(Apparently some readers can’t find our email at the end of the column, so here is it at the beginning AsISeeItTP@GMail.com

I noticed a recent report about a ‘Pit-Bull’ which killed a neighbors pet.

Of course everyone blames the dog! Labeling them “dangerous and bad-tempered.”

One so-called ‘dog-lover’ even said ‘any dog will misbehave sometimes’.

As I see it, the many ‘Animal Shelters’ in our area should require potential ‘dog-owners’ to attend a class on “Good Owners & Good Dogs”.

What I see are ‘uneducated’ buyers trying to ‘control’ their new dogs ‘bad behavior’. Mostly by yelling!

I asked one such ‘well-meaning’ owner, “Do you think that your new, ‘vicious’ dog is smarter than your well-behaved, polite grandchildren?”

His response was not ‘polite’ at all!

What is not understood, is that a dogs ‘behavior’ is not ‘bad’ to the dog!

Even in your home your dog might bark, jump, nip, whine or chew on your furniture,

When you go out for a nice walk with your new friend, it pulls you down the street or chases anything which moves.

If you would listen, your dog is telling you that it is ‘just having fun’ &/or relieving a bit of stress in its new, unfamiliar home.

By-the-way, ‘Dog Breeds’ are irrelevant – regardless of what you might read.

Also, ‘age’ does matter either!

As I told my grumpy friend, you might be more forgiving of the ‘mis-behavior’ of a 2 year-old child than, perhaps, a 10 year old! Why not your dog?

In my experience, if you are thinking of ‘training’ or ‘correcting’ your dog, then you are ‘behind-the- eight-ball’ already!

For example, barking at the door bell or at visitor is not ‘bad’.

Growling if you take away the food bowl is not ‘bad’.

Like starting a new job, your dog doesn’t know the ‘rules’ or the ‘routine’! That causes stress, anxiety and, perhaps, what you see as ‘bad behavior’.

Would you shout at a new colleague, or would you politely ‘educate’ them with “This is how it’s done here, and, this is why!”

Getting angry, upset or raising your voice, teaches no-one anything.

Except, perhaps that it’s time to get excited; which is exactly what you don’t want with your dog (or your colleague.

The question was asked “How should I introduce a new dog to its new home?”

My question was “How long did it take you to learn to drive a car?”

Fact is, if you didn’t ‘talk’ to your new dog the second you met it, you’ve already failed the test!

For example, if your new neighbor comes over to say ‘Hi!’, do you excitedly jump up and down, give then a full body hug, ruffle their hair! – (you get my point!).

More likely, you are inviting and pleasant, but you probably ‘direct-the-traffic’! “Lets sit here”; “Lets go out to the lanai”. “Want a beer?”

You (subtly) make it clear that, “This is my house. Here’s what we’re going to do!”

It’s that simple! Your dog also needs to know that it is to look to you for ‘guidance’ and that you are ‘In Charge’.

Some label that role as the ‘Authority Figure’.

You have to be patient, firm and determined from ‘Day-One’ (or sooner).

My new friend said, “I am going over to the pound tomorrow to look at a few dogs; so what’s the plan?”

As I See It, those dogs are probably caged. As such, that is their ‘domain’, which they might protect. Marching right up to them is a direct challenge, so you’re in trouble already!

Don’t let a ‘handler’ put the dog on a leash and bring it out to you!

Best to get a chair, move up to the cage door, put the back of your hand up to the wire and leave it there until the dog loses interest (stops snarling and barking) and go lay down. At least now they are not afraid of you. But this is where patience is a problem – the process can take quite-a-while!

Then, stay seated but turn away, and have the ‘handler’ go in walk the dog out (slack leash and muzzled).

It’s essential that no-one looks at the dog and no-one speaks or moves.

If this is the dog for you, it will come to you, its new friend, slowly and quietly for a ‘sniff’. Only then do you look (slowly) at the dog and rest your hand on your knee.

You are asking “Do you like me?”

If you get this far, you’ve made a good start, but you’re only on the first tee . . . .

’til next time

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CEP – Click to learn more

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