Understanding the value of (effective) training and an open mind will save lives

Dog Training Cat Tip of the Day: Understanding the value of (effective) training and an open mind.

I'm sure we see it everyday--somone shares a photo or tells a story about a dog in a shelter, that looks sad, sickly, and alone. Many people will rush in with their hearts and donate, share, or even adopt this dog--and that's fantastic! Some folks may just share the photo, or express their sympathies for the dog, but all of their actions come from their heart.

When a rescue has a dog who is sick or injured, more often than not the community will rally together and come up with the funds and support the treatment for this pup--which again, is amazing.

Now, would it surprise you that the majority of dogs in shelters are not in there because they are sick, unhealthy, or neglected/abused? Yes, there are dogs with those ailments in shelters (and it is horribly sad), but most shelter dogs are actually fairly healthy and hardy dogs who would be great candidates for adoption...

Except for one thing--they have a behavioral issue. Whether it's pulling on the leash, jumping too much, too hyper, too strong, too barky, or more serious like aggression, most dogs in shelters are brought in OR never adopted out for behavioral issues. With the exception of aggression, the majority of these behaviors could easily be addressed and improved with balanced training and a dedicated owner. Shoot, balanced training and a dedicated shelter staff could create calmer more polite behaviors in so many dogs. An open mind about training in general could save many many more.

However, so many people overlook behavioral issues as worthy of addressing or seeking help for. Instead of donating to a rescue who needs money for training, most people prefer to put their donations into the more ill and sick dogs. Training, however, is the golden ticket that could make or break a dog getting out of a shelter--a dog who sits nicely and doesn't jump like a looney toon at the gate is more likely to be walked and possibly adopted. Their polite behavior puts them at an advantage to the dog body slamming the gate while barking their head off.

A dog that is on the way in to a shelter for being out of control hyper and crazy could stay in their home if they learned some impulse control with the place command. If they just had some structure, guidance, boundaries, and someone who will tell them "yes" AND "no"--someone who would praise the good, but also correct the bad.

However, so many people give up on their dogs before they seek training. And more than that, so many healthy and could-be-adoptable dogs are lost every day becuase they never learned manners and never had someone teach them right and wrong. The majority of dogs in (and surrendered to) shelters are not adopted because of their behavior. What is disheartening, is that for many dogs, setting some boundaries and teaching them to behave could be so easy. We do it here, everyday.

But, society views medical needs as more of an issue than mental needs, and that HAS to change. They both have an important place in the world.

So, when you see a rescue asking for donations for training, remember that ultimately that dog is no more adoptable than the one covered in ringworm, heartworm positive, or with a broken leg without financial support.

When you're looking for your next dog, keep in mind that many of these guys in cages are just looking for guidance and structure to know how to live in our human world...and can be great dogs (with training)!!!

If you're thinking about turning in your dog for behavioral issues, look to a professional before you (unintentionally) set your dog into a crowd of dogs that people will overlook for the SAME issue you brought him in for.

If you're raising a puppy from scratch, invest in training just as much as you invest in their medical care as they grow up.

If you are fostering for a rescue, understand that you're doing a great thing, but also have responsibilty to teach this dog how to be a family pet. You must teach them lessons that will make them more adoptable and acclimated to home life for their future family.

If your dog is aggressive or displaying behaviors you are struggling with, get help. If you've met with someone and didn't get results, talk to another professional with a different training style (Ideally a balanced approach that is open to different tools and techniques). Look for videos and testimonials from trainers that show they can (and have) helped people and dogs like yours.

If you can't walk your dog because they are out of control, try some new training tools.

We have to TRY for our dogs. They have no idea how to live in a human world without help, and we can't expect them too without teaching them. Physical well-being and mental well-being are equally important! -Cenicero,‪#‎dogtrainingcat‬

Are you a "dog lover" or "dog person"?

Are you a "dog lover" or a "dog person"? Dog lovers walk up to a dog and immediately talk to it while looking it in the eyes, bend forward, and reach out their hands to pet them. A dog person would walk up calmly, ignore the dog completely, and give the pup a chance to sniff and explore first. Why does this matter? For timid, nervous, or unsure dogs the forward energy of the dog lover will create more distance and avoidance. The calm and seemingly ignoring behavior of the dog person gives the dog a chance to read the situation and decide if they feel comfortable with someone who is more "polite" in dog terms. Not every dog wants to be pet or coddled, no matter how much you love them. A dog person can do what's best for the dog, while a dog lover struggles to do what's appropriate because of their emotions. Which are you? Let's get more dog people than dog lovers our there and we can have more confident and comfortable dogs in social settings :) (P.S. Dog people love dogs just as much as any Dog Lover does! They just love them appropriately!) :)

Doing what is right, instead of what feels good

Dog Training Cat Tip of the Day: Doing what is right instead of what feels good.

