Chapter 13 Conclusion

ongratulations on rescuing a shelter dog. You’re starting out together on a journey full of adventures and good times. Even though your dog is now a part of your family, don’t take him for granted. It’s part of your job description to make sure he’s happy and enjoying life. And if you do that I’m sure he will return the favor.

There are several things you can do every day to show your dog that he’s your best friend.

• Speak to him in a cheerful tone. He may not understand what you’re saying, but he’ll know how you feel by the way you say it. Tell him he’s a good boy in a happy voice, and watch his tail wag! Even when you’re cross, don’t yell at him. Instead speak in a calm even tone so he’s not afraid of you. You want him to respect your leadership, not be fearful.

• Don’t leave him on his own for long periods of time. Your dog loves to be with you, and the greatest gift you can give him is time. Whether you’re playing ball in the backyard, going for a walk in your neighborhood or just snuggling together on the couch, he’ll love spending time with you. The more time you spend with your dog, the better your relationship will be.
 

There are so many enjoyable activities you can share with your dog. They not only enhance your relationship, but they also improve your communication with him. Some of these activities can be done on your own; others are best taught with the support of a dog club. Try a few, or try them all. You’re sure to find something that you both enjoy.

1. Dog agility. This fast paced sport is fun for spectators and participants alike. Dogs are taught to negotiate obstacles such as hurdles, ramps and tunnels, while trying to beat the clock. Any dog can have a go at agility, and it’s particularly good for the fast working breeds - they are great at thinking on the move.

2. Flyball racing. Teams of four dogs run down a lane, grab a tennis ball and race back in a high speed relay race. Again, any breed or mix can have a go at fl yball racing, but because the dogs get very excited, your dog needs to be completely non-aggressive when he’s fired up.

• Keep him physically and mentally challenged. Dogs are intelligent, and they do get bored. A bored dog can find his own entertainment, and dig holes or chew on your shoes. Take him for regular walks along the streets, go for a swim at the beach, or try a run through some forest trails. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating, a tired dog is a happy dog. When it comes to keeping his mind active, why not teach him some tricks? He’ll get to use his brain, and it will be great fun teaching him to roll over, play dead or take a bow.

Fun Things To Do With Your Dog

Dog Behavior Explained - Growling, Barking

Growling over food.

Many people think that dogs are entitled to be protective of their food and that growling is a natural response.

However, a dog growling at a person over food can escalate into much larger issues, especially if growling is just one of many other behavioral problems.

Place several small bowls of food next to each other. As your dog goes to eat one of the bowls, move one of the other bowls to the other side, but still within the dog’s reach.

Keep up this repetition until the dog realizes that a human hand is no threat to his food.

Barking.

Each time your dog barks, go see why the dog is barking.

If it’s for a good reason, like a stranger near your property, praise the dog and then tell him to be quiet. If it’s for another reason, like a squirrel in a tree, tell the dog to be quiet and immediately go back into the house.

The dog will soon see that sometimes barking is acceptable, but not always. The dog will learn to bark for the ‘good’ reasons.

If the dog sees a squirrel in a tree, he will still bark, but not continually. Instead, he will bark once or twice to scare the squirrel and be satisfied.

I’ll bet that every single one of us who has a pet, has carried on a conversation with our animal at one time or another. The question here, however, is how many of us understand what our pets are saying?

I’ll bet that every single one of us who has a pet, has carried on a conversation with our animal at one time or another. The question here, however, is how many of us understand what our pets are saying? Granted some of our pet’s requests are fairly obvious and we understand them, but many times we do not have a clue, and this is where the trouble starts. Cats and dogs have been around as pets for hundreds of years.

In days gone by the household pets worked for their keep. The cat’s job was catching the small rodents and the dog had many chores from helping herd the sheep or cows to hunting with the farmer.

The pet of today has an easy life, or does it? Why do I say that?

In yesteryear, animals spent most of their days out in the open, doing whatever it was they did best.
Today, animals spend most of their time cooped up in a house or apartment waiting patiently for their person to come home from work.

