The "Best Doggie Behavior" Check List! (How to get great stuff from your dog!)

Just some little tidbits I think may be helpful to my wonderful clients and those working with their pups :)

When it comes to getting great stuff from your dog:

- Be relevant to your dog by setting the tone early, and often (especially if you've got a pushy pup!) Look for little moments like thesholds or forging ahead to stop/sit/correct OR do a couple 180 degree directional changes (called tap and turns, for those familiar).

- Too Low, Too Slow! You may be underwhelming your dog and late on information - especially if you're still struggling with staying in command around distractions and not pulling/lunging on the walk.

- Just keep swinging, just keep swinging... (kind of like Dory from Finding Nemo, but instead a friendly reminder from Vic(Tori)a the Dog Trainer ;) Don't forget to swing your arms as you walk - that leash is like holding hands with your dog :)

- If your dog likes to rush, walk slow and randomize your pace. Fast walking is so easy for most dogs, slow (snail speed) with accountability for being in heel is so HARD and mentally challenging. Challenge their mind and focus, and you'll have a dog a million times more tired than miles of running.

- No barking, lunging, marking, sniffing, or pulling during the walk. Potty and sniff breaks are on your terms - constant marking and dragging their nose on the ground are huge red flags to a tuned out dog. It's a precurser to the pulling, barking, or lunging you will see the first time any sort of distraction appears. Walks are for training and leadership, and have specific sniff times based on your desicion. The more pushy/reactice your dog is the MORE important this structure to your walks is. 

-If your dog ignores you on the walk it's probably because they are doing one of these things, or are thinking about it (their leaning into the grass body language, eye balling every tree, intensely looking at people/birds/cats/dogs etc). Interrupt that stuff...it's the first step into the cycle of a not-so-great-walk. Don't wait for your dog to react, because by then you are too late - STOP the cycle at these little moments!

- Duration work is a must! Less free roaming and start influencing choices by giving direction. Hold them accountable to staying there! They don't have to be exhausted to be calm.

- Look for situations your training struggles with your dog's excitability/reactivity and set them up to practice. Turn them into training drills and repeat them often so that they arn't weaknesses anymore. Don't wait until the pizza man is at the door to address breaking place and running over there, do this 15 minutes everyday for 7 days, correcting (successfully!) breaking command/attitude issues. You neednto have meaningful conversations during these drills so that when it's actually GO time, your dog has had practice!

- Exercise and play is important, but don't let it be a free for all! It's on your terms and with respectful boundaries set - make there be rules to the games!

- If it's not polite, it's not nice! Correct (effectively...don't be too low, too slow!) pushy stuff like jumping up, charing into your space, barking for attention, pawing things, whining, crying, etc. 

- Dogs will make mistakes, but don't let that be an excuse for poor behavior.

- Address the little stuff, so you won't have the big stuff. If your dog is acting out, ignoring you, tuning you out, etc. that means you are missing little moments that are the difference between success and failure.

- Be equal in your affection and direction. (To be honest, no one really does this well...affection always seems to weigh larger than direction...even if you are trying to do this!) If you are still struggling with your dog and their behaviors, it's time to cut way back on affection. It's not forever, but until your dog truley takes you seriously.

- Work smarter, not harder - once your dog is trained, it's time to hold them accountable! If you're busting butt with your dog everyday, do you find yourself moving in the right direction? If not it's time to reassess your approach.

- Know and respect your dogs limits, while still aspiring for them to be better.

- Every dog will not like every person or dog. That's ok! Advocate for your dog by helping them feel safe, while also holding them to a level of expectation of polite behavior.

- They're dogs, not furry children (as much as we wish they were). They are apex predators living in our home - don't forget what they are capable of and don't set your family up to struggle by not teaching them how to behave. They have teeth, prey drive, strong bodies, and a natural instinct to assess, adapt, and survive in their current environment. Will they be following your rules or theirs?

- If you don't teach them what to do, they won't know what is right or wrong. Train them, don't blame them.

- Be consistent - every time. Set boundaries, and stick to them. That goes for the whole family!

