Training ensures a bona Fido good holiday

The decorations are up and shining. The table is set and sparkling. The holiday meal is cooked and smelling fabulous. Everything is ready for a festive celebration, and then Fido scampers into the scene, ready to pounce on everything and everyone. What is a good host or hostess to do?

The best thing is to plan and prepare for the big event long before invitations are sent out and the house is decorated, according to Kathy Santo, a dog trainer and behaviorist.

“The big problem is that dogs are under-socialized. Nothing is more frustrating than having a dog that is under-socialized having his home invaded with strangers.”

To prevent this from happening, Santo said it is important to socialize the dog and prepare it for visitors to its home. Start by inviting one or two friends over and teaching your pet proper manners. She recommends using a “bar open, bar closed” method to keep the dog focused on you and not lunging on guests.

According to Santo, the bar is your lap where special snacks are kept. When the dog is misbehaving, the bar closes. “Nobody looks at him, he gets no treats until the focus is back on you.”

Santo also recommends keeping your dog on a leash at all times when company is present.

“There are a few reasons for that. The most obvious is that if the dog goes to jump on someone, you have control and can keep him from jumping. Or, if the door opens suddenly, you can jump on the leash and prevent him from sprinting out the door.”

Santo said dogs that are on leashes tend to have a higher standard to keep their manners proper.

Santo, who has been working professionally with dogs for more than 23 years, sees about 100 dogs a week and has three dogs of her own, two border collies and a Jack Russell terrier.

“I’ve learned what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t,” said the training and behavior columnist for AKC Family Dog magazine and other publications.

“I’ve also learned that it’s not just canine error. It’s human error too.”

She said during the holidays people tend to fuss more at their dogs. They get louder and more forceful trying to enforce rules they never taught.

For example, “when daddy comes home every day, the dog gets excited and jumps on him. He does the same thing with guests and you’re horrified.

“If you step back, you can clearly see what the problem is and the solution to it. I don’t mean to be harsh or judgmental, but if you want to know why a dog has some of the problems that he has, just go to the bathroom mirror and take a look. You’ll see where the blame belongs,” Santo said.

Aside from keeping the dog on a leash, Santo said it is important that the pet learn from an early age where its place is. Specifically, there should be a place in each room that is designated as a special spot for it.

Santo said she starts in the kitchen using a bed or mat where the dog can go when you’re cooking or if something breaks. Once the dog has learned to “go to your place” in one room, start adding places in each room the dog is allowed to go.

“It’s a way to have the dog close at hand but not in the way.”

She also recommends not banning the family pet from the room with the decorations or Christmas tree. Instead, she suggests using it as an opportunity to continue training.

“Instead of never letting the dog in there, do take him in and make it a training session. When dogs come to my school, as soon as they come into the training room, they immediately know how to behave. You want to have that same feeling in rooms with decorations in them,” she said.

Another key to preventing problems is to make sure your pet isn’t bored and is getting enough exercise.

Santo said she will answer questions via her frequently asked questions section on her Web site. Questions can be e-mailed to OBEDgolden@aol.com

For more information, visit kathysanto.com.