ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240017
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: PERSONAL HEALTH
Second of two columns on how to live safely with dogs.
SOURCE: JANE BRODY
Many dog lovers act on impulse when they acquire canine companions.
They may find an appealing stray on the street and take it in ``temporarily.'' Or they may fall in love with an adorable puppy in the local pound or pet store.
Either way, little thought is given to the nature of the beast and how well it will fit into the household and lives of its owners.
But experts on canine behavior and the characteristics of the more than 120 different breeds registered with the American Kennel Club say that while some who act on impulse are lucky and end up with a perfect pet, others pay a big price for failing to consider the kind of companion the dog they acquire is likely to be.
Is it a highly excitable or very active animal that would quickly wear out an older person? Is it wont to attack any stranger coming to the house? Does it snap at children? Does it attack other dogs? Does it frazzle your nerves with incessant barking at every passer-by?
The safety and sanity of dog-loving households may depend on the care taken in choosing dogs wisely and training them properly. It may also depend on prompt recognition of a developing behavioral problem, exploration of its cause and intervention to modify it, if possible, before a disaster ensues.
Dr. Randall Lockwood of the Humane Society of the United States in Washington, who has been studying the dog bite problem for 25 years, said: ``Many people have trouble with their dogs because they acquire animals for the wrong reasons and without knowing their special needs. An increasing percentage of people are using dogs essentially as weapons. Your dog should be your friend, not your gun.''
Furthermore, Lockwood pointed out, as certain breeds surge in popularity, careless breeders who pay little or no attention to the quality of the dogs they breed are creating animals with unstable temperaments as well as physical problems that could prove costly economically and emotionally to their owners.
Selecting wisely
Whatever characteristics may be attributed to a particular breed of dog may not apply to every individual, because dogs, like people, have their own personalities. Furthermore, dog lovers are often very loyal to a breed, and may choose it despite certain distressing characteristics. So it is often helpful to consult more than one authority before choosing your pet.
Nonetheless, one very balanced and sensible guide is ``The Perfect Puppy: How to Choose Your Dog by Its Behavior,'' by Dr. Benjamin L. Hart and Linette A. Hart of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California at Davis.
The book, published in 1988 by W.H. Freeman ($11.95), describes 13 behavioral characteristics that could make or break a successful dog-owner relationship, then rates 56 popular breeds on each trait based on the evaluations of 48 veterinarians and 48 obedience judges.
Then there is the matter of the sex of the dog. In general, the Harts say, within a given breed females are less aggressive than males and less likely to snap at children, but they are no less excitable or less likely to bark excessively. Also, neutered males are less aggressive and spayed females are less nervous than hormonally intact animals of the same breed.
Experts are divided on the relative merits of mutts versus pure-breeds. Many dog owners insist that mutts make nicer, less temperamental and physically healthier pets. If you know the parents of the mutt and consider the characteristics of each, you can get a fair idea of the animal's likely behavior as an adult dog. But Dr. Katherine A. Houpt, director of the Cornell Animal Behavior Clinic in Ithaca, N.Y., cautioned against adopting mutts of mysterious parentage.
``You don't know what you're getting in a mixed breed,'' she said. ``You may wind up with the aggressiveness of one breed and the biting tendency of another.''
Training your dog
A dog must be socialized to other dogs and to people. The dog's mother does the former and the mother's human family and the puppy's adoptive family do the latter.
To learn doggie rules, a puppy is best kept with its mother for six to eight weeks. During that time, it should be played with often by its owners. But the bulk of orientation into human households occurs after the puppy is adopted.
It is important for the dog to learn who is boss. It is more important for the dog to learn to come when called than to walk at your heel. Obedience training, which is growing in popularity, can help you avoid disruptive and dangerous behavior problems in your pet.
``Training should be a family affair,'' Lockwood said. ``You don't send the dog off to school without you. You have to go and learn how to work with the dog, and everyone involved in its care should be consistent in the limits set and the techniques used to reinforce good behavior.''
To find a good trainer, Lockwood suggests that you check with your local veterinarian, humane society, dog club (if it is not show-oriented) and dog-owning friends. It is important that you be comfortable with the attitudes and methods the trainer uses. If the trainer is too heavy-handed and does not show proper respect for the animals or the owners, leave and find another trainer.
Need information?
The American Dog Trainers Network offers free information on many questions of dog safety and health and can provide referrals.
The network sponsors the Canine Resource and Referral Helpline, (212) 727-7257 (long-distance calls will be returned collect). It can be reached through e-mail at dogsxc2inch.com, or by regular mail at 161 West Fourth St., New York, N.Y. 10014. A web site at http://www.inch.com/dogs/ is also operated by the network.
LENGTH: Long : 108 linesby CNB