Category : Dog Tricks

My Favorite Dog Obedience Sport

I have recently mentioned my resurgence into the dog obedience and trialing world.

The first time I trialed and showed, I was egged on by my client who challenged me and my dog to an “obedience dare” to see who could title their dog first.  I REALLY, REALLY didn’t want to, but I had help to get her ready for her competitions and she wanted company IN and around the show ring.

I never wanted to trial my dog or get titles, I never cared and was terrified of competition and getting up in front of people.  But the irony of the situation is that the trainer she left me for fashioned herself as a competition training aficionado.

I happily admit I took her up on her dare and not only did I title first, I beat her former trainer   But, for me its not about the competition it is about spending time not only training with my dog but also the short time spent in the ring together!

I intend to get as many titles on my little girl “Fury” as I can!  It is my challenge to myself!

And, my favorite obedience sport, you ask? Read the rest of this entry »

Interactive Dog Training

I do my very best to write for the masses.  I try to keep up on comments on my blog and the problems that plague dog owners around the world.

I write articles on basic commands like teaching your dog about the leash to finding your dog’s  motivator.  I also write intermediate articles for those looking for more of a challenge and advanced obedience.  We even talk about games and aggression.   Occasionally I even direct my articles to others in my field or those aspiring for such a career.

I even shoot short informative videos to show you how to train your own dog in your own time in the Dog Training Secrets Video Vault here www.dogtrainingvideovault.com

But I suppose I don’t hit all the questions that everyone needs answered.

However I get  A LOT of duplicate questions about the same behavior.

Utilize Our Resources!

Did you know I have almost 20 years experience working with animals?  I have worked with everything from police dogs, to service dogs from the disabled to large cats!  I have a glowing career I am quite proud of!

So, first I am here to encourage you to use our resources for yourself and the well being of your dog and to help those you know friends and family having questions.

• Read our blog!  There are articles posted twice weekly and these articles are also posted to Facebook and Twitter.
  

  Our Training is built on Play and Games to make it More Fun for you Both!

• When you click on the highlighted words in the body of the article it will take you to related articles!
• Search our blog.  If you have questions or problems or are suffering from a doggy behavior problem do a search in the search box in the upper left hand side of our blog.  You can search for anything from barking to nose games.  This is a great and free resource.
• We are constantly doing research to improve our techniques and keep up with the latest information in the field, which we often publish for you!
• We are honest and our training is simple, based on play, and always positive and fun!
• Join us on Facebook!  If you like our page at TheDogTrainingSecret.com it will automatically load not only the new training articles for each week, it will also post to your page interesting articles about dog’s health, dogs in the news and free dog offers!
• Share our posts to your wall so that your friends and family can get the free help that might help them improve their relationship with their dog and keep them from relinquishing ownership.  You never know when one article of hope can change lives!
• I also recommend that you join us in the Video Vault.  As with our dog training blog new videos are uploaded each week and can help you with everything from nail trims and just how to do them to leash training, barking and digging!  Watching a video can clear up any question on how-to and you can always go back and review!

So, here is my challenge to you.  Join us on Facebook and request an article or video to be shot reviewing a problem you and your dog are having that you don’t see already discussed and I will do my best to tackle your questions!

I write many articles and shoot many videos in advance that are waiting in the wings to be published so, please give me time and keep your eyes posted on your wall to look for the articles you have requested!

Go to Facebook, like our page, and bring on the work load!

Can Old Dogs Learn New Tricks?

Lately I have gotten a lot of questions as to when a dog is too old to learn something new; the answer NEVER!

Not only is your old dog capable of learning, it is crucial for his mind and body to continue to learn.

As our dogs get old, we fall into a rut.  We begin to exercise them less because they can’t keep up and their bodies are arthritic and creaky.  Instead of getting up early and getting ready for a walk, our dogs are happy sleeping in and wandering about the house.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug says “A lot of old dogs get what I call, “shrinking world” syndrome. Their owners get into a rut with them; they start walking the dog less, they don’t train the dog or teach him tricks.  The dog doesn’t get as much stimulation and enrichment-maybe they stop taking the dog to the dog park-and there is a significant decline in mental and physical challenges.

