Just as Dr. Pomerance explained, crate training is important if you would like to help your dog feel safe and secure while you are away, or if you would like the dog to have a safe place to sleep at night.  Crate training is a great way to ensure your dog doesn’t get into anything dangerous while you are away and can even help alleviate barking.

We go over crate training your new Adopted Dog in the first month of the Adopted Dog series.

I have a friend from school that decided to get a Bichon Frise  puppy.  He couldn’t resist…it was a little fluffy white ball of fur.  When I found out my friend had gotten a Bichon, I knew how it would end up.

He worked all day outside the house and he had two little children-I knew it would end badly because Bichon’s don’t like to stay home alone and they prefer older children.

Well, one year later, poor little Simon ended up in the shelter with severe seperation anxiety and a history of biting children.  The likelihood of him getting adopted is very slim with his issues…and if he is, he will probably be brought back after the new adoptive home discovers his problems.

Obviously, this could have easily been avoided with some research and honesty as what one really wants in a dog.  Please, don’t let your dog end up like Simon-use all the tools available to you to find the right dog.  Read all my blog posts and don’t forget that I wrote a book to help you choose the right dog for you.

Good luck!

This quiet moment looking out the door is brought to you through careful socialization

It’s so important to socialize your dog or puppy that not doing so will definitely result in behavior issues later on, but most people don’t realize that the reasons are different for different breeds.

For instance, people comment all the time that they would love a Chihuahua, if only they were guaranteed of getting one just like my little Leon, but people don’t realize I put in a lot of time to get Leon to the happy and well adjusted Chihuahua that he is now.  He wasn’t born to love strangers and other dogs…I had to work on it with him.  Because they are natural watch dogs, it’s difficult for them to feel safe in unfamiliar environments, that why socialization can mean the difference between a yippy, biting Chihuahua and a well mannered, calm one.

The same is true for other breeds, but for different reasons.  Any of the guarding dogs, for instance, need to be well socialized to accept strangers and unfamiliar dogs into his or her space.  Many Spaniels lean towards being very timid, if not introduced to different types of situations and people.  Even Labradors need to be well socialized in order to learn “manners” like, not jumping up on people…especially children.

So, if you are looking to adopt a dog or a puppy, remember that one of the most time consuming, and most rewarding parts of having a well adjusted dog, is socializing.  Take the dog everywhere that you can and get him or her used to being a part of the community.  Your dog will be much happier, and she will become a good ambassador for her breed.

Barking continuously while their owner is away is a mild (unless your a direct neighbor) form or separation anxiety and is usually caused by boredom.

One of the easiest ways to combat boredom is by ensuring the puppy or dog is tired when you leave them all day.  You can take them for several walks…hire a dog walker for the middle of the day.  You can put them on a treadmill while you are getting ready for work in the morning.  You can take them to a doggy day care a couple times a week.  Anything you can do to ensure the dog is good and tired, and I almost guarantee, your neighbors won’t hear a peep out of him again!

The amount of exercise needed will depend greatly upon the breed of dog and it’s temperament, but when you find the perfect amount…you’ll know it!  And your neighbors will love your dog as much as you do!  A bored dog is a stressed dog and a dog that has enough exercise on a daily basis will be much more happy and balanced.

WHY?

Well, for one thing, it may take a while to find the right one, and you want to be able to take your time and be sure your choice is right for you.  You wouldn’t want to just take the first trainer or behaviorist that seems alright, just because you are desperate for some problem to be solved.

You should also just accept that you are going to need one or the other, whichever dog you end up choosing.  If you get a puppy….training should be your number one priority.  If you end up with an older dog, then a behaviorist will probably be needed to help ease the transition and help the dog adjust to it’s new life….and leave it’s old life behind.

So, before you even find the newest member of your family….start building a network of professionals that will help your new member become a trusted and well-behaved companion.

Patricia McConnell explains the difference between primate and canine behavior and how the different ways we communicate can confuse the other.  Reading this book helped me to understand what I was doing to confuse my dogs.  I guess I never thought that we were speaking two different languages.  It makes sense, though, if you think about it.  Dogs are much less vocal than we are and use their body language more often.

After reading this book, my relationship with our dogs has only grown closer and less frustrating.  I pay more attention to my body languange when addressing them and I find they understand my message quicker.  If you wish to increase the communication between you and your canine friend, don’t hesitate to read this book…you won’t regret it and you’re dogs will thank you for it.

