Canine Behavior Counseling

Socialization

2012-02-28T13:55:00.000-08:00

How can we focus with kids and cars all around!

Socialization is really an ongoing process for you and your new puppy or rescue dog.

Think about all the sights and sounds your puppy would encounter if you walked them on Commercial Street in Portland, Me. How about walking near a school during recess or on a sidewalk over looking a beach?

When you take your puppy or rescue dog to a new environment, you should simply let him get information about the new place. Let him look and sniff around for a bit.

These two sweet shelties did not feel comfortable with the kids quickly leaving the High School in all directions. After a few minutes of watching everyone, they felt more comfortable and were able to focus on their sit and down stays for longer periods of time.

I often hear people say their dog will sit and stay at home, but not in a new environment, this is true of most young dogs! I promise, if you just allow your dog to engage in his surroundings for a bit, you will have more compliance. I recommend you let him look or sniff, then train for 5 minutes, then release him with a simple "ok" and a loose leash. Repeat this type of session, train then "ok" each day until your dog is no longer distracted by his environment.

Each week, gradually increase the training time to build duration in the behaviors you are working on. Always end a positive note so your dog looks forward to going back to that environment next time!

Leash Frustration

2012-02-16T04:32:00.000-08:00

While many dogs enjoy playing with other dogs off leash, they may act frustrated, excited or even aggressive at the site of a dog when on leash. It's unfortunate that the leash is a safety tool for us, yet can create what appears to be a Jekyll and Hyde reaction in our dogs. For obvious reasons, we must use a leash to protect our dogs and I am happy many of you do use them as they are the law in many places.

Why is this the case with some dogs?

Dogs weren't born knowing how to be walked on a leash, and we humans weren't born knowing how to use them. Some of you may remember growing up with dogs in the neighborhood running around and greeting with no altercations. That is because it is normal behavior for dogs to meet, greet, and/or sniff every other dog, person, or tree. It's nice to be that excited about everything, isn't it?

This is where the term "barrier frustration" is often discussed in dog training. It's when something, in this case the leash, prevents a dog from getting to what he wants, over time this often results (inadvertently) into this frustrating or aggressive reaction. This lack of emotional control "I want it, I want it now! I must meet that other dog!" response inadvertently gets punished. In many cases, dogs contained by invisible fences where there is a great deal of foot traffic will experience this heightened frustration.

Over time, with each on-leash walking episode, this frustration builds and builds and builds, and gets to the point where the mere sight of another dog triggers this frustrated reaction. Many dogs begin to associates other dogs with frustration. And we're all familiar with feelings of frustration - similar to going to the vending machine every day for months to get your favorite afternoon snack, only to have the machine eat your money and the snack get stuck as it is deposited. Have you ever seen anyone hit, kick or even shake the machine? Maybe you have felt this frustration. Imagine if it happened every week!

Regardless of the "why", the solution is the same: Teach Your Dog a Rewarding Incompatible Behavior. Something that's fun, rewarding, and what will soon become the better, more desirable choice when out walking.

Two easy behaviors I find that work well are 1) "Auto Watch or Watch Me"—Your dog makes eye contact with you and he gets a treat. 2) "Find it"— where you toss a treat on the ground right in front of him, thus keeping his head focused somewhere else while having him "hunt", an activity many dogs enjoy.

I suggest you take his meals on the road, but along with his regular kibble, add something he's more likely to be crazy for. This way your dog is more likely to pay attention to you, and not bark and lunge at the end of the leash. Begin with these games in your home or yard where you have no distractions. Then gradually expose your dog to a dog at a great distance and continue to play "find it" or say "watch me" when your dog simply looks at a dog. Over time, your dog will look at a dog, then automatically look at you, hence the "auto watch" and be rewarded!

With consistency, your dog will start to look at you as soon as he sees a new dog in anticipation of a fun game! Be excited and generous with your rewards.

Gracie making friends

2012-02-12T17:04:00.000-08:00

Gracie the Pitt mix on the right has been a foster dog at Tender Touch for over two years. She found herself in a fight with another dog over a bone. Unfortunately for Gracie, she caused quite a bit of damage to the other dog.

Gracie and Annie walking together

Here you see Gracie has learned to make friends with my Annabelle after about 20 minutes of introductions. We have fed them treats together and Gracie is non confrontational.

Below you will see Gracie out for a walk with several other dogs. She showed great communication skills even trying to get a few of the boys in the group to play! The key to helping Gracie have success in the presence of new dogs is a very slow greeting. She needs time to trust the other dog before she allows them in her space.

Gracie learning to trust new dogs.

Many dogs will snarl or snap when they first meet a new dog. This does not mean that they will never be friends, however it does mean that the dog that is snappy does not feel safe. Helping this dog feel safe by taking a long walk with the new dog will help. Should you punish your dog for being aggressive to a new dog? No, your punishment will only make your dog more stressed. Building a positive association between the two dogs is the best approach.

Keep in mind that being near a new dog outside is much easier than being with the same dog inside a home. So, take it slow by bring the dogs together, then apart and repeat until you see both dogs relax. This may actually take a few days before they feel comfortable in a home together.

Barking at Strangers

2012-02-07T03:27:00.000-08:00

Classical Conditioning is the process of making a new association. Triggers can be something the dog sees, hears, smells, feels or even tastes, they are something that our dogs have associations with which may be scary or negative.

Reactive Beagle doing a sit stay in
the presence of new dogs. I am using
hotdogs as a high value reward.

When we use classical conditioning we change an association or emotional response our dog has to a trigger. For example, if our dog is currently afraid of strangers then Strangers = Yummy Food all the time!

The goal is to start having your dog make a positive association when he sees a stranger or a hand coming at him. Even if he is growling, yes, you are changing his emotional state. Remember strangers or hands predict punishment or fear now, so let’s change it (classical conditioning).

When he barks at a guest, ask the guest to toss him a treat or several treats. If your dog approaches the guest, just let him sniff and ask your guest to not pet him as he is in training. Try having a guest toss a treat behind your dog, I bet your dog comes closer to the guest each time for a new treat. Then possibly progress to hand feeding from behind the stranger with no eye contact, then sideways, then touch and treat under the chin only. Touching may take weeks, but eventually your dog will associate a hand coming at him as something good not scary!

You will need to do this CC training in your home, front yard, side yard, driveway, street and any other place in your neighbor hood that your dog becomes worried. You will need to continue this training in all new environments so your dog learns to generalize his new associations.

When we desensitize our dogs to their triggers we are lowering their reaction. For example, if the knock at the door sets your dog in a high arousal mode say level 10, then knock as often as you think about it so her reaction is only a 3 when a real guest comes. Lowering her arousal will help her control her emotions but you must be CALM for this to work. When children are running around, or bikes are flying bye, take your dog far enough away that she sees or hears the trigger but can control her emotions, reward for an easy behavior like watch me, here cue or sit and stay. Gradually move closer to the stimuli and reward for good emotional control. This is a progression and may take several weeks, but will work and is wonderful to see the dog gain confidence to the trigger.

Using the above methods will help your dog be calmer when scary stimuli are near. Practice many repetitions of having her hear or see the trigger and reward for calm behavior! Remember if your dog is too aroused to think, move farther away!

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

2012-02-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

Why do so many of us feel the need to put our faces near a sleeping dog?

I have witnessed a child receive a warning scratch above and below the eye when startling a strange sleeping dog. The dog cowered afterwards as if to ward off punishment as the child screamed. This scream was enough punishment on the dog, I did not need to do anything except help both child and dog feel safer in each other presence after this incident.

How would you react if you were sound asleep and something startled you? For a shy or fearful dog trying to sleep with a strange person or dog in the house can be very unsettling. They may drift off, yet still be on guard. This dogs first emotional response when startled is to protect him/her self with it's best defensive weapon, its teeth. Unfortunately, many owners and sometimes guests are bitten when they startle a sleeping dog. If a person is bitten by a dog, there is ALWAYS a reason, we just need to determine what that reason is and work to desensitize or modify it's behavior.

Success lies in determining if the dog was reacting out of fear, guarding a resource or being dominant and biting his owner. Treating one will not fix another, so getting a good history is the key to preventing this incident from happening again.

Shock collars

2012-01-31T17:36:00.000-08:00

Just because we can use this type of punishment, does not mean we should.

This dog stopped eating when
boarded with a male trainer.

I am once again called upon to help with a rescue dog that wants to attack humans. Not just bite, I mean lunge, snarl and do what ever it needs to do to keep any man from coming near him.

Ask your self why would a dog be so hostile and angry with a man coming near it? Because we are now familiar with this dogs history, like many before, we again are faced with the unfortunate fact that a trainer, in this case a male tried to punish a fearful dog.

Please make sure that any "trainer" you employ is Certified with the Association Of Pet Dog Trainers and is able to provide you with a Positive Rewards Based Training Plan.

Why does Sheila not trust hands?

Sure you CAN shock your dog for barking at your neighbor each morning, but do not be surprised when your dog bites that man who he now associates with punishment.

There are reams of studies and stories from trainers, scientists and behaviorists that lead me to believe e-collars and/or remote collars have a great potential for misuse, whether intended or unintended. So before you use this correction on your dog, I suggest you use it on yourself or even one of your children if you dare. It is not pleasant, nor is it effective.

Eva learning to make friends

2012-01-24T18:43:00.000-08:00

Truman, Eva and Harry learning to be friends.

Truman on the left is a very dog friendly boy as is Harry the black lab mix on the right. Eva the German Shepherd in the middle is not so trusting of new dogs.

When she first meets or even sees a dog she becomes nervous and reactive as she is very worried. Using an approach and retreat method or BAT training program we allowed Eva to get lots of information about the new dogs so she could feel safe.

After about 30 minutes of engaging with Truman and Harry, Eva was able to greet and even play with these two handsome boys. They constantly reassured her that they were friendly with their open mouths, tongue flicks, look aways, yawning, sniffing the ground and many shake offs.

Once Eva was sure they were not going to harm her, she relaxed and began to enjoy their company! While dog to dog aggression can be scary, with proper management and conditioning, many dogs can learn to trust and enjoy the company of new dogs.

CBC Training Room

2012-01-18T03:11:00.000-08:00

Sadie is staying even with distractions!

Come enjoy our large, clean training space at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital, Scarborough, Maine. Family members are also welcome to attend.

Class sizes are kept to 4 or 5 dogs to help everyone succeed.

Socialization, Manners, Canine Good Citizen Certification and Private Consults are held in this space. Check out the Class schedule for a list of up coming classes!

Feisty Fido, BAT and Outdoor Adventure classes, all held outside to promote the best learning environment for these dogs.
Not sure what class your dog belongs in? Email or call me so we can set you and your canine friend up for success!

Nose work and tricks classes coming in 2012! Hope to see you soon!

Rescue Dogs

2012-01-14T11:00:00.000-08:00

Rescue dogs are often put up for adoption simply because humans do not know how to get them to STOP doing something. Turn this correction thought process into rewarding the dog for what he is doing right!

These dogs learn appropriate social skills each day.

Punishing or correcting an animal for making a mistake often makes the situation more frustrating for the animal. We all have experiences when something that once worked fine now is not working at all. Your car does not start, the printer is out of ink, your phone battery is dead. Both people and animals get the same feeling when faced with this situation known as extinction in behavior terms. We all get angry, yell, maybe even curse, "this is infuriating!"

I often see this intense behavior when working with rescue dogs, such as barking, guarding, lunging, jumping, spinning and many others. For example, I recently worked with a handsome black lab mix whose foster mom complained that he continually jumped up on her. After taking the pups leash and a handful of treats, just as she said, he began to jump on me. I quickly turned and walked away from him saying nothing. He was clearly confused and jumped up on me higher and in quicker repetition, and with more force, using his muzzle to bump/pop my chin and chest. This went on for nearly a minute or two when I explained to the foster parent that he is incredibly frustrated as this behavior has worked for him in the past. Rather than waiting until he sat without jumping first, I used a treat to lure him a few steps then over his head, when he sat down, I simply said "yes" and tossed him a treat. The second time, I only lured him one step and raised it over his head, again he sat and received his treat. At this moment his lightbulb went off and he approached me and sat, again I marked his behavior with a "yes" and rewarded him.

Over time, dogs learn how to avoid punishment to the best of their ability. No species seeks out punishment unless they feel as if they have no alternative behavior to offer. If you think your dog is being pushy, maybe it is because it has worked in the past. All dogs choose a behavior that works.

Rewarding your dog for good behavior will certainly encourage your dog to do that behavior more often! See how many times you can tell your dog "good boy/girl" the rest of today! Bet you get more of this behavior while the rude behavior will fade.

Off Leash Puppy Class Starts on 1/17/2012

2012-01-10T14:27:00.000-08:00

Are those cats in there?

This year we celebrate 30 years of Off Leash Puppy Socialization, introduced by Ian Dunbar, founder of the APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers).

We now have scientific proof that puppies that are not exposed to other young puppies in a positive way have a much higher rate of exhibiting aggression when they become adolescents.

Knowing how critical it is to allow young puppies to play with other young puppies please find time to attend an Off Leash Play Class with your new puppy!

While you can train a puppy at any age, socialization is best done between the ages of 8 and 14 weeks. It is important to have your puppy receive at least one set of shots before attending any classes. Again, make sure you attend an Off Leash class so your puppy can grow to be the most balanced he can be!

I sometimes have clients attend 2 sessions of Puppy Socialization before entering a manners class. We expose your puppy to dogs, strange people, children, cats, birds, stairs, different types of footing, crutches, skateboards, sweeper hoses and many different noises. Learning how to desensitize your pups to new things and allowing you pup to to learn how to resolve conflict is essential!

Who does not love a dog with a soft mouth? One with good emotional control, void of guarding behaviors. Most of the problem behaviors I see every day could have been avoided with proper socialization!

Truman is adopted

2012-01-10T14:03:00.000-08:00

My handsome foster boy Truman has been adopted to a wonderful family!!

Fortunately he is nearby so I will be able to visit him and continue to let him and my boy Pablo play. If there is one thing Truman is really good at it is getting other dogs to play. He has amazing calming skills and is able to play with older dogs as well as young.

I am so happy he is in a home with another dog to play with!!

Socializing Adolescent Dogs

2012-01-05T18:38:00.000-08:00

Reintegrating Feisty Fido dogs into our community is incredibly rewarding for both the owner and me the trainer. I can't imagine keeping a dog locked away from the rest of the world, there is so much to enjoy and explore!

Some dogs are not able to handle the stimulation of having a strange dog near by. Why? For most dogs it is because they lacked proper socialization as a young pup. Using a combination of Classical Conditioning (making a new association), Operant Conditioning (helping the dog choose an alternative behavior) and improving the owners leadership skills, we are able to change the leash lunging dog to a calm thinking dog.

Helping young adolescent dogs with rude or aggressive communications skills to be cooperative in a pack is not easy, it takes critical distance, patience, confidence building, and the right mix of temperaments to be successful.

Eva the shepherd in the middle has gone from having no friends, to now having 4! With a feeling of joy, her owners can now watch her romping with other dogs!

