Do you want it done fast or do you want it done right?

Can you get fast and also permanent results at the same time? There are experts in the dog training field who advise trainers such as myself, "If you hope to compete with traditional trainers, you have to promise quick fixes, just like they do." I would agree...if we were plumbers and our goal was to unstop toilets or sinks. And really, when you get down to it, it's not even the training so much as the everyday interaction using that training that is the crucial part of having a nicely behaved dog, whatever training method you choose.

Dogs Come In Different Flavors

Take Dexter, for example. Dexter is a very high energy dog. I work with Dexter every day to help him cope with the world he lives in (mine). Barking and running and jumping and eating anything he finds at his eye level-all of these things are normal dog behaviors. However, if he is to live in my world, in my home, these behaviors allowed to flourish would soon grow quite tiresome. 

Just going for a simple walk requires constant attention from me. I reinforce what I like and prevent what I don't by limiting his opportunity to practice those behaviors. This takes diligence. I happen to enjoy the process of working with my dog. Some people don't. Then again, some parents of human children are unwilling to relinquish old habits or to change their lifestyle in order to provide a stable and consistent home life- Casey Anthony being the most current and extreme example.

List of acceptable behavior from Dexter during a walk (video of a typical walk here):

Walking
Sniffing
Marking bushes (where appropriate)

Not acceptable:
Lunging towards joggers or cars or fast moving bicycles
Chasing cars, birds, cats, bunnies
Snarking at other dogs
Pulling me

Now, could I cut to the chase and use something to STOP the unacceptable behaviors in their track? Yes. I could use a prong collar. I could use a shock collar. I could use a choke collar and leash yanks whenever Dexter even looked like he was going to Step Out Of Line. I could also nag-I could scold, spank, or even grab his muzzle and squeeze it while issuing a low warning through gritted teeth "You Will NOT Do That"...

But...will any of those fast fixes change the actual underlying behavior? Not likely. I suspect (but would never put this to the test) that even if I chose to use a quick-fix tool, Dexter would still need reminding again and again, not because he is "stubborn" but because it is his nature to be energetic and overcoming nature is not easy. It is who he is. Each dog, like each person, is different. I accept and work within those parameters.

Take a look at the tempting array of food to your right -->-->-->-->

Will eating these foods immediately stop your hunger? You bet. Do they fill your long-term nutritional needs? You tell me.

As with food choices, when teaching my dog, overall, I prefer an organic approach - one that respects the nature of the dog.


But Chris-I don't have time to train. Some people have to work all day, you know! Some people have lives!

Then darn it, you should not have a dog. Harsh? You bet. 

Before I became a full time dog trainer, my husband and I ran a small 501c3 Siberian husky rescue in Southern California. The reasons people gave for surrendering their dog held few surprises (an exception-one rescuer I know swears this is true-a woman wished to surrender her dog because she changed her carpeting and the dog no longer matched) Hands down, the vast majority of surrenders came from people who simply did not want to deal with their dog's bad habits, even after being offered free training (from yours truly).  I then had to agree with their decision to re-home the dog. This is a far better scenario, in my view, than the dog being left to languish in the back yard, or worse.

"I just don't have time for her. She has too much energy. She needs a home that can give her the attention she deserves-she's a great dog!"
"My husky keeps escaping the yard"
"My husky has torn up my (sofa, back yard, furniture, etc.) and I cannot afford to keep replacing it"

Sadder still were the calls from people who truly cared for their dog, but that dog had just bitten a family member. Conventional wisdom is quick to blame "permissive owners". This is what happens when a dog "thinks he is in charge", they say, shaking their heads.

The funny thing is, I never once found that dog who thought he was "in charge". I found dogs that were fearful, anxious, and on a hair trigger. I found dogs that had the growl punished out of them and so went straight to a bite.

I found dogs that guarded food and were challenged and made worse ("You must show the dog you are the pack leader-but don't try these methods at home!"...huh?) or the guarding behavior was ignored until the inevitable explosion occurred. In those cases, nine times out of ten it was a small child that unwittingly got too close to the dog and his food bowl. I would often hear "The dog just bit with no warning! It came out of the blue!"

