Pit Bulls At The Dog Park (Part 2 of 4-Part Series)

It's Part 2 of my 4-part series on the Dog Park, and I can't wait to tell you what happened this week!  Are you ready?  Momma took my sister and me to the Dog Park and we had a great time.  Whew ... I wasn't sure when I was going to get to go back, but it finally happened.  I love our dog park and I think the people who worked so hard to build it must really love dogs ... a lot!!!  I just wish people would behave themselves at the dog park.  Yes, I said people.  I think following the rules at the dog park is a great way to say thank you for all the hard work that went into making the dog park a reality for all of us.   

Do you know why I decided to call this little series "Pit Bulls at the Dog Park"?  There are actually several reasons:  (1) I am a pit bull, and I love the dog park; (2) there are a lot of people who don't understand me and my breed, and I want to raise awareness of what's true about us; and (3) there have been some really bad situations at our dog park that reportedly involve pit bull type dogs poor judgment being used by individual dogs that are not properly socialized.

I have a theory about why so many people lately have been complaining about pit bulls in our dog park here in Warren County.  You know me -- when I have a theory (aka opinion) I'm probably going to share it with you.  Here are a few of my thinkings:

There are a lot of pit bull type/ pit-mixed breeds in our county -- a lot more than you think.  We have lived behind closed doors for a long time because there has not been an off-leash area where we can run and be free until just last year, and in many cases our owners don't routinely take us places because of the troubling comments and gestures that we experience when we are go out in public (it's embarrassing).  In some households, dogs (not just pitties) are not exercised or stimulated on a regular basis, and have never had interaction with other dogs on any level since they were adopted.  In many cases, this is a "perfect storm" in the making, and taking ANY unsocialized dog to the dog park with no advance preparation is a recipe for disaster, and it's not fair to a dog who thinks he's just doing what he's s'posed to be doing.    

How is a dog owner supposed to know how their dog is going to act around other dogs if they have never been around other dogs?  Is the dog park the place to first get this question answered?  Lordy, no!!!  What if your dog has herding tendencies with other dogs and you have never taken the time to discover/address/manage this issue before opening that gate to the dog park?  What if your dog (who has never been around other dogs) is big and burly and is irritated by a smaller dog running around his hind legs and jumping up trying to sniff his butt say hello? How is he going to react?  Are you a gambling person who wants to wait to find out the answer to that question after you are in the dog park with 25 other dogs?  What if your dog is a terrier -- boston terrier, pit bull terrier, westhighland white terrier -- and, like many terrier type dogs, has a strong chase drive?  If she has never been around another dog (other than a family dog she sees everyday and who is not a good test of a dog's tolerance for other dogs), what are you going to do when you open that gate to the dog park and your terrier with years of pent-up energy and no effective behavior management chases after a little Yorkie, picks him up and shakes him like a rag bone?  Is that your dog's fault, or is it the result of poor owner management?  


I wish that all the people who use the park knew how to use common sense when it comes to dog-dog meetings.  Momma says that most people are smart and have common sense, but the few that leave their brains at home when they bring their dogs to the park are the ones who cause us to have to leave before we are done playing.  

I have come up with a few true/false questions I want to share with you.  Do you know the answers?  I hope they can be conversation starters in your family this week and I will give you the answers to them next week.

1.  TRUE OR FALSE -- "Smart Socializing" involves setting your dog up for only positive dog-dog interactions.

2.  TRUE OR FALSE -- Dog parks are a dependable place to begin socializing your dog.

3.  TRUE OR FALSE -- My dog is really good with the other dogs in my home, and with my cousin's dog that lives close by.  Doesn't that mean he will be fine with all other dogs he meets?

4.  TRUE OR FALSE -- It's OK to wait until your dog experiences his first fight to know it's time to begin managing and training him about good doggie citizenship.

5.  TRUE OR FALSE -- A good way to socialize a dog is to let her walk up to other dogs she doesn't know while on her daily walk.

