A well behaved dog is a joy to be with and welcome anywhere. Sara Jane was my best friend and a very well behaved dog. A few years ago, I visited Prince George for a medical appointment and took Sara. We stayed at my son’s home and Sara was a perfect guest. Her manners were excellent at my son’s home or visiting friends. She is quiet in the car, immaculate in the home and is calm around people. Although reserved to strangers, she is not growley. Most people call my Sara a snob. She is not interested in strangers which is a common trait in Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. They can also be possessive. It is very important to research the traits in the dog you adopt and work to minimize the potential problems. 

 Socializing is the main factor in a well behaved dog. A dog who knows sit at home may be too stressed in a strange environment to understand the simple command. Stress affects animals differently than humans. Some animals shut down which means they don’t remember a simple command. Others act up. Taking the dog to different places helps her to accept new places and people. It teaches her that sit means sit everywhere she goes, and that nothing bad happens. It also introduces her to rewarding experiences. With a dog like Sara it is doubly important to introduce her to as many different people as possible. A possessive - inclined dog can be too possessive. If not socialized well, they will “protect” their human from imagined dangers. This can lead to fear-biting which is the main cause of dog-bites. A dog that is afraid of new things will try to run away. If he can’t flee, he will growl and ultimately bite. Meeting new people in as many different ways with lots of treats and fun times is the best training a dog can learn.

It is very important when socializing a puppy that the puppy is vaccinated twice before taking the dog to public places. Parvo virus is a major killer of young unvaccinated dog. Parvo can be carried on your shoes and infect the puppy that never leaves home. Some dogs can recover from the disease and show no symptoms yet are carriers that infect other dogs. Parvo can live in the ground and be rehydrated during rainstorms which is why parvo is so prevalent in the spring. The best way to protect your dog is through vaccinations. Talk to your veterinarian for the best vaccination program. Then introduce your dog to as many different situations and people you can. The reward is a dog welcome everywhere like my Sara.

©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.