In Relation With Dogs - Behavior & Training Solutions

19/08/2024

Amen!

16/08/2024

If you enjoy reading, Dr Horowitz's books are wonderful!

13/08/2024

01/08/2024

Good Guardianship · The trouble with ‘training tools

’Force-free trainers are firmly opposed to using training tools that are aversive in nature, including slip leads, electric collars and prong collars as some of the most widespread that are seen.

Proponents of their use will point to how well they ‘work’. For example we’ll often see people proclaim that using a prong collar has completely revolutionised their walks with their dogs, and they go on to say that ‘used correctly’ it’s an excellent training tool. So, let's use that as an example to see what the issue is with these tools.

The problem is that it’s not actually really training the dog.

Look at how positive reinforcement is used to train a cue in dogs. When the dog makes the right choice does the right thing then they get a reward. They like the reward and so are more likely to do the same thing again in an attempt to get that same reward.

Once the association is firmly made and the dog is able to reliably respond to the cue in the way we’d like, we start to fade out the use of the reward. If using treats, the dog might start getting a reward every second time, third time, then randomly so they are never quite sure when the reward is coming (but it might be the next time they do that thing, so they will keep trying). Eventually we are using the reward very little, but the dog is still responding to the cue in the desired way.

Ok, you might say, how is that different to the prong collar?

The prong works by contact of the prongs on the skin of the dog’s neck (remember that a dog’s skin is 3-5 cells thick compared to the human’s at least 10-15 cells thick). This is uncomfortable. Some people will say they tried it on themselves and it was fine – look at the difference in skin, and also remember that the dog has no way to know when the collar is going to be tightened.

I’ve had people tell me that the dog’s neck is the strongest muscle in their body equivalent to the human thigh. Not only is this physiologically incorrect (to say the very least!) it is also dangerous.

Think about the delicate structures in the human throat.

The windpipe.
Oesophagus.
Lymph Nodes.
Carotid artery.
Jugular vein.
Thyroid.

All of these are in the dog’s neck as well and are very vulnerable to injury. The result of pressure on the dog's neck, especially firm and rapid pressure like a 'lead pop' (even from a flat collar) can be potentially catastrophic.

Danger and discomfort aside, the fact is that, while these collars might stop pulling while being worn, they fail as training devices because no actual training takes place. Take that prong collar off of the dog, put a normal flat collar back or a harness back on, and see how long it takes for the dog to realise they are able to pull again without the pain?

What the slip lead, prong collar (or electric collar if used to shock the dog when they pull) does is suppress the behaviour in that moment. It does nothing to show the dog what they should be doing or deal with why the dog is actually pulling - which is generally because they have not been taught properly to and so don't really understand what we want from them. And also, dogs often naturally move faster on their four legs than we do on our two, so again, they need to be taught how to match themselves to the pace that's needed.

The absolute best way to do that is to reward the dog when they do what they want, when they are in the right place for loose lead walking. Yes, this can take time and so the 'quick fix' can seem appealing, but the danger of using anything that the dog actively seeks to avoid is that it could damage their trust in the people around them and have serious consequences for the relationship between you.

Teaching them what we would like them to do and how we can both be comfortable during the walk is so much more effective than trying to just stop a behaviour, and using positive reinforcement and force free methods build their confidence and trust in us.

And no, I’m not expecting people to immediately take off the tools, but what you can do when you become aware of the problems of relying on aversive measures that cause discomfort, pain and fear is find a force-free trainer who can help you see how to show your dog where to walk nicely and comfortably for you both, or find other tools that are not aversive, for instance a harness with 2 points of attachment so the dog can be walked from the back clip but the front clip allows for steering the front end if needed while training is ongoing.

-Good Guardianship

24/07/2024

No,I wasn’t eating the hostas… Not me!

24/07/2024

Another successful social event for Keaga. we need to keep it up and continue with the socialization over the long-haul to build a lasting comfort and security with social interactions. 

21/07/2024

❤️

19/07/2024

Keagan is having a party of a time meeting new people. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped so far, and to everyone who has offered to come and continue the social training. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you all!

