Tag: dogwalker

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Dog training for desired behaviours

Teaching a dog proper behaviour while it is young is very important.  While playing and having fun with your new puppy or dog is certainly important, it is also important to teach your canine companion just what is expected – which behaviours are acceptable and which behaviours are not acceptable.

Teaching these lessons early, while the dog is still a puppy, is the best guarantee that these lessons will be learned and retained.  Dogs learn quickly and every interaction between human and dog is teaching the dog something.  Making sure you are teaching the right lessons is up to you as the dog handler.

Proper training techniques are important for the protection of the dog as well as the protection of the family and the community at large.  While dogs are loving, protecting members of the family in most cases, a poorly trained dog can be dangerous and destructive.  Making sure your new addition is a pleasure to be around and not a menace is up to you as the owner.

The relationship between humans and dogs goes back for many thousands of years and dogs have been domesticated longer than any other animals.  Therefore, humans and dogs have developed a bond not shared by many other domesticated animals.  This strong bond is very useful when training any dog.

All potential dog owners and would be dog trainers should understand how dog society works in the absence of humans.  It is important to understand the pack hierarchy and to use that hierarchy to your advantage as you train your dog.  All pack animals have a lead animal, in the case of dogs it is the alpha dog.  All other members of the pack look to the alpha dog for direction and guidance.  The alpha dog in turn provides important leadership in hunting, fending off other predators, protecting territory and other vital survival skills.  This pack arrangement is what has allowed wolves and wild dogs to be such successful predators, even as other large predators have been driven to extinction.

What all this means to you as the dog trainer is that you must set yourself up as the pack leader – the alpha dog if you will – in order to gain the respect and trust of your dog.  If the dog does not recognize you as is superior and its leader, you will not get very far in your training program.

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Training your dog with a training collar and leash

The leash and training collar is the most basic piece of equipment used in training a dog.  Using the lead and training collar properly is vital to successful dog training.  The training collar is designed to apply a specific amount of pressure each time the leash is tightened.  The amount of pressure put on the leash controls the amount of pressure placed on the training collar and the pressure can be adjusted according to how the dog responds.

How each dog responds to training with the leash and training collar is quite variable.  Some dogs barely react the first time they encounter a collar and leash, while others fight this strange contraption with all their might.  It is important to recognize how your own dog reacts and to adapt your training program as needed.

The first part of training with collar and leash, of course, is to purchase a quality, well made training collar that will fit your dog properly.  There are many types of training collars and leashes on the market.  The most important thing is to choose one that is sturdy and well made.  The last thing you want to do is chase your dog down after he has broken his collar.

The length of the collar should be approximately two inches longer than the circumference of the dog’s neck.  It is important to accurately measure the dog’s neck using a measuring tape.  In order to get an accurate measurement, you must make sure that the tape is not tight around the dog’s neck.

Most training collars come in even sizes, so you should round up to the next size if your dog’s neck is an odd number.  It is important that the chain that attaches to the collar be placed at the top of the dog’s neck.  That is where the training collar is designed to apply the best pressure.

The ability to apply varying degrees of pressure and to relieve that pressure instantly, is what makes a training collar such an effective tool. It usually takes new users a little while to get used to using the training collar and some styles of training collar require more finesse than others.  If you are unsure which collar to choose, be sure to ask a professional dog trainer, or the management staff at your local pet store, for help.

After you have become familiar with the way the training collar works, it is time to begin using it to train your dog to walk properly on a lead.  The well trained dog is one who will walk at his owner’s side on a loose lead, neither dropping behind nor charging ahead.

The well trained dog will also vary his pace to meet that of his handler.  Under no circumstances should the handler be forced to change his or her pace to match that of the dog. 

If the dog does begin to charge ahead, it is important to correct the dog promptly by giving a quick tug on the leash.  This will give the dog a good reminder that he needs to change his pace.  It is important to quickly relieve the pressure as soon as the dog responds.  The training collar is designed to relieve pressure as soon as the leash is loosened.

Most dogs will immediately respond to corrections by a good, properly used training collar.  If the dog does not respond as directed, it may be necessary to apply greater pressure.  This can be especially true of large dogs or those who have pre-existing behavior or control problems.  If you are still unable to get a response from your dog, it is possible that you are using a training collar that is not large enough for your dog.  If you think this may be the case, be sure to ask for expert advice before proceeding.

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Training your dog the right way – the basics

In order to be considered properly trained, there are some basic commands that he or she must master.  Understanding these basic commands is vital to the well being of the dog, the owner and the family.

