There are various methods for training and it can be confusing. As far as I’m concerned, the only absolute is that you don’t need to hit your dog. Should you use hand signals? Treat or no treat? Is there a right or wrong way to train? On-leash or off-leash?
Start somewhere. Training and behavior modification go hand-in-hand. Consistency and intention are the common denominators regardless of the method you choose.
It’s no wonder that our dogs wait anxiously at the front door. Good things happen there. Other than the observation of a bird in the tree or a car going by, the front door usually represents something good.
Most don’t open the door to someone they aren’t glad to see. Our dogs learn from us that the front door is an exciting place. First off, it’s where we come in (unless it’s the garage door, etc). When our friends or family arrive, we exude an energy that tells our dog “get excited – they’re here!”
So, if an over-exuberant dog at the front door is going to annoy who is arriving (or you), ask your guests to never return or see if lowering your level of energy and taking the focus off your dog helps. Here’s how to work with your dog at the front door.
I’m not talking about black, white, brindle, harlequin, etc., I’m talking about what is your dog’s favorite color?
For so long, we were told that dogs are color-blind, meaning they see black and white and various shades of gray. In the 1980’s studies were done that proved otherwise. Dogs do see “in color.” They don’t see color as we do. . .
“Instead, dogs see “VIBYYYR” (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Yellow, and Red). The colors Green, Yellow, and Orange all look alike to dogs; but look different from Red and different from the various Blues and Purples. Dogs are very good at telling different shades of VIB apart. Finally, Blue-Green looks White to dogs.”
This article explains the study. I knew that Olive saw color when she picked out this hat with a yellow daisy. They were her favorite.
Not! There are some training methods that encourage hitting your dog to get it to understand what not to do. One of the techniques is whacking the dog on the nose with a rolled up magazine or paper. And, I’m not talking about a tap either.
I won’t say this form of training doesn’t work. It does. It works like spanking kids with a paper worked. We may have flinched every time the person who enforced that discipline walked by whether we had done anything or not. This may also be true for the dog “trained” in this manner.
Most people who ask me my opinion on hitting a dog, are asking because it’s not an action they want to take – they just don’t know what to do. They don’t want to intentionally inflict pain on their pet. Nor should they.
If you have reached the point of frustration because your dog just doesn’t get what you want from them, step back and see if you’ve actually shown them in a way they understand. If this behavior is out of your control or has to do with aggression, contact a behavorist for assistance, or send me your question in the box to the right.
Hitting your dog can make them hand-shy and it’s not an action they will always respect.
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of retractable leashes. I understand why they are used and were initially thought of as the latest and greatest leash option. My dislike:
Lack of control
Actually, that’s no control for most of those on the opposite end of the leash
Your dog thinks it’s large and in charge
The dog that your friendly fido is approaching isn’t thrilled with the retractable leash continually extending as an uncontrolled dog is barking and running toward them. (Add to that fido’s human yelling above the barking that their dog is friendly =)
The retractable leash is ok if you are taking your dog out for a potty break and want to give it space to sniff around without letting it off leash. Beyond that, unless it is kept retracted, I don’t recommend this leash for training or when control is needed.
Trust is an interesting topic. It’s interesting for human relationships and the relationship we have with our dogs. We can love someone, but if we don’t trust them, the relationship isn’t likely to last. This goes for our life with our dog(s) as well as with other humans. While our dogs can’t technically leave us, the companionship we could experience will be missing.
When you call your dog to come to you, they have to trust that your intention for them is something they consider to be good. When you feed them and slip in some medicine, if the taste is horrible they may not be so trusting at their next meal.
Trust is an important aspect of teaching your dog to swim. If you are going to be around a swimming pool, they need to know how to get out should they ever fall in . You don’t want to throw them in and hope for the best. You have to help, show, and teach them. Even when they trust you, their fear may be greater!