Sometimes I think our old dogs get depressed and senile simply because we are not providing them with enough stimulation.

My oldest dog is almost 12, has meningitis and has seemed to age several years in the past 6 months.  Read the rest of this entry »

Working for a Living in Dog Training

So I’ve done it, I have gone and crossed over into the dark side; I entered a competition with my dog Fury the other day!

Now, you first need to understand ME to understand my thinking and why this is extraordinary and a problem for me.

I am clearly not normal.  I hate competition.  Hate may not be a strong enough word; I loathe competition!

I vividly remember being in kindergarten and running my first “real” race.  Apparently I was “super fast” for my age because I was going to cross the line first (this is not a trait that lasted for me) but I hesitated, slowed down and looked back for my friends.  There was a part of me that didn’t want to cross first.

That trait stuck.  Whenever I talk about competing I always share how much I loathe it.  Some of you must wonder; if I despise it so much WHY do I do it?  Because competition bonds me to my dog!

Even though I hated it and I still hate it some of the best times I had were spent training for competitions with my former dog “Mr. Snitch”.  Not necessarily competing, although I have some great memories of our competitions together as well, the training was spectacular time spent together.   We enjoyed every moment of it together because, of course, I worked him with positive reinforcement training and in drive. Read the rest of this entry »

Finding Your Dog’s Motivator

This is another one of those back to basics posts, but it is really crucial to understand!

In order to use positive reinforcement, you have to find your dog’s motivator or motivators.

You must motivate your dog to listen to you.

If you can’t motivate you are, sadly, left with force and coercion.

Motivation is a term that refers to a process that elicits, controls and sustains certain behaviors.   For instance, if you have not eaten and you are hungry; food may be a motivator.

Coercion is the practice of forcing someone or something to behave in a certain manner by the use of threats or some other form of pressure or force.

Typically in dog training these are the types of training we utilize.  You can motivate your dog to listen by building a relationship and finding his motivators or you can use your physicality and force your dog to comply.

I personally like motivating my dog.  Someday, I may be unable due to illness or injury to force my dog to comply and what would happen then if our relationship was based on force?  Even if I am physically able, I just don’t like force or compulsion.  I think that we “thinking” animals should use our minds to control our animals not our physical force.

You need to find your dog’s motivators if you expect to use your mind (and not your body) to control him! Read the rest of this entry »

Are You Misusing Treats in Your Dog Training?

Recently, in the dog training world, there have been questions brought up regarding the use of treats in today’s dog training.

It seems as though the tide has turned from choke chains, prong collars and compulsion, to positive reinforcement and the introduction of treats, to the misuse of treats which has turned into bribing our dogs to comply.

Bribery is never pretty and almost never works on a long term basis.  Bribery is defined as a form of corruption, an act implying money or a gift that alters the behavior of an individual.

How Do You Know When Good Dog Training Turns to the Not So Pretty Bribery?

Once your dog has truly learned a behavior, and you no longer need to help him by luring him to successfully complete the behavior… but he only listens to you IF he knows you have and will use a treat you are crossing into the bounds of bribery!

If you have to SHOW your dog the treat in order to try to convince him to comply you are bribing him!

I thought for a long time before writing this article because I guess I would rather see people bribe their dogs before I would want to see people choke or use physical corrections and the last thing I want to do is convince people that using treats is the wrong way to train their dog.  However, I know that people get frustrated when they realize they have to bribe their dogs to listen.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Working Man’s (or Woman’s) Conundrum in Today’s Dog Ownership

I recently worked with a client at my house.  She had a lovely Pit Bull mix who was full of energy and excitement!  He was 10 months old and she and her boyfriend were at their wits end trying to deal with him and his excessive energy.  As I watch dogs bounce and fly around during training, I often wish I had just a fraction of their vigor and zest for life!

This couple’s problem is probably one of the most common problems I encounter in dog training.