Learning just a few basic commands can go a long way toward creating a dog that is a joy to be around.  Everyone has seen examples of both well trained and poorly trained dogs, and few people would opt for the poorly trained varieties.  Training a dog properly the first time is especially vital for owners of dog breeds that have been bred for their aggressiveness, such as pit bulls, Doberman pinchers and German shepherds.

In addition, proper training is important for families with young children.  Young children can torment dogs and cause biting reactions, so it is important that the dog learn how to deal with these types of situations.

The basic obedience commands that every dog must know are – “Heel”, “No”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down” and “Off”.  These six commands form the basis of every basic obedience class and it is vital that you and your dog master these basic commands.  These are the fundamentals and it will be impossible to move onto other commands, or to correct problem behaviors, without having mastered the basics.

Heel

Let’s start with the most basic command of all, the heel command.  Teaching a dog to heel is the fundamental first step in teaching the dog to walk properly on the lead.  The proper place for the dog to walk is at your side, neither lagging behind nor straining to get ahead.

If your dog begins to forge ahead on the lead, gently tug on the lead.  This will cause the training collar to tighten and give the dog a gentle reminder to fall back into line.  If the dog begins to lag behind, gently urge him forward.  A lure or toy is a good tool for the dog that constantly lags behind.

Once the dog is consistently walking at your side, try changing your pace and encouraging the dog to match his pace with yours.  It should always be the dog who adjusts his pace to you; you should never adjust your pace to meet the needs of the dog.

The word “No”

The word no is an important one for your dog to learn, and one you may be using a lot as training begins.  It is important that the dog learn to respond to a sharp “No” promptly and obediently.

The “Sit” command

The sit command is another vital link in the chain that is dog training.  Teaching a dog to sit on command, using voice commands alone, will form the groundwork of much future training, so it is important for the dog to master this vital skill.

The sit command can be combined with the heel command.  As you walk alongside your dog, stop abruptly.  If your dog does not stop when you do, give a sharp tug on the leash to remind the dog.  Many dogs will instinctively stop when you do, while others need to be reminded through the use of the lead and the training collar. 

Once the dog has stopped by your side, urge him to sit by pushing gently on his hindquarters.  It is important not to use too much pressure, or to push him down abruptly.  Doing so could frighten, or even injure the dog. Rather, apply a steady downward pressure.  Most dogs will recognize this as a sit command. It is important to say the word sit as you do this.

Repeat this procedure a few times by walking, stopping and sitting your dog.  After a few repetitions, the dog will probably begin to sit down on his own every time he stops.  It is important to say the word sit each time, so that the dog will eventually learn to respond to voice commands alone.

The “Stay” command

Like the sit command, the stay command is a vital building block to other, more advanced training.  For instance, the stay command is vital to teaching the dog to come when called, which is in turn vital to off leash work.

The stay command can be made into an extension of the sit command.  Have your dog sit and while he is sitting, slowly back away.  If the dog begins to follow you, as he probably will it first, come back to the dog and ask him to sit again.  Repeat the process until you can reach the end of the lead without your dog getting up from a sitting position.

After the dog is reliably staying where you indicate, you can try dropping the lead and backing further away.  It will probably take the dog some time to reliably stay where he is put without becoming distracted.

The “Down” command

The down command is another important part of any basic obedience training program.  Teaching a dog to lie down on command is much more than an entertaining trick.  The down command is very important in regaining control of a dog, or stopping a dog who is engaged in an inappropriate behavior.

The “Off” command

The off command is just as vital to as the other commands and it forms the basis for later training, especially when training the dog not to chase people, cars, bikes, cats, etc.

For instance, when training a dog to remain still when a bicycle goes by, the owner would stand with the dog calmly on the lead.  If the dog begins to strain against the lead, the owner sharply issues an “Off” command accompanied by a tug of the lead.  Eventually the dog will learn to respond to the voice command alone.

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Training your dog not to chase cars

One of the most serious, and unfortunately most common, problem behaviours among dogs is that of chasing cars.  Dogs must be trained as early as possible that chasing cars is not acceptable.  That is because dogs that chase cars eventually become dogs that catch cars and car plus dog always equals big trouble.

There are many reasons that dogs chase cars.  For one thing, chasing moving objects is an ingrained, instinctual behavior that can never be completely removed.  Chasing behaviours however can and should be controlled through a combination of good training and supervision.

