Dog Days
Looking for a new furry friend? We sat down with dog behaviour and training specialist and PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive Ambassador Flip Calkoen to find out how to plan for a successful dog adoption – and tips to teach your child how to care for their new adopted canine!
Flip’s tips on how to plan for a successful dog adoption…
• The most important thing to take into consideration when looking to adopt a dog is that you get the help of a professional to assist in selecting one with a calm, stable and open temperament. This can be done be done from six weeks of age onwards.
• Do your research on the different needs of different types of dogs.
• Take the time to understand the way dogs think and behave – because it is not the same way humans do.
• Have a trainer ready to assist.
• Dog-proof your house and yard.
• Create a safe “time out” space in your house for your dog to retreat to that is totally out of bounds to all, all of the time.
• Start as you mean to continue.
• Understand that dogs are time consuming and hard work but equally enjoyable and loving, loyal members of the family. Be prepared to put some hard yards in at the start and things will ease off as time goes on and you’ll have a dog you all enjoy being with.
• Take time to think about what you would do if things went wrong with the dog, who would look after it when you’re away, who is going to do all the dirty work, who is going to take the dog out in the rain and snow for exercise and training…all these things are a reality of having a dog in the family and often never planned for.
Tip and tricks to help teach your child how to care for their new pet…
First things first…
No child should be left unsupervised with any dog regardless of age and maturity, says Flip. Make sure you are there and interacting with both your child and your new dog, at all times.
Appropriate behaviour…
Teach your child how to behavior appropriately around dogs. “This includes voice, touch, movement, body language, frustration, tolerance and more,” says Flip. “If you are unsure, there are many resources available to refer to and the best is your selected trainer.”
Doggy needs…
It's really important to talk to your child about the needs of a dog and the amount of time it takes to properly care for, train and nurture a happy balanced dog, says Flip. “Dogs need good nutrients, positive training, a safe outdoor area, daily mental and physical exercise. They may need grooming, vet check ups, some play and some time out without humans.”
It’s not a toy…
According to Flip, children need to learn that dogs aren’t just new toys there to play with. “To create a balanced relationship, your child must spend time playing with the dog, training the dog, toileting and feeding the dog, grooming the dog and also having time out not interacting with the dog at all.”
Alone time…
Create a safe place in the house (bed) that is out of bounds to everyone whether the dog is on it or not. And, when the dog is on the bed, it’s left alone.
Easy does it…
“Play is an essential part of relationship building and fostering a good bond between your child and your dog, but make sure it is appropriate play and make sure an adult is around to supervise the situation so each session is successful and ends before things get out of control,” says Flip.
Different strokes…
Teach your child that dogs do not think or behave like humans and do not understand English, so the way they interact needs to be different and managed by an adult, says Flip.
Basic essentials…
“There are some very basic yet essential rules your child should adhere to in order to ensure everyone’s safe and happy,” says Flip. “In the dog world, subordinate dogs approach superior dogs, therefore it’s essential to follow mother nature here and never let your child go to the dog, always make the dog come to your child. Otherwise you create a situation where the dog will think it is superior to your child and this permits the dog to discipline the child.”
Training tricks…
According to Flip, Clicker Training (reward based training) is an excellent method to teach your child how to train a dog. “Train and bomb proof some basic obedience commands to use as a default if needed.”
As owner of Flip’s Top Dog Ltd and a PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive Ambassador, Flip well understands the importance of a safe, loving home for dogs and is passionate about helping owners assist their dogs to reach their full potential.
Every year, all round New Zealand, thousands of dogs are lost and abandoned – unloved, unwanted and unable to comprehend what they did to deserve such desolation.
A registered New Zealand charity, The PEDIGREE® Adoption Drive Charitable Trust donates funds raised to animal shelters such as the RNZSPCA to give the thousands of dogs abandoned by their Kiwi owners a second chance in the form of a good home, good food and lots of love.
For more information visit www.pedigreeadoptiondrive.co.nz