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Come Means Come! Now! Not Whenever
Come Means Come! Now! Not Whenever
By Karen Soukiasian
Without a doubt, one of the main reasons why dog trainers are in business; all those "My dog won't come when I call him/her!" phone calls. Fact is, it is probably one of the easiest behavior issues to remedy.
Dogs come or don't come on recall for two reasons:
1. Trust/Respect - positive associations
2. Disrespect/Fear - negative associations
TRUST/RESPECT
Trust -A well-trained dog will return when called, out of trust. Hearing their name, and the word "COME!" is a positive association. They know coming when called pleases you. They know something good, and/or lots of praise will be waiting for them when they get to you. There is a healthy bond between owner and dog.
Respect - As the leader of their pack, they instinctively know, pleasing Alpha is a good thing. There is a healthy bond between owner and dog.
DISRESPECT/FEAR
Disrespect - An untrained dog has no respect. They don't care what you want, because they do not perceive you as the Alpha member of their pack. The bond between owner and dog is non-existent.
Fear - A dog may or may not come out of fear. Their association with returning when called is negative. They may even associate recall with cruelty. The bond between owner and dog is non-existent.
There are a number of ways to work on recall. Here are a few suggestions:
Obedience training. Find a local trainer who applies only positive reinforcement, punishment-free training methods. Take each step slowly, work on each command until you are satisfied with your dog's response. Create a positive bond between you and your dog. Make your dog WANT to return to you when called.
Make coming when called a game YOU control. NEVER chase your dog, when it is not returning. Even on your best day, you will never catch them, unless they want to be caught! Instead, turn your back, run in the opposite direction, arms waving and make funny noises. More times than not, that will get your dog's attention immediately, and they won't want to miss out on the "fun" you are having. You have taken control over the situation, by turning it around.
Another trick you can use, squat down, act as if you are looking at something on the ground. Get your dog's attention, then make a few funny noises at what you have "found" on the ground. Usually, your dog's curiosity will get the best of them. They will come flying back, to see what has you so focused on something besides them! You have taken control over the situation, by turning it around.
Be patient. Do not over react! Your dog will sense your frustration, and not want to return to you.
Don't pick your dog up each time you call them. Small dogs often will go to a total stranger faster than they will their owner, because they don't like being picked up and carried around all the time. Here is where you have to respect your dog. Allow them the "dignity" of walking on their own four feet.
Finally, NEVER, EVER punish your dog, especially physically, when it returns to you. Even if they have been gone for hours, praise them for returning. You do not want to reinforce a negative association with returning. The praise does not have to be over exuberant...just a simple "good boy or good girl" will do. Never make your dog regret making that decision to return.
A good Rule of Thumb to remember: The faster they return to you, the greater the rewards.
Bottom Line: Be sure your dog is neutered or spayed. Getting loose will be the least of your problems. Neutering male dogs will help take the edge off of that urge to "be fruitful and multiply." Getting hit by cars is the number one killer of intact male dogs. They go brain-dead when on the quest. Spaying your female dog, will spare you sleepless nights of wondering, "Is she or isn't she?" should she take off during that decisive time.
Nothing beats the bond created between you and your dog than quality time shared together. Obedience training is a terrific way to create and reinforce that bond. It also gives your dog a chance to socialize with other dogs, so they don't go brain-dead looking for adventures when loose!
"COME" means "COME NOW!"
Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING - Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida - AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite
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What's Up Doc? - Taking the Fear Out of Visits to the Vet
What's Up Doc? - Taking the Fear Out of Visits to the Vet
By Karen Soukiasian
Usually, when a dog reacts that way, there is a reason. Dogs learn by association...positive and negative. The more positive experiences a dog has, the better their behavior.
Since your dog cannot sit down and over a cup of coffee, discuss their issues; you are left to guess what is causing him or her to react the way they do. It's a hit or miss kind of game. By process of elimination, usually you will find the root cause of that particular unacceptable behavior.
Most commonly, the reasons for a dog's negative vet visits are:
1. The vet does not positively interact with the dog...they come in, they "hurt" them and they leave. 2. The dog terrifies the vet. The dog senses it, and takes the upper hand. There are vets, who are petrified by some dogs. That's why they have assistants!3. The dog for some reason known only to them, does not feel safe or comfortable with that particular vet. Trust your dog's instincts. Many dogs are great judges of a person's character. If your dog does not like someone, listen to him or her.4. Something extremely traumatic happened during a previous vet visit. Shelter dogs in particular, have often have negative vet experiences.
To help your dog get over the stress of visiting the vet, you have to help them modify that negative association, by making vet visits a pleasurable experience. It is more often than not, one of the easiest behavior issues to change.