I took Mac swimming yesterday for the first time. He’s part Lab (he’s a Labradoodle) so he likes water. I assisted him onto the steps and took it very slowly from there. What I learned, is how much he trusts me. Within a brief period of time, he was leaping after me even though he wasn’t quite grasping how to use has back legs to keep him afloat and accelerate his approach to me.
He received massive praise and was never allowed to sink. Still, what impressed me was his level of trust. He was somewhat afraid but didn’t hesitate to keep trying; all the while knowing that I would be there to catch and support him if needed. It shows the value of my consistent behavior toward him. He absolutely knew that I would not let anything bad happen.
Would your dog trust you? We’ll talk about humans later. =) While you contemplate this, watch Mac enjoy his after-swim-lesson relaxation time.
You’ve heard me say that dogs bark. I have some bad news. . .they also dig. Some enjoy the smell and feel of dirt as it is flying in the air and their bodies get dirtier as they become more engrossed in their task. Some breeds enjoy burying treasures in the yard so only they can return to them later.
Here are some reasons that a dog digs:
To make a cool place in the soil where they can relax
They are bored and it seems like a good thing to do
Instinct says, “What are you waiting for man, there’s earth to uncover! You might find something to eat”
They are young and goofy and everything is fun
To bury a bone or toy for later
They are certain they can get the rodent that just entered it’s home
Here are a few things to stop or at least detour your dog from digging:
Put their poop in the hole they just dug
Sprinkle cayenne pepper in the hole
Give them a place to dig that is theirs. Frame in an area or use a kiddie pool and fill it with sand. Bury some of their bones to encourage them to dig there.
Train them to stay away from the area where they dig by teaching them boundaries
If they are being left outside all day while you are at work and you come home to holes in the yard, this is a good indication of boredom. Another dog to play with might help (that could go either way – help with more holes or help with the boredom!) If you don’t give them something to do, they will find something.
First off, I don’t think dogs are capable of the type of bitter emotion that is summed up in the word “hate.” So, if you come home to a mess or something that appears to be your dog expressing his dislike for you, I suggest you look a little deeper.
From what we know currently about dog psychology, they aren’t capable of spite. Pooping on the couch or on your bed during a time of transition or training may certainly feel spiteful. I know what you’re thinking. . .”they know what they did! You should have seen how they cowered when I walked in.”
They will have a “look” because one thing they do know is that when you come home and there is poop where it shouldn’t be or something destroyed , you are furious. I’d cower too! What to do about it? Nothing, nada, zip, zero, zilch. If you aren’t able to catch them in the moment they (insert whatever the behavior is), it is best not to bring a lot of focus to it.
Your dog may be feeling a bit territorial, needing exercise or a “job,” or there may be some other changes that are affecting them so they respond in a way that is demonstrative like pooping inside or chewing something. Trust me, they don’t hate you. If the behavior is consistent, something more is going on that is worth your attention and perhaps a consultation with a dog behaviorist.
Dogs react to changes in their life just as we do. They just do it differently!
I am a fan of healthy dog treats; i.e., some of the chicken jerkies, lamb and rice, and there are others. I also recommend Nylabone chew toys and Kong products. Treats for your dogs are just that – treats. They shouldn’t be large enough to replace a meal. We can save that luxury for the humans!
I’ve told you some of my favorite treats. Listed below are some of a dog’s favorite treats.
plastic water bottles (the noisier the better)
nice underwear (don’t ask me how they know)
“things” that should remain in the garbage
“things” a woman really wishes had stayed in the trash
Fear not when one of the above “chews” gets swallowed. Usually, with no assistance, within about three days the object of their consumption will pass. That’s if it hasn’t already come up. I recently heard of a Labrador that took 9 days to pass a very fluffy sock.
You can just pretend that you are on a special assignment with CSI as you follow your dog around praying for the site of something that resembles what went in their mouth. If, of course, within reasonable time it hasn’t found it’s way out or your dog stops eating and/or eliminating, see a veterinarian immediately. There may be a blockage and it can require surgery if it is stuck or twisted in the intestine.
While I recommend the natural treats in the first paragraph, be aware that your dog may have other ideas!
