How much is that doggy in the window?
Generally, behaviour problems in dogs stem from a lack of "something to do". Dogs love to be employed, and need something to keep their minds active, or they will resort to making their own fun… which can include unpotting the potplants, pulling the washing off the line, barking, chewing thongs etc. To ensure this doesn’t happen, please make sure you give your dog plenty of appropriate things to do every day. (Back to Top)
BOREDOM BUSTER IDEAS
BUNGY BOUNCER - Hang a bungy cord (with the hook removed for safety) from a branch or beam. Tie a favourite toy to the end so the toy hangs about 6 inches above the dogs head. As the breeze moves the toy is will catch the dog's attention, and when he grabs it and pins it to the ground, it will spring upwards again. Similarly, you can tie tennis balls in the toes of old pantyhose and hang them up for the dog to play with. (but don’t hang from the clothesline, or he may think anything else you put up there is also for his enjoyment!!!) A rope hanging from a tree, knotted and frayed at the end, will catch in the wind and attract the dog. Or try suspending a balloon (under supervision) – some dogs love them.
SCATTER FEEDING – Turn dinner time into a treasure hunt. Scatter a variety of foods around the yard when you go out. This gives your dog something to forage for (work!), as well as something nutritious to chew on (better than your lawn furniture). You can also scatter their dry food around the yard. Some items (especially dried liver or meaty bones), can be hidden in a special digging pit, an area of the yard left aside for your dog to dig in. This will help to stop him digging up your favourite plants.
HOUSEHOLD ITEMS – The ultimate in recycling! . Empty soft drink bottles are a favourite, as they are light and bounce away when the dog tries to grab them. Leave the lid on so they are harder to crush.
Dogs also love to play with (and destroy) cardboard boxes. Put a strong one out in the yard, and your dog will love it. When it is destroyed, throw it out and get a new one. EASY!
Cut a large square of fabric off an old sheet or towel. Place a few dog biscuits or some dried liver in the middle and tie a knot, put more treats in and tie another knot. It becomes like a pass the parcel for your dog. Encourage your dog to play with it and he will soon figure out how to get the treats out.
KONG TOYS – A Kong is a cone shaped durable (almost indestructible) rubber toy with a hollow centre, which can be stuffed with yummy treats such as cheese, whole raw chicken wings, peanut butter, dog biscuits, or dried liver. Seal the ends with a biscuit to make it harder to reach the yummy centre. A hollow marrowbone with the ends cut off can be refilled in a similar way. For a summer treat, fill the Kong with meat broth or mince then freeze for your dog to enjoy. Or freeze a bone in a big container of water for a long lasting and challenging cool treat.
BUSTER CUBES/TREAT BALLS – These are commercially available toys (Buster Cubes are more durable and more challenging for smarter and more destructive dogs), which you can fill with dry food and treats. The dog gets the treats out by pushing the toy around and flipping it over. This is hard work both mentally and physically, and by the time the toy is empty, the dog is ready for a big sleep. YAY!
(Back to Top)LEADERSHIP
Dogs like to have a strong, supportive leader to protect and guide them. This frees them from the responsibility of leadership. Dogs are happier, more relaxed and better behaved if they have a good pack leader. A good pack leader will protect the pack and provide for its needs – providing food, fun and social contact, and keeping the pack safe by dealing with anything they may find threatening.
Much has been made of the need for an owner to act as the alpha, or leader of the pack. In nature this is a very subtle concept – natural alphas exist because it is accepted by the pack that their leadership will benefit all. To be accepted by your dog as an alpha, you cannot force him into submission, you must earn the position with your intelligence and confidence, not with aggression.
The dog needs to be shown in a non-confrontational way, that you and all the humans in your ‘pack’ are above it in the social hierarchy. Once your dog accepts you as leader, all training becomes much easier.
Natural pack leadership is established through control of privileges in the household. Having too many privileges can give a dog ideas "above his station", and is often at the root of many behavioral problems. The 'pack system' is established by the awarding of privileges.
By ensuring that the owner is always in control of basic privileges (see below), they will automatically occupy the higher position in the pack order and gain the respect of the dog.
(Back to Top)THE FIVE BASIC PRIVILEGES
(OR DOGGY STATUS SYMBOLS)
LEADERS EAT FIRST - Make sure you always eat before your dog. Prepare your dogs meal, but do not feed him until after the family has finished their meal. In the wild, the alpha dog always gets the first choice of food, and the others eat what is left when he is finished.
