Dog Training : How to beat the blues

The other day, I came across a client who was at his wits end owing to his truant dog. This blog post is born to throw some light on the topic of dog training. Mind you, there are tomes and tomes on the topic and so much information on the net that one can easily get deluged and confused. Here is my take on the issue. Believe me, it works.   

The house breaking of the pup should ideally begin around 8 weeks of its age or after it has been brought home. It is important to set the rules slowly yet firmly to inculcate desired traits and behaviour. If due care is not given to this aspect the pup will pick up bad habits and will become an ill tempered dog who is a nuisance.

The dog is a creature of habit. The first requirement in house training is to follow a set time schedule for feeding the pup. As the pup usually relieves itself soon after feeding, it should be taken to the designated area immediately after feeding to allow it to finish its business. Soon, it will associate that particular spot and the time for relieving itself.

It does not understand what is a good behaviour or what is a bad behaviour. However, it understands love and anger or reprimand very easily. It has an inborn desire to be loved and pampered by its master. This desire holds the key to its training.

A positive reinforcement like soothing vocalizations, gentle pats, a happy tone of the voice and tidbits are the agents used for positive reinforcements. For example, if a pup shows a desired behaviour like sitting when made to sit by the owner, the owner needs to immediately reward him with gentle pats, soothing vocalizations or even a tidbit. Slowly, the dog will make an association between the command “sit” and his desired behaviour of “sitting” leading to a “reward”.

Similarly, the dog understands anger - an admonishing tone of the master. Therefore, if it exhibits an undesired behaviour, a prompt reprimand in the form of a stern “no” or “bad boy/girl” enables him to make a similar association. Never ever hit the dog. A firm “no” or a spank with a rolled newspaper is enough to drive home the message. 

Dogs are one of the most intelligent of all the domestic animals and can be trained to obey simple words of command. The dog must be introduced to various words of command gradually. Make it a fun activity for the dog by keeping the lessons short and rewarding. Basic commands that must be taught to every dog at home are “Sit”, “Come”, “Heel”, “Stay”.  

Remember, the key to having a well trained dog is based on three “R” (Reward, Reprimand, Repetition) and three “P” (Patience, Patience and some more Patience)!

All the best!  

Heat Stroke in Dogs

It's summertime and the mercury is slowly and steadily rising every passing day. As the summer sets in one has to take preventive measures against heat stroke in dogs. Mother nature designed dogs to conserve heat and not to dissipate heat. Hence the dogs tend to get heated up rather quickly during summers especially if left in cars, excessive playing in the sun.  Normally, nature provides a delicate balance between gathering of  heat and dissipating heat in case of a dogs ( for that matter in all animals). The problem arises when the balance is disturbed. 

The dogs dissipate heat from their tongues by panting and sweat from their paws. (Yes, you read it right !) They have no other mechanism to cool off.  It is therefore extremely important to ensure that one accidentally  does not create situations that causes the dog to gather up heat quickly so much so that it overwhelms the mechanism by which it dissipates the heat. 

The signs of heat stroke are - increased temperature ( from the normal 101.5 F to 105 F), a panting that is so vigorous that you have perhaps never seen it before, thick viscid saliva, the dog lying down and not willing  / unable to get up, a disoriented and confused look, red gums, collapse etc.

If you suspect heat stroke and by the time you rush your pet to the vet or call him up one should initiate actions to reverse the situation. First of all, remove the dog from direct sunlight. Gently pour cool water in a mild trickle on the head. Dip a towel or two in cool water and wrap the dog for a few minutes and then remove them. Keeping them wrapped over the dog for far too long may actually be harmful as the towel may  trap the heat. Gently spray or dribble cool water on the body. Do not use ice or ice cooled water as it  constricts the blood vessels thus preventing the dissipation of heat. Use a fan, cooler or take the dog in an air conditioned room. Offer it a little water. Wipe its face with cool water. All the while keep talking to the dog in a gentle manner to reassure it. 

Nice to know

1. Never ever leave your dog alone in a car with or without the windows rolled down. Period. The dog can develop heat stroke on sunny as well as overcast days. By the way, it is a punishable offence in many states of the US. ( I agree we have to do a lot of catching up in India in this regard ). 

2. Avoid long runs or exercises during warm days.  See to it that the kids do not take the dog out and play fetch during warmer parts of the day. 

3. Some ailments including obesity compromise the heat dissipating mechanism of the dog. 

4. Pugs, Bull dogs are normally predisposed to heat stroke. 

5. Heat Stroke is preventable. Let's be smart and ensure it does not happen to our pet.