Training A Dog to Heel - Protecting Your Dog and Protecting Your Guests From Doggie Slobber

After you've got your dog (or puppy) potty trained, and perhaps leash trained as well, it's time to move on to teaching your dog to heel. Training a dog to heel is super important for several reasons, the first being that it protects your dog from dangers that they can't comprehend and secondly a well-behaved dog is very conducive to... ahem... having guests over to the house.

Sure, there are a lot of dog people that don't mind a face full of slobber, we're some of them, guilty as charged, however, there is a time and a place, and we don't want our guests getting attacked by our dog every time they walk through the door, that's just annoying.

So, we need to teach or dog to heel, or sit and stay in laymen's terms. In addition to protecting our house guests, teaching our dog to heel will protect them from serious danger, most commonly cars. So many dogs are killed chasing after cars or running out into the street, you are protecting your dog by teaching them to heel, it's important to their safety.

If you do not teach your dog to heel, the dog becomes the master and not the other way around; dogs pay very close attention to pecking order, as it where, so you need to show them that you are the alpha dog, not them.

Remember it's not your dog's fault that he wants to jump up on your guests and slobber; it's your job as a responsible dog owner to train them with a good, solid program.

Teaching your dog to come, to sit, and to stay (or heel) will take a few months, but it's a fun task once you get the hang of it. A good piece of advice is to be very consistent with the training everyday or twice per day is great if you have the time, if not, as much as possible.

Train in short bursts of about 10-15 minutes as dogs have a short attention span and anything beyond this time frame is like trying to put your average teenager through a 50 minute Geometry lecture, they will be staring out the window in no time flat.

When training a dog you should use a reward system with lots of doggie treats, when they do what you want then they get a treat, if they don't, they get nothing. Do not give in to pressure and give them a treat when they don't do what you want them to do that will absolutely ruin the training program, don't be a softie.

Be very clear that doing the right thing gets a treat and doing the wrong thing will get the dog nothing or even perhaps a gentle rap on the snout; this is how dogs learn, it is not cruel.
Be consistent in training your dog to heel in all situations and in a few short months you'll have a well trained, safe dog, and happy slobber-free house guests. Nice work.

Kevin Highfill writes about training a dog to heel and other pet related topics at http://www.online4pets.com/.

How Much is That Doggie in the Window?

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Patti Page's song title hit the charts with children of the fifties. After constantly singing the tune off key and pestering, my dad folded. He slapped five greenbacks on the counter of a local pet shop for a cuddly terrier-skipper key mix. No one in our working class Brooklyn neighborhood of duplexes and row houses owned a pedigree. Mutts were the stock of the melting pot. Our primary readers featured Dick and Jane watching Spot run. Dogs were as American as a Norman Rockwell picture and mom's apple pie.

Even today canine characters populate fiction and the movie screen. According to recent statistics from the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), Americans own more than seventy- three million dogs. Folks, that's a lot of gravy train and a lot of dough spent on our four legged friends. The answer to the title's question is founded on the factors which follow. This estimate is based on the personal experience of owning a medium size dog with a lifespan of fifteen years.*

THE DOG - The cost of the dog varies, but five bucks is not going to do it. Spot could cost you anywhere from fifty to thousands of dollars depending whether you purchase a mixed breed or a pedigree. If you opt for a pedigree, be aware that breeders differentiate between pet and show quality. Unless you have dreams of Westminster, go for the pet. It's significantly cheaper. Consult AKC (American Kennel Club) for reputable breeders. Be aware shelters and rescues charge fees. Cost $300

FOOD - The amount of food a dog eats depends on its size. Even though Spot likes table food, you'll be called to task by the veterinarian if you confess to the offence. The average adult dog is fed once a day usually a mix of wet and dry food. Check where the product is made. Remember the problem last year with dog food from China. Dog food including treats should be anywhere from two-five dollars a day. Don't forget serving bowls. Lenox excluded expect to spend ten-hundred dollars and up. Cost $16,000

GROOMING - Pet store chains and small shops will bathe, shampoo, clip(nails and fur), brush (teeth and fur),dip(fleas and tick) and provide cute bows/bandannas. This beautification process is done about four times a year for thirty-five dollars. Frugal owners can do it themselves or consider a furless breed. Be sure check that the groomer is licensed and does not drug the pooch. Cost $2,100

LODGING - Pet store chains, kennels and pet sitters offer a variety of services. The price depends on your requests. Some lucky dogs will be putting on the Ritz. Let's take a no frills package for thirty dollars a day for one week per year. There are also pet walking, poop scooping and daycare services which are not included in this estimate. Thrifty owners can beg a relative or friend to pet sit. It's well worth the price of a souvenir. As a cautionary note, make sure you visit the kennel/hotel, interview the pet sitter and check with the Better Business Bureau. Cost $3,100

LICENSE AND MICROCHIP - Most townships require yearly licensing of your dog. The cost is minimal somewhere between ten and fifteen dollars. Clinics, shelters and rescue organizations will painlessly insert a rice size chip with vital information under the dogs skin for thirty- five dollars. Cost $250

MEDICAL AND DENTAL - Health care for people and pets is astronomical. Dogs require at least one major exam a year which usually includes shots and tests, in addition, monthly medication to prevent fleas, ticks and heartworms. Spaying or neutering a pet can run several hundred dollars and surgery thousands. There are organizations(ASPCA) that will neuter or spay for a small fee. An annual dental cleaning is suggested. Care has become so costly, especially as the pet ages, that an owner might consider an insurance provider. Check with the Better Business Bureau. Cost $11,000

SCHOOLING AND TRAINING - Training can be in show handling, obedience, agility, field and track. You can chose individual or classroom instruction. There are clubs to join and competitions to participate in. Basic obedience training is suggested. Tuition is usually monthly. If you aspire to Westminster, be prepared to shell out a college tuition. Visit the school, interview the trainer and check with the Better Business Bureau. Cost $1,000

ACCOUTERMENTS - This includes beds, clothes, toys, collars and bling. Cost $800

HELP! - There are freebees out there. Search the internet. If you are not ready for a lifetime commitment, consider fostering a dog. There are organizations that will pick up the tab or at least part of it if you are enrolled in a foster program.

A dog is man's best friend, and a responsible owner is a friend with benefits. Now the answer to Patti Page's question, calculators please :

GRAND TOTAL - $34,550

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Dr. Rosemary Biggio
1817 Forest Drive
Williamstown, N.J. 08094
856-740-4889
856-740-0329(fax)
Biggio1@comcast.net

Born in NY, Retired teacher, Writer of fiction and nonfiction