They are unemployed; most pets were specifically bred to do certain jobs and now most of those jobs are gone. Unfortunately many owners do not even know what kind of work their dogs were bred for and that opens another can of worms.

Our pets want to please us and in subtle ways, they try to tell us what they need or want. You may not realize this, but our pets watch our every move and try to determine what we want from them. They are aware of our mood by the tone of our voice; they can determine how we feel by our footsteps, the expression on our face and even by the odor our body emits. They know if we are happy, sad or mad. Surprising, huh!

Dogs and cats can understand more of our words than we give them credit for, some can even understand when we spell a word. Sometimes though, they do not understand our actions.

Consider this: your dog is doing something you do not want it to do, so you start yelling and throwing your arms about. What does your dog think? You look like you want to play. You do the same kind of act when Miss Kitty is on the table or counter and she thinks, “well, I won’t do this again, when she is around.”
There are so many things we humans do that baffle our pets, and because they do not understand our actions, the signals get crossed and misbehavior happens.

Pets communicate to us through body language and some sounds. Every flick of the tail or blink of an eye means something in dog or cat language. This is why I have said many times before and will say it many times again in the future, “it is very important to take time to bond and know your pet.”

A dog’s language is very different from a cat’s. Their understanding of our language and actions depends a good bit on the breed, especially with dogs. A dog bred to be a guard dog and one that is best suited as a lapdog, do not speak the same language. A dog (not a puppy) that chews your favorite shoes is not doing it for spite, but may be trying to tell you that it is afraid of being alone and chewing something that belongs to you, helps it to feel closer to you. A dog that barks excessively may be telling you that it is lonesome, anxious or needs some exercise. Dogs have needs that need to be fulfilled, if their needs are not met, they will try to tell you. Sudden acts of misbehavior are usually signs of a need not being fulfilled. Dogs have a need for socialization, companionship with their owners and exercise. Boredom is a great cause of misbehavior. All dogs need stimulation of one sort or another. It is up to you, as the pet parent, to recognize and fill that need.

Cats on the other hand have a different way of communicating. Most cats like a few scratches, but when they are tired of being scratched, a sure fire way to let you know, is with a little nip on the hand. A rapid flicking of a tail is another sign that Miss Kitty is annoyed, along with a quiet growl or even a louder than usual purr.
If your cat is scratching your prize possessions, it is really telling to get it some scratching posts.

Pets do not do anything for spite. They do not know what the word means. What may seem destructive to you, may be normal behavior for them. Nature intended for cats to scratch, just as it created certain breeds of dogs to dig. The important thing here is awareness and knowledge. Take time to learn about your dog’s breed. Even a “Heinz 57″ variety of dog has certain breed characteristics. Learn what they are, become familiar with them and know what to expect from your dog. Pay attention to your pet; every dog and cat is different. Humans have different personality traits special to them and pets are no different.

Our pets are not furry children as we sometimes like to think they are. They are animals, behaving as animals should. They did not go to school to learn English, just as we did not learn animal talk. However, they understand us far more that we understand them. Why? Simply because they have taken the time to observe our behaviors and have somewhat of an idea what to expect from us. Do you not think, that we, the more intelligent of the two species, should take the time to observe and learn about what they need and expect.

Chapter 12 Health Care for your Dog

hen you own a dog, it’s essential that you have a veterinarian you can trust to help with any injuries and illnesses that may arise. This person is going to be your partner when it comes to keeping your dog healthy, so you must have absolute confidence in them. If you don’t have a vet, you’ll need to find one, preferably before you bring your dog home from the shelter. Where do you start looking?

W

Are You a Dog Person or a Cat Person?

Ask anyone on the street whether they're a cat or a dog person, and chances are, they've got a quick answer. Like the choice between Coke or Pepsi, or chocolate or vanilla, how you respond to cats versus dogs could say a lot about you.

"Dog people are a little more outgoing," a dog owner at the Westminster Dog Show told ABC News. "Cat people are a little more aloof, because that's just how cats are."
Karen Hessel, the proud "mama" to 3-year-old Ripley, a golden retriever, said, "They say that cats are very intelligent but I haven't seen that yet in a cat, but I know my dog is brilliant."

