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| Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue Helping Labs Find Their Fur-Ever Homes |
You aren't alone. We hear stories with these elements all the time, and often from people what would
like to keep their dogs, but don't know what to do to make their situations better. We'd like to offer the
following advice for those of you who aren't sure that surrendering your dog is something you feel you are
ready to do just yet - perhaps there are options you haven't explored that we can help you identify.
Training/Obedience Issues
If your dog does things that you find hard to live with, such as jump on you, pulls on a leash when you
walk him, begs at the table, doesn't listen to you, doesn't come when you call him, dashes out the door at
every opportunity, can't or won't sit, down, or stay or will do these things for one family member and not
for another, they you might want to consider enlisting the help of a qualified trainer to help you. Check out
our Resources page for help in finding a trainer near you or our Training Tips for some helpful
information. Recommendations from your vet or local ASPCA are also useful.
Frequently, people will remark that they thought their dog would "grow out" of some of their behaviors
naturally and wouldn't need training. This is a frequent misconception. It is not enough to discipline the
dog for doing something that they are not supposed to do, but you, as the owner, must show the dog the
right thing to do instead of the undesirable behavior. All too often, behaviors that are cute in a 30lb puppy
are obnoxious or even dangerous in a 100lb dog, and they must be corrected - firmly, but not harshly,
using positive reinforcement.
If your dog has never had a formal obedience class, or hasn't had one in a long time, that might be a
good place to start. Not only will you feel like you are doing something to work with your dog's issues, but
you will learn how to train your dog in an appropriate and effective manner. We strongly recommend that
you seek out a trainer who uses ONLY positive reinforcement training techniques such as praise based
training or clicker-training. Methods that use punishment (verbal or physical) are not only cruel, but totally
ineffective. Cost for a typical beginner or intermediate group obedience course is about $75. for an 8-10
week course, depending your area and the type of facility you attend.
If you have tried group classes, but your issues are more specific than what an obedience course
covers, consider a few private sessions with a trainer. The goal of these sessions should not be to "fix"
your dog, but to learn how to work with your dog to correct the problem over time. Hourly rates for trainers
vary widely from $30 to $75 an hour.
There are so-called "overnight" obedience schools, where you take the dog to the facility, the trainer
works with the dog and then you pick up the dog several weeks later after he or she is supposedly
completely trained. These programs are often very expensive, and, not very effective. You must be a
participant in your dog's training, if you expect the dog to obey you. Costs for these types of services run
to the hundreds of dollars.
The good news is that ANY dog can learn (or unlearn) certain behaviors. All dogs can learn to walk on a
leash without pulling, and any dog can learn to come when called. It takes dedication and patience on
the owners part. No dog is "fixed" or "cured" in a few hours - consistent training and reinforcement is
necessary, but the rewards can be so great - for both owner and dog.
Behavior Issues
These types of issues are different than training issues and require a different approach in dealing with
them. These include things like separation anxiety, fear/phobia manifestation, excessive barking,
habitual escaping, house-soiling (in a housetrained dog), chewing or other destructive behaviors. Stress
is often a contributing cause with behavior issues, although it is not the only one.
Behavior issues (as opposed to obedience issues) cannot be simply "trained" out of a dog's repertoire
of actions. The root cause of the behavior must first be identified and then worked with using
desensitization exercises, counter-conditioning, behavior prevention, behavior modification and
sometimes short-term medication. The help of a certified animal behaviorist is very useful (if not
required) when dealing with behavior issues. See our Resources page for help in locating a Certified
Animal Behaviorist in your area.
Be aware that many trainers call themselves behaviorists of one kind or another, regardless of their
background or training. The Animal Behavior Society professionally certifies applied animal behaviorists
who meet its criteria, and the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists certifies veterinarians as
specialists in behavior. Hourly rates for a CAB be in the area of $100, however, their expertise is often
invaluable when dealing with these serious issues.
Whether you're dealing with obedience or behavior issues, the same things will be required of you, the
owner, in order for the training or behavior modification to be successful:
1) Patience. Dogs learn by repetition and positive reinforcement. You will repeat the same commands
possibly hundreds of times before your dog will begin to obey them with consistency.
2) Be clear. Be consistent. Dogs do not have the talent for contextual interpretation that humans do.
Use the same command word all the time to illicit the action you want. For example, don't use DOWN
and OFF interchangeably.
3) Be open to trying new things. If you haven't had success in getting your dog to do something or not
do something, despite your best efforts, be open to the advice of your trainer or behaviorist. You are
paying them to help you. Let them.
4) Be kind to your dog. He does what he does because he hasn't been taught to do any differently.
Often we are on such familiar terms with our dogs that we forget that they don't have ESP. You have to
show your dog what you want him to do - not just tell him what you don't want him to do.
Lastly, if you've read this far and still can't see yourself making the investment of time and energy in your
dog, for whatever reason, to make him or her the companion you desire, then consider making the
decision to allow a rescue to help you place your dog in a new forever home.
Back to Surrendering
| Before You Surrender Your Lab |
| Considering finding him or her a new home because you can't control him? Weary of some of his less endearing behaviors? At your wits end? ...but you still love your dog? |