One Behavior You Must Teach Your Puppy?

To Sit?  That is a nice default behavior, but not the most important one to teach.

To Come?  Great behavior to have consistently for sure!

To Leave it?  Awesome behavior to have, great on walks both on and off leash!

hand feeding for good behavior

How about not to bite human flesh?  Sounds pretty important to me! Bite inhibition is the technical term for a dogs ability to control the pressure they use when biting. If you could only teach your puppy or new rescue dog one behavior, please remember to teach him a soft mouth -- aka bite inhibition.

How?  By giving your dog appropriate feedback.  Over several days with the following positive techniques, your puppy will learn this life saving skill.

1. Hand feeding daily meals, release the food when your puppy is gentle or licks.  If you feel teeth, wait until he softens, then reward.
Example:  Say your pups name and when he look at you, offer a piece of food.  Say your pups name and "come" offer a piece of food as a reward.  Reward your puppy for coming and sitting 10 times per meal and you will have a solid sit and a softer mouth!

Playing Tug can teach a soft mouth

2. Play tug, using the rules of tug you can quickly help your puppy learn that when you feel teeth on your skin, playing stops.  Remember, do not drop the toy or you could teach your puppy that biting is how they do get the toy.  Instead, ask for a sit to begin the game, then say "take it" and play "tug" keeping the toy low to the ground.  Next, put a treat to the pups nose and say "leave it" and
exchange with the food while putting the toy behind your back.  Repeat, sit, take it, tug, leave it.

flat pan cake hands are non threatening

3. Body handling your puppy with a soft, flat gentle hand.  If your puppy bites your hand, then let your hand go limp, dead like, and wait until the puppy removes his mouth from your hand.  Repeat slowly and gently as your pup learns that hands predict good gentle scratches and massaging.  Some puppies respond if you scream, but some thing you are simply playing, so this feedback may help and it may not as all puppies are different.


4. Allowing your puppy playtime with another friendly dog or in a puppy group.  Playing with other pups will surely help your puppy learn

Puppy play group

not to bite too hard, many pups learn to use a soft mouth when playing with their mother, however some pups miss out on this lesson and will therefore learn it while playing with other puppies and of course playing with you.

Teaching your puppy a soft mouth or  good bite inhibition is the ONE most important behavior you need to teach.  Remember, your pup will not stop using his mouth on you and your clothes in 1 day as he has been using it with his siblings for 8 weeks,  be patient and give your puppy the feedback he so needs to be able to live with humans.

What should you not do?  Scare your puppy or teach him that human hands are to be feared, as this tactic will most likely make him want to bite hands more.  Why?  Science has taught us that dogs who are handled in a physical or rough manner are more often to bite later in life.  Science has also taught us that aggression breeds more aggression.

If you do not want your puppy to use his mouth to resolve conflict, then please do not use your hands to resolve conflict.  Science has taught us that rough hands on a pup, will create unwanted behavior changes as the pup matures.  Example: Submissive peeing, over the top wiggly greetings, worse mouthy behavior, biting later as an adolescent dog, growly and avoidance behaviors.

For a reference on teaching a soft mouth, refer to Sophia Yin's Low Stress Handling techniques
Dr. Sophia Yin, Low Stress Handling.  Although Sophia passed away just yesterday, she will always be a source to reference because she educated those of us in the Pet Industry that the emotional well being of the animal is essential to avoiding unwanted behavior changes.

Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant now available in Portland Maine

BIG NEWS!!

I am very proud to announce my hard work and continued education has earned me the title of

Happy clients and well behaved dogs

Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant- ACDBC.  I am the only ACDBC south of Bangor, and the only one in Portland, Maine.  My desire to better understand dog behavior and behavior problems is on going and I will continue to study and learn to better help my clients.

For clients in the Bangor area, please reach out to Don Hanson, of Green Acres Kennels as he is a CDBC and a person I myself reach out to.  Welcome to Green Acres Kennel Shop - Green Acres Kennel Shop

Already have a dog trainer?  Please be sure you are using someone certified by a recognizable organization such as:

APDT  the Association of Pet Dog Trainers 

IAABC  International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

CCPDT Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers

For help in setting you and your dog up for success, I certainly recommend a Certified positive reinforcement trainer.  

Pets for Vets Program Launched here in Portland, Maine

I am happy to announce that Portland, Maine has an official Chapter for the Pets for Vets Program and I am the official trainer of the canines for this wonderful program.  I will be assessing, training and matching dogs with Veterans in need of a companion dog.

Tom Targett, Chapter Director is to be recognized and thanked for his dedication in getting this Portland Chapter off and running.  Tom is an ideal Director as a returning Veteran himself and his understanding and love of dogs.

Our mission at the Pets for Vets program is to help support veterans while providing a second chance for shelter pets by rescuing, training and pairing them with veterans right here in our community who could benefit from a companion animal.

I am pleased to inform you that we will be introducing our first match early in December!  I am not sure who is more excited about this upcoming match?  Tom, my self or our Veteran, we are all simply joyful to be a part of this first match!

Each Monday from November 18 to December 10, from 6 – 8 p.m. Pets for Vets, Maine Chapter will be near the Santa photo area at the Maine Mall in Portland.

