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PREVENT BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS IN PUPPIES AND ADULTS

When you first get a dog, either puppy or adult, expect to give that dog your full attention every time it is with you for one year. Does that sound like a lot of time? Well, if you don't do this, you will spend a lot more time over the rest of the dog's life in corrections and cleaning up after the dog.

Both you and the dog need time off, of course. That is why you should have a crate, a room or exercise pen where the dog can't do any damage and an area of your yard where a dog can be a dog without getting into trouble.

During that year, your dog should never have the opportunity to get into trouble. You SHOULD give him the opportunity to explore under supervision and learn what is acceptable and what is not. If he is going to chew on something unauthorized, you should be right there to see it, give him a verbal correction just as he is about to close his teeth around the unauthorized item and replace it with a toy or chewy. If you can't watch the dog, he is on a 6-foot leash attached to your waist or he's in his crate or exercise pen or in the safe area of your fenced yard.

After the year is over, you can relax all the rules and even forget them altogether. Good behavior will have become a habit.

Have a variety of toys and chews that you rotate so your dog doesn't get bored with them.

Notice and reward quiet behavior; if the pup is sitting or lying down, quietly chewing on a toy, or just being companionable, reward him --- tell him he's a good boy; give him a treat and then let him go back to what he was doing.

Do a lot of 1 minute training sessions.

Use meals to practice some obedience skill -- usually sit or down stays. No free treats.

Crate train.

After he is housebroken, have your dog sit every time you let him in or out of the house. Have him wait in the seated position until you give your release word. Sometimes you should walk in and out before you release him.

If a dog doesn't begin eating immediately, pick up the meal and throw it away.

If a dog doesn't finish his food, give him half the regular amount at the next meal until he is eating it all.

Handle the dog all over at least once a day: teeth, ears, paws, belly, genitals. Massage him all over.

At least once a day make your dog wiggle all over just using your facial expressions and body language.

If you love having your dog on your bed and furniture, only allow him there by invitation.

Give your dog a lot of exercise. Even if you are lucky enough to have a big yard, don't just stick him out there and expect him to exercise himself. Get out and walk and run and play with him.

Spay or neuter your dog at the earliest possible moment your vet recommends.

Many adult dogs arrive with the habit of countersurfing. You should be prepared for this and for that first year, NEVER allow them to have unsupervised access to the kitchen.

Keep your kitchen counters clean.

Every meal time, set aside a few minutes to practice sits and downs in the kitchen. Use LOTS of rewards so that the dog learns that having all four feet on the floor of the kitchen is a wonderful place to be. Watch the dog and when you see the muscles bunching to go up and take a look, verbally correct, then ask for a sit or a down and reward with a treat.

Sign up for a puppy class or basic obedience lessons.

You often have a "honeymoon period" with an adult dog where he never sets a foot wrong. You think you have found the dream dog, but what is really happening is that the dog is sizing you up and figuring out just who the leader of this pack is. If he can't tell, he will assume the position. You need to use this period to show your new dog that you are alpha -- a strong, fair, kind leader, worthy of his respect.

If you acquire an adult dog, no matter how sweet he or she seems, practice the techniques suggested in the following article:

WHO'S IN CHARGE HERE? A Lesson in Becoming Alpha