In the United States, when people meet a stranger, they typically approach each other directly, then shake hands while making eye contact and show their teeth by smiling. That’s how we show each other that we are not a threat or an enemy, that we are polite, honest, and we understand social customs. Well, guess what? When you behave that way toward a dog you don’t know, you are sending the exact opposite message. You are simply saying that you are aggressive, threatening, and not to be trusted.

Dogs interpret many behaviors differently than humans. When two dogs approach each other for the first time, they do not march directly up to each other face-to-face. They do not hold a vulnerable body part within striking distance of the other’s most dangerous weapon. They do not  bare their teeth and gaze directly into the other dog’s eyes. Instead, they walk around each other in an arc, at some distance, then get closer as they circle. This gives each dog a chance to study the other and assess whether this meeting should or should not take place.

People should not force a dog to be approached or touched if it makes the dog uncomfortable. When you approach a dog and reach out your hand, you are forcing yourself into that dog’s personal space. If the dog is uneasy, you could be bitten.

Case in point: A client of mine has a large female dog which the family had rescued. This dog was very shy and fearful around strangers. One evening, an elderly neighbor stopped by with some ice cream for the family. The dog was eating her dinner on the screened front porch when the man entered. The dog growled and backed up. That is a very clear communication from the dog that she is uncomfortable and does NOT want to interact with the man. This is appropriate behavior in the dog’s universe, although we often consider it unacceptable in ours.

This well-meaning and thoughtful neighbor wanted to convince the dog that he had no intention of hurting her, that he really is a nice guy. So he continued to approach the dog while holding his hand out for her to sniff. He did this until the dog was backed into a corner. Well, the dog bit him, and at the hospital the doctors put ten stitches in the poor guy’s hand.

This incident could have been easily avoided had the man understood what the dog was telling him. When a dog feels stress, she wants to put more distance between herself and whatever is causing the stress. If she is cornered, she loses her option of distancing herself, and lashes out to make the cause of the stress back away.

The point is, never put a dog in a position where she feels she has to bite. Keep your hands to yourself, and allow an unfamiliar dog to approach you as she feels comfortable. Do not make direct eye contact, as this can be interpreted as threatening. And if the dog backs up, DON’T  continue trying to persuade the dog you’re friendly by walking up to her. Your sending a mixed message. Your voice says you are kind and sweet, while your actions are saying the opposite. And actions do speak louder than words. So, back off, and stay safe.

Copyright. All rights reserved. Martha Winters, CPDT-KA, A Dog Gone Good School of Dog Training.

Why should you start training your pup at such a young age?
(8 weeks and up)

“The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing over stimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated. Because the first three months are the period when sociability outweighs fear, this is the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new people, animals, and experiences. Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral problems are the greatest threat to the owner-dog bond. In fact, behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.”

(From the AVSAB Position Paper on Puppy Socialization)

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At A Dog Gone Good School of Dog Training, we use humane, scientifically-based methods. No choke chains, prong collars or electric shock. Training should be an enjoyable activity for you and your dog. Reward the behavior you like, and ignore or redirect the behavior you want to change. It is not necessary to inflict pain, stress, or fear in your dog as part of your training. Our methods are fun and help you strengthen a lifelong bond between you and your dog. So give us a try, and

RAISE A DOG THAT’S EASY TO LIVE WITH.
Contact us in Tallahassee, Florida at (850)906-0930

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Catered to the individual, and scheduled for your convenience, we address most issues concerning your dog’s behavior. Only humane methods are used in all aspects of training and behavior modification.

Raise a dog that’s easy to live with.

Call for an appointment or information:

(850)906-0930

Woof!

Training your dog should be an enjoyable activity – not a power struggle or battle of the wills. Whether you decide to attend a group class, or you prefer private one-on-one training, the Humane Society of the United States advises, “It’s essential that the (professional) dog trainer you select uses humane training techniques that encourage appropriate behavior through such positive reinforcement as food, attention, play, or praise. Look for a trainer who ignores undesirable responses or withholds rewards until the dog behaves appropriately. Training techniques should never involve yelling, choking, shaking the scruff, tugging on the leash, alpha rolling (forcing the dog on his back), or other actions that frighten or inflict pain.”

