By:Eileen Greco
"Yes," says Lynbrook resident Kathy Ladalia, proprietor of Gentle Touch K9, specializing in dog obedience training. "The earlier, the better, after they're fully inoculated. If you teach them good habits when they're young, you'll save them from being sent to a shelter when they're older."
Ladalia brings to her business 22 years of experience as a commanding officer in the New York City Department of Corrections canine unit. She has trained narcotics dogs and is certified by New York State as a master trainer. Coupled with her credentials is a love of animals.
"I used to bring home dogs, kittens -- we almost had a farm from all the animals," she said. "I would nurse them back to health."
Ok, so now I know that my puppy, Jack, or "Jack-No!" as he is accustomed to being called, has met his match. Still, I'm concerned. I do not want a police dog. I just want to combine his tail-thumping happiness with manners.
Within seconds of Jack meeting Ladalia, it's clear that she is in command; he is sitting, ears pulled back, eager to learn. Minutes later, we watch in awe as he marches up and down the block, heeling, and sitting when stopped.
What a phony, we think as we watch him behave. When it's our turn to take the lead, he behaves mostly, and finally just acquiesces sullenly.
"Repetition and consistency are the most important goals, along with treats and lots of praise," Ladalia tells us, as Jack responds to her hand signals as if he had taken a class previously.
Intrigued by what I see, I ask many more puppy questions: What to do when anything -- baggy pants, zippers, shoes, fleshy arms, and exposed toes -- are up for grabs in the teething department? Ledalia says, "Most puppies mouth when teething, so give him a replacement for your arm, like a soft toy, or a wet face cloth that has been frozen which will feel good on his gums."
What about the puppy that acts as a scavenger and consumes leaves, twigs, bugs and discarded tissues on his daily walks? Should you always be prepared to perform a possible Heimlich maneuver, or should you adopt the philosophy, 'What goes in must come out'? Ledalia says, "You have to correct them, with a firm 'no' and a gentle tug on their choker collar. Still, most stuff will come out."
On the topic of food, are table scraps a good idea? "Dogs do not know how to beg from the table until you give them something from the table," Ladalia cautions. "Still, you can cut up the chicken or steak and give it to them the next day, but not from the table."
Lastly, the pressing question of to crate or not to crate? "Crating a puppy is not cruel. It should be done from the beginning to up to a year. Dogs are cave dwellers and like a sanctuary of their own to rest." And Ladalia adds, "My own dog still goes in the crate. He likes his own space but I don't close the door anymore. Puppies should always be within your sight."
Even with the training, they are still puppies and will behave insanely for a few minutes each day. No matter what, they love to run, play, dig holes and explore. Ladalia says that's why her approach is positive. "It's called gentle touch training," she says. "I still receive pictures of dogs in holiday cards from clients whose dogs I've trained. We keep up the relationship."
As for Jack, he's a work in progress, still in training, and hasn't lost a bit of enthusiasm for life.
