CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
The Educated Dog
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Society of the
When
you feel frustrated with your dog’s behavior, remember that someone must teach
a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not. A dog that hasn’t been given
any instructions, training or boundaries can’t possibly know what you expect of
him. By teaching your dog how you want him to behave, you’ll not only have a
saner household, but a healthier and happier dog as well.
An
Educated Dog:
·
Allows you to handle every part of his
body, to check for injury or illness and to give him medication.
·
Has good manners, so he can spend most
of his time indoors with his people. That means more supervision, less boredom
and fewer opportunities for dangerous mischief. The more time you spend with
your dog, the more likely you’ll be to notice when something is wrong with him,
like a limp, a cough, a sensitive area or a loss of appetite. By recognizing
such irregularities early, you can seek medical attention immediately and,
hopefully, prevent more serious problems.
·
Wants to stay near you, listening for
instructions (and praise). This means he’ll have less opportunity to stray into
danger.
·
Will walk or run beside you on a leash
without pulling, dragging or strangling, so you and your dog can get more
exercise and spend more time together.
·
Knows that “drop it” and “leave it
alone” are phrases that mean business, so he’ll have fewer opportunities to
swallow dangerous objects. He also can be taught what things and places are out
of bounds, like hot stoves, heaters or anxious cats. However, you’ll still need
to limit his access to dangerous places when you cannot supervise or instruct
him.
·
Will “sit” immediately, simply because
you say so. No matter what danger may be imminent, a dog that is suddenly still
is suddenly safe. And a dog that will “stay” in that position is even safer.
·
Understands his boundaries, knows what’s
expected of him and has fewer anxieties. Less stress means a healthier dog.
By
training your dog, you can help prevent tragedy and develop a better
relationship with him. Keep in mind, however, that even an educated dog needs
supervision, instruction and boundaries -- sometimes even physical boundaries.
Allowing your dog, no matter how educated he may be, to walk, run or roam
outside of a fenced area or off of a leash, is putting him in danger.
Selecting
a Class
The
Capital Humane Society offers puppy kindergarten training classes. If you can’t
attend any of our classes, check the Yellow Pages under “pet training” or “dog
training.” Your local park or recreation department may also offer classes in
your neighborhood. Here are some tips to help you select an obedience class
that’s right for you:
·
Good obedience instructors are
knowledgeable about many different types of training methods and use techniques
that neither the dogs nor their owners find consistently unpleasant.
·
Good training methods focus primarily on
reinforcing good behavior and use punishment sparingly, appropriately and
humanely. Excessive use of choke chains or pinch collars or using collars to
lift dogs off of the ground (“stringing them up”) are not appropriate or humane
training methods.
·
Good obedience instructors communicate
well with people and with dogs. Remember that they’re instructing you about how
to train your dog.
·
Specific problems you may have with your
dog may not be addressed in a basic obedience course.
If
you’re seeking help with house soiling, barking, aggression or separation
anxiety, ask if the course covers these issues -- don’t assume it will.
·
Ask the instructor what training methods
are used and how they (the instructor and staff) were trained. Also ask to
observe a class before you commit to one. If you’re refused an observation, or if
your observation results in anything that makes you uncomfortable, look
elsewhere.
·
Avoid anyone who: guarantees their work;
whose primary methods focus on punishment; or who want to take your dog and
train him for you (effective training must include you and the environment in
which you and your dog interact).