Dolly

About Dolly

Dolly is a non-profit organization centered on pet knowledge, care, and training.

Dolly says many pet issues could be avoided by education in responsible pet ownership.

Good choices make good pets, and happy owners. Many animals are surrendered every year, because they did not fit the owners lifestyle. Pet owners often become frustrated when they encounter behaviors that they are unable to correct.

An improper correction can actually worsen the problem, or have an unpleasant side effect. It is important to be well informed and prepared before you get the pet.

Article

House Training

Submitted by Jerry Hope, Dog Trainer and Canine Behavior Specialist

House training is simple to accomplish providing we do not let bad habits form. Dogs are naturally clean animals. More importantly, they are animals of habit.

If we can set a pattern for how the puppy will eat and drink, we can set a pattern for when potty breaks will be needed.

Basically, if we control what goes in, we can control what comes out. If you obtained your new puppy from a responsible breeder, the house training should be completed, or a good ground work should be in place.

If not, you may need some assistance from a professional certified trainer before things get way out of hand.

To establish a pattern you must be in a position to control the daily routine. Start by getting on a schedule. A 10 – 12 week old puppy can hold his bladder through the night, about 6 – 8 hours, but as soon as he wakes….well you know. So, you need to get up first, and when he awakes take him outside straight away.

If you want him to potty in one particular place in the yard, now is the time to set the pattern. Take him outside on a leash to the spot where you would like for him to go potty. Stand quietly in one spot holding the leash until he does his business. Once he has accomplished the task, give him lots of verbal praise and take him back inside in an excited manner. I like to run back inside. Do this each and every time he needs to potty. Once he is back inside, he should have a play session and then his breakfast. Once that is over, he will need to go back outside. I begin by taking him outside very soon after he eats. If I find myself standing around outside for 20 or 30 minutes, I will give him a few minutes after he eats before taking him outside. Be very careful here; one mistake can cost us days or weeks to correct.

Dr. Ian Dunbar calls it “Errorless House Training.” The trick is to never let an accident happen. If a mistake does take place, never, ever punish for it. The puppy is not very likely to have the slightest clue that he is being punished for using the house as a toilet. More than likely he will think it is wrong to go potty.

Follow the same procedure. In the beginning, I don’t leave water at their disposal, so you will have to give him many water breaks during the day, followed by another potty break. Use the same procedure .after every meal and every water break. If you stick to this routine every time, rain or shine, in a week or so, the puppy will be going to the door and to the one spot in the yard. This will making clean up a breeze. Again, the trick to successful house training is to establish a routine. Once he gets the hang of it, he will go potty at the spot you designated, and then run back to the house.

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Jerry's Blog will contain articles and answers to your training questions on this page.

The Three Most Important Things to Teach a Puppy

Submitted by Jerry Hope, Dog Trainer, and Canine Behavior Specialist.

The Holidays are over and the “new” has worn off of the gifts, and for the most part, things around the household are back to normal. But, if your family added a new puppy to your household, things are far from normal! For those that have a new puppy, the house training, hopefully is under control, but the chewing and puppy biting has probably reached a new high.

The three most important skills that every puppy must know are, house training, socialization, and bite inhibition. I will speak briefly of each one. I am available anytime to discuss each one in depth.

These three issues are the main causes of pups being banished from the house to the back yard where they dig, bark and become neighborhood nuisances. From here it is a short trip the shelter. With a little time, patience, and understanding we can prevent this fate.

The first skill, house training is important because if the puppy fails to develop this skill, he will not be allowed in the house for very long. House training is all about setting, and keeping a routine. If we develop a solid routine to include the dogs feeding and drinking schedule, the problem will almost resolve itself. If we control what goes in, we can control what comes out.

The second skill, socialization may very well save your pup’s life. Social skills are the skills that allow the dog to interact in our environment. These skills are easy for the dog to develop if accomplished in the first 14 weeks of life. After that, the development of these skills will usually require professional help.

And the third skill, and by far the most important skill is bite inhibition. Bite inhibition teaches the dog to recognize the destructive power (or soon to be) that he has in his teeth and jaws. Many uninformed trainers and breeders suggest that puppy biting should be stopped to prevent a dog that has developed bad habits.

Actually, the opposite has been proven to be true. If we teach the puppy that biting is allowed but that they must be careful when doing it, and that certain rules apply, we have controlled this natural instinct. Should a situation such as the dog being startled or injured occur, and instincts take over and a bite happens, little or no damage will occur.

If you obtained your new puppy from a responsible breeder, these skills should be completed, or at least are well on their way to being developed. If not, you may need some assistance from a professional certified behavior consultant.

The life of a puppy is clearly defined in several important periods. For years we have known how important these periods are to a puppies development; the information was published in the 60’s; it has been proven over and over since that time.

One of the best resources for surviving this very important time is Dr. Ian Dunbar’s book “After you Get Your Puppy.” This book covers everything that a new puppy family needs to do once the puppy is in their home.

Past Training Event

June 28, 2008
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Jerry Hope (www.k9fixer.com)
Seminar Description- Developing Superstar Dogs-
This seminar is designed for breeders, future puppy owners, and trainers who are interested in preventing many common behavior issues in dogs. This enlightening and informative workshop will weave lecture, video footage and still photographs into a seamless view of the first twelve weeks in the life of a puppy.
Topics will include:
- Understanding the critical periods
- How Imprinting works
- The imprinting phases
- What to look for in a breeder
- What to look for in a puppy home
- Screening breeders/homes
- Whelping box designs

We would like to thank our guest editor professional dog trainer and canine behavior specialist, Jerry Hope, for providing some very important information for the owners of new puppies.

Jerry is the owner of Canine Behavior Clinic and he is a certified member of the IAABC, a professional member of the APDT and the IACP. He is certified to teach pet first aid through PetTech.

Jerry is also the author of “The Breeder’s Guide to Raising Superstar Dogs.” Jerry may be reached by phone at 770-354-2102, or visit his website at www.k9fixer.com.

Dolly Goodpuppy Society, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that promotes responsible pet ownership and humane education for kids.

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