So what do you look for in a good trainer? Dr. Terry Curtis, DVM, Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida recommends:
*A trainer who treats dogs and owners with respect.
*A trainer who uses treat-based, positive-reinforcement techniques.
*A trainer who uses good-fitting harnesses, head collars, or other non-choking, non-shocking collars.
*A trainer who teaches the owner what to do and how to do it.
*A trainer who uses a variety of non-aversive techniques.
*Training that is tailored to the individual dog.
*A program that allows the dog to progress at its own speed and that isn’t forced into situations that he/she isn’t comfortable with.
*A trainer who applies basic learning theory correctly.
Dr. Curtis cautions dog owners to avoid:
*A trainer who uses correction collars (choke, prong, shock) as a primary way to train.
*A trainer who uses harsh/repeated corrections.
*A trainer who hits the dog with hands, leash, or feet.
*A trainer who takes a dog away to its facility for “boot camp”.
*A trainer who says that an owner is “loving too much” or is “being too soft”.
*A trainer who follows a dominance-based training model.

Do not allow a trainer to handle your dog in any manner that makes you or the dog uncomfortable. And beware of anyone who guarantees results. No one can predict future behavior because there are an infinite number of variables that can affect it. None of us is perfect. Don’t expect your dog to be.

Ask a friend, neighbor, veterinarian, or humane society for a trainer recommendation. Remember, training should be an enjoyable activity for you and your dog. So find a competent trainer who employs humane techniques, and raise a dog that’s easy to live with.
For more information about what to look for in a professional dog trainer, visit the Humane Society of the United States at www.hsus.org, or the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers at www.ccpdt.com.

A Dog Gone Good School of Dog Training

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September, 2010

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 A small group class for adolescent and adult dogs ages 4.5 months and older starts

Wednesday, September, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

This is a 5-week class.

Emphasis will be on basic life skills and behaviors that most pet parents want in a well-behaved dog.

~All training methods are humane and dog-friendly, and based in scientific learning theory.~

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Training should be fun, not scary.

We use NO choke chains, NO prong collars, NO physical reprimands.

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For registration info, call Martha, your Certified Professional Dog Trainer(CPDT-KA), at (850)906-0930 .

RAISE A DOG THAT’S EASY TO LIVE WITH.

A dog doesn’t require much, but if a dog has a need that is not being met, he may act out on those needs in order to cope with the frustration. Often these behaviors are unacceptable and inappropriate to humans, although they are normal for dogs. It is our responsibility, as dog owners, to provide the things our dogs require, so that they are less likely to engage in unwanted and destructive behaviors.

Dogs don’t suppress their emotions the way we do; they express their feelings through their actions. Keep in mind, that DOGS DO NOT PURPOSELY MISBEHAVE.

When you want to solve an ongoing behavior problem, first make sure the cause is NOT due to a physical ailment or injury. Next, determine what need the dog has that is not being met. Then alter the dog’s environment so the need is satisfied, and the unwanted behavior should disappear.

Four important needs that dogs have are:
1. To feel at ease in their home environment.
The dog may bark in the yard all day (or night) because he’s nervous or anxious. He may feel unsafe or vulnerable to predators because he does not have adequate shelter (from the dog’s perspective). If that’s the case, provide areas for him that make him feel more protected, or bring him inside the house.

2. Companionship.
Dogs are social animals. They want to be with their family (that means YOU) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But most of us lead very busy lives. So the dog spends lots of time without you. And when you come home, he is beside himself with excitement and won’t leave you alone. “Oh my gosh, you’re home!! I’ve been waiting and waiting! I’m not letting you out of my sight!” If this scenario seems familiar, arrange for someone to spend more time with him. Come home for lunch, or ask a neighbor to look in on him at midday. Hire a dog walker. Give him plenty of fun things to do while you are away so he won’t miss you so much.

