We receive many questions from pet owners regarding matters other than treatments, especially those who just have started to own a pet. Because they have very little knowledge about what owning pets is all about, many people are misguided with wrong ideas about what keeping a pet entails. We strongly recommend gaining correct information through books, online, and other sources.

Here are some basic tips that give you a general idea what to look for:

Training

1. The leader must be the owner, not the dog.

One of the main behavior characteristic of dogs is to follow the leader.

What you would do is to lay your dog down on its back and hold it down completely immobile. After repeating this a number of times, your dog would eventually begin to learn that it has no power over you, and accept you as the leader.

2. Train properly before one year of age.

Though it may vary from small to large size dogs, they are generally considered to grow out of adolescence at the age of one year. You will be encouraged to actively train your dog especially during this stage. Dogs are willing to learn new things from you. However it is also important to continue training your dog even in their adulthood.

3. Reward. praise. repeat.

Corporal punishment is never encouraged, and will not work.

Once your dog successfully follows your command, praise your dog, and you may also offer treats for that deed. Let your dog know that something good is to follow. Even though your dog may first fail, that’s OK, it’s perfectly natural. Don’t give up. Don’t be impatient. Continue and repeat process until one day it succeeds.

4. Take advantage of their behaviors.

Puppies in many cases “poop” after their meals. Prior to pooping you would see them sniffing around, grow restless, or go around in circles, trying to find the place to poop they see fit. After the plate is finished, you may place your dog in a crate with a litter box, or the moment you see such behavior, you would place your dog on the litter pad. Eventually it would grow to learn where to “go potty.” When potty is successfully done, do not forget to praise it. When it pees or poops on inappropriate areas, make sure you deodorize such areas so that your dog would not repeat that again.

5. Adore it, not spoil it.

Do not approach your barking dog and free out of the crate just because it craves your attention. When this is repeatedly done, it may mislead your dog to thinking “barking is good, barking gets them play with me.” And barking gets even worse. You must stay strong and keep your attitude consistent.

Preventions: Three preventions that must be done

1. Rabies Vaccination

This is required by law. Once you get rabies, there is no chance of survival. Annual vaccination is required in Japan.

2. The “Combo” vaccination

Though not required by law, this is strongly recommended. This contains multiple vaccines of contagious diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, leptospira, so called kennel cough, and more.

3. Heartworm Prevention

Heartworm is a parasitic worm transferred from mosquito bites. Most widely known heartworm preventions are monthly oral medication and yearly injection.

Others

1. A pet is not just a pet. It’s your family member. Treat them with love and compassion.

We’d like you to realize that you are his parent and he is your child.

2. Registration to your local municipality

You are required to register your pet to your local area of residence. Upon registration, the public office will provide you with a registration tag to be attached to your pet’s collar. This is a requirement not just for Japanese citizens but to everyone residing in Japan.

So here are some pieces of advice. But this is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are lots of other things you ought to do. You must educate yourself with correct information, and deal with your pet with love, compassion and perseverance, to creating an environment comfortable for both you and your beloved dog.

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