The Dog House believes it is paramount that dog owners have a thorough understanding of what a dog is and how to provide what is essential for them to live happy, fulfilled, productive lives.
With this understanding, we realize that a dog is a predator. They are not born with a desire to please us; we must instill this in the dog. Dogs do not know right from wrong. It is unfair and dangerous to place human values and emotions on our dogs.
Dogs needs are unique from ours. As predators they need to stalk, chase, grab and shake. Games to provide these outlets for our dogs are taught in all of our programs.
Owner Education is key. Early puppy training with emphasis on socialization and preventative training is imperative to gaurd against behavoir problems later in life.
Dogs are never going to speak our language so we must learn how to speak dog. At The Dog House, this is a priority. Our methods are progressive and focus on prevention. Understand that your dog, just like you, is not going to work for free. Understand what motivates your dog and use this to your advantage. The Dog House is here to teach you how to do this.
For dogs with behavior issues, our 28 or 56- Day Intensive Training Program has been very successful. This program is also great for owners with dogs without behavior issues but with very busy schedules. With the education and continued support offered by The Dog House, we get owners and dogs back on track.
We also provide private consultations on an hourly basis for private training sessions and help clients resolve issues of behavior or bathroom.
At The Dog House it is our goal to educate and support dog owners to successfully lead, understand and communicate with their dogs. In each issue we hope to cover some frequently asked questions. We will include customer testimonials from time to time. Learn from other dog owners what their training experience has been. We believe in complete dog care.
The Nature of the Beast
Dogs can be trained to be wonderful companions, but it is worth noting the following about the nature of the beast:
Dogs are predators; instinctively they want to stalk, chase, shake, dissect and eat.
Dogs are not born with a desire to please- we need to instill this in them
Dogs are amoral.
Most behaviors that we perceive as a problem are natural behaviors for the dog.
Most behaviors that we want from our dog are unnatural.
Early Puppy Training
If your goal is to achieve well adjusted behavior in your dog, the appropriate time to do training is early. Puppies usually come into their new homes at six to eight weeks. This is critical development period for the puppy.
It is prime time for socialization.
What is Socialization?
Socialization is a term that refers to familiarizing a dog with it's environment through exposure to all sorts of situations. The period from 6 to 18 weeks is critical because once it ends, familiarizing the dog with new things is more difficult and in some situations can be impossible.
Neglecting what needs to be done with your puppy during this development period will increase the stress in it's life. Dogs who are stressed or fearful will do one of two things, bite or run away. Also referred to as fight or flight, this is a sad way for a dog and it's owner to live. This problem is completely avoidable. What do you need to do?
Expose your puppy to as many sights, sounds, people and places as you can. The more situations that you expose your puppy to, the better adjusted and relaxed it will be as a grown dog.
Be careful to avoid any traumatic, painful or frightening experiences from 8 to 10 weeks. At this time your puppy is in it's fear impact period of development. If you are not already aware of a dogs development periods, it is important that you familiarize yourself with them.
As well as socialization, there are other key exercises that need to be attended to. The best way to insure that all aspects of early puppy training are achieved is to enroll your puppy in a good socialization class.
When to Start Training?
There is a conflict between many vets and evolved trainers and behaviorists over the correct age at which puppy socialization and training should begin.
Unfortunately, some veterinarians still advise owners to keep their puppies at home until they have had all their shots and there is no risk of the puppy contracting a disease. This can be especially frustrating for trainers whose goals are to educate puppy owners about early puppy training and the importance of socialization.
The risk of not socializing your puppy versus the risks of the puppy contracting a disease are far greater.
We are not suggesting that there are no risks of disease before a puppy is fully vaccinated. You must be very selective of the dogs you expose your puppy to.Be very sure that dogs your puppy meets are vaccinated and wonderfully socialized. Be sure your puppy is not exposed to other dog's feces, and get yourself to a well-run puppy socialization class.
With these things in mind, owners can safely socialize their puppies with other dogs and the rest of the environment.
Choosing a Good Puppy Class
How do you know if your enrolling your puppy in the right socialization program?
A good class will include the following:
1. No puppies over the age of 14 weeks
2. An emphasis on the importance of early socialization and providing information on socialization.
3. Key exercises that need to be done with the puppy less than 18 weeks should be taught. Beside socialization, these are:
(a) Object exchange and food bowl exercises; to teach the puppy that it is not necessary to guard precious resources (guarding is natural dog behavior)
(b) Handling exercises; to ensure that the puppy is comfortable about being handled (i.e. vet, groomer, etc.)
4. Information on bathroom training, crate training and daily routine with your puppy should be provided.
5. Emphasis should be placed on building the puppies focus and a desire to work through positive reinforcement and games rather than concentrating on obedience such as stay.
6. You should be taught how to teach your puppy to sit, down, come, and not to pull on the leash when you are walking with them.
7. A good trainer will recommend predatory games for your dog to play:
(a) What are they?
(b) What purpose do they serve?
(c) How do I teach my puppy to play them?
Training Tip
One of the most overlooked exercises with puppies is to prepare them for time they will spend alone. Dogs are social animals. It is naturally stressful for them to be isolated or separated from their pack.
The following are exercises that need to be done with the puppy in order to reduce this stress.
Leave the puppy at a friends home for a fun filled 1/2 hour to 1 hour before your return.
The puppy should have time alone in the home while you are home and awake.
Give the puppy something delicious to chew during this time. It is also helpful to do this when they are tired.
If there is always someone with the puppy, you will need to make sure that you give the puppy some alone time. Start by leaving the puppy at home, alone for short periods- gradually increasing so the puppy is used to you being away for 4 to 5 hours.Remember to keep your exits and arrivals unemotional.
It is naturally an emotional time for the puppy and high emotions will add to the dogs stress.
Special Features:
Application for Classes
Critical Periods of Canine Development
Class Schedules listed here.
Course Descriptions
Boarding and Training information
Meet the Trainer which also includes an exclusive video of some of our Graduates.
Raising Children vs. Raising Puppies
Testimonials from some of our clients
Grooming prices and information here.
Store information.
Brands of cat and dog diets we carry (including raw, dry kibble, and dehydrated) |
