| It happened every summer, usually on the last | | | | The big day has arrived. You've purchased a |
| day of school. I begged my parents for a dog, | | | | collar, a high-quality leash and healthy food. The |
| pointing out that I had the whole summer to care | | | | water and food bowls are ready and you've got |
| for him, play with him and feed him. "And what | | | | a crate, gates, bedding and you have stocked up |
| happens when you go back to school?" they'd | | | | on some fun toys. The dog will be excited and |
| ask. "It'll be okay...I promise." | | | | maybe a bit fearful when it arrives at your home |
| I'm sure parents throughout the Southland are | | | | so don't make things worse by letting your kids |
| hearing the same thing this summer. Dogs, of | | | | grab the dog and parade it around the |
| course, can have a very positive effect on | | | | neighborhood. Give the dog time to adjust to its |
| children. Dog ownership teaches responsibility and | | | | new surroundings. Let it know where it is going to |
| commitment as well as helping to create a lifelong | | | | eat and sleep, and it's a really good idea to make |
| appreciation and respect of animals. But make no | | | | sure the dog knows where to go to the |
| mistake -- there is absolutely no doubt that in the | | | | bathroom on it's first try, not after it has one or |
| long-run, YOU will be responsible for the welfare | | | | more accidents. It is much better and easier for |
| of your child's pet. | | | | the dog if it is restricted in an area during the |
| Over my 23-year career as a dog trainer and dog | | | | early introductory phase, so it never has the |
| behaviorist, I've helped hundreds of families pick | | | | chance to learn habits you don't want it to have |
| out or introduce a puppy or dog into their home. I | | | | later in life. Teaching what you want the dog to |
| advise parents to take advantage of the many | | | | do with patience and consistency is the key to |
| "teachable moments" for their kids and for the | | | | training and it's also the key to integrating your |
| dog, including housebreaking, feeding, and training, | | | | new pet into your life. This is also much more |
| by using positive reinforcement. How you handle | | | | effective than trying to teach the dog what "not" |
| those moments can be the difference between | | | | to do. |
| an additional stress in your life and a wonderful | | | | As an example, you may not want your dog to |
| extension to your family. | | | | be allowed on the couch. And what does a dog |
| After you've made the decision to get a dog, it's | | | | think when it does get on the couch? "This feels |
| time to break the good news to the kids. This is | | | | really good!" Letting your new dog up on the |
| teachable moment number one. We're all aware | | | | couch just once will trigger a long lasting memory. |
| of the parent that tells the child, "Ok...we'll get a | | | | The key is to prevent the dog from ever getting |
| dog but it's going to be your responsibility," only to | | | | on the couch and teach it instead how to stay on |
| find the parent walking the dog in the rain a week | | | | its own bed. This lesson is something to teach |
| later. This is your time to sit down with the kids, | | | | your kids right from the start so they can help |
| explain all the responsibilities that come with having | | | | with the training when you're not around. Praising |
| a dog and then include them in making a family | | | | good behavior is much more effective than |
| decision. This will get them involved in the process | | | | scolding for bad behavior. And if you use treats |
| from the start and help them to understand their | | | | as rewards, remember - they need to be given |
| role in the dog's life. You can use this time to | | | | along with praise for good behavior, not when the |
| teach the kids how their behavior will affect the | | | | kids think the dog just needs a goodie. |
| dog. In other words, if they open the front door | | | | As your dog becomes more acclimated to its |
| before the dog learns the "stay" command, the | | | | surroundings, you can also begin some training. |
| dog might run away, or if they leave their toys | | | | There are many training resources available |
| around, the dog may destroy them. Let them | | | | including enrolling your dog in a private or group |
| help you "dog proof" your home and let them | | | | class. I always encourage the whole family to |
| know that certain foods, plants, and flowers are | | | | come to participate in our training. This is a great |
| potentially lethal if ingested by the dog. | | | | shared family activity and will give your children a |
| More than likely, the kids will have the breed of | | | | feeling of responsibility. When I work with families |
| dog they want all picked out. Maybe they've seen | | | | I always enjoy seeing the look of pride on a |
| a movie with a lovable breed or one of their | | | | child's face when they successfully give a "Sit" or |
| neighbors has a certain kind of dog. But it's better | | | | "Stay" command to their pet. |
| to do your research and then get them on board | | | | Bringing a dog into your home can be a |
| with a breed that makes the most sense based | | | | wonderful, life-changing experience but it's not |
| on your lifestyle, including the fact that you will be | | | | without its responsibilities. How you initially handle |
| responsible for the dog when the kids return to | | | | these responsibilities, both with your children and |
| school. My personal recommendation is for | | | | with the dog, will lay the groundwork for many |
| parents to rescue a dog from a rescue group or | | | | years to come. It's all about leadership, gentle |
| shelter. There are many excellent websites and | | | | guidance, responsibility, staying positive, finding the |
| publications that offer listings of rescue groups | | | | teachable moments and, above all else, having fun |
| and dogs available for adoption to help you make | | | | and enjoying all the great times ahead. |
| your decision. | | | | |