09/17/99

Puppy Parenting

Your children have been badgering you for a pet for months. They love animals and want a dog they can wrestle with and teach how to play Frisbee. Before you give in to their pleading, especially if you've never owned a dog, read the following pointers from Jody Rosengarten, dog trainer, behavioral therapist and owner of "The Bark Stops Here" in Wilton, Conn. The information she provides may be helpful to experienced puppy "parents," as well.

Choice of a Breed

"When choosing a breed, remember that dogs are individuals," Jody says. The retrievers -- Labs and Goldens - are usually among the sweetest and most reliable with children. Yet they are extremely oral and can be manic as puppies, which can be problematic for children. Boxers are also typically good with children, as are Pugs, although Pugs often have low energy so don't do as well with extremely active children. Cocker Spaniels are less predictable with children.

"I always caution against what I call breed bigotry, because there are so many exceptions with individual dogs. For example, in a group class I recently graduated, the nastiest dog was a Golden and the nicest was a Pit Bull. To help with breed selection, I highly recommend the book "Choosing a Dog" by Steve Duno and Nancy Baer.

Puppy Development

"Puppies are usually available at about 7 to 10 weeks of age. It takes about 10-14 days for a new puppy to settle in. During these first weeks, it is vital that he/she be made to feel as secure as possible, as this often sets the tone for life. Puppies sleep a lot, but when awake, play hard and require total supervision and gentle handling. The weeks leading up to three months of age are extremely important in terms of forming trusting acceptance of their new "pack" - your family.

"Three to four months is an important socialization and acclimation period when you should introduce your pup to new experiences with people, places and other animals, both on and off your property. Four to six months is the ideal age to begin schooling or obedience training. (More later about what your pup needs to learn.)

"Create a safe, enclosed space for your pup from the beginning. A large crate can provide a safe haven, expedite housebreaking and prevent pups from chewing dangerous or valuable household belongings. There are myriad dog toys on the market for them to chew on safely."

Medical Care

"Bring your new pup to the veterinarian immediately to be checked over and receive any vaccinations or other medical attention needed or recommended. I leave it up to the vet to make those decisions.

Basic Training Goals

• Housebreaking
• Not jumping on people or counters, etc.
• To chew only appropriate toys
• To walk on a leash
• Sit and stay
• Lie down and stay
• Come when called

Dog-Human Communication

"I've been making customized, tutorial house calls and teaching group lessons to dogs and their owners since 1980. The process involves training of the person as well as the dog. I've learned that a dog's thought process differs from that of a human. To effectively communicate what is and is not pleasing behavior, you must first learn how to think like a dog. Problems between dogs and people do not usually arise from a lack of love on the person's part, nor out of spiteful, defiance from the dog. The problem usually lies in poor communication.

"I teach dogs in a relaxed and non-competitive atmosphere and prefer positive approaches that build up, not tear down -- that praise, not punish. I pursue gentle means of behavior correction and reject any technique that breaks an animal's spirit or leads to abusive handling. To peacefully integrate dogs into our world, it just makes sense that we better understand theirs."

Books and Videos for Prospective Dog Owners