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Pet Ohana
The Hawaiian Humane Society
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Dog walker must be leader of the pack
Question:
At our daughter's insistence, we have adopted our first dog. She is responsible for the dog-walking. Can you offer some advice in training my daughter on this?
Answer: If you've seen a pack of dogs in motion, the leader is always at the front. If your dog is first out the door, first back in the house and walking out ahead of her, it's letting her know where it thinks her place is in the pack.
This is a great opportunity for your daughter to practice calm and firm leadership.
If the word "walk" sends your dog into a tailspin, your daughter should require it to sit before leashing it. She can keep a few treats in her pocket to reward it for the right behavior.
A short leash is best with it alongside her, which will offer her optimal control.
A 30-minute to a one-hour walk twice a day is ideal. The end of the walk should always include a little time to sniff around and enjoy the wonderland of scents that dogs enjoy so much. This is a great way to reward it for a walk well done.
Q: What can we do to stop it from pulling?
A: People have taught their dogs to pull. When it heads for a direction that we don't want to go, our natural reaction is to pull the leash in the direction we do want. Dogs learn fast and use the tactic on their owners.
When a dog pulls, instead of pulling back. Simply, say "no pulling" and stop. Step out again, once it's refocused on walking with you. It requires tremendous patience and consistency but is worth the investment when you consider that you'll be walking it twice a day for the rest of its life. Plus, owners who master walking their dogs with ease and grace are more likely to take their companions along with them wherever they go.
A Gentle Leader head collar - sold at the Hawaiian Humane Society - is an excellent tool for training dogs to walk properly. It avoids the yanking and pulling that dogs and humans employ as each vies for control.
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-The Hawaiian Humane Society welcomes questions by e-mail, hhs@hawaiianhumane.org. Indicate "Pet Ohana" in the subject line. Or, write "Pet Ohana," Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave., Honolulu 96826.
The Hawaiian Humane Society welcomes questions by e-mail, hhs@hawaiianhumane.org. Indicate "Pet Ohana" in the subject line. Or, write "Pet Ohana," Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave., Honolulu 96826.