Dog Training Long Island, NY - Resources - Ain't Misbehavin' Canine Academy

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' CANINE ACADEMY...

Helping Your Dog Adjust To His New Home

Set up a schedule and follow it consistently.
ALWAYS feed, walk, socialize, put out to make, etc., your dog at the same time. Like the rest of us, dogs feel much more comfortable if they know what to expect. Follow this schedule for at least 4 to 6 months, as it will take the dog some time to feel "at home". Be Consistent - not just with the schedule, but also with everything you do with your dog. Decide on the rules the dog will live by and then stick to those rules. Dogs learn much more quickly and behave much better if you are consistent in your actions and expectations.

Consistency must start the minute you get the dog home.
Everyone in the household needs to agree on the rules for the dog; how those rules will be taught and how they will be enforced. This means that you will need to be prepared for the dog BEFORE he comes home. Be fair to the dog -- do not get him impulsively. Be ready for him. Dogs don't just walk in the front door and say to themselves "Oh...there's the potty". They need to be trained where to relieve themselves even if they are already housebroken. A new house means new rules and you MUST TEACH HIM the rules.

Do not get angry. Anger does not teach
-- it may be understood as a threat or a challenge by the dog. Either way, it does not lead to the desired response. Deal with disobedience by using quick, matter-of-fact corrections. Do not get your emotions involved. Many problem behaviors are not the result of the dog's attempt "to get even" but rather a result of being bored, lonesome, frightened or having learned to get attention by some undesirable means.

Pack leader. A leader is clear, concise, and consistent.
Dogs understand and need to have a pack leader. If you do not assert your right to that position, the dog will naturally move into the leadership role. Often common behavior problems are caused by the dog's assertion of leadership rights over at least some members of the family. That means that the sofa is his, the garbage is his, the Thanksgiving turkey is his, and the new pair of shoes you just bought is his. In short, he is in control. Leaders do not come when called. Leaders may bark when and how long they want. Leaders may bite. Think about it…

Train your dog.
Obedience training helps you communicate with your dog. Owners who work with their dogs find that the mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise for keeping the dog from becoming bored. People who put in the effort to obedience train their dogs and maintain the training have fewer problems with their dogs. An added bonus is the working bond that develops between you and your dog when you spend time training together. By the way, just because you own a small dog does not mean that obedience training is unnecessary.

Praise. Praise is the reward the dog receives for obeying your command. There are some simple rules for giving praise/rewards:
A) Make the reward immediate. Praise delayed = praise denied.
B) Reward the dog only for obedience. He does not get any praise without earning it.
C) Praise should be short-term. Only a few seconds of patting is enough.
D) Don't use food as the primary type of reward.

Let him be a dog.
Enjoy him, train him, have fun with him. Do not expect him to make decisions. That's your job – you are the leader. Expect him to act like a dog -- nothing more, but certainly nothing less.