Is he Bored?

Ok, so it's been forever since I wrote in here. Glad to be back, can't believe the months went by so fast!

Let's talk boredom and dogs. I hear it all the time in class. My dog is bored. We can only do something once or twice and then he shuts down because he's bored. He's yawning, so he's bored.

Let's remember one thing folks. Boredom is a human emotion. For dogs, if something isn't rewarding, they'll want to go onto something else. I certainly agree with that. So why wouldn't being with their human reward? I would certainly hope your dog isn't "bored" with you!

What happens in training, and in class, is that the "owner" gets bored. Their energy level drops, perhaps they are tired from the day and now have to stand and listen to me for an hour, etc. When that happens your dog, who is very in tune with you says "well you're not working, why should I?" I have yet to take a 'bored" dog in class out as demo dog and have him yawn, look at me and say "what?". When I take that supposed bored dog from the owner, they spark up, and they are in the moment with me for sure. It's all about energy my friends. Yes, I agree, as much as I love training, it can be a bit tedius for us humans. My bassets would play down/stay/fetch as long as I had fun, and of course, was rewarding them with summer sausage! My border collie will play obedience with me as long as I ask with the work being the reward. Different breeds with different work ethics, but each one would have fun with me. When I got tired, their interest would wane.

Dogs are really really good at knowing whether we're being honest or not! So, it's no good trying to fake it if you really don't want to be training. You might get a few minutes or so out of your dog, but very quickly he/she will catch on and start to wander on you. Training when you're up for it physically and mentally is truly the best way to go. We must be connected with our dogs in order to teach them. That takes energy my friends!

And remember, don't think because a dog yawns he's tired. Yawning is a stress release behavior. You'll see it most often in class when we're asking them to down stay or come when called. So when you see it out of context (that being they're coming out of that crate, stretching everything!), a yawn is signal that your dog is feeling a bit stressed. Sress is NOT fear, it's simply a way for them to say, this bothers me a bit but I'm going to handle it.

So start having fun with your training. I play train my dogs alot. We will practice a sit or down or come in the house for no reason but to enjoy it. I like to catch them off guard, toss out a command and then act all silly with them that they did it! If it's fun for you, it's fun for them!

And here's little tip - if you're finding that you just can't loosen up with your dog, put on your favorite music and train. I've discovered that when I see a class is having a hard time keeping their energy up, I'll start them out heeling in the ring, and put on some rocking music - something you just gotta tap your toe to. I tell them to walk with the music, dance if they want to, but keep that dog with them. Suddenly you see smiling handlers and dogs prancing along! It's great!

Have a fun time dancing and training and keep that smile going folk! Take care - I'll be back soon I promise!

Deb s.
Corky the yorky, Everee the border collie and soon to be here Truman the bloodhound puppy!

What a dog needs for xmas!

It's the holidays, and because we love our pets, we're planning on giving them special things for xmas. A new toy, a special treat, a new collar. All these things are material, and although certainly wonderful for your dog, don't forget the best gift you can give them. Quality time with you. Now you may say, "but I'm home all the time, and we're together all the time". Yep, and how much of that time is actually interacting with the dog, vs. just "being" together. Although dogs love our company, they also love interacting. That means playing, learning new things, doing what's being asked of them to do. A well balanced dog needs more than just "hang out" time with you. They need and love to do things with you! Walks are great, but make them a bit more challenging by asking them to heel with you, telling them to come for no reason but to get a kiss and continue on. Play "find it' games in the house, where you hide a cookie and tell them to find it (or a toy for those dogs on a diet!). Sign them up for an obedience class. If you've already done obedience, then check out your local obedience schools for "specialty" classes. At AllBreed I offer these on a regular basis. We've got Canine Acting Class, which is getting your dog ready to do commercials and print ad work for companys; therapy dog class, where you can get your dog trained and tested to go visit folks in need of a sweet dog sitting in their lap or one sitting at their side. We have clicker classes, where you can teach your dog a new way to learn. And of course, there are many levels of obedience, including a Master's class to expand and play with your dog's grade level!

Don't forget that they need their brains as well as their bodies worked, and it's oh so much fun for them when they can do it with you. My basset loved her agility class when she was young. My male basset Gus took on therapy as his life's 3rd career. He loved the fact he was with me, but also doing his thing, which was taking care of folks who needed him.

So as the holidays approach, don't forget how much your dog needs you and enjoys doing things with you. It's a special part of the canine/human relationship that sometimes gets forgotten! Love em, kiss em, care for them, but also be more than just a petting machine - play with them interact with them, and watch them shine. Oh, and still get those fun toys and special cookies too!

Have a pawsitively wonderful holiday season - from my pack to all of yours!

Deb, Michael (the husband!), Corky (the yorky) and Everee (the border collie!)

Thanksgiving Reminder

No need to remind you all how bad most of our favorite Thanksgiving fare is for your dogs. Which raises the question, where is your dog during feast time? Is he sitting closely to Aunt Mary who simply can't resist those big brown, sad, hungry eyes, and is slipping turkey down to him throughout the meal? Is he hanging around the candy dish which was put out on the coffee table for easy access (for which he thanks you!)?

