One of my favourite books on the does & don’t’s when you get a new dog home, is Michele Welton’s “Respect Training”; available on kindle. It is more about how to build a strong foundation for clear communication with your dog. While obedience training is crucial with a new dog, it is also important to set the rules of your home. This book is a great resource for first time dog owners and a refresher, if you are adopting a dog after a long gap.
Having had a reactive dog in the past, I also learnt a lot from the mistakes we made with him. Too much freedom too soon and not correcting bad behaviour. A lot of how our dog’s respond are mostly be related to how we react to them. And being a first time dog owner with a reactive dog was very challenging. Hence we got a professional canine behaviourist involved.
House breaking a dog is a balance of rules, routine, and consistency.
Adopting a dog with energies that match your own energies, makes the transition to dog ownership a lot easier.
A professionally run dog shelter, will assist you make the best judgement for the dog and you. To name a few in Bangalore there’s Second Chance Sanctuary India and CUPA Second Chance Adoption Centre.
What a dog needs most from it’s owner is direction, firmness and calm energies. And preparation is always key before you get a new dog.
Happy mutt… happy hut!
