Monday, October 1, 2007

Advices To Future Dog Owners

Two peaceful days have past. Thank God for the bark control collar. My mum woke me up this morning. Rusky managed to climb out of the baby gate. Miraculously. But that's a small problem compared to what we experienced in the past. These are my advices to future dog owners.
  1. When you have a new dog in the house, get a life ring and a dog leash. It is essential to keep the dog under control at any time.
  2. Set a boundary for the dog. The boundary should include a sleeping area, a 'dining' area and a 'toilet'. If the boundary is a door, use a baby gate. If the boundary is an area, use a make-and-break cage. The make-and-break works for my Collie Minnie as it is very tame. It obviously do not work for Rusky. My student Teddy has the space to put a giant cage for his Jack Russell Terrier Cookie as he lives in a terrace. If the dog barks, pull the dog leash. If the problem persists, get a bark control collar.
  3. Do not use a paper box as a bed. The dog will tear it up. Do not use a rug. The dog will use it as a 'toilet'. Rusky has a plastic container with a thick towel for its bed.
  4. The 'dining' area is where the dog's bowl usually is. Always keep the bowl after use. The dog should be fed only once a day, with as little food and water as possible. This will slow down its 'processing' time, making it easier to predict and control where it drops its 'bomb'.
  5. Newspapers should be use as a 'toilet'. It is not just a cheap source. It is easily recognised by most dogs as a 'bombing' area. If the dog 'bombs' other area, catch it! Make a loud noise. Clap your hands. Scare it away. You have to be on 24 hours standby for any intrusion. The area has to be cleaned with sweet-smelling detergent, or else the dog will 'patronise' it again. I bring Rusky to the newspaper and encourage it to smell it. Sometimes I have to shake and rustle the newspaper to attract its attention. Newspaper do not absorb urine quickly. Sometimes the urine will flow on its paws... yucks. Now I place a rubber mat below the newspaper so that the urine will flow into the rubber mat. I am planning to take the newspaper away one day and see whether Rusky will pee at the same spot.
  6. Engage a dog trainer. The dog trainer should give timely advices to you when you need it. This will 'train' you from having any thoughts of abandoning your best friend. Furthermore, the dog can pick up good habits and learn new tricks, which enables it to grow to its maximum potential and a life to the fullest!

Posted by Benjamin at 9:20 AM