I understand that a puppy is really cute and that it seems that you will have more control over a puppy’s ultimate behavior, but adult dogs are really much easier to bring into a household.

Image a puppy as a human toddler.  Image all the time it takes to look after a toddler and how taking your eye off of this toddler can often result in such things as broken items and ruined carpets.  Raising a puppy is very similar.

Adopting a dog is much different.

It’s true, you may be getting a  dog that has fears and bad behaviors associated with it’s former life;  but, in my experience, a couple months of love and training are all it takes to get the new dog used to you and your house.  Weight that against a year or more of training for a puppy and you can see that an older dog is much easier than a puppy.

There are plenty of dogs in shelters and rescues who just need one person to take them home and love them.  Be patient with them and understand that you may need to clean up some pee on the carpet or take them to a behaviorist for a few sessions, but then they will be your most wonderful companion for the rest of their lives.

In the eyes of the law you can “own a dog”, but can you really own a dog, like you would a car, or a house?  If you forget to give your car an oil change, and it dies….does that compare to not taking care of your dog?

I recently came across a woman who wanted to adopt a dog and she mentioned all the things that she wanted, or needed, in a dog.  She wanted companionship and she wanted the dog to keep her company, as she was really lonely.  She wanted a dog to go on errands with her and to motivate her to go on walks.  And I have to admit…sometimes I feel the same way about my Leon…but how healthy is this for the dog?

What is the dog getting out of this deal?

Sure, they receive our love and affection…they receive copious amounts of treats and rewards….but dogs also need limitations and boundaries.

And even when we’ve given up our need (or want) to walk five miles a day…our dog still needs to get out there.

And what happens to all those dogs that have received all the treats they can eat and all the love and affection they can handle without any rules?  They are called shelter dogs…behavioral nightmares….all because we need love.

Why do dogs hang out with us again?

I think it’s a good idea anytime you adopt a new dog, that after the initial introduction period (probably two to three months), you should take the dog to a dog trainer for some type of training or class.

This will be beneficial to both of you for a variety of reasons.  Most breeds enjoy learning new things and a bond will be made between the two of you during the learning process.  You will have the opportunity to learn what motivates your dog, and the dog will learn that you are a pack leader.  Plus you’re ensuring that you and your dog get off on the right foot and having a dog that is well behaved will help you have a dog that you can be proud to own.

My little Chihuahua, Leon, has been a registered therapy dog for two years now.  He has dazzled older and younger people alike.  He’s helped children have the courage to read out loud, and he’s brought memories back to seniors who had dogs when they were younger.

We had our re-evaluation test yesterday and my favorite little crowd pleaser; FAILED.

He wasn’t acting himself from the beginning and every bad behavior he has, came out of him in that moment.  He was barking and unruly.  He wasn’t paying attention to my commands.  And when he was told to “sit”, he just looked at me….My little wonder dog has been “sitting” since he was 8 weeks old.

I knew the evaluation was over and I was devastated.  I was furious with my sweet little dog.  I was hurt and embarrassed.  I was scared that my little dog would continue to let me down because he just decided not to perform and that bothered me immensely.

Today I have a new perspective on the day.  I realize that yesterday I was thinking only of myself.  So, my little dog didn’t sit when I told him to…with the day behind me, I am able to look at the bigger picture.  We can try again in May without any lapse in our registration and I have some time to work with him.  I really haven’t continually trained with him in months, and maybe it’s time we started it up again.

So, he had a bad day. I still love him to death and he still has the opportunity to bring smiles to everyone we meet.  Every Dog has his day and yesterday just wasn’t Leon’s…and it’s O.K.

It’s true that the amount and number of walks vary greatly, if you are thinking of getting a dog, you should understand that taking a walk is part of the deal.

Most people don’t understand that Chihuahua’s love to take walks.  They can actually walk up to a couple of miles and enjoy getting out in the sunshine.  Leon has always enjoyed his walks, as you can see on his video.  You can see that he is walking very easy and happily; he’s not pulling or being dragged.  This is the mark of a true nomadic walk.

There are alternatives to walking outside, although it is good for both you and the dog to get outside in the fresh air as much as possible.  But sometimes it’s too cold, or you don’t have the time; and in this times, a good jaunt on the treadmill is a good substitute.  When the snow is piling up outside, Leon does just fine on his treadmill; but look at how happy he is on the video…why NOT go outside and walk…