Head of the Class: A Teen Dog Expert Teaches You to Raise and Train the Perfect Pal

By Kate Eldredge and Debra M. Eldredge

The only dog-training guide for kids written by a teen!



Author Kate Eldredge, age 15, knows what it takes for a kid to raise and train a dog--she's been parenting pooches since she was 7. It's a big responsibility, but it has awesome rewards (besides all those wet, slobbery kisses). When you're your dog's caregiver, provider, and trainer, your dog will be your loyal playmate, protector, and confidant for life!

In this book, Kate gives you the scoop on:
* Choosing the right dog for your family
* Getting the house ready and establishing a routine
* Teaching basic household manners
* Feeding and caring for your dog
* Dealing with health problems
* Showing your dog
* Activities like obedience trials, sports, and community service


Kate's mom, a veterinarian, provides valuable information. A "For Parents Only" section at the end of each chapter tells adults how they can help without taking over.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Aug 6, 2007
• ISBN: 9780470242513

Book preview

Head of the Class

Head of the Class:

A Teen Dog Expert Teaches You to Raise and Train the Perfect Pal

Kate Eldredge with Debra M. Eldredge, DVM

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Copyright © 2006 by Kate Eldredge and Debra M. Eldredge. All rights reserved.

Howell Book House

Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Is Available from Publisher

ISBN 13 978-0-471-77962-9

ISBN 10 0-471-77962-8

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Book design by Erin Zeltner

Cover design by Wendy Mount

Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services

Dedication

We would like to dedicate this book to the many wonderful family dogs who have left us and wait at the Rainbow Bridge for us: the large but gentle German Shepherd dog Cyrus; the silly Belgian Tervuren Wiley; Gus, the amazing Labrador Retriever from a shelter; Bubba, the huge but sweet Kuvasz; and Beep, the heart dog of Deb’s life. We would also like to dedicate this book to the beloved family dogs whom many of you have known and the ones waiting for you in the future.

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Foreword by David Frei

Chapter 1: A

re You Ready for Parenthood?

Why Dogs Are Good for Kids

Why Kids Are Good for Dogs

Responsible Dog Ownership

The Right Dog for You

The Human-Animal Bond

Profile: Tom with Susan and Baloo

Chapter 2: P

reschool and Kindergarten: Getting Ready for Dog Ownership

Puppy/Dog-Proofing Your Home

Establishing House Rules

Who’s in Charge, or Who’s on First?

The Importance of Routine

Profile: Kate and Flash

Chapter 3: E

lementary School: Teaching Household Manners

Household Manners

Attention

The Three R’s of Dog Training

Walking Nicely

Putting It All to Use in Real Life

Profile: Jamie and Buddy

Chapter 4: A

voiding Detention

Developing Respect for (Human) Authority

Playing Well with Others: The Social Dog

Separation Anxiety—Home Alone

Chewing: The House, Not Gum

Too Much to Say: The Barker

Excavating: When Your Dog’s a Digger

Profile: Margo and Raisin

Chapter 5: H

ealth Class: Care and Feeding

Nutrition: Chow for the Hound

Exercise: Run, Spot, Run!

Poop Patrol

Grooming: Squeaky Clean

Routine Care: What You Learned in Health Class

Profile: Katelyn and Jake

Chapter 6: V

et School: Dealing with Health Problems

ER—First Aid, Not the TV Show

Dealing with Aliens—and This Isn’t Science Fiction

Minor Illnesses

More Serious Health Problems

Euthanasia

Profile: Becky and Vicky

Chapter 7: G

oing for a PhD in Obedience

Where to Train

Basic Levels

Competitive Venues

Rally Obedience

Profile: Brie and Blaze

Chapter 8: F

inding Your Roots

The Draft Dog Sports

Herding

Earthdog Activities: A Job for a Digger!

