How Long Does It Take To Train A Dog?

It only takes seconds to train a dog.  Really.  Because your dog is constantly observing and responding to you, you are always training them.  What you are training them is the question.  If you provide little to no structure and are inconsistent with what you expect of them, you will receive little to no respect and inconsistent behavior from them.

Some clients admit to having in the past had dogs they never had to train.  The difference was in the dog.  Some dogs want to please us more than others, and it appears they need no training.  They do; however, they are just plain easy!  Unfortunately (or fortunately), not all dogs are created equal.  We make the mistake of labeling a dog that was easy “good” and a difficult dog as “bad.”  They are both good dogs - let’s just say one is more challenging than the other.

So, how long does it take to train your dog?  It could be a lifetime.  Sure, with consistent expectations from you, you will get into a good flow of life where there is peace in the kingdom.  However, and that is a big HOWEVER, they will always and forever be a dog going through cycles of development and may need you to “remind” them of what they know.  I am here to remind you.  =)

Dr. Phil’s Dog Training

In the words of another great dog behaviorist…most trainers train humans and rehabilitate dogs.  I work with a lot of dogs who are, fortunately for them, not so much in need of rehabilitation given their age and history as they are in need of consistency.  And, in much dismay to their humans, they are excellent at being puppies.

In my training of humans, I try to keep things light and also get the point across.  For instance, as I am leash training their dog, the human will get excited when the puppy attempts to chew the leash as they repeat, “see, look what he does, look what he does!” If, when I provide instruction, they don’t want to hear what I’m saying, I’ll ask what they have been doing when Pookie chews the leash.  After they respond, I hear myself asking, “how’s that workin’ for ya’?”

Another example is in the guidance I provide for house training a puppy.  It almost always involves my suggesting crate training and complete supervision when the puppy isn’t in the crate.  By now, they are exhausted from cleaning up poop and pee and not sleeping because of a destructive pup in the house.  They will assure me it would never work and every reason why.  I wait and listen because I do understand their frustration.  Then, if they continue to negate my suggestion, I may hear myself ask, “do you want to be happy or do you want to be right?”

So, you see, this really is about human behavior modification as much as it is canine behavior modification.  As I always say, dogs are great at being dogs.  While it may not be the same in every case, behaviorists have learned what works.  I’m sure there are a lot of other Dr. Phil-isms I could and do use.  If what you are doing, isn’t working or in the way you had hoped, please contact me!

What A Great Dog!

This post is dedicated to all of us who have dogs.  Real dogs.  All dogs are “real” dogs; however, it is easy for us humans to want to think of them as four-legged, unconditionally loving,  furry human wannabees!  They are amazingly wonderful at being dogs.

If, no - when, you have a moment or a day when your dog does nothing exactly as you would like, take a breath, find something positive, and come back later to whatever it was you were doing. If you want a robot, go to Radio Shack.  If you want a companion that will challenge you and just as quickly show their inexplicable love and loyalty, you might enjoy a dog.

For as long as women have tried to make men think like them and vice versa, it is really no different with our dogs.  They don’t think like a human.  I can guarantee you that regardless of their behavior (whether you like it or not) they are just doing what dogs do.  You might as well learn to tell them they are a good dog as you shake your head in bewilderment.  If you will notice, some of this undesired behavior is getting them high-fives from the other dogs!

Dogs and A New Year

I tried and tried to get the dogs to stay awake to help celebrate the coming of the New Year 2010.  As their heads bobbed and soft snoring could be heard around the room, I decided to join them.  This year, I would celebrate like dogs do.

They go to bed every night and wake up every morning without a care.  They sleep when it’s night (and day) and don’t complain when they wake up - whether it’s in the middle of the night or at the dawn of a day.  They don’t get anxious or worry that they didn’t do enough last year or what they will do in the coming year.

While it is not exactly how I see my life going this year, it’s a great way to start every day.  Every day is a new day and every new day makes a new year.  I looked at the dogs and said, “Thanks for that awareness.”  They replied, “What the heck are you talking about…where’s our breakfast?”  Enough said.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Pinch Collars For Every Dog

Locally, I can be known as “The Tender Tutor.”  That’s not to say I’m too soft or that the dogs I work with don’t respect me.  I believe that every dog is different and there are gentle, positive ways to work with most dogs.

Pinch collars (prong collars or power steering collars, as I like to call them) are a great training tool for some dogs who aren’t bothered by choking themselves with a flat collar or still pull when using a harness.  However, I really disagree that a pinch collar is the only solution and best way to train every dog.

I have converted many people who thought for sure they needed to exclusively use the prong-collar approach.  I have had great success transferring them to a Martingale training collar which looks like a regular flat collar but has a small section of material or chain that will cinch and give a correction without choking.  When used correctly and consistently, they work great.