3. Physical exercise.
If he’s digging holes or chewing on the walls and rugs because it relieves pent-up energy, your dog may need physical exercise. Taking him for a long walk is better than nothing. But for him, that’s like going for a nice stroll. Playing fetch or frisbee with the pup until he want to stop is more effective because he can exert himself as much as needed.

4. Mental exercise.
If he’s tearing up things because he’s bored, provide him with mentally stimulating activities and toys. Puzzle toys and hollow items with food inside are marvelous projects for the dog. They provide acceptable outlets for the dog’s intellectual needs, and are also time-consuming.

Be wary of products for sale that claim a quick fix for behavior. Many of them treat only the symptom, not the cause of the problem. For instance, an electronic shock collar might stop a lonely dog from barking, but it won’t cure its loneliness. The need is still there and may manifest itself in other ways. Chewing on the house or biting people are possibilities. Please remember, providing for his or her basic needs is essential for the development of a well-adjusted pet.

As cute and adorable as they are, puppies and dogs are not little humans in fuzzy costumes. With patience and a little training, you can teach your pup to understand what you want it to do.

Puppies are not born with good human manners. They do not know what we, as humans, consider acceptable behavior. And they do not understand English. Contrary to what many people believe…. PUPPIES DO NOT MISBEHAVE ON PURPOSE! Never forget this! Dogs don’t intentionally do things that are bad. PEOPLE do that! A dog merely behaves a certain way because it is beneficial to the dog to do so. PERIOD. It tastes good or it feels good or it’s fun or it gets your attention or it makes him feel safe.

When your puppy receives a benefit from his behavior, he will want to repeat that behavior more often. He learns to associate good results with that activity. If an activity brings unwanted consequences or nothing worthwhile, your puppy will be less likely to repeat that particular behavior. He wants pleasant things in his life and wants to avoid anything he doesn’t like.

A beneficial outcome (known as a reward) can come in the form of anything the dog finds pleasing. Be careful not to project into the dog what types of rewards you think he should like. Don’t try to force your pup to like something that he doesn’t. (“By golly, I bought these treats on sale, and he’s gonna eat them whether he likes ‘em or not!”) It won’t work. A fun project is to make a list of 30 items that your puppy likes. These items come in three categories: food, toys and activities. After you compile the list, rank the items in order of your dog’s preference, you know, which one he likes best, then second best, etc.

Dogs do not enjoy everything equally. It will be very helpful in your training to know which things your dog likes a little and which ones will make him do back flips. When training your dog, you are competing with all the stimuli and distractions that are enticing him. Let’s say you have a small dry dog biscuit in one hand, and a live squirrel in your other hand. Which item do you think will grab your dog’s attention? If you said the squirrel, you’re going to be right most of the time. Now, let’s say your dog is chasing a squirrel in the backyard, and you call him to come, as you waggle a dry dog biscuit in your hand to lure him. Which activity do you think he will decide to do? Remember, dogs do not purposely misbehave. So as he continues to chase the squirrel, keep in mind that he is not defying your orders. He is simply making a choice as to which activity will benefit him more at that time. He will always go for the best game around when there is a choice.

Dogs will try different behaviors until they find the one that works. All too often we pay attention to our dogs when they are behaving badly, and ignore them when they’re good. For example, your dog wants your attention, so he sits quietly in front of you, looking at you. You ignore him. So he paws at your leg. You ignore him. So he barks you, and you tell him to be quiet. Well, you have just rewarded the dog for barking by paying attention to him.
So the next time he wants your attention, his first attempt will be to bark at you, because that’s what works. When a dog wants attention, he will take the attention in any form. Nasty attitude or not, you are reinforcing the behavior you don’t want.

Instead, a good way to teach your puppy to do the behavior you want is to CATCH YOUR DOG IN THE ACT OF DOING SOMETHING RIGHT. When your pup is being an angel, let him know you like it. The moment you see him start to do something you like, reward him immediately. So when he sits near you and silently looks up at you in that adorable way, pay attention! Reward him. It’s not always necessary to tell your pup to do the behavior in order to reward him. The fact that the little doggie is doing something you like is reason enough.