CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: Midas on September 16, 2010, 09:44:46 AM
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Hi there,
I'm currently studying for my dog behaviourist qualification with Shelia Harper and for one of my coursework projects I want to put something together for the do's and don'ts of dog ownership- ranging from for example - considering dogs who are on lead and not letting your dogs race up (if possible!) to looking out for your dog and not putting them in situations they can't cope with.
I'm trying to get as many opinions from dog owners about what they wish other dog owners would do (in an ideal world) to help each other out and how we can help our dogs out ourselves to make their lives easier.
Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!! :D
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Hi Sarah,
I think all puppy owners should take their dogs to puppy classes. I think they offer a good grounding in the basics of dog ownership (obviously a decent trainer/ school is as important!) First time dog owners (and even more experienced ones!) must find the whole experience hugely frightening and a class once a week allows new owners a chance to discuss any problems and share experiences. And the puppies get a chance to socialise and learn the basics of good manners, which is so important later on.
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I think ALL Dogs should be Micro Chipped
Have up to date injections
Owners should ALLWAYS Carry poo bags and take them home or throw them in the bin NOT under the hedge >:D
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All dog owners should learn more about dogs and their behaviour.
what qualification are you doing?
Are you intending to practice professionally with it?
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Totally agree with mark. All dog owners should have a basic knowledge of dog body language/communication.
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To know about their bitches seasons and what to do / not to do at such times.
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Hi, have you looked at the Kennel Club Good Citizen Scheme, that seems to cover the things to which you are referring.
Also it would be a good idea if there were classes for new puppy owners (for prospective new owners thinking of buying a puppy) rather like human mums to be have before having the baby - so that these new owners can be advised what to expect re toiletting, feeding, playfighting/chewing etc and hopefully how to deal with some of the probs should/when they arise.
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I think that one of my pet hates is when I see another dog out on a walk. I'll recall mine, have them in sit and have the reactive ones on a lead and the other owner lets their dog(s) run into mine.
I don't mind quite so much if they're attempting to recall their dogs and its not happening, its the ones who shout over, "oh he just wants to play" and make no effort to recall them that drive me nuts! >:D
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Having children of my own, I think it's important to know how to teach the dog (and the children) how to behave. This part of bringing the dog into the household has been quite hard for us.
HeatherandBenjy I know what you mean, Sizzles has had a fair few crazy dogs come charging at her - she hides behind my legs! Annoying thing is though she ran after some other dogs this evening and didn't come when I called...
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The most important lesson I learnt was that its much easier to train a dog if you think about the behaviour you want to see rather than the behaviour you dont want to see. Its much easier to train a dog to do something compared with teaching them not to do something.
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Personally, my bug bear is actually seeing children walking dogs by themselves....I'm talking 8-10 year olds without children.....so for me it would have to be taking responsibility as an adult and not parming the dog off on your child.......grrrrr!!!
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I would like owners to muzzle dog aggressive dogs & have them on leads at all times (unless their recall is strong)
Don't let your dogs run up to unknown dogs.
If a dog walker heading in your direction puts their dog(s) on lead then i think it should prompt the other owner to do the same.
I think a 'condition of ownership' should be to take all puppies to training/socialisation classes.
Microchipping is a must.
Personally, i think there should be a standard questionaire drawn up that all new dog owners have to complete....a sort of test/exam iyswim & those who fail can't own a dog.
Sorry thats a bit of a mish mash. :embarassed:
I do think so many dogs would be saved from the trauma of being attacked & affected (in some cases) for the rest of their life.
I do have personal reasons/experience for the suggestions. one is because my 1st cocker was badly attacked by a staffy. :'( This was a completely unprovoked attack & sadly after this horrendous experience he hated going out for walks afterwards. :'( He was 7 years old at the time & for the last 4.5 years of his life it was a huge struggle to coax him out & he was very nervous of other dogs. :'( Just because of one irresponsible owner part of his life was ruined. >:( This is just one example. ;)
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All dog owners should learn more about dogs and their behaviour.
Totally agree!!! :D
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I think that one of my pet hates is when I see another dog out on a walk. I'll recall mine, have them in sit and have the reactive ones on a lead and the other owner lets their dog(s) run into mine.
I don't mind quite so much if they're attempting to recall their dogs and its not happening, its the ones who shout over, "oh he just wants to play" and make no effort to recall them that drive me nuts! >:D
Oops ph34r I must admit to assuming people want their dogs to play when on walks if they aren't on a lead and always let mine run up and meet them :embarassed:
I think that all first time puppy/dog owners should have to attend a two hour session covering all the basics BEFORE they get their dog. They should then have to attend at least one positive re-inforcement training class within 8 weeks of getting their new dog.
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I think that one of my pet hates is when I see another dog out on a walk. I'll recall mine, have them in sit and have the reactive ones on a lead and the other owner lets their dog(s) run into mine.
