Williams: Everything your dog needs to know

Robert Fulghum wrote a great book some years back titled, “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” It’s a book of essays illustrating how some of the basic “rules” and lessons we learn during our first year of school become the foundation for how we live and treat others throughout the rest of our lives. While it is a book about humans and our behavior, I find this concept even truer with dogs. When speaking with and counseling new puppy and dog parents, I always make a point to emphasize the importance of early learning and socialization. When discussing socialization, most often we refer to getting the puppy out of the house and introducing him to a wide variety of people and environments. However, there are many other things we should be exposing our dogs to that we often take for granted.

Two innovative trainers, Pat Schaap and Margaret Hughes developed templates of “rules” and tasks for puppy parents to follow that would aid in the socialization process. Schaap produced the “Rule of Sevens,” which details a variety of tasks to be completed by the time a puppy is 7 weeks of age. Realizing that most of us don’t even get our puppies until much later, Hughes came up with her own “Puppy’s Rule of Twelves,” expanding the time period to 12 weeks of age. What about those who get their dog as an adult — is all lost? Absolutely not! With a little bit of forethought, there are still many things that can be done to greatly decrease potential problems down the road.

For example, how many different surfaces has your dog walked on? If you’ve never seen a dog being forced to walk over a slick tile or linoleum floor for the very first time, it can be quite a sight. Some dogs feel like they are literally walking on ice. You never know when you’ll be presented with having to walk your dog through or over an unfamiliar surface. Prepare your dog by walking him over wood surfaces, mulch, pea gravel, wet grass, steel grates, and uneven sidewalks. And be sure to make it a pleasurable experience complete with lots of praise and treats.

What about your dog’s eating ritual? If you’re traveling and don’t have your dog’s normal feeding dishes, would he be comfortable eating off a paper plate or drinking water out of your hand, a Styrofoam cup, or directly from a water bottle? Even a chowhound can snub food or water that is presented in an unfamiliar way. Try offering your dog’s meals in a different container every now and then. You can even make a game out of it by putting the most desirable treats in the “weird” containers, and his normal kibble in his usual dish. Before long, he’ll want you to put his food in something new.

If you have a puppy or young dog, introduce him to anything and everything you can think of, of course keeping safety in mind, and make it a fun and positive experience. If you get your dog later in his life, do the same, but realize you might need to go a little slower. And never, ever force the dog to do something he is uncomfortable with or fearful about. While dogs definitely do carry baggage of unpleasant experiences they encounter early in life, every positive experience they have can definitely make a huge difference. It comes down to our patience and diligence in helping them along the way.

Laurie Williams is a Stafford resident and business owner. She appeared last year on the television show, “Greatest American Dog.”