Guarding

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

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.