A-Hunting We Will Go

Lure Coursing: The Canine Cheetahs

Profile: Sarah and Sooner

Chapter 9: E

xtracurricular Activities: Sports

Agility

Flying through the Air: Disc Chasing

Flyball—a Team Sport for Ball-Crazy Dogs

Water Sports

Tracking: Born to Sniff

Hiking and Backpacking: Taking to the Great Outdoors

Profile: Cecilia and Sage

Chapter 10: E

xtracurricular Activities: Cultural Experiences

Breed Showing (aka Beauty Pageants)

Modeling: Junior Showmanship

Tricks: A Place for the Class Clown

Freestyle—Dance Class in a Whole New Way

Profile: Amanda and Ripley

Chapter 11: C

ivics Class: Community Service, Being a Good Neighbor, and Giving Back

The Canine Good Citizen Program

Doing Therapy Dog Work

Walking a Walkathon

Working at Dog Events

Helping Out at the Humane Society

Getting Political: Pushing Papers for Power

Becoming a Foster Parent

Raising an Assistance Dog

Profile: Hunter and Smudge

Chapter 12: F

ield Trips: Traveling with Your Dog

Safety in the Car

Flying High—Taking to the Skies

Hotel Etiquette

Campground Etiquette

The Social Dog

Boarding—Kennel, That Is, Not School!

Baby (Pet) Sitter—Another Great Option

Profile: Matt and BooBoo

Chapter 13: F

ine Arts, Home Economics, and Shop Class

Rubber Stamping

Sewing

Other Needlework

Woodworking and PVC Construction

Painting and Drawing

Clay and Pottery

Photography

Kitchen Delights—Doggy Style

Profile: Holly and Soda Pop

Appendix A: Recommended Reading

Appendix B: Organizations

Appendix C: Internet Resources

Appendix D: Hobbies and Crafts

Appendix E: A Good Reminder: A Leash = Love = Life

Index

Preface

This book is intended as a guide to help you and your family enjoy one of the best companions imaginable—a great dog! We have teamed up to help you add a dog to your family and make it a decision you will never regret. I’m Kate Eldredge, a kid and a dog owner and trainer. I have enjoyed all of our family dogs all my life, and now I have three dogs of my own. My co-author is Deb M. Eldredge, DVM, my mother and a dog owner as well as a veterinarian. Deb has had dogs for many years: one of her own when she was a child, family dogs as an adult, and her own personal dogs to train. Together, we start by helping you decide whether a dog is right for you, and then which dog to choose and how to prepare for your new family member. This is one of those rare cases where you actually get to choose a family member! We hope to get you off on the right foot, or right paw as it may be, with information on basic care and training.

After you and your dog have the basics down, there is a wonderful world of dog sports and activities awaiting you. We hope that you will be inspired to try some of these dog activities, and we provide guidance and resources to help you along the way. These activities can be done for competition or simply for fun and enjoyment.

Several chapters are dedicated to caring for your dog along with some health information and tips for going places with your dog. We also included some craft and cooking ideas that can be lots of fun on a rainy day. Each chapter also has a section just for parents that includes tips, guidelines, and a few rules.

Dogs really are man’s best friend, and we hope that this book will make your relationship with your dog one of the best in your life.

We recently added a new family member, Queezle, a Belgian Tervuren puppy. She is technically my dog, so I am responsible for training and care. Queezle learns very fast and has picked up several habits from our other dogs, including jumping up on the back door when she wants to come inside. Teaching Come was very easy, since she loves treats and praise. Down was a little harder; she has so much energy that often she will launch herself into the air from a Down. She is by far our sweetest dog and very clever. She is benefiting from all that we have learned with our other dogs.

It can be tricky to find time to spend with each dog when you have many dogs, as they all want lots of attention, but we make sure to spend some special private time with each one every day. If nothing else, they get to take turns driving to band practice.

By having dogs, I have had the chance to travel, have learned poise, and have gained confidence and been able to achieve many goals in 4-H and open dog showing. I have learned that if you work hard, you can achieve success, but you must use patience, persistence, and kindness at all times. Deb has had wonderful assistants to teach her kids patience, responsibility, and how to scoop poop. Plus, dogs are cheaper than a nanny.