That's it for this week.  I can't wait to see how many humans pass this basic Good Owner Management Quiz.  Will you get 100%?   I know you will!!! 

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Smart Socializing involves setting your dog up for success with only positive dog-dog interactions. - See more at: http://www.badrap.org/node/98#sthash.SVY1Z54l.dpuf

Pit Bulls at the Dog Park

FIRST OF A 4-PART SERIES.

I love the Dog Park, and can't wait to start going there again.  It's my favorite thing to do and every time I see my momma get her shoes on I think we are going there and I get very, very excited.  There's just one problem, though -- we haven't been there in a very long time.  Momma has been trying to figure out when is a good time to go back and she can't figure out the answer, so I decided to write about it.  I think the solution is going to come from everyone who uses the Dog Park putting their heads together and coming up with a solution.  I love my readers, and I just know that together we can come up with the answer (which will make this little pittie a very, very happy girl).

The reason I haven't been to the dog park recently is that my momma has seen some really poor choices being made by humans when they bring their dogs to the park, and she doesn't want me and my sister Zoie to be involved or injured when things go badly.  Momma is a pretty calm person and when we get hurt she doesn't get too upset -- after all (she says) dogs will be dogs and scuffles happen.  That's not what's bugging her and it's not just a little scuffle here and there that has me and my sister sitting on the sidelines right now. As much as I hate not being a part of what's going on at my very own the dog park, I agree that things need to change, not only for me and my sister, but for all the dogs that deserve to enjoy the freedom of an off-leash park.  Here are some of my thinkings that I want to share:

No matter the breed of your dog, it might not be a good idea to take him to the dog park. Ever. 

Yep, that's right.  Some dogs don't like the dog park, and some dogs don't belong there even if they seem to like it.  Forget about the breed of your dog or the dogs you see when you go to the dog park.  Look at how YOUR dog is acting and you will know if he likes it or if he belongs there at all.  Dogs, like humans, have good days and bad days.  If you get to the dog park and your dog is having an "off" day, leave and come back another day.  Or come back in a few hours when a different mix of dogs are in the park. Or it might be that you should not ever come back  There is nothing wrong with your dog if he just simply doesn't like the dog park.  It might be his age, his individual temperament or just the day.  Only you know your dog well enough to answer the questions that must be answered in order to keep him and others safe in the dog park.

My big brother Sampson is a great example of a dog that does not belong in the dog park -- never, ever.  At home he is a big marshmallow (and a goofball), but at the park he is timid (I call him crazy) and likes to keep to himself.  Kinda funny for a guy that weighs 157 pounds, huh?  He runs around the perimeter of the fence and doesn't really want anything to do with other dogs.  If a dog approaches him while he is in the park, he barks and snarls and sounds really scary, like the lion on the Wizard of Oz.  That's all fine and dandy, until he did it to a dog that took issue with his Unacceptable Behavior, and there was a fight.  No blood, just a brawl.  Momma doesn't take Sampson to the park anymore.  This is a picture of my brother, Sampson.  He's a Giant Goofball.  

Yes, it is a full-sized couch and he takes up all the room.

 
The dog park is NOT the place to teach your dog to be sociable with other dogs.  

This is the one that's got me sitting on the sidelines right now.  Almost every time we have been to the dog park, my momma hears people talking about how they haven't had their dog around other dogs in years and they are so glad that our county has a dog park because now they can bring their dog to the park so they can be socialized.  Holy crap on a crackerOh my goodness, those are some short visits to the park when momma overhears stuff like that.  She can't get my sister and me out of the park fast enough when she hears that we're in the park with dogs that haven't been taught how to get along with other dogs. One thing that really gets momma's goat is when people say they just adopted a dog from the shelter and the next day they have them out at the dog park, sometimes even after being told by the shelter staff that the dog is not dog friendly.  That's a whole 4-part series all by itself.       

