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Help your pup help you!A guide to ESA behavior and trainingCANINE EDITION
LET'S FACE IT...Fluffy, squishy puppies can turn any frown upside-down! However, it’s important to remember that introducing a new puppy into your life may not always be smooth sailing. No matter how old she is, your dog will require time to adjust, develop an emotional connection with her new owner, and understand her boundaries in an unfamiliar space. Animals can only support you if you provide the tools for success!Emonal Sut imalsFor more information on the Human-Animal Bond, visit the Human Animal Bond Research Institute website sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association.Owning a pet may decrease feelings of loneliness, promote emotional stability, and aid in stress management. The human-animal bond is associated with physiologic changes in both humans and pets, such as reduced heart rate and blood pressure. forming a positive relationship with your pet is essential for you both. unruly pets can result in increased feelings of guilt.
DO’S & DON’TSOf Potty Training Your Furry FriendDO: Consider crate training or leaving your dog in a confined area when you can't watch her. Dogs are denning animals and don't prefer to soil an area where they sleep. Positive reinforcement is your friend! Get used to carrying treats with you to pop one in her mouth as soon as she potties outside. Make sure any accidents are thoroughly cleaned to eliminate residual scent. DON’T: Scold your puppy when you find she has pottied in the house. This only confuses her and is ineffeective. Know her limits for how long she is able to hold her bladder. Although crates are a valuable tool, dogs should not be crated for longer than they can handle. Avoid allowing your pup to play outside before pottying, so she knows the purpose of her trips to the yard. Pro tips:PositiveReinforcementUh Oh...For more potTy trainINg tips, visIt The American KenNel Club Website on HousetrainINg. Take your pup out as frequently as you use the restroom yourself or at least every 2 hourskeep an eye on your dog at all times while potty training her to prevent any accidents.Find what motivates your dog, and only supply this high value reward after a successful potty break.
Play, Play, Play! Oby dogs a rg sue t c ad jot pa, metabolic drs, t dse, probms wh ur, en cc. lp yr dog li a y, althy life, exce shld be a gul pt yr pup's rne. Make su fd acvi t both y yr dog joy. walkg sy safe way mt yr dog's exce nds ( 's gd y, o!). 20 mute walks ch day rr n a 2 hr walk ce a wk e ial g gy, praccg obice, socializ. a th, csir playg a game fetch tug w provi fur richt. Pui wt play!Bt! Day! ER!a tired dog is a good dog!+ exercise ToysConsult your vet for recommendations on your pup's age and breed exercise requirements/limitations before implementing any exercise plan. Remember to make sure your pet has recieved proper veterinary care before allowing her around people or other pets..For more information about designing an exercise regimen for your dog, visit VCA Animal Hospital's article titled Healthy Exercise for Dogs.
ENRICHMENTTRAININGPUZZLESFor DIY puzzle games that you can make at home, visit "Indoor Scent Games for Dogs" on the American Kennel Club's website.The importance of mental stimulation for your pup:Teaching Basic CommandsEnrichment IdeasPreventing Cognitive DysfunctionNot only does training provide cognitive enrichment for your dog, it also allows you to bond with her and practice basic obedience that will keep you both safe. This is also where you learn to communicate with each other. As with potty training, positive reinforcement is the key here. Be consistent with the word you teach her and in rewarding good behavior. Basic commands include sit, stay, down, come, and loose-leash walking. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction is an age-related change in dogs similar to Alzheimer's Disease. It is suggested that providing cognitive enrichment for your dogs improves brain function and may help delay clinical signs of cognitive dysfunction. Examples include social interaction, learning commands, exercise, new toys, and puzzles! Puzzles or other scent games are a great way to provide enrichment for your dog and keep her busy. You can use puzzles to enhance normal meal times with her kibbles or by offering low calorie treats. Scent games help to activate her natural instincts to use her strong sense of smell to find food.
OUCH!Teaching Good vs. Bad HabitsFor more information, Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine' s article "Basic Manners"Having your dog be a good lifelong companion starts by encouraging good habits when she's young. Something that looks cute now can turn into a big problem once she's an adult. Redirecting bad behavior to good behavior is the best method to achieve this. Instead of:Try:Letting her chew on your hands...getting excited when you walk in the door...scolding her for growling when she's stressed or you push her limits...Replacing your hand with a toy in her mouth! Ignoring her for the first few minutes to discourage jumping or overstimulation!Leaving her alone or removing her from the situation! She's communicating with you that she's uncomfortable.
Sources1.Bovsun M. Potty training a puppy: How to house train puppies. American Kennel Club. March 26, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-potty-train-a-puppy/. 2. Brooks HL, Rushton K, Lovell K, et al. The power of support from companion animals for people living with mental health problems: a systematic review and narrative synthesis of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry. Feb 5, 2018;18(31). doi: 10.1186.3. German AJ. The growing problem of obesity in dogs and cats. The Journal of Nutrition. 2006;136(7). doi:10.1093/jn/136.7.1940s 4. Housetraining and Crate Training Dogs. VIN. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8562851. 5. Lowrey S. Indoor scent games for dogs: Stimulate senses while stuck inside. American Kennel Club. March 26, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/indoor-scent-games-for-dogs/.6. Indoor pet initiative. Basic Manners | Indoor Pet Initiative. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/puppy/basic-manners. 7. Mental health. Human Animal Bond Research Institute. April 2, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://habri.org/research/mental-health/. 8. Puppy training: Basic puppy training 101. Purina. December 14, 2023. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.purina.com/articles/dog/puppy/training/puppy-training.9. Riley E. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome in dogs. Veterinary Information Network. August 17, 2020. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102899&id=9773661. 10. Using enrichment, predictability and scheduling to train your dog: VCA Animal Hospitals. VCA. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/using-enrichment-predictability-and-scheduling-to-train-your-dog. 11. Weir M, Downing R. Healthy exercise for dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/healthy-exercise-for-dogs.
Allison ThomasAuburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Class of 2026Help your PupHelp YOu!A gui A Bevr tragCanine Edition