Understanding Your Dog

Domestic dogs still retain many of the behavior traits of their wolf-like ancestors. Understanding these traits will help you understand your dog.

The Dog Pack

Dogs are social animals. In their natural state, they live in groups or packs with one or two leaders. In the litter, the mother dog is the leader. She nurtures, teaches and disciplines.

The alpha is the leader of the pack and is responsible for the survival of the pack. The alpha dog makes decisions, gives direction and settles disputes. All the other dogs and the subordinates obey the alpha dog. The alpha dog eats first, enters and exits the den before the others in the pack, sleeps separately from the others in the den, protects subordinate dogs and does not back down from challenges for leadership from other dogs.

The alpha communicates his or her dominance through body language and facial expressions. Dominant body language includes a challenging state, erect tail and ears, holding the body still, mounting, raising the hair on the back of the neck, curling the lips back vertically, nudging, pawing and leaning, and marking territory (sniffing and leaving drops of urine).

Submissive body language includes lowering the body and head, carrying the tail low (or between the legs), ears back or down, avoiding eye contact, licking the lip, rolling over on the back, raising a paw in the air, pulling the lips back horizontally, and piddling or submissive wetting.

How does this knowledge apply to our pets?

The human family is the dog's pack. This means your dog will look to you or someone in your family to provide leadership and nurturing, a mother figure and an alpha figure. If you don't provide the leadership, he will choose a leader. He may even appoint himself leader. It is in your best interest to establish yourself as the pack leader for these reasons.

• Most pet dogs are more comfortable being lead.
• Humans tend to dislike leader-like behavior from their pets and are quick to label dogs that display this behavior as "bad".
• If you want your dog to follow instructions, it's imperative that you are the established leader.

By incorporating these practices into your everyday relationship with your dog you are enforcing your place as leader and his place as follower. This is natural and healthy for dogs. Ideally, these practices should coincide with regular obedience training (see training).

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Training

Dog training builds confidence in the timid dog and teaches discipline to the unruly one. In teaching your dog basic obedience, you are building a relationship and establishing your dominant leadership position.

There are many training methods. You may train your dog at home with guidance of a dog training manual or enroll in a dog obedience class.

Whatever method you use, establish a consistent routine that the entire family can carry out. If your dog understands what's expected of him, he will be well mannered, happy and secure.

Note: Any dog over 10 weeks of age can learn.

Basic Commands To Teach Your Dog:

There are many useful books on basic dog obedience. If you want to begin at home, start with the following commands:

• Sit
• All done
• Sit/Stay
• Come
• Down
• Down/Stay

Teach these in order. In other words, teach the command "Sit" first. Once your dog understands this, begin working on "Sit/Stay". Teach "Down", and then teach "Down/Stay". Work two or three times every day with your dog. Keep the training sessions short (10 - 15 minutes each) so you both enjoy them.

Let him move from sitting or lying down only when you've told him he can with a command such as "All done" or "That'll do". If you don't tell him when he can move, he'll guess. If he guesses, say "NO" and put him back in the position until you release him.

The Keys to Successful Training:

• Repetition. Your dog can't learn everything at once.
• Praise. Kind words and pats will motivate your dog and make sessions more positive.
• Consistency. Everyone in the family must follow the same training methods. If you don't, your dog will become confused about what's expected.
• Leadership. See "Understanding Your Dog"
• A quick snap on the leash to get your dog's attention or to distract him can be a very effective correction for most dogs - if it's done correctly and humanely. This technique is learned in basic obedience classes. You can also contact your veterinarian for advice. A sharp "NO" will likely be sufficient for a more timid dog. Correct as another dog would; quickly and to the point.
• Correct your dog only when he does not follow through on a command he knows, when he challenges your leadership, or when he does something wrong. Use a correction appropriate for your dog's personality and for the situation. Over-correcting will make your dog afraid of you. Under correcting will teach your dog he doesn't need to take you seriously.
• Correct your dog immediately after he makes a mistake. If you wait more than a few seconds, he won't know what he's being corrected for.

