Rewarding a job well done in .NET

Generation Code 128B in .NET Rewarding a job well done

When she does go in the right spot, say hooray! Praise her, pet her, call her a very good dog because she just did something very good She went where you wanted her to go, and that s a big step for a new dog in a new home Make sure she knows she has pleased you Then, if you have a fenced yard, you can let her off the leash now to explore on her own If you don t have a fence, lead her around the yard on the leash and let her sniff, check out the perimeter, and figure out what s what Finally, bring her in the house Or, if your dog s potty spot is inside and you re already in the house, you can let her have a chance to explore the rest of the house now

Now is the time to grab some treats, because you re about to introduce your dog to her new best friend, aside from you, of course Dogs are naturally den animals and need a safe place to call their own One of your most powerful tools for helping your dog feel safe and comfortable in her new home is the dog den

Whether you choose to use a plastic crate (see Figure 5-1), a wire kennel, or a portable wire enclosure sometimes called an exercise pen or X-pen , your dog needs somewhere to feel safe Crates and kennels with latching doors can help with housetraining and travel, but if your dog already is housetrained and not destructive, you may not need to latch the door just yet If the kennel is all wire, cover it with a blanket, leaving only the front open Dogs feel safest when they can rest without feeling they need to watch their backs Your dog probably wants to be near you, so situate the den in a room where your dog can at least hear, if not see you, when she s resting

Figure 5-1: One good choice for a safe spot or den is a plastic crate with solid sides and a door that can be left open or closed

To attract your dog s interest, make sure the den is comfortable and soft, and then open the door Get your dog s attention with a treat, or by leading her to the den by her leash Then, toss a few treats into the den and step back Don t force your dog to go inside the den, and don t shut the door after her if she does go in on her own Leave the den open so she can explore If she goes in to get the treat, praise her, but stay back Let her know her den is a safe spot, not jail, and even you won t grab at her while she s in there Talk softly and pleasantly to your dog as she explores her new den Hide treats inside the den periodically, so your dog gets the message that she is likely to find something delicious inside that safe, comfy spot And what if your dog doesn t take to the den right away Young puppies can quickly learn to accept the den, but can endure being in it only a few minutes at a time at first Even if whining and crying, don t make a big deal about it, or risk increasing your pup s anxiety Put her in the den, shut the door, stay nearby, talk casually but reassuringly to the dog, and then let her out again Increase the amount of time your dog spends in the den just a few minutes at a time over a period of a few days Pretty soon, your puppy gets used to the routine and recognizes the den as something safe and predictable