Category : Dog Training

What a Couple Baby Raccoons Taught Me about Dog Training and Happiness

I have two new family members, at least for right now.  These two are more like guests that say they are looking for a new “place” but will end up crashing on my sofa for a lot longer than expected.  I have two baby raccoons growing up at my house.

Their mother was killed on the highway and the babies were sitting on the white line just covering their little eyes with their miniature little hands.  It was as if, if they couldn’t see it, it didn’t exist or wasn’t dangerous.

They were much too little and immature to survive on their own, so to make a long story short; they came to live with me.  I have done wildlife rehabilitation and release before and I had a good idea how much work they would be and what they needed to be successful in life.

I have gone from nursing the babies every few hours, to guarding my eyeballs from flying inquisitive baby raccoons. Read the rest of this entry »

The Dog Training Secret’s New Video Vault

I love to read!  When I was a baby I got a vaccination that almost took my life.  I am sure my mother was terrified.  I have some memories of lying on the couch very sick.  My mother would read to me for hours, and at that time (before DVDs or VHS…ahhh I hate aging myself) Disney movies came on record.

I would sit and listen to a movie over and over until I had basically memorized it. In some ways I am grateful for all of my experiences they have shaped me and who I am as an adult.  Because of that one shot, my immune system was never quite able to fight off infection and I did get and still get every flu bug that goes around. I grew up loving reading.   Reading was my way to escape into another world and to learn about…well, anything I was interested in at the time.  My mother did not allow video games, and TV was restricted

This love of reading followed me to college when I double majored one being in English.  I still love English Literature (I know I am a nerd).  But, in many ways these are all the reasons you are reading this article right now.  If I grew up playing video games, I probably wouldn’t be writing or reading to entertain myself.

I am able to learn by reading, and I have hundreds of books lining a book shelf to prove it.  I enjoy reading and breaking things down; highlighting important points for further study.

Part of the beginning of my successful dog training career came from reading just about every dog training book I could get my hands on.  Almost 20 years ago it was difficult to find any kind of dog training on VHS or to see anything visually that wasn’t learned at a class or a seminar.

Much of my learning took place at night reading one book and then another. Read the rest of this entry »

Aspiring to Better Dog Obedience

I use to be on one of those public weight loss programs.  I joined it with my best friend many years ago, and let me just say IT WORKED.  Why?  You ask, why did it work?  What was the secret to weight loss?  Accountability! Is the answer.

I will say it gave us so great knowledge and coping skills and together we had a peer group and a support system to rely.  All of this ensured that we were successful!  We had to weigh-in in front of someone every 2 days.   They were NEVER negative at the weigh-ins and never gave us a hard time about gaining or not losing they were always supportive and willing to give us support and more information when we needed it.

What does weight loss have to do with dog training?  Accountability!

The reason my weight loss program worked?  I had to weigh-in in front of someone every other day, and although they were not negative about our weigh-ins; I did not want to fail or even stay the same.  I felt like I HAD to show progress.  I had a goal and my long term goal was to lose weight, but my short term goal was to not be embarrassed on the scale every 2 days!

Accountability makes a HUGE difference, at least for me.  If I am left to my own devices, I might not choose the right road.  I often get lazy and put off things like: dog training or weight loss.  I always have tomorrow, right?

In order to run every day, I need to train for a half marathon or marathon and put smaller goals on my calendar. Read the rest of this entry »

Building Your Dog’s Drive in Preparation for Obedience

I mentioned “Drive” in one of my previous posts and before the frustration abounds about what “Drive” is and how to achieve it, I thought I would write an article about it!

“Drive” has nothing to do with cars, motorcycles or the like!  “Drive” is all about using your dog’s natural instincts to get them to do what you want, namely your dog’s Prey or Play Drive.