Good things take time...

Well, not really.

After some conversation, the missed or ignored warning signs would emerge. "Well...she has always been a little jealous around her food bowl" or "He never really liked it when the baby pulled on his ears"

Why were these signs ignored or missed? I suspect that some hoped the behavior would somehow resolve itself. "We told her "no" each time she did it" and "We thought she would grow out of it" are statements I (and anyone in rescue-just ask) have heard more than once.


If I sound heartless and judgemental, please forgive me.

Can some things be trained quickly?

Of course. Just as not all food that is fast and easy is bad for you, some behaviors can be taught with lightning speed. To teach a  "sit" or a "down" is a piece of proverbial cake. To teach a different species to live peacefully in a home with us-not so easy.

Complex behaviors, such as changing dog to dog aggression, for example,  did not develop overnight and cannot be fixed overnight,
I don't care what the shock collar trainer tells you. And, let's be clear here- it is a shock-not a "tap" or a "tingle" that stops the behavior in its tracks or it wouldn't work. There is no magic about a shock collar and the ease in obtaining and using one is frightening to me.(If you are brave, you can watch this video of people using shock collars on themselves on YouTube for the errrr...shock value)

As long as the problem is solved, why should I care?

Because it probably isn't solved until the underlying behavior is addressed.  And that takes time.

Also...

Because you love your dog. Because there are other methods that may take longer, but are kinder. Because you have the bigger brain. Because you chose this dog. But most of all, because you are human.

Need help?
International Association of Behavior Consultants
Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partners
Truly Dog Friendly
Articles and videos by veterinarian and behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin
Happy Training,
Chris

We choose to bring a dog into our home. Therefore, we are obligated to teach in a manner which does no harm and is fair to the learner.

Organic~

Of change or development, gradual and natural rather than sudden or forced

The ability to adapt, learn, and evolve

Emergent behavior or emergent properties

Made up of many different parts which contribute to the way in which 

the whole structure works

Instrumental; acting as instruments of nature or of art to a certain destined

function or end.

Organic Dog Training~

"We choose to develop a lifelong relationship with our dogs by nourishing their ability to learn, adapt, and evolve. We encourage desired behavior through steady growth, as opposed to instant change, by relying upon feedback from the dog, which we recognize as a sentient being " ~ Chris Waggoner

Takin' It To The Streets

We love taking our dogs to new places. After all, aren't we supposed to expose our dogs to as many different people, places, and sounds as possible?

"My dog gets SO excited when we go places!" We interpret our dog’s obvious energy and excitement as evidence that he is not only learning how to operate amongst crowds, but is also enjoying the experience. But is he? What about the dog who becomes very still and quiet in public? Is he calm or so afraid that he is shut-down? Do you know how to gauge your dog's level of anxiety? Did you know that there is a simple test that can help you determine your dog's mental state? What should you do if your dog is overwhelmed by the crowd? Just what does "socialization" mean, anyway?


"If I take my dog everywhere, he will be well socialized!"

 When people say this, I think what they really mean is "My dog should be comfortable and friendly around strange people and dogs, well mannered and not too afraid when in public." However, this is not accomplished by merely wading into a crowd of people. In fact, one of the surest ways to make your dog afraid of crowds and people is to force him to interact while afraid. More importantly than just being exposed to people and crowds, he needs to feel safe when around them. 

Plan, plan, then plan some more

If there is a predictable behavior pattern to fall back on during unpredictable circumstances, you stand a much better chance of having a dog that not only behaves in a way that is acceptable to you, but has some coping skills and therefore a better chance of building his confidence around strange people and other dogs. 

See the event through your dog's eyes (and ears and nose)


We love social events (most of us, anyway). Dogs, while also social beings, might certainly enjoy being with you at public events. They do not, however, understand giant strolling bears or men on stilts or magicians walking through the crowd pulling large bouquets from their shirtsleeves. Hot, crowded venues with loud music may be particularly stressful for your dog - if the music is loud to us, what must it be like for our dogs? After all, they can hear a mouse rustling in his nest!