If you take your dog to the dog park and he's not ready to be there, or doesn't belong there, you are setting him up to fail, plain and simple.  At the dog park, adrenalin runs high and excitement is the theme of the day.  Taking your dog to the park without FIRST properly socializing him is like sending someone to take a test when they have never taken the class.  If you think about it, it makes perfect sense.

Now, I know right now you are scratching your head and wondering if I'm out of my pretty little pittie brain.  Nope, I'm dead serious.  Teach your dog to get along with other dogs BEFORE you bring him to the dog park.  Here are some ideas from our friends at badrap.org about how to do that ....

"Creating fun socializing opportunities for your dog starts with finding other conscientious dog owners. Find them by signing up for obedience classes, meetup groups or dog sports ...to meet potential play partners for your pet. Another way to socialize your dog is to sign up as a foster home for a local rescue group.

Some maintain small play groups for their neighborhoods dogs in backyards, fenced in ball fields and small, low traffic parks. If yours does not, see if you can't find one or two dog owners in your area who might be willing to start a small social group.

Our dogs benefit from building up a large list of 'dog friendships,' much in the same way parents seek out good playmates for their small children.  If your dog just isn't fond of other dogs - No sweat. He gets the fun of enjoying play time with you all to himself. Dogs don't have to have other dog friends in order to be happy."

There are as many different reasons as there are breeds of dogs why some many dogs don't do well around other dogs, at home or at the dog park.  It's OK --there is nothing wrong with your dog.  He just needs you to understand him as an individual.  It's that simple.
 

What's up with the people that never have any issues with their dogs at the dog park?  

Dogs that have no problem playing and interacting with larger groups of dogs in rowdy play sessions are generally younger dogs.  But, as that same dog starts to get older and "feel his stuff," it's actually pretty normal for him to be less patient with other dogs' uninvited advances and rude behavior.  And it's all about perception.  What seemed like play and fun rowdiness to him at an earlier age may become very annoying to him as an adult dog.

No matter how much good socializing and training you've done, your dog's tolerance can still disappear if he's triggered into conflict by another dog's challenge, a tussle over a toy, a tug-o-war game or even a friendly wrestling match that gets a little "too exciting."

You NEVER want your dog to fight at the Dog Park.  Wanna know why?
  
In addition to the obvious reasons of your dog being injured or causing injury to another dog, big vet bills, problems with law enforcement, and liability concerns, there's another BIG reason you don't want your dog to ever fight another dog:

If you want to increase the odds of your dog remaining dog tolerant forever, NEVER let him get into his first fight.  According to experts, "whether or not your dog starts it, many a dog is forever changed by his first fight and may never be the same around other dogs again." 

And finally, on a personal note, for all pit bull families out there, during this time of breed prejudice, please remember that even the smallest display of bravado involving pit bull type dogs is going to set off alarm bells in onlookers and tarnish the reputation of our breed more and more.  It's not fair, but it's the reality we're facing right now.   Take your dog to the dog park and help him to enjoy it to the fullest  Be present with your dog and be his leader at all times while in the park.  Correct "snarly" or "rowdy" play BEFORE it escalates.  There is nothing wrong with teaching your dog an appropriate level of play when engaged with other dogs.  Save the snarly stuff for rag bones and tug of war with you at home.  He can be taught to understand the difference and he will love you for it. 

Wanna be a hero to your dog?  Be a fair player at the dog park and teach your dog to do the same. If it doesn't work for your dog, tell him it's OK to just stay home.


See you next week for Part 2 of our 4-part series on "Pit Bulls in the Dog Park."  Have a great week!!!

What's Wrong With Those Shelter Dogs?

Over the past 2-3 months I have had the unexpected pleasure of being involved very closely and directly with the dogs at the Humane Society of Warren County, as the leader of the Good Buddy Program.  I hesitate to call  myself the "leader," but rather think of myself more as an organizer, or facilitator, to a group of selfless and talented volunteers who understand the temporary interruption that these dogs are experiencing and they want to help them through it.  And help them through it they do, with flying colors.

