Q:  I just got a puppy ( Golden Retriever) she's eight weeks old and this is our first family dog.  I've been reading your articles before making my decision and my son attends Stokes School where you taught your Prevention through Education Program .The informational handouts you provided the children with were also very helpful. Sandy has only been here a few hours and  I do not want to make any mistakes. I want to make sure that we do this right.  We were wondering if you could offer some helpful tips  advice to get us started until we can get her to you for training. Thank You for all of your wonderful articles and information .It helped us to make a wise decision.  Melissa R. Rome, NY 


A: Congratulations on your new family addition. Well the first thing you need to do is set rules immediately and be consistent. Make sure everyone in your house follows them or the pup will become confused.Be firm and follow through. remember, firm, does not mean force.  Do not expect your pup to know what to do. It must be shown and taught. This is where most of the problems start. The pup whimpers and seems helpless and very easily manipulates humans with it's innocent eyes. Humans have a compassionate nature and just cannot help themselves to pick up, cuddle and treat their puppy,like an infant child. Don't let that fool you. They test you from day one to see what they can and cannot get away with. Stand you ground and do not humanize your dog.  

Some basic rules that seem so small to you and I are a very big deal to canines. Dogs are not natural born leaders, they are followers and looking for you to guide or lead them through life. If you cannot provide this type of structure for them, they will take on this role themselves. It's ok to play with and love up your new puppy, but always on your terms only. When you say stop, it's time to stop. Everything you do with your pup must be initiated by you, not them. ( affection, playing etc ) 

Socializing your pup to new experiences is important. Christmas is just a few days away so there will be a lot of excitement. Sounds, people and situations should be treated as " no big deal"  .Do NOT pacify your new pup  ( EX: voiced action: It's ok , it's not going to hurt you ...physical action : petting ") Should they become fearful ,back away ,bark or growl at  people, toys, household items like vacuums or brooms  you simply ignore their behavior and treat the situation with no fear yourself. If you go about as if it was no big deal, your pup will follow your lead if you become fearful ,anxious or nervous  you will enhance your pups fear of these items as well setting the stage for a future fear biter.  Pups should also  never be picked up to a humans level to be pet .Humans need to get down to the dogs level to greet them. Picking them up to a human level sets up for future "gaining height" or jumping.ever force the dog to greet people , allow the pup to investigate on their own. Your new pup needs to also have confidence on their own. Have your guests, family or friends get down to the pups level and give treats to make your pet more comfortable and social. It is also important that you walk to answer the door, not your pet when greeting people.

When you enter and leave any area ( door, house, room ) You must pass through that door before your dog. If they go first, they see themselves as the leader , and you the follower.

Make sure that you eat before your pup ( never at the same time or them before you) in their minds, if they eat first, they are top dog or ALPHA.
  If they eat with you, they are an equal pack member. Your dog should never be on the same level as you.   

This is advice, and not a mandate to owning a dog:Crate train the pup from the start. Crate training will aid in the potty / housebreaking as well as give the pup a sense of security during your absence, therefore, no future separation anxiety or destructive behavior.

When you finally do introduce your dog to the leash, you walk to the dog, not the dog walk you. The dog should stay at your side or behind you. Most pups don't like the leash and will rear back, plant their feet and resist every step of the way  so it is important that you treat it like it is no big deal. DO NOT DRAG YOUR DOG DOWN THE STREET, but rather encourage your pup to follow you through a series of voice inflections and some small tugs and releases of the leash. Pretty soon, she'll get the hang of what it is she's supposed to do.


Try to avoid situations that promote inappropriate behavior. Such as playing tug - O war , chasing, or rough play that would create mouthing ,biting or jumping.  It may look cute now when you see them growl as they are tugging and tossing around the sock that they stole from the laundry basket, but what they are really doing is setting themselves up for prey drive for future endeavors. 

Set them up for success from the start! Build a good solid bond with your pup. Teach them some basic commands  such as sit, stay, down and come Encourage good behavior with praise and attention. Correct bad behaviors by providing positive punishment ( take away the thing that brings them pleasure. Never physically punish or force compliance to commands as this will lead to fear biting or aggression. 

A good dog, stems from a great leader.


We would like to take a moment and thank the Rome Sentinel for helping us, help others. This column has helped our business to be known throughout out CNY and further. Some of you have passed our information to out of state  family and friends allowing us the opportunity to give hope when they thought there was no more. Thank you to our readers for your continued support, comments,compliments, questions and encouragements. We have come to know many people and their pets through this column as well as been able to assist Rescue groups in saving lives, educating children through teachers that read our column and requested our Safety Programs ,keep people safe on their jobs that have to enter into an area where a dog may be and assist  adult educators in teaching aspiring students that want to enter into our field of work.    

We would like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year and we look forward to continuing to educate you and your pets into becoming life long companions

This article was published on December 28 2008 Page 3 of the Sunday Sentinel