The cause is a mystery, but the issue is obvious. Your dog needs to associate the vet with something positive.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Find a new vet. If your vet does not positively interact with your dog before and after a procedure, they don't deserve your hard earned money.2. If your vet is afraid of your dog, find a new vet. Your dog senses that fear. A dog should never have the upper hand. The relationship must be based on mutual trust and respect.3. Desensitize your dog. Make vet visits something your dog looks forward to: Take a ride to the vet, just walk around the parking lot. Give your dog some yummy treats. Praise your dog for being such a "good boy or girl." Get back into the car and go home. Do this a few times. When you see your dog is comfortable at this stage, it's time to move on to the next. Next, take a ride to the vet. This time, after walking your dog around a bit, go inside. Give your dogs lots of yummy treats. Ask the staff, and the vet; to interact with your dog, and to give your dog treats. Make the experience a positive one. Lots of attention, lots of fun, lots of treats and lots of praise. Get back in the car and go home. Repeat this as necessary. You will know when your dog is responding positively, when they are no longer tense, simply walking into the office. Finally, make an appointment with your vet. Have your dog go into an exam room for nothing more than a basic check-up. No shots! Nothing invasive. Make it a positive experience. Lots of focus on your dog, lots of treats and lots of praise. It's worth the price of a visit, to help him or her overcome their fear.
By now, your dog should have a positive association with going to the vet. Make future visits as upbeat as possible. You may be pleasantly surprised how quickly your dog will change their behavior.
Do it right, and neither one of you will have to be sedated the next time your dog has a vet visit.
NOTE: If you have a puppy, start working at making vet visits "fun", so you don't have problems later on.
Bottom Line: Vet visits should not be traumatic. As a responsible dog owner, you know there will be many more in your dog's future. Make each visit as positive as possible.
These exercises may also be used to help dogs overcome their fear of the groomer too!
Karen A. Soukiasian, GOOD DOG! - DOG TRAINING - Owner/Trainer, St. Augustine, Florida - AKC CANINE GOOD CITIZEN Evaluator http://www.freewebs.com/gooddogsite
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Friendly Training Methods to Communicate With Your Dog
Friendly Training Methods to Communicate With Your Dog
By Amy Nutt
Many people become frustrated with a dog that just won't listen. They want to be to understand their dog and develop communication method that the dog will understand. Fortunately, there are number 'friendly' training methods that you can use to help you communicate with your dog, which will help eliminate behavior problems.
Most behavior problems like biting, jumping on strangers, urinating on the floor, and barking, result from a failure to communicate properly with your dog. Basically, the dog does not understand what you are trying teach him. 'Dog-Friendly' methods of training means you can communicate and train your dog without inflicting pain or anger. They are positive reinforcement techniques that are fun for both you and your dog.
Using friendly training methods that include positive training techniques will help you develop a trusting life-long bond with your dog. To build a strong owner-dog relationship, based on trust and mutual respect, incorporating the following techniques will help:
Kindness and Patience is Essential: Yelling, hitting, using choke collars, or electric shock, is not only cruel, but will not train your dog. He will develop a fear of you and most likely develop other behavioral problems such as aggression, trust, love, and respect, are essential to understanding and communication with your dog. Of course, your dog should know its position in the family, and that you are the 'top dog' so to speak, but you do not have to do this using punishing and inhumane methods. It won't work. Friendly training helps you work with your dog's natural instincts
Training and Play: One thing that dogs love is play. Make your training fun. Motivate the dog with treats and praise when he accomplishes a task. For instance, if your dog is jumping on you, praise your dog every time he greets you by sitting. When you meet him, assist him with sitting and then praise him or give him a treat. Repeating the sitting technique, the dog will learn he is rewarded for sitting and not jumping on you. Make sure you are consistent with the training technique and reward. You do not want to confuse the dog.
Association and Repetition: Dogs do not have the ability to learn something once. You have to associate the word with the action you want it to perform. For instance, if you want it to lie down, you can use the correct signal and you can lay down with your dog. After it lies down, you can reward him with a treat or praise. Keep repeating the method and your dog will learn to associate the word and action. Connecting words with actions in a positive way .is essential to success
Arrange for Your Dog to Succeed: Throughout your training session, make sure you incorporate easy techniques so you can reward him. The reward for succeeding will stay with him. He will be a much happier dog. Ending the session with a successful training technique will leave him feeling happy. Keep Positive: Some dogs will take longer to learn than others. If you get angry or show frustration, your dog will pick up on your negative energy. The dog will be confused and react to your negative emotions by displaying negative behavior.
Clicker Reinforcement: Use a clicker device to make a 'click' sound when your dog does something right. They will begin to learn that the sound means they did something right.
Dogs are never entirely trained. As the owner, you must keep up with the positive reinforcement techniques. If you don't, the dog may forget some learned behaviors. Communication is critical to creating a life long bond with your dog. It is important to observe how your dogs react to situations so you learn its body language. Talk to your dog in a kind and loving voice and you will soon find yourself with a loyal life friend.
Dog training can take some time and house training is no exception. When looking for puppy training to not pull on a lead, in-home dog training Kelowna to improve your relationship between you and your dog.
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