Some dogs are more apt to chase cars, bikes, joggers, cats and other dogs than are others.  Dogs that have a high prey drive, including breeds that have been bred for hunting, are particularly susceptible to the thrill of the chase. Herding breeds are also apt to chase cars, attempt to herd the neighbour’s children, or express other undesired traits of their breeding.

One reason that many dogs chase cars in particular is that they have learned to associate cars with good time and fun things.  Most dogs love to ride in the car and when they see a car they may try to chase it down for a ride.

No matter what your dog’s motivation for chasing cars, however, it is important to curb this dangerous behaviour as quickly as possible.  Training the dog not to chase cars starts with teaching the dog the meaning of the “Off” command.   The “Off” command is one of the basic tenets of obedience and it must be mastered by every dog.

Teaching the dog to stay where he is, even if interesting, exciting things are happening elsewhere, is very important to all aspects of dog training.  In the world of professional dog training, this is sometimes referred to as distraction training.  Distraction training is very important and it is applicable to teaching the dog not to chase cars.

Teaching this important lesson is not something you will be able to do on your own.  You will need at least one other person – a volunteer who will slowly drive by and tempt your car with his bright, shiny object.  You will stand with your dog on his lead as the volunteer drives by.  Having the volunteer drive your own car can provide an even greater temptation, since dogs are able to distinguish one car from another.  If your car is the one that provides his rides, it is likely to be the most tempting object in the world.

When your friend drives by, either in your car or his, watch your dog’s reaction carefully.  If he begins to jump up or move away, repeat the “Off” command and quickly return your dog to the sitting position.  If he remains where he is, be sure to give him lavish amounts of praise and perhaps a treat or two.

Repeat this process many times over the course of a few days.  Once your dog is reliably remaining seated when your friend drives by, start lengthening the distance between yourself and your dog.  A long, retractable lead works great for this process.  Slowly lengthen the distance between you and your dog, while still making sure you have control.

Even after your dog is trained to not chase cars, however, it is important to not leave him out off the lead unsupervised.  Leaving a dog unattended, except for within a properly and securely fenced in garden, is simply asking for trouble.  Dogs are unpredictable, and it is always possible that the chase instinct could kick in at exactly the wrong moment.  The best strategy is to confine the dog when you cannot supervise him.

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Eliminating problem dog behaviours – jumping and roaming

Every dog owner must eventually deal with some unwanted behaviours on the part of their four legged companions.  Some of the most frequently encountered training problems with puppies and dogs alike are jumping on people and performing those amazing feats of escape.

Jumping up on people

Jumping up on people can be a cute trick for puppies, but it quickly becomes a problem behavior as the dog gets older, larger and heavier.  A very heavy dog can easily knock a child or even a small adult of his or her feet, so jumping on people can be a dangerous problem as well as an annoying one.

The reason puppies and older dogs jump on people is obvious – they are excited and happy to see them.  Many people are reluctant to discourage this exuberant behavior, but it is important to redirect that happiness and energy in other ways.  Many well meaning owners, family members and friends inadvertently encourage this jumping up behaviour by picking the puppy up, kissing it or otherwise providing encouragement.

This type of inconsistency is anathema to proper dog training, and in order for the dog to be trained not to jump, every member of the family must recognize and accept the importance of the training.  If one member of the family allows the dog to jump up while other family members do not, the dog will understandably become confused and frustrated.  The training must be firm, kind and consistent in order to be effective.

One way to redirect the dog’s happiness and excitedness from jumping is to teach him to lift his paw when greeting you.  This “shaking hands” posture is an acceptable way for the dog to show his happiness and his respect.  Many people even teach their dogs to do simple tricks, like rolling over, instead of jumping on people.

Escaping and roaming the neighbourhood

A responsible dog owner would never dream of allowing his or her dog to roam the neighbourhood freely.  Allowing a dog to roam on its own is irresponsible, dangerous (to the dog and the neighbourhood) and probably even illegal.  Most towns have laws which prohibit dogs from being allowed to roam around free, so you could be in legal trouble if your dog is found wandering the neighbourhood unattended.

Of course sometimes that wandering dog is not the owner’s idea and many dogs perform amazing feats of escape when left on their own.  The temptations for unattended dogs are many, including passing bicycles, joggers, children, cats and other dogs.  It is much easier to prevent escapes than to recapture a loose dog, so let’s talk about some preventative measures every dog owner can take.

Removing the motivation to escape is a big part of the solution.  A bored dog is much more likely to spend his day plotting the great escape.  A dog that is surrounded by everything he or she needs, like lots of toys, a soft bed, and plenty of fresh clean, water, is more likely to spend his or her day contentedly sleeping or playing with toys until the owner returns.