They work 10 hours a day.  Now I realize that most of you are probably hackling in anger at the thought of a dog being left alone for 10 hours a day, but the truth of the matter is that this is a very common scenario.

I wish that you had to get a license, pass an ethical, knowledge and skills test, and promise to be able to spend a certain amount of time with your dog in order to own a dog; but the truth is that there are too many dogs and not enough good homes to involve such sanctions.  If requirements to own animals were stricter there would be an even higher and more astronomical rate of euthanasia.

Not all people who work are unfit owners; even those that have to work crazy long hours can make sure their dogs live fulfilling lives if they are willing to make some sacrifices! Read the rest of this entry »

Recognizing Your Dog’s Limits

I hate to admit it, but all dogs have limitations.  I would like to tell you that ALL dogs can do ALL things, but it’s just not true!!   Just like I will never be a professional dancer (I trip over my own feet sometimes…  often… ) some dogs just don’t have the genetics to do what we want them to.

Limitations come in all shapes and sizes, first there are the limitations that specific breeds bring.

All breeds of dog have been purposely bred for a purpose and most of them fit within a certain category.  The AKC has numerous categories that I usually use:   Herding, Working, Toy, Non- sporting, Hound, Terrier, and Sporting breeds.  Wikipedia breaks them down even further.

Certain breeds are bred for specific jobs: i.e. herding dogs have been bred to help farmers and ranchers herd their stock.  Their instincts for controlled chasing and herding have been modified and tailored to help farmers and ranchers.  Generalization due to breed is usually fairly acceptable and reliable; it would be difficult if not impossible to convince a Bassett Hound or a Chihuahua to safely herd a group of stock. It’s just not a reasonable expectation.

When looking for a dog it is superlative to do some research before you add a new dog as a member of your family!  Breed generalizations and their instincts will assist you in picking “your” perfect dog!

Just like there are breed specific limitations, sometimes there are individual limitations.  Not all Border Collies are capable of herding, not all Greyhounds want to race, and not all Sporting Dogs are capable of hunting.  I once worked with a Labrador Retriever that loved and performed fantastic protection work, but certainly not all Labs have a desire to do bite-work. Read the rest of this entry »

Calling All Dog Obedience Trainers

I am certain that I am not the only dog obedience trainer that reads this blog, actually I have taken notice to quite a few of you!  And, for those of you who are currently in a dog obedience class or know someone who is a trainer, print this out and give it to them!

We, as professional dog trainers, are often really dull and BORING!  I know we don’t like to admit it (and some of you may be offended that I even suggest you are boring) but let’s face it, it is difficult if not impossible to not fall prey to getting tiresome after years of training.

We drone on about heel position and perfect sits and our methods and basic curriculum hardly ever changes!  I admit, I have been there; and I know how hard it is to be a dog obedience trainer and realize week after week hardly anyone is heeding your advice or doing their homework.

We have a very limited amount of time to make a real impact on the lives of our clients and their dogs.  Most people will only take ONE obedience class with their dog and so we have a lot of stuff to pack into a 6 to 8 week period.  I also know that you are treated like a celebrity after class and everyone wants a piece of your time and advice!

It’s a complex job at best and sometimes it is downright disheartening depending on your classroom dynamics! Read the rest of this entry »

Working Dog Theory

Today I want to discuss a working dog theory and get everyone’s opinion on the idea and why people are so adamant that it works.  Although I really won’t weigh in on what I think, only giving the facts and the pros and cons, those who know me and my writing will probably know where I stand!  I am fascinated by the fact that this particular theory seems to work so well for so many.

Let me clarify, for today’s article working dog=police/military/competition dog.  This theory would not work for Guide/Service/Hearing working dogs.

As the theory goes; working dogs should not be treated as pets and are not pets.  Working dogs should be kept outside in a kennel and not live inside with their handler or owner.  The dog should be taken out a few times a day to work and some work related play is allowed.  It is believed that this aloofness creates a better working dog. Read the rest of this entry »