| Contrary to that old adage, old dogs certainly can | | | | aggressiveness to people, nipping, persistent |
| learn new tricks. I know from where I speak. | | | | barking, hostility towards other dogs, anxiety |
| You see, I love dogs. I mean I REALLY love dogs. | | | | when left alone, and especially biting - all require |
| All kinds. Any kind. In fact my wife says I love | | | | special instruction for the older dog to achieve |
| them too much. And to be honest, I've proven | | | | success. |
| her right - twice. You see, I'm very partial to | | | | From two excellent resources I found, I learned |
| rescue dogs. | | | | there are four methods to discourage negative |
| The more needy the better. My first rescue dog | | | | behavior, including aggression in older dogs: |
| became my very best friend. A mixed terrier | | | | - Correction Method - replacing a bad behavior |
| who was loyal, affectionate and protective. | | | | with a correct behavior |
| Towards me anyway. I was the ever-doting dog | | | | - The Verbal Reprimand - repeating a simple word |
| owner. Catering to her every need and even | | | | - like "no" - in a short, sharp tone that captures |
| some I think I made up. | | | | the dog's attention after which you redirect your |
| But she never got close to my wife and our | | | | dog to acceptable behavior. |
| young daughter because I served her every | | | | - Ignoring the dog - turning away, showing no |
| need. When Rosie passed away prematurely at | | | | reaction, or leaving the room. Since dogs crave |
| the age of 10, from an overdose of anesthesia | | | | attention, the behavior will be altered so the dog |
| during a routine teeth cleaning, I was devastated. | | | | gets what he wants. |
| I think my wife and daughter were torn between | | | | - Time out - a simple 30-second time out in a |
| sadness and relief. All because I never became a | | | | crate, small room, or even a tie-down on a short |
| responsible dog owner, she had made life difficult, | | | | leash. But, any longer than 30-seconds and the |
| rather than pleasurable. | | | | punishment becomes ineffective. |
| It wasn't even a month after Rosie's death that I | | | | Fortunately, the issues with Lucy, our third rescue |
| found an abandoned beagle on a rural road by a | | | | dog were less severe, but still required correction. |
| fire line. Actually she found me. While driving down | | | | Lucy was, what the D.I.Y Dog Training manual |
| that road very early one morning, I looked into | | | | identified as a spite chewer. Due to anxiety she |
| my rear view mirror only to see two large | | | | experienced whenever she was left alone for |
| flapping ears attached to a dog that was | | | | extended periods, she would chew anything within |
| desperately trying to catch up to my car. I was | | | | reach. |
| able to coax her into my car thanks to a half | | | | Here's the technique I applied that was |
| eaten muffin I had in the car. Not ready for | | | | recommended in the manual: |
| another dog so soon, I drove her to the SPCA, | | | | 1. I placed objects she shouldn't chew on the floor |
| hoping they would be able to find her owner, or | | | | (I used a book, a shoe, a Tupperware container - |
| find a new home for her. They didn't. So I ended | | | | stuff she chewed before) |
| up adopting her. | | | | 2. As Lucy approached the object, I gave a firm |
| We named her Rennie and she joined the family, | | | | (but not screaming) "leave it" command |
| sort of. Very soon after, the saga continued- in | | | | 3. Then I took the object away and replaced it |
| spades. True to form, I showered her with | | | | with one of her chew toys |
| attention and devotion. But this time it got a great | | | | 4. Once Lucy started chewing her own toy I |
| deal worse. Rennie soon felt a need to protect | | | | lavished her with praise |
| me from my own family. It became common for | | | | 5. Success came in less than two weeks |
| her to growl and even show teeth when my now | | | | We still have a slightly anxious dog when we |
| teenage daughter or wife walked too close to | | | | leave, but at least she's not a destructive anxious |
| where she was resting. And forget about them | | | | dog. Lucy is now a very enjoyable addition to our |
| approaching me if she was in the room. | | | | family thanks to the initiative I took to do the |
| Rather than removing the dog from the home, I | | | | right thing for my family, our new family |
| once again allowed my over-the-top attachment | | | | member, and myself. |
| to a "needy" dog completely warp my judgment. | | | | BIO |
| As years went by, Rennie became more docile, | | | | Bob Hunsicker is simply a dog lover, who strongly |
| but mostly due to age. At the ripe old age of at | | | | encourages all interested in bringing a dog into |
| least 17, I had to put Rennie down due to | | | | their home, to consider a rescue dog. They are |
| debilitating arthritis. That was more than five | | | | truly creatures who deserve a second chance to |
| years ago. | | | | become a loving, devoted member of a home. |
| It took four years for my family to agree to | | | | Visit his blog at DogsRpeople2 and send him an |
| another adoption. But this time would be different, | | | | email so you can get permission to submit posts |
| I vowed. So, a year ago, I embarked on a | | | | (you'll need a gmail email account from Google). |
| mission to find the holy grail of dog training that | | | | After evaluating dozens of resources for training |
| would guarantee that our new rescue dog would | | | | older dogs, particularly rescue dogs, I recommend |
| be a well-adjusted, happy member of our family. | | | | two that have provided me the knowledge to |
| During my research, I learned that while many of | | | | transform my third rescue dog into a wonderful |
| the training techniques are very similar for puppies | | | | family member. Visit my site to learn more about |
| and older dogs, techniques for effectively curbing | | | | these two extremely effective training resources... |
| the more serious negative behaviors - like | | | | |