- Be firm while being fair. Nothing in life is free. Be the leader your dog needs, and have the dog you've always wanted.

- Training never truley ends, however if you put in some hard work (physically and emotionally) at the start for the sake of your relationship and their behavior (for 3 months, 6 months, a year or three) you can have an amazing companion for life. 

- Have fun! This is a journey and bonding experience for both (or for some - ALL) of you 🖒🐕❤

He was a rescue: Why your dog wants you to stop talking about the past!

One of the biggest things we see in the dog behavior profession is a struggle for people to move past a dog's history. Often times, the story behind a dog becomes a huge part of how a dog is treated in the present. The truth is, your dog needs you to move on from their past so they can, too!

It's human nature to have a huge heart for animals, and particularly for those that have had a rough situation in their life. I want to be the first to say that I do not want to discredit any of the struggles that these animals have gone through, prior to coming to their new home, BUT they are no longer in that situation! The worst thing for anyone who has been through a tramatic event is to continue to talk about it and relive it - and unfortunately, with many dogs in rescue that is exactly what is happening. The dogs may not understand the English we are speaking, but our actions with them read loud and clear that we feel sorry for them.

What I mean by that, is that often times we accommodate and stay very soft emotionally and boundry-wise with these dogs. A dog who we will give free roam of the house, furniture, our personal space, no rules of the walk, no or very limited crate time, sleeping in bed, going where they want, having your attention when they want it, etc! While the intentions are good, and are coming from a place of never wanting this creature to feel stress, pain, emotional discomfort, or anything close to the unhappiness it felt before - so we don't ask much of the dog when it comes to their behaviors and choices. What often ends up happening, is that these dogs begin to develop behavioral issues in the home, unintentionally reinforced by the accommodating nature of their owners.

In the dog training industry we often hear stories of dogs (many from rescue and shelters) that were "great" in the family for a little while, but then started to act aggressively on walks (barking/lunging), growling at other people, became territorial, have seperation anxiety, fighting with or other pets, anxiously cry/whine/bark anytime they hear a car door close outside or a leaf move in the wind.

Why does this happen so often, with so many dogs? I believe it has to do with their past, but not in the way that you would think - it has to do with the fact that people have can't move past their dog's PAST and try to be the protector and friend for a dog, instead of a teacher and guide. I assure you that a dog does enjoy their owner for their softness, attention, freedom, and empowerment recieved from them as they accommodate the dog, with the desire not to stress or deny them anything ever again. BUT on the flip side, that softness (though much enjoyed) does not give a dog a sense of protection or security. Basically, they think you are great but incapable when it comes to being and advocate for your household - and there is no way that someone who has that role in their dog's life can "protect or be a source of security" when it comes to the scary things in life. So, your dog feels that not only are they concerned/broken about certain stressors in life, but their new family is too, so it is their obligation to try and keep themselves and their environment safe. Hence, the high levels of anxiety, stress, reactivity - these dogs are carrying the weight and responsibility of the world on their shoulders...and that is the complete opposite of what the owners of rescue dogs are trying to do!

Your dog wants to know that you confidently have control of the environment they are in and that they can feel safe and trust you to keep them that way. The only way to do that is by showing them, teaching them, how to live in your world - by not lingering on their past, but setting boundaries and expectations, guiding, training, and leading them like nothing ever happened. Your dog can't move on if you can't, and I bet if you could asked them, they would really really like to! Honor the dog that they are, not the story that they had :)

Less Affection Is the Key

Dog Training Cat Tip of the Day: I know we've all heard the term "let sleeping dogs lie" - the idea to not disturb a dog while it is resting, because you could startle them and when they awaken potentially bite you. Makes sense, right?

