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..congrats again on the recent adoption. considering stats on pet adoption, its always nice to hear about people adopting pets, esp those with specific backgrounds.
you mentioned that stax is 2yrs old and a former racing greyhound. do you have any other info regarding his career in racing?
i ask because the average career of a greyhound bred for racing is 4-6yrs, with exception given due to injuries or those that are no longer deemed competitive. more importantly, it would be helpful to know more info about his breeder, any previous issues, or injuries related to his career.
the 1st thing to recognize regarding pet ownership is that training is a mutual bonding experience. meaning: both the pet AND the owner will need to learn & respect a standard set of values. this involves a considerable amount of time, patience, energy, discipline, and consistency. both pet AND owner can & will make mistakes, but its important to quickly re-establish and affirm guidelines that will ensure the health, safety, and overall quality of life of this new family.
*PLEASE CONSIDER PET INSURANCE*
like children, dogs are curious, rambunctious, and sometimes mischievous animals. even the most docile and affectionate dogs make mistakes and get into trouble. although its debatable, annual check ups are always optimal. this establishes a solid rapport for you, your dog, & your vet. unfortunately, vet services are costly. a visit can average around $100, and any additional care, procedure, meds can lead to hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars. insurance may seem like an extreme measure, but will save you a LOT of $$$, heartache, & stress down the line.
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introducing a new dog to your home is always a challenge, but these are the most important factors to consider:
*establish a routine*
every dog needs structure & guidance. by regulating their activity, you give them a chance to fall in line naturally, as well as giving them something to look forward to daily. try to adhere to a general feeding/walking/bathroom schedule. *important note: feeding schedules are much better when the dog is given a specific amount of time to finish their food. (ie: making their food available for no more than 10-15 minutes. after that, remove the food until the next scheduled feeding). this helps cut down on fickle feeders & stubbornness, and allows for a manageable schedule for you and your dog.
*set clear boundaries*
every home is different. some people allow free reign, while others have more restrictions when it comes to home life for their dogs. any areas of your home that is off limits to your dog should be established immediately and often. you can do this with simple verbal and physical commands. its also important to recognize that everyone needs their own space, and dogs are no different. this can be done with a bed or crate (depending on the personality).
*special note: like children, dogs often mimick our own behavior. if you're wondering why your dog sleeps with a random sock, shoe, etc, its likely because its smells like YOU! (this is not to be confused with bad behavior -- ie: destruction of property). if you crate your dog, its always helpful to make it a comfortable environment, complete with their favorite things and maybe and old sweater or tshirt that you've worn.
*use simple commands*
dogs learn by using all of their senses, so its important to note that the more we exercise these senses, the better the response. anyone who's ever spent significant time with dogs will quickly learn that dogs pick up on our voice, cadence, volume, and actions. what most people tend to forget is that dogs are great at reading our faces as well. at the same time, they learn to communicate with us in the same manner. develop simple commands that utilize these senses and be consistent (ex: good boy, heel, sit, stay, no, leave it, etc.). remember, dogs pick up on what you say AND how you say it.
*helpful hint: no need to yell. dogs are very keen and most have great hearing (w/exception to those with impairments). 9 times out of 10, if your dog isn't following your vocal commands, its not because they didn't hear you (its likely because they're challenging/ignoring your authority). yelling at your dog does demonstrate emphasis, but can often be misinterpreted. a steady, stern, and consistent tone will work wonders and avoids anxiety.
*correct misbehavior immediately*
discipline is crucial to a good home life for pets. every dog makes mistakes, so its important to establish a standard for corrective behavior. when your dog is out of line, correct them immediately (and often). this is an issue for many owners, as it requires a great deal of discipline, time, & effort for everyone involved. taking the time to re-establish boundaries/rules is vital to consistent behavior.
*reward good behavior*
every professional has a different approach to training dogs, and rewarding good behavior is often highly debatable. my personal approach does NOT involve treats. while i think treats are great and help encourage good behavior, its not always corrective and can result in bad habits. there are many accounts of dogs who are accustomed to being rewarded with treats, yet acting out and becoming more aggressive. the focus should be on the task, not the reward. as such, i reward dogs with praise.
why?
because every dog loves praise. its one of the ways they communicate with us, and a huge part of our bond with them. they praise us every time we come home, and they show their affection by barking excitedly or running around. using treats (sparingly) during specific training is completely understandable, but the real reward should always be your praise.
*diet & exercise*
try to be vigilant and aware of everything you feed your dog. pet food recalls and notices about possible issues involving food, treats, etc. are important. like humans, dogs respond much better to foods that are good for them. avoid feeding table scraps or "human food."
foods that are hazardous to dogs (and why): https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs
while you might find some debate regarding the proper environment for specific breeds, every dog needs exercise. unfortunately, some dogs only get out for short walks (bathroom routines) or are simply confined to gated yards (or worse). a responsible owner will recognize that regardless of their living arrangements, its important that every dogs gets plenty of exercise.
*safety*
our pets are a part of our families. as such, their safety & well being are important. please consider micro chip identification:
http://www.aspca.org/about-us/faq/what-microchipping-and-why-it-important
its inexpensive and has saved the lives and successfully reunited thousands of pets and their owners.
*also: using colored ribbons for at-risk behavior.
dogs tend to be very protective of their families/packs. responsible pet owners are proactive about social activity among the dogs in their neighborhoods. if your dog is subject to sporadic behavior (or extremely shy), its helpful to alert other dog owners. tying a yellow ribbon on your dogs leash (the LEASH, not the collar) gives a clear indication to other owners, and they'll usually avoid approaching for social greeting. this info can greatly cut down on the number of incidental snips, flare ups, or fights.
*skatin' the rings of saturn*
..and miles to go before i sleep...
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