Guarding

2011-12-23T15:49:00.000-08:00

Dogs are not born with guarding behaviors, but may learn at a very young age that guarding earns them valuable resources. Think about a litter of 10 pups, with only 8 places to nurse, a pup may learn that they must be pushy or even assertive to eat. I am not saying that all pups in large litters are more likely to be guarders, a good breeder will notice if one pup becomes too pushy and separate the group so this behavior is not practiced.

What I am saying, is that guarding a resource is a behavior that is learned through practice and having small successes over a period of time. The dogs that learn to guard in my opinion are the smart dogs, while not acceptable in the family dog, you can't argue that they are thinking dogs.

Can a dog go from guarding items, food or even thresholds in one home to not guarding in another? Many dogs learn that what worked in one environment, may not work or be necessary in another. For example, if a worried dog stands and barks at you in a doorway and you turn and leave, this dog will certainly try this behavior again as it worked for him. However, if you ignore his barks and walk right past him, he learns that standing his ground does not work and may try another behavior. Depending on his confidence level, he may try to bite next time or he may offer an appeasing behavior like a body wag as if to say, "Okay, let's be friends."

If a small dog stands on mom's lap and growls at the approaching dog, when the approaching dog turns and walks away, the dog growling learns that this behavior works and will certainly use it again. If however, this small dog begins to get stiff or stare at the approaching dog, the owner may choose to quickly plop the small dog behind the couch as a consequence, no emotion or words needed. With the small dog on her lap again, she will offer her a treat and use verbal praise when she allows a pack member to approach. Counter Conditioning new rules in the same environment, this small dog learns that when she guards, she loses the valuable resource and when she complies, she gets to keep her resource and gets a bonus treat too! With consistent repetition and knowing what you are rewarding most dogs can learn not to guard items in old and new environments.

Recognizing the signs of Bloat

2011-12-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

See for yourself what the signs and symptoms look like. This is a serious canine ailment which unfortunately too often proves to be fatal. Please take time to watch the entire video.

Truman Update

2011-12-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Truman snuggling with Annie

As many of you know, I am fostering this male 2 year old red bone hound mix named Truman. He is a sweet shy boy and has joined my family of 5 and 3 dogs extremely well!

Truman loves to be with me and does follow me around. He is crate trained, house broken and an easy keeper as he is most content when at my feet.

Truman loves dogs, all dogs, he will play if invited or will leave an older dog alone if asked. He takes treats with a gently mouth, will sit and stay, comes when called and is wonderful off leash. No worries about loosing this boy, he is happy to come when called.

Truman is an alarm barker when someone knocks at the door but quickly greets guests with wiggles and wags. He sometimes gets startled and barks when someone gets up and moves around the house. We use friendly gestures such as turning sideways, squatting down and talking calmly to help Truman feel safe, he is fine each time and comes into the persons space.

Truman is such an easy keeper, I have offered to keep him through the holidays rather than sending him to a kennel and yes he has a bone wrapped under the tree!

If I venture out on any trails this holiday season, you can bet Truman will be at my side as he loves to run off leash.

Barking

2011-12-15T04:42:00.000-08:00

I frequently get asked about barking problems or why do dogs bark? Our dogs bark for a variety of reasons:

Dogs will bark if they feel threatened.
They may bark when they play and get excited.
Some dogs will bark for attention from us or another dog.
Some will bark if they are in pain and they’ll even bark when they’re lonely, bored or stressed.
Certain breeds or breed types are also genetically inclined to bark more than others.

Desensitizing these shelties to moving stimuli

How you’ll prevent or resolve your issue with barking will partially depend on what is triggering your dog to bark. For example if your dog is barking or vocalizing because he’s in pain, treating the source of his pain would be the obvious solution. If your dog is barking through the front window as dogs pass by your house, blocking off access to that window is a simple way to help prevent his barking.

Keep in mind that the more your dog practices barking the better he’ll get at it. So identifying what is triggering your dog to bark and if possible, removing the trigger or changing the emotions that cause your dog to bark are best. For Example, if your dog barks each day he hears the mail truck, take your dog out side and reward you dog with a yummy treat for looking at the truck, after a few days of this classical conditioning, take your dog out and reward him for looking at you or any other behavior they offer before they bark. Eventually, your dog will learn to simply look at the mail truck and watch it go by with no worries at all.

In my opinion, antibark collars which use shock are inhumane and are inappropriate for all kinds of barking problems (and often make the problem worse). Many dogs that have been shocked for barking at a mail man or garbage truck have ended up trying to bite this stimuli which causes them pain each time it is near. With the right kind of behavior modification and a strong desire to stop the problem, most pet parents can successfully resolve barking issues using classical conditioning methods.

The Alert Barker does so to alert you to someone or something outside, the answer is quite simple. Remove the source of what triggers his barking. For instance if your dog barks at people as they walk past your home, prevent his access to the window using furniture, closing blinds, blocking off the area with a baby gate. Remember, if your dog barks and the person or dog moves away, this is very rewarding for the dog and will certainly be repeated.

The Lonely Barker is often more simple to modify, try changing your dog’s environment a bit.

Remember that your dog probably wants to be with people. Dogs who are left outside for long periods of time are often the worst offenders of barking. Your dog needs to play with you and feel like he is a part of the family. Dogs typically don’t do well when left alone for long periods of time. Make sure you set aside time for regular walks, playtime – even some training sessions. You’ll want to be sure that you give him the social contact that he needs to keep his body and mind occupied. Barking when left alone may also indicate separation anxiety. If you think that anxiety is the source of your dog’s barking, contact a certified dog trainer.

Attention Barking may be a dog that barked and you tossed him a toy, you have just taught your dog, “When I bark you play!” Even if you look at him or verbally scold your dog when he barks, you will still be teaching him that his barking is a successful way to get your attention. What can you do? You need to ignore his demands. His barking may initially

increase and so don’t give in or he will learn that persistence pays off. However, if he barks and you really ignore him or even better if you ignore him and walk away until he is quiet, he will eventually learn that barking doesn’t work and it will decrease.

Our dogs are not trying to dominate us, they simply do a behavior and if something follows that they like then they will repeat the behavior. Dogs are smarter than we think, so be carful and watch what you are rewarding!

Does What I Do Affect Me?

2011-12-13T12:36:00.000-08:00

I often hear "my dog is stubborn" keep in mind that dogs have both positive and negative reinforcers not only from the environment but sometimes from you! Reinforcers are consequences that increase the likely hood the behavior will occur again. I focus on Positive Reinforcers which is adding something that the dog likes, such as yummy food, affection or play after the behavior.

Negative Reinforcement training

Negative reinforces are consequences which increase behavior but by removing something unpleasant, like you stop applying pressure to the dogs neck when he lies down. This dog is learning that training is not fun, just look at his confused face.

Your voice and body language may be saying something different. If you are yelling "come" in a stern tone while you smile, what is your dog to think? Sending mixed signals will confuse your dog and most likely encourage him to hesitate or simply avoid you.

Yum Yum Trick

We act on our choices every day which lead to consequences that would not have happened if we hadn't done something. If you do not work, you do not get paid, if you do not put gas in the car, it will not move. If you ask your dog to sit and he does not, he doest't get the treat. If a wild fox does not hunt, he does not eat. Animals learn each and every day that things happen because they do things.

When we teach our dogs that they will be rewarded with food, affection, freedom and play for good choices each and every day, they learn to comply happily. Pablo has learned that when I say "Yum yum" and he licks his lips, he gets rewarded! This type of reinforcement is not only good for your dog, but your family and friends as well!

Truman making friends

2011-12-10T11:47:00.000-08:00

Truman, is CBC's newest foster dog and is oh so handsome! He has a lovely play style with dogs, comes when called and can be taken off leash anywhere! He is super gently and very wiggly when greeting a new dog.

Truman on the right is playing with Pablo

Here is a video of Truman greeting my boy Pablo for the first time. Yes, I have a muzzle on Pablo as there were a few other dogs in the area. While Pablo does well one on one, 3 or more is a crowd and he can become defensive, convinced the other two are going to gang up on him.

Truman on the other hand, couldn't have been more lovely to watch, convincing Pablo he meant no harm, only play! During this day out, Truman met 4 men with dogs, taking treats from 3 showing only friendly behaviors.

I will continue to monitor his relationship with men with the goal of desensitizing him to what ever trigger seems to make him nervous. He has such a playful way with dogs, this boy won't wait long for a forever home!

A Stranger in My House

2011-12-06T16:21:00.000-08:00

Sophie with the stranger

Sophie, my scottie is clearly concerned about the presence of this stranger near her. Her eye is on him, her tail is up, she is standing rigid and not moving. I quickly asked him to stand still until I could reengage her in her ball.

As this worker moved about the house, I used play to desensitize her to his presence. This Counter Conditioning process involves taking a fear provoking stimulus (stranger) and changing the association to one of signaling something (pleasant) in this case, a play session.

I began this process over 1 year ago with children and strangers on my street and in my yard, by using yummy treats or play to counter condition Sophie's emotional response when strangers were present. This generalization stage is the phase of learning where the dog learns that the new association is relevant in a variety of circumstances and situations. Sophie now enjoys strangers entering our home as she associates them with something positive, but having this stranger disappear and reappear with no warning from inside is something very unsettling for her.

I am sure once I get this situation comfortable for Sophie, she will again alert me to something new with a guest or stranger that she is not comfortable with. I believe I will always need a maintenance stage in which I incorporate repetitions from previous training stages to encourage the appropriate emotional response from her.

While many dogs can be counter conditioned quicker, I adopted Sophie at age 5, so her behaviors had been practiced for some time, but her progress is steady and improving with each play session!

Who is Training Who?

2011-12-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about how your dog has 2 trainers in most situations? It is true, both you and the environment are influencing your dogs behavior. Any stimuli in the environment (sounds, smells, people, dogs, objects, etc.) can effect your dogs behavior.

Relaxed, Positive Energy

Knowing how to use Classical and Operant Conditioning methods is the key to setting your dog up for success in many different environments. Classical Conditioning is how your dog feels about something and Operant gives your dog an alternate behavior to choose.

The key to remember is that your frustration can play a big role in how your dog feels about any given stimuli. Patience, practice and a positive attitude will help you achieve success with your dog.

When you become the the primary means of delivering all rewards to your dog and learn to reinforce all of his good choices, then YOU become the most influential to your dog, not the environment. This is such a simple thought, but so important to helping any dog over come obstacles in the environment.

Looks are Deceiving

2011-11-30T09:50:00.000-08:00

I love this photo! Not because the terrier is absolutely adorable when rushing at the Shepherd cross but because no one told him she was part "wolf". He has no worries and simply wants to Play! Both dogs are only one year old.

While it appears that a fight may begin, the terrier assures the larger female of his intentions by his lovely body skills and soft mouth. Of the two, the terrier has more play experience than the larger dog. If you had only seen this photo, you may have been alarmed, but I can assure you that play followed for some time.

The communication is endless from the female with ears back, soft eyes, lifted paw, leaning backwards, soft joints, open mouth with no teeth showing. One vital piece of information for her is that the terrier is not looking in her eyes, yet off to the side which is non confrontational.

One friend is better than no friends!

Treat and Retreat

2011-11-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

I am not sure who first came up with the phrase "treat and retreat", Ian Dunbar or possibly Suzanne Clothier but this concept really works!

If you are ever in a situation where you are face to face with a growly dog, it is wise not to try to dominate this kind of canine. As trainers, we repeatedly discover that the dog doing the growling is as uncomfortable with the situation as the human is. The best way to ease the tension is to communicate your friendly intentions as calmly and quickly as possible!

This is where the use of a treat can be tossed behind the dog, as the dog goes to check out the treat, you can retreat a bit for safety. Having someone holding the dogs leash is always a smart idea as you proceed to toss treats behind the dog and watch him get the treat and come a bit closer to you each time. You will quickly notice the dog has stopped growling as he is most likely interested in the treats and no longer wishes you to leave. This does not mean you are buddies yet, but it does mean you have taken the first step in assuring this growly dog that you mean him no harm.

Bentley continues to get closer as he feels safer.

Making friends with a growly dog will make the dog feel better as it will you! We often hear, "he is slow to warm up to people," dogs often bark at strangers, however refrain from barking when they have had a chance to feel safe with this new person.

Consider using the treat and retreat approach to make your own fearful or shy dog feel safe with new guests. If you know of a friend with a growly dog, take special treats and toss them when you arrive, you may be surprised how much better you both feel.

This may take minutes or weeks, but will help your dog feel safer each time he is faced with a stranger.

Because I know Bentley this handsome Boxer, I begin by tossing treats, progress to hand feeding then touch and treat. Only allow people your dog knows to use this progression in a single session.

Feisty Fidos - Leash Lungers

2011-11-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

Many of you have seen or owned a dog that is reactive or barks at other dogs when on a leash. This behavior often gets a dog surrendered to a rescue group because it is very difficult to walk. Unfortunately, many clients have said "I wish I had met you sooner, then I would not have given up my last dog." As someone who works with many rescue groups, this breaks my heart as I know many pet owners are not aware of the training we do with reactive dogs.

Below is a video of Eva, a pet dog who was very reactive on a leash when she saw a strange dog. After one session of our Feisty Fido class, she is much calmer when she sees a dog.

Everyone has a specific goal in mind for their dog. Maybe it is to earn a Canine Good Citizen Certification, or walk past a dog on the street, or be able to attend a class with other dogs. What ever your goal know that changing behavior does not happen overnight, but we at CBC have the tools to help you change your dogs behavior in a positive successful manner!

Playtime on The Beaches

2011-11-06T13:57:00.000-08:00

Waiting Patiently to run on the Beach.

Does your dog enjoy running along the beach, digging in the sand, chasing the birds and playing with other canine friends? If so, GREAT, you have something your dog wants! This is a great opportunity for behavior training! Before you let them off leash to dash in any direction, how about asking for a few behaviors first?

Great Fun!!

Developing good emotional control takes practice, by incorporating training into your daily routine, your dog will learn to comply in a consistent fashion.

So why not ask your dog for a simple "wait" in the car while you attach a leash, a "sit" once out of the car, how about 3 or 4 sets of sit/stay while you hold onto a long 15 foot leash in safe areas of the parking lot? Ask for a few "waits" then call your dog "come" and reward! When on the beach, ask your dog to "wait", remove the leash and say "go play"-- for many dogs this is more rewarding than food!!

So use this awesome reward of freedom, to get your dog to comply to a few behaviors first! With practice your dogs will wait patiently like the 3 above!

Outdoor Adventure Class - Rewarding to Dogs and Humans

2011-10-31T11:02:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Adventure Class

What I love about this photo is that both of these dogs LOVE people!! They frequently love to say hello to everyone they see but are using good emotional control here at Back Cove Trail! As you can see both dog handlers are asking their dog to make a choice, the dogs have learned that when they comply a reward is coming!! What reward? What ever the handler chooses is rewarding to their particular dog. Some dogs love play, affection, food, a good scratching, a special toy or even a good sniff in the grass can be rewarding to a particular dog!

Rescue - Small Male Scottish Terrier

2011-10-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

This handsome boy is a character, as he loves all dogs! He adjusted to my home very quickly showing no fear about the new environment. He is very friendly with all my dogs, is crate trained, comes when called and rubs on you like a cat.

