Need Help?

1-800-372-3706 to speak to a Veterinary Behavior Technician

Contact Us Pet Behavior Analysis

Help is at your fingertips  by phone and email.

Click on Libraryñ,
 above and Learn More!

Congratulations!

You and your pooch have completed Dr. Rolan Tripp's  Error-Free Puppy Raising Tips ™ and Positive Dog Parenting™ Education!

Welcome to Error-Free Puppy Raising™ Tips by Dr. Rolan and Susan Tripp

Introduction |  Day 1 - Week 13  |  Week 14 - 35   |

Week 36 - Is Your Canine Stressed Out?
You have taken on a living being - similar to a human child - that has natural behaviors that need outlets and channeling.  Dogs don't raise themselves and are somewhat co-dependent on their human families.
 

Week 37 - Cabin Fever
Get your dog out of the house (safely) as much as possible, preferably on a daily basis. Canines love and need companionship, physical and mental stimulation. Visit pet-friendly pet stores such as PetSmart. Teach your dog how to be a good canine citizen by asking for lots of "sits" and teaching to walk next to you - not out in front.

Week 38 - Rank and Serial Number, Please!
Canines know we are not canines but will determine, "Am I in control of this situation or do I need to defer?" Canines are watching our every move to figure out the family social structure.  Who is serving who in your family?  Asking your canine to  sit is like asking for a salute.  It's a gentle reminder of your status.

Week 39 - Raising Canine not Cane
Think more about helping your canine to learn human ways with games and exercises and less about formal dog training.  There's no room for Grouches or Grinches with this approach. To have a happy canine, you need to be a happy pet parent. 

Week 40 - No Physical Punishment

If your canine has been scolded or punished and did not understand the circumstances - which is usually the case - then you may be seen as someone to avoid.  Your puppy needs you to be predictable to be able to relax, learn, and go with your program.  It is hard for humans to be consistent so this takes conscious effort on your part.
 

Week 41 - Cause and Effect
Pet Parents Beware!  What you do and how you respond to to your canine when you are on cruise control may have long-term damaging consequences!  There are very few bad dogs but very many confused ones.
 

Week 42 - Go Fetch
What's MOST important when teaching "fetch" is to NOT take away the toy as a result of the retrieve. (That's a loss not a win for <<&key2>>.) Instead, give a back rub, praise enthusiastically, give a treat or throw a second item.
 

Week 43 - Child Safety
Teach children dog safety rules to help prevent the estimated 800,000 dog bites each year in the United States that required medical attention - the majority of victims being children bitten in the face.  If you have children, review these rules with them on a regular basis.
 

Week 44 - Classifying Canine Aggression
Any combination of the following types of aggression may be present:  barrier frustration, displaced aggression, drug induced, housemate, irritable, pain-induced, predatory, possessive, fear, hormonal, maternal, pack response, play, family protection, rage syndrome,  encephalopathic, improper socialization, trained, unintentionally learned. 
 

Week 45 - Classifying Canine Fearfulness
Anxiety is a mild type of fear, and in people is defined as a concern about an imminent danger.  In context of pet behavior problems, signs of fearfulness and anxiety may include:  cowering, hiding, dilated pupils, drooling, withdrawal, and trembling.

Week 46 - Party On!
Nature seems to insist on play as a requirement for healthy physical and mental and social development.  Individuals of any species that do not play as youngsters appear to be severely compromised as adults in social skills and mental health. 

Week 47 - Hide-and-Seek
Begin by showing your dog that you have a delicious treat. Then, you go hide while another person counts, holding onto the dog.  After the counter yells, "Ready or not, here we come," the goal is for the dog to find the person and get the treat.
 

Week 48 - Puppy Push-Ups

A really good way to help calm your puppy is to ask for puppy push ups. Teach this exercise by first asking for a "sit" then a "down" then a "sit" then a "down" - get the picture?  This is also a good exercise to earn a meal, permission to go through a door, or get a favorite toy or chew. 

Week 49 - Tunnel Vision
You can play games that teach your dog to put on blinders and ignore distractions when you want him/her to pay attention to you. For example, let's say you are on a walk and you don't want your dog to see the cat run across the street or the squirrel run up the tree. (learn more)

Week 50 - Teaching Your Puppy to Crawl
You need to keep learning and teaching your puppy new games and cues to keep your interactions from being boring and routine. Mix it up! Once he/she knows how to lie down on cue, you are ready to teach this new exercise. 

Week 51 - Challenging Pet Behaviors
Behavior problems may be the only symptoms of a serious disease or condition such as hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or metabolic dementia. Even minor conditions such as fleas, dermatitis, ear or bladder infections, dental pain, or allergies can contribute to your dog's frustration and inability to settle or adapt to your routines.
 

Week 52 - Recommended Reading

Week 53 - Recommended Behavior Products