TEACHING YOUR DOG HOW TO GET ALONG IN THE CITY

The threat to the city dog's survival comes from non-dog owners, property owners and dog haters. In some cities, feelings run high between those who own dogs and those who do not. Civic organizations (the "Keep-Our-City-Clean" kind) constantly agitate for more anti-dog legislation. More and more landlords refuse to rent their apartments or houses to people who own dogs (it used to be children), and the places where dogs can live are becoming scarce. If dogs can adapt to city life, why all this prejudice and discrimination?

Basically, it all narrows down to the irresponsible dog owner. He's the type who gets a dog for himself or family, doesn't bother to train the dog and then, when the novelty of owning a dog wears off (or the work involved in the care of the dog is too much), lets the dog shift for himself. There are many of these irresponsible dog owners. And by their neglect and nonfeasance, they provide ammunition for the dog haters and property owners. By continuing to disregard the laws and the rights of their neighbors, these irresponsible dog owners bring disrepute down on the heads of all dogs.

The only way for you and your dog to escape the labels of irresponsibility and nuisance is for you to teach your dog how to get along in the city. You will not be able to convert dog haters into dog lovers, or convince them that dogs should live in the city. But you can help reduce the number of complaints that might eventually lead to more and more anti-dog laws.

When you've taught your dog obedience and good manners, you've already taken a major step in his city survival training. An obedient dog is rarely a nuisance, as long as he is under your control. But the average city dweller is not home all of the time. And this is when the city dog gets into trouble. Barking, howling, racing up and down the apartment —these are some of the objections to keeping dogs in the city.

A noisy dog in an apartment may be living on borrowed time. The chronic barker and howler will bring quick and loud complaints from irate neighbors. Very often these complaints will be followed by a letter from the landlord asking you to please keep your dog quiet or get rid of him. Or you may get a summons from the police or local S.P.C.A. When this happens, you can hardly blame the neighbors.

Dogs that bark or howl when left alone are the result of poor training or the lack of it. They may also be special behavior problems. Oddly enough, many people neglect to teach their dogs to stay alone. Their dogs will be models of efficiency when it comes to heeling, sitting and fetching the newspaper. But when the owners go out for even a half hour, their dogs soon let the whole neighborhood know they have been left alone. One thing is certain, noisy dogs can have a very short stay in the city!

Our dogs have come to crave human company. They have become so attached to people that when left alone, they are miserable and discontent. See this in action the next time you visit a supermarket parking lot. Observe the dogs left in the cars while their owners are shopping. These dogs keep looking anxiously out the car windows, sticking their noses out through the crack of an opened window and in general showing signs of agitation. They may also bark, howl or climb all over the car seats. Part of the trouble is being cooped up in the car, part is from being left alone. Fortunately, the shopping trip is comparatively short. But for a dog shut up in an apartment, time creeps along.

Put yourself in the dog's place. He sleeps all or most of the night. Then comes morning and his owner goes out to work. The dog tries sleeping some more, then wakes up full of energy. He will not get any outdoor exercise until you come home, so he tries to work off his excess energy by loping around the apartment or vocalizing.

You will have to make every effort to get your dog to stay alone without making a fuss. Start when he's a pup. Teaching him to sleep in his own bed, and not in yours, is a step in the right direction. However, asking the pup to stay alone at night and most of the day is a big request. In time, he may get used to it.

The best approach to teaching the pup to stay alone is when you are home. Put him in another room for an hour or so each day. Give him one of his favorite toys or a shinbone, then leave him alone. When he howls or whimpers, ignore him for awhile. Then, if he persists in howling, go to him and tell him "No!" Be stern about it and let him know that you are displeased. From this point on, reprimand him every time he cries. Gradually increase the time the pup is placed in a separate room and when you let him out, make a big production and praise him. That way, he'll get the idea that when he stays alone without making any noise, you will be pleased. When he howls or whimpers, you will be displeased. Be patient and don't expect the pup to learn this lesson in one or two fifteen-minute lessons.

Teaching the older dog to stay alone is more of a problem. A bad habit is difficult to break. But you've got to do something about it. In training the older dog to be quiet when you are out, you will have to use some subterfuge. You've got to fool him into thinking you've gone out. Put him in another room and close the door. Give him a toy or bone. Next, slam the front door, then tiptoe over to the room where the dog is waiting. The minute he barks or howls, rap sharply on the door and give him a loud, stern "No!" or "Quiet!"

You might as well brace yourself for a long session. Teaching the confirmed barker or howler to stay alone is going to take plenty of patience. You will spend a lot of time outside the room, ready to rap on the door. If it cures the dog, it will be worth all of the time and effort. Remember, your alternative is giving up the dog.

Some dogs cannot be trained to stay alone, no matter what technique you use. If you want to keep such a dog in the face of complaints (and other than moving to the country), you will have to make special arrangements to have the dog walked. Have a neighbor (a sympathetic one) or a friend come and take the dog out several times, if you plan to be gone all day. In some cities, professional "dog walkers" are available. The cost of keeping the dog adds up, but you are faced with a choice of keeping the dog quiet or getting rid of him.

Loud and excessive barking while you are home can also lead to complaints. Your dog should be taught when and when not to bark. The dog that keeps barking long after he's alerted you to the ringing of the telephone or doorbell is a pest. Once he's alerted you, his job is done. Teach him this fact. When the telephone or doorbell rings, give the dog a pat on the head or a word of praise. Then tell him to be quiet. He'll soon learn to bark a warning until you've been alerted, then stop.

By using the basic obedience commands and teaching your dog to be quiet in the apartment, you will have improved your dog's chances of surviving in the city. Disobedient, unmannerly and noisy dogs are a prime reason why people object to dogs being kept in the city.

home | Sitemap: XML - HTML 1 2 3 | Privacy Policy