Archive for March, 2008:
Socialize your Dog
Just like people, most dogs love to socialize. Taking your pet to places that they have never been before is a great adventure that will help them feel better both mentally and physically and when they interact with other dogs and people they develop more social skills and will certainly become better pets. This is of course assumes that your dog has had some form of obedience training and you are able to keep them under control in these situations.
Developmental Stages of Dogs
Dogs go through different phases in their march to adulthood just like people do. If you are aware of these periods, it will help you to manage your dogs development and survive the rough spots.
From the time you get your pup at around eight weeks of age until pup is about four months old, it will follow you every where you let it and listen to you very closely. This is a wonderful time to informally teach your puppy to “sit”, “stay”, “down” and “come”.
Between the ages of 12 to 16 weeks, your puppy will go through a fear period. Any bad experience your dog has at this time will be magnified many times over in its mind. Many of these fears, unless carefully worked with, can remain with your dog for the rest of its life. Another fear period occurs for many dogs between seven and eight months of age. Unless the experience is truly terrible, your dog will gradually figure out that maybe there is nothing to be afraid of after all. Read more »
Lessons From a Free Thinking Dog
“Merle’s Door” by Ted Kerasote
For all of us who live closely with our dogs, we know that they think, have opinions and feelings. This book, although thought controversial by some, can show you how to deepen and intensify your relationship with your dog. Read more »
