Bringing up puppies isn’t that different from bringing up boys
By Strider the Dog
Dear Strider,
I’m thinking you can help me here, as a big dog who’s had to mentor pups. I have a younger brother. As his older brother, I really feel responsible, since it’s only him, my mom, and me. So I worry about him a lot.
What hints do you have for me on how to help bring him up right? I figure bringing up puppies has something to say for me.
— Concerned Older Brother
Dear Concerned,
Wow, are your brother and your mom lucky to have you in the family! As a matter of fact, I do have some advice for you, based on my experience being the elder dog when we bring puppies into the pack.
Here are the basics:
- Be honest: Never sneak out on a puppy. Always tell him when you’re going out, for how long, and when you’re hoping to be back.
- Be firm but kind: If you criticize a puppy unfairly, remember to apologize. Don’t try to pretend it didn’t happen. And don’t ever punish harshly. Mild correction, just a nip and a growl, is better. Puppies mean to do right, and guidance for how to do that is best.
- Be a good role model: Teach your puppy by example, especially in showing that standing up for those weaker than himself will make him a nobler dog.
- Be a peaceful big dog: Teach him that violence in anything but self-defense is not a good form of problem solving, and that, if possible, it’s always better to walk away from a fight.
I think that about covers it. Oh, also share your treats with him, and don’t mind if he dawdles behind you on walks.
Hope that helps.
Dear Strider,
My dog is very affectionate with everyone, except people who wear hats! When he sees one of those, he just goes crazy. It’s very embarrassing, especially if I don’t notice a hat wearer is coming up behind us when we’re out on a walk. The barking and lunging are very unnerving.
As a dog, do you have any idea what causes this? And what, if anything, can be done to fix it?
— Worried Dog Owner
Dear Worried,
Your dog probably had a bad experience in the past with a hat-wearing person, and they get reminded of it when someone looks like the trauma causing perp. I had a close friend who couldn’t help but go crazy barking whenever he saw a firefighter! Since firefighters are our friends, I asked him what was going on. It turned out firefighters wear the same kinds of jumpsuits as they wear in animal control. He’d gotten picked up by one of those animal control guys and thrown in a shelter, and even though he had been since adopted into a great family, those jumpsuits still gave him a chill.
He got over it eventually on his own, with his family reassuring him every time that nothing bad was going to happen when a jumpsuit appeared. You could try giving your dog treats and speaking soothingly to him every time he reacts. But if that doesn’t work, maybe confer with a good dog trainer? Companion Canine is an excellent choice, but there are others around the Rogue Valley you could check out.
In the meantime, good luck!
Got questions? Got answers? No matter what your thoughts, our advice columnist loves hearing them, one and all. Just email [email protected].