18/07/2024

Lincoln, Nebraska, Peeps ... I am asking for your help with puppy socialization. Keagan is a bit uncertain about new people. I am looking for anyone who is open to visiting my home and helping me socialize with new people.

Keagan met my puppy sitter, Carrie, today. She was a bit leery at first, but she warmed up within 5 minutes and played within 10 minutes. We just need to do more of this, sooner than later. I would appreciate anyone's help.

14/07/2024

Today’s lesson… Keagan is teaching herself how to climb the stairs and come back down. She is a confident one.

13/07/2024

Lesson of the day. Today I am focusing on teaching Keagan to be comfortable and calm, as I walk away, and leave her in her pend in area. I’m taking a systematic approach and working at levels that she can succeed with. This way she will Lorain to self calm, and go back to self occupation with her toys. She’s doing brilliantly!she

12/07/2024

Letting puppies explore, in safe ways, helps to build confidence and resilience. Later today I will be putting some puppy agility equipment in my yard for Keagan to explore and play with. I will help her learn, but mostly in the beginning I will just let her explore on some very safe obstacles.

11/07/2024

We are working on so many micro lessons with Keagan. we are expanding on the house training that has already been started by the breeder… Yay for good breeders! She is learning to be calm as I hand her little bits of food, and so much more.

The big lesson, the most important lesson, that we are working on, is working through the integration of this lovely innocent little puppy, with my eight-year-old Welshie, Katie. Presently they are being kept separated by fencing, both in and out of the house. We are doing a calm and careful integration as Katie can be a bit snarky with puppies. We do not want this puppy to have a bad experience that could hurt her social ability, or her level of trust and comfort on any level.

Here is a picture of my spouse, Sue, working with Katie, playing training games and giving treats as she comes and goes in proximity to Keagan. Being around the puppy means good things happen. Both in the house and in the yard.This evening we will start going to the local cemetery where it is very calm and shady, for a very short walk together, but at a distance that does not allow for contact yet.

11/07/2024

Keagan had a great first night. She slept soundly in her crate in our bedroom, getting up twice to go outside and potty. She settled right back to sleep as soon as I put her back in her crate. What a good girl!

This morning she woke up with tons of puppy energy ready to play. She played hard for about an hour and a half, and now she’s ready for a nap in my lap.

Yep, I am in love! 

10/07/2024

She is home! You know your breeder is doing things right when your new puppy, stops cuddling and playing with you, and puts herself inside her crate to take a nap. Love this!

Thank you Raven for me to have this very special girl. Yes, I am in love already!

10/07/2024

I have been collecting new toys for my puppy's arrival tomorrow. One consideration that I have made is to be sure that none of the toys that will be readily available to my pup have squeakers. At this tender young age, I am not concerned about the disembowelment of the toys and possible choking hazards. Instead, I am placing attention on the comfort of my 8-year-old Welsh Springer Spaniel, Katie, who I need to help build a positive relationship with the new pup. Katie is obsessed (!) with squeak toys. She has to have them,, she would stealthily steal them from Jolie when she turned her head away for just a second. If she knew there was a new one in the house she will obsess over it's location until it is hers to destroy.

If the puppy has a squeek you can imagine the frustration that Katie will have, and the negative association that she will make in conjunction to the puppy. Now, to be sure I am not in any way, anti squeak toy. But in this case, letting the puppy have a prized possession that Katie despetly wants will not be conducive to the bonding process I wish to foster.

Thinking and planning ahead prevents problems later. Remember the Scouting Moto: Be Prepared!

08/07/2024

Puppy Hack

Bringing a puppy home is joyful for us, but it can be quite stressful for the puppy. Think about it. Your new puppy is a nieve and innocent, unworldly little munchkin who has been isolated from all but a few people and has been exposed to very few other dogs, litter mates, mom, and possibly another dog in the home ... Then we come in and swoop them away in outer mother ship like aliens and take them to a strange and unfamiliar planet, our home. New sights, sounds, smells, and OMG, so many rules! (we will get to this in another post)

We should be thinking, "What can we do to make this transfer easier and less stressful and help this vulnerable little entity feel safe and secure?" There is much we can do.