If I take my dog out enough times, he will get over it! Buck up, Pup!
 Maybe. Maybe not. If you live in an apartment right on a busy street, you may eventually stop "hearing" the cars whizzing by ("habituation" is the scientific term for this). On the other hand, if cars backfire sometimes, causing you to jump out of your skin, you may become so on-edge (" sensitization") that a less strong but similar noise may then cause a reaction as intense as the backfire from the car did (or, where I come from more colorfully described as " You're as jumpy as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs!")

"My dog loves being at the Street Fair! (or Shakespearean Festival or Tree Lighting Ceremony...or...well, you get it)"

Are you certain? How can you tell? Here is an easy test:

• Can your dog respond to simple cues? If he knows how to "sit" for example, can he do it now, here? If not, the environment may be too much for him.
• Can he eat? If, under normal circumstances your dog snarfs treats happily, and now, here, only spits the treat out is a very reliable indication that the environment may be too much for him.
• How is his mouth? If he is taking treats and eating them, is his mouth "harder" than usual? Is he taking the treats more roughly than what is normal for him?  If so, the environment may be too much for him!

 

Here's that planning thing again...Before you venture out into the world, decide what you want your dog to do (and have a back-up plan!)

•     Is it okay to sniff every post in his path? How will you redirect him?
•     How will you manage him when other dogs approach?
•     How about greeting people? What would you like them to do, first?
•     What will you do if the venue proves to be too much for your dog?

Be prepared to think on the go when you take your training on the road and always choose the course of action most likely to keep your dog under threshold. Do not let others dictate your choices. If you have decided you wish your dog to sit while being petted by people, be firm when explaining to them how to approach your dog. 

"Oh, I don't mind if he jumps on me, I love dogs!"  As well-meant as this is, you should respond with a smile yet remain firm. Why? If your dog prefers to greet humans by jumping on them and is reinforced for this behavior 'sometimes', you will have a very difficult time getting rid of it. There is nothing stronger than a variable schedule of reinforcement-just go to any casino and watch the slot players if you need more convincing.


"I'll just be a quick sec!"

When you use a leash to tie your dog out while you run inside a store "for just a second" or to enjoy a leisurely meal at a restaurant, it is extremely stressful for your dog. It leaves him vulnerable to strangers and also to strange dogs.

While you may have the most even-tempered dog known to mankind, he is still a dog! Under the right circumstances, any dog can bite or become panicked.

Sorry to be a wet blanket, but this is a really BAD idea. Instead, choose an outdoor restaurant that allows pets, or ask someone to go into the store for you. 


Which is more important to you-that face or the venti-quad-iced-upside-down-Americano?

Hot Enough To Fry An Egg?

Even on cool days, black asphalt can heat quickly in the sun. Place your palm on the pavement. Can you hold it there for  10 seconds? If so, it’s probably safe for your dog to walk on. Check the temperature periodically if you are out for the entire day-your dog may have tough pads but they are still vulnerable to heat (and ice!)
 
Finally: Dogs and Pick-up Trucks

If you must transport your dog in the back of your truck, place him in a crate and secure it. Do this for me, if for nothing else. Your dog may be 100% reliable in the back of your truck, but seeing your dog pacing back and forth in the bed of your truck with the road whizzing by under him  makes me hyper-ventilate! So please, give a girl a break and secure that dog.

Give him protection from the elements as well. Come to think of it, if you are reading this article, you probably don’t need to be told most of these things! Okay, then go out and spread the word to those that do!

Happy Training! 
Chris

What Do You See?

We naturally interpret everything our dog does through the only filter we have at our disposal-our own perspective as a human.                    

Unfortunately, dogs are not humans and although so many of their expressions look like ours, they almost always have very different meanings.

Take the photo of the dog to the left.

What would you guess about this dog based on this photo?

Most people will answer "This dog feels sad" Some may also interpret his expression as one of guilt, especially if they had arrived just in time to see him slink from the room.

Actually, the dog in the photo above is feeling worry and is trying to avoid conflict-this worry may have been triggered by something as innocuous as the camera lens, as focused and unblinking as a giant eye. The dog is uncomfortable, yes. Guilty, no. I will explain more about that later.