He is sleeping in his crate and is happiest if he can see one of my dogs. He has met 9 new dogs since I have had him and loves them all! Walks well with a harness, did great with his bath and really loved the towel rubbing.

He needs to be reminded where to potty, but other than that he is a joy!

Let me know if you are interested in meeting this handsome little boy!

Toys

2011-10-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked me about interactive toys to help keep your dog busy when left alone.

Below are some of the toys I use to create positive associations for many dogs in many different ways. For example, when I leave I often say "Kong Time" and leave each dog with a stuffed toy. The sound of a delivery truck is often another "kong time" as I want my dogs to be excited not fearful when this sound occurs.

If I am training a foster dog to use a crate, I only feed them using these toys, and, again, happily say "crate," and toss a yummy toy or two in the crate so the dog associates it with something good!

These are simply a few ideas to help enrich your dogs life.

Premier Tumble Ball, assorted Kongs, Everlasting Toys, Squirrel Dude, Planet Dog, Rip and Tug.

To get started be sure to make the toy easy for your dog to receive a reward, otherwise they will lose interest. The balls are great for beginners using dry kibble mixed with a few treats.
For the experienced dog, pack the Kong with a variety of goodies! For example, begin with a bit of peanut Butter, next add some raw meat or pieces of hotdog or cheese, followed by some kibble, dry treats, and repeat the process! It is like a party every time as your dog works hard to get to his favorite goodie! Be sure to use a cue like "kong time", your dog will begin to salivate rather than pant when you are leaving!

New Classes

2011-10-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

New Session of Classes begin tonight:

5:00 to 6:00 we have our Small dog Leash Lungers held at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital.

Puppy Socialization Class also held at TTVH from 6:15 to 7:15.

Looking forward to helping our dogs become more balanced and happy!

Day 4 - Behavior Adjustment Training -BAT

2011-10-16T14:07:00.000-07:00

My favorite session so far!

Those of you who have met me, know I love to help the shy, fearful, and aggressive dog. While working as a dog handler for Grisha Stewart's BAT workshop, I now have new tools to use to help these insecure and reactive dogs. BAT looks at the function of growling, lunging, or fleeing and helps dogs learn socially acceptable behaviors that serve the same function.

Bat will build your dog's confidence's confidence by giving him a chance to control his environment through the use of his own natural calming signals. You will learn how to better understand your dogs triggers and help him learn to safely get along with people, dogs, children and other triggers. This program includes all positive reinforcement techniques and is completely non adversive!

As a supplemental training class for the reactive dog, look for class details this fall!

Conference Day 3 -Canine Scent Classes

2011-10-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

Scent work is an easy class that any dog can enjoy, all you need is your dog and his nose! Yes, I mean any dog, this is the perfect class for reactive dogs, shelter dogs, rescue dogs, dogs young and old can learn to use their nose and be rewarded for it!

This is a wonderful enrichment activity, is easy for both handler and dog, and exciting to watch!

Expect this class to be implemented this winter, perfect timing for some indoor fun!

Conference Day 2 - Reactivity in Dogs

2011-10-13T22:56:00.000-07:00

Impulse control, hyperactivity, reactivity and arousal are all topics discussed in today's symposium on "Living on the edge." If you have attended any of my reactive dog classes you would have heard me use these terms and how they effect your dogs emotional state.

Today's topics included many practical methods of incorporating daily routines and opportunities to help your dog practice desirable behaviors. We know that good training is always started at home! Daily practice at home with feeding, training, and play can improve a dogs impulse control and arousal habits. New behaviors and techniques for keeping your dogs arousal under threshold will be incorporated into our up coming classes.

Today's conference ended with an informational panel discussion including dog behavior specialists: Suzanne Clothier, Ian Dunbar, Trish King, Dr. Petra Mertens, Dr. Pamela Reid, and Pia Silvani. What a great source of caine knowledge here to discuss arousal and how it effects reactivity.

looking forward to tomorrow's sessions on K9

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference day 1

2011-10-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

While I miss by family and furry friends back home, I am thrilled to be apart of this years APDT Conference! Here are just a view of the speakers that have presented so far:
Karen Pryer, author Don't Shoot The Dog
Teoti Anderson, author of 4 canine training books.
Ian Dunbar, APDT founder and author of many books.
Gail Fisher, clicker expert and author The Thinking Dog.
Joshua Leeds, Studies Bioacoustics, the power of sound on humans and other species.
Sue Sternberg, a dog aggression expert and founder of CASA Community Animal Shelter Assn.

Wow! What a day, my head is bursting with new luring and shaping skills which I am excited to share with my clients! The uses of Positive Reinforcement techniques are being incorporated into zoos, veterinary medicine, shelters, even schools, businesses and homes can all benefit from positive reward based relationships.

Stay tuned for more as the week progresses!

Socialization improves body language skills

2011-10-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Puff the samoyed and Lilly the springer

When Puff reached the toy first, Lilly politely looked away, avoiding any type of conflict. This shows she has good manners and has no bullying behaviors with other dogs. Puff also let other pups win the toys in class and played nicely when approached.

If a pup always wins, they get use to winning and may become rude about this particular behavior. What will happen when your pup tries to take a toy or ball out of another dogs mouth? Depending on the temperament of the other dog, your pup may get a reprimand.

Teaching your pup good doggie skills requires plenty of positive socialization experiences, feedback on good impulse control, and interactions with other polite dogs.

For a positive socialization experience, consider joining our Puppy Socialization Class at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital. Please check out our class schedule!

Alternate Behavior

2011-10-04T13:32:00.000-07:00

Trainers often teach a dog to focus on their handler by using a "watch me" or "look at me" cue. Once this is well conditioned and can be performed without distractions, we can teach the dog an "Auto watch."

Trainers use this behavior when desensitizing dogs to scary stimuli. For example, maybe your dog barks at strangers, the mail person, or other dogs. When we desensitize our dogs to things that scare them, we actually want our dog to "Look" at the scary stimuli and then look back at us for the reward, hence an "auto watch!"

Finn looks at the German Shepherd, then back at
mom rather than his old behavior of barking!

For many dogs, even those who are "friendly" or enjoy the company of other dogs, walking past a strange dog or person while confined in place is extremely challenging and often stressful for dog and handler. My goal is not only to help the owners teach their dog an incompatible behavior, something other than what the dog has chosen like barking, lunging or pulling, but also to change the emotional state of the dog. These dogs often see a dog and immediately feel stressed, frustrated, anxious or aroused. We can change this first emotional response so the dog is able to control his emotions by feeling good when this stimuli is presented.

Overall changes that occur with training:
* Enhanced relationship between dog and owner
* Better understanding of your dogs body language
* Understanding thresholds
* Clear communication and expectations
* Duration in behavior
* Achieving better focus
* Greatly decreasing recovery time of the dog
* Providing owners with appropriate responses
* Increased confidence in the owner

If your dog has been called a "Feisty fido" or "Leash lunger" think about a training program using an alternate or incompatible behavior that works! Check out my Class schedule for a training class that works!

Appreciate the Warning

2011-09-26T16:47:00.000-07:00

Dewey understands the golden's "look" and avoids a bite!

I recently met a young man who has been bitten several times, with a level 1 and level 2 bite from his dog. In each case the dog was sitting on the couch by his wife when he approached. Each time the dog growled, he said "no" to the dog and sat down anyway, and yes he got bitten.

Consider each time now that the husband comes near the couch, the wife gets anxious, afraid her sweet loving pooch will bite at her husband. Her anxiety only becomes apparent to the dog when that "man" comes near. If his approach predicts mom being afraid, then he will be afraid also. It is the dogs natural instinct to make himself feel safe, and if a growl or bite works then he will use it!

Knowing the dog loved cheese, I recommended dad approached the couch, make no eye contact with the dog, and only toss a small piece of cheese near him and walk away. We did this repetition several times until we saw the dog was actually happy about the man approaching. Next we had the man approach, sit down treat the dog and then leave. Again with several repetitions, the wife began to relax and see that the dog could be happy about her husbands approach and presence as long as it predicted something good!

The Point of this article is to change the reason the dog is growling, rather than just telling him to "No!" We do not modify aggression with aggression anymore, at least Positive Reinforcement Trainers do not because we are educated on changing the emotions of the dog.

Pinch or Choke

2011-09-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

Because September is Safety month, I wanted to talk a little bit about these controversial collars.

pinch collar

Do you know which one is actually more dangerous? While the Pinch collar looks barbaric with its long spikes, it will not choke a dog to the point of death. On the other hand, the old fashion choke collar is very dangerous and most anyone you talk to in the dog community will confirm this. I am not advocating either, but want to clarify that one is seriously more dangerous than the other.

choke chain

Unfortunately, most dog enthusiasts have heard about or sadly experienced a tragedy involving a dog while wearing a choke collar. Certainly no one plans for a dog to choke, however, due to the continued use of choke collars, tragedies do occur. If you own a choke chain, please toss it out TODAY, before your best friend suffers an unexpected accident.

Not convinced? These collars can easily get caught on crates, fences, wooden gates, bed frames, chairs, drawer handles, window cranks, dishwasher handles, car door handles, car locks, tree branches, roots, other dogs collars, and many more unexpected items. So, please never put a choke collar around your dogs neck again.

Code Green!

2011-09-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

While reading a book in the hospital waiting room last week, I heard these words spoken loudly over the speaker, CODE GREEN, CODE GREEN! Startled, I immediately looked at the staff workers all busy behind the check-in counter. Not one of them looked up, moved or even flinched. It was as though they heard nothing. Ok, if they are not worried, nor will I. I took a deep breath and realized my heart was pounding having been startled, I soon relaxed and went back to my reading.

What if your dog is the one to hear something scary and bark, and they move to the window or door and look back at you? If you like this behavior, then great, get up and say? "Who is hear?" However if you know it is the neighbor that arrives home precisely the same time every day and you prefer your dog not tell you each day. Then help him understand this by not reacting. In fact, you can ignore her/him.

Even a look is rewarding, so just continue doing what you were, with no reaction. Your dog will read your energy as calm and be calm also. Unless, you have been rewarding this behavior for some time. Then you will see your dog's behavior become more intense for a while as they are use to getting a response from you. After a period of time, with you ignoring the alarm bark, your dog will give up and will no longer bark at this particular sound. The term is called Extinction Burst, which means the dog will eventually give up if not receiving any reward or attention.

New Small Dog Leash Lungers Class

2011-09-06T17:06:00.000-07:00

Our Small Dog Socialization class has been growing so I would like to enhance the format for each participant. Many small dogs become reactive on the leash and are difficult to walk in the presence of an unfamiliar dog or people. This may be the result of poor socialization, bullying behaviors, genetics, dominant aggression, fear aggression, positive punishment or other factors.

I would like to help your small dog learn to be non reactive when around scary stimuli such as strange dogs or people. Using a Positive Association or "Click to Calm" approach, we can change the association your dog has to a particular stimuli.

Sophie wore a muzzle for safety

Have you met my Scottie, Sophie? Anyone see her bark and lunge at dogs or people in the past? Well, she was a Feisty Fido when I got her! After completing several weeks in class with me or my daughter, she is now a different dog, even earning her Canine Good Citizen Certification this past Spring. How about my old terrier Annie, she too was very dog reactive, but now helps other dogs with their greeting skills!

Sophie remaining calm while near people and dogs

This class will be held Thursday evenings 6:15, beginning Sept. 29, at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital. To register please contact me! Safety procedures will be given and followed each week upon arriving and leaving the training center.

Sophie earned her CGC in March 2011

When to stop training

2011-08-30T14:27:00.000-07:00

I like to joke with my clients that my three dogs are over the age of 4, no more adolescents! Does this make a difference? Sure, but does it mean I am done training? Not even close!

Behavior will continue to improve if you continue working with your adolescent dog, but it will definitely get worse if you don't. Both behavior and temperament will tend to stabilize, for better or worse, as your dog matures around his second birthday for small dogs, or third birthday for large dogs. But until then, if you don't keep on top of things, there can be precipitous and scary changes in your dog's temperament and manners. Even when your dog reaches maturity, you should always be on the alert for any unwanted behaviors or traits, which you must modify before they become hard-to-break habits.

Can you tell which dog is worried? Note the black dog is looking away from the handler, ears and tail are down, back is a bit rounded with a wide mouth pant.

Especially if your dog is a bit anxious or fearful of certain stimuli such as other dogs, kids, people, bikes, or UPS trucks. Creating positive association to these stimuli are a priority for many people with pups, but what if your dog hasn't seen a child up close in months or years? Should you expect him to feel the same he did years ago? I would not leave it to chance! Many people are surprised by their adult dogs behavior, such as when they act shy, cower or bark at someone they use to have a positive relationship with. Remember, temperaments and behaviors are always changing. So, set your dog up for success and always help them feel safe and associate both new and old stimuli with a positive association. This is a never ending process; you never stop training!

Walking Harness

2011-08-29T11:21:00.000-07:00

Many clients ask me if they should use a collar or a harness on their dog. In reality, a harness is much safer if it is properly fitted. Many dogs can escape from a poor fitting harness and easily be in danger when near a street.

Many dogs will adjust quickly to a harness, however, I recommend you show it to your dog while offering him a few yummy treats. Put it on and quickly reward him with affection and praise. Remove the harness and repeat a few times before you head out for your first walk.

Many reactive or highly territorial dogs do not enjoy the confinement of the gentle leader but do very well in a well fitting harness.

I certainly prefer a harness with a buckle in the front of the chest or if the buckle is on the dogs back, look for one with a martingale strap as shown below. Notice the martingale strap on the back, as it tightens around Diamonds body much like a martingale collar.This concept is great for dogs that may try to back out of the harness. It is also self punishing as it tightens when the dog pulls and loosens when the dog slows.

Of all the harnesses I have tried, I recommend the No Pull Freedom Harness, from Wiggles, Wags and Whiskers shown here on Diamond. You will notice that it is completely adjustable, has felt covered straps under the dogs legs and a martingale to prevent your dog from escaping.

The leash is included and connects to front and back loops for greater control when needed.

Relationships based on Motivation

2011-08-26T14:16:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how many times I have asked my teenage daughter to finish her summer homework. "Later" was the response I received many times. I realized she needed motivation! Knowing she would soon be asking for a new school outfit, I offered to take her shopping once her homework was complete.

Funny how the right motivation can get results. Once I offered to take her school shopping, her project was completed in record time!

Threatening all kinds of negative punishment rarely works, often makes you feel horrible and can certainly make your child avoid you.

Motivation is contagious in relationships, if I do a favor for someone else, they are more likely to do one back. Relationships both canine and human based on motivation and rewards has and always will be a primary focus for me -- because it is effective and it works!

Friendly Signs

2011-08-21T16:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen your dog raise his paw when greeting a new dog?

Layla arriving at puppy socialization class.

How about the wagging tail and relaxed ears? If you look closely you may also see a tongue flick as seen in this photo. Layla a young boxer pup is greeting Cora with a look away, tongue flick, paw raise and while you do not see her cropped tail, her entire butt is wiggling!

A friendly dog will be moving about with lots of wiggles and bends in his body. Soft averted eyes are harder to see, but are there when a friendly dog wants to assure another they mean no harm. Note the brown and white pitt mix below greeting several new dogs with lots of good social skills. She has made her intentions perfectly clear that she is friendly.

