Behavioral Problems
Sadly, many times a pet is presented to the veterinarian or CCAPS for euthanasia because of behavioral problems.
What causes such a breakdown in a pet-owner relationship that this course of action seems the only one possible to the frustrated owner?
Often the problems culminate from indulgent practices that began early in the pet's life.
Good citizenship is a phase that is becoming more common in dog obedience training these days. It implies much more than your basic commands of "sit and stay". It covers areas of pet interaction of family and neighbors in the community as well.
It is important that your pet does not have the dominant role in any animal-human relationship, that he or she is not the one deciding what to eat, where to sleep and who will be allowed to sit next to mommy or daddy on the couch. If your pet is calling the shots at your house you may need to seek professional help to make your pet a good citizen again.
If you are starting with a young puppy or kitten, it is wise to make a habit of opening its mouth, handling the feet, checking in the ears and so forth to get the animal used to being examined. Growling and play biting, while cute in the 8 week old puppy, may escalate to true aggression in the 8 month old dog, and should not be tolerated. Instead, channel such play behavior onto inanimate objects. Never allow biting of human hands and feet.
A pet that is a joy to own can be taken to a wide variety of places without dragging you on the leash or causing complaints from friends and neighbors. These pets are naturally well-behaved. They are well handled and well socialized, in other words, someone spent time with them, teaching them the things they needed to know to co-exist in our crowded world.
Gone are the days where any pet can safely run free. Cars not withstanding, there is know way you can prevent destructive behavior in such a pet. Good citizenship is more than just a popular buzzword in obedience circles today. It can keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe.
Sadly, many times a pet is presented to the veterinarian or CCAPS for euthanasia because of behavioral problems.
What causes such a breakdown in a pet-owner relationship that this course of action seems the only one possible to the frustrated owner?
Often the problems culminate from indulgent practices that began early in the pet's life.
Good citizenship is a phase that is becoming more common in dog obedience training these days. It implies much more than your basic commands of "sit and stay". It covers areas of pet interaction of family and neighbors in the community as well.
It is important that your pet does not have the dominant role in any animal-human relationship, that he or she is not the one deciding what to eat, where to sleep and who will be allowed to sit next to mommy or daddy on the couch. If your pet is calling the shots at your house you may need to seek professional help to make your pet a good citizen again.
If you are starting with a young puppy or kitten, it is wise to make a habit of opening its mouth, handling the feet, checking in the ears and so forth to get the animal used to being examined. Growling and play biting, while cute in the 8 week old puppy, may escalate to true aggression in the 8 month old dog, and should not be tolerated. Instead, channel such play behavior onto inanimate objects. Never allow biting of human hands and feet.
A pet that is a joy to own can be taken to a wide variety of places without dragging you on the leash or causing complaints from friends and neighbors. These pets are naturally well-behaved. They are well handled and well socialized, in other words, someone spent time with them, teaching them the things they needed to know to co-exist in our crowded world.
Gone are the days where any pet can safely run free. Cars not withstanding, there is know way you can prevent destructive behavior in such a pet. Good citizenship is more than just a popular buzzword in obedience circles today. It can keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe.
HOUSEBREAKING THE PUPPY
Housebreaking begins as soon as the puppy enters his new home. How long the training period
must continue depends on both the puppy and the owner. Some pups learn sooner than others.
Every dog wants to please his master, but a puppies memory is short, and patience and super-
vision must be the watchwords.
The following suggestions are offered to the owner of the new puppy as a guide in this early
training period:
1. Provide the puppy with a bed. This may be a box, open at one end and slightly larger than
the pup. If the bed is too large, the puppy may use a corner rather than go outside. If the bed
is smaller, the puppy will get out rather than soil his bed.
2. Enclose the bed in a small area rather than allow the puppy the freedom of the entire house.
Cover this are with newspapers or puppy pads to be used during the night.
3. In order not to establish the paper habit too strongly, the puppy should become accustomed
to going outdoors to relieve himself. An outdoor spot should be chosen where the dog can go
indefinitely without being disturbed or disturbing others. An are at the back of the yard or
behind the garage may be satisfactory. To teach the puppy to associate this spot with his toilet
habits, several stools and some rags or newspapers soaked in the pups urine can be placed there.
