The Ultimate Guide to Puppy Care and Training. Tracy J. Libby
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home—away from his canine mother and littermates—is usually stressful and difficult. Older puppies that have come from shelters or rescue can be equally stressed because of uncertainty and instability in their lives. Some puppies adjust more easily than others, but most will likely be feeling lonely and insecure and may whine and cry after being put in a crate. To help make the first night with your puppy more calm and stress-free, follow these tips:
•Before putting him to bed, be sure he has been outside to potty.
•Dogs are social animals who want to be part of a pack, which is your family. Isolating him in another room is likely to make him feel lonely and insecure.
•Place your puppy’s crate next to your bed or that of another family member. Knowing that someone is near will help comfort him. During the night, you can reach down and reassure him that you are close by.
•Be sure to put some soft towels or a crate pad and a safe dog toy inside so he can curl up and be comfortable.
Once tucked into his new bed, your puppy may cry for a few minutes before dozing off. He might even scream and yowl for a while. Despite your best intentions, avoid taking him out of his crate and into your bed—unless that is where you want him to sleep for the rest of his life. Taking him out of his crate will reinforce in his mind: “When I cry, someone will rescue me.”
Ideally, it is best to ignore your puppy’s pitiful pleas, provided, of course, that you are certain he is safe and does not need to potty. Never scold or physically punish your puppy; this will only exacerbate the problem and may create a puppy that becomes fearful, anxious, or worried. Realize that this will pass. It’s part and parcel of owning a puppy. It might take a few sleepless nights, but once the puppy settles down, he will become quite attached to his crate.
Naming Your Puppy
Naming your puppy is great fun but may prove challenging in a large or opinionated household. A vote may be in order. Owners come up with all sorts of fun and creative names that reflect their own personal style, such as “Fry” (for the fisherman), “Hoops” (for the basketball enthusiast), or “Java” (for the coffee lover). Some people choose names based on a puppy’s origin or appearance, such as Hershey (for the chocolate Lab), “Blue” (for the blue merle Australian Shepherd), or “Paddy” (for the Irish Terrier).
Some owners like quick one-syllable names, such as Bill, Mike, Jag, Meg, Mick, Bess, Nell, Glen, or Tweed. These names easily roll off the tongue and aren't likely to be confused with commands, such as “Down” or “Sit.”
Choose a name that will be appropriate throughout the life of your dog and while out in public. What is cute and funny in private may not be so amusing with the visiting in-laws or when your neighbors can hear you calling your dog.
Bonding
The term “bonding” is tossed around a lot in the dog-training world, but what does it mean? You're probably thinking, Can’t I just love my dog? Yes, loving your dog is important, but the bond you form with your dog is what helps to cement the foundation of the human–canine relationship. Consider this: you might love your distant cousin, but you are bonded with your sibling or best friend or spouse.
Think about the family members or friends with whom you enjoy spending time. They’re positive and fun, right? You share secrets and life experiences, which forms and strengthens the bond. Now think about those people you like to avoid. Maybe they’re cranky or domineering. Maybe they nag or criticize every little thing you do. Either way, they probably aren’t much fun to be around. Developing a strong bond with them is difficult, if not impossible.
All sorts of controversy surround the topic of bonding. Some experts dismiss the idea of making yourself the center of your puppy’s world—and vice versa. But if you have ever been touched deeply by a dog—or any animal—you know that bonding is the real deal. The depth of emotion that owners have for their dogs is oftentimes inexplicable. Countless stories exist of people who are willing to risk their own lives to save their dogs. In the midst of multiple severe storms—Hurricanes Katrina and Irene and Superstorm Sandy, for example—were owners who were willing to risk life and limb to save their dogs, with many refusing to evacuate without their pets.
Many owners are so bonded with their dogs that they choose to stay home with them rather than go out for dinner or shopping or a movie. Many owners choose no vacation if it means leaving their dogs behind. Those with little or no disposable income spend their last dollars on dog food and toys. Labeling these owners as crazy, foolish, or senseless is easy, but the depth of love and devotion that people feel for their dogs is complex and not easily explained by simple reasons.
Consider this, too: oxytocin (the “feel-good” hormone) is associated with social bonding. A small research project indicated that people whose dogs gazed at them had “significantly higher levels of oxytocin after the experiment” than those owners whose dogs looked at them for shorter periods. Of course, myriad hypotheses exist, and individuals vary in how much of the hormone they produce and utilize effectively. Without scientific data, it stands to reason that people who are strongly bonded with their dogs may have higher levels of oxytocin. Maybe it has nothing to do with science and everything to do with a dog’s ability to bring out the best in us.
Why is this important? In addition to the reciprocating human–canine friendship and all of the positives that come from such a relationship, research indicates that people who have an emotional attachment to or relationship with their dogs are less likely to surrender those dogs to a humane society or rescue organization.
Bonding games, which this book provides examples, will help fortify the relationship you have with your dog. Simple everyday tasks and positive interactions with your dog—feeding, walking, bathing, brushing, playing, exercising, and just hanging out—are great ways to facilitate and strengthen the bonding process, too.
Supervise any interactions between the new puppy and the family cat. Puppies learn quickly that cats have claws that are as quick as they are sharp.
Household Rules
Someone once said, “Unless you and your puppy live in a cave, he will need some manners”—or something along those lines. The point is, unless you want your puppy to grow into a hooligan—the type of dog your friends and family secretly detest—you will need to have household rules in place before he comes home. Equally important, everyone must agree on the rules. It does no good to establish puppy rules unless everyone in the family is following the same rules.
Household rules help to teach your puppy that he cannot be cheeky, pushy, bossy or obnoxious. He must learn to play nicely, act like a mannerly citizen, and not run wild. Well-behaved canine citizens cannot chase the livestock, eat the chickens, bark incessantly, swipe food off the counter, or cause chaos through the neighborhood.
The rules you establish and the behaviors you choose to accept are up to you. You should never feel guilty for allowing your puppy to jump up on you or sleep on the bed with you or beg for food at the dinner table—if those are behaviors you can happily live with for the next twelve to fifteen years.
On the other hand, if you decide to designate your bed and furniture as dog-free zones, then you must set a clear pattern of behavior by not allowing him on the furniture from day one. Avoid confusing your puppy by allowing him on the bed today but not tomorrow because you just changed the sheets. It is equally unfair to allow your adorable puppy on the couch today but scold him six months down the road because he weighs 80 pounds and has four dirty paws.
If you do not want a particular behavior, you should discourage the behavior when your puppy is young and impressionable. You must manage his environment so he learns early on which behaviors are acceptable and which might preclude a long and mutually respectful human–canine relationship.
Of course, you will need to teach your puppy the household rules without stifling his zany personality. After all, he should be respectful but not fearful. He should be confident, fun and lively, not dull or robotic.
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