Outdoor Adventure Class Begins Today

2011-08-20T05:07:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to Outdoor Adventure Class today at the Eastern Prom! This class is about improving our dogs coping skills in different environments. It is not easy for a dog to sit and stay or focus on his handler when exposed to many different distractions. Using a reward based training method, we will set each dog up for success so confidence is gained not only in the dog, but in the owner as well!

Do you need to dominate your dog?

2011-07-28T06:10:00.000-07:00

Too many people believe you must dominate or be the Alpha dog in the home to co-exist happily with their companion pet. You may have heard that in order to prevent your dog from becoming dominant that you had to: 1) always go through doorways first, 2) always eat before your dog, 3) never allow the dog on furniture where they might be elevated above you, 4) never allow the dog to sleep on your bed, 5) always punish your dog for stealing or chewing things that belong to you, 6) push your dog away when they jump up or paw at you, and 7) never let your dog walk in front of you. You may think that you have to be ever vigilant and that you have to do whatever it takes to show your dog that you are the boss in order to prevent him from taking over your home and becoming disobedient and even possibly aggressive.

I believe it is important to build a trusting relationship with our pets while helping them understand that when they comply, we make life really good for them, including helping them feel safe. If a dog is successful in a behavior, it will be repeated, not because it is dominant but because it has learned the behavior is rewarding. So it is important to establish a clear understanding in the dogs mind how to live in a humans world. Not by dominating, scaring, or threatening, but by helping them cope with the humans and environment they live in.

I believe a lot of smart dogs learn to train their owners, again, not because they are dominating them but because we the humans Spoil them!! I also believe it is never too late to improve the relationship with your pet by rewarding good behavior, and therefore reinforcing good habits!

For more Positive Reinforcement tips, check out Canine Behavior Counseling on Facebook!

Do you need to dominate your dog?

2011-07-28T06:09:00.001-07:00

Separation Anxiety or Distress....which is it?

2011-07-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Because not all dogs that are left alone experience

anxiety, animal behaviorists are beginning to use other terms
including separation behaviors.

Separation Distress
Distress is simply an animal's inability to adapt to stress (or the conditions that are causing stress). In humans or animals, the result of distress is often demonstrated by poor coping skills that include inappropriate
urinating or defecating (toilet-trained children who are experiencing distress might wet the bed or wet their pants), making noise (dogs bark and whine while distressed children might cry), and destruction or aggression.

In many situations, separation distress is a more accurate term than
separation anxiety. Some owners have even called their pups behavior Separation Fun. They can learn that when their owner is gone, they can counter surf, sleep on their owners bed, lounge on the couch, dig in the trash, relieve their bladder without anyone yelling at them.

Separation Behaviors
Some owners return home to discover toilet paper has been dragged from
the bathroom all through the house and underwear is now strewn about
the living room. A tornado went through the house? No, the dog was at
it again.
The idea that some dogs get bored and start a party when their owners
are gone is controversial. What we do know is that something happens, as
toilet paper is all around the house, shoes are chewed, and perhaps the
dog urinated on the bed. These occurrences can all be accurately
referred to as separation behaviors.

So before you implement a major training program, perhaps you should
determine if your dog is truly anxious or simply bored. What we do know is that
punishment often creates more bad behaviors.

Helping dogs cope while being left alone is a process, but one that will save your
furniture and earn you freedom for the life of your dog!

Will your puppy be well balanced?

2011-07-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

Overprotecting your puppy from the world may very well back fire on you. While more and more Puppy owners are learning the importance of early Socialization, I wonder if they understand the critical importance.

I work with many aggressive dogs and nearly all of them have a lack of coping skills. In Puppy Socialization Classes we allow our pups to explore many different sights, sounds, surfaces and different play styles with a variety of other puppies. It is critical that our young pups learn to Rebound, from scary situations. It is ok for your pup to bite another puppy too hard and get a reprimand from that pup. It is critically important for your pup to understand that situations may be scary or even uncomfortable, but 1. they are temporary and 2. that he can control the consequences with good choices.

UCLA Psychiatrist Paul Bohn makes the same case for raising a well balanced child. He states that if a young boy falls and scrapes his knees while in a race, it is important for the child to be able to pick himself up, understand what happened and know that the pain and discomfort is temporary. The frustration and disappointment of losing the race will help him recover from discomfort and disappointment later in life.

As a parent, these experiences are difficult to watch, yet are necessary for our children to be able to cope in todays environment. Similarly, our young puppies need to learn to cope from various situations before they reach 6 months. Our puppies Critical period is only up to 16 weeks after that they will naturally become more cautious and fearful. So help your puppy be well balanced and find a Socialization Class to set the framework for your puppy to recover from many situations throughout his or her life.

Using Your Voice as a Reward

2011-07-13T05:55:00.000-07:00

The one area I believe we as humans confuse our dogs, is on the use of our voice to reward our dogs behavior. I find myself repeatedly asking dog handlers to use their voice as a reward so their dog knows they have done something right. I firmly believe, if you reward a behavior when it is occurring, you will get more of that behavior!

When I see a dog avoiding a handlers face, it is often because the person is talking in a firm or scolding tone to their dog. How is the dog to know when he is doing something correct or not if we use the same pitch all the time? Many dogs do not comply with their owners and I believe it is because the dog is confused, he simply does not know how to please his handler. If you are struggling with your dogs behavior in any way, have someone film you or role play and see for yourself if you know what you are rewarding.
I am not saying yell or drop your tone to scare your dog, simply raise your pitch with a simple and happy "yes, good dog" when he is doing something you like. Watch and see if he does not continue the behavior, I'll bet a box of liver treats he will!

Timing is so important, I am always smiling at Pablo when he looks at me so he looks at me all the time. If you ask your dog to do a behavior, smile and reward when he is looking at you, change your tone the instant your dog looks at you, "Yes, good dog!" Try it, you will like it because it works!

Outdoor Feisty Fido Class Today

2011-07-09T05:25:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to our positive classes today held at the Eastern Prom.

Hope some of our Alumni will be able to join us for the Feisty Fido class as we need good distraction dogs! For many rescue dogs who have spent months or years practicing this unwanted reactive behavior, learning to not be reactive on the leash, in the car and yard may take months of practice. But once they have it, your relationship will be better then ever!

Desensitizing our dogs and helping them feel safe is such a great feeling, congratulations to our many Alumni and Graduates as they continue to make outstanding progress!

4th of July Fireworks

2011-07-03T06:23:00.000-07:00

While you are planning your fun Independence Day, please remember to think about helping your dog feel safe, here are a few tips to keep your dog from feeling anxious.

Loud noises from fireworks can be frightening to your pets, as they do not know what they are. So protect your pet and help them get through this day with these tips:

Keep Them Home. Don't bring pets to fireworks displays. And never leave your pet unattended in a car.
Don't Leave Them Outside Alone. Your pet could get lost or injured if he panics and tries to escape from your yard.
Create a Safe Zone in Your Home. Keep your pet in a place familiar and comfortable. A quiet inside room might be best. Make sure they have access to water. You can leave a radio playing at a bit above normal volume to keep him company. Also be sure to remove any unsafe items your pet may chew if she gets frightened.
Close all Doggie Doors. Keep pet doors and fence gates locked this weekend.
Be Sure Your Pet Has ID. Make sure your pet has a collar and ID tag with up to date information. An ID tag will help get you reunited even if your pet is microchipped.
Ask Your Vet. and Behaviorist. Together they can put your pet on a plan to avoid anxiety, which is a serious condition for pets.
Don't Give Them Leftover Bones, Human Cookies or Ice Cream. Cooked bones are easily split and can cause serious injury to pets. Also be aware of leftovers your guests may give your pet.

Enjoy the day!

Mr. Dudley

2011-06-24T14:01:00.000-07:00

Dudley is my newest foster pup, at 2 yrs old he is a handsome Scottish Terrier. With a sweet disposition, a true love to play fetch, house broken, crate trained, good with dogs and children.

He arrived last week for an evaluation and within minutes of arrival was playing fetch with a ball he had brought with him. Honestly, the transition period was easy for him, it is clear he has enjoyed a good life so far and is well socialized to environments, people and dogs.

I did have to modify a bit of Dudley's behavior this week. When he jumped on the couch and proceeded to drop his ball in my lap while I was reading the paper and drinking my coffee. I ignored him, he backed up and barked at me (as if to say, hey lady you are suppose to throw it!). I picked up the ball and rolled it to my scottie, Sophie who gladly grabbed and shook it. As it rolled away from her, Dudley grabbed the ball and you guessed it, again dropped it in my lap and barked. I again ignored him and rolled the ball to Sophie who happily chased it. Within a minute Dudley rushed up to the couch with his ball in his mouth, he hesitated, laid down on the floor and played with his ball all by himself. He is a smart boy!

Is Snoopy loving this?

2011-06-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

Peanuts by Charles Schulz

I want to thank Don Hanson, BFRP, CDBC, CPDT-KA for sharing this cartoon. It shows exactly what NOT to do with your pup. As you can see Snoopy does not like to be approached quickly, patted without warning, or hugged. Our perception of what our dogs love is not the same as what we love, something to think about.

Repeating Cues

2011-06-17T13:44:00.000-07:00

Sadie is in a stay at Back Cove

What are we actually doing when we repeat a cue/command to a dog? If you think about it, we are desensitizing the dog to any meaning the word has. I recommend you ask your dog two times, then do something different if he did not comply, like lure with a treat, change your cue and pitch, or use a long line to follow through. Some behaviors are harder for some dogs, so please take into account what your dog is doing and how much enjoyment is he getting out of it.

I suppose you could argue that yelling a repeated command at a dog is sort of like "nagging" someone. If so, then the reward is earned when you stop yelling or adding physical pressure toward the dog. What if the dog does not comply? You just rewarded him for not doing anything. So, if you do not think your dog will "come" from the neighbors yard, then do not call him unless you have his favorite wubba, tug toy or yummy cheese. We know rewarding good behavior will produce more of that behavior. Try it, you will like it and so will your dog.

When should you teach the verbal cue? First teach the behavior using a clicker, lure, shaping or capturing. After the dog is performing the behavior using a hand signal 5 out of 6 times, then you can add the verbal cue just before the hand signal. The Cue predicts the hand signal which elicits the behavior, then reward to reinforce the correct behavior and let your dog know how awesome he/she is!

How best to socialize your new Puppy

2011-06-14T10:55:00.000-07:00

Robert K. Anderson DVM, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine and Diplomate of American College of Veterinary Behaviorists has provided us with the best details on how to Socialize your new puppy!

Puppies begin learning at birth and their brains appear to be particularly responsive to learning and retaining experiences that are encountered during the first 13 to 16 weeks after birth [Dr. Anderson is saying that the prime time for puppy socialization stops somewhere between 13 and 16 weeks, although more socialization occurs after that time]. This means that breeders, new puppy owners, veterinarians, trainers and behaviorists have a responsibility to assist in providing these learning/socialization experiences with other puppies/dogs, with children/adults and with various environmental situations during this optimal period from birth to 16 weeks.

Many veterinarians are making this early socialization and learning program part of a total wellness plan for breeders and new owners of puppies during the first 16 weeks of a puppy’s life -- the first 7-8 weeks with the breeder and the next 8 weeks with the new owners. This socialization program should enroll puppies from 8 to 12 weeks of age as a key part of any preventive medicine program to improve the bond between pets and their people and keep dogs as valued members of the family for 12 to 18 years.

For additional information on Proper Socialization and Vaccinations, copy the link below:

www.diamondsintheruff.com/RKanderson.html

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program!

2011-06-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm Program now offered by CBC

Because our Socialization Program on Thursday's has been such a success, I have decided to add this S.T.A.R. Puppy Certification Program on June 29th.

A key component of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm Program is a responsible owner. Our Canine Good Citizen^sm Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge is for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy^sm Program too. Responsibility should start the moment you decide to add a new dog or puppy to your family.

AKC CGC Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

I will be responsible for my dog’s health needs. These include:

routine veterinary care including check-ups and vaccines
adequate nutrition through proper diet; clean water at all times
daily exercise and regular bathing and grooming

I will be responsible for my dog’s safety.

I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, not letting my dog run loose, and using a leash in public.
I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos, or microchip ID).
I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together.

I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.

I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.
I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard, in a hotel room, etc.
I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas such as on the grounds of hotels, on sidewalks, parks, etc.
I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, campgrounds and in off-leash parks.

I will be responsible for my dog’s quality of life.

I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.
I will give my dog attention and playtime.
I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring.

S ocialization
T raining
A ctivity
R esponsibility

Help your puppy be the best he can be!

Puppy Classes Thursday's at 5:00 Tender Touch

2011-05-31T10:47:00.000-07:00

Puppy Class

It all starts here. The most important class you can take with your pet.
For puppies 8 weeks-5 months
Start your new pup on the path to becoming a well mannered dog. Early socialization and training play a major role in the rest of your dogs life. This class combines basic manners training as well as playtime.

Class Topics include: Sit • Down • Come • Stay • Bite Inhibition* Greeting Politely • Common Puppy Issues * Leash Basics

Join us on Thursday's at 5:00 pm TTVH, for a fun Play session and help educate your dog on how to interact with other dogs.

Kids and Dogs

2011-05-30T17:53:00.000-07:00

Alex asking Annie to let go of the ball.

I do not believe our dogs are trying to dominate us, yet they learn over time what they can get away with. Sound like some children you know?

Just like children go to the parent who is most lenient, dogs quickly learn who will follow through and who will not. They know exactly who will reward and who will not, and make choices based on this relationship.

Consequence drives behavior with both kids and dogs. Think of consequences as being Positive not negative! Thanks for loading the dishes! What a gooood boy!!
When Annie learned that "Leave it", meant Alex would continue playing with her and rewarded her for bringing the ball back, she was happy to comply!

If by chance you want better behavior from your dog or your child, try motivating them to comply and reward with something they want or like. Many people say dogs are stubborn, however the truth is they have competing motivations, so use rewards like your pitch, food and play to help them consistently make the right choices!

Rewarding Rescue Information Night!

2011-05-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

I appreciate everyone who attend my Rescue Information Night at Tender Touch! It was nice to put a face to the many cyber net names:)

I believe we all have our hearts in the same place and all want the best for as many homeless dog as possible. I hope you all enjoyed your time and learned something new to try with your own dog or foster dog.

Sophie, the Scottie you all met is a great example of how a dog with a bite history, and labeled fear aggressive was really territorial and predatory. Once the triggers were identified, I was able to successfully desensitize her to the things she feared. She now has her Canine good Citizenship and is used on many of my private sessions. She can also enjoy relaxing walks on the beach, in Portland or where ever we want to take her.

Never use aggressive techniques to modify aggressive behavior, doing so only suppresses the emotion temporarily. Positive Reinforcement Techniques, Counter Conditioning, appropriate exercise, daily management, and diet are all key elements to successfully modify Territorial, Predatory, Fear, and Dominant Aggression.

Thanks again and I look forward to working with you all in the future!
Judy

Canine Behavior Counseling – Rescue Night Info Session

2011-05-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard, I have organized a Rescue Night for volunteers and foster Parents. The goal of this meeting is to provide information on Aggressive Behaviors as well as to answer questions.