4. The FIRST thing in the morning the puppy should be "lifted" from the box and taken to the
selected place. Let him sniff about and the moment he has relieved himself, praise him and
IMMEDIATELY bring him into the house. Do not let him play. The toilet period and the play
period should be definitely separate in the puppies routine.
5. He should be rushed to the selected spot immediately after each meal or nap, at one or two
hour intervals between, and the last thing at night. As soon as he relieves himself, he should
again be praised and hurried into the house. Regularity of timing is of the utmost importance.
6. When taken out to play, it is well to leave the house by another door and to avoid taking him
near his toilet spot. Never play with the puppy until after he has been taken out.
7. Watch for his signals of sniffing and running about in circles and rush him outdoors. There will
of course be accidents in the house. Never let one of these slips be unnoticed. Do not whip him,
but immediately scold him and rush him outdoors. Then scrub the area of the mishap thoroughly
until the odor is gone.
8. The apartment dweller who is unable to take the puppy outdoors frequently, can train it to
newspapers or puppy pads placed at some convenient place on a washable, hard surface. Be warned,
however, that once the paper habit is established, it is difficult to change.
Housebreaking begins as soon as the puppy enters his new home. How long the training period
must continue depends on both the puppy and the owner. Some pups learn sooner than others.
Every dog wants to please his master, but a puppies memory is short, and patience and super-
vision must be the watchwords.
The following suggestions are offered to the owner of the new puppy as a guide in this early
training period:
1. Provide the puppy with a bed. This may be a box, open at one end and slightly larger than
the pup. If the bed is too large, the puppy may use a corner rather than go outside. If the bed
is smaller, the puppy will get out rather than soil his bed.
2. Enclose the bed in a small area rather than allow the puppy the freedom of the entire house.
Cover this are with newspapers or puppy pads to be used during the night.
3. In order not to establish the paper habit too strongly, the puppy should become accustomed
to going outdoors to relieve himself. An outdoor spot should be chosen where the dog can go
indefinitely without being disturbed or disturbing others. An are at the back of the yard or
behind the garage may be satisfactory. To teach the puppy to associate this spot with his toilet
habits, several stools and some rags or newspapers soaked in the pups urine can be placed there.
4. The FIRST thing in the morning the puppy should be "lifted" from the box and taken to the
selected place. Let him sniff about and the moment he has relieved himself, praise him and
IMMEDIATELY bring him into the house. Do not let him play. The toilet period and the play
period should be definitely separate in the puppies routine.
5. He should be rushed to the selected spot immediately after each meal or nap, at one or two
hour intervals between, and the last thing at night. As soon as he relieves himself, he should
again be praised and hurried into the house. Regularity of timing is of the utmost importance.
6. When taken out to play, it is well to leave the house by another door and to avoid taking him
near his toilet spot. Never play with the puppy until after he has been taken out.
7. Watch for his signals of sniffing and running about in circles and rush him outdoors. There will
of course be accidents in the house. Never let one of these slips be unnoticed. Do not whip him,
but immediately scold him and rush him outdoors. Then scrub the area of the mishap thoroughly
until the odor is gone.
8. The apartment dweller who is unable to take the puppy outdoors frequently, can train it to
newspapers or puppy pads placed at some convenient place on a washable, hard surface. Be warned,
however, that once the paper habit is established, it is difficult to change.
10 Commandments For Being A Responsible Pet Owner
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place you trust in me-it is crucial for my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends and your entertainment. I have only you!
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hands, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch it," or "Let it happen in my absence."
Everything is easier for me when you are there.....
And remember, I Love You!
------Author Unknown
1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be very painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3. Place you trust in me-it is crucial for my well being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends and your entertainment. I have only you!
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice when it's speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hands, but I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart may be getting old and weak.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You, too, will grow old.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say "I can't bear to watch it," or "Let it happen in my absence."
Everything is easier for me when you are there.....
And remember, I Love You!
------Author Unknown