News from Eskie Rescuers United American Eskimo Dog Rescue Inc

When you feel frustrated with your dog's behavior, remember that someone must teach a dog what is acceptable behavior and what is not. A dog that has not been given any instructions, training or boundaries can't possibly know what you expect of him. By teaching your dog how you want him to behave, you will not only have a saner household, but a healthier and happier dog as well.

An Educated Dog:

· Allows you to handle every part of his body, to check for injury or illness and to give him
medication.
· Has good manners, so he can spend most of his time indoors with his people, which means
more supervision, less boredom and fewer opportunities for mischief. The more time you spend with your dog, the more likely you will be to notice when something is wrong with him, such as a limp, a cough, a sensitive area or loss of appetite. By recognizing such irregularities early, you can seek medical attention immediately and, hopefully, prevent more serious problems.
· Wants to stay near you, listening for instructions (and praise). This means he will have less
opportunity to get into trouble.
· Will walk or run beside you on a leash without pulling, dragging or strangling, so you and your dog can get more exercise and spend more time together.
· Knows that "drop it" and "leave it alone" are phrases that mean business, so he will have
fewer opportunities to swallow dangerous objects. He also can be taught what things and
places are out of bounds, like hot stoves, heaters or anxious cats. However, you will still need to limit his access to dangerous places when you cannot supervise or instruct him.
· Will "sit" immediately, simply because you say so. No matter what danger may be imminent, a dog that is suddenly still is suddenly safe. And a dog that will "stay" in that position is even
safer.
· Understands his boundaries, knows what's expected of him and has few anxieties. Less stress means a healthier dog.

By training your dog, you can help prevent tragedy and develop a better relationship with her. Keep in mind, however, that even an educated dog needs supervision, instruction and boundaries - sometimes even physical boundaries. Allowing your dog, no matter how educated he may be, to walk, run or roam outside of a fenced area or off of a leash, is putting him in danger.

Here are some tips to help you select an obedience class that's right for you:
· Quality obedience instructors are knowledgeable about many different types of training
methods and use techniques that neither the dogs nor their owners find consistently
unpleasant.
· Good training methods focus primarily on reinforcing good behavior and use correction
sparingly, appropriately and humanely. Excessive use of choke chains or pinch collars or using
collars to lift dogs off of the ground ("stringing them up") are not appropriate or humane
training methods.
· Quality obedience instructors communicate well with people and with dogs. Remember that
they are instructing you about how to train your dog.
· Specific problems you may have with your dog may not be addressed in a basic obedience
course. If you're seeking help with housesoiling, barking, aggression or separation anxiety, ask if the course covers these issues - do not assume it will.
· Ask the instructor what training methods are used and how they (the instructor and staff) were trained. Also, ask to observe a class before you commit to one. If you're refused an
observation, or if your observation results in anything that makes you uncomfortable, look
elsewhere.
· Avoid anyone who guarantees his or her work; whose primary methods focus on punishment;
or who wants to take your dog and train him for you (effective training must include you and
the environment in which you and your dog interact).