One easy thing to do is send a stuffed toy to your breeder before the pickup. This gives the breeder the opportunity to let the puppies play with the toy, rub it on Mom, and generally get the smell of the familiar family and surroundings attached to the toy. Then, when you pick up your puppy, you can take the stuffed toy home with you, and your puppy will have a familiar toy with familiar smells to help them feel safe in their new home.

As the breeder of my new puppy lives close by, I dropped off a Snuggle Puppy stuffed toy this morning. When I bring my puppy home on Wednesday, I will bring this scented toy back with my pup. I love the Snuggle Puppy as it also has a heartbeat component that can be turned on, as well as a warning component. This will my puppy by having something familiar and soft, and will also help with the crate training and nighttime training.

The link to the Snuggle Puppy is in the first comment.

07/07/2024

What If Your Adult Dog Doesn’t Want A Puppy?

Bringing a new puppy into the home is exciting, for the people who want and cherish him/her. But what about the established older dog living in the house who might not want a puppy? There is a lot to consider here. How well socialized is the established dog to other dogs, especially puppies? Has the established dog engaged in fights with other dogs? Has he/she caused injury, and if so, how concerning? Not all dogs want another dog to join their home. For some dogs, a new puppy can cause extreme anxiety resulting in aggression and rejection of the puppy.

My Welsh Spring Spaniel, Katie, is 8 years old. She was very bonded to Jolie, the Black and Tan Coonhound I recently lost. Katie was well socialized with puppies as a puppy, and well into her adolescence. Towards the end of her adolescence, she became less tolerant of other dogs (except Jolie) and specifically puppies. Interestingly she loves kittens and cats. Katie does not aggress towards other dogs when she sees them, or if she is near them. She is calm, generally relaxed, and indifferent. But, if another dog or puppy approaches her, she will “snark” at them to let them know they are too close and they need to get out of her space. Once they back off, she ceases and “snarky” behaviors.

To help Katie adjust to the new puppy I will be taking a systematic approach to their introduction. I will be using a method that is very similar to that which is used in zoos when new animals are introduced. *If you did not know, exotic animals in zoos are moved often to facilitate breeding and for other purposes. These animals have to be very carefully introduced to the established animal already in their habitat so that 1. There is minimal aggression/injury/possible death, and 2. The animals have the best chance of bonding for coexistence in a safe and mutually comfortable way.

One of the elements of this introduction, and there are several, is to have Katie remain on her mat/station with a very high-level treat when in proximity to the puppy, who will be in a controlled area. This will help Katie make a positive association with the puppy in a non-threatening manner. In the beginning, every time she is in proximity to the puppy, she will receive a scrumptious chew or West Paw Tobble toy stuffed with the highest-value food. Puppies mean good things happen. Yeah! Notice that I have this situation controlled so that Katie has a safe and comfortable place to be, and the puppy cannot approach her, steal her treat, or otherwise bother her. Safe and comfortable.

In these days before the puppy, I have already set up the kennels and other boundaries in the house where needed. This gives Katie the chance to adjust to the change before the puppy comes home.
Katie already is a wiz at station/place training. I am starting to establish the station training with high-value treats/chew before the puppy comes home. This will add a level of positive expectation and comfort when we use this management tool as a part of our socialization journey.

*The most important factors are that both the puppy and Katie feel safe and secure. Just putting them together to “work it out” could, and often does, cause anxiety, that could lead to aggressive behaviors, that create fear and a lasting division between the pup and the adult dog. A carefully planned systematic introduction helps both puppy and dog feel safe and gradually develop comfort and trust with each other. This sets them up for a positive and well-bonded relationship in the future.