Well, can we also make a new saying "leave relaxed dogs alone" - that when a dog is in a mellow, calm, and comfortable state we don't constantly touch or pet them? I know that seems a little counterintuitive, especially if you've been told to "reward the mindset you want with praise." To be clear, this doesn't means ANYTIME your dog is calm, never pet them ever. What it means though, is that as a whole humans over praise and pet their dogs a lot, often creating a very overstimulated dog! Have you ever been tickled until you can't breathe? That's how a lot of people pet their dogs - they pet them until they get a rise out of them in the form of licking, wagging tail, whining, wiggles, or even jumping up...to many dogs, human touch means it's time to have a mental/emotional meltdown!

During training we spend a lot of time giving feedback to our dog (food, praise, verbal marker) that we like the behavior they just did...and that's super important! However, when you are working on more than just tricks or obedience commands, and you're using dog training as a gateway to having a calm family dog who isn't stressed or constantly hyper-aroused in your home, constantly petting and praising the dog is most likely not helping your cause.

Truthfully, most dogs struggle to become relaxed (due to the patterning of high arousal/stress/excitement that they are used to exhibitng at home or with you), and when they finally rest and put their head down/close their eyes, a person rushes over immediately with some verbal and physical praise. This almost immediately removes the dog from the mellow, calm state they've finally touched, and puts them into a more alert mental space (waggy tail, whining, licking, pawing, panting, constantly trying to get your attention, shaking). So, in the end, the praise is actually hurting your dog's progress more than helping!

We want the dog to know they are doing a good job, by finding the self satisfaction of a calm mind and relaxed body - acheiving a reward on their own. That feeling of relief, we can't give to them with treats or praise - that's something they have to find themselves. However, the work you are doing training them is a HUGE part of a dog finding their "zen," because you are the one encouraging them to do place command or down/stay durstion work in the first place :) They'd never slow down if you don't give them that first command, so you are a very important part of this process - calm the mind and the body will follow!

This doesn't mean you're never allowed to pet your calm dog, by the way. It's just for now :) It's for weeks, months, or however long it takes for your dog to start automatically go in "mushy mellow" mode when they lay in a Place or Down Command, and most importsntly it's when your touch doesn't take them from 1 to 100 on the arousal scale. How long will it take for your dog to achieve that? I'm not sure because it's different for everyone, but the best way to get there is by giving your dog some time to make their own calm, relaxed, endorphin-releasing mental happiness via duration work meditation :)

....and in a much simpler form, straight from the cat's mouth: Control yourself human, and quit petting your dog who has finally calmed down! 🐈-Cenicero, #dogtrainingcat

Why do we use Place Command so much?

The place command is such an important part of training for clients and dogs. Duration work (long periods on place or in a down/stay) help condition your dog to be relaxed, calm, and have powerful impulse control.

For hyper/excitable dogs, place helps them learn how to regulate energy and have an on/off switch.

For anxious dogs, place encourages relaxation and impulse control, while discouraging anxiety ridden behaviors like pacing and barking.

For aggressive dogs, place promotes a clearly set and non-negotiable boundary. Conflict cannot arise if your dog is on place and knows the rules. Fights are much less likely to happen with two dogs on separate places - guests are less likely to be bitten with a dog in place.

For pushy dogs, place provides a rule and expectation which helps owners show their dog that they are in charge. 

Place command and structure are the key to a calm home and avoiding problems, while nurturing a calm state if mind. Free roaming and too little boundaries allow dogs to make their own rules, and for many families it feeds into problem behaviors, anxiety, and/or aggression.

In a nutshell, to get maximum benefit of Place Command - ask your dog to do it often. The more often they practice being calm, the more they rewrite their bad habits!

 

 

Friendly dogs can cause injury

Did you know that injuries caused by dogs are not always a result of aggression (like a dog bite)? In fact, friendly dogs can injure people, too.

One of the first instances of a friendly dog hurting someone (that really sticks out in my mind) was back when I was a veterinary technician. We held a dog for a 10 day quarantine after it got excited, jumped up on a little girl and scratched her face,catching her lip and causing a tear that resulted in plastic surgery. Because this was an injury to the face - and in this instance particularly to a child - animal control took the incident very seriouly had the veterinary office get involved to house the dog for the 10 day rabies quarantine, which is a standard protocol with any animal injury, and also to give a behavioral assessment on the dog. It turns out he was a super sweet dog, but jumpy and easily excitable - a dog who was "overly friendly" and hurt someone because he jumped on people.