Almost all dogs have prey drive.  Prey drive, the drive that encourages them to chase, catch and kill their prey enables dogs to survive in the wild.  Prey drive is a basic instinct, although in some breeds the prey or chase drive has nearly been bred out.   For these dogs, it will be hard to train them in “Drive”, because the strongest drive comes from wanting to chase toys or other animals.  A lower level of “Drive” can come using food as a reinforcer, but the best way is to use a favorite toy and a game.

Some dogs will have to be taught to play with you!  Often people work on strict “obedience” and compliance to the laws of the home, but they don’t readily teach their dogs how to “PLAY”.

If your dog doesn’t eagerly play or retrieve with you, I recommend you start here.  Your dog’s success in learning how to play has everything to do with how willing you are to get silly and animated while playing with him.  For example, your dog will probably not be successful if you just expect to stand there and monotonously throw a ball, unless you are blessed with a high drive dog! Read the rest of this entry »

I Am One of THOSE Dog People

I admit it I am one of those crazy dog people that don’t have kids of their own.  Not really by choice, but by circumstance and “life” I am “human” childless.  This has never been too much of an issue for me because I have always had an outlet to work out my nurturing needs with my numerous furry kids.  Sometimes I think fur-ies are easier to raise and nurture anyway, they love unconditionally and forgive and forget my poor choices!

My dogs are not “just dogs”. 

But, we the childless pet people get a bad rap and I think those “parents” of the non-furry kind have trouble relating to us.  Now I must group some human parents in with us, because I know as a dog trainer there are “empty nesters” out there who treat their furry children better or at least let them get away with WAY more than their children ever did!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not delving into the realm of letting my dogs eat out of my mouth like baby chicks and I don ‘t even cook for or cater to them like I do my husband (not that he would probably agree to that).  I have a very structured canine and feline environment and there are definite rules!  I am a fairly controlling individual Read the rest of this entry »

What I Learned From Schutzhund Dog Training

Okay, so I have already admitted to the fact that I have been involved in different aspects of protection training for a good part of my career.  For those of you that didn’t read my previous article, please note that I only use positive reinforcement training and do not adhere to any barbaric practices or use of physical manipulation.

The truth is you don’t have to abusive techniques to enjoy protection sports.  The most important thing is to understand the liability involved in such sports.  The liability and inability for a lot people to control their dogs in many given situations is why I don’t regularly recommend these types of sports.  We live in a “sue happy” world and adding more liability is not needed for most people!

But all that is beside the point!  I want to share with you what I have specifically learned and think everyone can learn from Schutzhund training and practices.

A number of people hate the tracking that is involved in Schutzhund because they think it is tedious or hate getting up early to lay a track.  Personally, I understand their gripe.  I am not the earliest riser, nor do I like scuffing or plodding along in a field laying a track, marking my corners and then waiting for it to age the appropriate amount of time for the specific training level of whatever dog I am working. Read the rest of this entry »

Committing to Your Dog

I just got married!  Yippee for me!  I swear the second time is the charm, the first time I was 18 and engaged at 16…sometimes I wonder what my parents were thinking when they encouraged me to make that choice.  I guess they wanted an empty house and a workout room!  But this time I got it right and I commit to him that I will cherish him, love him, and treat him with kindness and respect, for better or for worse for the rest of my life.

Being a dog trainer and a writer I think sometimes I can make anything in my life transmit to dog training and the way I think things “should be” when it comes to how people relate to their dogs.  When we read our wedding vows to each other, I thought…shouldn’t this be the kind of commitment we make with our dogs?

Unfortunately, dogs are treated as disposable commodities in our society.  If this dog doesn’t work out, you can take it to the animal shelter, find it another home, have it euthanized and move onto the next dog!  If you need to move, just don’t have the time, it got too big you can just leave the dog or let it run loose.

A lot of people don’t make a permanent commitment to pet ownership they regard the relationship based on convenience but the best relationships in life aren’t always convenient!  Relationships whether they are with humans or animals have their ups and downs, their good and their bad and there are always moments of inconvenience.