06/07/2024

This coming week I will be welcoming a new puppy into my home. Very exciting, I know! But also, scary, stressful, and busy. There is so much to consider when raising a puppy with the goal of developing a happy, confident, social, and resilient individual. Everything in time, and in increments that meet the puppy's age and individual learning stages. Right now I am doing a lot of prep work. One of the things I do in preparation is to make sure that I have a rotating source of high-value chew items available at all times. I like to get a bit bowl with a lid and fill it with scrumptious yummy treats, like the freeze-dried salmon I have in this one. I place the chew toys in the container and let them sit and get really smelly! As the puppy arrives and I start using them I will have some out and some in for "re-scenting" on a constant basis. I might also dip some chews in bullion, or put the smell of meat on them (if I actually cook!), or make a small smear of (natural) peanut butter. This will start my puppy out on good and appropriate chew items that are by far more interesting than my couch.

*Some of the toys are for Katie to have when introducing her to the new pup. New, obnoxious, and boisterous puppies mean good things happen.

As my new puppy comes into my home and we progress with the many aspects of raising a puppy to a sound adulthood I will share more of my hacks. Oh, and many, many pictures of my pup!

Check the first comment for a sneak preview.

29/06/2024

Way to go! We should see more of this. I am always amazed by how many people take their dogs to outdoor events where they are walking on scorching pavement and displaying obvious signs of heat (and possibly environmental stimuli) distress. If more events post signs like this more dogs would be safer.

25/06/2024

In this extreme heat please keep your dogs safe. Find indoor activities to help occupy your dog. Do a Google or YouTube search for Indoor Enrichment Games and Activities you can use to play with and engage your dog. If you do walk, get up early and walk before sunrise when it is the coolest in the day. Take shorter walks, and bring water. If your dog does suffer from the heat this is what to do:

1. Stop exercise or remove the dog from the heat source

2. Actively and aggressively cool the dog with whatever you have that is colder than the dog. Cold water, ice water, ice packs, fans, bottled water, natural bodies of water, etc. (The no cold or ice water thing is a myth and has been debunked by scientific research

3. Cool first, then transport. Get their life-threatening temperature down before transporting them to veterinary care because transport without cooling just let’s them “cook” longer. (AC helps but is not enough).

-Dr Janice Baker DVM, DACVPM, Ret. COL, USAR Veterinary Corps, & one of the world's leading experts on Thermoregulation in operational working canines

25/06/2024

A few weeks ago Skip and I were in a trial when it was in the high 80’s and humid. Very little breeze. In short, awful. Of course, I was worried about Skip, given his bad heart, and wouldn’t have run him if the course hadn’t been a short one. I got him in the […]

25/06/2024

It's that hot!!! Please keep your pets safe in this extreme heat.

19/06/2024

16/06/2024

A week ago I tragically lost my cherished companion, Jolie. She was 10 years old and I was sure I had at least 2 more wonderful years with her, but truly hoped for more. Just after bedtime, she bloated, her stomach was hard and largely distended. We rushed her to the emergency clinic, but her stomach had already started to twist. She was in immense pain and suffering. My spouse and I made the very heart-wrenching decision to help her be at peace. I am heartbroken and devastated.

My attention had to quickly turn to my other pup, Katie. She had no idea what was happening, it all happened so fast. All she knew was that her sister was not right, making horrific unearthly sounds, and her people panicked and took off quickly with Jolie, leaving her behind. My spouse and I came home sad, exhausted, and without Jolie. Katie had to be wondering what was happening? Katie is adjusting, with our very attentive and meaningful help. She still looks for Jolie, especially when we come home and through the door. But she will heal in time, as we will.

In time another Black and Tan Hounddog will be a part of my home, but for now, we all need time to heal and adjust to the loss of our very special, and so much cherished companion.

