Cheesin
Labradoodle “Mando”
“Tumnus” is a cheerful dog who obeys his owners.
Often, about 80-90% of the time, we are able to help folks train their dogs to be cheerfully obedient. If this were not the case I’d have stopped training a long time ago. It would be a living hell.
Millie is doing well. She’s up for sale — training with me included. Here’s a sneak peak how she’s doing with it.
“Teddy” is a 10 week old dachshund working on foundations
These folks don’t know any better, but please don’t use a prong collar and eCollar this way.
The dog wouldn’t have these problems if those tools were used properly.
I don’t know if they worked with a trainer previously or if they just purchased those tools after watching a video. I don’t know. But somewhere along the way things weren’t done right or stopped being done right.
When obedience is being done right it’s a joy, not a chore.
Look at the joy.
The weather is still nice, not too hot yet.
Even so I have to keep sessions very short with many breaks.
When it’s raining outside, you chase your tail inside. Obviously.
This is Piper, the 8 yr old Australian Shepherd.
She’s more bark than bite, but I want to draw your attention to something here. It’s normal for this breed to act territorial of their owners property. That’s good.
Now can you see the tether she’s attached to? She has exhibited some problem behaviors. I asked her owners if her appeared aggression got worse since they tethered her. They said it did.
I knew this was the case because a restraint of this kind on an animal only amplifies their current behavior.
Discipline your dogs early on as puppies. Give them good boundaries. Use the crate often. Place training is a must. Loose leash walking is a necessity.
P.S. she’s doing better since loose leash walking and place training, plus going in the crate and not being tethered.
Hopefully I can get a great after shot. Again, she’s more bark than bite, but it was a good opportunity to show how restraints like this amplify behaviors.
Bo is older. Doesn’t like to do much for you even for food or play.
So how is this dog so happy right now? Discipline. Structure. And we who have handled him having good attitudes is very important as well. Now he’s food motivated. Now we are able to train obedience, among other things. Never underestimate a good attitude + discipline and the effects it has on teaching your dog.
Far less anxiety, fear and stress. It won’t cease to amaze me how giving a dog proper structure, discipline and affection fix just about everything.
You have to go slow. And if you’re not disciplining your dog, you’re in for problems.
“Peanut” the 6mo old mini Labradoodle
This video doesn’t do Justice to what happened before and after I pulled out my phone to video.
Personally it’s not that bad compared to what I’ve seen over the years, but it needs to be worked out nevertheless. I’ve no doubt that with proper structure, boundaries and if we are jovially going about things, she will get out of her funk and do well while being happier.
I’d call day two a win.
I tried to catch a video of his issues after his owners left, but as always I’m slow with the pictures and video.
You’ll just have to take my word he was scared and would bite if I got close. Had to toss a slip lead on him from the other side of his crate. Kept trying to attack it. I’d say trust is being built.
We’re just working some recall at the park. No real crazy distractions around — just the way I like it when we are starting out. Distractions will increase as she progresses, not before.
Foundations is great and dogs love it.
Cody, the 4.5 month old Australian Shepherd, is done. His owner has the tools to maintain or even improve his training.
Typically I prefer working around a farmers market, but this’ll have to do.
Pets Are People Too in Moscow, ID has some great stuff for dogs. Local is the way.
Like I said, much better.
Adjusting a dogs behavior isn’t a one size fits all. Different methods. Different tools in a single toolbox.
Some anxious dogs I jump right into giving them a task and adding certain kinds of pressure, because generally anxious dogs find security in obligation.
Other dogs need a lot of time to see you as not a threat. We’re happy to take the time before training of any kind can begin. If you were scared you’d want someone to be patient with you, too. No brainer. If we have to get a leash on we do so carefully and with certain equipment on because we expect bites. It happens.
Bravo is a good example. I have an eCollar on him sometimes, but I almost never use it. Why? He’s handler sensitive. Even with other dogs in the area. Same thing with Manny for the most part. Part of that is due to their breed, part due to training, part due to the relationship built.
Some dogs just need a calm and confident handler, like Oso here. We haven’t done anything with him than just being calm, confident and joyful around him. This is the result.
I use prong collars, choke chains, eCollars, slip leads…just about everyday. But if I can’t change the dog without the tools, I’ve no right to be using them. Now, some things the tools help to speed up, or accomplish (I.e. distance commands, intentional suspicious associations, corrections and ultimately freedom), but if I can’t build trust with the dog without them, I’ll end up abusing them.