Fear Aggression

To check if we still have room, please RSVP to Connie Pacillo pacillo1@yahoo.com

What: Canine Behavior Counseling – Rescue Night Info Session

When: Thursday, May 26 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Where: Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital

2^nd Floor

336 Gorham Rd, Scarborough, ME 04074

This will be a fun and informational evening for all!

Classes for Saturday May 21st

2011-05-21T04:35:00.000-07:00

Outdoor Adventure will be held at Twin Brooks, 9:30 am as planned. Wear your mud shoes and bring a large towel to wipe your pups paws with!

Feisty Fido will be moved to my indoor class room at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital on Gorham Road, 11:00 am. Remember to have these dogs wait in the car until I arrive, we need to walk them in one at a time to set them up for success as we will be working in a confined room.

Small Dog Socialization Tonight!

2011-05-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

It's Thursday, so we will be holding our Small Dog Socialization at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital on Route 114 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm. tonight.

Come meet some of our new guests: Jess, Nala, Poncho and Benny! This is a great way to get some energy out of your dog with this yucky weather we are having. In addition, we will cover topics of interest such as conditioning new behaviors, potty training and and how to build confidence!

Hope to see you there!

Make a New Association

2011-05-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

Does your dog have a negative association with something or someone? Does he/she always bark or growl at a neighbor, mailman, motorcycle, cars, strangers, dogs? Would you like to change it?

Try simple classical conditioning (make a new association) to whatever it is your dog fears or growls at. It is helpful if you know the trigger, which can be something your dog hears, sees, tastes or even smells.

Introduce the "scary stimuli" at a distance that makes your dog curious but not reactive, then add something positive like food, play or a game. Over time and with repetition, the scary stimuli will make your dog feel good instead of the current fear emotion.

With strangers, have them toss treats from a safe distance for weeks until you see your dogs behavior change.

My boys helping change Digs association

If a motorcycle sets your dog into a crazy fit, let him see a stationary one and reward him with a high value food treat! Repeat this with the motorcycle moving, but with no sound. Again, reward with a high value treat for calm behavior, then start the bike but do not move it. Have someone toss treats while sitting on the bike. You may need several repetitions of this progression before your dog feels good each time he/she hears the sound of a motorcycle. Start the motorcycle, toss cheese, repeat this process over and over again. Soon, the sound of the motorcycle will elicit your dog to drool rather than the old emotional response! Hence your dog will have a new association to this trigger.

Changing an association sometimes happens quickly, while others may take more time depending on how much practice the dog has to barking or chasing the stimuli. So for the best results, practice this classical conditioning for months, and for some dogs maybe even a lifetime. But remember, behavior that is not practiced will fade. So add Classical Conditioning to your daily life, make it part of your routine! You will have a more confident and less anxious dog.

Helping your Dog Feel Safe

2011-05-07T04:27:00.000-07:00

Many of us Love, Love, Love our dogs, however we are slipping into a relationship of too much of a good thing for us, but not for our dogs. I know you LOVE your dog. I do too, which is why I want all my dogs to feel safe all the time. Nothing is For Free with me. They know I am always the calm confident leader.

Denise is a Confident Pack Leader to Finn!

Consider you are camping in a tent in the woods and you hear what you think is a Grizzly Bear outside your tent. You want to scream at the top of your lungs to scare it off!! You wake everyone in the tent and tell them to make lots of noise to scare the bear away, however the "guide" says 'NO, trust me. You do not want to attract attention, just sit and be calm". Having been in this situation before, you say, "But it works, I have done it once or twice before and it will make the bear go away" "SHHH.....Be.... Calm...Trust me." says the guide. What do you do?

This is how your fearful dog feels when you confine him on a leash with scary dogs or people around. You are asking him to trust you. If all week you have earned his respect by having him work for his food, avoided petting him every time he asked and used placement cues (moved his feet) several times he may just respect you enough to trust you and Be Calm in a scary situation.

However if you LOVE your dog without rules and direction, he may not.

Actions Speak Louder than Words

2011-05-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

Have you found yourself yelling at your dog or becoming very frustrated with him? Is it possible you are misunderstanding each other? Dogs understand body language and we talk and talk and talk!

Feisty Fido Class

If you are frustrated with your dogs behavior, you can be sure he is frustrated with yours. Understanding how dogs really learn and how to help them through their own conflicts are key to you having a happy relationship with your dog.

In our Reactive Dog Class, better known as our Feisty Fido Class we build the communication between reactive dog and calm owner. Notice in this photo the dogs are all focused on their owners and their owners are all using Body Language to communicate with them in a rewarding way. This is only our second class and each owner is learning to use their own body to modify their dogs behavior. Using varied durations of a stimulus dog, we are able to see our dogs go from reactive to a "switch over" behavior and simply learn to look rather than react.

So, if you think your dog barks at or scuffles with other dogs because he is simply a dominate or alpha dog, maybe you should consider having him evaluated to find out what is really going on.
When you learn how to change your body language your dog will see you as his calm pack leader, he will in turn become more calm which will reduce the frustration barriers you are experiencing with each other.

Dog Bite Classifications

2011-04-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Level 3 bite

Well known veterinarian, dog trainer, and behaviorist Ian Dunbar has developed a six level system of classifying bites, in order to make discussions of biting behavior more consistent and understandable.

Why is the relevant? When an owner calls me and frantically says their dog has just chased and bitten a neighbor, I often discover the horrible
bite was actually only a scratch. I feel good being able to tell the owner
that while we need to lower their dogs Predatory Behavior, their dog has a fairly soft mouth. Many dogs have a predatory or high chase impulse
because it is normal dog behavior, and yes, it can be counter conditioned or modified.
Teaching your dog to use soft jaws on humans is the most important thing you can teach your dog. Playing Tug with appropriate rules such as Take it and Leave it and playing the Claw are good ways of giving your dog feedback on his bite pressure.

Ian Dunbars Bite levels are as follows:

Level 1 Bite – Harassment but no skin contact. This is the

so-called snap. Don’t kid yourself. A snap is an intended

“air bite” from a dog who did not intend to connect. He

didn’t just “miss.” It is a lovely warning signal, telling us that

we need to identify his stressors and either desensitize

him or manage his behavior to avoid exposing him to the

things that cause him undue stress.

Level 2 Bite – Tooth contact on skin but no puncture. Again,

this is a bite from a dog who didn’t intend to break skin,

and a warning that this dog is serious. It’s a very good idea

to remove the dog’s stressors at this point, before he graduates

to the next level.

Level 3 Bite – Skin punctures, one to four holes from a

single bite (all punctures shallower than the length of the

canine tooth).

Level 4 Bite – One to four holes, deep black bruising with

punctures deeper than the length of the canine (which means

the dog bit and clamped down) or slashes in both directions

from the puncture (the dog bit and shook his head).

Level 5 Bite – Multiple-bite attack with deep punctures,

or multiple attack incident.

Level 6 Bite – Killed victim and/or consumed flesh.

Join us for a fun practice session at Back Cove today 9:30 am

2011-04-23T04:35:00.000-07:00

With so many clients busy with Easter plans, we will not be meeting at Tommy's Park today for classes. I returned from my vacation late Thursday evening all refreshed and quite excited about teaching everyone the "Switch Over" today. However we did agree to not hold Outdoor Adventure or Feisty Fido as many of you do have plans for the holiday weekend.

Digger at Back Cove is being rewarded for an
alternate behavior. But he really wants
to chase this bike!

For fun, KT and I will be at Back Cove Trail 9:30 am today to practice our dogs emotional control if anyone would like to join us! We always park towards the right side of the parking lot. Have your dogs Yellow CBC Bandana on so we can find each other! Hope you can join us!

For next weeks classes, we will stick to the schedule.

Outdoor Adventure meets next week at:

4/30/11 Falmouth Community Park, Located on Winn Road, just north of the Fire House.

Feisty Fido meets next week at:

4/30/11 Payson Park, Portland (class starts at 11:00 am)

Play

2011-04-20T05:43:00.000-07:00

While still in Florida having a wonderful time with my family, I will be completely honest, I totally miss my 3 pups back in Maine! I know they are in great hands as my intern KT is giving them lots of love and exercise.

What do I miss the most? Play!! I love to play Tug as they love this game as much as I do -- maybe even more! Sophie, my scottie use to grab your hand often, but has learned to have better control where she puts her teeth. Annie my terrier is determined to hold on, even if I pick her up off the ground, she is a terrier to the core. While Pablo loves tug also, he mostly loves to be chased, we play tag in the basement often. It took me a while to catch on but he taught me that when he stares at me and lowers his head, then bolts, it means "you're it".

All the dogs will drop any tug toy with a happy "leave it" cue. While I did reward with food while teaching this cue, now the reward is continued play or affection. I also recommend play as a way to distract dogs in many different situations. Like when Sophie used to chase people who turned their back as they walked to the door, I used fetch as an alternative behavior just as the person moved. She had been practicing chasing and nipping for 5 years, so I will need to reinforce her alternative behavior for a long time, but using play is a win win for both of us -- even my kids are good with it!

So if you haven't taken time to play your favorite game with your dogs I hope you find time to play today!

Class Schedule for Spring Break

2011-04-13T06:24:00.000-07:00

Lure Reward

Hope everyone enjoyed some of yesterday's Spring like weather! I want to confirm that we do have classes tonight 4/13th, as well as Small Dog Socialization tomorrow night 4/14th. There will NOT be any Manners classes or Outdoor Adventure Classes from 4/14th through the 21st. as I will be heading to Marco Island for some fun with the family!

Justin and Baden

Justin did have the screw taken out of his tibia yesterday as the incision continued to drain. He is resting comfortably at home and should not have anymore issues with his knee. Yes, this means no water for Justin while in Florida, but hey it could be much worse and he knows that! Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes!

I would like to remind you while we do not have formal classes, please practice Daily Emotion Control exercises with your dog while in your home and on your walks. Using "Be Still, Wait, Watch me, Sit (for longer periods of time), Here, Come, Leave it, All Done, Settle, Heel, Down and any other cues you would like to practice. I promise if you have your dog work for his meals, you will have a dog with better emotional control.

Have a Great week!

Adolescent Dogs

2011-04-10T06:09:00.000-07:00

Avoiding Behavior Problems
I often here clients say "my pup was such a good boy, but now that he is nearly 2, he doesn't listen" Adolescent dogs may become more confident, begin to ignore you, become hyperactive, be increasingly shy with guests and even lose their social skills. What can you do? Here are a few ideas to help your well behaved pup breeze through the teenage years.

Have you stopped rewarding good behavior?

Many of us become so busy with our lives, we incorrectly assume that when our pup is 9 or 10 months old and has finished Manners I we are done raising him. Unfortunately, you are just getting started! Have you begun to assume he knows all the rules of the house? When was the last time you used a Lure/reward technique? Have you continued to help him see guests and strangers as a source of good things? Does he have polite greeting skills, or is he beginning to become rude because he hasn't practiced in a while. Do you say "come", then close the door and allow him to continue sniffing? If so, what does "come" mean to your dog?

Behaviors that are not practiced will fade, in addition, bad behaviors that become routine are much harder to break.

Regular Play Sessions

While it is not necessary for your dog to like every dog he meets, it is essential that your dog grows up to have good bite inhibition (soft mouth). Offering your dog continued opportunities to play with a few friends each week is crucial to this development. Continuing to hand feed and only reward when a soft mouth is used will help your dog mature with good bite inhibition.

Greeting Guests

Many clients contact me with a similar concern: that their adolescent dog is become progressively desocialized toward unfamiliar people and strangers until eventually they become intolerant of all but a small inner circle of friends. If your dog is beginning to shy away from guests, bark, lunge or nip at guests heels as they leave, consider taking extra steps towards positive associations with guests and strangers.

Socialization, Socialization, Socialization

Socialization

Puppy Socialization is extremely necessary for you to be able to continue socializing your adolescent dog; even into adulthood. If you are not able to offer your young dog regular opportunities to meet new people and dogs, you may consider hiring a dog walker, take walks with friends who have calm dogs or spend time on the weekend walking the streets of Portland with a pocket full of treats. You may need to have a party of some kind so you can have guests in your home and help your dog remember how to greet people politely. Consider taking a Canine Good Citizen Class with your young dog to keep their social skills a focus as he grows. Young and old, all dogs need to practice their socialization skills.

Very similar to humans, dogs have their favorite friends and may want to avoid playing with dogs they have just met. They may even snarl at a new acquaintance, yet, given time, these two may learn to trust and eventually play. Although we hate to admit that our dog may have been in a few scuffles, it is somewhat natural for dogs to have physical altercations. This is when owners begin to avoid all contact with other dogs and their socialization comes to a halt. Now, the less your dog is socialized the more likely he loses his communication skills and the more likely he is to fight.

Avoid these behavior problems with continued use of Positive Training techniques and continued socialization with both new people, dogs and environments. If you would like to do this with us, consider taking our Outdoor Adventure Class!

Great Small Dog Socialization Class!

2011-04-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in last nights Small Dog Socialization Class at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital last night. What a success!

All the pups are showing improved social skills not only with each other and the older dogs, but with the humans as well. Their continued socialization allows them to rebound from scary situations, read other dogs body language and is clearly evident in the more play that is going on during the class.

Annie

My old girl Annie was too tired for her normal walk this morning, she is happily sunning her self on the side walk and made it clear to me she had no intentions of going anywhere else. She has always been a big part of helping young dogs learn better emotional control without any serious reprimands. In fact she has been with me for 10 years, I adopted her from a Small Dog Rescue group when I lived in Michigan 10 years ago at the age of one.

So Glad to hear many of you are taking your pups with you many places, helping your dogs learn about their environments is a big part of socializing them. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Forming Habits

2011-04-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

Did you notice your dog chose to potty on the deck, patio, or step with this latest snow storm or rainy day? Many dog owners feel this setback in behavior with potty habits even in older dogs. Rain is simply a negative reinforcer to some dogs, in other words, they want to avoid it, hence they potty as close to the door as possible.

What can you do? Give your dog continued feedback so he will chose to make the right choice. Is it that simple? Often it is, because we know that those who have a support system to help change their behavior are far more likely to succeed. So be your dog's support system and remind them when they go out the door to go to the designated area to potty, especially if it is raining.

Following with verbal praise for making the right choice is a great way to support your dog and increase the behavior you want. Positive Reinforcers such as food and praise are essential to modify behavior and form new habits.

IAABC Conference - Life Changing

2011-04-04T05:51:00.000-07:00

Many of you know I was in Rhode Island for the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants Conference, and loved every minute of it!

The IAABC conference was not only enjoyable, it was very educational! It was fabulous to meet many dog enthusiasts, but also professional horse, cat and bird trainers. The IAABC representatives were very friendly and wiling to share their knowledge to the conference attendees.

Victoria & Judy
IAABC 2011 conference

I am excited to share with you the many Positive Behavior Modification methods our profession has not only identified but are scientifically proven to work on many different species. Demonstrations included working with the fearful/anxious dog, the reactive dog, the best methods to obtain emotional control, why emotional trauma is more harmful than physical trauma, integrating dogs into the "cat" only house and much more!