12/06/2024

Throw Me a Bone - Dog Training & Behaviour

Knowledge about dog behaviour is important. It's a no brainer. But why? Well, understanding dog behaviour is crucial in effective dog training for several reasons. A deep knowledge of canine behaviour allows trainers & behaviourists to create effective, humane, and tailored training programmes. Here are the primary reasons why this knowledge is essential: Understanding Canine Communication.Dogs communicate primarily through body language and vocalisations. A deep understanding of these communication methods helps to interpret what a dog is feeling or intending, which is crucial for effective training.Body Language. Knowing the nuances of a dog’s body language, such as tail position, ear orientation, and posture, can indicate whether the dog is relaxed, anxious, or aggressive. For instance, a wagging tail doesn't always mean a dog is happy; the context and type of wag are important indicators of the dog's emotional state.Vocalisations. Different barks, growls, and whines have distinct meanings. Recognising these sounds allows trainers to respond appropriately to a dog’s needs and emotions, facilitating better communication and training outcomes. Addressing Behavioural Issues.Behavioural issues such as aggression, anxiety, and excessive barking can stem from various causes, including fear, territoriality, or past trauma. Understanding the root causes of these behaviours is essential for developing effective intervention strategies.Anxiety. Recognising signs of anxiety and understanding its triggers (e.g., separation anxiety, noise phobia) helps in designing desensitisation and counterconditioning programmes to alleviate the dog’s stress. Understanding the importance and relevance of health and wellbeing vs behaviour.Physical & mental health do impact dog behaviour more than people realise. Considering possible pain, discomfort, nutrition, appetite amount of physical activity and mental health is absolutely critical before any training can start. Implementing Positive Reinforcement Techniques.A comprehensive knowledge of dog behaviour supports the use of positive reinforcement techniques, which are based on rewarding desired behaviours to encourage their repetition.Timing and Consistency. Understanding the importance of immediate and consistent reinforcement helps trainers effectively shape and reinforce desired behaviours. This is critical as dogs learn best when there is a clear and immediate connection between their behaviour and the reward.Motivation. Knowing what motivates a particular dog, whether it’s food, toys, or affection, allows trainers to tailor their approach to each dog’s preferences, making training more effective and engaging. Building Trust and Relationship.Effective, kind and modern dog training is built on a foundation of trust between the dog and the trainer. Deep knowledge of dog behaviour helps in establishing this trust by ensuring that training methods are humane and respectful.Avoiding Negative Methods. Understanding the detrimental effects of punishment and negative reinforcement encourages trainers to avoid these methods, which can damage the dog-trainer relationship and lead to fear or aggression.Empathy and Respect. Recognising and respecting a dog’s individual temperament and limits fosters a positive training environment, enhancing the bond between the dog and the trainer. Customising Training Programs.Dogs, like humans, have individual personalities and learning styles. Knowledge of dog behaviour enables trainers to customise training programmes to suit the specific needs and characteristics of each dog.Breed-Specific Traits. Different breeds have distinct behavioural traits and predispositions. For example, herding breeds may require more mental stimulation, while scent hounds may need activities that engage their sense of smell.Individual Differences. Beyond breed traits, individual dogs have unique personalities. Some may be more timid or excitable than others. Tailoring training to these individual differences ensures more effective and humane outcomes. Preventing and Managing Problem BehavioursUnderstanding the natural behaviours of dogs helps in preventing and managing problem behaviours before they become ingrained.Early Intervention. Recognising early signs of behavioural issues allows for timely intervention, preventing the escalation of undesirable behaviours.Environmental Management: Knowledge of dog behaviour informs environmental management strategies, such as providing adequate exercise, mental stimulation, and safe spaces, which are critical for preventing behavioural problems.

-Throw Me a Bone - Dog Training & Behaviour

30/05/2024

I strongly believe in this. I never refer to myself as the owner of Jolie and Katie, the two amazing pups that live with me. I am gifted with the obligation of being their guardian, guide, protector, friend,, caregiver, teacher, and student. Yes, they do teach me much.

19/05/2024

I am fascinated by dogs, and especially their nose. I love watching my Black and Tan Coonhound, Jolie, at task doing scent games or just following her nose on a trail when out on snifari. What could be more natural than letting a dog follow their nose?

A new study suggests temperament and training are what make some domestic dogs supersniffers

10/05/2024

We may not mean to, but we are hurting the dogs we claim to love.