I have often said, “The best dog trainer is another dog.” A well-adjusted, trained, and dog-friendly dog that is. I do my job of observing and contributing when needed but mostly I say things like, “Wear them out, Zoe!”
Zoe looks like a giant Yorkie and that makes their interactions that much more enjoyable.
If you need assistance in training and/or behavior modification from either Zoe, myself, or both of us, we are here to help!
Lately, I have heard this comment from several people. I want to ask…to whom? If you abandon a dog to a crate in some remote place in the home where it isn’t around its new family, perhaps that could be considered cruel. I sense an element of pride when someone assures me their puppy doesn’t need a crate. OK.
I may never hear the sequel to that story, but I can almost guarantee that confinement of some sort is necessary in order to provide a safe place for a puppy while house training, teaching house manners, and letting them move beyond the time of mass destruction commonly referred to as “teething.”
Do I insist on crate training? No. Do I want to do all I can to assist in a newly adopted dog staying in its new home with the least amount of stress and confusion? Yes. It doesn’t matter to me – it’s what works for you and your pup. But, a puppy given too much room, is very difficult to house train. I know some people have the time to take their dog out every hour or so for a potty break, so the need for confinement doesn’t seem necessary. However, this pup will not learn to hold it and to let you know when it needs to go out, and it will also be difficult to get it on a schedule so you can leave the dog when necessary.
Crate training a dog is neither cruel nor the only way to go. From the work I do, I can tell you it has saved many a relationship with man’s best friend.
If you need assistance with house training and/or crate training, get a copy of my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking” and get a free copy of my crate training ebook.
If you are interested in what to do to work with your dog to focus on you while it exercises, learns, gains confidence, and has fun….try an agility class. This video is of my recent graduates from the beginner classes.
If this doesn’t work for you, get a copy of my ebook “The Truth About Housebreaking.” Maybe if your dog sees you reading the book, he will be more than willing to take this vow.
I hear people refer to a dog’s behavior as an “accident.” Dogs don’t have accidents. Certainly not in the way humans do.
As I walked to my car today and noticed yet another they-had-to-know-they-did-this door ding, I said my characteristic “dog gone it!” Whatever that means. Having just said the word dog, I couldn’t help but think about how different we humans are from animals.
Dogs, like other animals, live in the moment. They may be territorial, possessive, aggressive, and any or all of the characteristics that could make them excellent door-dingers; however, it’s not something they would do. If a dog wants you to know they are feeling threatened, irritated, or any number of expressions, it will be in your presence and applicable to that moment. They aren’t capable of being passive-aggressive.
Living in the moment may not be so great all of the time; however, it would help to lessen those “accidents” we humans may participate in on a daily basis; i.e., forgetting where we put something, hitting someone’s car because we weren’t paying attention, over-reacting to a situation because of something that happened earlier in the day, etc.
I am coining a new phrase – “WWMDD?” That’s – “What Would My Dog Do?” I don’t know that it will help me find the keys I can’t find because I was thinking of something else when I set them down; but, if asked often enough, it may help to keep me in the moment and maybe a little less serious.
Accidents do happen (as they say); however maybe if we asked ourselves WWMDD, they would happen a little less often.
If your dog has mentioned you need behavioral modification or you experience mis-placed aggression, send me an email. I’m happy to help. I’m better at understanding dogs, but I do fairly well with humans.
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. =)
I receive a lot of calls regarding dogs who are uncontrollable (their human’s words) on a leash when out in public. If the dog sees a bicycle or another dog, they pull and “go crazy!” One of my first questions is have they done basic obedience with their dog?
They sound a little skeptical, as they respond hesitantly, “We took him through the puppy class at PetSmart and he knows how to sit and lie down and that stuff.” I say, “Good, we can work with that.” Puppy classes are a great foundation for teaching your dog to listen and respond to you. It doesn’t matter if your dog was trained in the basics years ago, they will never forget it. It’s the human that forgets how to use these tools in every day life with their dog.
For starters, remind yourself and your dog of what you both know. And, that is they know how to respond to you when asked. You may need to work a little harder on the leash training and teaching your dog to walk in a relaxed state by your side. Once they do, when faced with a distraction of any kind, they are more likely to respond when asked to “sit and stay” or whatever is expected of them at the moment.
If you are having issues with your dog out in public and you have been through basic obedience, think of how to put that to use when outside on a leash. I’m sure you didn’t initially put the time into the training only to have a dog who doesn’t listen when it was really necessary.
If I can provide additional tips or you are need of specific guidance, please send a note in the box to the right.
If your dog is one of those that loves to focus and obsess on moving objects, i.e., cars, golf carts, or even vapor trails from airplanes, this post is for you.
This activity may now be a pattern of behavior that is rapidly becoming a habit. See car – chase car. Sound familiar? You hear the engine in the distance (just after the dog) and brace yourself with the you-won’t-pull-me-down-this-time stance as you feel embarrassed and aggravated that your dog is officially a car chaser.
First, you want to master (and be the master) of having your dog heel. This means your dog is walking on a loose leash next to your side.
Work with them to sit when you stop and on command even when they are distracted. Add stay and increase their ability to stay by throwing treats in front of them, walking all the way around them, and using other staged distractions.
Now, take your dog to the street and have someone in a car work with you to desensitize the dog to the moving vehicle. Have the car drive by slowly and stop in front of you allowing you time to have your dog sit. Repeat this process eventually working with your dog in a down and stay. This is a more submissive and relaxed position and they can’t lunge when lying down.
The second you sense they are beginning to focus on the car or even just the sound of it approaching, say their name in a positive tone. You want them to shift their focus to you. You will be wasting your voice and energy if they have already bolted, you’ve lost control, and you are yelling their name followed by sit. Take a breath, get yourself focused and feeling confident, and continue the training.
If this behavior has been tolerated for awhile, it may take awhile to break their pattern of response. Some breeds are more prone to chase moving things, so you are also working against or with that instinct. Take it slow. Too much, too fast, and your dog may get over-stimulated.
It’s also important to consider that if your dog has been confined all day and has energy to burn, provide exercise prior to training so all of that energy isn’t going toward the behavior you want to correct – in this case, car chasing.
Please contact me in the box to the right if you have any questions! (I share this box with Melody)
