dog
Author: Sarah Hodgson
Unfortunately, this book is currently out of print. Please check your local library or used bookstore for a copy.
Macmillan / Alpha Books
Website: www.macmillan.com
Sarah Hodgson
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