My biggest objection to pinch collars is that they are used incorrectly.  Also, you don’t want a dog that needs to wear a prong collar in order to pay attention to you.  They are a training tool and not a magic wand for a dog that hasn’t been leash trained adequately.   I have found that by using the prong collar, the human at the other end of the leash relaxes because they have the sense of more control.  That is a good thing.  Once the human feels more in control and is more relaxed, they may be able to switch to a Martingale-type training collar with a greater sense of confidence.

It’s important that training be humane and regardless of the type of collar or harness, this takes consistent expectations and a lot of patience and time.  Before using a pinch collar or an e-collar, please contact a trained behaviorist.   I am happy to answer any questions you have on the correct collar for you and your dog.

Dogs Expressing Emotion

It is fascinating to read the studies on the analysis of dogs and their expression of emotion.  We, of course, refer to emotion in the sense that we experience it.  Dogs; however, live in the moment so their emotion may be more raw than ours.  I don’t think they are capable of deceiving us by expressing an emotion they aren’t really feeling at the moment.   They don’t pretend as well as we do!

There are fun photographs of dogs smiling.  And they do!  Some more than others, but it still qualifies as a smile.  I also have seen more than my share of grumpy-doggy face.  The “it’s you again” look on some dogs when I (the trainer) show up for another training session can be very comical - for us humans more so than the dog.

With the cooler temperatures, the dogs seem quite content to cuddle on their beds a little longer than normal.  And, some days, I think they get up on the wrong side of their cedar-chipped, double-organic-fiber-stuffed, memory foam dog beds!  Perhaps they have bad dreams and restless nights too; so, I will cut them some slack.

Regardless, I think it’s fun to notice that much like a little child, a dog’s expression of “emotion” shifts in a nano-second.  In a flash, they go from grump-dog to tail-waggin’-ready-for-a-walk dog.  I wish it were that easy for us two-leggers!  Once again, we learn from our dogs how blessed it is to live in the moment.

Job Opening for Confident Leader

Is this an ad your dog has placed on Craig’s List or CareerBuilder?  Are they looking for someone to be in charge so they can relinquish the responsibility?  Are they acting out and resisting your instruction?

Maybe your dog isn’t yet savvy enough to post such an ad, but if you have a dog, there is the need for a confident leader…is it you?  If not, who is it?   In the words of Cesar Millan, dogs need and respect a calm, assertive leader.

My dogs need to be reminded at times that the position of leader has been filled, and it just so happens that in our home the job belongs to the only one who walks on two legs.  I thought since they need to be reminded, maybe you do to.

The primary purpose and goal of my work as a trainer/behaviorist, is to show humans who their dog is and what they are capable of learning.  Don’t wait for your dogs to fill the position of leader. Most people fill some position in their life where they lead another.  It may take practice, but put yourself in that mindset as you provide (calm, assertive) guidance for your dog.

They may resist at first, but with consistent behavioral expectations from you, they will respect you and remove the job opening!

When Dogs Take Over The Couch

Uh, Mo, we’re busted..get up, I think she wants to sit down.

Patience of a Dog

You may not have thought of a dog as having patience.  Well, they do - or at least that’s what I’m calling it.

If one of my dogs has a toy, regardless of the five other toys available, someone will want that exact toy at that exact moment.  That’s no surprise.  Of course, they want what the other one has.  Among these boys, It’s a constant dance of who dominates who.

After a couple of human-to-dog interventions, they know not to mess with one another, or everyone loses (as in I take the toy).  See, it’s my toy, and I am kind enough to let them have it.  I have also established the rules that go along with toy-play.

This morning, Mac is chewing on a toy as Moby stands patiently by looking for either a safe “in” to get the stuffed creature, or for Mac to get bored and walk away.  He will wait longingly for quite awhile before he loses interest.   He doesn’t make a sound…waiting patiently for the right moment.  I think he actually thinks he “won” if Mac relinquishes the object without care.

I like the thought of that - particularly as we enter the Holiday season.  It’s like saying, “I really want what you have, but I’ll just wait patiently while you enjoy it, and when you don’t want it any more, I’ll take it.”

Thoughts of peace and patience to you this season!

Introducing A New Dog to the Family

What is the best way to introduce a new dog to the family?

I often hear of dogs who are being re-homed after being with their new family for only a few days.  I understand the tension that can exist when you find that your beloved Prince doesn’t like the play mate you hand-picked for him.  You were certain that getting another dog was the answer to helping him calm down.

If it were only that easy!  All dogs are not created equal (in their minds)…they may want nothing to do with each other and yet separate them and they are wonderful, friendly beings.  So, maybe getting a new dog wasn’t the best idea you’ve had, but re-homing too quickly may not be either.

The new dog should be in the home for a few weeks learning and earning their place.  With you as the leader, take the introductions slowly.  In our enthusiasm, we bring the dog in, introduce it to the other dog and go about our lives expecting (hoping) they will figure it out.  Some do and some don’t.  They are the ones who end up seeing their face on a “free to good home” ad.  Taking the time to let the dog fit in more naturally may save everyone!

If you are bringing a new dog into your home and want to get off on the right track, please send a note in the My Question box to the right, and I will be happy to assist you!  (I share the box with Melody)