First, look how similar the dog's expression is to the one of the dark haired woman in the photo, who clearly is feeling sadness (and perhaps guilt). 

    How do I know what she is feeling? I know  this because humans have specific facial expressions that have the same meaning across all cultures.  You may be very surprised at how accurately you can recognize the emotions behind human facial expressions, yourself. Test yourself here (use your browser's back button to return to this article) to see how well you recognize expressions!    

How well did you do? Were you surprised at all?

Now click here to try a similar test of interpreting canine expressions. Very different, right?

Back to our subject at hand. The woman on the right is also feeling conflict of some sort ("Uh-oh! Did I leave my good shoes out?") The little dog below is wearing an almost identical expression.

Once again-with a very different meaning.
 
The dog may, to us, look remorseful and perhaps guilty (especially given his surroundings).  Likely, this dog is reacting to the anger signals given by the human who just discovered her $1,000 plus mistake.


Consider this for a moment... remorse is "an expression of personal regret". Dogs do not understand the concept of "expensive shoes". To a dog, such as the pug in the photo,  this pile of shoes is merely a pile of chewy stuff that smells wonderfully like us.  

To experience personal regret for something he has no concept of is impossible.

But, darn it-it sure looks like remorse!

Therein lies the problem and the root of so many canine/human misunderstandings. If your own eyes are telling you one thing and yet someone (me) is telling you another, who are you going to believe?

Rest assured,  you are not alone.

This experience is so common that Alexandra Horowitz, Assistant Professor at Barnard College in New York set about finding an explanation.

A study was done in which dog owners were asked to leave the room after ordering their dogs to not eat a tempting treat that was then left behind. While the humans were away, Ms. Horowitz gave some of the dogs the treat, and some she did not. When the humans returned, they were either told their dog ate the treat when it did not, or that the dog did not eat the treat, when it had.
So:
Some dogs were scolded for eating the treat when they had not.
Some dogs were scolded for eating the treats and had actually done so.

The result?

The dogs "looked guilty" when scolded, whether they had eaten the treat or not!

Why?

The dogs were responding to the human's behavior. Their reactions were ones of appeasement, not guilt. (You can read a more thorough description of the experiment here)

Next time you arrive home to find a pile of chewed shoes, don't punish the dog! Do feel free to admonish yourself, however.  And feel free to look guilty-you have earned it!
Happy Training!
Chris

Week 1- Eli the Service Dog

(Note-for those new to my blog- Eli is a black English lab puppy I am training for Freedom Dogs  . Eli is 11 weeks old and has been in my home for 10 days as of this post. I will be writing of his progress, along with my usual ramblings ;)

I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive about introducing Eli to Dexter. Don't get me wrong; Dexter is very sweet natured, as hounds usually are.

But...Dexter is so BIG. Lean and pure muscle, Dexter can leap straight up off all four legs to a height of six feet. How do I know this? I have seen him do it. With my own eyes. I am convinced the dog was part of a genetic experiment in which grasshopper genes were involved. Or perhaps, like Spiderman, he was exposed to a radioactive insect at some point in his development.


In any case, Eli and Dexter have turned out to be very compatible playmates. Dexter is gentle and Eli respectful-a perfect combination. Take a look at this lovely play session. Notice the following:


Dexter self handicaps by:

• coming down to Eli's level (at the 29 second mark)
  
• adjusting his strength (many times in the video)
  
• stops immediately when Eli signals distress (1.34 minute mark)
  

Eli communicates his intentions by:

• pawing
• rolling onto his back

Notice also that this play is mutual. They  take turns being the "victim" and the "aggressor". When one breaks away the other pauses before resuming their play. This is a very nice example of good play.


Other news:

Eli, this week, developed some selective hearing. Apparently, the great outdoors is way more fun than going back inside the boring old house.

So, I chopped some turkey breast into chunks and we began to practice recalls. I filled my pockets with the high value treats and randomly would say (in a conversational tone) "Eli, come". As he turned and /or took a step toward me (because that is the behavior I WANT) I then *click* and treat in front of me (the position I wish him to be in).