Special Attendees included: Bob Bailey, Dr. Nick Dodman, Brenda Aloff, Victoria Stillwell, Karen Pryer and many more, were incredibly inspiring and leading edge on how behavior modification can be used on many species -- from dogs to humans -- as agreed by behaviorists and psychologists alike!

Did you know the first behavior modification methods used on the mentally handicapped were demonstrated by animal trainers using reinforcers and shaping methods? The Breland's, Marion and Keller, as well as Bob Bailey and of course BF Skinner all had a hand in this program.

I am so looking forward to sharing new and fun positive techniques with you!

Update on Sheila my Foster Girl

2011-03-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

Sheila is enjoying life in Maine, including the snow! No need to put a sweater on this girl, her double coat keeps her warm and is super soft to touch.

She loves to be with people, yet can entertain herself with, sticks, bones and toys. Check out the video below to see one happy girl!

I believe the months spent in the Florida Kill Shelter were stressful and filled with many barriers which created to Sheila's frustration. She is now enjoying off leash runs in the woods, soft bedding, rugs to roll on and being rewarded for many behaviors.

Sheila meeting our neighbors.

Greeting new dogs is going very well, she has met more than 20 new dogs since her arrival with me and is becoming much better at initiating play in a slower manner. She has also submitted to several dogs that came on too strong, one of which she did play with later.

She is a happy girl looking for a permanent place to call her own!

Counter Surfing Tip

2011-03-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

Is your dog guilty of jumping up on the kitchen counters? For obvious reasons, we need to quickly help your dog learn that there is no benefit to this behavior. We know that if your dog jumps up and is able to steal food from the counter even once a month, then this behavior is rewarding to the dog and will continue as the dog finds it yummy!

Have a family meeting to ensure that everyone is willing to work together to prevent your dog from receiving anything rewarding off the counters. This should include gating off entrance to the kitchen or confining the dog while you are not home. If the dog is practicing a behavior while you are gone, then it will take longer to modify, so managing while you are gone is essential.

Now for the Positive Training: using your dogs food bowl at meal times, fill it and place it on a counter. If your dog jumps to take some, quickly pick up the bowl and walk to another counter or table and set it down. Do not cue your dog to sit, however when he does, happily reward with a small handful of his kibble. Each time you move the bowl around the kitchen reward your dog for complying with a sit, but remove the bowl, turn your back and walk away if he jumps. Do at least 7 repetitions with each session.

Continue this practice of rewarding good behavior for several weeks and enjoy the benefits of watching your dog learn to comply!

Feisty Fidos

2011-03-19T05:59:00.000-07:00

What is a Feisty Fido? Many of us have either owned or seen a dog that is barking and lunging at other dogs when out on a walk. Many of these dogs appear to be aggressive, and while some are, many are simply displaying frustration on the other end of the leash. Deprivation of dog to dog socialization reduces a dogs communication skills, often times creating a dog that displays SUPER motivated behavior to approach another dog. These types of greetings often do not go well, creating a worried owner who further deprives the dog or worse punishes him for reacting. The Feisty Fido dog can be conditioned to remain calm with the right Positive Reinforcement Techniques.

In a Feisty Fido Class, you will learn how your reaction effects your dog and what you can do to change his behavior in a positive way. Learning how to create situations so your dog can think rather than react will be demonstrated and practiced. Helping your dog learn self control when faced with certain stimulus, getting him to focus on you and desensitizing him are all key elements discussed in this class.

A common training mistake made is to practice with your dog in areas of low distractions, then expect your dog to perform perfectly in your own neighborhood where his reactivity is most high. Skipping through the practice exercises and going straight to difficult situations will only set your dog up for failure.

Owning a reactive dog can be stressful and frustrating, I know as I have owned two myself, both of which have passed their Canine Good Citizen Certifications with many hours of conditioning.

Safety is always a concern with a Feisty Fido and discussed prior to working with our dogs. I hope this article has helped you better understand what a Feisty Fido/leash reactive dog is and that there is a Positive Training Program to help them!

Aging Min Pin needs a home

2011-03-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Diablo

This handsome boy is nearly 10 years old, his family had to surrender him due to financial reasons.

He is good with people and currently living with 2 other dogs. He loves to snuggle, go for short walks and is an easy keeper. He is crate trained, although has not been in one for a long time!

He is not picky and will eat any food, although soft bits are easier on his aging teeth. He does well on a leash and is not a big barker.

He came into rescue with an ear infection which is nearly cleared up.

Anyone interested in this Cutie please email me!

Thanks,
Judy

Congratulations to my March Canine Good Citizenship Graduates!

2011-03-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Sophie, Penny, Caliber, Little Penny, and Sasha,

I hope you’re as excited as I am about passing your Canine Good Citizen Evaluation! This is a great way to reach out to your community and let people know that with Positive Training, dogs can be good citizens too!

You all sat politely for petting, stayed when asked, came when called, were not bothered by the loud distractions, had great emotional control when greeting a new dog, walked nicely on a loose leash, and were not afraid when your handlers went out of sight for 3 minutes! Yippee, Bow Wow, Woof Woof!!

I can't help but brag about your Handlers accomplishments as well! They were all positive, had you groomed, used clear body movements so you knew what to do, clearly taught you to sit, down, stay and come when asked all while rewarding you with lot's of verbal praise!

I am very proud of each of you!
Judy

A Big Thank You to our Evaluator Jessica Robichaud!

Free Puppy Play Groups

2011-03-09T18:56:00.000-08:00

Chase and Pablo learning social skills

Free Puppy Play Group held this Saturday 3/12/11 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and every other Saturday this Spring.

Portland Kennel Shop, Northgate
Shopping Center,
91 Auburn Street, Portland 797-0779

Puppies under 25 lbs are welcome to play in this supervised play group monitored by Canine Behavior Counseling.

Learn what is normal play, why bite inhibition is the most critical skill to teach your puppy, who is being a bully and how to give a puppy necessary feedback that he understands. Many people think socialization only involves meeting other dogs, while that is a large part of socialization, it is only one part of the equation. Slowly introducing our puppies to the world we live in is vastly important. So, I encourage you to take your puppy to as many new places as you can before he reaches 6 months. Help your puppy associate each new place with something he LOVES, like a favorite food or play. This will help your puppy grow into a balanced dog!

March Manners Class Change

2011-02-27T13:21:00.000-08:00

We will achieve great things in Manners Class!

I know you are all anxious to get your pups in for training! Due to the snow storms that hit us in February, as well as my time spent with my son in the hospital, we will be completing our current Manners Classes on February 9th. As a result, I unfortunately need to move
Manners I and Manners II which were to begin on 3/9th to begin on 3/16th.

I apologize for this change and hope it does not inconvenience anyone.

3/16/11 Manners II will begin at 5:00 p.m.
3/16/11 Manners I will begin at 6:15 p.m.

Looking forward to working with everyone!
Judy

Small Dog Socialization is on Today 2/27/11

2011-02-27T06:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, Class is on today! Small Dog Class at 14 Main Street in North Yarmouth (Jennz old Grooming Building). This is an ongoing session each week, so if you miss a week, no worries, we will be there each week with different small dogs.

We will gather each Sunday from 11:00 to 12:30. Please make sure your dogs are up to date on all vaccinations and all Checks should be made out to Canine Behavior Counseling, LLC. The fee is only $50 for 6 sessions or $10 per session if you prefer this option.

You can feed your dogs before they come, but we will certainly be rewarding good behavior! We will divide the dogs up based on their comfort level, as building your dogs confidence is essential.

Looking forward to helping our little friends not only build their confidence, but learn
better greeting skills!

Hope to see you there!

Judy

Small Dog Socialization Begins Tonight!

2011-02-24T13:01:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder we start out Small Dog Class at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital, Scarborough, tonight!! This is an on going session each week, so if you miss a week, no worries, we will be there each week with different small dogs.

We will gather from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the up stairs room! Please make sure your pups are up to date on all vaccinations and all Checks should be made out to TTVH. The fee is only $50 for 6 sessions or $10 per session if you prefer this option.

You can feed your dogs before they come, but we will certainly be rewarding good behavior!

Looking forward to helping our little friends not only build their confidence, but learn
better greeting skills!

Hope to see you there!

Judy

Update on Justin

2011-02-18T10:31:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the Get Well wishes and cards for Justin, he is in good spirits and never complains!

Justin is home which is great, he does have to have IV antibiotic medicine (Vancomycine and Cefepine) 4 times per day, (5 bags of IV antibiotics in total). With the IV pole and pump it looks like a triage in our basement! I just pray I pump, fill the line, flush with saline and heparin at all the right times!

While not painful as the PICC stays in his arm it is time consuming. The Vanco takes a bit over an hour and the Cefepine takes about 30 minutes to finish. We administer the meds. at precisely 6:30 am, 2:30 pm, 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm. The last one is a killer as I always fall asleep before it is done! This is way past my bedtime:) Justin can sleep while I hook him up, he is sooo trusting!

He did go to school a bit on Monday and Tuesday, rested on Wednesday and has gone part of today. We did see the Infectious Disease Specialist yesterday and did get a good report! As of now we are scheduled to proceed with this current process for 4 more weeks.

Alex is doing fine, he did have an accident on the snowmobile on Sunday, going a bit too fast to go see his girl friend. He rolled it over him, somehow he went one way and the sled landed about 25 feet ahead of him. His neck is sore but his head is fine! He was dazed, and upset as the sled took a beating. It will not start and will need some repair on the fiberglass sides and top. (He reminds me so much of my brother Bill! He has been recognized lately with college applications from Tulane University, RIT, Wentworth Technology and a few others for his high PSAT scores. This reward has come at a great time since he is not involved in a sport and really putting a lot of effort into his schooling.

Miranda is great! Living softball each week and doing well in school and keeping plenty of home baked goodies on the table near justin.

Robert and I are both fighting colds, but it could be much worse. Robert was in Hanover, NH this week, but made it home last night for Justin's 18th birthday! Alex will be 16 on Sat.! We are very proud of all the kids and pleased that they are all stepping up to help with Justin's recovery! It is certainly a family effort!

Take care everyone and again,

THANK YOU for all the calls, face book notes, and emails, they are all greatly appreciated!!

Judy

Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

2011-02-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Sophie learning to lie down at 6 years of age!

What do you think? Have you ever tried to teach an older dog a new behavior? Yes, you can teach an older dog basic behaviors like sit, down, stay, leave it, take, carry, off, wait, and many, many, more.

What do you need? Patience, good timing and something valuable enough for the dog to "want" to try and earn. When a dog is motivated he is trainable. If you offer a piece of kibble to a dog that has already eaten and try to lure him to lie down, he may just look away. But if you use a piece of cheese, I bet he will be more interested and at least try to earn it.

If you rescue an older dog that does not know how to do basic cues, try using a high value treat or piece of food and lure the dog into a sit. Taking the treat right to his nose and up over his head, this will encourage his head up and his haunches down. Pop the treat in his mouth as soon as he sits, be enthusiastic "good sit!" Repeat the lure several times in many different locations until he is performing 80 % of the time, then add the cue "sit" just before you move the lure.

For the down, put the treat to the dogs nose and take it straight down to the ground then out a few inches, luring the dog to lie down. Be patient! When his elbows go down, reward, repeat several times and again, add the cue after he has it most of the time.

What if he will not lie down? Add a prompt like placing your other hand on the dogs shoulders, gently encourage the dog to go down while still luring him with the food. Once he is getting this, fade your hand to just over his shoulders but with no pressure, then fade this hand altogether. Once he gets it, try bending over but not touching the ground, then just leaning over. Repeat in many locations, use plenty of high value rewards and reward in a timely manner to make your training go faster!

Our Scottie just learned to lay down this week at 6 years of age. She is a rescue that we have owned for a year, but there were many other behaviors more important to change first. Like to not "bite" anyone! Miranda did most of the training, great job Miranda!

Patience and Thoughtfulness

2011-02-09T07:01:00.000-08:00

First I want to thank everyone for the Good Wishes you are sending my son Justin, they are greatly appreciated!

Just a quick time line:
October 2010 Justin, my 17 year old son had his ACL and meniscus repaired, which unfortunately became infected early January.
January 11th, 2011 he was back in surgery to have the incision cleaned and taking major antibiotics.

Unfortunately last week we noticed his incision was infected once again, yes the dreaded St....,

So Monday February 7th, he was back in surgery to once again clean the infection out, but has come down with a nasty virus in the process.

Today is Wednesday and I write this as I sit by his hospital bed hoping at any moment he will say "I am feeling better and I want to go home." The good news is he has not had a fever in 8 hours so they may be able to put his PICC line in his chest today and maybe get to go home! He will have the PICC line in for 6 weeks to make sure the infection from his knee does not come back.

Why am I telling you this? Because I am a bit tired, I forgot the cleaning lady was coming yesterday, I forgot to cancel a clients appointment last night and I am wondering how many messages are at home that I have not returned. I do not want anyone to think that I do not care about their needs because I do. Any small business owner knows that one unhappy client who say's "Judy has not returned my calls" can effect my business as much as 10 very happy clients.

So, I ask for your Patience as I play the balance card of being a mom first and a trainer second during this time.

As for classes tonight 2/9th I do plan to be there as my wonderful husband is home this week.
Thanks again for all your prayers and good wishes!

New Small Dog Socialization Class in Scarborough

2011-02-05T13:33:00.000-08:00

Dogs 35 lbs and under are welcome, unless personally invited by Judy.

Socialization Classes are held Thursday evenings 5:00 PM at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital

Sunday afternoons 11:00 AM. 14 Main Street, North Yarmouth

Beginning Thursday 2/24/2011
Updated Vaccinations - Required including the Kennel Cough
No Registration required - Only $10 dollars per session or $50 for 6 sessions if paid up front!
Dogs will be seperated based on their temperament needs.
Plenty of space available.

In my experience most aggressive behavior by

dogs is not due to “dominance” but is due to an emotional reaction, fear and frustration being the most typical. A dog that is afraid is a dog under stress and like a person under severe

stress can react very irrationally and if they feel threatened very forcefully. Sadly there are still

trainers that tell people to punish their dogs for

growling or advise them to force the dog into a

sit-stay and allow people to pet it or worse hold

it down while another dog sniffs it. This would

be like taking a person afraid of tarantula and

tying them in a chair and allowing tarantulas to

crawl all over them. This approach is certainly

not humane and is more likely to make the fear

worse.

Dogs with emotional issues can be helped, but time, patience and positive associations will be needed. Step one is to help your dog feel safe, in doing so you need your dog to Trust you. We want our fearful dogs to think we are protecting them, not the other way around.

Undesirable behaviors in dogs that are attributed to “dominance” are not due to a pack driven instinct of the dog, but rather are due to our failure to take responsibility for the dog’s needs, and to humanely train ourselves and our dog. Building your dogs confidence is key in changing his/her fearful behavior.

Socializing your small dog in a safe environment with many repetitions of positive associations is very helpful. Rewarding your dog every time he walks past another dog, or sniffs or offers a play bow or allows a dog to sniff him is a big win win for both your dog and you.