When it comes to dog behavior, their body language is an open book to explain if things we are doing are helping or hurting the situation.

For example, an over excited, wiggly puppy is likely to excitedely pee if we pay attention to him during that time. Instead, wait and ignore the puppy (including ZERO eye contact) until he has a moment to settle and put himself into a calmer state of mind. This is SOOOO hard for people, because the puppy is so cute and appears to want attention right then and right now (and of course humans want the satisfaction of getting to pet and snuggle the cute pup!). Waiting is hard, but pee is gross! Waiting and ignoring the puppy is the right thing to do, but not the first choice in what feels good to the human.

When a new person is around a nervous/ fearful dog, the WRONG thing to do is say "all dogs love me, I'm a dog person" and push your way into that dogs space. It feels good to think that nervous dog wants to be touched, and it often hurts people's feelings at the idea that a dog doesn't like them--so they will probably stick out their hand, bend down, lock eye contact, and say to the dog "It's OK!" while moving in to the dog's space. That is NOT OK. When a human does that, it's not to help the dog overcome their fears and make a friend--it's because petting dogs feel good to people and not being liked feels "bad." It's basically a super selfish move, that hurts the dog's trust in people and can even lead to bite or injury. Instead (just like with the excited puppy!) ignore the dog! Don't look at, touch, or acknowledge the dog--instead completely ignore it and see if it will come up to sniff and engage with you. It may or may not, but if it does come up to you--do not pet it! Petting is very personal and raw for a nervous dog and is NOT the right thing to do, but what makes a person feel good. You need to build lots of relationship with a nervous dog before they would find your affection rewarding.

Humans are creatures of satisfaction, and it's important that we respect the needs of others and find THAT more satisfying than petting all of the time. If we love dogs, we'll do what's right (for them) and not what feels good (for us)! -Cenicero, ‪#‎dogtrainingcat‬

Letting a Dog Be a Dog

Dog Training Cat Tip of the Day: The idea of "letting a dog be a dog"

To the eye, and to how most people think dogs should behave, the saying is true enough. When a dog is chasing squirrels, digging in the yard, jumping on people, chewing stuff up, barking all the time, or dragging you around on the walk to sniff every blade of grass, many people will make excuses that he's just "being a dog."

He's being a dog without guidance from a leader. He's being a dog who doesn't know any better, because his owners have not asked him to be better. If you think about it, most people who say "dogs are dogs" typically have pretty badly behaved dogs in their life.

This doesn't mean that your dog can't have some fun doing "specifically" doggie things, but they shouldn't be ALL your dog does.

Kids are allowed to be kids on the playground, but not in the library or (shouldn't be) at a restaurant. The same goes for your dog! There are times to be wild, but there are times to be good. Your dog's amount of polite, tuned in, and calm behavior should far out weigh the amount of "wild" behavior. Unless your dog is at daycare all day (or your kid is at summer camp all day) they should be making some calm choices with their day.

How would you feel if you were taking a walk with a friend and they walked ahead of you, were constantly running past you, pushing you around, or talking but never actually acknowledging you? Rude friend, right? Then why is it ok for our dogs to do it? -Cenicero, #dogtrainingcat  www.dogtrainingcat.com

Behavior Modification--It takes some time!

Behavior modification is quite a process, and when you're dealing with dangerous behavior from your dog, working with a qualified balanced training professional is your best bet to see real change in your dog. For many people the idea of leaving your dog for weeks with someone can be hard to digest, but in a lot of behavior modification situations it is truly the best way to see change. 

Your dog needs a total reboot--out of it's environment of bad behaviors, away from people who trigger emotional responses, and into a 24/7 life of structure, work, and intensive change. To change your dog's state of mind, we have to totally hit "restart" and build new behaviors in a new environment, so that your dog knows how to make different choices that he can apply to his MUCH more challenging home environment. Many dogs are stuck in a toxic cycle of behavior at home, and the best thing we as owners can do is "let them go for a while" so that a professional can give them what they need. 

Think about why drug and alcohol rehab happens somewhere else, for many weeks, with qualified professionals--because the patterns of everyday life play into addiction--just as they do to your dog's aggressive/anxious/fearful behavior. AND the key to continued success is the at home program that is strictly applied to. We are only as successful as the efforts put in afterwards :)

If you are looking for help in the Orlando area, please visit my website Www.taketheleadk9training.com. If you're elsewhere and need help, feel free to write in the comments below--I have amazing colleagues changing lives all over the country :)

Dog Training Cat Has a Tip for you!