I then turn around and continue what I was doing, as Eli is free to do as well. In other words, "La-la-la-no-pressure-here-come to me if you wish and good things happen and your fun will not stop because you did" is our mantra, and it works.



We have been doing this for 48 hours now and I am very pleased with his response. He comes to me, indoors or out-at least until adolescence hits!



Proofing "sits" is the other behavior we are working on. I will ask for a sit under all sorts of circumstances:


Indoors
Outdoors
Facing me
Behind me
Away from me
Close to me
When we are alone
When we are with others


We are also working on beginner zen, downs, touch (nose target), and foot targeting. 


Happy Training!
Chris

I Shouldn't HAVE To!

*Joy recently called on me to solve a problem she was having with her adolescent Labrador pup, *Bear. The problem arose when she left Bear home alone for just an hour while she ran some errands, something she had only just begun to do. Joy had always returned home to find things just as she left them.

Except...this time. This time, it seems Bear had discovered the counter top, where he found (insert sound of angel trumpets):

"Bird food...all for me?! And hel-lo what is this? A fresh bag of cookies! Why, I don't mind if I do!"

Munch, munch, rip, gulp.

"And what is this?..a soft, cushy paper-like substance all collected on a roll...what fun!!!"

Joy described the shock of returning home to find Bear happily snoring on the sofa, surrounded by the evidence of his debauchery. Her disbelieving eyes went from the spilled boxes of bird seed scattered all over the floor to the empty bag of bakery cookies (devoured along with most of the bag itself) next to what may possibly have once been a jumbo roll of paper towels-now a mass of soggy clumps, slowly drying on the carpet and the sofa.

So, what have you tried? I asked, bringing us both back to the present.

"Well, scolding him, of course. He puts his head down and looks very guilty so I always think he has learned his lesson, but no sooner do I turn my back and leave something on the counter than he is at it again!" 

This led Joy to (naturally) assume that the dog was sneaky and defiant.

"He knows not to eat off the counter. That's why he only does it when no one is in the room! He is a bad dog, but I love him" she admitted as she glared briefly at the pup then absentmindedly stroked his big thick head, smiling despite herself.

"Anyway, my last dog, AngelBabyPerfectDog never stole food from the counters! I didn't have to pick anything up. In fact, I firmly believe that I shouldn't have to."

Lately, I hear the "I shouldn't have to's" a lot.

Why? I can only imagine the answer lies somewhere between:

1. The new way we keep dogs (in our homes, not working outside as they once did)


2. An unrealistic notion of what dogs are as presented by a once popular television show. One that would surely deem this pup's behavior as "dominant" and would perhaps advise Joy to "claim the counter using her energy."

Well, I don't know about that (sounds pretty far fetched to me), but what I do know is this; there is some powerful reinforcement at work here!

Lets break this down using a simple formula (ABC):

Antecedent: Dog discovers food and novel items on the counter
Behavior: Dog eats food and plays with novel items 
Consequence: Counter tops are fun! I love them!


So...what to do?

The fastest, most effective solution is to manage the environment - in other words don't leave anything out that you don't want eaten or destroyed and when you cannot supervise, make sure your pup has a safe place to be in. Yes, much like a toddler.

I no longer have toddlers in my home but the thought of placing cleaning products under my sink was unthinkable when I did. I would never have taken the stance that "I TOLD that baby to stay out of those cleaning products! I shouldn't have to put them out of his reach.  No means no, after all! Who is in charge here, me or that baby?!"

So, yes, you do "have to."

Why?

Because you chose to bring this big lug of a dog into your home.

In return, he gives you joy and happiness and is unquestioning in his innocence that everything good comes from you.

He trusts that you will keep him safe, even from things he loves.


And having to change some house keeping habits is a very, very small price to pay for that.

Happy Training!

Chris Waggoner

*Names and certain details were changed  for privacy

Stubborn as a mule?

Stubborn:
Unwillingness to yield; refusing to move or change one's opinion; obstinate

Stubbornness:
Difficult to handle or overcome; resolute adherence to your own ideas or desires; not giving in to arguments or requests

“Sit”

“I said SIT”

“You know how to sit – you have done it a million times. Why are you so STUBBORN?”