I don't mind quite so much if they're attempting to recall their dogs and its not happening, its the ones who shout over, "oh he just wants to play" and make no effort to recall them that drive me nuts! >:D
Oops ph34r I must admit to assuming people want their dogs to play when on walks if they aren't on a lead and always let mine run up and meet them :embarassed:
I think that all first time puppy/dog owners should have to attend a two hour session covering all the basics BEFORE they get their dog. They should then have to attend at least one positive re-inforcement training class within 8 weeks of getting their new dog.
I have to admit Harvey is another culprit here. His recall is improving all the time but if he sets sight on another dog and goes there is no use in me calling repeatedly. I have to see it that the other dog will tell him off if necessary and I obviouslly catch up with him asap. Hes a baby and i'm working on it. Once hes said hello or another dog tells him off he comes straight back
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Thank you for all your replies, its really good to get other owner's opinions on it.
I definitely feel very strongly about learning about dog body language and communication as much as possible, I suppose its like having a person live with you for live with you for 12- 15 years and never learning a word of their language the whole time! Especially when dogs adapt so well and become such masters of our body language :P
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Having had a similar discussion with a bunch of people who are not fans of dogs, I think the key to responsible dog ownership is respect.
Respect your dog - treat it fairly, consistently and appropriately. Provide suitable outlets for exercise of body and mind, and ensure your dog is healthy and well fed. Ensure you have trained your dog to a sufficient level to allow it off-lead exercise as appropriate to the breed. Ensure you know enough about the breed to recognise any breed specific needs/issues and deal with them appropriately. Learn how a dog communicates and how to motivate it to respond to you. Don't leave your dog tied up outside shops/schools etc. Don't leave your dog alone for excessive periods of time.
Respect other dogs - don't allow your dog to approach on-lead dogs unless invited to do so by owner. Don't allow play to get out of hand into bullying, don't allow aggressive dogs to attack other dogs. Don't take your in-season bitch out to popular walking spots in the middle of the day.
(While I understand Ninasmum's view that all aggressive dogs should be muzzled/on-lead, it's a difficult one, as it depends on the dog and the degree of aggression... not all owners know the difference between a grumpy dog, a reactive dog and an aggressive dog... I know some owners of dogs who've been on the receiving end of Honey on a bad day have said we should have had her on-lead and muzzled, yet you know that generally speaking she isn't actually aggressive - and to have reacted initially by keeping her on-lead and muzzled would not have solved her problems... but I guess that comes down to understanding more about dog communication and body language and realising that not all dog disagreements are because a dog is aggressive... very difficult!!!)
Respect other animals - don't allow your dog to worry livestock or other animals. Ensure your dog is either under close control or on-lead.
Respect other people - be aware that not everyone likes dogs. Don't allow you dog to jump up at strangers, run towards people (especially children), lick babies in buggies etc. Don't allow your dog to raid picnics, or to chase cyclists/joggers etc. Always pick up poo (or flick it into undergrowth where this is more appropriate) and dispose of it properly. Keep your dog on a short lead on all roads, even if your dog walks to heel perfectly - drivers don't know your dog!!
Respect yourself - get a dog that is appropriate to your circumstances, and ensure it is well bred and health tested (if a puppy) or comes from a reputable rescue. Learn about your dog and enjoy its company. That way you are more likely to succeed at raising a well-adjusted, well-trained dog! :D
I'm sure I've missed out some specifics, but that it the gist of my dog owners code.
It would, however, come alongside a general dog code, where the public are also asked to respect dogs, and to teach their children to respect dogs, so that children know not to run around screaming when they see a dog, and that people know not to approach dogs unless the owner says it is ok. (And especially not to say "Oh, it's ok, I don't mind him jumping up" or "Here, have a biscuit" :005: )
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My pet hate over here in NZ is that people just do not fence their property properly. I know for a fact that if I fancy taking a walk down my road, big grass verges and not a lot of traffic, the pit bull who lives at the end of my drive will hurtle it's way under it's garden fence, the pig dogs who are around the corner have no fence at all and the rotties, who terroize everyone, just barge their way through their hedge. These dogs are on their own for most of the day having been left in the garden whilst owners go to work. So supervision of animals and proper security would be important to me, being aware and respecting how other people may feel.
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Feed appropriately - ie: avoid over feeding/obesity
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I think that one of my pet hates is when I see another dog out on a walk. I'll recall mine, have them in sit and have the reactive ones on a lead and the other owner lets their dog(s) run into mine.
I don't mind quite so much if they're attempting to recall their dogs and its not happening, its the ones who shout over, "oh he just wants to play" and make no effort to recall them that drive me nuts! >:D
I am with you all the way on this..... it drives me nutts as well..... and gets me into all kinds of bother when i tell them