Dog Training Cat Tip of the Day: Dogs should not be expected to tolerate hugs, kisses, and being picked up (if their small enough) by every person they meet. Many dogs need to build a relationship with someone before they feel comfortable with that kind of close interaction, and even still may not like it. Remember, as their leader we have a responsibility to do what's best for our dog. As our dog, they should be able to trust that we'll put their needs above our own. This means that even if you got a dog or puppy for the purpose of hugging and kissing , your dog may not be that kind of dog--and that is OK. They still absolutely have the ability to be a great dog, just not a great teddy bear (and dogs should not be confused as such!) You need to be a leader who understands that and adjusts your priorities for what is best for your pack. -Cenicero, ‪#‎dogtrainingcat‬

Www.dogtrainingcat.com

Nipping it in the bud!

I remember as a child being one to "push my parent's limits," especially in new situations. I'm not sure if it's because I knew they were taking into account everything going on instead of just a normal day at the house, but I seemed to like to press my luck during things out of the ordinary. For example, whenever we took a trip to a relative's house it was very easy for me to be quite the nuisance for attention because 1) we weren't at home (often on a multiple hour car ride actually) so there was no "room" to send me to and 2) my relatives would often give into my attention seeking shenanigans because they don't see me often. 

Here's the most common occurrence, if I remember clearly: Myself and my sister in the back seat whining that that we're hungry. My mom has packed plenty of snacks in the car for us, but since we are on the road WE felt like we should be eating glorious fast food (we rarely ate fast food except for when we traveled). So, the chorus went something like this (in the most annoying kid voice you can imagine): "Hungryyyyyy, I want McDonald's, I want, I want, I want....blah blah blah." 

If we went to McDonald's, my sister and I got what we wanted and my parents reinforced that we can do all of that and get what we want.

When my parents ignored me, I would get louder (did they HEAR me????) and more annoying. 

When my mom would try and negotiate with me ("Honey, there are apples in the cooler") my whines would get even more desperate for "real food" and "how that isn't lunch." I would continue to harp at my parents in the front seats. Negotiation wasn't the answer.

It wasn't until a consequence was laid down (a believable one, because when my dad said it he meant it and did it!) that I would shut my trap. For us, we were outdoorsy children, and one of our favorite things to do when we visited my grandmother was go to a local wildlife state park and look at the wolves and foxes. So when our chorus of annoying noise wouldn't stop, my dad would say: "If you don't stop whining, we will not visit Reflection Riding the whole trip and you will stay in the house the whole time." And that was all it took--we shut up! In the past we'd thought we'd play the game and keep whining to see what happened, and he'd right away say "Ok, I told you. We're not going." We didn't get to do a thing we wanted, because my dad was serious and consistent about his consequences. My sister and I learned quickly to cut it out if he told us to, and when we started our whine games on future trips he quickly gave us our options and didn't wait until we were screaming! 

When your dog is about to start with pushy, attention seeking, and complaining whining behavior, save yourself and your dog some time by nipping it in the bud and interrupting/correcting it at the start. When your dog understands there is consequence for the behavior, they quickly learn that all of "that" is not how you get what you want. It's better for you to address the nonsense quickly and consistently at the first moments of the behavior, because the longer you negotiate or ignore it, the harder and longer they are "working it" (making it much harder to stop)! They have been conditioned over time to think that's what works, and that you've never really stopped them before, so why should they believe you are now? The quicker and more consistently you disagree with those behaviors and stop the escalation, the more consistently your dog will not push those buttons. Owners, kids, dogs, and parents are all much happier when the whining is done! :)

Anxiety is not comfortable!

A dog restless with anxiety is not comfortable. Anxiety takes many forms, such as obsessive barking, pacing, jumping, licking, and the general inability to be still. It also can manifest its self in aggressive behaviors due to the presence of anxiety in combination with an entitled personality due to spoiling and pampering, and the lack of a boundaries set by a believable leader. These anxious dogs think they have to be in charge and make all of the important descicons in life (because their human isn't fulfilling that need), which stresses them out more because quite obviously they are very bad at making those choices, (since most descicons involve bad behavior). 

Don't let your dog fall into a toxic battle of anxiety and stress due to lack of leadership, structure, and boundaries--be the leader they need so you can have the dog you wanted :)