URBANANIMAL: Hyper dog needs patience, training and love - insideTORONTO.com

Dear UrbanAnimal,

Robbie is a two-year-old mixed-breed dog that I adopted from a woman who had a baby and couldn't keep him any longer. She told me Robbie has always been a hyper dog, but she didn't have time to fix it. When she brought the baby home, Robbie became even more rambunctious and she couldn't handle dog and baby at the same time. I thought his problem was lack of attention and exercise and, because I'm semi-retired, I felt I could give him these things. As it turns out, after just two weeks of living with Robbie, I can't do anything with him either. I asked the original owner if she could take him back, but she refuses. She said he was "impossible." I don't want to send him to a shelter. Have you got any other ideas?

Caroline

Readers, I contacted Caroline to find out more about Robbie's life and discovered his original owner had bought him as a young puppy from a pet store. It was one of those "puppy in the window" scenarios that, unfortunately, continue to take place no matter how much education is available.

Robbie was her first dog and she couldn't resist. So without considering how a dog would fit into her life, she bought him, then left him in a crate while she went to work. As he grew larger, she put him in the backyard while she went to work. She didn't walk him, socialize him or pay much attention to him beyond feeding and complaining about his "hyper" behaviour.

Oh my goodness, where do I start?

It would be so nice to re-wind this story and start over. Can this dog be saved? Absolutely. But it will take time and patience.

In some ways, it's good that Caroline was able to obtain Robbie's background information because it helped her understand why he had been labelled with words such as "hyper" and "impossible." If she didn't know anything about his past, she'd only know this dog needed a new home.

On the other hand, knowing his history meant Caroline expected a hyper and impossible dog, so that's what she got. Robbie didn't come to her with a clean slate and he was unable to verbalize his side of story or tell her what he needed. Caroline has a big heart and would like to keep him, but she has no experience with dogs.

My first suggestion involved Robbie's physical health. I asked her to obtain all veterinary records from the previous owner then make an appointment with a veterinarian of her choice. The appointment would involve a health checkup along with advice on essentials such as proper diet, nail clipping and training.

To address my second suggestion, Caroline would ask the vet to recommend a professional dog trainer who would coach Caroline and Robbie on a one-to-one basis. With no previous training, I was concerned Robbie's exuberance wouldn't be welcome in a traditional class setting and that a behavioural assessment by an experienced trainer would be invaluable.

Robbie's new veterinarian checked him over and started him off with vaccinations, blood tests, a flea preventive product and a much-needed nail clipping. He also recommended a groomer and the names of local dog trainers.

Just one day after Robbie's veterinary appointment, Caroline had arranged interviews with two dog trainers and had even printed off a list of "Questions to ask a dog trainer" from the Internet.

Her last email to me was much like a mother whose child had learned to tie his shoelaces.

"Robbie is doing wonderfully. He's learning to walk on leash and today he sat at the curb before crossing the street. He did it twice so it's not just my imagination. The trainer thinks that Robbie is far from 'impossible' and I agree."

Another happy ending. No, that's wrong. It's not an ending. It's the beginning of a great relationship. Every day will bring new delights as they learn more about each other.

Congratulations, Caroline. Robbie needed someone who would work to understand his needs and you stepped up to the plate. I hope you have a terrific life together.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion. Visit weekly for more UrbanAnimal columns

View the original article here

URBANANIMAL: Hyper dog needs patience, training and love - insideTORONTO.com

Dear UrbanAnimal,

Robbie is a two-year-old mixed-breed dog that I adopted from a woman who had a baby and couldn't keep him any longer. She told me Robbie has always been a hyper dog, but she didn't have time to fix it. When she brought the baby home, Robbie became even more rambunctious and she couldn't handle dog and baby at the same time. I thought his problem was lack of attention and exercise and, because I'm semi-retired, I felt I could give him these things. As it turns out, after just two weeks of living with Robbie, I can't do anything with him either. I asked the original owner if she could take him back, but she refuses. She said he was "impossible." I don't want to send him to a shelter. Have you got any other ideas?

Caroline

Readers, I contacted Caroline to find out more about Robbie's life and discovered his original owner had bought him as a young puppy from a pet store. It was one of those "puppy in the window" scenarios that, unfortunately, continue to take place no matter how much education is available.

Robbie was her first dog and she couldn't resist. So without considering how a dog would fit into her life, she bought him, then left him in a crate while she went to work. As he grew larger, she put him in the backyard while she went to work. She didn't walk him, socialize him or pay much attention to him beyond feeding and complaining about his "hyper" behaviour.

Oh my goodness, where do I start?

It would be so nice to re-wind this story and start over. Can this dog be saved? Absolutely. But it will take time and patience.

In some ways, it's good that Caroline was able to obtain Robbie's background information because it helped her understand why he had been labelled with words such as "hyper" and "impossible." If she didn't know anything about his past, she'd only know this dog needed a new home.

