Things I Learned from Raising My Dog

Why the Dog?
All my life I wanted a dog. What I got, in turn, were parakeets, fish and turtles. I even had a hedgehog (she passed away recently, so moment of silence is in order). Dogs are great. I find they are very happy animals, regardless of their breed or training. They will lick your face, chew your socks, potty on your carpet, and all of that just because they love you. So, there I was, at 22 years old, begging my landlord to let me have a dog. After he agreed, I rushed to my boyfriend exclaiming that we were getting a dog. He looked at me, confused, "I hate dogs." How can someone hate dogs? And, there I was again, this time having to use all my genetically encoded female powers (the drama, the crying, and your typical hysteria), seeking my boyfriend's permission to have a dog. He agreed to go "look at them" at the near by pet shop.

Why That Dog?
We walk into "Puppy Lovers", play with a few dogs, and leave. My life is over! We go to Petsmart ("where pets are family") and look at all the dog accessories and books. Yet we have no dog. Unexpectedly, we start a conversation about the puppies we played with and, to my very pleasant surprise, we liked the same one. The cutest little Cocker Spaniel and Puddle mix (a girl!), with a light brown coat and few distinguished white spots on her chest, top of her head and her front paws. What would we name a dog like that? Caramel was what we came up with - she is the same color as the caramel candy and just so adorable (really, the adorable part had nothing to do with the naming, but I thought I would throw that in). And now that we named her, we can't just leave her at the pet store.

What They Don't Tell You In Training Books
Dogs are like babies, although less human. Next time you see people dress their dogs in funny looking outfits, don't laugh. Dog owners are allowed to have some fun with their dogs. After all, we put in our time with training and mishaps. Seriously, we did!

Training Tip One: The kennel is your dog's safe place, so introduce it as such.
The most difficult part for dog owners, or at least me, is realizing the importance of crating your dog. The kennel carries a stigma- it's not a new concepts for dogs, as that is often where you will find them in a pet store or a shelter. However, dogs don't like crates. As an owner, you have to trust the dog trainers and veterinarians when they tell you that crating your dog is not in any way cruel when done properly.
If you're anything like me, your first point of attack looks something like this. You are on your fours, feeding your dog an unnatural amount of treats (which you will never admit to the vet), trying to bribe your dog into entering and, more importantly, staying in the crate. The correct way to do this, according to a dog behaviorist September Morn, is to "introduce [the kennel] in as pleasant a manner as possible by tossing in a few treats or toys and encouraging the dog to go in and get them". After a few ins and outs of the crate, close the door. Let the puppy stay there for a bit, then let her out. "And don't forget to praise your dog," adds Jason, our trainer at Petsmart. "Dogs learn good behavior through praise and snacks, kind of like we do."

Training Tip Two: The kennel is where the dog should sleep.
The first night Caramel was home she cried all night. I spent the night on the sofa, holding her, so she would stop waking up the neighbors. We were not off to a healthy start, I admit. "A crate is a cozy private bedroom for your dog," states Morn. That's nice in theory. Your dog will very likely fuss and cry when created at night - he still may not know that his crate is a safe place to be. Don't budge. You will miss a few nights of sleep, but the dog will get used to the crate. Don't make a mistake of letting your dog sleep in your bed for a few nights, if you don't intend to have them there all the time. It is easier to train your pup proper sleeping etiquette right away than to try to break them off your bed later. If you are concerned about the proximity of your dog to you at night, bring the crate in your bedroom. "Dogs, being the social creatures they are, like to sleep together in a common area with the rest of the pack," reasons Morn. "The dog will feel secure and happy to be near you."

Training Tip Three: Your dog can stay in the kennel when you are not home for only a short while.
Dogs can stay in a crate when you are not at home (otherwise, as I have learned, they will eat walls, chairs, and anything they can grind their little teeth against). Be considerate of how much time your dog spends in a crate. If you crate your dog at night, don't crate them for the nine hours you are away at work. "The rule of thumb for daytime crate use is no more than one hour of crate time per day for each month of pup's age," claims Morn. Don't make the crate into a permanent puppy holding area. This will negatively affect training, making the puppy more aggressive, indicates the Dog Fancy columnist, Bardi McLennan.

Training Tip Four: The kennel is not used for punishment.
Crating your dog because he has done something wrong will negate the concept of the crate as the safe place. This is not a difficult concept. Just make sure you remember it next time your dog unrolls the toilet paper when you leave the bathroom door open.

Training Tip Five: Consider potty time when crating your dog.
Caramel had to potty at the most unthinkable hours of the night. The training book simply explained that what goes in will have to come out. What they don't tell you is that there is a lot more stuff coming out than there is going in. Make sure to allow for potty time before crating your dog for any period of time that is longer than one hour. Consider this critical before you crate your dog for the night. Dogs guard their crates. If your dog is crated for several hours, but has not eliminated in their crate, do not conclude that this is their typical holding period. Puppies have to go potty often. But very rarely will they do so in their crate. And most importantly, "don't blame the puppy for accidents you could have prevented," stresses McLennan. Be considerate of their needs before crating and stick to the same potty schedule.

Caramel Rocks!
Caramel is in fact sitting here next to me, wondering where all the popcorn has gone. After two dog-training classes, and numerous vet visits, Caramel is well and waiting her third birthday on May 1st (presents are optional). She is no longer mad at me for the horrific hair cut she received (it wasn't me, it was the grooming people), as she now looks like a Chihuahua and not a Cocker Spaniel. She is amazing and, no matter how many hours she spends chasing her tail, I will always be amused by her. I think, despite the frustrations that come with owning a dog, I have become a calmer person since she has been in my life. For once, I know what it feels like to have someone depend entirely on me for everything. And it's scary that I, a person who managed to kill every plant I ever owned, have been keeping Caramely (Jelly Belly) alive and well. If anything, she has made me consider someone else ahead of my selfishness. That's a huge thing for me. And as I look at her (and her goofy hair cut) now, I realize that, for me, it doesn't get any better than having this little dog to love unconditionally.