Oh, we have all been there. Usually in front of a crowd where seemingly the entire world views our lack of skill as a dog handler.

“Are you going to let him get away with that?”,  generally follows.

As humans, one of our greatest gifts is our ability to “see the big picture”. Our wonderfully complex brains can scan the environment and give us messages without our having to sort out each little bit of data step by step. All of this analysis goes on behind the scenes, brain synapses firing in nanoseconds, finally spitting out conclusions.

Errrr...except sometimes those conclusions are wrong. What looks like a stubborn disposition to us is not really applicable to dogs at all-and at the very least, it is not helpful to label it as such.

Dogs live in the here and now!


If your dog does not respond to a request:

1.    You have not trained this behavior to fluency
You have taught your dog that the word 'sit' means to place his bottom on the floor, but have you taught him that this applies in different locations as well? It’s easy for humans to generalize but for dogs, not so much. You must teach your dog that the word 'sit' means sit in the kitchen, sit on the patio, sit in the back yard, sit... anywhere! Have you also taught your dog that 'sit' means the same thing if you give the cue while you are standing beside him, or even with your back to him? Keep in mind that when you change anything about the behavior (location, distractions, duration, etc.) you must cut your dog some slack and not expect the behavior to be perfect right away until he adjusts to the change.

2.    He is unsure of what you are asking
What you think is the cue may not be the cue. I once was asked to give my dog my cue for 'down'. I stood before my dog and gave his cue,  the word ‘down’. My dog responded with a lovely down. Yeah, that's how we do it, I thought smugly. I was then told to hold my body perfectly still and use my word cue again. Piece of cake. I did, and…nothing. Huh? He knows this! No he did not.  Until it was pointed out to me, I was completely unaware that each time I spoke my cue, my upper body tipped forward ever so slightly-this is what Stoli thought meant 'down'! Lesson learned.

3.    He is physically incapable or physically uncomfortable
Aside from physical injury, examples of this are asking a dog for a sit or a down on prickly grass or hot asphalt, or maybe simply on a surface he has never been on before.



4.  The behavior has not been reinforced (what is reinforced is repeated)

We ask a lot from our dogs. First, we ask them to perform behaviors that are foreign to their very nature (they are a different species, after all). We require they do as we ask when we ask, no questions asked,  each and every time. Well, why should they? If I demanded you perform a behavior that was completely meaningless to you, anytime, anywhere, with no benefit to you and a LOT of expectation on my part that you immediately comply-how motivated would you be to continue doing so?  Now, what if I paired the behavior with something pleasant so that the doing of it became pleasant by association? This is exactly what Pavlov observed when his dogs began to salivate upon hearing the sound of the bell used to signal dinnertime. If we pair a reinforcement-usually (but not always) food (after all every dog must eat) with an event (the behavior) a pleasant association between the two is likely to develop, greatly increasing our chances that the behavior will be repeated.


Corrections:
Some of us have a very hard time giving up 'corrections'. So, for those who just cannot let go of the idea that they are necessary, this is for you.

Step 1: Take a newspaper and roll it into a tight cylinder.
Step 2: Stand before your dog
Step 3: Raise the newspaper
Step 4: Give yourself a few sharp raps to the forehead (I know...I know....it's going to hurt you more than the dog to do this)

Bottom line: If your dog is not performing the behavior you requested it is because you have not trained it!

I Command You!

Tomato/tomahto? Modern dog trainers use the word “cue” rather than “command” when teaching behaviors.

A command carries with it an implied threat-do this or else

A cue, on the other hand is an opportunity to perform

But, Chris, my dog should do what I tell him to do, when I tell him to do it, because I told him to do it!

Why?

Seriously, have you ever asked yourself why this is so?
Television, books, movies have all contributed to the myth of the dog who lives to please (in many cases sacrificing his own happiness for yours!)

The fact is; dogs (like humans) repeat what is reinforced!
 
The myth of the dog that lives to please is just that-a myth. Dogs do work for us and have for thousands of years, but why? What makes him work so willingly? The common denominator...enjoyment.

