A home gone to the dogs
My husband, DC, and I are in the doghouse. That is, our house is under canine government control now that the dogs outnumber us three to two.
The newest member, recently rescued from one of our kids, is a 14-month-old, exuberant hound mix. Luke, whom we renamed after a saint whose help we hope to invoke, moved in two weeks ago after 18-days of doggie boot camp.
For context, I need to tell you that I had another plan. I always imagined that I would grow up someday into one of those put-together, smartly dressed ladies who would walk her nicely groomed, well-mannered pooch – a regal Cavalier King Charles, perhaps, or maybe a matched set of pristine Westies — through manicured neighborhoods.
In fact, I’m a just-out-of-bed, hair-a-mess dame in yoga pants with three mixed-breed dogs pulling me down the street like a sled team, dislocating my shoulder at every squirrel sighting.
My reputation and appearance are not all that have gone to the dogs. My house has, too.
Paw and nose prints cover the lower half of the glass doors like finger paintings.
Every day, I sweep up a mound of fur the size of a small rabbit.
DC and I are running defense, trying to get ahead of a Marmaduke-like dog who uses the new white sectional as part of his lap track, excels at counter surfing, and gets on our bed when we’re not home.
“What exactly do you want us to work on?” asked the trainer, Rock Galloway, owner of Central Florida K9, when we brought an anxious Luke in for evaluation.
I gave Galloway my wish list as if ordering from a menu: “I want a dog that is potty trained, friendly, not destructive, obeys basic commands, can tell the difference between his toys and my shoes, stays off furniture, walks nicely on a leash, and won’t put his nose in inappropriate places when I host the ladies in my book club.”
“So basic manners and obedience,” Galloway said, unfazed. And off we went.
Here’s what Galloway says dogs need to become fit to live with:
- Basic training: Dogs love to learn. A professional trainer can lay the foundation for good dog behavior through conditioning, but that will only stick if owners follow through. “He’s a work in progress,” Galloway told us. Although young dogs are more trainable, a dog’s age isn’t as big an issue as people think.
- Consistency: “The biggest mistake dog owners make is not being consistent,” Galloway said. After boot camp, dogs will test the boundaries at home. If you don’t reinforce that training, you can undo it.
- A bond: Build a good relationship with your dog by hanging out with him. Feed and play with him, and do what he enjoys. How a dog learns rests upon that rapport.
- Socializing: Not getting a young dog out among people and dogs ranks high on the list of mistakes owners make. Unsocialized dogs cause the biggest problems.
- Hand holding: When bringing a new dog home, show him around. If he’s anxious, your being there can help him push through the uncertainty, the noises, smells and scary hallways.
- Exercise: Dogs become destructive when they need more exercise, said Galloway, who recommends at least an hour of exercise a day for active dogs.
- Routine: Like kids, dogs do better with a schedule. They like structure. “When we talk about training,” he said, “structure, socialization and bonding are the three pillars.”
- Time: Maturity matters. “Behavior gets better when dogs get to age 3 or 4 years and are out of their teenage phase,” said Galloway. Toy breeds get there even sooner. “By then, the kinks smooth out.”
Hear that, Marma-Luke? The best is yet to come.
Syndicated columnist Marni Jameson is the author of five home and lifestyle books, including the forthcoming “Downsizing the Blended Home – When Two Households Become One”. You may reach her at www.marnijameson.com.