How to properly train dogs?

Unfortunately, in our time, many animals, including dogs, still need help. And sometimes our goal is to find a new home for the dog, to put it in good hands. How to properly train dogs?

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What you need to consider in order to properly attach a dog?

First of all, do not forget that the main goal is the meeting of the dog and its humanand both should be happy as a result. And to achieve this goal, you need to find answers to the following questions:

1. Who takes care of the dog? It is important that a person be a sufficiently competent enthusiast, constantly improve the level of knowledge and develop – all this allows you to bring the matter to the end and not give up.
2. Who would be the right owner for this particular dog? This means deciding on the target audience based on the characteristics and needs of the dog. It is important to know which family the dog will fit into and what place it will occupy in the family system. For example, a dog suitable for a traveler or an athlete and a dog for a family with children are often completely different animals.
3. How and where can one find such a person? That is, not just scatter the same compassionate ads on the same resources, but think about where representatives of the target audience “live” on the Internet. For example, if we think that our dog is a great option for a family with children, perhaps we should not neglect the forums where “mommies” gather. And for an active dog, it probably makes sense to pay for advertising on social networks for a target audience whose interests are playing sports.
4. How to make this dog like a potential owner? “To put pressure on pity” is not the best strategy, everyone is tired of this and often simply unsubscribes from thematic communities so as not to see “all this horror”. It is necessary to describe the dog in such a way that it appeals to the representative of the target audience, emphasize its merits, but at the same time write a truthful description. Required information: dog size, type (what breed or group of breeds is similar to), age, health, habits, character, temperament, etc. Keep in mind that there are an incredible number of ads for dogs in need of help, so you need to stand out, make sure that you and your dog are noticed. By the way, a video of a dog learning from positive reinforcement often makes a good impression on future owners and increases the dog’s chances of finding a new home. And it is very important to take high-quality photos!
5. How to make this person like the dog?

How competently you approach the issue of the dog’s accommodation depends on:

• Preparation of potential owners for the appearance of this particular dog and the speed of adaptation of the dog in a new family.
• The risk of the return of the animal (with the correct positioning of the dog and the choice of the target audience, it is minimized).
• Subsequent training.

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How to understand whether it is possible to entrust a dog to this or that person?

To understand whether a dog can be trusted with this or that potential owner, several things must be considered.

First of all, it is important to know why does this man have a dog? There can be many reasons:

1. Implementation of “parental” behavior.
2. An activity partner (for example, hiking or cynological sports).
3. I want lifestyle changes.
4. Remedy for loneliness.
5. Fashion. Moreover, fashion is not only for breeds, but also, for example, for activities – running, cycling, etc.
6. “New toy”.
7. “Love at first sight”.
8. And others.

It is important to find out what a person expects from a future pet, this will provide an opportunity to emphasize the “benefits” that he will receive from communicating with a four-legged friend.

It must also be taken into account how ready this person is to become the owner of a particular dog:

1. How responsible is he? It is clear that no one will say about himself “I am an irresponsible person”, but this can be found out by asking specially thought-out questions.
2. What knowledge, skills and experience do you have? Sometimes, by the way, it is easier to teach a beginner to handle a dog correctly than to explain to an “experienced dog breeder” that a puppy should not be beaten.
3. How ready is the potential owner for difficulties?
4. How financially wealthy is he?

It is useful to draw a picture of the ideal owner, and then think about when you are ready to make concessions, and what requirements for the future owner are mandatory.

Photo: flickr.com

What are the risks of adopting dogs and how to minimize them?

Adopting dogs comes with risks. And not the worst option – when the dog is returned in the same condition as it was taken. It is worse if she is returned with a “broken” psyche, deteriorating health, or even thrown out into the street or euthanized.

First of all, you need to know what categories of potential owners are the most risky:

1. Pregnant women. During this period, you want to take care of someone, take responsibility, and a young family, in anticipation of a child, often gets a dog. However, often after the birth of a child, the attitude towards the dog changes. According to statistics, dogs are most often disposed of due to the birth of a child.
2. Family with children under 5 years old, especially if a puppy is attached. Raising a puppy or adapting an adult dog is not an easy and energy-intensive job, almost the same as raising a small child. Are you ready to raise two (or more) children at the same time? Many, alas, are not ready, but they understand this only after the puppy has already appeared in the house. The risk of return in this case is very high.
3. People who take dogs on the chain / in the aviary / in the yard. There are dogs for whom such a life suits, but on condition that the owners fulfill a number of conditions: walking not only in a “protected area”, intellectual activity, etc., however, such cases are rather an exception than a rule. If these requirements are not met, the former domestic or, in principle, human-oriented dog will be deeply unhappy.

Can I minimize the risks of adopting dogs? It is possible if certain conditions are met.

1. Providing potential owners true information. For example, it is not worth saying that a puppy of 3 months old will not leave puddles at home when walking twice a day (a case from practice).
2. Informing new owners about the stages and features of the dog’s adaptation in a new house. If a person is ready for possible problems at the initial stage, it will be easier for him to cope with them. 
3. Care for dog health. Before adopting a dog, be sure to check it with a veterinarian, treat it for parasites and vaccinate, feed it with quality food and instruct potential owners on how to properly care for a pet. If possible, draw up a contract.
4. Dog training and the use of humane ammunition. If possible, it is worth training the dog at the stage of adoption, as well as providing new owners with the opportunity to work with a dog handler who works using the method of positive reinforcement. It’s great if the dog is trained to walk on a leash, knows the basic commands (“Come”, “Sit”, “Place”, “Fu”, etc.), accustomed to the toilet on the street and to life in the city. Tricks can be a great bonus.
5. Sterilization/ castration dogs. This will help to avoid the birth of unplanned offspring.
6. If possible, zoopsychologist consultations after getting a dog.
7. Just because a dog is given away for free doesn’t mean it’s not worth anything. The potential owner must know how much it costs to keep a dog (and not only financial, but also time costs).

Of course, such an adaptation of a dog requires a lot of time and effort, but the main thing is to find the dog that very, only one, namely her person! And this can only be done if you approach the process of attachment correctly and minimize the risks of an unfavorable outcome.