Over at the Black Diamond Cat Show in Kimberton, Pa., cat owners were telling a different story, saying intelligence is the key difference between dog and cat owners. Cat people, they say, are simply smarter.
"Cats are more independent and so are their owners," Martha Auspitz said.
She has been showing cats for nearly 40 years and even met her husband, Norman, at a cat show.
"I was into Abyssinians," he said, "and when I saw Martha's Abyssinians, I knew I needed them and when I saw Martha, I said, 'Oh.' So, in 1982 we were married."
According to the American Pet Products Association, 62 percent of U.S. households have a pet. Dogs win in the popularity race, with 39 percent of U.S. households owning at least one dog, compared with 33 percent of U.S. households owning at least one cat.

The nature of why people prefer cats or dogs is a topic that has been getting increased research in recent years. Scientists at major academic institutions have devoted time and resources to understanding why people become one or the other.

On a practical level, research shows that we tend to gravitate toward the animal with which we were raised. Another big factor is living space and age. Apartment dwellers in urban areas are more likely to have cats or small dogs, while families living in the suburbs are more apt to have larger dogs like retrievers or bull mastiffs.
Parents with young children generally have energetic dogs the kids can play with outside, while single people or older people are more inclined to have the more low-key cat.
Whether you're a cat or dog person is often an accident of geography.
"If you were born in Saudi Arabia, you're more likely to be a cat person," said Harold Herzog, an anthrozoologist studying human-animal relationships at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. "Dogs there are very rarely pets because they're considered vermin."
Going deeper than geography or our upbringing, though, scientists believe the selection of species can say a lot about people. A major study at the University of Texas shows that there really is a difference between "dog people" and "cat people."
Those who define themselves as "dog people" are more extroverted, more agreeable and more conscientious than self-described "cat people." Those who love felines, though, were found to be less traditional, more creative and more neurotic.
Stephen Zawistowski, a science adviser with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said research tends to fall in line with the stereotypes people have already established for themselves.
"We think of dog people as being the guy at the beach, with his Labrador [retriever], and throwing the Frisbee and talking to everybody; and the cat lady who sits in her apartment alone with her cats," he said.
Back at the Westminster dog show, men who like cats were getting special distinction by the dog-owners.

"Some guys like to hang out with the guys and then there are the guys that are the loners, you know," Bob Stephanos said. "I bet you the loners are going to be cat guys."
But a quick look of famous pet-owners shows a lot of cat-loving macho men. Ernest Hemingway had a six-toed cat named Snowball. Winston Churchill's cat Jock was one of his favorite pets, often sitting on his knee. Bill Clinton brought his adopted stray cat Socks with him when he moved to the White House in 1992. And in the movies, there's Don Corleone and Dr. Evil.

But for even more support, there's Jackson Galaxy, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound tattooed, guitar-playing dude with a weakness for cats.
Jackson said that cats are the perfectly designed killing machine. Recognizing cats as one of nature's perfect predators is key, and caters to the masculine.
Jackson loves cats so much that he became a professional cat behaviorist. He now stars on the Animal Planet show "My Cat From Hell," where he transforms demonic felines into purring lap cats.
So, is it possible to love both cats and dogs? The obvious answer is -- yes, of course it's possible -- and it even has a name.
"We have to stop this ridiculousness of classifying ourselves," said Jackson, who has a dog in addition to his three cats. "I'm a cat guy, I'm a dog guy. I'm 'bi-petual.'"

Common Dog Behavior - Jumping, Pulling

Jumping

Pulling on the leash

 
The dog that does not walk properly on a leash requires a bit of training.
When the dog is about to apply any tension to the leash, immediately stop in your tracks and be firm.
When the dog turns to see what has happened to you, praise him for noticing and simultaneously move him back into his heel position.
So long as the dog remains next to your leg, continue to praise him and give him rewards if necessary.
Right next to you should be the most fun place for him to be.
If he loses concentration and is about to put any tension on the leash again, stop without warning and repeat the sequence.

Jumping is a dog’s expression of happiness.