In addition, a dog with lots of pent up, unused energy is likely to try to escape. Try incorporating several vigorous play sessions with your dog into your daily routine.  Make one of those play sessions right before you leave.  If your dog has a chance to work of his or her energy, chances are he or she will sleep or relax much of the day.

Of course dealing with the dog is only half the problem.  It is also important to make the property as escape proof as possible, through proper fencing and other measures.  For dogs that dig, it may be necessary to extend the fence underground by placing metal stakes in the ground every few feet.  For dogs that jump, it may be necessary to make the fence higher.  And if none of these measures work, it may be necessary to confine the dog to the house when you are not at home.

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Dog training – keeping your dog motivated

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always easy.  Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well adjusted and well trained dog.

Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog.  Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car and playing with other dogs, is a great way to keep the dog’s attention and reward him for small successes. 

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.  After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the lead and start the reward.  This can be either the aforementioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do. 

Providing some kind of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a great way to keep your dog motivated.  If the dog knows something great is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training

When training any dog, it is important to not let distractions disrupt the training.  The dog must be taught to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught.  These types of distractions can even be used as rewards when training the dog to come when called.

For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs whether in a local dog park or with the neighbour’s dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs.  Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.  When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to go back to playing with his friends.  Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you.  The dog will quickly learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being taken away from the park).

If the dog does not master this particular type of training right away, try not to get discouraged.  So called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach.  Dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the most difficult things you can ask your dog to do.  Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist.

Training the dog to come to you may require some creativity on your part at first.  For instance, waving a favorite toy, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog’s attention and put the focus back on you.  If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well.

Once the dog begins to get the hang of coming when called, you can begin to reduce and eliminate the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to respond to your voice alone.  It is important that the dog respond to voice commands alone, since you will not always have the availability of a toy or other lure.

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Advanced dog training exercises

Coming when called is a vital skill that every dog must learn, both for its own safety and that of those around it.  A disobedient dog that refuses to come when called could easily be hit by a car, get into a fight with another dog, or suffer a variety of other bad experiences.  A well trained dog that comes when called can safely be taken out to play in the local park, at the beach, on the walking or hiking trail, or anywhere else the owner and dog may wish to go.

Basic training to come when called is relatively easy and straightforward and involves providing praise, treats and other perks when the dog does as his owner wants.  After these basic come when called training exercises are mastered, there are a number of fun exercises that can be introduced to challenge the dog and pique its interest.

Making training into a fun game is one of the best ways to motivate dog and handler alike.  It is easy for training sessions to become routine and boring and it is important to keep them from degenerating into this state. 

Before beginning any food based training exercise, it is important to make sure that the dog is properly motivated and ready to respond to treat based training.  Testing the dog is simply a matter of taking a piece of his regular food and waving it in front of the dog’s nose.  If the dog shows great enthusiasm for the food, it is ready to start the training.  If not, it is best to wait until the dog is in a more receptive mood.

The treats that work best for treat based training games like hide and seek are cut up quarter inch or smaller pieces of chicken, cheese or liver.  In other words, something your dog will love.  It is best to use very small pieces to avoid overfeeding the dog during the training sessions.

One great game for you and another family member or friend to play with your dog is simply back and forth recall.  This is a great exercise for teaching your dog to come whenever it is called by a member of the family. Dogs often learn to only respond to one person and this can be a problem when other people are watching the dog.  That is one reason why professional dog trainers always insist on working with the owner as well as the dog.  A well trained dog must learn to respond to whoever is in charge, not just the owner or usual handler.

In the back and forth recall game, two or more people stand approximately ten yards apart, in a safe place like a fenced in garden.  One person calls the dog and asks him to sit and say until another person asks the dog to come.  When the dog responds to the command to come, it is rewarded with a treat.  Most dogs respond wonderfully to this exercise and love playing this game.  When playing the back and forth recall game, it is important that only the person who called the dog be allowed to give the dog a treat. 

After the dog has mastered the back and forth recall game, the humans in the game can start to spread further out, thus turning the back and forth recall game into a fun game of hide and seek.  The hide and seek game starts with two or more people in the center room of the house.  Every time they call the dog to come, they spread out further away from where they started.  As the game continues, one person will be at one end of the house, while another may be at the opposite end.  What makes the hide and seek game so much fun for the dog is that he must seek out the person to get the treat, instead of simply running up to a person in plain sight.  This type of seeking behavior appeals to many of the dog’s natural instincts.  After all, dogs are naturally hunting animals and seeking out food is second nature to them.