Because of this program, and the volunteers who make it work, dogs come into the program, and they get adopted -- with a very high success rate.

Tucker - Adopted

Caliber - Adopted

 It is undoubtedly the most challenging and rewarding volunteer undertaking of my life, and the question is already echoing in my head "who rescued who?" when it comes down to how much this work and my involvement with this wonderful group of dogs and people are transforming my life.  I dedicate this blog post to those volunteers who make this program work, and to the dogs, who need to be heard, through our voices. 

Sasha - Adopted

So, the question is asked, and asked often, "if these dogs are so wonderful, they why are they in the shelter?"  It's a question I used to ask as a younger and less experienced human being, so I don't judge those that ask it.  It just means more to me now than ever to bring the question out into the open and answer it.  Because there are hundreds of answers, but then only one answer.  Stated another way, there are hundreds of reasons why a dog might end up in a shelter, but it is rarely because the dog did anything wrong.


What does go wrong that make them "homeless shelter dogs"?

Beowolf - Adopted

Someone buys a small puppy and then it gets big.  Really big.  And eats too much, costs too much, is too hard to handle outside, needs too much space.  Dogs don't usually end up at the shelter because they did not get as big as expected.

Piper - Adopted

Training issues are a big reason dogs end up at the shelter.  Someone buys a dog because the dog is cute, or reminds them of Lassie, or Petey, or Benji.  But then they are surprised that the dog is not also as "smart" as those dogs on TV, or the cute little dog on the commercial.  It is a very unrealistic expectation to believe that a dog (even if it's not a puppy) will already know how to behave in his new home without being taught.

Enzo - Adopted

Some owners have to have a certain breed because they like how the breed looks.  However, many dogs, Shih Tzus, Westhighland White Terriers, Poodles, all have to be groomed regularly to maintain that "look," and this is also very expensive.
 

Hunter - Adopted

Sometimes dogs are surrendered to the shelter because their lifespan turns out to be longer than the owner expected. Yes, it's true, and I have seen it happen in my extended family, so as horrific as it sounds, it happens.  Some people really do believe that the average total lifespan for a dog is 5-6 years.  Barring health problems, and depending on breed, a dog can live for as long as 15-20 years.


Some people feel "cheated" when that purebred Rhodesian Ridgeback they just paid hundreds of dollars for has too many flaws and will never be "show" material.  Disappointed, and possibly even angry, they surrender the dog to the shelter.

Boss - Adopted

Sometimes dogs are surrendered because of a "lifestyle mismatch."  I know someone quite well who continues to insist that she must have a Westhighland White Terrier.  Over and over again, she gets one, and then gets rid of it because it's too "high energy."  Surprise!!!  Westies, for all their cuteness and adoreable-ness are sporting dogs and they like to be in motion.  Almost all the time.

The daily care and feeding of a dog is non-optional, and when a dog "belongs" to a child in the house, and then the child loses interest in caring for the dog, often the parents take the dog to the shelter, either to "teach the child a lesson" or because of work constraints, they feel they are left with no other choice.

Coco - Adopted (and her puppies)

Many times, a family gets a dog (not from a shelter) and fails to have it spayed or neutered, either because they don't understand the importance of it, or they want their children to experience the "miracle of birth."  The puppies are born, and quickly become an inconvenience and a huge expense. To the shelter they go. 

New baby, new house, new landlord, health issues, new job, military deployment ... the list goes on.  But you get the picture.  Nothing mentioned so far could be considered the dog's "fault," and in a few cases, it's not necessarily one human's "fault," either.  Life isn't fair, and many indviduals and families put a different emphasis on the importance of their dog's place in their family.  Some dogs are not considered family members at all.

Harry - Adopted

BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), as ineffective as it is, forces many perfectly good (PERFECTLY GOOD) dogs to end up in shelters.  It is an ongoing battle, and it appears the tide is beginning to turn for the better.

