Raising Your Dog

Rebecca Soltys
INLS 102
HTML Editors
February 15, 2002

Raising Your Dog the New Skete Way:
A brief guide to training your dog

A relationship with a dog is open-ended and expansive, a unique opportunity that provides
the means for enhancing the quality of life for both the dog and the owner. Each dog is an
individual possessing possibilities that may truly surprise us.
To be authentically human means learning to give oneself unselfishly, ungrudgingly, and to one who listens, the very nature of the dog calls this out in a unique and compelling way. In the very routine and ordinariness of a relationship with a dog, through the discipline and responsibility it entails, we learn about ourselves, about nature, about God and the spiritual path we are on in ways that would otherwise be unavailable to us. Without apologies, we have discovered that dogs play a crucial role in our growth in consciousness.
- The Monks of New Skete

There are many dog training methods and programs available. When my dog found his way into my life, I knew little about raising a puppy. Someone recommended to me the books written by The Monks of New Skete. The New Skete monastery in upstate New York is home to orthodox Catholic monks whose life work includes breeding German shepherds and training dogs of all breeds. Their unique approach has been adopted and adapted into many programs and classes. They have written books, produced videos, and maintain a great web site. For a fuller appreciation of their approach and philosophy, you can find more information at The Monks of New Skete

This page will provide a very brief tutorial on how to leash train and teach your dog to come when called. As is clear from their words above, The Monks of New Skete have a unique philosophy about the relationship between humans and dogs. Although their philsophy is religious as well, anyone who appreciates dogs and the special relationships humans have with them will find inspiring and helpful guidance in the New Skete approach. The actual techniques I list below did not originate with the monks but are implemented as part of their holistic approach to raising a dog. The monks believe that each dog is a unique personality, just like each person, and that we as people learn as much from the training process as our dogs do. It's not about making your dog do what you want, but about leading your dog and forming a relationship based on respect and affection.

Leash Training Your Dog

It is amazing just how strong even a small puppy or dog can be when she's on the other end of the leash! Here are the basic steps in leash training your pup so that you aren't pulled down the street behind her. Walking with your dog should be a pleasant experience for both of you. Here are the basic steps in teaching your dog not to pull and instead to walk alongside you (this is part of teaching the "heel" command):

Young puppies need time to adjust to wearing a collar and leash.
When you take your dog for a walk on leash, your dog does not instinctively know to stay beside you.
Allow your dog to move ahead of you and pull (the behavior to be corrected!)
As he moves ahead, correct him by giving a quick "pop" to the leash and firmly say "No!"
Turn 180 degrees and continue walking. This surprises your dog and forces him to turn with you.
Repeat, until your dog begins to avoid the leash corrections and pays attention to your direction.
Profusely praise your dog when she walks alongside you.

The Come Command

A common mistake people make is to call their dog repeatedly and then to give up in frustration, if she doesn't come. The key to teaching your dog to come when called is to first train her using a leash. If you try calling your dog or use the come command, and he doesn't, but you don't have a means of reinforcing the come command, the dog learns that, in fact, he doesn't have to do what you've asked! (This is true of any directions you teach your dog. If you're inconsistent, your dog learns he doesn't really have to listen to you!)

Start out using a short lead to work with your dog.
Begin working with your dog in the sit position.
Call your dog to you.
If your dog does not come toward you immediately, give a quick snap of the lead.
Have your dog sit when he arrives to you.
Praise your dog profusely when he comes to you and sits.
Use a progressively longer lead, and walk away and around your dog, then use the come command
When your dog is ready, you can start training off leash.
ALWAYS be prepared to reinforce the come directive - don't let your dog think that it's an optional request!

Many training programs encourage the use of treats as rewards during training. The Monks of New Skete don't encourage the treat approach, and I found that my puppy wasn't motivated by treats. There is no substitute for learning to understand and communicate with your dog, and ultimately, your dog wants to please you and will relish your praise and affection more than treats.

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