Part 2 :  It's Your Dog Too!..how women are often delegated to the role of family dog provider

We often use phrases such as the family dog or family pet, but these terms do not point to the all-too-frequent reality: The family gains the benefits of the work accomplished by the principle caretaker who is typically a woman. 

Since 1995, women have represented approximately 95% of my client base. The majority of call-ins I receive during a radio or television presentation are predominately from women. Why do these programs which help listeners to better understand canine behavior appeal primarily to women. The answer is obvious - in many homes across America; men are relinquishing their canine ownership responsibilities to women.

The following erroneous assumptions men make regarding women are often used to justify their perspection regarding the female sex. Women can no longer allow men the luxury for sustaining the following misguided beliefs.

(See you tomorrow)

Beginning June 1, 2012 I am going to be presenting excerpts from my first book: At the End Of Her Leash: What Women Need to Know about the Human-Canine Bond.  


This book was never published, but it should have been. Instead, I caved-in to critics who recommended that the book be written for both men and women to increase its likelihood of being sold.


I caved in then, but never again. I have worked almost exclusively with women who own dogs for almost two decades. I feel women have been disenfranchised by many within the canine training profession and I mean to put a stop to that, for I have a great deal of respect for women and count them not only as family but friends.


Thank you for joining my blog and get ready to have your beliefs regarding canine behavior and training altered ...as Betty Davis said " It's going to be a long, bumpy night." ..at least I hope that is what she said...






  

Mimicking Mother Dog's House-training Methods: A Special Message for Women: Part 2

The mother dog literally ingests a puppy's eliminations and the enzymes in her mouth sanitize surfaces she has licked keeping both puppy and den area relatively free of harmful bacteria. A less distasteful approach, but one that still utilizes the mother dog's method; is to clean areas in the house (where the puppy has had an accident) with enzymatic soap. These bacterial agents literally consume the puppy’s elimination odors and may reduce or remove a puppy’s propensity to re-mark a previously soiled areas.
Another method I have employed with great success to prevent a puppy from marking or remarking a valuable rug, for example, is to use Right Guard original scent men's underarm deodorant or corn-starch baby power. Spray the underside of a rug with the Right Guard or dust the top of the rug with baby powder corn starch (lavender scented works best). The puppy will undoubtedly re-investigate the area of it's last social faux pax, breath in the scent and realize too late that the odor makes him sneeze.   It's harmless. (You can also dust or spray the insides of shoes with these products to prevent a puppy from chewing on them or do the same by applying either product to a child's pant cuffs to stop a puppy from jumping-up on a child or pulling/nipping behaviors.)
Not unlike the mother dog, women are often delegated to the task of house-training a dog. We often use phrases such as the family dog or the family pet but these terms do not point to the all too frequent reality - the family gains the benefits of the work accomplished by the principle caretaker who is typically a woman. 
Time restraints, household duties, childcare, employment concerns, and hectic schedules, among other concerns, have placed many women in a constant crisis mode. Never in human history is so much being expected of them. In many homes across America even relatively simple tasks such as feeding the dog or taking it out for a walk are often contingent on a woman's schedule and availability. 

          A spouse or partner; as well as other family members should be recruited to assist during the house-training program. Do not assume they understand what will be needed to accomplish the task. Rather than becoming angry or disappointed with their lack of enthusiasm or support during the house-training process - then delegate:)        

          Contact a veterinarian if the puppy continues to eliminate in the house despite your best efforts. After removing organic reasons for the puppy’s behavior, then hire a canine trainer (get references) to assist in the house-training process or investigate  information available in, “Puppies for Dummies,” Sarah Hodgson, Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, N.Y. 2006.


Roger Alan Bernard, a canine behaviorist and frequent guest on national and international radio shows and television programs throughout the Southeast, works exclusively with Women Who Own Dogs....and the men who love them. He can be reached at: www.savvycaninetraining.com  or http://womenwhoowndogs/blogspot.com

          

Mimicking Mother Dog’s House Training Methods: Part 1

Mimicking Mother Dog’s House Training Methods: Part 1

 

            Do not stare at or talk to a puppy while it is eliminating. The mother dog avoids staring at the puppy during this time because she does not want to indicate danger, displeasure or concern and remains detracted or aloof. Too many women become overly excited and praise their puppy for pooping outside. The puppy either becomes concerned, “Did I do something wrong?” or distracted and ceases to eliminate. Either way, the house-training instruction has been disrupted and will ultimately delay the learning process.

            The mother dog’s verbal directives during house training sessions are kept to a minimum. She needs to keep her senses attuned to possible danger in the environment. It would be alien to her to verbally praise the puppy for performing a natural function. The mother dog resorts to verbal directives only if she becomes concerned or aware of danger. Her silence and detachment however provide the puppy with a peaceful and safe moment to eliminate.

            Mother dog does not give her puppy a treat for performing a natural function because she instinctively knows most puppies are food motivated and likely to be distracted by the treat and not complete the task. A smart puppy, owned by a human knows it will receive a treat for eliminating. The treat becomes the stimulus and their sole motivation. Eliminating equals receiving a reward. The puppy may be savvy enough to know that by eliminating just a little, a treat will be in the offering. The owner, however, assumes the puppy has completed its business, gives the treat for a job well done and immediately brings the puppy back into their home.                                                          

            Unfortunately, within a few minutes after their arrival the puppy makes a deposit on the Oriental rug. This time no treat will be offered and what becomes even more baffling to the puppy is why its trusted and loving owner has suddenly become so angry. “I pooped again, what’s the problem?”

·         Provide a puppy ample time to eliminate outside. Don’t rush the process.     

Female puppies will often urinate twice during a 10-minute outing and most male puppies have to investigate and play before getting down to business. Therefore, refrain whenever possible from allowing toddlers to participate in the outside house-training session because their exuberant cries and yelling might distress the puppy or compel it to participate in the children’s antics rather than concentrate on the task at hand. Keep the environment peaceful and quiet.

Do not immediately clean the area where the puppy has eliminated. Women typically stoop or bend down to clean the soiled area. A puppy can misconstrue these actions as an invitation to play or a sign of submission. It is not uncommon for dominant dogs to attempt to mount or body-slam a woman when she is on her knees cleaning.

          Remove the waste after the puppy has been safely returned to the home or carry colored Popsicle sticks in your pocket. Drop them near the puppy deposit. Perform this action when the puppy is distracted. The stick will indicate to the neighbors your intention to return and clean the area later and it will also make it easier to find the location. Continue to employ this procedure until the puppy is fully house trained and after you have established some degree of authority over the dog.

Never place a puppy’s nose in its own excrement. This house-training technique is never employed by the mother dog. You wouldn’t place a child’s face in a soiled diaper to teach the infant a lesson, so don’t do it to a puppy! This tactic is not only a form of animal abuse; it can make a puppy fearful of its owner.