After that incident, I realized how much a dog's behavior can affect their potential to injure someone or not - and it has nothing to do with if they are a "good or bad" dog, but more to do with do they know how to behave, have believable boundaries, and consequences for actions. I know the owners of the dog in this story had most likely been telling their dog to stop jumping - probably for years - but the dog still did it! I suspect they also tried lots of things (like turning their back on the dog, asking him to sit, ignoring him, shaking a can of coins, even pushing out their knee) to see if the jumping would stop, but it never got better. Unfortunately, the reason he never stopped is simply that he did not have a consequence valuable enough to him for that action and consistency to make it stick. A conversation that mattered to him, in whatever form, that would correct the jumping was not had firmly enough or consistently enough for him to say - "ok, got it- no more jumping!" In addition, a dog like that probably didn't respect human space very much in other interactions either, like pawing for attention, climbing onto people on furniture, nuzzling and pushing into them, crowding folks as they ate, etc. All of these "pushy" things come from a lack of boundaries - and again, even if you're the friendliest dog in the world, you need to learn boundaries!

Otherwise, a friendly dog who doesn't have clear and consistent boundaries has the potential to (and these happen literally everyday!)...

- pull on the leash and could knock the handler over, breaking a wrist or arm because they saw a bird or squirrel, people, another dog, etc (this also goes for nervous dogs who are skiddish on the leash and zig zag around, tangling up the handler and knocking them over OR slipping out of their collar and running off)

- jump up and knock over a small child or elderly person causing then to break an arm, wrist, hip, or hit their head

- run out the front door and get hit by a car

- step on a smaller pet trying to play, breaking a leg or rib

- eat something in the house or out of the garbage that is not digestible and require foreign object surgery

- jump on the furniture knocking over frames, dishes, vases, etc. causing shattered glass and potential lacerations

- jump against windows and sliding doors, breaking the window and cutting themselves

- rush up to other dogs (probably dragging their owner behind them) over-excitedly and get bitten/attacked, which could actually create a fearfulness of other dogs

...and the list can go on and on. Having a well socialized and friendly dog is awesome, BUT if they are badly behaved and out of control can really get themselves and you into trouble. A little training, clear rules, set boundaries, and understanding that they are dogs (not babies!) can be the difference between including your dog in your life and enjoying it or constantly running behind them doing damage control! Be proactive, not reactive when it comes to your dog's manners and show them the rules of your world...otherwise they will make their own ;)Exercise control of your dog, in many avenues, so that they find your rules believable. If you or other people in the dog's life are not consistent with the rules and boundaries, your dog will be inconsistent, and when it's "show time" (people at the door, the front door blew open, a cat runs accross your path on a walk) there is a really good chance your dog won't listen to you. Be consistent and relevant when no distractions and excitement is going on and your rules stand a chance to matter when your dog sees something they want :)

P.S. this goes for dogs of all sizes, but especially folks getting puppies! They won't be bumbling pups for long... so please remember you're raising a dog, not a puppy and make your lives much easier :)

We're Raising Dogs, not Puppies

Oh, Puppies :) They are so cute and fun, as well as the starting point of building a well rounded dog. These little ones won't be little for long, so let's be proactive in our relationship to raise them right and into the dog you want!

Working on potty training is a no brainer for folks - everyone gets a puppy and starts working really hard on creating a routine and distinction of what time and where to potty so that they teach this growing little dog how NOT to be an adult dog using the bathroom in the house. Besides potty training, however, lots of people struggle with the blurred line of what is OK to allow behavior wise with their pup and what isn't, because we think "he's just a puppy." It's important to realize that, just like potty training, your puppy won't teach himself what to do - you have to! Puppies don't just "grow out of" puhsy behaviors.

