VERSATILE GOLDEN RETRIEVER – PART 10

Recently I received an email concerning some behaviors exhibited by a six month old Golden Retriever.  The pup in question is “constantly surfing the countertop, understands the off command, but gets right back up there.”  Also, “when he feels frisky in the backyard, he jumps up on me, wrapping his legs around my leg, tries to bite playfully.”  I’m sure many of us can relate to similar problems with our young dogs.  The question is how can you best deal with these unwanted behaviors?

We bring home this sweet, precious, golden bundle of joy that quickly wins our hearts with his gentle, loving ways.  Potty training goes well since by nature the Golden Retriever wants to please.  We enjoy cuddling with this adorable bundle of fur.  We take delight in how observant and smart our puppy can be.  We have fun watching him explore his world, learning new things.  Everyone who meets the pup during these early months is totally captivated by his beauty and charm.  What joy these wonderful pups bring to our lives.  But wait…....suddenly we realize that our delightful Golden puppy has become a Green Eyed Monster!!!  What has happened???

During the first seven weeks, a pup learns specific behaviors that “make him a dog”.  He develops body postures, expressions, and vocalizations.  Critical social development occurs during weeks 4-7 as the pup learns greeting behaviors, how to play, use his body, etc.  It is also during this time that the mother dog teaches the pup that she is the pack leader.  The weaning process begins and he learns basic manners and bite inhibition from the mother dog.  Even though a pup’s attention span is short, a tremendous amount of learning will occur between 7-12 weeks.  This is a perfect time to begin training, provided such training is done in a positive and non-threatening manner.  (Keep in mind though that the first fear imprint stage occurs between 8-11 weeks and it is important to avoid situations which could cause undo trauma for the pup.)

Seniority classification begins at around 13-16 weeks as the teething process also starts.  The pup will “test his wings” as he becomes more independent.  He will challenge and test bounds.  He may chew or bite with those razor sharp little teeth, and he may well start to ignore some learned commands as he attempts to clarify and resolve pack leadership.  During this period it is essential for you to be a strong and consistent leader.  Teeth should not touch the skin, play and games should not be allowed to get out of hand, etc.  We need to clearly establish our leadership as the pup becomes more independent and attempts to cut those apron strings.  We need to define limits in a clear, firm and consistent manner.

By 4-6 months of age, the puppy demonstrates even more independence.  If you have not established clear cut boundaries and limits, you may also see signs of “The Brat Stage”.  The pup will be looking for things to chew in an effort to relieve pressure and pain in his gums from the teething process.  He may well decide to wander and ignore you.  Often the pup is more interested in exploring his world than pleasing you. 

Has your pup used his charming ways to actually become the more dominant figure in your relationship?  Has he convinced you that such a sweet and precious bundle is just too darn cute to have limits placed on his behavior?  How can you be firm with your pup when he turns to you with that soft golden expression in his eyes?  Remember though, this time period has a big influence on how your dog sees you in the ranking of his pack.  Even though a Golden may assert himself in a way that is often charming, he may still attempt to assert his dominance over his human pack.  That precious young pup that jumped on people when greeting them is less appealing now that he weighs 40+ pounds!  Nor do people care to have hands, shoelaces or pant legs grabbed by this rapidly growing monster!  What was so darling and endearing at 12 weeks of age is no longer desirable and actually becomes irritating as the pup grows and matures.

Our puppies become young adults between 6-18 months of age.  If suddenly you recognize that you have created a green eyed monster that can be quite bratty at times, all is not lost.  You have a young and exuberant dog that is often full of himself.  Yet, there is still plenty of time to help your dog learn all the things he needs to become a good canine citizen as an adult.

The problem described to me is a common one that occurs as a pup begins to mature and test boundaries.  So, let’s take a look at the ways that we can prevent and/or and change these unwanted behaviors in the young dog.   As always you will hear me say over and over that you must make rules crystal clear.  You must be firm, but fair.  You must be CONSISTENT!   If you have access to quality obedience classes and have not taken your pup to such classes to learn socialization and beginning manners, now is the time to do so.  But, since many do not have access to good obedience classes, let’s look at some ways we can start to teach our older pups to become more mannerly.

The Versatile Golden Retriever, Part 7 discusses the Social Handling exercises of Elevation, Stand Over, Subordinate Down and Inversion.  If you have a young pup, these are an excellent means to help establish you as the leader and/or dominant figure for your puppy.  Once established, this relationship will help prevent or minimize behavior problems.  The exercises will teach your pup that you are in control and that it is safe and pleasant to be handled.  These social handling exercises also help your puppy accept grooming, removal of objects from his mouth, and examination by your vet.  The pup learns not only that no harm will come to him, but that he must trust you and other members of the family.  They help teach him that he must be subordinate to everyone in his pack. 

If your pup is now a bit older and attempts to resist your dominance and leadership, you can also begin to adapt these exercises a bit to make it crystal clear to your pup that you will be the pack leader.  (If you have not done the social handling exercises while your pup is still fairly small, it often is not feasible to attempt to elevate your pup.  He has just gotten too big to elevate him easily.)  So, if dealing with an older pup, leave a plain nylon collar on him while he is in the house, or use those wonderful handles of skin that Mother Nature placed at the top and sides of his neck.  The mother dog uses these handles when teaching her pups.  You can do the same with hurting your pup.

