Dogs Dunne Right

04/27/2018

Choosing a Dog Trainer?

The Internet is filled with information, some good, some bad, about how to train your dog. There are likely a dozen people in your area in the business of helping Rover fit into your family better. As you look through the sites of each, you may be surprised to see that though there are similarities, each trainer has his or her own technique that differs from the others. How to choose? How do you know which one is right? Treat? Click? Pack leader? Force-free? None of the above?

Years ago, while climbing the management ladder in another career, I attended a multi-week course covering Stephen Covey’s, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Many of his ideas have stuck with me, but one in particular always comes to mind when I think about dog training methods and trends: “Treat them all the same by treating them differently.”

I see trainer after trainer make claims that the method he/she uses is the right method, better than any other. I read a site last week on which the owner posted that he does not use treats and that dogs do not really learn that way. Many handlers swear that clicker training is the only way to go. Some instructors will only use positive reinforcement and decry any use of negative consequences, while others preach a dog will only obey a strong alpha pack leader.

The problem with all of these claims harks back to Covey’s quote. Each dog is different. Each dog (like each person) has his own personality, traits, motivators, fears, likes and dislikes. Sure, there are similarities that run across breeds – terriers like to dig, retrievers like to fetch, hounds like to howl. But there is much more to a dog’s brain than his breeding dictates. Even puppies in the same litter can differ significantly from one another.

When working with your dog, teaching a new behavior or reinforcing one that is already learned, be mindful of the living creature in front of you. What makes her happy? Is it a treat or maybe it’s a toy? Is he so over-the-top excited that verbal praise is all he needs? If you’re in a two- or three-dog household, be aware that what works for one may not be what the other needs. Work with them separately.

Training methods should be flexible and tailored to the individual dog. You may have to experiment, but when you hit on the right combination, the bond between you will grow and your pup’s desire to get it right will take over. If you need outside help, remember that almost every problem has more than one solution, look for the one that works for you as well as your beloved companion.

04/12/2018

The principles of dog training have changed in major ways during the last several years. How many of you remember being taught to hit the nose of your dog with a rolled up newspaper if he soiled in the house? Or smack him in the mouth if he growled while guarding his food or a toy? Or pinning him down by the neck if he displayed dominant behavior to prove that you were the "Alpha"?

Thankfully, those philosophies have been cast aside as we have recognized that training our loving, loyal dogs can be done in the same manner as training a dolphin or horse. Can you imagine hitting a killer whale to correct it's behavior?

Anyone can train a dog using patience and reward. Operant conditioning, positive reinforcement, bridging, classical conditioning, negative and positive consequences are all methods that work. Which one is best depends on each dog and his personality. But all are force-free.

Start with a SIT. Everywhere, Anywhere, Anytime, Everytime. Once you have taught your dog to SIT whenever, wherever you ask, you have the first stepping stone to an entire world of obedience commands and behavior changes.

04/06/2018

The fundamental theory that makes training help any dog, whatever the issue, is working with the three D's: Distraction -- Duration -- Distance. When trying to change a pup's behavior, it is important to only work on one of these key factors at a time.

For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit-stay, you're working on Duration. Be sure that you stay close to your dog (Distance) and be sure that you are in a quiet environment (Distraction). Start by asking your dog to sit for very short periods of time with lots of rewards and praise. S-l-o-w-l-y increase the amount of time the dog sits and reward with each increased level.

Once proficient at a long sit-stay, add in one of the other D's -- can you walk away or will the dog get up? If you throw a ball, will the dog get up? Most likely the answer is yes! Again, introduce your next D at a very low level. Don't forget to praise when the dog does it right.

There is no need to correct or scold your dog during this exercise. Make training fun and filled with rewards. Keep sessions short, but frequent. By removing punishment, both you and your dog are more likely to remain patient and enjoy working together!

Training people how to train their dogs

03/27/2018

Training a reliable recall can save your dog's life. No matter how careful we are, accidents and mistakes happen -- dogs get off leash, dogs get out of yards, dogs slip through accidentally left open gates. Teaching your dog to come when called is the most important tool you can have to keep your dog safe.

The thing I see most often that makes me cringe is people who scold their dogs when they come to them or yell at them to get them to come. Think: If there are going to be negative consequences when a dog returns, what motivation is there to come back?

There are several steps in training a recall, but the first and most important that you can do right away is praise and reward your dog EVERY TIME the dog comes to you. Five feet away? GOOD DOG! Ten feel away? GOOD DOG! Start small and build up, but start, start, start. GOOD DOG!

03/19/2018

When training a pup, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Superstar trainers and animal behaviorists like Sophia Yin, Patricia McConnell and Karen Pryor have loads of information on the Internet and YouTube. Here's a sample from my favorite trainer:

www.drsophiayin.com presents a video revealing that the Secret to Dog Training is that the owners have to consistently reward desired behavior and remove rew...

03/13/2018

Great advice and easy to follow steps:

If your dog doesn t already know the value of eye contact with humans, you can easily teach her. This is an operant conditioning/positive reinforcement exercise your dog learns her behavior can make good stuff happen.