Shaping Your Puppy's Personality
If you have the opportunity to raise a dog from puppyhood, both of you will be able to start your lifetime relationship off on the right track. Set up regular routines which involve positive reinforcement patterns right from the start.
Contrary to folk wisdom, you can teach an old dog new tricks, but it is very difficult to break a life long habit that started when they were a puppy. For example, if you let your puppy sleep in bed with you every night, and then as they get older and you want to change this pattern, don't blame the dog for not understanding your change of mind.
While a new puppy may whine and cry if it has been separated from its mother and the litter and you naturally would want to comfort them, like you, your puppy is unique.
While human babies can take several years to develop various personality traits, many of your puppies adult doggie traits will be formed during their very first year. So this is a very important time for you to tune into your pups behavior and shape their socialization patterns through puppy training. It might be a good idea to let the puppy stay in your room, but in their own space and comfort them by petting.
Don't over shelter your puppy unnecessarily. Let them learn certain things by themselves. And please, please, don't let your dog become one of those 'Hollywood purse doggies'.
Approach your puppies introduction to other dogs cautiously. Become aware of dog breeds that are known to be aggressive, including yours.
Learn the difference between your puppies cute playful growl and their defensive growl. When playing, your puppy may playfully chew on your hand or fingers and growl. Do not confuse this when your puppy growls at family or friends. You must immediately teach them that this is a no no. Take charge, show the puppy you are the one in control, let them know that this is wrong, then gently and calmly introduce them to the person, so they can become comfortable and familiar with them.
Remember, defensive growling can lead to attacking and biting,something you do not want to happen, unless it is in extenuating circumstances.
Another important issue is if you have a baby, start creating a bond between the dog and the baby. Being very careful, allow the puppy to smell the baby, so that they can both can gradually get used to each others presence. If your puppy growls at the baby, nip this in the bud immediately. Your puppy does not understand that this is your family, but it is the dominant 'I'm the bigger dog' mode. Of course in most instances the dog tunes into how important this baby is to you, the master, and it all falls into place.
Dogs are by their nature social animals and love to be part of a group, that is why they generally fit very well into a family arrangement. But they too sometimes need your reassurance to feel secure about their place in the family.
Remember that while your puppy may be your friend, they should never misunderstand that they are your equal. While you don't want to raise your puppy to become an overly submissive adult dog, you need to understand that they need a master, but not a domineering one. As your puppy grows and develops, you want to teach them to earn your praise and attention by obeying you.
Bringing a new puppy into your home, while not as dramatic as bringing a new baby home, does require you to take on a new level of responsibility. Puppies will demand and take up a lot of your attention. They require house training. You have to teach them how and what to eat, as well as what not to eat. They need to have a dependable and regulated schedule that involves a regular feeding time, exercise, obedience lessons with a reward, as well as bonding activities.
Dogs, and puppies in particular, really want to please you. Understanding this makes them pretty easy to train.
It is pretty much up to you to shape your puppies personality and socialization. All you need to do is pay attention. Done properly your new friend will bring much joy and companionship into your life.
Billy Ojai Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Billy_Ojai |
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