By Dr. Johnathan Pierce
EARLY TRAINING IS BEST
Veterinarians see many patients with different personalities. We love them all, but some are more challenging than others. Every day we deal with patients that have aversions to having their paws touched, their heads examined, their mouths and under their tails stared at. Fear aggression, general aggression or even cage related anxiety or aggression are common. We deal with varying degrees of severity with all of these behaviors. We also see the patients generally lacking in manners that, while they mean well, they just do not know how to behave. Just like with our own children and grandchildren, it is up to us to go through the motions to teach appropriate behavior and expose our pets to contact and situations that may be scary or might induce anxiety.
Exposure to social situations is very important, especially from early development age. While it will be more difficult, you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Start by crate training. This is especially helpful with separation anxiety as well as in situations such as veterinary visits, boarding, evacuations during natural disasters where crating may be required. Crate training really needs to start at a very early age and “tough love” as well as making sure that we ignore and don’t give in to “tantrums” in association with crating are strictly followed. If most pets are “given an inch they will typically take the mile” and attention during tantrums can reverse any progress. This also provides structure and a place for the pet to return to as their own space. Most pets that are properly crate trained enjoy their space and will spend time there through the day.
Professional obedience training is worth its weight in gold. Seeking out professional help is not a sign of weakness as a pet owner. It enhances the basic training and love that you can provide as a pet parent. It gives your pet structure and the opportunity to learn how to behave appropriately. This goes far beyond “sit and stay.” It focuses on the distractions of life and how the pet responds to them. A true professional trainer will be able to identify the pet’s weaknesses and help them appropriately respond in a manner that is calm and not threatening.
Professional training is also very helpful in situations where behaviors may have already been learned and need correction. Although it is better to be proactive than reactive, in situations of adoption or difficult genetic predisposition, a professional trainer that is well versed in particular breed traits is more likely to be able to give the pet parent the tools and training for appropriate management. We have seen many patients that have been too difficult to handle in hospital, that once receiving professional training have become some of our most compliant patients.
If you have questions about training and need recommendations for trainers, your veterinarian will likely have professionals that they routinely refer patients and clients to. A trained and obedient pet makes for happy pet parents, veterinary professionals, and most of all…happy pets.