Toileting in the Oval Office isn't really a big deal in a new puppy's eyes.
• Be Positive! Positive reinforcement is more than just a way of training—it becomes a firm foundation on which you can base your entire relationship with your dog. In extremely general terms, if you reward a behavior that you like in your dog, there is a very good chance that this behavior will be repeated. When unwanted behaviors occur, constructive discipline is given rather than harsher punishments that are used by many traditional trainers. Constructive discipline aims to guide rather than frighten the dog into behaving. Examples of constructive discipline may include time outs (removal), sounds to interrupt behavior and refocus the dog onto something more positive, or ignoring inappropriate behavior (such as jumping up), so that the behavior is not reinforced and eventually goes into extinction.
Traditional trainers would lead one to believe that when a dog is behaving badly it is trying to become top dog by being dominant over an owner. Very few dogs that are demonstrating controlling behavior are actually attempting to be dominant. In fact, the majority of behavioral issues are rooted in a dog’s insecurities or fears—both of which require patience and understanding on your part to overcome by helping the dog to learn to feel differently. Positively.
• Think Dog. In order to have a truly balanced relationship with your dog, it is crucial to try and view the world from the dog’s perspective. Toileting in the Oval Office isn’t really a big deal in a new puppy’s eyes—he doesn’t know that it's a bad move unless we tell him. Same with chewing on the First Lady’s sofa or eating Sasha and Malia’s snacks off the table. Over thousands of years, we’ve domesticated dogs and welcomed them into our strange, human world, and now it’s our responsibility to help teach our dogs how to live in it appropriately and with confidence.
• Be Consistent. No training will stick unless everyone in the family follows the same rules and enforces the same boundaries and limitations on the dog. For example, dogs begin to understand what we want from them only when we are consistent in rewarding what we like and giving constructive feedback of what we don’t.
• Keep him busy. President Obama has joked that even he will have to take turns walking Bo, and I’m sure that the entire First Family and their staff will do a great job of keeping Bo physically fit. For a PWD puppy as young as Bo, it is also critical that they stimulate his mind as well. Nowadays there are a lot of great dog games that I introduce to my clients, and even basic activities like hide and go seek, go find the toy, and learning tricks can help keep a dog’s mind alert. PWD’s were originally bred to work with fishermen and once taught, they are excellent swimmers. Interestingly, they were responsible for taking messages from the fishermen to shore (sometimes swimming for five miles at a time) helping the fishermen bring in the nets and acting as guard dogs, protecting the boat and the catch.
• Find some friends. It’s also really important to make sure Bo stays socialized with other dogs. Living in the White House could be quite a reclusive proposition, and he’s still young enough that not seeing other dogs regularly could hamper his development and lead to behavioral issues around other dogs in the future, especially when he is away from the White House. Regular doggie playdates will ensure that he retains the ability to feel comfortable around other dogs in all environments.
• Beware the teenage years! As dogs mature out of puppyhood, they often undergo some behavioral changes as their bodies and maturity levels grow. Think about the occasional awkwardness of your teenage years—dogs go through many of the same issues. Bo is six months old now, and since a dog’s ‘adolescent’ period can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years old, the First Family should prepare for a few bumps in the road over the next year or so. It’s all very normal and to be expected (as with many rebellious teens, it’s just a phase), and as long as they continue to employ the responsible approach to dog ownership they’ve shown throughout this process, everyone should be fine.
I wish the Obama family all the best as they settle in with beautiful Bo. I’ll enjoy watching his development along with the rest of the country, and I’m sure he’ll be given all the tools necessary to become a well-adjusted, happy family pet.
• Think Dog. In order to have a truly balanced relationship with your dog, it is crucial to try and view the world from the dog’s perspective. Toileting in the Oval Office isn’t really a big deal in a new puppy’s eyes—he doesn’t know that it's a bad move unless we tell him. Same with chewing on the First Lady’s sofa or eating Sasha and Malia’s snacks off the table. Over thousands of years, we’ve domesticated dogs and welcomed them into our strange, human world, and now it’s our responsibility to help teach our dogs how to live in it appropriately and with confidence.
• Be Consistent. No training will stick unless everyone in the family follows the same rules and enforces the same boundaries and limitations on the dog. For example, dogs begin to understand what we want from them only when we are consistent in rewarding what we like and giving constructive feedback of what we don’t.
• Keep him busy. President Obama has joked that even he will have to take turns walking Bo, and I’m sure that the entire First Family and their staff will do a great job of keeping Bo physically fit. For a PWD puppy as young as Bo, it is also critical that they stimulate his mind as well. Nowadays there are a lot of great dog games that I introduce to my clients, and even basic activities like hide and go seek, go find the toy, and learning tricks can help keep a dog’s mind alert. PWD’s were originally bred to work with fishermen and once taught, they are excellent swimmers. Interestingly, they were responsible for taking messages from the fishermen to shore (sometimes swimming for five miles at a time) helping the fishermen bring in the nets and acting as guard dogs, protecting the boat and the catch.
• Find some friends. It’s also really important to make sure Bo stays socialized with other dogs. Living in the White House could be quite a reclusive proposition, and he’s still young enough that not seeing other dogs regularly could hamper his development and lead to behavioral issues around other dogs in the future, especially when he is away from the White House. Regular doggie playdates will ensure that he retains the ability to feel comfortable around other dogs in all environments.
• Beware the teenage years! As dogs mature out of puppyhood, they often undergo some behavioral changes as their bodies and maturity levels grow. Think about the occasional awkwardness of your teenage years—dogs go through many of the same issues. Bo is six months old now, and since a dog’s ‘adolescent’ period can range anywhere from 6 months to 2 years old, the First Family should prepare for a few bumps in the road over the next year or so. It’s all very normal and to be expected (as with many rebellious teens, it’s just a phase), and as long as they continue to employ the responsible approach to dog ownership they’ve shown throughout this process, everyone should be fine.
I wish the Obama family all the best as they settle in with beautiful Bo. I’ll enjoy watching his development along with the rest of the country, and I’m sure he’ll be given all the tools necessary to become a well-adjusted, happy family pet.
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