Category : Puppy Training

If you didn’t catch my last article “The Premise of the Magical Dog Leash” please read it.  In that article I explain WHY flawed thinking and many people’s approach to leash training hasn’t worked.

If you don’t understand WHY things haven’t worked in the past or the common pit falls you won’t be as successful in teaching your dog the appropriate way!

Now it is time to TEACH your dog appropriate leash skills!

What are Appropriate Leash Skills?

Finding Heel Position: Teaching your dog to find heel position on your left side at the drop of a hat on quiet and clear command.

Drive and Focus:  Teaching your dog to play, find you fun, and give you eye contact on command and while you walk and heel past distractions.

Leash Manners: Teaching your dog how long his leash is and NEVER to pull you! Read more »

There is no such thing as a magical leash, unfortunately.  You cannot simply hook your dog or your puppy up to a leash and expect miracles to happen.  My life would be a lot easier and more profitable if there were such an attachment.

I think when people get a dog they want to slap a leash on and go for a walk, but instead there begins a tug of war usually with the dog winning; and the person and the dog end up totally frustrated and truly unsatisfied with the whole experience.

The problem is that we, as dog owners, don’t take the time or don’t understand that we need to TEACH our dogs what we want and what our expectations are for them when they are on a leash.

As I read through comments to a recent article “Weaning Yourself and Your Dog from Compulsion Dog Training Collars”  and I kept finding myself responding by saying “TEACH your dog what you want” I realized maybe people just don’t understand what I mean or how to do it.

So these are going to be very much back to basics articles.

It is my opinion, from what I see, that we expect to have to teach our dogs to sit, lay down, stay and other various commands but what effort do we put into teaching them about their leashes and what our expectations of them are while they are on it?  Read more »

Gun dog training, specifically, is something I have never really gotten into, being the animal advocate that I am, am not really into hunting (although I am not here to pass judgment on hunters)!  However, I have spent many years working with police and protection dogs so I am not new to desensitizing dogs to gun fire.

It is critical to teach your dog or your puppy correctly when it comes to desensitizing him to noise, especially gunfire.

Dog hearing is much, much better than human hearing!  Did you know the ears of dogs are controlled by at least 18 muscles?  And, upright and curved ears amplify sound.  Humans often use ear protection when they shoot a gun, can you imagine how loud that same sound is for the dog ?

Police dogs and gun dogs are often right beside the gun when it fires and in order to be successful I believe it is best to slowly incorporate gunfire into his life.

I have personally seen and worked with dogs that were traumatized by gunfire or loud sounds and although these dogs can be desensitized to a point, some of them will never be effective working dogs.  It is much better to prevent a problem than it is to set your dog up for failure and then deal with a problem later.

I once worked with a police dog that was purchased due to his high drives sociability and workability; however the police department did not test his gunfire readiness.  Turns out that he detested gunfire!  Gunfire or loud noises sent him running for the car.  As you can imagine no officer wanted a dog they couldn’t trust in a shootout!  Turns out his first owner’s husband had gotten drunk one night and shot a goat right next to him.  The sound of the gun plus the bleating of the goat traumatized him for life. Read more »

I was recently approached by a former client (I would still be her dogs’ trainer if I lived close enough!  I really miss her pack of dogs!) to help some of her rescue friends find an alternative to some of the training collars they have been taught to use.

I don’t like training collars, except the gentle leader, because not only do most rely on compulsion and punishment they are rarely used for “training” like they were intended or as their name implies.

A training collar if utilized should be just that; only used to train or teach a dog something.

BUT, how many times do you see a 4 or 9 year old dog still using a prong collar?

One of the biggest problems is that dog owners have been taught to utilize these collars but instead of just teaching their dogs, they rely on these products constantly to get their dogs to comply with certain behaviors.  AND, the dog knows when the collar is and is not on!

Even though many of these people have been taught by a dog trainer HOW to use these items they are never taught how to wean their dog off of them or how to teach them a different way!

Did I mention I don’t like these collars?  I want to make SURE that everyone knows I NEVER recommend them!  After all, we are a “hands off” dog training system and nothing is more “hands on” than choke chains and prong collars!  So don’t send hate mail!! Read more »

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 more »

I recently worked with a client who had gotten a puppy 2 weeks prior to our meeting.  The puppy was 6 weeks old when he brought him home and immediately he had concerns that his new family member’s biting was not normal.

Within a week, he had called me for emergency help.

It is hard to imagine an 8 week old puppy having “aggression issues” but unfortunately some of them do.  These are the puppies and the clients I worry about the most as these puppies age.  Without a sincere and dedicated change in their lifestyle these puppies are hardwired for aggression issues and problems that could lead them to shelters, to biting someone, and toward ultimate euthanasia.

I am sure I will get some backlash for publically admitting that tiny puppies can have “aggression issues” because most people think that “puppies are puppies and if you just RAISE THEM RIGHT” you will never have to worry about aggression in your dog.

However, as much as I would like to adhere to that philosophy it just isn’t true, and it isn’t fair for the owners that inadvertently end up with these pups.  Some puppies have an abnormal amount of aggression, anger and a tendency toward “biting” not “nipping” but actual BITING.

I worry about and I feel bad for both the puppy and his confused and saddened owner, who is doing all that he can to curb the behavior NOW. Read more »

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 more »

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 more »

My dog’s obedience is nearly perfect!  I am a dog trainer after all!  When we head out to the training field in my back yard, she is astounding; in my mind I can hear the crowds cheer as she gazes up at me with pure adoration and excitement, immediately executing each command.