If your pup gets rambunctious, whether it be surfing the counter top or frapping (running wildly hither and yon), simply take the sides of the collar (or his wonderful handles of neck skin), and shake slightly as you look the pup in the eye and firmly tell him "Off”, or “Settle”, or other appropriate commands.  Do not shout at the pup!  The more matter-of-fact and without emotion you can be in your correction, the better effect you will have in changing the pups perception and behavior.  Rather than shout, drop the tone of your voice, being certain that your voice conveys a command.  Look the pup straight in the eye so he knows you mean business and that you expect him to comply with your command.  Now, depending on the level of spoiled behavior evident at the time, your pup may well choose to challenge you by looking directly back into your eyes.  If he does choose to glare back at you, give another little shake and firmly tell him to “Settle” or “Knock it off”.  Since most goldens are gentle souls by nature, your pup should begin to realize that you mean business and it might be in his best interest to cooperate.  If he drops his head to the side or looks away, he is acknowledging your dominance over him.  Release him a few seconds after he quiets and looks away from you.  However, since until this time you have allowed the pup to rule the roost, it is probably best that you not gush at him with a “Good Puppy!” since that might just serve to stir him up again.  Instead, issue just a quiet “Good” or “That’s better” as you release your pup.

Since their charming ways have helped some golden pups learn to manipulate you in the manner of their choosing though, certain more persistent pups may choose to wiggle and squirm when you attempt to correct them and look them in the eye.  A wrestling match at this point serves no constructive purpose.  If an additional, firmer shake of the collar as you look him in the eye does not elicit compliance, you need to assess the situation and determine if your pup has been active for too long and needs a rest period in his crate.  If he most likely is tired, then put him up for a rest.  Attempting to deal with a pup that is like a cranky two year old child most likely will not result in success.  Rather, you will only serve to back your pup in a corner and give him no graceful way to emerge with his ego intact. 

This is a gray area that is so difficult to address through the written word.  It is so much easier to recommend a way to deal with behaviors when it is possible to observe the pup and his body signals as well as your manner of reacting to him and his behaviors.   However, if a pup is rested and just becoming a total brat, I have gone as far as lifting a dog off its front feet so I can raise him to my eye level, thus showing more dominance.  However, it is extremely important that this be done in a matter-of-fact manner without emotions of frustration or anger playing into the picture.  It is rare in our kennel club classes that I have chosen to elevate an older golden pup off the ground.  (ALWAYS though, those rear feet remain on the floor!!!  Remember, this is NOT an exercise designed to produce a harsh physical correction.  Rather, grasping the collar or skin of the neck is meant to elicit the pup’s attention and convey to him that you will be the one in command!) The few times I have resorted to this more forceful display of authority, each golden has melted on the spot.  Remember, by nature most goldens want nothing more than to please us.  They have become bratty only because we have not provided the proper structured environment for them that clearly establishes us as the pack leader.  Most times a golden will readily choose to comply once you make your demands and limits clear to him. 

Once you choose to establish yourself as the pack leader by working such variations of the elevation exercise, it is essential that you become consistent in your approach to the dog.   Anytime the pup exhibits undesirable behaviors and does not respond to your first verbal command, do not just repeat the command over and over.  Do not start to lose patience or shout at the pup.  This will not produce constructive learning.  Rather, grasp the neck or the collar and gently, but firmly, remind your pup that you are the one in command!

Stand-over is another social handling exercise that helps your pup recognize you as an authority figure, his pack leader.  The advantage of this exercise is that the body size of an older pup will not prevent you from easily doing the exercise.  Many of us tend to straddle our dogs and lift their front feet off the ground just to give them a bit of love and attention.  What is important is that this exercise provides you with an opportunity to have your dog hold still without resisting the position until you choose to end the exercise.  If the pup does wiggle or resist, again just issue a quick shake to remind him that you are in control.  Most goldens readily accept this position and quickly see it as non-threatening.  Their tails will sway back and forth as you hold them in place.  They learn that not only are you in control, but that being in this position can actually be a pleasant experience.

Inversion is a third social handling exercise that is readily accepted by most goldens.  It is an easy one to do while watching television, or just sitting on the floor to relax with your dog or pup.   It is an exercise that provides a time for quiet tummy rubs and accepting a calming voice.  However, Inversion also teaches a young and boisterous pup that there are times he needs to learn to settle and be quiet with you until you say otherwise. 

The Subordinate Down is the final social handling exercise discussed in Part 7.  The subordinate down places a dog in a vulnerable position since he is laying on his side and cannot readily get up to protect himself.  He needs to learn that no harm will come to him, that you can be trusted.  This exercise is important to teach though, because it can reduce stress and help your dog cooperate when you must examine his teeth, ears, the pads of his feet, his tummy, etc.  It also makes a visit to the vet less stressful on the dog and much easier for your vet. 

Subordinate Down normally is fairly easy to teach a very young puppy.  However, if you are just starting this social handling exercise with an older pup, then you must progress slowly to ensure success.  Go back to Part 7 and review the steps.  First teach your dog to accept laying over on his side.  Work until the pup will cooperate and relax his body, naturally lifting a rear leg slightly in a submissive gesture, as you gently scratch his groin.  Then and only then should you gradually start to look first in his ears, then later his mouth, etc. until the dog has been taught to lay quietly and accept physical examination without stress and/or resistance.

The question posed to me concerning unwanted behaviors appears simple on the surface, but actually involves an issue involving many layers.  Sometimes reading articles such as these that suggest ways to help encourage a versatile golden can provide some useful tips for training.  However, many times we are at a loss as to how to change certain unwanted behaviors.  We all adore this wonderful golden creature.  I know I have allowed Stoney to become spoiled in some ways because he trips my heartstrings with many of his antics.  But, when we recognize that some behaviors need to change, it takes effort and consistency on our part.  Hopefully this brief explanation of certain stages of puppy development will help you understand why your pup exhibits some less than desirable behaviors.  The social handling exercises will help provide you with a good foundation for becoming the pack leader for your pup.  Next month, we will look at some other ways that may also help you mold a mannerly canine citizen. 

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