When you are looking for a dog trainer or behaviorist, you are most likely interested in the end result. Let’s face it – training is training. Sit is sit, stay is stay regardless of the method used. I think it is important to give thought to the process used to get to that end result.
Think of it personally. If there is something you want to learn or you want to teach someone else, doesn’t it feel better to have them learn it out of respect and positive reinforcement than by fear or pain?
Why do some archaic technique if a more gentle approach works? A happy, respectful dog sits just as nicely as one who submits out of fear of feeling what’s coming next. There may be a lot of “but what about’s” in your mind right now. Like, what about if they are aggressive? What if the dog is extremely stubborn?
I have found that a lot of people run out of patience long before their dog is responding in the way they want. Anger and frustration are not success-guaranteed training tools. If you find yourself losing patience, end the session with the dog complying end on a positive note and begin again later.
If you are having difficulty with a specific behavior, please contact me using the box to the right. (Melody shares this space with me!)
Most dog people have heard that what affects them also affects their dog. Our energy does travel down the leash to our dog. What else does? As you take your Tylenol, are you also giving one to the dog? Has your dog started to share in some of your nervous or anxious behavior? Here’s an article about what else may be traveling down the leash.
If you are desiring to add a dog to your fur family, looking for that perfect mate might take some time. I do suggest you take matters into your own hands. Left to the dogs, this might happen. . . (a Friday funny)
Do all dogs need to have their teeth cleaned? Tooth decay is very common in dogs. Some breeds, much like some humans, are prone to plaque and issues with their teeth. Genetics and nutrition play a huge part in it. There aren’t any bones in the soft toys our dogs love to disembowel. Perhaps if there were, the dog would also get a teeth cleaning while they chewed.
Clients often look to me for advice and ask if I clean my dogs’ teeth. I have to say I don’t. Not that I wouldn’t if it were needed, but thus far, it hasn’t been an issue. I’ve been known to be the common sense trainer. So, here’s my advice, if you have a dog that needs preventative care or will face infection, clean their teeth. However, if your dog’s teeth look good and there’s no concern, don’t!
I was in the pet store and a woman was asking if she should buy the peppermint or chicken flavored toothpaste for her pup. I suggested she get the kitty litter flavor and her dog would welcome teeth cleaning.
The first training session people have with their new dog is teaching it to sit. It’s a proud moment indeed. When teaching this basic command, the human is usually facing the dog. The dog begins to think in order to sit you must be facing them. The next step is standing with them at your side as you say, “sit.”
Once they know the command, it doesn’t matter where you are standing relative to them. When out on a walk, having your dog sit next to you as you stop is very important. If they are sitting, they aren’t going any where else! The desired response is for a dog to learn to sit immediately upon your stopping. Can or will they sit in an instant?
I encourage clients to walk slow, stop, and wait a couple of seconds before asking the dog to sit. Give the dog an opportunity to realize, “Oh, we’ve stopped (or at least one of us has) and this is when I sit.” Maybe they aren’t going through all of that, but it’s not necessary to halt quickly and correct your dog into a sit without first teaching them what’s expected and giving them the opportunity to do it. Walk, stop, give them a second to respond, then ask them to sit. Only ask once. Then you may “assist” them in sitting. Praise!
Some dogs will learn instantly to sit when you stop walking. Others, have to wait for the word to absorb into their brains while the information slowly travels down the spine to their hind quarters where the action takes place.
I’ll relate it this way. . .you walk into someone’s home and they tell you to sit down. As you are starting to sit, they sharply repeat, “SIT, SIT, SIT!” Wouldn’t you look at them and say, “give me a second.” I think I’ve heard a few dogs mumble something similar.
With a Great Dane, sitting is a process! Are they sitting quickly? Yes, for them. It takes a second for the entire body to get the message and respond. So, will your dog learn to sit in an instant? Maybe. If, however, they need a few seconds to engage, you don’t need to repeat the command. Say it, mean it, praise for the response and see if that’s not fast enough.
The Humane Society of the United States does it again – this time it’s huge! They conducted the largest dog dogfighting raid ever resulting in the saving of 450 lives! Here’s the link – donate if you can.
Children learn from their environment, and their parents show them how to treat others. In the following article from “The Bark” magazine, you will see how well these children were trained in the treatment of another – specifically, a Pit Bull named Snaps.
I am sharing this because awareness is knowledge. The incident was provoked and certainly not the fault of the dog. I feel for the children who are obviously replicating what they have been taught. Reminds me of a Cole Porter quote: “We must teach our children before it’s too late. Before they reach six or seven or eight. To hate all the people their relatives hate. They must be carefully taught.” The same applies to animal or any other kind of abuse.
Hopefully, Snaps’ advocates will be given an opportunity to work with him. I think of the Vick(tory) Pit Bulls and how wonderful the dogs are doing now. The responsible humans need to be punished – not the breed of the dog.
Not all dogs can swim. It may seem obvious that short-legged, heavy-bodied dogs may not be natural swimmers; however, I’ve known more than a few labs who weren’t either. If they’re a natural at it, you’ll know by their willingness to let go of the death grip they have on the stairs or you as you take them in the pool.
To teach a dog to swim, take them in much like you would a child. Support them under their belly by letting them lay across your arms. Start out by stopping at the first step and praising them. Take it slow as you move further into the pool.
Turn them so they are facing the steps and let them go. Be at their side and very close to the steps so they can feel safe and learn that this is the way to get out of the pool. Also, if you are in front of them you are more likely to get clawed if they head for you rather than the landing. If they use their front legs but are unstable in their hips or in kicking their hind legs, lift up under them to bring stability and see if they start to get the hang of using their back legs.
Take them out several times and if it’s going well, take them further away from the steps each time. If they absolutely hate it, praise them as they get out and try later if it’s something you want to continue. It may take several swim lessons before they are willing to get in and out on their own.
This short video clip is of Harley, a 1.5-year-old Yorkie who had never been in a pool and hates bath time. He was a natural and was soon jumping from the side of the pool onto our rafts. I think he preferred that mode of movement through the water, but he did excellent at his first swim lesson.
This is the day when we celebrate by making a lot of noise! Dogs, on the other hand, may panic and do anything to try to escape our celebration. Remember to be extra mindful of your dog(s) and to bring them inside if possible. Also, leaving a TV or radio on for background noise can be beneficial. However, for some dogs, it’s the sound combined with the vibration of the fireworks, so a little background noise won’t come close to calming them.
We have a day off on July 4th, and July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal control and shelters. Be safe, have fun, and keep your eye on Fido! I witnessed firsthand the tragedy of someone leaving their dog alone, outside on the 4th of July. It brings up the question – is a microchip enough?
