| Contrary to that old adage, old dogs certainly can | | | | our new rescue dog would be a well-adjusted, happy |
| learn new tricks. I know from where I speak. | | | | member of our family. |
| You see, I love dogs. I mean I REALLY love dogs. All | | | | During my research, I learned that while many of the |
| kinds. Any kind. In fact my wife says I love them too | | | | training techniques are very similar for puppies and |
| much. And to be honest, I've proven her right - | | | | older dogs, techniques for effectively curbing the |
| twice. You see, I'm very partial to rescue dogs. The | | | | more serious negative behaviors - like aggressiveness |
| more needy the better. My first rescue dog became | | | | to people, nipping, persistent barking, hostility |
| my very best friend. A mixed terrier who was loyal, | | | | towards other dogs, anxiety when left alone, and |
| affectionate and protective. Towards me anyway. I | | | | especially biting - all require special instruction for the |
| was the ever-doting dog owner. Catering to her | | | | older dog to achieve success. |
| every need and even some I think I made up. | | | | From two excellent resources I found, I learned |
| But she never got close to my wife and our young | | | | there are four methods to discourage negative |
| daughter because I served her every need. When | | | | behavior, including aggression in older dogs: |
| Rosie passed away prematurely at the age of 10, | | | | - Correction Method - replacing a bad behavior with a |
| from an overdose of anesthesia during a routine | | | | correct behavior |
| teeth cleaning, I was devastated. I think my wife and | | | | - The Verbal Reprimand - repeating a simple word - |
| daughter were torn between sadness and relief. All | | | | like "no" - in a short, sharp tone that captures the |
| because I never became a responsible dog owner, | | | | dog's attention after which you redirect your dog to |
| she had made life difficult, rather than pleasurable. | | | | acceptable behavior. |
| It wasn't even a month after Rosie's death that I | | | | - Ignoring the dog - turning away, showing no |
| found an abandoned beagle on a rural road by a fire | | | | reaction, or leaving the room. Since dogs crave |
| line. Actually she found me. While driving down that | | | | attention, the behavior will be altered so the dog |
| road very early one morning, I looked into my rear | | | | gets what he wants. |
| view mirror only to see two large flapping ears | | | | - Time out - a simple 30-second time out in a crate, |
| attached to a dog that was desperately trying to | | | | small room, or even a tie-down on a short leash. But, |
| catch up to my car. I was able to coax her into my | | | | any longer than 30-seconds and the punishment |
| car thanks to a half eaten muffin I had in the car. | | | | becomes ineffective. Fortunately, the issues with |
| Not ready for another dog so soon, I drove her to | | | | Lucy, our third rescue dog were less severe, but still |
| the SPCA, hoping they would be able to find her | | | | required correction. Lucy was, what the D.I.Y Dog |
| owner, or find a new home for her. They didn't. So I | | | | Training manual identified as a spite chewer. Due to |
| ended up adopting her. | | | | anxiety she experienced whenever she was left |
| We named her Rennie and she joined the family, sort | | | | alone for extended periods, she would chew anything |
| of. Very soon after, the saga continued- in spades. | | | | within reach. |
| True to form, I showered her with attention and | | | | Here's the technique I applied that was |
| devotion. But this time it got a great deal worse. | | | | recommended in the manual: |
| Rennie soon felt a need to protect me from my own | | | | |
| family. It became common for her to growl and even | | | | 1. I placed objects she shouldn't chew on the floor (I |
| show teeth when my now teenage daughter or wife | | | | used a book, a shoe, a Tupperware container - stuff |
| walked too close to where she was resting. And | | | | she chewed before) |
| forget about them approaching me if she was in the | | | | 2. As Lucy approached the object, I gave a firm (but |
| room. | | | | not screaming) "leave it" command |
| Rather than removing the dog from the home, I | | | | 3. Then I took the object away and replaced it with |
| once again allowed my over-the-top attachment to a | | | | one of her chew toys |
| "needy" dog completely warp my judgment. As years | | | | 4. Once Lucy started chewing her own toy I lavished |
| went by, Rennie became more docile, but mostly due | | | | her with praise |
| to age. At the ripe old age of at least 17, I had to | | | | 5. Success came in less than two weeks We still |
| put Rennie down due to debilitating arthritis. That | | | | have a slightly anxious dog when we leave, but at |
| was more than five years ago. | | | | least she's not a destructive anxious dog. Lucy is |
| It took four years for my family to agree to another | | | | now a very enjoyable addition to our family thanks |
| adoption. But this time would be different, I vowed. | | | | to the initiative I took to do the right thing for my |
| So, a year ago, I embarked on a mission to find the | | | | family, our new family member, and myself. |
| holy grail of dog training that would guarantee that | | | | |