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Busy dog is a happy dog

K9 CORNER: A

Begin training a pup at birth to develop its potential

April 24, 2012|By HELEN PALMER | Contributing columnist

A reader asked “If you were buying a puppy, what would you do to stimulate its mind and enhance its potential?”

My answer had several steps. First of all, select the breed and temperament desired, and then look for a breeder who takes the time and effort to socialize and stimulate the pups from day one. Gently handling them each day teaches the pups that someone other than their mother can touch them. Competent breeders take time to teach the newborns lots of things before the pups are ready to go to a new home.

If I was planning on working my grown dog in fun events or in competitions or as a search and rescue dog, I would be sure to select a breeder who has the litter temperament tested. You certainly don’t want a shy, introverted pup to train for search and rescue.

The second step I would take after purchasing the pup is to enroll it in a puppy kindergarten class. There, the puppies get to play with each other for a few minutes, get to be handled (petted) by all the handlers, learn a few basic obedience commands, learn to solve problems (very important brain stimulus) such as putting a toy or treat on one side of a wire screen and the pup on the other side. If the pup is smart, he will go around the edge of the screen to get his reward, though most young pups have to be enticed to move away from the treat before being able to get it. They also are introduced to different sounds, smells and textures, like walking through a trough of crushed ice or on gravel or sand.

Some puppy classes also introduce agility obstacles such as walking over a wooden board, going through various types of tunnels and climbing baby A-frames. This is good because agility obstacles teach self-confidence in the animal and also teaches the pup to trust the owner. Tunnels can be scary at first so a lot of encouragement and rewards are given until the pup finds it is really fun. I would continue practicing agility as the pup grows to keep him energized and alert.

I also would progress in obedience to rally-obedience which involves a field set up before practice and makes the dog watch and think as it works.

The third step I would take is to teach the dog tracking — it is one activity where the dog is out on its own and has to do its own thinking. All the handler can do is encourage the dog from a distance of 25 to 40 feet. Once the pup has mastered these three activities, it should be ready to learn whatever job you are interested in.

There are many events to compete in, especially for various breeds such as Lure Course Racing for sight-hounds and water sports for Newfoundlands and others adapted to swimming. Check out the events offered by the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.

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