The Calgary Humane Society


Careers at the Calgary Humane Society Overview Cats
	Adopting a Cat Cat Body Language Cat Housesoiling Checklist Cat Run Instructions Cat Toys and How To Use Them Cat Types Controlling Undesirable Behaviours in Cats Destructive Scratching Detering Cats From Specific Areas Developmental Stages of Kitten Behaviour Excessive Nocturnal Activity In Cats Exercise For Cats Feline Aggression Types and Suggestions Feline Marking Behaviours Feline Redirected Aggression Introducing Your New Cat to Your Other Pets Managing Your Kitten's Rough Play Play Aggression In Cats Play With Your Cat Preventing Litter Box Issues Solving Litter Box Problems The Inside Story Your Cat: Indoors or Out? Your Talkative Cat
Dogs
	Aggressive Behaviour, Part 1 Aggressive Behaviour, Part 2 And Baby Makes Four... Barking Calming Signals Children and Dogs Cognitive Dysfunction Controlling Jumping Controlling Pulling and Lunging Crate Games Crate Training Your Dog Deaf Dog Training Destructive Chewing Developmental Stages of Puppy Behaviour Digging Dogs Dog Interactions Dog Toys and How to Use Them Dog Training Classes Dog Training Equipment Excitable and Disobedient Dogs Exercise For Dogs Fearful or Shy Dogs Food Bowl Exercises Head Collars Housetraining Your Adult Dog How To Handle a Dog Fight Inside or Out? Introducing Your New Dog to Your Resident Dog Kong Recipes and Information Leash Induced Aggression Microwaved Beef Liver Training Treats Muzzles Nothing In Life Is Free Puppy Nipping and Rough Play Relationship Building Separation Anxiety Step In Harness and Double Ended Leash Submissive and Excitement Urination The Best Dog For You Training Tether Understanding Dog Aggression
General
	Bibliography Fears, Phobias and Anxieties Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet Helpful Websites and Calgary Contacts Plants That Are Dangerous To Your Pet Preparing Your Pet for Baby's Arrival Successful Cleaning to Remove Pet Odors and Stains Unusual Eating Habits in Dogs and Cats

Leadership Habits for Puppies

Leadership Habit #1: Umbilical Cording
Each day for 30 minutes, tie "Puppy’s" lead snugly to your waist and go about your business. You should be ignoring "Puppy" for the most part at this time. This exercise is great for bonding and leadership. It also prepares "Puppy" for on-lead heeling.

Leadership Habit #2: Don’t Repeat Commands
When a trainer repeats a direction i.e. "sit…sit…sit" it is unleaderlike, ineffective and is just a bad habit. Give directions one time then get "Puppy" to follow through.

Leadership Habit #3: Teach "Puppy" to Eliminate in One Spot
Dogs who eliminate in several different areas are marking territory. That is one role of the pack leader. Eliminating in one spot has lots of other advantages – you can maintain a beautiful lawn, your neighbours will appreciate it and your pup won’t drag you from tree to tree when you walk him.

Leadership Habit #4: No Free Feeding
In the dog pack Alpha eats first and then gives permission to the others to eat. In nature, this ensures the survival of the more dominant members of the pack. As Alpha, you should be in charge of feeding and should always feed at least two meals per day. Leave food down for 10 minutes. If "Puppy" doesn’t eat in that time pick it up and try again later.

Leadership Habit #5: Scenting "Puppy’s" Food
Before "Puppy" gets his meal, lick your fingers and then feed him a few morsels from your hand.

Leadership Habit #6: No Rough Play
Wrestling, tug-of-war, play fighting, etc. are all behaviours that teach your puppy that it is appropriate for him to challenge your leadership. Your puppy also learns that aggressive behaviour is something that you not only tolerate but encourage. Finally, rough play encourages destructive chewing. Don’t play these kinds of destructive games. Instead, play fetch, Frisbee, find it, do tricks, etc.

Leadership Habit #7: No Jumping Up Without Permission
Every time you allow "Puppy" to jump up without being invited to do so, you are letting him push you. That’s not leader-like. Use your ‘off’ exercise and teach him that this behaviour is unacceptable.

Leadership Habit #8: Never Yell At Your Puppy
It is not leader-like or nurturing. It indicates that you’ve lost control.

Leadership Habit #9: Have "Puppy" Sleep On The Floor Of Your Room
A dog’s place in the human den says a lot about leadership. When your pup sleeps on the floor in your room he gets several important messages. First, he learns that he is a member of the pack, but that the best spot in the den is saved for you because you are Alpha. It also gives you and your pup eight hours together where you can have quiet time to relate to each other. It’s wonderful to be able to spend time with your pup without any distractions or activities. It will enhance your bond with your very special pal.

Leadership Habit #10: Keep "Puppy" Off The Furniture
You should not train your pup to go on the furniture or your bed. Dogs who have access to furniture are given very unproductive messages. First, they learn that they are allowed to occupy the Alpha’s domain. Secondly, it can make the pup dependent upon you physically and as you will soon see, that can contribute to separation anxiety.

Leadership Habit #11: Pin "Puppy’s" Ears Back When Petting Him
Body language is a very effective way of establishing pack roles. When you pin "Puppy’s" ears back while petting him, you are putting him in a submissive role but because you are petting and nurturing him, you are not being overwhelming.

Leadership Habit #12: Tell "Puppy" To Sit Before Playing His Favourite Game

Leadership Habit #13: Have "Puppy" Do A Down Or A Trick Before Giving Him A Treat

Leadership Habit #14: Give
Throw a toy or ball for "Puppy" and have him bring it back. You may use a lead to get him to come back to you. Tell "Puppy" to "Give" and offer him a treat. When he drops the toy, praise and give the treat.

As "Puppy" learns this concept ask him to give before you offer the cookie. Throw the toy again for "Puppy" as soon as he has given it to you so that he is encouraged to keep bringing it back.

Leadership Habit #15: Sit/Stay At The Door
Have "Puppy" hold a sit/stay at the door for five to ten seconds before he goes out and/or comes in. If you are going with your pup you should enter and exit before he does. Alpha always enters and exits the den before the others.

Leadership Habit #16: Sit/Stay For Food
Have "Puppy" hold a 10 second sit/stay before he is allowed to eat his dinner. Alpha always eats first and then gives the others permission to eat.