SEMINOLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Special to the Sentinel

By: Dr. Wes Borgman

Many common problems with dog behavior can be traced back to a lack of socialization of puppies between six and 12 weeks of age. Frustration with dog behavior and a general breakdown of the bond between dogs and their owners are the top reasons otherwise healthy dogs are sometimes dumped at animal shelters.

It is important that new owners learn about puppy socialization before they get their animal so they can start socializing the puppy as soon as they bring it home. One of the best sources of information about pets is your local veterinarian.

Establishing a relationship with your veterinarian can dramatically improve the quality of life for you and your pet. Dogs that never visit a veterinarian are 38 times more likely to be relinquished to an animal shelter than dogs that have two or more visits a year to a vet's office.

Cindy Lesterson of Orlando was surprised when she brought her three-month-old bichon frise named Cody to her veterinarian.

"No one at my previous vet had ever taught me how to train my animal before," Lesterson said. "Within a week after starting to train my pet, Cody became very accepting, gentle and trusting."

Many veterinarians schedule extra time for new puppy owners so they can go over important behavior topics. When you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian, be sure to let the receptionist know about any behavior problems so they can schedule enough time.

One common serious behavior problem that is frequently overlooked by new puppy owners is biting. If not stopped, puppy bites become dog bites.

Grace Monosa of Sanford, owner of Sweetpea, a Shih Tzu, didn't think puppy bites mattered that much. But she followed her veterinarian's advice by using a three-step training process: First, she would say, "Ouch," (even if it didn't hurt) and pull her hand away. Second, in a deep, firm voice she would say, "No bite." Third, she would put Sweetpea in timeout, away from her or other dogs for two minutes.

Timeout can be in any confined location. The location does not have to be uncomfortable, just boring, and the puppy should be in timeout for no more than two minutes because puppies' memories are relatively short, and they will not remember why they are in timeout.

After the two minutes, Monosa would give Sweetpea chew toy or interact with the pup. If Monosa got another puppy bite during the interaction, she would follow all three steps again.

In the beginning, the puppy will spend a lot of time in timeout, but eventually it will learn human skin is so fragile that the puppy should not touch it with his or her teeth. Monosa did this training with her puppy, and "Now [Sweetpea] looks at me like she knows and give me kisses."

Cody and Lesterson also learned "the flip," a simple maneuver that makes aggressive puppies more submissive, gives fearful puppies confidence, and helps hyperactive puppies learn to calm down. By using the flip at home, Lesterson has become "top dog" in their relationship, and this socialization with the owner enhances the bond formed between dog and owner.

To do the flip, get down to the dog's level on the floor, reach in front of the animal to grasp its front legs with your left hand, keeping your index finger between the paws. The rear legs are grasped in similar fashion with the right hand. With a gentle lifting and turning motion, lay the dog down on its side with the legs pointing away from you. Rest your left wrist lightly on the dog's neck and keep hold of the legs until the dog stops struggling. If you turn loose of the animal before it calms down, it "wins" and will not have learned a lesson.

On repeat visits, Cody was tested to see if Lesterson had been practicing the flip at home. If an owner starts the flip before 12 weeks of age and continues practicing as the puppy matures, then no matter how big the dog gets they can still easily handle it.

Puppy owners who invest time in training and housebreaking at an early age are more likely to keep the dog for life.