On the other hand, knowing his history meant Caroline expected a hyper and impossible dog, so that's what she got. Robbie didn't come to her with a clean slate and he was unable to verbalize his side of story or tell her what he needed. Caroline has a big heart and would like to keep him, but she has no experience with dogs.

My first suggestion involved Robbie's physical health. I asked her to obtain all veterinary records from the previous owner then make an appointment with a veterinarian of her choice. The appointment would involve a health checkup along with advice on essentials such as proper diet, nail clipping and training.

To address my second suggestion, Caroline would ask the vet to recommend a professional dog trainer who would coach Caroline and Robbie on a one-to-one basis. With no previous training, I was concerned Robbie's exuberance wouldn't be welcome in a traditional class setting and that a behavioural assessment by an experienced trainer would be invaluable.

Robbie's new veterinarian checked him over and started him off with vaccinations, blood tests, a flea preventive product and a much-needed nail clipping. He also recommended a groomer and the names of local dog trainers.

Just one day after Robbie's veterinary appointment, Caroline had arranged interviews with two dog trainers and had even printed off a list of "Questions to ask a dog trainer" from the Internet.

Her last email to me was much like a mother whose child had learned to tie his shoelaces.

"Robbie is doing wonderfully. He's learning to walk on leash and today he sat at the curb before crossing the street. He did it twice so it's not just my imagination. The trainer thinks that Robbie is far from 'impossible' and I agree."

Another happy ending. No, that's wrong. It's not an ending. It's the beginning of a great relationship. Every day will bring new delights as they learn more about each other.

Congratulations, Caroline. Robbie needed someone who would work to understand his needs and you stepped up to the plate. I hope you have a terrific life together.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion. Visit weekly for more UrbanAnimal columns

View the original article here

URBANANIMAL: Tips for finding a great dog trainer - insideTORONTO.com

Dear UrbanAnimal,

My 12-year-old son and I are getting a puppy in February and I'm looking for a good dog training school in Toronto. Do you have any recommendations?

Alissa

Hi Alissa,

It wasn't that long ago when dog trainers were rare commodities, even in a city as large as Toronto.

When I adopted my first puppy in 1994, the Internet was in its infancy. In fact, it really didn't exist. Training a dog was considered unnecessary, I suppose, aside from house training, "sit," and "down."

High-achievers went for extras such as roll over and play dead. But the rest of us flew by the seat of our pants, relying on advice from friends and relatives only when absolutely necessary.

My own pants, by the way, featured rips courtesy of my pup's claws when she jumped on me (which was often) and shredded hems thanks to her habit of using me as a pull toy.

A nice lady at my local library became my new best friend during those first few months. She shared my interest in dogs and introduced me to the writings of Barbara Woodhouse and the Monks of New Skete. Woodhouse and the Monks were really the only game in town at that time and, although the two sources often contradicted each other, they gave me enough information to train my pup to stop jumping on people. Well, most of the time.

Those books also piqued my interest in wanting to work with a live dog trainer so I asked my veterinarian to recommend someone, just as you're doing, Alissa.

My vet frowned, rubbed his brow and said, "There used to be a trainer somewhere around here. I think he moved, though."

I polled the small band of dog owners at the local park, but like my vet they were unable to recommend a local trainer mainly because they didn't know of any.

Nowadays, it's not "Are you going to a dog training class?" but rather "Who's your dog trainer?"

Dog training schools have popped up in great numbers over the years and while that's a good thing their proliferation has caused too many choices and too many questions.

You want the experience to be worthy of your time and money and your son will want to be involved, too. And what about puppy? Which training method would be best for him?

First, look for a trainer who uses the words "positive reinforcement", which will tell you he uses positive techniques designed to gently compel pup to follow the owner's directions. Treats and toys are used as motivation, along with lots of upbeat encouragement and constructive advice. Keep away from a trainer who yells, shakes pup's scruff, frighten him (or you!), forces pup onto his back (also called "alpha rolling"), or advocates the use of collars or other tools that are designed to frighten pup into submission.

Some of these moves and tools can cause injury or, at the very least, may create a pup who will distrust you. Building trust between you and your dog is important and it can be severely compromised with negative early experiences.

Ask other dog owners in your neighbourhood, your veterinarian and staff at your local pet supply store to suggest a few trainers. Before bringing your new puppy home, choose two or three training schools and ask if you can sit in on a class as a spectator. If the human students are smiling and the dogs are enjoying themselves while real progress is being made, you've found a good school for you, your son and your pup.

Afterward, ask the trainer about upcoming classes, fees and time schedules, and if the school requires proof of specific vaccinations prior to allowing your pup entry into any particular class.

Some schools insist on a written health clearance and proof of vaccinations from a veterinary, all of which will dictate when your pup can start training.

Currently, anybody can set up shop as a dog trainer and there are no licensing requirements in Canada. A good place to start your search would be to contact the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT) at 1-877-SIT-STAY, or visit their website to view a list of trainers according to region at www.cappdt.ca/trainers.

Good luck, Alissa! I hope you find the perfect school for you, your son and your puppy.

Email jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.

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