Dear Dog Lady,
I have heard of a so-called dog trainer in the area who manages to convince every client that the answer to any bad dog behavior question is a shock collar. It was really good to read your column in which you agree that shock collars are a bad idea. Thanks for standing up for the pups.
—Penny
Dear Penny,
Shock collars emitting electrical charges as well as metal pinch collars that squeeze around the neck with prongs seem unduly harsh when training dogs. There are exceptions of course. For example, electric fences save dogs' lives because they keep the animal contained without walls. Until the dog is trained to stay inside the perimeter, the animal wears a shock collar that dispenses a zing whenever he or she starts to stray beyond the boundaries.
In the short term, zapping a dog with an electric shock may work. However, this is not the way to train a dog humanely for a lifetime.
Dear Dog Lady,
My husband and I will be adopting a rescue dog from our local shelter. We seek a female puppy on the medium to large size. We aren't into "toy" breeds. My question: What age do you recommend obedience school? She will be crate trained and since I'm retired and active, the dog will have plenty of "home schooling" and exercise. But I believe formal training is the way to go.
We did it with our last pup (dear Gretta who passed away a year ago at age 14). Now I wonder if maybe Gretta was too young for class at six months. Although she turned out to be a great dog she was the youngest in the class by about four to six months and was often sent to the "principal's office" for excessive barking and playfulness. Your advice will be appreciated. Thanks for helping to keep us dog lovers informed on how we can always strive to be better parents.
—Mary Beth
Dear Mary Beth,
There are "kindergarten" classes for puppies. Puppy kindergarten is a wonderful basic training for the new dog owner and a great course in Socialization 101 for the puppy. The best learning we can offer puppies is how to live in the big world of dogs, people, cars, and all the myriad of creatures and modern conveniences. Call the Animal Rescue League or MSPCA for available puppy classes.
You should keep in mind that dog training classes are really for the people not the dogs. Oh sure, the dogs may learn a thing or two but they learn it only because their human is with them leading the way. Make sure you provide the bulk of the "homework" training and exercise.
Dear Dog Lady,
I recently adopted a puppy, a black Labrador retriever. I thought I had come up with the best, most original name for him: Cooper. I knew no other dogs with this name. It is two syllables and I can condense it into lots of nicknames. I was feeling so good about my new dog and his name until I went to the veterinarian's for a first checkup and the vet tech called out "Cooper" to those of us in the waiting area. Another woman and her bull dog stood up and went toward the examining room. I was crushed. I've since heard of five other Coopers. I'm not exaggerating when I say nearly every dog I meet is named Cooper. I want to change my dog's name. Should I?
—Karen
Dear Karen,
Think of how all those people who named their dogs "Bailey" felt; and those who bestowed lovable "Lucy." Dog names come in and out of vogue. So do people monikers. Hello "Brittany" and "Tiffany;" "Brody" and "Logan." Don't sweat this. If you continue to be super-irked about copycat Coopers, you can change the name but any switch could cause some stress for your pup.
Write: askdoglady@gmail.com.