02/17/2022
I haven’t posted here for quite a while. It’s time to post some tips for dog owners that you may find helpful. This particular piece was posted on a friend’s timeline and I find it very informative and right on point!
Our modern interpretation of “socializing” requires owners to teach their dogs to run up to strangers for a cookie and to run up to strange dogs for playtime.
Owners are inadvertently teaching their dogs to:
A- ignore the owner,
B- pull the owner to other people, and
C- create a big fuss over every dog they pass.
The definition of socializing is two-fold. One definition is basically “to party”. This is the definition modern trainers seem stuck on.
The second definition is “to learn how to behave in society”. That is the definition we should be focusing on.
When you get your puppy, take him everywhere, even if you have to carry him in your arms when he is very little.
Sit with him on a bench and pet and cuddle him while the world goes by. Let him look, learn and listen.
As you begin walking, never let your puppy pull you. Stop. Wait. When your puppy turns his attention back to you, reward with cookies, toys or tickles.
Make walking on a leash a fun game. Every time your puppy stops paying attention to you, turn around and walk the other way. The game becomes sort of a version of tag. He looks away, you turn away, he has to run to catch up. The secret is consistency. Turn every single time he looks away for two or three walks.
Never let pulling on the leash become and acceptable habit. Not even from day one. Reward every time your puppy comes back to your side.
As you increase distances and begin to come across other people and dogs, reward heavily every time your dog returns his attention to you. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. When your dog starts to approach another person or dog, say, “Uh uh. No. Don’t do that,” in a low voice. Then, sounding happy in a high pitched voice, “With me!” And treat or otherwise reward when attention comes back to you.
Move off the sidewalk and wait quietly while others pass by. Fuss over your puppy whenever he looks at your face, and let him know he is king of the world while keeping his excitement level low and steady so he can learn to concentrate.
Again, find places to sit. Enjoy a coffee at an outside cafe. Reward for laying or sitting quietly. Quiet rewards create quiet dogs. Loud, excited praise creates loud, excited dogs. Both methods are important but should be used in appropriate settings.
The number one most important thing to remember is dogs do whatever is most rewarding. Make being with you, quietly in public, far more rewarding than pulling you to other people or initiating unruly behavior with other dogs.
One final thought: it is absolutely okay to tell people they cannot pet your dog. When people ask if they can pet my puppy, I say, “No, thank you. I’m sorry. We are training today.”
Once my dog is fully competent, I teach the dog to sit and wait politely while others pet her. By this point, my dogs will sit and watch me, politely ignoring the other person after the first few seconds, which quickly sends strangers on their way.
Author: Barbara Miller: CARDIGAN Welsh Corgi Purebred Information
