THEThe dog descends from the wolf but, very often, lives in the city, among buildings and busy streets. This is not a problem because, as he explains Alessandro Piccolo in his book The dog in the city (Tea Libri)«the most beautiful thing is his adaptabilityto always see the glass half full.” Even a fifty square meter apartment it can be enough for him if he has attention and care for his master. So the fact of not having a garden is not a limitation.
«The city is not a limitation: more and more metropolises are becoming pet-friendly, with dedicated clubs and shops, and parks where they can run around. This does not mean that the choice to adopt can be made with disdain. But this is true wherever you live. Family composition, habits and time available to take care of him are much more important than domestic spaces. But it is clear that some breeds are more complicated to manage if you live in an apartment.
Dog in the city, which breeds are most suitable?
The answer to the question of the best dog breed to adopt in the city cannot be simple. «The dog must be the mirror of the owner» explains Piccolo. Frequently, if there is not much space in the house, you may prefer an animal small size. But be careful with Jack Russells and Dachshunds, they are small but explosive. Better dogs with characteristics similar to Maltese, Poodles, Pugs and Chihuahuas, easy to manage, cheerful and active.
Between the larger sizes, English Bulldogs, Golden, Mountain Dog and Bernese may be suitable. Not too physical and stubborn, they love walking even without going too far when free.
How to get him used to being at home alone?
Clearly indicating which spaces are at your disposal, closing the doors of the rooms that are not, is the first rule. It is useful to develop a routine of going out, offering him a series of games and establishing standard greeting phrases. At the beginning, it is better to leave him alone for a short while and, if you hear him crying, it is better to return after he has calmed down, interacting with him only when he has calmed down.
Dog education: how to communicate with your dog
To communicate with your dog, explains Piccolo, there are three key words: attention, reinforcement and use of rewards. The tool to attract attention is the name: calling the dog by name he is taught to look and stay with his master. For this reason it should be sipped and used for the management of the animal. Reinforcement is “good!” which serves to make the dog understand that what he is doing is right: to be said with enthusiasm, here and now (remembering that dogs live in the present). The reward, however, comes laterand it is a bonus that fixes the moment in the dog’s memory.
The importance of handling. Knowing how to handle the dog’s body with familiarity is important. Both for health and safety reasons (if he trusts his owner he will have his paws and ears checked and will be moved from one place to another).
Driving your dog in the city: 6 key commands
There are four fundamental commands that the dog trainer recommends teaching your dog for walks in the city. Two to give him pause, two for movement.
“Sitting” allows you to keep it safe, for example in front of a traffic light or an elevator. It will also teach him how to wait, short. If his owner is standing, this is the ideal position. On the contrary, if the reference adult sits, the dog will lie down (command “lying down“): it is a position that is good for you to learn and which will also allow you to make quite long journeys.
“Let’s go” (to move together) and “You come” (to make him come closer) are the indications of movement.
The fundamental and life-saving rule is to call him and use these commands when you really need them. «The words are a background melody for him» interrupted by those specifically addressed to him: therefore, clearly and punctually. A trick to “steal” from the dog trainer? Hold always have the leash visible, slung over the shoulder or placed on the shoulders. When it’s time to return home, after a stop at the park, when he sees the leash in his owner’s hands, instead of on his shoulder, he will understand that it’s time to go back.
Another couple of inseparables: “stopped” and “stay”. The first serves to block the dog, pausing it. The second, however, is to relax and stay in that place because the owner has to leave (to return).
The “no“? It is a magic word, Piccolo suggests, if used in advance, before the action takes place. And not to scold. However, it should be used with a dropper. To divert him from wrong behavior, a “let’s go” may be enough. This way he will be distracted and moved away without the need for a tackle. But in an interesting way. Constructively avoiding unpleasant situations prevents the dog from becoming stubborn.
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