Behavior Problems:

• Correct aggressive behavior immediately. Your dog is challenging your leadership. Behavior such as marking territory in the house, growling over food, possessions, or the bed and being protective of one family member are all examples of dominant behavior. Get help with these problems from an obedience trainer or a dog behavior specialist.
• Submissive urination or piddling should not be corrected. It is a reaction of a submissive dog. The dog has no control over it and correction tends to make the problem worse. Chances are the piddling will subside if you ignore it and as the dog gains confidence.
• Be patient in your dealings with problem behavior but don't put off fixing the problem.
• Do not allow your dog to nip even in play. When he does nip, say "NO" sharply. If this does not stop him, grasp his collar or give him a quick snap on the leash.
• Don't play rough. Toss a ball or stick for your dog to fetch: jog or race with him or teach him to catch a Frisbee.
• NEVER play tug-of-war or let your dog tug your clothing. These games encourage your dog to challenge your leadership. They also encourage aggression.
• NEVER let your dog bite your arm, even if it's wrapped in a towel or shirt. Never let him pull and tug on a towel or rope. Biting and tugging games will only make your dog bite you.
• NEVER let your dog bite or pull on his leash.
• NEVER let your dog beg for food. He must earn rewards at the appropriate times (such as training). He must not demand to be fed.
• NEVER tease your dog or allow others to tease him.
• NEVER hit your dog or allow others to hit him. Not only is it inhumane, it's unnecessary. It only makes your dog afraid of you. If you take good care of your dog, and treat him with patience and praise, you can prevent many frustrations.

For help in handling behavior problems like jumping up, not coming when called, and barking, see the list of training books, consult your veterinarian or enroll in dog obedience classes right away. Dog obedience classes train your dog AND you.

Housetraining

Understanding basic dog behavior is important when you are housetraining your dog (see Understanding Your Dog).

Dogs have a natural desire to keep their den areas clean. Therefore, by confining your dog in training to a cleanable area during unsupervised times, you can capitalize on natural behavior in a positive way. Never use the confinement area for punishment or for extended periods of time.

Paper training, trains your dog to go to the bathroom inside the house. It is not a necessary first step to outdoor training. You should avoid this method.

Remember these two important points when doing any training with your dog.

Dogs want to please the alpha figure in their packs. Therefore, praise and positive reinforcement are key elements.

Dogs learn best by repetition and by being asked to behave in ways that relate to their natural instincts.

How To Have The Best Success:

The following applies to adult dogs as well as to young puppies. Until a puppy is 4 to 5 months of age, he may not be capable of holding his bladder or bowel for long periods of time.

If you've adopted an adult dog that has been previously housetrained, he may need some refresher training. The time it takes to achieve complete success will vary with the individual animal.

• Agree on a procedure of training that all family members will follow consistently.
• Establish one area outdoors as a toilet area. Take the dog to the toilet area on a frequent and regular basis.
• Wait there for the dog to eliminate, and then praise the dog enthusiastically. This is very important.
• Feed your dog on a regular schedule.
• Take your dog outside often at first, early in the morning, after each feeding, after each nap and in the evening before bed. A dog's need to relieve himself often is stimulated after eating, drinking or chewing, after awakening and after playtimes or times of excitement.
• Puppies should go out at least every 3 hours. Adult dogs, if housetrained, should go out every 5 to 7 hours.
• Adult dogs (1year or older) should be able to make it through the night without and accident. Puppies under 16 weeks may not. If he whines or stirs, take him outside. This will reinforce the notion of "asking" to be let out.
• You can anticipate when your dog needs to go out by watching for certain signs: sniffing the ground, obvious squatting, loitering around the door, circling with the head held low, barking whining or scratching.
• Do not clean up an accident in front of your dog. To a dog watching his owner clean up a mess, especially in the house is positive reinforcement for doing it again.
• If a mistake happens, clean the area well with a half and half solution of vinegar and water. Or use a commercial neutralizer available from veterinarians or pet stores. Do not use ammonia-based cleaners. Urine also contains ammonia and the combination will make the mess worse.
• Your dog does not have a long-term memory. He will not remember that he did something wrong much past the deed. Rubbing your dog's nose in a mess will not work. It will only teach him to be afraid of you.
• When your dog is caught making a mistake (not afterwards), reprimand with a strong, low-voiced "NO!" Take your dog directly to the toilet area. Then when he eliminates, praise him enthusiastically.
• When you first get home after leaving your dog for a while, carry him or lead him on leash to his toilet area immediately. Praise him for his business outside.
• Consult your veterinarian or a dog behavior specialist if you are having difficulty with housetraining or other problem behaviors.
• Remember, your dog will respond to kindness and consistency - so please be patient.