When you're having a dinner get-together I always suggest that your pup be in a safe, quiet environment, i.e., your room, in his crate (which should be in a quiet place) while guests arrive and get settled. Then he can certainly come out and say hello. This approach does a couple things. Makes sure "Fluffy" doesn't sneak out the door while folks are coming in for an unexpected walk about in the neighborhood, and two, he doesn't get to "practice" his greeting behavior if he's not properly schooled on how to be calm and happy instead of jumping and happy! Remember, the more practice he gets, the better he gets at it, either good or bad!

Once he's out, be sure you keep an eye on him. He's going to scope out his favorite, softest folks who will fall for his good looks and big eyes, trust me! Don't let him practice his wrong behavior when your back is turned. If his house manners are a bit iffy, keep him on a leash with you, or someone you trust. Take advantage of folks being around to reinforce how to be a calm happy dog!

When it's time to gather around the table, that's the time my dogs go back to their crates or room while we eat. Personally, I don't need to have $1,000 vet bill because of what he's been given to eat! That way, you can enjoy your meal with your family and friends and no one has to be "chastised" because they snuck a treat to your pup!

Of course, after the food is put away, your little party animal can most certainly come back out! My dogs love a party as there is all those folks there to pet them for hours!

My best to you and your families, both human and canine. Blessings and gratitude to you all.

Deb

Adding Another Dog

A common question I'm asked is, "should I add another dog to my house?" Answer is easy. First and foremost, is the dog you have now trouble free. This means, are there no fears, phobia's, aggression, or lack of training? Before you bring another dog into your house you should be absolutely sure that the dog(s) you have now are under control, obedience trained, housebroken and a joy to live with. Then, and only then, should you think further on the idea of bringing in a new dog. So often I've had folks get a dog when their "senior" dog still doesn't listen to foundation obedience (sit/stay/down/come!). I'm not saying you have to have an obedience champion in your house, but at least have a dog with a solid foundation under his/her "collar" and has no temperment issues that could be passed onto the incoming dog. Also, be sure that senior dog is healthy enough to enjoy or tolerate a new young one in the group. It's sad to see a 12 year old dog having to put up with a puppy in the house because the humans wanted a 'replacement" for when the senior dog leaves. Most older dogs would really prefer to retire in peace! That said, I do know of a few friends who's older dogs enjoy puppies to pieces and loved having the addition of a young one. Gauge it by your dog's needs - not yours!

And of course, always consider the fact that adding another dog means double the dollars going out for pet care, vet care, food, etc. And, now you have another dog to train. I always wait until my "puppy" is at least two years old before I consider getting another dog. By that time I know the young dog inside and out, and if he needs me for more training or attention, I'm aware and won't be adding a new dog till he's ready! So, think hard about adding another dog...and never buy a pet for your pet! Only get another dog if YOU want one, not to keep senior company!

Enjoy your "pack"..we sure do!
Deb

Supernanny...dog trainer?

Ok, so I'm an empty nester, Grandparent kinda girl (I was such a young bride...haha!). I've been catching episodes of Supernanny lately. What a great dog trainer this woman could be! If you haven't noticed already, many of the dog training tips work great on kids and visa versa. No, I'm not telling you to crate your child, but time outs, whether "in the naughty chair" or in your crate as done for the same purpose. To give the child/dog a time to calm down and "chill" in essence. And, supernanny always makes the child apologize for their behavior before they can get off their spot (and hug their parent). Come on folks - how many of you have let your pup out of the crate asking them "are you sorry?....good, I love you too!" Along with a pat or kiss.

And I especially love the fact that she tells parents to stop talking to their kids when they're being disciplined. I can't tell you how many times I tell students, "stop talking, just follow through with your body!" For some reason we humans think we have to babble away and whether it's a young child or dog, you have to know that the more they can get your attention, in any way, the more they feel in control. Silent and sure is my motto when taking a puppy to his crate, or downing an adult dog in a stay as a control tool.

So for those of you that have raised kids, or are raising them now, or were a kid (ok, I think I covered it!) take a watch now and then and see just how she manages these children. If you're actively dog training right now there will be a very familiar feeling to the approaches! And here's a trainer's secret...you can always tell how folks raise their kids by the way their dogs behave. A long while back I had a family who came to me with a young female golden retriever. They got a golden because they were told how smart this breed was. Their expectations of this dog was pretty much over the top, and I had to constantly remind them "she's young, she'll get it, she's doing fine for her age". They had two children, a boy and a girl. Both were straight A students and the parents were very sure to let me know that. The parents themselves were well educated. Their expectations for their dog was exactly the same as their children. It's kinda funny though because the dog did challenge them alot and they were at odds as how to handle that! She did, in the end, become exactly what they wanted. And I know they all lived happily together!