LEADERS CONTROL TERRITORY – Dogs often lie down in the most important places (from the dogs point of view). This may be a main passageway, in front of the fridge, or on the most comfortable furniture. Make sure your dog moves out of the way when requested. (And if he is in the way, do not tread carefully around him, ask him to move – it is your house!) The dog should sleep where you want him to sleep. A dominant dog should not be allowed to sleep on the bed, but should have his own bed on the floor, which you can sit in if you wish. Also, your dog should always allow you to pass through doorways and gates etc ahead of him - this is a sign of respect.
LEADERS HAVE POSSESSION OF TOYS AND CONTROL GAMES – Many dogs like to grab toys and run away. While you are establishing leadership over your dog, it is important to lay down the ground rules. All interactive toys belong to YOU. You decide when to play and when to stop playing, and you put the toy away when you are finished. The pack leader is always in control of toys and is the one who initiates (and ends) games.
LEADERS INITIATE GROOMING/PETTING/ATTENTION – Don’t let you pet demand attention from you. Ignore demands for attention, no matter how cute – if your dog wants a pat get it to sit first. Sitting can be your dogs way of saying ’please’. Your dog should allow you to handle and touch it all over. You should be able to open its mouth, look in its ears, pick up its feet, and groom it thoroughly without a fuss.
LEADERS ARE CONSISTENT, KIND AND FAIR – Dogs expect their leaders to behave consistently. They do not respond well to constant changes in the rules. Your dog will not know what is expected and will therefore not be able to do it. Ensure the entire family (‘pack’) knows the rules and sticks to them.
CHOOSING A PUPPY WISELY!
We see hundreds and hundreds of animals surrendered each year to the Alice Springs RSPCA. Not only mixed breeds, but also a fair few pure breed dogs. One of the main reason for these surrenders is minor behavioral problems that the owners dont have the time or inclination to solve.
All breeds of dogs bred for different purposes, and all adapt to different situations in different ways.
For this reason there are many important aspects you should consider in choosing your dog.
However, many people choose their pet on impulse, (eg see it in pet shop and looks cute, someone was going to have it put down, neighbors dog had puppies and kids wanted one) and take it home without considering all ofthese important aspects.
Often they will end up with an animal they would not have normally chosen for their situation, but this does not mean that they cannot end up with an excellent dog. They just need to give extra consideration to the dogs needs and how they can fulfil them in their situation, do some research to become aware of problems they may encounter as the dog gets older, and a bit of extra work.
It is the owners responsibility to ensure that their dog is well cared for and well behaved, and in order to achieve this must have a knowlege of their breeds characteristics, and then make allowances for what you are going to be able to do with your dog. eg
HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY IN THE WINDOW?
Puppies are cute and irresistible, but can you really afford one?
COST OF YOUR PUPPY IN ITS FIRST YEAR
| Purchase price from the RSPCA (Inc. initial vaccination and worming) | $120 |
| Booster vaccination | $65 |
| Worm treatment (over year) | $30 |
| Food (52 wks @ $10 wk - minimum) | $520 |
| Registration | $50 |
| Desexing (final payment on discounted desexing voucher at Sadadeen Vet Clinic) | $60-71 |
| Heartworm (test/preventative treatment) | $120 |
| Puppy Classes | $50 |
| Obedience Dog Club Membership | $50 |
| Supplies (Collar, lead, bowls, bed, toys) | $150 |
Your new puppy’s necessities will cost you over $1200 over its first year*
* Don't forget added extras like boarding fees if you go on holiday, vet's bills if the pup gets sick, pound fees if the pup goes missing and is impounded.
(Back to Top)UTE DOG ???
It is extremely dangerous to let your dog travel loose on the back of an open utility. Some other States have huge on-the-spot fines for having a dog loose in the back of a ute.
A cat running across the road, a barking dog passing in another vehicle, the dog leant out too far on a corner, a collision...etc etc etc etc etc.
No matter how well trained or reliable a dog is, accidents can and do happen. If your dog is not killed or badly injured from the impact of hitting the road, there is still the probability that he will be hit by another vehicle while still on the road.
There are plenty of dogs that "would never jump off " who have been killed or injured doing so, simply because their owners were too proud, or stupid, to restrain them properly.
The other mistake that owners often make is having the dogs tether too long. I know of too many dogs who have been hung or broken their necks coming off a ute as the chain was long enough to let them get over the sides.
Please tether your dog on a short chain from a central point on the back of the cabin - don't let him become another "but he's never come off before" death.
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