A dog is often brought in to the shelter as a stray by Animal Control or a concerned citizen.  They need to learn basic commands, housebreaking, leash walking, but they are often still good dogs.


Sometimes a dog is brought to the shelter as the victim of abuse or neglect -- a problem created by a human, not the dog. In the end, these dogs often make the best additions to a new family because they have gone from a neglectful home to a loving home and they "get it."

Jezebel - Adopted

There is a saying that says you can't pick your family members, but that's really not true ... not when there are always wonderful dogs waiting to be adopted at your local animal shelter.  
 

Lucy - Adopted

Brandy - Adopted

Cid - Adopted

Athena - Adopted

Bones - Adopted

Tessie - Adopted

What Would Your Dog Say About You?

There are so many books out there about dog training that it's easy to be overwhelmed, and I have picked up many a book (even bought it for my Kindle) and decided after about a chapter or two that it just wasn't for me. It didn't apply to my dogs, or it seemed to conflict with what I think makes sense.  I have read some books that made me think if I followed their advice my dogs would laugh at me.  Then there are other books (and there are many) that make us stop in our tracks.  They strike a cord and make us say, "now that's what I'm talking about."

One of those books is William E. Campbell's Behavior Problems in Dogs (1999, BehavioRx Systems).  You can read more about it on this Amazon link.

Bill Campbell helps us to begin to question how much of our dog's dysfunctionality begins on the human side of the dog-people relationship.

I am not writing about answers because I don't have all the answers.  I am writing about questions.  Questions to ask ourselves.  What would your dog tell you about you?  What would he tell you about your communication skills?  About your method of teaching him things?  What would your dog say about you as his guardian?

The answers probably lie somewhere in the middle.  We all have good days and bad days, and even the best dog owners feel guilty for not spending enough time with their dogs.  If we foster or have a Good Buddy, we (I) sometimes walk through the door after a busy day of errands and volunteering and see the happy eyes of our own dogs and realize they have been waiting for us to get home and spend time with them.  Gulp.

So, here are the questions that are offered by Mr. Campbell about what type of dog owners we are.  None of them are desirable and perhaps the truth lies in the possibility that we all possess at least a little of a combination of them (of some I hope none) ....... 

• Are you a domineering/physical type of owner who insists on subservience and uses excessive force and/or punishment to gain obedience?  How much force is too much?  I am still haunted by the sounds of my grandfather's dogs being whipped into submission outside the farmhouse where my grandparents lived when I was a little girl.  I remember waiting and watching for the dogs to come back into the house and to see their tails wagging and then I knew they were OK.  Or at least I thought.

• Or are you a domineering/vocal type of dog owner who yells and uses stern tones to gain obedience from your dog?  What do our dogs think when we are at the end of our rope and we yell at them?  How often does it really produce lasting results?  
  

• Do you try to gain cooperation or other favorable responses from your dog by coaxing or bribing or seducing them into doing what you want, or what they should be doing?

• Are we sometimes a little too permissive because we are insecure about our relationship with our dog?  We want their love and loyalty, but we don't follow through on any form of discipline because we are fearful of losing some connection with our dog?

•  Are you an ambivalent owner/guardian?  Do you have mixed emotions about the animal that ultimately lead to problems that seem overwhelming to you?

• Do you project emotional and intellectual abilities onto your dog that only humans are capable of possessing?  This type of dog owner often misinterprets the dog's behavior and usually already "knows" all the reasons the behavior exists.  For example, did you know that a dog is not developed enough to act out of spite?  That their brains never develop enough to feel hate or contempt?  
  

• Some people love dogs but they know little about them and follow everyone's advice, no matter how ridiculous or outrageous.  Or they don't give their dog enough credit for needing good, solid leadership, so they don't seek advice at all.

•  Have you ever used "common sense" suggestions or methods, even in the face of poor results?

