Five Steps to a Rewarding Relationship with Your Dog

1. Choose a dog that matches your personality and lifestyle.

What is your personality type?

1. Are you laid back and take things as they come?
2. Are you active and like sports or other energetic activities?
3. Are you introverted or shy?
4. Are you an outgoing extrovert?

2.   What are you looking for in a grown dog? Remember, the pup will grow up.

1. Do you want a watchdog?
2. Do you want your dog to accompany you in sports?
3. Do you want your dog to curl up on your lap and cuddle?
4. Do you want him to sleep at your feet?
5. Do you want him (or her) to be large or tiny – or in-between?

• Research the personality of different breeds to find one whose natural tendencies are what you are looking for in a dog.

2.   Bond With Your Dog

Teach him to let you…

1.   Cradle him on his back
2.   Lay him on his side and flip him over
3.   Examine his body, ears, feet and teeth

These actions, done correctly, establish trust in the pup and help him to see that you are the leader.

3.  Housebreaking

  Three Golden Rules

1.   Confine him
   1. a)       Use a crate
      1.  Confine him no longer than his age in months plus 1(example: a three-month old should not be confined longer than four hours at a time without a break).
2.   Supervise him
   1. a)      When he is not in the crate, tether him to you.
3.   Regulate him
   1. a)       Let him out on a regular schedule
      1. Do not use harsh corrections when he makes a mistake

4.   Explore And Socialize –

Poor Socialization is the most common cause of aggression in a dog.  

Take him to explore and familiarize him with:

1.   People, kids playing, strangers who want to pet him.
2.   Traffic, kids on skateboards, loud trucks.
3.   Other dogs.
4.   Leave him alone at times so he knows you will come back.
5.   Grooming – including bathing, brushing, nail trimming, teeth and ear cleaning.

 It is important that you do NOT comfort him when he shows fear. Instead, re-direct his attention until he becomes less sensitive to the experience. Reward him as he shows less fear.

5.         Teach Him The Rules Of Your Pack

Train him:

1. Leash Training – Walk on a leash without pulling
2. Come (or Recall) – The most critical cue to teach him.
3. Sit, Stand and Down – These will help you to control him in all types of situations and environment.
4. Stay and Wait – Stay means to remain in position until told to break; Wait means to pause, usually while you are doing something, like going through a door. You tell him to “wait,” you go through the door and then ask him to join you. You will use this command a lot.
5. Leave it – means “Do not touch it, smell it, lick it, pick it up or pay attention to it in any way.”
6. Gently – A courteous dog takes food “gently” from your hand.
7. Greeting guests with manners – Teach him to wait until he is invited to greet guests.

I can assist in all aspects of the dog adoption and parenting process by providing:

• A personality quiz for the prospective puppy parent.
• Breed-specific characterizations.
• Accompany parent to pick out the pup.
• Housebreaking assistance – from schedules to hands-on.
• Basic obedience classes or one-on-one training.

For more information, visit me at www.grandmadeespetcare.com.