This is in memory of our Magic Man. Born August 31, 2006, died April 11, 2007.
And all the other dogs we've had over the years.
1. Never punish your dog for something you didn't see him do.
They don't really "get" that you are yelling at them about what they did. If you feel the need to be mad, stomp around and yell things like "WHO did this bad thing!" They will get the idea you aren't happy, but you won't end up with a dog that cringes when you yell.
I remember yelling at poor Toby for a lot of stuff. He did a lot of bad stuff, but he really didn't understand why I was so mad at him. He was
2. Never rub your dogs nose in his mistakes, or hit him with a newspaper, or hit him for any reason when potty training. (Never hit your dog, period.)
The only time it's okay to yell at your dog when potty training is if you catch him in the act of going potty. Then say "NO", and take him outside right away, and praise, praise praise. There are lots of great places that offer puppy kindergarten classes that will help you potty train your puppy in ways that make your life easier, and are effective and KIND.
3. Gentle training is better than strict training.
You want to make obedience fun, not a time of punishment. All the dogs we trained this way were much better behaved, and faster to learn. The old school obedience training involved mean corrections that were not necessary.
4. Training your puppy when he's young is the best.
Don't wait until you have a problem dog, start training right away. Puppies are so eager to learn, and eager to please - it is so easy to do and doesn't take much time. (Sorry Toby) Training is like a game to them. With treats.
5. Never give your dogs toys that are a.) small enough to fit completely into his mouth or b.) look like anything you don't want him to destroy.
This includes shoe shaped toys, stuffed toys (especially if you have kids) (we don't so our dogs sometimes get stuffed toys). Some dogs, like our Suzie, could not have toys with squeakers. She would rip the toy apart immediately to get at the squeaker. We also don't give rawhide toys. Our Nemo as a puppy felt that rawhide was the same as leather. Which led to the destruction of a few pairs of leather shoes, the leather around the tops of three pairs of tennis shoes, a leather belt (complete except for the buckle) and a couch cushion. I am missing a few things.
We have never given socks, except for possibly to Toby and Tasha, who were smaller dogs. Big mistake, Tasha was a clothes thief. Tasha used to steal clothing out of the dryer and bury it. Toys that fit in a dogs mouth can be swallowed. Don't give tennis balls to dogs that can swallow them. There are over sized tennis balls for this. I am very leery of nylabones, greenies, or anything like that. Our dogs jaws are too powerful. They can eat things that will really hurt them. They find enough stuff on their own, don't let toys be a part of it.
6. Start grooming your dog once a week when he's very young.
It's especially easy not to worry about short haired dogs. If you groom them once a week you can keep an eye on any skin problems, or hurt places, in addition to having your dogs used to grooming tools, and not thinking they are toys (Magic) or Items That Might Hurt Them (Nemo).
Toby, the Cocker Spaniel hated to have his feet touched. Suzie was always Very Concerned about the toenail clippers (although she would allow them to be clipped).
7. Take your dog many places when he's young. Introduce him to lots of people, and other dogs. Socialize, socialize, socialize.
This should almost be number one. It's true that every dog has a personality. Toby could be nice, but he was stubborn, and had the Cocker rage problem. Tasha was very, very smart, and very good. Both of them could have been much better dogs (with reservations) if we had been better at socializing them. Toby was good with people, but bad with other dogs. Tasha was actually good with everyone. Suzie was an angel dog. In spite of her breeds (Rottie/GSD) she loved other dogs. People - it took her a few years with us, but she gradually lost her suspicion of people she didn't know, and became a people-lover. Nemo has always been shy, and because of his hip displaysia we didn't socialize him as much as we should have - so he is very reserved. If he knows you, he loves you. If he doesn't know you - you must be a little spooky. Magic - loved everyone. Everyone loved him. Part of all these things was personality - part of it was socialization. Do it.
8. Crate Training is Good
While I am not a fan of keeping dogs in their crates all day, except when they eat or exercise, or go potty, I also feel they have a place in training. During the first few days of being in a new place, they are good. I also think that our next dog may be more crated than our other dogs. Just because it's an easy way to transport them.
