B.E.S. Dog Training Bible. Andrea Arden

ages of approximately four and nine months may seem more challenging. They are larger and stronger, which makes them more difficult to manage. They are also more energetic, confident, and agile. And, like teenagers, their behavior is influenced by hormonal surges (all the more reason to spay and neuter early).

      This can be a frustrating time, and it will require much patience, nurturing, and guidance on your part. Good management and a structured routine will help your dog navigate this transition by making his world more predictable. A “Learn to Earn” program is especially helpful during this period of development.

      It will gain your dog’s cooperation by leveraging his desire to have access to valued resources.

       Adulthood

      Adult dogs tend to fall into two categories; those that have benefited from early and ongoing guidance to learn how to behave, and those that have not.

      Unfortunately, adult dogs who indulge in what most consider to be inappropriate behaviors, such as eliminating in the home, barking excessively, chewing inappropriate items, digging holes in the yard, raiding the garbage can, and counter surfing are often denied social interactions and freedoms. As a result, they have very few opportunities to learn better habits, and their behavior tends to further deteriorate. Many are ultimately surrendered to shelters, and their chances of finding new homes are small once they are unfairly labeled as problem dogs.

Breed Considerations

      We can make fairly accurate predictions about a purebred dog’s appearance and behavioral tendencies. But, like a weather report, these predictions are sometimes accurate and other times not so much.

      Individual temperament is the product of complex genetic traits and environmental influences. As a result, it can vary tremendously within a breed and even a litter. However, it is still advisable to research a breed’s history and typical behavioral tendencies when choosing a dog.

      It is even more important to evaluate a particular dog’s suitability for your particular family and lifestyle. Each dog is a unique creature with a particular genetic makeup, behavioral tendencies, preferences, and experiences that play a part in their behavior and responsiveness to learning. Likewise, each family has a unique structure and dynamic.

       Little Dogs, Big Concerns

      Contrary to popular belief, small dogs are not invariably difficult to house-train, nor are they prone to bark excessively or behave aggressively toward people. The typical underlying cause of these behaviors has nothing to do with the dog’s size. The culprit is the family’s behavior in relation to the dog’s size.

      Alternately known as the “Napoleon Complex” or “Small Dog Syndrome,” this refers to all sorts of ill-mannered and unsafe behaviors that owners of diminutive dogs tolerate and/or encourage. They are the result of inadequate management and training that would be less tolerated from a larger dog.

      Owners of puppies sometimes indulge in this permissiveness, allowing behaviors such as nipping and jumping because they consider it cute and harmless. Unfortunately, when the dog is an adult, he is reprimanded for the same unruly behavior that has been rewarded for many months. The dog not only becomes very confused, but the habit is now ingrained and difficult to revise.

      This permissive approach is often more extreme in the case of small-breed puppies. They are coddled and pampered with little regard for their ultimate behavior as adults. Aggression is often allowed to get completely out of hand simply because of their small size. However, small dogs can inflict serious bites. Without proper training and socialization they are also more likely to become fearful and defensive because of their size disadvantage. Regardless of a dog’s size, compliant and mannerly behavior should Í always be encouraged.