How to make your pet dog a part of the family – Part 12

Making your dog a part of the family is much like bringing a child into your world. Unlike natural childbirth, a dog is more like bringing an adopted or foster child into an already established venue. This venue can consist of one parent, two parents, childless, with children, extended family members or just about any other type of “family” unit. Luckily for most, the addition of the family dog is that of choice. So, typically, you know what you are getting when you choose this wonderful addition to the household.

Like a child, the dog needs to be potty trained. This is not always an easy task, but the dog must know where and when it is to “go” so to speak. In our house the training cycle was that of first thing in the morning prior to our morning meal, after the dog had his/her meal and at least once or twice during the day and before bedtime each evening. As the dog establishes a routine in the household, he or she is taught to go to the door or come to you when it’s “time to go”. Paper training is also an option if you live in an apartment or are not home during the day to allow the dog the option of relieving itself at will.

Fortunately, I am a telecommuting employee and our dog almost always has someone at home to let her out when the time is appropriate.

After this basic, but most necessary, task is completed it is time to socialize the dog. Setting boundaries is of the utmost importance, just as it is with children and their behavior. One must literally show the dog what behaviors are appropriate and which behaviors will not be tolerated. Our dog was a jumper and nipper as a puppy.

Each time she performed this most undesirable behavior she was “rewarded” with a smack to the nose and a very loud “NO” command. Eventually she got the picture, only jumping up on people when she was so very excited she could literally not contain herself! If there are small children in the household, the dog must be taught which toys belong to him or her and which belong to the children. This was a difficult task in our house as our dog thinks everything is fair game. Again, smacks to the nose with a newspaper or magazine and the loud “NO” are appropriate.

Not to worry, there will be the occasional slip where the dog just has to chew on that favorite toy of the child’s or your favorite pumps or slipper but if the warnings are repeated and the behaviors reinforced this should not be a constant problem. After all, you do want the dog to feel like part

How to prevent dogs from attacking livestock animals – Part 1

Preventing a dog from attacking livestock animals is part of being a responsible dog owner, and has nothing to do with being labeled as a dog hater or a dog lover. This is similar to a responsible parent preventing their child from entering a busy street in front of their home. Does this mean that a parent should be labeled as someone who hates or loves children? Absolutely not. Yet there seems to be a myth that the majority of dogs are physically and behaviorally incapable of killing livestock, with many owners feeling their pet dogs are being falsely accused. Is this also true? Absolutely not.

Truth be known, statistics show us that well-fed dogs from suburban homes near attack sites are usually responsible for killing or attacking livestock. That dog may be as small as a Silky Terrier or as large as a Great Dane, either alone or in a pack. These dogs are usually friendly and approachable by people, which is why approximately 90% of all dog owners refuse to believe their dogs have ever attacked or killed livestock.

What owners need to understand is that no matter how much they dress their pet dogs in human clothing or treat them like a member of the family, their dog will still remain a dog with the normal instinctive behavior of a dog, such as chasing and attacking. Unfortunately, there is not one dog that is not capable of chasing, tracking and retrieving everything in front of them. And unfortunately, it is not always a Frisbee or a ball. With livestock this game can turn to grabbing, killing or biting an animal of what they consider as prey. Chasing prey is instinctively rewarding to the attacking dog, as all livestock will run out of fear.

RULES FOR DOG OWNERS To prevent the family dog from attacking livestock, there are certain rules to follow to show responsibility:

1. Keep the dog fenced in at all times with a secure fence or keeping them inside the home when not supervised. 2. All restrained or confined dogs will require adequate exercise. 3. Show responsibility for your dog, as most dogs that escape is through the carelessness of the owner. a. It can be from open gates b. It canbe from insecure fences c. It can be from extremely low fences d. They can be unrestrained without fencing at all e. They can be unrestrained through the forgetfulness of owners 4. Do not allow the dog to run in the morning without supervision, as this is the time most livestock attacks occur. Killing takes less than an hour to happen. 5. Prevent any all-night