The difference is; a dog would never give up on, replace, or abandon his owner.  Dogs are in relationships for life.  They give up convenience readily, and forgive without conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

Think Like a Dog

My friends and family say I am part dog.  I take that as a compliment, most days I would rather be like a dog than like some people.  Dogs are simple.  They are forgiving and they love unconditionally.  The things I learn from dogs and other animals make me a better and more patient human!  I lovingly wear a pendant that says “All Dog”.  I guess working with dogs for so many years and problem solving to help their owners with behavior problems has made me think more like a dog.

Now, please understand, I am not complaining!  Thinking like a dog makes me a better dog trainer and it helps me to appreciate life from their point of view.  I think everyone should take a few steps into their dog’s mind and realize what it is like to be a dog.

The first thing to do when you and your dog are not seeing eye to eye, is to try and understand life from his perspective!  Not only will this help you to be more considerate of him and his feelings it will also help you to problems solve effectively and efficiently to come up with a plan that can work for you both.

Digging

I hate digging holes!  It doesn’t matter if it’s a small hole or a large hole, digging is hard work; it makes me sore, tired and overheated!  So why does your dog like digging?

Dogs can’t read books or comprehend a good T.V. show, but digging for a dog is just plain FUN!

Your dog’s nose is 1,000 times more powerful than yours, and let’s face it dogs love disgusting stuff, the stinky- “er” the better!  I can only imagine that each new level of dirt smells exciting and like something else.  There are animals that borrow through the ground, insects, and even treasures like buried food and old bones.  I bet the scents of dogs from the past are all throughout the ground, layers of dirt and yard!

Digging for your dog is probably like watching CSI or reading a good psychological thriller is for us, it’s just super stimulating!

Not only are the scents mingling in the dirt fun to sniff, but watching the dirt fly through the air and land in abstract places can also be “super fun”!  One of my best friends has a German Shepherd who absolutely loves to dig, and then she chases the flying dirt. Read the rest of this entry »

Just Another Reason NOT to use Compulsion in Dog Training!

I have 2  Belgian Malinois and a Dutch Shepherd so it should be no surprise to those of you who are familiar with dog breeds and working dogs that I enjoy protection sports.  PLEASE!  Don’t send hate mail, although all viewpoints are welcome, I do not adhere to the barbaric practices that have formerly been known throughout the sports!

I got involved in police dog training and protection sports almost 15 years ago.  I was training Service Dogs fulltime for a nonprofit organization when I got the opportunity to get drawn into the world of protection dogs and I couldn’t resist!  I have always had the opportunity to work with trainers that were positive reinforcement based.

I think if I had, had to learn by using shock collars and “choking dogs out” I would have opted not to learn that part of the business.  But, I was lucky to be taught using good, kind, positive methods.  The men and people that I have worked with would rather have not trained a dog in the sport than to have forced a dog into the sport or to have used barbaric methods to train.

It is exhilarating work; and some of my most favorite times and memories have been spent in a bite suit! Read the rest of this entry »

Keeping Your Dog Young

Did you know that dogs can suffer from dementia commonly called canine cognitive dysfunction and other mental signs of aging just like people can?  Knowing is only half of the battle, the other half is doing everything in your power to keep your dog young, mentally and physically for as long as possible!

Understanding Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

Like Alzheimer’s the causes of CCD are unknown, but physical evidence shows degenerative brain lesions and plaque in the brain. Dogs suffering from this disorder usually suffer from confusion and disorientation.  They might:

• Get lost in a familiar place like the hallway, behind a door, outside, or other places in their regular environment.
• Lose their house training skills
• Vocalize, cry, whine and/or bark excessively and inappropriately
• Pace and show other signs of restlessness
• Engage in repetitive or obsessive behaviors
• Stare blankly
• Seemingly forget friends and family and stop seeking attention or affection Read the rest of this entry »