Remember when I admitted to being a little lazy when it came to my dogs lately?  Well that work I have been doing is totally paying off…

That is until I take her somewhere other than MY yard and MY training field.

Because I am usually working with other people’s dogs and running dog obedience classes, she doesn’t get much work with other dogs and distractions.

Some dog trainers want you to think they are perfect and they don’t deal with the same problems their clients have, I guess because they think that lessens their client’s respect for them.  But I am all about honesty and admittance and I am here to admit…we all do!  No one is perfect and we all have the same struggles.

So recently I have started training with another group of people; and let’s just say from the outward appearance of my dog’s struggles they might not even know I am a dog trainer.

It is as if my dogs become deaf when we hit that training field and they see other dogs.

They try to convince me they have never heard the word SIT and they will only heel if the vantage point of what everyone else is doing is conducive to the direction we are headed.  Otherwise it is like I have swivel bobble head dogs with ADHD.

Sometimes as I want to crumple up into a ball and blubber.   I think I can see them smirking or outright laughing (as long as their vantage point of what everyone else is doing is conducive to the direction I am crumpled into that ball; otherwise I just have a view of their furry butt cheeks).

But, in all honesty I expect it!  I have been a dog trainer long enough to know that my credentials don’t spare me from the humility only a dog can deliver.

Working through distractions has to be TAUGHT.  It does not matter how impeccable your training is if you can’t count on it in other environments or without a multitude of distractions; unless you will NEVER be taking your dog out of this particular environment.

So, although I KNOW my dog knows “Sit” I almost have to go back to square one, with patience (this is key) and TEACH her “Sit” again amongst distractions.

You see, dogs don’t think like we humans do.  Sit means sit no matter where you are to us people.  But in your little dog’s mind: “Sit” means “Sit in the backyard” or in the house.  They need to be taught in all types of environment in order to begin to generalize that Sit means Sit EVERYWHERE.

Backing up and retraining your dog in a number of environments will be faster, because your dog already has the foundation of knowing the basics command.   But, you must back up and be patient or this stage is liable to be frustrating for you both and take longer.  This is often the point that a person “gives up” on his dog because of the social humiliation and thinking the dog is being belligerent.

I have used this comparison before but I will use it again; it would be like taking a 6 or 7  year old child to the zoo and having them do Math or English homework.  Do they know how to do it?  YES, but is that environment conducive to LEARNING?  No.

Try to look at it from your dog’s point of view: they finally get some “social interaction” and you expect them to do something tedious and boring!

All you need to do is give yourself enough space in between people and other dogs and go back to learning and having fun!  You must be more exciting and FUN than the distractions that are going on for your dog to give up the distraction and enjoy working with you.  Eventually you can move closer and closer to the distractions and use the same principles.

Once you have conquered one new distraction or environment, it is time to add another environment or more distractions!

Move slowly, but by doing so with positive reinforcement and fun you are setting yourself up for that flawless, enviable obedience you so desire.

Cut Yourself a Break

We all struggle!  Even National Dog Obedience competitors have set this same basic foundation!

And, understand there are sometimes uncontrollable distractions; like baby bunnies.

When I was at training on Sunday, there were probably 4 of us on the field, all with dogs at different stages in their obedience.

I think I was in that crumpled ball sobbing or my dog was staring at me out of confusion because she barely noticed the baby bunnies as they emerged and scampered across the field.

Now, no one really trains for this scenario (unless you are training assistance or working dogs) but one of the dogs broke his stay.  He is about 2 and has good quality obedience but is still new and in the learning stages.

One of the obedience trainers chastised the owner, that her dog broke his stay and then that she wasn’t loud enough and he didn’t instantly come back.  But in all reality, that is ridiculous.  Even dogs at the highest level of titling and competition would likely brake to pursue a band of baby bunnies scuttled across the field.  I was just lucky.

Sometimes things happen that you just can’t control, whereas you can try to set up more and more difficult scenarios and train for many situations you must remember your dog is a DOG and he will make mistakes no matter how many titles he has or how flawless his obedience is otherwise!

Just do your best to add as many distractions as possible and train in as many places as possible and you will reap the rewards of a well trained dog!

Whisper the simple word “correction” in a crowded room full of dog trainers and you might just get flogged.  The word brings up visions of hitting, kicking and strangling dogs in the name of obedience.  What does correction mean?  Is it synonymous with change or punishment?   What does correction mean to you and your dog?

So, first I think we need to define “correction”.  I went to thefreedictionary.com to find more answers, and I came up with a couple of definitions which, indeed may have made things even more confusing or proved why there is so much drama surrounding this word.

1. Correction: something offered or substituted for a mistake or fault
2. Correction: punishment intended to rehabilitate or improve

When I then did a search for “dog training/corrections” thousands of sites 804,000 to be exact popped up, and most (although I didn’t have time to search them all   seemed to follow the “Punishment” mentality or definition whether they were pro or anti correction in dog training.

So it seems that this potential flogging at the mere mention of “corrections” in dog training is quite heated and spurned by the fact that in dog training, at least, corrections = punishment.

I may try to spawn a change in the definition and theory when it comes to our furry friends, as I agree with the positive reinforcement trainers that there is no real place in dog training for punishment but, dare I say it…there is room for correction. Read more »

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