9. Pay Attention to What you feed your dogs.
We have always fed our dogs good food. We also don't give them people food. People food is not good for dogs. Toby and Tasha probably got the most people food of all our dogs. Suzie got some, but then when Nemo came along, we gave him very little, and Magic got only a few things, mainly cheese, because we give Nemo cheese in the morning for his glucosamine. Listen to your breeder. Pay attention to your dog. Some dogs need special food, some don't. More expensive is not always better.
10. A skinny dog is better than a fat dog.
Of course, this goes for people too. But we learned the hard way with Suzie. When she was 11 we had to put her on a strict diet, because she was too fat. Her hips started going, and she could barely get up and down. After she lost 35 lbs, she was a different dog. Getting up and down was easy. She became more lively again, and more playful. It gave her several more years of life. So, now we keep our dogs on the lean side. (If only we could do the same for ourselves...)
11. Always remember that 30 lb puppy is going to be a 160 lb. dog.
Since we have big dogs, especially we remember this. A cute little puppy jumping on your head is cute, maybe a little funny. A 160 lb. dog (or in Nemo's case, 200 lb. dog) could be life-threatening. A small dog can still be a pain in many places - a two pound puppy might be a 20 lb dog. So keep that in mind when you are playing.
12. Don't let your dog be the boss.
Don't let your dog get away with dominate behavior. Our dogs nearly always are required to sit before they are fed, before they are let out into the field for a supervised run, for pretty much any fun thing. Even if they con you into giving them treats, make them sit before you give it to them. If you let dogs on the furniture, bed or anywhere else, they have to yield to humans. Nemo's "safe spot" is the couch, but sometimes we make him get off for us. He pouts, but even though he sighs and whines, he knows that we are the boss. If your dog ever snaps at you, or anyone else, seek professional help. Obedience training is very important.
13. Don't put your dog a losing situation.
Don't put a shy dog into a room with 20 screaming kids. Don't put an aggressive dog into a dog park without a leash. Don't corner a fearful dog. Be smart about your dog. Don't leave a dog that isn't used to kids with children. Don't let a small kid walk a large dog unsupervised. Don't walk a cat-hating dog without a leash in a neighborhood with cats. Forcing the issue is just going to make it worse. Nemo is a very shy and timid dog. As long as he feels he can flee if things get too bad, he's okay. Suzie was very wary of people she didn't know. We were very careful about introducing her to people. Gradually she got over that. But we were always aware that with her looks, it was better to be safe. Use common sense. Most problems can be overcome with training, but don't put your dog into situations that he could fail.
14. Keep your dog fenced.
Dogs , unless they are in the middle of nowhere USA, should never be allowed to run free. It's dangerous for them, and dangerous for other people. Dogs as a pack may do things a single dog would never do. Get hit by cars. Get lost during storms. It's just a bad idea. A fenced yard is the best. Some people say dogs should not be allowed out unsupervised even in a fenced yard - I mostly disagree with this. We have a dog door, and it works great. Our dogs have a small run, but also a big field to run in (supervised, since it's not entirely fenced). But we would never allow our dogs out of our yard without a leash. It's just not smart. Dangerous for the dog. UNLESS your dog is trained in off-leash healing. But, even the most highly trained dog will be tempted by things. Cats, say. Or squirrels. Someone with a treat. A dog across the street he's friends with.
15. Sometimes it's kinder to let them go.
All of our dogs, except Nemo, had to be euthanized. We know his time will come someday. It's a hard choice, but don't keep your dog (or cat, or llama) alive for you. Of course, the hope is that you will wake up and they will have died peacefully in their sleep. (I hope this for all my pets, but it rarely happens....) Sometimes, like with Magic, it is a very hard decision. Sometimes, like with Suzie - who had mouth cancer, it's not as hard.
Even when you are prepared, it's still not easy. But as a caretaker, sometimes it's the kindest choice to make.