Keep in mind, if you have rescued a small dog that barks and lunges at other dogs and has been doing so for a long period of time, take heart it is behavior which can be modified over time using Positive Associations. Is there a quick fix? No, the more reactive your dog is the more frustrated or fearful he is. Punishing him will not only make him worse he will become unpredictable, fine one moment and explode the next. Why? Because you are only punishing his response, you are not changing his emotion which created the response. Unconditional love, patience and lots of Positive Reinforcement Training is the key.

Strive to be good dog owner, when trained properly, you can be your dogs best friend!

No Classes 2/1 or 2/2, 2011.

2011-02-01T11:47:00.001-08:00

Taken 2/1/11

Due to the incredible amount of Snow we are expected to receive with this storm, I believe driving conditions are very dangerous, therefore we will not have classes Tuesday or Wednesday evenings February 1st and 2nd.

Bundle up and take your pup for a walk instead, the snowmobile trails are great to use in the winter! See everyone next week!

Winter Time can be Fun!

2011-01-26T11:52:00.000-08:00

For those of you who think it may be too cold to go out and play, think again! Many of our four legged friends do well with a sweater and a pair of booties if needed. Getting some playtime each day helps keep our dogs not only healthy physically but mentally.

Many dogs begin bad habits in the winter like chewing baseboards, laundry, couches or what ever is available. While this may be a sign of anxiety, it may simply be because your dog is not getting enough exercise. Many dogs do chew when they are bored. Letting your dogs run off leash a few times a week will make a difference in his temperament with any other dogs in the home as well as guests entering. Keeping our dogs well exercised will lower their arousal when the door bell rings which may prevent scuffles with some reactive dogs.

So, bundle up and go for a long walk, our community is full of fun trails to walk along. If you have a longhaired dog, then no worries, he or she will be fine! Annie, Pablo, Sophie, Misty and Sheila haven't missed a day of walking and they are happily sleeping all afternoon!

Annie (sweater), Pablo (boxer mix) and Sophie (scottie) are mine. Misty (golden retriever) is Pablo's neighbor and best friend who he goes to see daily and Sheila (spits/chow mix) is my foster girl who simply loves, loves to run in the snow!

Sweet Sheila is my newest Foster Dog!

2011-01-20T15:08:00.000-08:00

Miss Sheila is about 3 years old, greets me at the door with a whole body wag and simply loves to be at your feet. Sheila is very playful once she feels comfortable with you willing to play fetch, roll over for a belly rub or go for a run. She is very curious trotting from room to room to inspect her new environment. She is AMAZING off leash in the woods or even at the dog park. She comes when called, is learning better leash manners and to stay for longer periods of time. She has been great about house training and goes out with my other dogs, having not had any accidents this week. Her perfect owner would be someone who loves to snuggle, has a soft demeanor about them and doesn't mind her in your lap! She is friendly with strangers and has not been a barker in my home. With the right dog male or female, Sheila has a great play style. She came from Florida and loves the snow! I would say Sheila is high energy and loves to run and hike in the woods.

Please let me know if you are interested in meeting this sweet girl who is up for adoption through Almost Home Rescue.

New Manners I Class Added

2011-01-16T13:55:00.000-08:00

Because of an increased interest, I am adding a Manners I class on Thursday evenings, beginning 1/27/11 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital in Scarborough. This is in addition to our Wednesday class which is full!

Anyone interested, please contact me! This is a great class for pups 4 months and older.

Topics covered are:

Sit: At side and in front. Great for putting on the leash, greeting people, giving medication, brushing, and other situations.

Heel: Most pet owners really appreciate a dog that walks nicely on a leash without pulling. Positive training and proper equipment is key.

Sit Stay: Having a dog sit stay while you open the door or cross the street to get the mail is beneficial.

Wait/Okay: One of my favorite commands! Don’t move from a specific position for a short time. Okay is used as a release.

Down/Down Stay: A submissive position that is also more comfortable for the dog, especially if you want him to stay for more than a minute.

Off: Refers to your dogs paws. Off and Down should mean two different things.

Leave it: Refers to his muzzle, learn to put his attention back on you and away from something else that he is interested in.

Come: Probably the most critical command to teach but can be started at an early age. This command provides a great opportunity to bond with your dog!

Take a break: A good place to be out of the way but still in the same room while you have company or eat a meal. Can also be used when you are leaving for a short while.

Requirements: Updated Vaccination Record, including Bordatella

Clicker Training Basics

2011-01-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

For those of us who are enduring a blizzard in the New England area today and need a fun activity for your dog, try some clicker training! New to the Clicker? The clicker is a small handheld device that makes a distinct "click" sound when you press it. Repeated pairing of the clicker sound with a reinforcer such as a treat makes the sound become what is called a conditioned reinforcer. This simply means you have taught your dog that the sound of the click means food or some other reward is coming. The clicker is a wonderful way of letting your dog know that what she did at the exact moment the click was heard is what earned her the reward.

You may also say a verbal marker like "yes", which like the click is paired with a reinforcer to help your dog know what she did at the exact moment she heard "yes" earned her a reward.

While both markers are used, most professional trainers, will agree that the clicker most accurately pinpoints behaviors.

Some Clicker Tips:

Prepare yourself with a handful of small soft treats.
Practice the click on your child or friend as timing is key!
Click during the desired behavior, not after it is completed. The timing of the click is crucial. Your pet will most likely stop the behavior when she hears the click, reward with a treat!
Click when your dog does anything you like. Begin with something easy like a sit, down, paw raise.
If your dog performs the behavior perfectly then follow with a Jackpot, which is several treats at once! Be enthusiastic!
Keep your training sessions short, several 5 minute sessions are better than 30 minutes of repetition.
Fix bad behaviors by clicking each good behavior, like when your pup potties in the correct place!

Have fun and reward good behavior often which will increase these behaviors.

For helpful Clicker Training seek articles by:

Gail Fischer

Karen Pryor

Pat Miller

Andrea Arden

This is a great indoor activity for you and your dog on rainy or snowy days!

Maddie has been Adopted!

2011-01-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

My sweet foster girl Maddie is ready for a new home! She is just over 2 years old, has all her shots, is neutered and loves people!! She is perfectly house trained, is wonderful off leash, crate trained, and is simply an easy keeper! She had a litter and apparently was not getting along with her son, with whom she lived with. She is great with my 3 dogs, fearful for a day, but then learned to trust! She needs a minute to trust new dogs on leash, but off leash is relaxed and playful. She rides in the car well, I have trimmed her nails and given her a bath with no issues at all. For more information about Maddie, please contact me!

Transition Period in Adoptions

2011-01-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Foster dog Remy

There is going to be an adaptation period any time an animal makes changes

in his or her life. This time varies from animal to animal depending on age and previous live experiences.

Dogs that are adopted from shelters and rescue groups are a perfect example of this, but keep in mind a puppy is use to playing for hours with his or her siblings. So do not be surprised if your puppy is grabbing your pants, socks, robe, anything that that they can mouth may become a new toy. For some, the transition may be minimal - meaning, he or she adapts immediately and welcomes his or her new environment. For others, it can take a bit longer - especially if there are other added stressors including different people or other animals.

Some people adopt a dog that has come from the field, a real working/hunting dog. Many of these dogs have never been in a home. I have found that their transition period can take many many months of adaption. Going at the dogs pace is key, forcing scary environments and people can make your training come to a complete halt or worse, complete avoidance.

I found with my own dog Sophie, there was a “honeymoon” period. she was lively and friendly with us, enjoyed playing and being with us. But greeting strangers was very scary for her. She took 6 months to warmup to the idea that guests coming into our home were a good thing. She learned to “recover” quicker and become more relaxed each month.

I would suggest for those adopting rescue animals, building trust while setting rules is most important. If you bring a dog into your home and give them tons of love and affection with no rules you are bound to have trouble, it is just a matter of time. So here are a few easy tips to set you and your new friend up for success!

Hand feed at least one meal a day for good behavior. Ask your dog to “come, sit, wait, lie down, go potty” you get it, reward with the dogs meal! Each time your new dog or puppy does an unwanted behavior, ask them to do something acceptable and reward, giving your dog a job is much more effective than just correcting behavior. Anytime your dog is being good, reward with affection, food or play, because it is a fact that consequence drives behavior. So, be consistent, think about what it is you just rewarded and repeat this process until you have it on cue.

Reward-based Training that Works!

2010-08-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

Reward Based Training
Rewarding your dog for appropriate behavior is not a new concept, however many of us are “old school” and simple grew up telling our dog what to do. Using rewards or reinforcement will help your dog want to please you more often!

What is Reinforcement?
Reinforcement is something you add to your training to increase or strengthen a behavior. High pitch praise, food, laughing, clapping, freedom, walks, going out the door, bones, tug you get it! I want you to help your dog understand that when he complies life is good for him and that there are consequences for his actions which will help him make the correct decision!

Mark the Behavior
Timing is very important as this is how you communicate with your dog. Dogs do not speak our language so they can only associate a behavior with a reward or a correction, and only if the time between the two is very short. Using a marker like a “yes” or clicker will speed your dogs learning. Marking involves having effective timing so you mark the exact moment the dog does the correct behavior then follow through with reinforcement!

Rate of Reinforcement
Reward often, our dogs learn through associations, so rewards help them know when they are doing something appropriate to us. To strengthen the behavior you want you should continue to reward. How often should you reward? As often as needed! Really good trainers reward generously which keeps the dog motivated in the task at hand. If you mark a behavior with a click or “yes”, then always follow through with a reward.

Put it all together
The dog that pulls on the leash is very frustrating to walk. Try using a marker to help the dog understand what it is you want. When the dog pulls, stop walking, using a clicker, click and reward when your dog looks at you, be patient! Repeat until your dog begins to look at you while you are moving forward together. Take two steps, if your dog looks at you REWARD! then three, then five, then several, then for longer and longer distances. The dog is being paid to focus on you; it cannot do that and pull at the same time. If your dog pulls, stop again and wait until he looks at you, then reward. Eventually just putting on the leash can become a cue for "walking together." Paying your dog for heeling nicely is much more effective than punishing the pull. It's also more effective than the physical intervention of hauling the dog's head and neck around repeatedly by the leash, which will give you a sore arm before too long! Have fun and watch your dog learn quickly through marking and rewarding!

Having a Baby?

2010-04-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Was your first baby your dog? Mine was. In fact, I had two small mix breeds when I brought home my first of 3 babies! I want to give you some important advice and offer you some practical training that will help your dog love your new bundle of joy!

Let me first say “Congratulations” on your new addition or future addition!

Desensitization and training your dog can certainly help ease the transition of having a new, noisy bundle of joy in the home, but nothing is more important than safety. We know that most dog bites are directed at children. Why? The main reason is that dogs tend to be guarders, even the most wonderful dog can decide to guard food or a toy from a child. The second most common reason is fear. If a dog has never been socialized with children, they can be quite scary! The third most common is rough play or accidental bites. For these reasons, I do not recommend ever leaving a child under the age of 9 or 10 alone with a dog.

Here are a few tips I think you will find helpful in helping your dogs adjust to your new baby!

Positive Association/Desensitization:
Purchase or borrow a baby doll, one that cries, giggles or talks is best. Wrap it up and pretend you are holding, burping and cuddling your baby. When the dog comes to sniff, praise them while quickly setting boundaries. Ask for a sit and then reward! If you have two dogs, only allow one dog at a time to investigate the new doll, stroller, basinet, diaper bag, etc. If you like to use a clicker in training, then you would click and treat when the dog sniffs any new object providing the dog with positive feedback. A dog that gets punished every time he approaches the new baby will soon learn that the baby = punishment, I do not like the baby, grrrrr. Remember, the goal is that whenever the dogs are near the baby, great things happen with boundaries in place!

If you get frustrated every time your baby cries, the dogs will associate stress with the sounds the baby makes which will cause the dog to be nervous/anxious. If the baby makes a crying sound as it approaches your pup, can he become reactive to the baby? People always say “there was no warning or reason for the dog bite.” There is always a reason, we just miss our dogs signals. Practicing “calm energy” will not only be good for your dog, it will be great for you!

Give your Dog Feedback/Set Boundaries:
Practice putting the baby doll in a stroller and walking the dogs with the pretend baby so they get use to keeping their toes out of the way, the sounds it makes and wide turns. Practice having the dogs sit often especially when you see another dog, this is best done behind the stroller, just in case they dash toward a dog, you want your leashes to be behind the stroller so they won't risk knocking your stroller over.

Practice laying the pretend baby on the floor on his/her blanket. Teach the dog that the blanket is not to be stepped on. How? Put a leash on your dog and practice walking past the blanket, say “off” if your pup starts to walk on the blanket. When he begins to avoid stepping on the blanket, reward! After several repetitions of rewarding the dog for good behavior, practice with the dog off leash. Do this in several rooms of the house, even on the deck or yard. Once your dog learns the rules and gets rewarded for it, he will be happy to comply. (For more information on this topic, read my blog titled “When Your Pup Asks Why”.)

What boundaries will you set around the highchair? What if at 6 months your baby starts to eat solid foods from the high chair, and some gets on the floor. Now your baby is 12 months old and is a messy eater! For 6 months Max your sweet Labrador has been rewarded for sitting nicely by the highchair, hey, he cleans up the floor, who would complain? What if at 14 months Mom says “stop feeding the dog, please keep your food on your tray”. Your child’s arm often dangles over the side, but no more food is randomly dropped. Max is use to being rewarded, Max gets excited and jumps up to take the food, but bites through your child’s hand on accident. Is Max a bad dog? Could this have been prevented? Absolutely.

Appropriate Play/Accidental:Teaching your dog the rules of play are essential, such as “take it” and “drop it”. If you allow your dog to jump up and steal the tug toy from you, then expect him to do the same to your toddler. Teaching him to only take toys or food on cue, will prevent him from taking things from your child’s hands. If you allow your dog to jump up then sit, he will again do this same behavior with children. Teach him to come, sit and reward!

The Anxious/Fearful dog:Finally, keep your dog in a safe place if he is fearful of children. Many dogs come into rescue with a fear of children. Slowly letting them gain confidence at a distance is key to building his positive association. Having a toddler or child toss food to a nervous dog will help, the key is to take this SLOW and always just toss, do not attempt hand feeding for weeks. Make sure your anxious dog never feels confined with a scary child in the room, this is a recipe for disaster. Confinement can be on a leash, trapped in a crate, in a room, a car, small back yard, a hug (most dogs hate hugs anyway, please never let your child hum your dog). The bottom line is make your dog feel safe if he is anxious around kids until you work with a trainer to desensitize him.

I hope you understand how many dog bites can be prevented if we only pay attention to what we are teaching and rewarding our dogs for. So be an aware dog owner and keep both your child and dog safe!

Is Your Dog Stubborn?

2010-03-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

You have no doubt at one time or another thought your dog was ignoring you! With so much information out there about dog training it is somewhat confusing to decipher what your dog is really thinking!

I am hear to set the record straight on the Stubborn Dog!

The REALITY is, dogs in many ways are just like kids. Some dogs will pick up things much quicker than other dogs and some will take additional repetitions. Often in my classes I will see a dog with a “wide mouth pant”, or “stop and sniff the ground” or “look away” from his/her owner, this is my cue to help the owner with their timing or body language as the dog is clearly becoming confused and often stressed.