For further information about our new Portland, Maine Chapter, contact:
Thomas Targett -  tomt521@aol.com
http://pets-for-vets.com/category/northeast/portlandme/pme-news/

7 Day Challenge

Many clients ask; "How do I train my dog?"  First and foremost, to train a dog, you must have the dog's attention!  Can you get your dog to sit for one minute without a leash on?  If so, then you have already

Puff in a down stay, I
rewarded him with food about 6 times in 1 minute
to help him build duration in this behavior.

learned how to get your dogs attention -- wonderful!  If not, then I ask you to take my 7 day challenge!

I ask that you hand feed your dog every meal for 1 week, every meal, and see how your relationship changes in just 7 days.  You might keep a journal and really see your dogs attention on you grow with enthusiasm and duration in many different behaviors.

If your dog can already sit and stay in your home, then I suggest you take your training on the road and

Focus here at 4 months. 

see if your dog can perform the same behaviors in your front yard, down the street, and at the local park.  Training in environments with lots of stimulation takes practice, tasty motivation and often lots of patience.  If your dog cannot sit and stay in your yard, then you simply are not ready to ask for this emotional control at the park.  Set your dog up for success and begin developing good habits in just one week!

Ideas for training:  come, come/sit, shake, down, leave it, touch, roll over, high five, speak, sit/stay, down/stay, wait, watch me, you get it!

Outdoor Adventure dogs have good focus.

What if my dog will not look at me?  Simply use his meal mixed with some yummy treats and sit down in a chair.  Toss a treat on the floor near your dog, while he is eating the treat, say his name in a happy tone.  When he looks at you say "yes" and toss another treat.  Continue playing this game for the entire meal. The next day you can try playing this game outside or add different criteria like "Fido come" when he is eating the treat and reward by tossing another treat away from you.

After training!  

Have fun, motivate using your happy pitch and smile at your dog every time he looks at you.  If you are frustrated and using a firm tone, he may comply but I'd bet he avoids looking at you.  I want your dog to offer behaviors such as coming to you because it makes him feel good, not come to you to avoid a correction.  There is no relationship building in correction training, as the dog is simply performing a behavior to avoid the punishment -- Life is Not Good for these dogs!  So, try rewarding with every meal for 7 days and I am sure you will see a new relationship building and love it!

Stress Free Playgroups

When introducing new dogs, you often only have one chance to make the best first impression.  This first impression is critical to the future success of a positive relationship between the two dogs.  What if you are meeting an entire group?

I believe there are several things you can do to set your doggie playgroup up for success before you remove the leash.  When my Outdoor Adventure Canines come together for some off leash play, we always take time to do several pass by's with each dog, so they can exchange greetings from a safe distance. 

Geting information about each other

Puff, the handsome Samoyed above, calmly walks around the group, somewhat focused on his handler but also taking a few glances at the playmates near by. Harry, Lily, Caliber, Annie, Denver, Heidi, Sara, Topper, Sushi and Brady each take a look at the dog approaching.  Within this group, we noticed various calming signals from the dogs that were stationary.  Such as looking away, licking lips, blinking, sniffing the ground, yawning, sitting or even laying down.  After giving each dog a chance to walk through the group and get some information, we were ready to do some parallel walking together.

After parallel walking and playing follow the leader I could see each dog becoming more relaxed with their surroundings and their new pack.  

Brady the Scottish Terrier LOVED the water!

Once in the woods, we allowed the dogs off leash for some running, romping and playing.  While our focus was on reinforcing our recall, I was completely enjoying the relationships that developed as a result of a successful introduction.

Brady, the Scottie, was crazy about the water, jumping in and swimming with little hesitation.   What a treat to see him so happy!

Pairing up for a game of chase

Puff quickly realized that Caliber is a playful pup and engaged in a game of chase.  Lily the springer dashed in and out of the water sometimes following Brady and sometimes chasing Puff.  Harry and Annie, the adult dogs of the group watched from the bridge as the adolescent dogs played using all nice communication skills!  

Topper and Caliber taking a break

First impressions are critical!  Teaching our dogs how to greet calmly sets them up for success, and taking time to build positive relationships is simply joyful! 

CBC Training Room

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!

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.

Outdoor Adventure Class - Rewarding to Dogs and Humans

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!

Congratulations to my March Canine Good Citizenship Graduates!

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!

AKC Canine Good Citizenship Evaluator

Good News! I have recently passed the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizenship Evaluators exam! I am thrilled to be able to offer you this service in a fun and relaxed atmosphere! Our first class will be near the end of February, and will be held indoors at the Tender Touch Veterinary Facility.

What is the American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizenship program?
This program focuses on teaching responsible dog ownership to owners, and certifies that their dogs have the training and behaviors needed to be reliable, well mannered members of our community. All dogs that have received their vaccinations are welcome to participate, regardless of their breed.

This Certificate is not a title and is non competitive, as dogs are not expected to perform with the same precision required in formal obedience. As part of the program, you are encouraged to communicate with your dog and praise him generously! Of course, you know I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The AKC Canine Good Citizen Test Requirements are as follows:

Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
Test 7: Coming when called
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
Test 10: Supervised separation

You can sign up and take the test without having previously taken the class, though it is encouraged. Either way, I am happy to help you and your dog earn this rewarding distinction! Call or E-mail me for details!