So even though we (trainers) are always telling you to treat your dog like a dog, you'll find that some of the approaches we use on children are pretty good stuff for dogs as well! Have fun watching Supernanny!

Take care all!
deb

Housebreaking, a new thought

So many of my calls are about housebreaking, for both pups and adult dogs. Folks are so often at the end of their ropes that they're considering giving up the dog. How sad, and certainly not necessary. When I hear that an owner is having trouble with an adult dog in housebreaking, it almost always is just the tip of the iceberg. There are usually other "issues" going on as well. (i.e., dog isn't listening to basic commands). All of them are derived from a lack of communication. When we train a dog we have to be very clear in what we want, what is right, what isn't working. Dogs are innately very clean animals if given the chance. They don't want to have to eliminate where they sleep, and they want their den clean. If raised up properly as a puppy (meaning they didn't live in filth or confined quarters where they had no choice but to use their space to eliminate) housebreaking, done with the right communication can go smoothly.

But, even the cleanest of puppies can be confused as to what it is you really want. Somewhere along the line we humans decided that dogs must give us a "signal" to go outside. I hear over and over, "he doesn't ever give me a signal, when will he?". Dogs aren't born with signals, we have to teach them. Most of the time it's an accidental train, so I call it. Puppy does a behavior and we react by taking them out. Puppy starts to realize that doing this "behavior' gets him out so he repeats it. Most folks never do this on purpose.

So, let's do it on purpose! I have created what I call a "reverse housebreaking technique". Always you read to teach the dog to go the door, or to ring a bell. Most techniques encourage you to send your dog away from you when he has to go out. Why? If I'm in the living room and my pup goes to the kitchen door, where I can't see him and stands there hoping I'll let him out, or is ringing a bell I don't hear, I'm sure to find a "package" there when I finally come into the area. He did the right thing, he went to do the door, but I wasn't there to see it or hear it.

I want my dogs to find me when they have to go out. So, I do a simple thing. I call them to me, no matter where I am when it's time to take them out. (always AWAY from the door!). Then I acknowledge some sort of behavior they do when they come. For my yorky, he loves to circle, so I encouraged him to circle once before I said 'Yes, let's go outside'! For my border collie it's a stand in front and look at me. Take what your pup does naturally and put it into a signal that you can get quickly. Give this a few months. Before you know it you have a dog that comes to find you, and does his signal for you in anticipation of being let out. No more presents at the door!

And remember, dogs of any age, who are not housebroken, need lots of supervision. You can't get mad at the dog when you find a mess in the house, you can only scold yourself for allowing the pup to sneak off. Leashes, crates and gates are the best way to help out! In my book, you can call your dog "housebroken" if you've gone 2 full months without one accident. Then you're there and on to other great things with your pup!

Enjoy the day!
deb

What's in a Name?

Often, when having trouble training a dog, it comes very clear that somewhere along the line a basic piece of the information we wanted our dog to learn was missed. I see it often in classes when dogs are reluctant to sit, lie down or come. The first, very basic piece of information your dog needs to learn is that his name is to make him "stop, look, and listen". His name is your attention flag, getting him to look at you before you tell him what you want next. As I tell my students, your dog never comes to you butt first! His head has to lead!

If your dog's name has been used for something negative, i.e., you say "Fluffy" (and he looks) and then you proceed to tell him what a bad dog he is, he's going to associate that sound with something bad following it. That means the next time you call "Fluffy" he'll take his time looking at you, perhaps acting like he doesn't hear you, making you say it more than once, sniffing the ground, etc. All these are obvious avoidance behaviors, and that should never happen on your dog's name.

He should love his name, to the point that when you say it he looks at you immediately in anticipation of something good. We play name game all the time with our puppy students as well as our ongoing students. Name game starts with saying the dogs name, and when he looks at your face (into your eyes if he will!) you connect with a "nice" or "good" and then after you complete your connection you feed him. Let him know that looking at you on this sound is wonderful for him. After we start getting good head turns on name, we then start adding commands, i.e., "Fluffy" (he looks)..."sit".

Always remember, your dog has to be connected to you to respond to you. His name should bring him right into your world, and from there, once he's looking, he's yours to talk to!

Name game is a foundation piece that many people don't practice. So, when the dog is in the middle of the yard and you call him without getting him to look first, your chances of the recall working on the first or second try are slim. Just like kids when we tell them to "look at me" when you're talking to them, it's the same for dogs. Get their attention first and your chances are much better they'll follow your command. So many times I tell my folks that the reason their recalls failed at class wasn't because the dog didn't know the word come, but that they couldn't get the dog to even look at them first. It was the name game that failed. Thus, the glitch in information!

So, never use your dog's name for anything negative. If he's in trouble, tell him, just don't use his name. If you have more than one dog and you're afraid the other dog will think it's him, remember, you're also using your eyes, and dogs know that if you're looking at them they're it!

Have fun playing name game with your pup! It's a foundation piece of information that your dog must have in place to go further in life!

Play away!