Intrepid Post pet reporter, Sniffer, gets the bottom of the street dog scene with this in-depth interview with former house pet, Copernicus.


Sniffer: I�ve had a few people write in with queries relating to various doggie situations � think you can help out?

Copernicus: Try me.

S: OK, firstly: �Dear Copernicus, how do I stop my neighbour�s dog from pooing on my doorstep?�

C: That�s so typically human � you see the dog doing something you don�t like and immediately blame the dog. Firstly, it�s not the dog�s fault � when you gotta go, you gotta go. However, if you�d rather he �went� somewhere else, you need to talk to your neighbour and re-train the pooch to go elsewhere.

That�s easy to do, we dogs are a lot more intelligent than we�re often given credit for � but believe me, we can work it out when you don�t like us doing certain things (which, also, is often why we do it). The trick is to use positive reinforcement techniques. Your neighbour needs to identify when Rover needs to go, and walk him to a new spot and stay with him until he�s done the business. Then, lavish him with praise, give him a biscuit; whatever he likes. This has to be repeated until the dog works it out. Also, if he tries to motor over to your doorstep, your neighbour should be quick to act to prevent him from doing so. It takes time and commitment on the owner�s part � but unwanted doggie behaviours can be changed.

S: That sounds like good advice, Copernicus. I have another one here some someone who�s having problems with her dog constantly pulling on the lead when they go for a walk � she�s concerned the poor pooch will choke himself, what can she do?

C: Easy. Stop walking. You have to understand, that the �Alpha� always leads the pack on the hunt. Remember, you are simply taking your dog for a walk, but your dog thinks, you�re going hunting � it�s years of natural instinct.

If your dog starts pulling on the lead � then stop walking and wait. Eventually, he�ll sit down, turn and look at you, as if to say �hey, are we going or what?� Then start again. He�ll probably start pulling again, so you do the same thing. It takes time and it might be a bit of a stop-start walk, but he�ll quickly get the idea that if he wants to go for a walk then he can�t pull. The more he pulls, the slower you go.

Also, never pull the dog back. Look at it this way: if someone put a collar and lead on you and started pulling you back, you�d probably fight it too � unless, of course, you�re Ms Manolo � in which case you�re probably into that sort of thing anyway.

If you have any questions for Copernicus, please email Sniffer at: sniffer@phuket-animal-welfare.com