Dog Training Lesson 3 : Learn to handle your dog

Handling is an important socialization exercise that helps teach your dog to adapt to his environment. It includes teaching your dog yo enjoy being stoked, touched, petted and held. Handling is important not only for vet-friendly visits so your dog will allow an examination, but also to create a safe environment. This is especially important if there are children in your home. If a dog has not learned to be handled or touched and a child should happen to step on the tail or accidentally fall on the dog, the dog might react by biting the child. I must also emphasize that as your dog becomes comfortable or get used to being handled, then it would make your dog training an easier task. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to handle your dog :

• If your dog REFUSES to be approached, and if your dog is a puppy, then you could start by crouching down and throwing threats on the ground. Gradually, throw threats closer to you. Keep eyes averted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
• If you dog approaches but is hesitant to take the treat. If your dog is a puppy, put the treat on ground or try holding in open hand, lowered to ground, away from your body. Keep eyes averted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
• If your dog allows simultaneous "touch and treat". Start touching the dog's chin and at the same time, presenting a treat to him. Gradually, touch other parts of body,. Finally progress to "touch-then-treat", and then progress to longer and firmer touch.

                                     

• If your dog allows person to briefly hold his entire body without flinching or turning head. Squirms but settles quickly. Waits for release signal with little anxiety. This is a good sign that your dog has started to accept being touched.

As you go on, your dog should be able  to be held for a longer periods of time without squirmming execpt around distraction. Finally, your dog will quickly relax and readily be held without squirmming for long periods of time even in and environment with distractions.