‘‘The first thing people ask us when they get a puppy is if the dog will listen to them,” said Tarun Gupta of the Animel Planet. And for this people often have to depend on trainers or handlers.
The problem is that the trainer comes just twice a week and while the dog is on his best behaviour with him, he often returns to being naughty after the trainer leaves. “The solution is to learn the tricks yourself so you can teach your dog round the clock,” said Gupta. To help pet parents with this, the store has arranged for masterclasses with trainer Jay Biswas. The weekend classes will be held at Animel Planet’s BD Block and New Town’s Swapno Bhor centres.
Biswas has over 20 years of experience at the Tata Motors dog squad in Jamshedpur and at his own centre Burning Eyes K9. His dogs serve the armed forces, police and banks besides winning obedience shows pan India. Here are some pointers The Telegraph picked up from his orientation session recently-
If done correctly, a puppy can be toilet trained in about 10 days. (Left) A crate can be your dog’s personal space
Toilet training
Perhaps the most urgent requirement by new pet parents was addressed by Biswas. “Dogs know that pee and poop are unclean and do not want to relieve themselves all over the house. This is why you’ll see street dogs too trying to cover their poop with sand,” he said.
Every dog sends out signs that they want to relieve themselves. For instance, Pomeranians start running fast, sometimes in circles. But if you fail to assign him a specific place to empty his bladder he has no choice but to do it wherever he is. Thereafter the scent remains there and he returns to pee there every time.
If this happens, wash the spot with vinegar to remove any scent. Next, observe your puppy and note when and where he is defecating. At this point carry him to the toilet, balcony, terrace or wherever you want him to relieve himself. In about 10 days he’ll do so himself. Also remember to keep the spot dry. Dogs won’t relieve themselves in wet places.
Crate training
It often happens that guests or domestic helps are scared of dogs but if you train your pup, he will walk into the crate whenever the doorbell rings. “Crate-training is the solution to many problems,” said Biswas. “You can keep him in the crate for four or five when you go and he’ll be happy and safe without you worrying about him chewing up furniture.”
The crate must be large and comfortable and never drag the dog into it such that he thinks of it as a jail. It is his personal space.
A common complaint is that dogs prefer dupattas and socks to toys
Play time
A common complaint from pet owners is that after a few days, all the expensive toys they buy for the pet lies abandoned on the floor and that he is more interested in pulling out the socks or dupatta you’re wearing.
“You need to realise that more than toys, it’s you your dog wants to play with,” said Biswas. “You must carve out time for him.”
Another mistake is not understanding the games dogs want to play. “Dogs have a natural tendency to retrieve things so when you throw a ball, he’ll fetch it excitedly. But if you take it from him and pocket it, you end the game. So the next time you throw something he won’t bother fetching it,” he said.
How much to work out
“Parents are ready to do anything for their pets — buy expensive food, shampoo, toys — everything except making them exercise,” noted Biswas. “Most breeds have been developed for specific purposes such as herding and retrieving. But here you buy them, give them premium food and keep them inside air-conditioned rooms all day. It’s torture!”
So take your dog out to walk or run. The distance will vary as per the breed and his stamina. For instance, he will be able to run more after a month’s practice. But you must end every session on a high note. If you exhaust him completely he will not look forward to it the next day.
Stop playing when you think he can still run two more rounds. If he’s had enough, he’ll stop running mid-way while fetch a toy or will grab the toy but not return it to you.
Another problem in walking pets is the hostility from street dogs. But most of these dogs only bark from a distance. Very few of them come charging forward. If they do, carry a stick to scare them and avoid these lanes.
In a confrontation with street dogs, you must stay calm. Shelter your dog between your legs and stay put till the threat passes. Never pelt stones as your dog will read this as a sign of aggression and might make a lunge at the street dogs too.
To be continued