• Have you ever been too rigid or extreme in your attitude about guidance or advice and got in your own way of helping your dog to solve a problem?

Yep, lots of questions, just as I promised.  But just like I promised, there are no answers here.  They are in what you read, in what you experience with your dog, and in what you learn from other dog owners, shelter staff, experienced trainers, and trusted "dog friendly" friends. Pay attention to what makes sense to you and what works for your dog.

The reason this information struck me so strongly is that I see myself at various stages of my life with dogs in little bits and pieces of some of these questions.  Not the hitting ... NEVER the hitting.  But the rest I think we can honestly say to ourselves that we have either been there at some time along our journey with our dogs, or we are moving through some of these blind curves right now.

The answers?  You will find them.  Keep holding your dogs (and your Good Buddies) close to your hearts and look for answers.  Read good books by great authors like Sue Sternberg, Jean Donaldson, and Bill Campbell.  Victoria Stillwell and Cesar Millan have great training tips and advice for all types of dog owners.

One thought before we go ... no dog is going to continue exhibiting the same behavior over and over again if he/she is not somehow rewarded for it. 

     



 

Ask Annie (4-2-2013)

I took a few days off to celebrate Easter with my family and to catch up on my rest from our week-long house guest.  His name is Emo and he is my nephew.  Emo is a retired Greyhound and when he is at my house he sleeps in my bed and chases my cats.  He's really a good guy, and he's a lot older than me, so when he takes my bed, I just say it's OK.  I love him, but you know what they say about company ... and fish.   

But now I'm back and this week I've got something I want to share with everyone, instead of answering a question from my readers.  I have so many friends at the shelter (even though I have never met them, they are still my friends) who need good homes.  I care about them and what they are going through because I used to live there.  I lived there more than once, and once for a very long time.  When a dog has to spend time at the shelter (even a really, really good one like ours), she is really happy when she gets adopted, but it also comes with all kinds of uncertainty at first, for the dogs and for their new family, and that’s what I want to talk about. I hope the information I am going to share with you is useful to Good Buddies and to future furever families.  

Take it from a dog who knows, it takes about 30 days to really settle into a new home.  You gotta figure out what your new family is all about and they need time to figure you out, too.  My biggest problem when I first got to my foster furever home was that I growled at anyone and anything that came near my bed or my food.  Oh, boy, was THAT ever a no-no.  My foster new mom looked at me really serious and made me move away from whatever I was growling about and I knew she meant business.  She didn't act all lovey and nice the way I like it.  One time I had to wait until the other dogs in the house were completely done with their dinner before I got to eat.  One time I growled at my foster new dad because he wanted me to get down off of his bed where I was sleeping all warm and cuddled up next to my foster new mom.  He did the weirdest thing ... he went and got a bag of irresistible treats and bribed me off of the bed.  He did it over and over again until now I get down off the bed and I don't even know why I'm doing it. 

So, the reason I'm telling you this is because when your shelter dog gets to her furever home, she might make some mistakes and do things that you don't like.  I'm here to tell you, it's a stressful situation and we need a second chance or two to get it right while we are settling in.  

Here's a few little tips I think will help explain what I'm talking about (some of these ideas are quoted from petfinder.com):

Before your shelter dog new family member gets to your house, set things up something like this:

• Determine where your dog will be spending most of her time. Because she will be under a lot of stress with the change of environment (from shelter or foster home to your house), she may forget any housebreaking (if any) she’s learned at the shelter and/or from her Good Buddy. Often a kitchen will work best for easy clean-up.
• If you plan on crate training your dog, be sure to have a crate set-up and ready to go for when you bring your new dog home. 
• Dog-proof the area where your pooch will spend most of her time during the first few months. This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards; storing household chemicals on high shelves; removing plants, rugs, and breakables; setting up the crate, and installing baby gates.
• Training your dog will start the first moment you have her. Take time to create a vocabulary list everyone will use when giving your dog directions. (Be sure you ask for the notes from your dog's Good Buddy about commands she has learned while in the Good Buddy Program, or that she might already know from a previous owner.  The shelter staff is great about sharing this type of information.)  This will help prevent confusion and help your dog learn her commands more quickly. 
• Bring an ID tag with your phone number on it with you when you pick up your dog so that she has an extra measure of safety for the ride home and the first few uneasy days. If she is microchipped, be sure to register your contact information with the chip’s company.