Often times dog fail to learn a cue because the owners TIMING is off, even the slightest second can reward a dog for dropping a toy instead of picking it up! I know I have made this mistake myself!

When trainers say “reward the behavior you want”, this means over time! Please do not expect your dog to become consistent after one training session. Many people do not realize that dogs do not generalize well. For this reason we need to have them practice their behaviors in many different environments with a variety of distractions so their behaviors become automatic or spontaneous.

Always consider the “dogs point of view”, is there something scary about the environment? Often our dogs are distracted by the sounds, smells, and movements around them so they may have missed a cue. Does the dog have a positive association with his surroundings? Is the dog feeling well? Often dogs will sit at an angle to alleviate hip discomfort. Is your dog in conflict? You may be calling your dog, but the big black German Shepherd at the other end of the room already gave your pup the “look”, should he go to mom/dad and risk a reprimand or just stay where he is as it is safe!

When Annie did not want to heel for me on a street walk recently, I stopped and looked at her, knowing she was not being stubborn, I realized I was caring a full doggie poop bag with her leash. As soon as I moved the poop to the other hand, she resumed her place by my left side!

Another example, a client’s Jack Russell would not get in to her car anymore. She just ran around the car and refused to jump in as she had done for months. I asked her to drive her car out of the car port and ask her girl to get in, with no hesitation the Jack Russell jumped in the car like always. We realized on occasion she was receiving a shock from the wet floor. She was convinced her dog was Stubborn until we solved the mystery!

Finally, consider what motivates your dog. A recent client just installed an invisible fence and the dog is enjoying FREEDOM, rolling in the grass, sniffing, digging, peeing, you get the idea. Do you think the dog will come in? Come in from this new amazing freedom, in this context “come” is obviously a negative to the dog! But, if you reward your dog for coming in the house with a game of tug, belly scratch or cheese for a while then “come” becomes a positive!

So the next time you start to say your dog is STUBB...., stop and really ask your self why your dog is behaving the way he/she is, I am sure you will find a real reason!

When pups ask "Why?"

2009-09-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

Develop a lifestyle...
I say it all the time in class, “take your puppy everywhere you go” if possible. In order to get your puppy to be happy and balanced, you need to socialize him/her to the world we live in. But to get your puppy to respond to you here, there, and everywhere, she needs to be trained here, there, and everywhere! Train your puppy using many short sessions each day. A favorite author of mine, Ian Dunbar, says: “The secret is to totally integrate training into both your puppy's lifestyle and your lifestyle.” That is so true!

Like in Puppy class, ask your pup to perform many cues per day. For example, call your puppy for a body-position sequence (like a “Sit”, “Sit Stay") with variable length stays in each position whenever you go into the kitchen, go out to get the mail, sit in your favorite chair or go to the car. If you instruct your pup to perform a simple body-position sequence on every such occasion, you will easily be able to train your puppy many times a day without deviating from your normal lifestyle. Remember using the NIFF (nothing is for free) habit, not only teaches your pup to use polite manners, it also exercises his brain and helps remind him that you are his leader, not roommate!

Practice, Practice, Practice...
Helping your dog to see you as the calm confident leader will help him avoid many of the behavior problems people do not like. Such as door dashing, barking out the window, chewing on your arm and not coming when called. With this in mind, practice moving your dogs feet several times a day. This is a nice way of letting your pup know that you are in charge. Have your pup move out of your way rather than walking around him, ask him to move off his bed and have a seat yourself. Teach your dog to fetch your paper, his ball or toy! I often sit on the couch in the evening with my dogs (Sophie, my foster dog is against my leg as I type this) But the key is that she asks politely to join me. When she comes and bounces up and down, I know she wants up, I ask her to “wait”, she sits and waits until I say “ok”, then up she comes! We expect our children to ask politely, why not teach our dogs to have polite manners as well? Another example, people automatically assume that it is bad to let your dog sleep on your bed. The truth is it is fine, as long as it is on YOUR terms. My Pablo will stand by my bed with his head resting on the mattress and wait for me to say “ok”. Sometimes I say, “get in your bed” followed by “good boy” he does what I ask without question. When this becomes your new lifestyle, your puppy will see no difference between playing and training. Fun times will have structure and rules they can live with and training will be fun!

Forming habits you can live with...
Practice short training sessions with quick sits, stays and emotional control moments into your puppy's walks and off-leash play times. Each quick sit is immediately reinforced by allowing the dog to resume walking or playing, which becomes the reward. Practicing emotional control with quick sits before each and every activity with your dog (like riding in the car, watching you fix their dinner, lying on the couch, and playing doggy games). For example, have your dog sit before you throw a tennis ball, before you put the leash on. Add duration to your cues of sit-stay with each repetition. Ask your dog to wait before he goes out the door, before he eats, or before he/she jumps out of the car.

Right from the start, make frequent little quiet moments part of your dog's daily routine. Remember, a puppy is not like an irritating child's toy. You cannot simply remove the batteries from a rambunctious adolescent dog. Instead you must learn how to "turn off" your dog. Learn to use walks and your puppy's favorite and most exciting games as rewards for settling down quietly and calmly.

Throughout the course of the day, have your puppy settle down for longer periods of time at home. For example, when watching the television, have your pup lie down on-leash, or in his bed, but during the commercial breaks, release the puppy for short, active play-training sessions.

When playing with your puppy, have him take a break every 30 seconds or so. To begin with, have the pup lie still for just two seconds before letting it play again. Use a release command, such as "Free Dog," "Ok", or "Let's Play." After 30 seconds, interrupt the play session again with a three-second quiet moment. Then try for four seconds. And then five, eight, ten, and so on. Alternate "Settle Down" with "Go Play" and with each repetition, it becomes progressively easier to get your puppy to settle down quickly.

Once your pup gets the picture, the exercise may be profitably practiced on walks. When walking round the block, periodically have your puppy settle down for just a few seconds before resuming the walk. An entertaining way to train is to instruct your pup to settle down every twenty yards or so, while you read this article! I hope you will read and re-read it many times!

Positive Reinforcement...
Puppies are easy to train. In fact, a young puppy will do just about anything you ask, especially when we use that sweet pitch as a reward! As the puppy grows into an adolescence, however, it begins to ask world-shattering questions, such as "Why?"
Just because your puppy has learned what "Sit" means, it does not necessarily mean she will sit when you request her to do so. Therefore, the most important ingredient of any educational program, weather for children or dogs, is "Why comply?" You must teach the relevance of complying. I believe, once you have taught your puppy the positive consequences of cooperating, she will eagerly want to behave!

Make it Fun...
First ask yourself, what does my puppy love? Make a list! Then institute a simple and effective rule: Nothing will be denied, nor withheld from the pup, but the puppy has to sit beforehand. It's just common canine courtesy, really. Nothing more than a puppy "please."

Does your puppy like to play Tug? Great! this is a fun game and will give your pup some indoor exercise! The key to this game is following the rules: Your pup must wait until you make eye contact and say “take it” before grabbing the tug toy. After some good tugging, look away, relax your arm and say “leave it”. If your pup doesn’t know this cue yet, offer a treat to reward him for letting go. After some practice, you will not need to reward with a treat.

In no time at all, your pup will learn the importance of complying with your wishes and will be only too willing, eager, and happy to oblige. Now your dog will want to do what you want it to do because you make her life fun and exciting! Positive Reinforcement is “heads-and-tails” above any adverse training programs!

Basically, you need to convince your pup that he or she is the trainer and you are the pupil! As Ian Dunbar says in his book, After You Get Your Puppy, your puppy needs to believe, "Sitting is the canine cue — the veritable key to the door — which makes my owners do anything I want. If I sit, they will open doors (how courteous). If I sit, they will massage my ears (how affectionate). If I sit, they will share the couch (how cooperative). If I sit, they will throw the tennis ball (how athletic). And if I sit, they will serve supper (how well-trained)."

Rewards...
The rewards of having a well mannered dog are endless! For starters, you can take your dog anywhere and not be stressed. Having a well behaved dog saves time as you can get through your day with less hassle, and you can be proud of you pup! Inviting friends over to the house is no longer dreaded as your pup has a new set of skills to show off! Jumping on Grandma is no longer an issue because your dog has learned to sit when ever he meets a new person. No sit, no reward, it is that simple!

So be a great dog owner and give your dog plenty of Reinforcement for well performed behaviors!

10 Household Items That Can Poison Your Pet

2009-07-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

While most of my topics are about training, I feel it is important that we are all aware of household toxins. There are actually many common household items which can be toxic for dogs and cats. Ingestion of just a small amount of some cleaning products, food, and plants can be fatal. Other toxins, exposed to paws and skin, can cause serious illnesses. Be sure to keep the following items away from your pet!

Laundry Detergent including fabric softener sheets can cause digestive problems, irritation of the mouth and tongue, and even death.
Mouse and Ant killer can cause enormous damage so take your pet to a vet immediately if you suspect your dog has been contact with this poison.
Chocolate even in small amounts can be harmful to your dogs nervous system so never feed a dog any food containing chocolate.
Ice melt on driveways and stairs can easily become stuck to paws and fur. When an animal cleans itself, ingesting the chemicals in the ice melt, there can be harmful reactions including skin irritations, seizures, and even death.
Oleander, mistletoe, and lily plants are toxic to dogs and cats. Just one leaf from an oleander can kill a small pet. When discarding these plants, do not burn them. Inhaling the smoke can be harmful.
Macadamia nuts contain a toxin that can wreak havoc on a dog’s digestive and nervous systems.
Tylenol can be fatal if given to a dog or cat.
Antifreeze is deadly for dogs, unfortunately the sweet smell does attract dogs.
Avocados, raisons, grapes and onions all contain toxins that can cause kidney failure.
Mouthwash contains boric acid, so never use this on your pet.

Feedback - Why? When? How often?

2009-05-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

When training our dogs, we often expect them to read our minds. Well, they can’t! But you can help them by offering feedback to them. What is feedback? It is a way of helping your dog know when he is doing something acceptable or not.

Good dog handlers offer their dog feedback on their behavior throughout the day. When you see your dog laying calmly on the floor, let them know you are happy with this behavior! Say, “good dog, what a good dog”, in a sweet voice.

If you have a puppy, you should be giving him feedback constantly! I mean if you are with him an hour, then offer feedback 50-60 times! For Example, when in puppy class I am always encouraging my clients to reward their puppy when ever they allow another puppy near them or begin to play with another pup. I want puppies to know that I am thrilled when they play well with another dog.

What if we have a bully in the class? I follow that bully around and say, “good dog, yes, good girl, what a good girl”, when she is nice, so the second she gets to rough, I am there to say, “uhuh, take a break” in a lower tone, then again as she eyes another playmate, I am again letting her know, that she is a “good girl, nice play, gentle, what a good girl”, all in a sweet voice.

Remember puppies need to play rough to learn how to resolve problems so having a bully is not a problem, it just means they need more Feedback!

How about when teaching your dog a new cue? When you first say “Stay” your dog has no idea what you mean. But if you reinforce the stay cue by saying “stay, good stay, that is a good stay”, in a sweet voice then offer a quick reward of food or affection. Your dog will surely learn quicker when you talk sweetly and repeat the behavior that he is doing the right. This type of Positive Feedback quickens the learning process with your dog.

So be a Great Dog Owner and give your dog lots of feedback!!

House Training

2009-04-15T11:05:00.000-07:00

Puppies will want to pee and poop wherever they have done so before. Your job is to make sure your puppy learns to prefer the outdoors as a toilet – not your carpets!

I recommend you keep your puppy close to you or in a crate and show him where he should potty every 2 hours to start. Then gradually increase the time between trips out doors. If your puppy does have an accident, don't react. Any punishment will be unproductive and could even encourage your puppy to eliminate more often as a submissive gesture to your reaction. You can take away your puppies water about 7 PM and replace it with a few ice cubes.

Approximate Overnight Holding Limit = 1½ times the Daytime Holding Limit
Example: 3 month puppy can hold for 1½ x 4 = 6 hours overnight

Whenever you are unable to supervise your puppy with 100% attention, you need to place her in either a short-term or long-term confinement area.
Your puppy can be placed in a short-term confinement area such as a crate if she will be there for less than her holding limit. The purpose of the crate is to keep her out of trouble while you are unable to supervise her, and to help you house train her. The crate should be just big enough for her to be able to lie down on her side with outstretched limbs, stand up, and turn around easily. It should not be so big that she thinks there is enough space for a bedroom and for a toilet area! When you let her out of her crate you can bring her straight outdoors and reward her for doing her business in the right place.

For longer confinement periods a bigger area, with non-absorbent flooring, such as a bathroom, kitchen, or utility room, is needed. The long-term confinement area should have a bed or open crate at one end, and a pile of newspaper, a puppy pad or a strip of sod at the opposite end. Your puppy will naturally want to eliminate as far as possible from her bed. If the space you use for long-term confinement happens to have a door that leads to the outdoors, then place the toilet area near that door. This way, your puppy’s toilet area is as close as possible to where she should ultimately be heading to do her business. Fresh water and stuffed chew toys should also be plentiful, and should be placed near her bed.

Your Puppy will naturally have the urge to eliminate after a nap, a meal, a drink, exercise, excitement, or time spent in confinement. Give your puppy the opportunity to do her business outdoors at these times. When your puppy does her business in the right place offer her a treat, plenty of praise, a game or a walk. This will speed up her house training habits.
Punishing a puppy for house soiling after it has happened is abuse, not training. If you wait more than a few seconds after your puppy has eliminated before expressing your disapproval, your puppy will not know why she is being punished. If you catch your puppy about to pee or poop in the wrong place you can clap your hands and say “Ah-ah”, and swiftly scoop her up to the outdoors to continue. Punishing her after the fact just makes her anxious for you to return the next time as she will assume you will be aggressive every time you come home.

If you would like your dog to poop promptly when you take her out, then teach your puppy that a prompt poop is her ticket to a walk around the block. This will encourage her to poop as soon as you let her out – and will allow you to leave the stinky poop bag at the house, rather than having to carry it around for much of the walk. If you do the opposite, take her for a walk, and ending her walk as soon as she does do her business, she will learn to delay pooping!

Also, you must be consistent! If you train your puppy to poop while on a leash M-F, then you cannot expect her to poop on Sat. in the back yard off the leash. Our puppies do not generalize information that well, so if she is having accidents, you must consider her schedule and what you have taught her.

House Training Options:
Considering the use of Puppy Pads?

Advantage - Portable and indoors
• Disadvantage – Dog may view any paper lying on the floor as fair game. This process can eventually lead to training outside, but adds an extra step.

How about a Litter Box?

Advantage – Portable, indoors, doesn’t require going outside and dog doesn’t have to wait for someone to let her outside.
• Disadvantage – Daily cleaning of litter box, not a good choice for medium or large dogs.

Advantages of Crate Training

Keeps puppy safe when you can not watch your puppy.
• Teaches puppy to keep his area clean.
• Should never be used as punishment but
• Should be used as a safe haven for your pet.
• Begin when you first bring your puppy home. Start with just a short time and increase the time as your puppy feels comfortable.
• Do lure your puppy in and out with treats so he enters on his own. Do not shove your puppy in and shut the door right away.
• Keep the crate in a place where your puppy can hear you talk to him.

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