The Border collie herds because he enjoys chasing stock, the Siberian husky pulls the sled because he enjoys running and the retriever retrieves because…well you get the picture.

Method 1~Traditional training

Repeat the "command" over and over until your dog catches on, whether he likes it or not. You are the one doing the majority of the work (physically manipulating the dog into position and “correcting” the dog when he gets it wrong). You tell him “no this is not what I want you to do" when he does not perform the behavior. His motivation~ you stop correcting him and give verbal praise when he gets it right.

State of mind for the dog: confusion, stress, fear, and frustration, relief when he is not being “corrected”
State of mind for the trainer: stress, anger, frustration, relief when dog finally “gets” it

Method 2~Clicker training

Your dog is working to figure out what you want. For his efforts, he is rewarded with information in the form of a marker (click) that tells him “yes-you are on the right track” along with a payment to reinforce the behavior (a tiny bit of food or a short game of tug/fetch/play-whatever your dog likes).

When he gets off track you back up and begin from the point where you were last successful. There are never any reprimands. Once your dog is performing exactly what you had in mind, then and only then do you name the behavior (the "cue"). His motivation-an investment in the outcome in the form of a reward for each successful step.


State of mind for the dog: motivated, excited, and joyful
State of mind for trainer: motivated, excited, and joyful

Method 1-when I get it right bad things stop
Method 2-when I get it right good things continue

But how will my dog know he is not getting it right if I don’t correct him? Won’t he become frustrated?

Karen Pryor says this, in Reaching The Animal Mind:

“It’s not the information that’s the problem; it’s the reprimand. The message ‘That’s not it’ is embedded in the use of clickers, conveyed not by the addition of something but by the absence of the click”.

Personally, I want my dog to be an active participant in training session. This will not only increase the likelihood of successful training, but makes the training process enjoyable for us both.


The Thinking Dog: Crossover To Clicker Training by Gail Fisher explains why a thinking dog is her preference:

“A trained dog will ‘obey,’ but a thinking dog goes far beyond obeying commands. It goes beyond training your dog to sit, lie down, and come when called. While teaching responsiveness to commands is a component of any training, achieving voluntary good behavior—what most of us want from our dogs—is about so much more.”

For me, if training is enjoyable I will want to do it.

Guess what? So will my dog!

My dogs in a training session (Dante top, Stoli below) Note complete focus on me, yet relaxed, happy expression

Patience, Grasshopper

So many of the behavior problems we pet owners face on a daily basis all boil down to patience (or the lack of it, to be more precise!).

This part may surprise you, however...it is not the dog's lack of patience that is the problem :) How do I know this? Experience, my friend, experience. You name the mistake and I have made it at one time or another.

What are you teaching your dog? Everything you do is teaching him something-that something is not always what we intended!

If you feed your dog while he is jumping and crashing into you and the furniture, then guess what? You have taught him this!

"So how do I fix this!?!", you may be asking yourself, as your dog rockets around the room.

The answer lies in p-a-t-i-e-n-c-e.

Take a nice, deep, cleansing breath, Grasshopper.

Let us begin.

First, if you want a dog that waits nicely before, say, eating his meal, you must be the one who sets the rules. Start by holding the dish out of his reach. Wait until he is not jumping around before placing the food on the floor. You may have to feed him in a small enclosed area (bathrooms are nice for this type of work) at first so that you can walk out if he cannot control himself. Trust me, he will quickly learn that to get his dinner, he will have to settle down first.

Bad habits don't start overnight-start slowly and work up to the behavior you want. Every day ask for a little bit more. It is not fair to punish the dog for something you taught him, is it? So no yelling allowed.

No speaking is necessary during this process, by the way. In fact, try not to speak at all- let your actions do your talking for you.

We chatter way too much at our dogs-it means nothing to them and in fact, over time your voice will become meaningless background noise-not because your dog is "blowing you off" but because you have taught him that your voice is just patter. Humans speak through verbal language-we say to someone "I hear you" when we want them to know they are understood. Dogs communicate through body language. More on THAT later.


Photo: Dexter waiting at the front door to be released.
This may save his life one day!