Welcome to the new bi-monthly column “Your Best Pet,” written by certified canine behavior consultant Christine Hamer, that aims to answer questions and give advice on animal behavior issues. Hamer has been helping dogs and their families for 30 years.



Positive, not permissive, instruction makes for a behaved pooch



When that furry bundle first comes home, your pup is the apple of everyone’s eye. But as he starts to grow up, behavior once considered cute is now obnoxious at best, dangerous at its worst. Most puppy parents slowly start to realize that something must be done to discipline their delinquents, but they aren’t always sure how.

Many turn to books, their veterinarians, Web sites, trainers and even other dog-owning friends for advice. The choices that owners make will affect their relationship with their dog, so it’s important for them to choose wisely.

I don’t like to make comparisons between children and dogs; no doubt, they’re different. But since it’s a comparison that many people can relate to, I’ll say that both children and dogs need boundaries, rules, education and exercise to be happy and healthy.

For dogs, the one in charge, or “parent,” is the one who has control over resources: food, choice sleeping spots, toys bones, inside and outside privileges, walks, and special time with people.

The first step toward creating a great family pet is to establish the fact that everyone in the family is pup’s “parent.” You can do this by providing resources only when pup “asks” for them in a courteous manner — no pats on the head unless pup is sitting politely, and no outside or inside privileges unless pup waits to be asked in or out. Breakfast and dinner will be provided when pup sits and then waits to be given permission to eat. Games and playtimes are started and ended on human terms.

Education is a must. We expect our children to attend school, and our pup needs instruction as well. Attending a good obedience class not only teaches you and your pup basic obedience directions, but also provides a good group environment where your dog can learn positive social skills. As you and your pup learn a common language, you’re also learning more about each other’s nonverbal communication.

The seven basic obedience directions — heel, sit, wait, down, stay, come, and a no-reward marker such as “no” — will be the basis of the common language you can use to explain the rules of the house. For example, let’s say that you would like to alter the way your dog greets company at the door. Telling your dog this in the common language of obedience could be “no” (as the dog starts the unwanted action), “come” (as you move away from the door), “sit” (the dog sits where asked, some distance from the door), and “stay” (you walk back to open the door, leaving the dog in the sitting position).

Now I know that most dogs will not do this the first time they are asked, even if they are familiar with obedience terms. A leash attached to the collar will help with control, and practice, practice, practice will make the response almost automatic. Think Pavlov. The door bell can become your dog’s cue to move away from the door, sit and wait for that treat.

Next column: We’ll take a look at preparing for summer vacations. Is it better to bring your pup along or leave him at home?

Christine Hamer is a certified canine behavior consultant who has been helping dogs and their families for 30 years. She would love to answer your questions about training and behavior. She can be reached at