Many of us have heard of the “Fear Period” for puppies that usually occurs during the 9th week of a puppy’s life. From 6 to 8 weeks is also a critical period for puppies to learn bite inhibition from their mother and siblings. This is why many responsible breeders will not let a puppy go to their new home until after that time.
When I had my first dog, my father taught me so much about training. That was 63 years ago! We had a Brittany Spaniel named Susie. He would have me hold her upstairs, and then he would hide a piece of cheese or lunch meat in the living room. He would say, “Go Hunt” and I would let her go. Off she would run downstairs to find the cheese. He would hide it under a rug, a chair, on the bookcase, anyplace he could think of. He started teaching her to use her nose when she was just a pup about 8 weeks old! By the time hunting season came, she was excellent in finding the pheasant. I have to laugh that my father knew about canine enrichment before there was such a thing!
When I was a kid, no dog anywhere had separation anxiety, at least none that anyone was aware of. Our family dog, Susie (a Brittany Spaniel) stayed home when we went to the grocery store, out for dinner, or any other frequented place. We never worried about her tearing up the house, barking the whole time we were gone, or chewing the sheet rock off the walls! Yes, I have had dogs I’ve trained that tore the sheet rock off the wall and even pulled curtains/blinds down! Susie did go with us for the summer to our cabin at the lake, and even on our first trip to Idaho from Michigan when I was 16!
Mother Nature has provided all animals with the necessary tools to learn how to survive, and thrive. She uses her environment and gives elders the ability to give baby wildlife important information for their growth and ultimately survival of the species. At first, the mother and or father provide food for their young, from birds to bears, squirrels to skunks. As the babies mature, they learn important lessons about hunting and foraging. If they hunt for prey that is improper, say the fox hunts for the skunk, the skunk sprays the fox – a definitive consequence for hunting the wrong prey. If foraging animals forage near predators, they lose their lives. Some lessons are harder to learn than others, and so the survival of the species. Those animals that are quick learners and can understand their environment are the ones that survive and thrive. The coyote that can successfully hunt and capture a squirrel has a great meal – the ultimate positive reinforcement. Mother Nature is full of positive reinforcement as well as consequences. In order to survive, every creature must have both to learn and survive and thrive.
In a dog loving community, such as ours, it is no wonder that the new horizon is now saturated with dog trainers. There seems to be someone with a different style for every dog. When it comes to choosing a trainer, it is important to look at highly regarded certifications/credentials and experience.
Everyone walks their dogs. Many take advantage of that time to catch up on phone calls or chatting with fellow walkers. Many times, our walks turn into “our” walks instead of a walk for the dog. That can be a good thing, too! It can be the only break in an otherwise stressful day for us! I am always refreshed after taking a walk with my dog(s)!
I am approached daily about dog owners wanting to eliminate behaviors in their dogs that are “instinctual”. An instinctual behavior is one that comes hard wired in the dog when they are born. The behavior is hereditary from the parents and ancestors. All dogs possess what is called “prey drive” which can come in different degrees or levels. This is instinctual behavior passed along from the wolves for survival. In a very basic description, prey drive occurs when the wolf smells or sees game, then follows either the scent or vision, attacks the game, shakes it, kills it, and eats it with the pack.
I’ve been training dogs for 35 years now, professionally for 25 years. Prior to that, I did my share of riding as well. In my teenager years, I showed competitively in Hunter/Jumper and dressage, pretty hard core. In fact, in my first show with my first horse, I beat 3 of my riding instructors in Hunter/Jumper. I still look at that in total astonishment! In several big shows back in Michigan I won High Point Champion winning in both Hunter/Jumper and dressage. I had a very difficult horse that was not from champion stock, but rather a big grade palomino horse my parents bought for me for a $1. Yup. I had two sisters in college and my parents had just built a new house, so family finances were a little tough even though my father was a GM Executive. My mother even saved $7.50 out of the grocery money for me to have lessons every week! The manager of the ranch where I rode realized our financial situation, and the situation with Sam (my soon to be horse) in needing someone to ride and love him. When the opportunity arose for me to have my own horse, my parents jumped on it. He was sound, mostly. But, I learned how to ride a very difficult horse in order to get him over 5 foot fences! He was no push button horse.
Bringing a new dog into your life is an exciting new time. It’s so much fun to get to know your new dog – the things she likes or doesn’t like, what are special toys to her, going on walks and watching her explore her new environment with you and your family. I especially remember bringing my Mavis home. She had lived with a breeder in a kennel for her first 3 years. It was a gorgeous facility and she got plenty of exercise and training. But, Mavis was one of many, didn’t get to come into the house and she had no one that she “belonged” to. That is so important for a German Shepherd to have that special person. When I first brought her home, I had to teach her house training, not to jump on the furniture, no counter surfing and that night was quiet time. She was much like a puppy but she was 3 years old!
I just finished looking at an online magazine about beautiful homes and dogs. Almost every photo showed a dog sleeping on the sofa, on the bed or other furniture. It’s lovely to think we love our dogs so much that their comfort becomes an unselfish concern! However, with all things there are two sides.
AFTER AN EXTENDED MEDICAL LEAVE, I WILL BE RETURNING TO WORK MARCH 1st!