We hope our book will help you to integrate a dog (or two or three) into your family and to enjoy their companionship to the fullest.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to our photographers—Tom Eldredge, Heather Gould, and Linda Aloi in particular—who contributed multiple photos, and to Linda’s son Chris Aloi, who ended up being a technical consultant. Thanks to our agent, Jessica Faust, home with her new baby boy, Sawyer, and to Pam Mourouzis, who believed in this book. Thanks to Tere Stouffer, our development editor, who probably has a few new gray hairs courtesy of us. And special thanks to our kid/dog profile teams: Tom and Baloo, Holly and Soda Pop, Margo and Raisin, Jamie and Buddy, Brie and Blaze, Amanda and Spencer, Matt and BooBoo, Katelyn and Jake, Sarah and Sooner, Cecelia and Sage, Becky and Robbie, and Kate’s dogs Flash and Queezle. A special thanks to Betsy Atkinson for letting us share Hunter’s story.

Extra thanks to Dani, Hokey, and Susan, who helped Deb and Kate stay on task, and Tia, who was a bit put out that she is only featured in photos, not in a profile. Special thanks to Chuck, who put up with a messy study and various computer crises. Also thanks to Dani, Hokey, Queezle, Susan, Flash, Baloo, and Tia, who modeled for several photos and tried out a few of the dog cookie recipes.

Foreword

A few years ago, my partner on the telecast of the Westminster Kennel Club’s Annual Dog Show on USA Network was chuckling about the look in a particular dog’s eye as it was on camera.

I wonder what he’s thinking, he asked me. Don’t you wish they could talk?

I had a quick answer: Oh, no . . . they wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if they could.

I really do believe that, but I know what they would say anyway: Me too, me too!

My dogs always want to be with me, whether it’s at home, on their same old walk around the neighborhood, or on an adventure somewhere new. They’re smiling and laughing with their eyes and their tails, everyone is their friend, and they’re never quite ready to go home—unless, of course, it’s D-I-N-N-E-R time.

And I love that about them. I also love the fact that they listen to me and that I know I can count on them to treat everything I say to them as profound, entertaining, and funny.

The fact is that today we have an emotional and spiritual connection to our dogs. We treat them as members of the family and include them in nearly everything we do. We plan our daily schedules and vacations around them and with them.

And the Eldredges took all of these principles and created a veritable guide for you and your ultimate companion (you may have to read it out loud for your dog). The lessons begin with finding the right dog for your lifestyle and properly preparing your family for the lifelong and life-altering experience.

Other lessons in this book include responsible dog ownership, making the journey with your dog fun and productive for everyone involved, and taking care of your dog as you share your life and your activities.

Along the way, you will find that, quite simply, dogs are good for you. They are good for your mental health and good for your physical health. In fact, according to the Delta Society, the world’s leading advocate for therapy animals, children raised with pets learn compassion, develop self-esteem and self-confidence, expand communication skills, develop responsibility, and mature in their respect for other living things.

And for adults and children alike, animals provide a therapeutic touch. Just petting a dog can lower one’s blood pressure, and living with a dog does the same. A study at the University of Missouri–Columbia Center for the Study of Animal Wellness showed that when a human pets a dog, almost immediately a large amount of hormones are activated that are associated with health and feelings of well-being. Pets also keep people moving, physically and socially: Seniors who have pets have far fewer doctor visits than those who don’t.

Puppies, dogs, children, and adults—having a dog in the family is good for everyone. This book helps you create and enjoy that relationship and helps you understand your dog a little better.

And as you apply what you read in this book, sharing your life with your dog and teaching your dog how to be a responsible member of the family and the community, remember this: What you teach your dog is not as important as what you learn from your dog.

David Frei

David Frei is the voice of the Westminster Kennel Club on USA Network and of the National Dog Show on NBC.

Are You Ready for Parenthood?

When you acquire your very own dog or puppy, it is like having a baby in the house. Only you are now the parent! The family dog may have been your sibling, but with your own dog, you are now the person of authority and the person responsible for someone else. Pet ownership means that you may sometimes have to give up your own fun activities in order to care for your dog properly—just like your parents need to sacrifice for you sometimes. Still, having a dog has so many rewards of its own that you will probably not even notice.