First Day:

• We know moving is stressful — and your new dog feels the same way! Give her time to acclimate to your home and family before introducing her to strangers. Make sure children know how to approach the dog without overwhelming her. Please respect the information the shelter has shared with you about your new dog.  If you have adopted a dog that is not good around other dogs, please respect that information.  The shelter staff is very well-trained in evaluating dogs and their behavior towards people and other dogs.  If you have adopted a dog that has issues around other dogs, don't push that boundary, especially in the first few days.  You might be able to help her overcome that issue with time, but it won't happen right away.  And for dog's sake, please, it's probably never a good idea to take that dog to the dog park. Not good for your dog or the other dogs in the park.  
• When you pick up your dog, remember to ask what and when she was fed. Replicate that schedule for at least the first few days to avoid gastric distress. If you wish to switch to a different brand, do so over a period of about a week by adding one part new food to three parts of the old for several days; then switch to half new food, half old, and then one part old to three parts new. 
• On the way home, your dog should be safely secured, preferably in a crate. Some dogs find car trips stressful, so having her in a safe place will make the trip home easier on her and you. 

• Once home, take her to her toileting area immediately and spend a good amount of time with him so she will get used to the area and relieve herself. Even if your dog does relieve herself during this time, be prepared for accidents. Coming into a new home with new people, new smells and new sounds will throw even the most housebroken dog off-track, so be ready just in case. 
• If you plan on crate training your dog, leave the crate open so that she can go in whenever she feels like it in case she gets overwhelmed. 
• From there, start your schedule of feeding, toileting and play/exercise. From Day One, your dog will need family time and brief periods of solitary confinement. Don’t give in and comfort her if she whines when left alone. Instead, give her attention for good behavior, such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly .

• For the first few days, remain calm and quiet around your dog, limiting too much excitement (such as the dog park (even for dog-friendly dogs) or neighborhood children). Not only will this allow your dog to settle in easier, it will give you more one-on-one time to get to know her and her likes/dislikes.
• If she came from another home, objects like leashes, hands, rolled up newspapers and magazines, feet, chairs and sticks are just some of the pieces of inappropriate “training equipment” that may have been used on this dog. Words like “come here” and “lie down” may bring forth a reaction other than the one you expect.Or maybe she led a sheltered life and was never socialized to children or sidewalk activity. This dog may be the product of a never-ending series of scrambled communications and unreal expectations that will require patience on your part.

Following Weeks:

• People often say they don’t see their dog’s true personality until several weeks after adoption. Your dog will be a bit uneasy at first as she gets to know you. Be patient and understanding while also keeping to the schedule you intend to maintain for feeding, walks, etc. This schedule will show your dog what is expected of her as well as what she can expect from you.

• After discussing it with your veterinarian to ensure your dog has all the necessary vaccines, you may wish to take your dog to group training classes or the dog park. Pay close attention to your dog’s body language to be sure she’s having a good time — and is not fearful or a dog park bully. 

• To have a long and happy life together with your dog, stick to the original schedule you created, ensuring your dog always has the food, potty time and attention she needs. You’ll be bonded in no time! 

• If you encounter behavior issues you are unfamiliar with, ask your veterinarian for a trainer recommendation. Select a trainer who uses positive-reinforcement techniques to help you and your dog overcome these behavior obstacles. 

Congratulations! If you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to having a well-adjusted canine family member.

See you next week.  Keep those Ask Annie questions coming.  I love them all!!!