Here’s a short clip of a counterconditioning session with Bentley. He was reluctant to enter the new crate. These crates are different than the wire crates I use at the house. They’re more enclosed, darker, and don’t appear as welcoming to many dogs. The concept is simple, change the association from a negative into a positive. In this case, using food.
I’ve heard the myth that playing tug with your dog will make the dog aggressive. It doesn’t. Just create some rules around the game to avoid teeth on skin and overexcitement.
Roscoe
Roscoe was dropped off earlier today for 4 weeks of training. Fearful, anxious, reactive, and not afraid to use his teeth. Already made two attempts to bite at me. Stay tuned.
PLACE command
Jude and Teddy practicing their PLACE skills.
I’ve evolved my style of training over the years. Directing a dog to PLACE involved simply getting on the bed, making no distinction between sitting, downing, or standing. Now they’re taught to automatically down. The PLACE command is now much more energized and dynamic than I’ve taught it in the past.
This makes it more fun for the dogs and the behavior more deeply ingrained.
Dog Training
Training still goes on while we continue to get the space ready.
Bo heads back home tomorrow so we’re getting in a few warm up sessions.
Ongoing practice develops muscle memory and makes behavior stronger.
Protocols
I place a major emphasis on teaching protocols during my training (sit at thresholds, feeding time, greetings, etc.). It’s not something that I often see from many owners. That’s usually because they don’t appreciate the importance of these protocols, so allow me to outline a few…
Clear Communication: Protocols establish clear communication between the dog and the owner or trainer, making expectations and boundaries explicit.
Consistency: Consistent protocols help dogs understand what is expected of them in various situations, leading to more reliable behavior.
Training: Protocols provide a structured framework for training, allowing dogs to learn new behaviors more effectively and efficiently.
Safety: Following protocols can enhance the safety of both the dog and those around them, reducing the risk of accidents or unwanted behaviors. Think of resource guarding or food aggression.
Behavior Modification: Protocols can be tailored to address specific behavior issues, providing a systematic approach to modify or manage problem behaviors. Again, see above.
Bonding: Working together to follow protocols strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner or trainer, fostering a positive relationship based on trust and cooperation.
Predictability: Dogs thrive in environments where they know what to expect. Protocols create predictability, which can reduce stress and anxiety in dogs.
Problem Prevention: By establishing protocols for common situations, owners can prevent problems before they arise, such as jumping on guests or pulling on the leash.
Life Skills: Teaching and reinforcing protocols instill valuable life skills in dogs, such as impulse control, patience, and self-regulation, which are beneficial in various contexts.
Puppy Training
How far you take your dog with training depends on the dogs ability and the quality of the training. It’s never too early to begin that journey, even if retention is limited due to age. One day, after putting in the work, you’ll reap the benefits.
Rosy and her human are having fun with their training.
Standards
The difference between a good trainer and the average dog owner is that the trainer will work at maintaining a standard of behavior.
Staying consistent with that standard makes the difference between reliable behaviors and a dog who learns it doesn’t always need to listen.
I remembered this lesson yesterday when I dropped in to meet with Sergeant and his owner as a follow up to his board and train. The standards are being upheld.
Self-Control
It's super important to teach dogs self-control. It helps keep them safe and happy. When dogs can control their impulses, they're less likely to get into trouble or act aggressively.
Plus, it makes training easier and strengthens the bond between dogs and their owners.
Self-control exercises are like mental workouts for dogs, keeping their brains sharp and their behavior in check.
So, teaching self-control isn't just about obedience – it's about helping dogs live their best lives alongside us humans!
