The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [69]
DOES YOUR DOG NEED DRUGS?
Some dogs develop destructive behaviors such as breaking through windows, chewing holes in walls, and destroying sofas in their frantic efforts to cope with feelings of abandonment. Dogs with serious separation anxiety issues may need medication as well as behavior modification help from a professional dog behaviorist.
Look for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (ACVB) or certified applied animal behaviorist. Ask for references from clients. You need solid guidance from someone properly trained to assist you and your dog.
Some behavioral medications can take several weeks to take effect. Although generally not addictive, efforts should be made to gradually wean a dog off a drug once he is able to maintain his behavior with reduced doses and effective behavior modification. Some dogs may need to be on medication for their entire lives, while others can function quite well on doses slowly reduced over time.
Training Can Be Child’s Play
Q We’re planning on enrolling in a basic obedience class for our young Border collie, Barney, and we hope to continue with clicker training and agility classes. My 10-year-old son is very interested in teaching Barney tricks. Is he too young to participate in the training classes with me? Will Barney respect him enough to obey him?
A Many professional dog trainers report that their best students are children and teenagers. It makes sense. Children and puppies possess wonderful young minds that soak up learning like sponges. In dog training classes, children learn success. They gain confidence by being able to show off tricks they taught their dog to their friends. It’s definitely a win-win for dogs and for kids.
Children between the ages of nine and fifteen make the best students because they are the most open to learning. Adults often have too many bad habits to break or they become too goal-oriented. Trainers remark that it can be challenging to show adult students a new way to teach sit and down. The competitive nature also surfaces sometimes in classes with some adults wanting their dogs not only to learn the commands but also to be the best. That puts undue pressure on a dog and can interfere with effective training.
Another plus for young students: great eye–hand coordination and timing. In clicker training, you learn to press a small metal device to make a clicking sound each time your dog does the right step. You immediately follow that sound with a small treat to reinforce his actions. The timing of the click is essential. Adults may be a little slow with the clicking sound, but children possess good eye–hand coordination, thanks in part to their video game skills. They usually manage to click on cue.
I know a nine year old named Kim who enrolled in a clicker-training puppy class with her dachshund puppy, Bogart. The trainer in charge told me that Kim ranked top in her class, which included mostly adults. Kim even surprised her mom by getting Bogart to heed basic commands like sit, stay, and settle during the first day of clicker-training class. Now Kim and Bogart have advanced to work on new commands and fun tricks, and their confidence levels rise with each success.
Your children represent the next generation of the pet-loving public, so encourage them to join you in your dog’s training classes. Then sit back and witness the maturity growth in both your children and your dog.
And Baby Makes Four
Q My husband and I jokingly refer to Samson as our first child. We adopted him from a greyhound rescue organization two years ago; he is now four. Samson is sweet, gentle, and charming with people. I just found out that I’m pregnant. We’re excited about having a baby, but what should we do to prepare Samson for the new arrival? We don’t want him to be jealous or upset when the baby comes.
A Congratulations on becoming a parent — again!