If you don’t mind your dog jumping, train your dog to jump only when it’s ok, via a signal that you give your dog. Otherwise, it will equate jumping as an always-ok action, which can be challenging when guests that don’t own a dog enter your home.

Correct the dog immediately when he is about to jump.

Praise him when all four paws are back on the ground.

 

Chapter 11 Socializing Your Dog

Socializing Your Puppy

One of the most important parts of socializing a pup is leaving him with his mom and littermates until he is eight weeks old.

Socializing an Adult Dog

If you have rescued an adult dog, you may not know what his experiences have been as a puppy. It is therefore even more important  that you start socializing him as soon as he’s settled into your home.

You may fi nd that he is particularly fearful of one group of people, such as children. If that’s the case, invite a few sensible children to your home on a regular basis. Keep your dog on a leash, and ask the children to throw a favorite treat to your dog. If he is comfortable with that, then ask the children to off er a treat on an open hand. Take it slowly and it won’t be long before your dog is looking for children to say hello to, because they may give him a treat.

If he is nervous around other dogs, help him get used to them in a controlled way. You’ll need help with this, so ask a friend with a friendly dog to come and visit. Have your dog on a leash and reward him with treats for staying calm when the other dog is nearby. Over a period of weeks, gradually bring the other dog closer,

while giving your dog treats. Over time, he will learn to be relaxed when another dog comes close to him.

Steps to Socializing Your Dog

1. Take your dog to a dog obedience class that uses positive training

methods such as food rewards or clicker training. He will

meet other dogs and their owners and it will also strengthen his

relationship with you. If he has confi dence in you as his leader, he

will feel less stressed in new situations because he will feel certain that you are in control.

2. Grab a bag of treats, and go walking with your dog in a variety

of environments. Keep him on leash so he stays safe, and walk

past noisy schools and alongside busy roads. Reward him with

treats for staying calm, and ignore any anxious behavior such as

barking or pulling on the leash. Use the treats to keep his attention

on you, and distract him from anything he is nervous about.

3. Introduce him to other dogs, and when he’s comfortable with

them, allow him to play with them off leash. Th is may mean

starting out by having play dates in your backyard with dogs belonging

to friends and family. You may, if he’s comfortable, graduate

to meeting unfamiliar dogs in off leash dog parks, but don’t do

this until he has met a lot of friendly dogs and hasn’t shown any

sign of fear or anxiety. You have no control over the dogs that run

loose at a dog park, and an interaction with an aggressive dog can

undo all your good work.

4. Invite your friends to visit, and ask them to bring their children.

Make sure that the children are sensible around dogs; children

who shriek and run are only going to startle him. By taking

the time to introduce your dog to children, you’ll reduce the risk

of him becoming frightened by them when he bumps into them

during his walks.

5. Take your dog with you as often as you can. Some cafes allow

you to sit outside with your dog while you have a coff ee. Th is is

a great way to expose him to people, as many of them will stop to

say hello to him.

If at any time you’re concerned about your dog’s socialization, particularly if he is aggressive, seek professional help. In most cases, your dog can be helped by a specifi c training program and perhaps

medication to help with any anxiety. Although it sounds like a lot of work, socialization isn’t that diffi -

cult. It is a vital part of being a responsible dog owner, and something that can make the world of diff erence to your dog’s enjoyment of life.

If you take him away too early, he misses out on learning about dog

communication and behavior from his doggy family, and is more

likely to have difficulties interacting with other dogs later in life.

There is a specific period between the ages of four and twelve

weeks of age when socialization is particularly important and

eff ective for your pup. If you can expose him to as many pleasant

experiences with other people and animals as you can during

this period, he will grow up to be friendlier and less afraid of new

experiences.

Puppy pre-school classes are an important part of socializing your

pup. While these classes do teach him basic obedience exercises,

they also allow him to play and interact with other young dogs in

a safe environment.

Even if your pup is outgoing and relaxed, continue to work on

socialization. Adolescent dogs can become cautious and nervous

in new situations, even if their owners have done everything right

when they were young. Take him to obedience classes, and introduce

him to lots of people and other dogs, while making it a positive

experience for him.