Why Dogs Are Good for Kids

Dogs are good for you for many reasons. A dog is a friend who will always be there for you, 24/7. Your dog is never too busy to hang out with you and is always willing to try anything you want—be it a midnight snack or an early morning jog in the park. A dog will sleep in with you or get up early with no complaints.

A dog provides unconditional love, even when you are having a bad day or are in a bad mood. A dog won’t care if your hair is a mess, you flunked your math test, or you were dead last in the cross-country meet. Your dog won’t even care if you snore at night; he probably snores too!

Kids and dogs keep each other in great shape.

For those who are competitive, your dog is a dear partner, not a rival. Together, you may be a competitive team, but you never compete against each other. Your dog will try to cover for you—even take the blame for missing homework. As seen in the photo, dogs help you to get exercise while they are exercising, too.

Your dog is a great sounding board. You can practice your public speaking without fear of hysterical laughter or cruel criticism. You can tell your dog all your secrets with no fear of discovery. He will support you when you complain about your unjust parents and rejoice with you when you ace your science project. He may even help out with your science fair project by being a willing subject for checking heart rates or learning operant conditioning with a clicker, just like Pavlov’s dogs drooling for dinner when they heard the dinner bell.

Your dog will also be your guardian angel. He will alert you to any dangers and drive off intruders with a bark or a growl. He will accompany you when you jog and discourage any unwanted attention. Your dog doesn’t need power like a security system does; he is always working for you, and the price is right!

A dog of your very own will teach you about responsibility, compassion, empathy, sorrow, and happiness, and enjoying every minute of every day and every bit of mud.

Baloo can handle anything—even posing as a surfer dude!

Why Kids Are Good for Dogs

Kids are some of the best puppy and dog socializers in the world. Kids naturally assume that a dog will handle almost anything, and their confidence gives the dog confidence. A dog who grows up with kids is exposed to all kinds of things, from loud toys and interesting music to crazy outfits. Check out our surfer Aussie in the photo. Kids give a dog a chance to learn that people who move quickly or erratically or who scream and make crazy noises are just versions of a normal human. A dog with kid experience learns that people come in all sizes, shapes, and volume levels.

Dogs and kids both benefit from their relationship in terms of exercise. Your dog will need daily exercise and walks, which means you get daily exercise and walks, too. Kids tend to be more active than many adults, so they will be happy to take the dog for long walks, throw the ball for an hour, or play tug-of-war. Dogs are often seen at kid sports events—either as loyal fans or devoted mascots. Running laps with the soccer team is good exercise for your dog.

A dog who has grown up with kids will have learned all about silly games. He will know about being a good bed buddy and not hogging the covers. He will tolerate wearing T-shirts or funky hats and may even have learned to rush to the chairs while playing musical chairs. He will know not to bite the kids on the sleds as they fly down the hill or to tear at clothing on bike riders.

A dog should be allowed to sleep on the bed only if he respects the person in the bed—not growling if you roll over, always getting off when told to, and never threatening your authority. A well-behaved dog can keep you nice and warm on a cold night.

Kids often have more free time than most adults and willingly spend plenty of it with the dog. They can play with the dog right after school before settling down to do homework. On weekends, they are often free to exercise and train the dog. The extra attention is great for the dog, and as noted, is good for the kid, too.

Responsible Dog Ownership

Adding a dog to your family means added responsibilities to your community as well. You want your dog to be a welcome addition to the neighborhood, not a source of irritation. There are many ways to accomplish this.

A leash with a responsible person on the other end is one of the most important items in your dog’s life. While on leash and with you, your dog can’t chase the neighbor’s cat, dig up a prized flowerbed, or chase a car and be injured or cause an accident. Whenever your dog leaves your property, he should be on a leash.

It is extremely important that all families clean up after their dogs. Leaving dog waste around for people to step in, causing bad odors or even leading to health problems, is not being responsible. Get a pooper scooper for your walks or carry poop bags. Along with cleaning up poop, don’t let your dog urinate on people’s flowers, trash cans, or cars.

Picking up poop sounds awful, but it is a skill you can quickly acquire. Some people prefer a scoop to snag their dog’s