Remember, you are actually raising a dog - not a puppy - so the behaviors you allow now are things you will continue to see as they grow up. Make sure you arn't encouraging things you don't want in an adult dog, like jumping up, nipping or biting, crying for attention, or sleeping in bed. Even things like constantly clobbering (trying to play with) the older dog in the house or chasing the cat should not be seen as endearing behaviors, but opportunities to teach your puppy the proper way to be around animals.

You are creating long standing habits for your young dog by what you do and don't allow - make sure you arn't encouraging things you wouldn't want from them as an adult dog! No puppy excuses! :)

Need help starting your new pup off on the right paw? We can help :)Visit www.taketheleadk9training.com for more information :)

Do you live farther? We have colleagues all over the country and would be happy to give you a referall - just let me know :)

A Message from Victoria

Why so many videos?

I'm sure you've noticed I constantly bombard the world with dog training videos :) I do this for a few reasons.

For one, I love letting my clients see their dogs while they are with me for training. Leaving your dog somewhere for 2-4 weeks can be really hard, so I hope that they find comfort in seeing their dog's daily progress, as well as learning a bit about their training along the way. It is a wonderful way to help people get an idea of who I am, what my programs are like, and what it will be like for their dog to stay with me. If I were going to take my dogs to someone, I would want to know as much as I could and be really curious about the process, so I try to share that glimpse daily for folks who would like to know.

But mostly, I post an obnoxious amount of educational videos and photos because I know dogs are turned into shelters everyday for behavioral issues. I know rescues are bursting at the seams with dogs, struggling for donations for training, and turning away new fosters because they are at max capacity and have no available foster homes. I know there are dogs dying in shelters everyday because they are "unadoptable" due to behavioral issues like jumping up, barking too much, being destructive, or pulling on leash (the majority of shelters are full of dogs with BAD but non-aggressive behaviors). Families that love their dogs are suffering and often at a loss - possibly making a very serious decision of surrendering their dog or worse - because their dog is out of control. The number one reason dogs are surrendered to shelters, not adopted/are returned to the shelter or rescue, and prematurely euthanized are due to behavioral issues.

I share so many videos and stories of the dogs I train, so people can see dog after dog make positive changes in their behavior with a style of training and a lifestyle that is simple, straightforward, and doesn't take months and months for success (or in many cases limited results) in the real world. I can promise you one thing - dogs in most shelters don't have months available to them to stop jumping or pulling on a leash. Moms with napping toddlers don't have months to get their dog to stop barking or knocking over the kids with excitability. Families with dogs that have aggressive behaviors like growling, biting, lunging, or fighting need help now and need to see documentation that dogs and situations like theirs can be helped (sooner than you'd think) and don't have to be given up on. Folks who have tried a training style before that didn't work need to know there are other options. I remember being a person with two fighting dogs, thinking heartbroken that "this is it, this is our life - my dogs are aggressive and one needs to be given away or put down" and then seeing dramatic videos on TV of dogs that fought, not fighting anymore. A trainer helping humans taking back control of their lives and living better with their dogs because of it - empowering people to be the human and leader their dogs need, and to become aware of ourselves to better serve our dogs.

Because of what happened for me and how seeing those changes improved our lives, I constantly want to share this stuff. I want to give other people hope and help their relationship and life with their dog, whether I ever meet you, work with you as a client, or not. I can only hope that the videos and posts I share impact someone who may be at the breaking point of taking their dog to a shelter, or have been told by other trainers and professionals to put their dog to sleep, like I was. I hope that they may feel empowered to try something (such as a new training tool, like a prong collar or quality e-collar in conjunction more balanced training approach) or work with a different dog trainer that might just help save their dog's life. I can only hope that rescues and foster homes are excited to get to work educating adopters and training their foster dogs with balanced methods and tools that will set them up for success and results in the real world. Most of all, I truly hope that someone looking for a new dog will see that rambunctious dog at the shelter and give them a chance, because they are willing to step in and share direction just as much as affection to help that dog, and the millions of others behind bars, be the amazing dogs they are. I hope that people will look at a balanced dog training lifestyle of YES and NO, with training tools that help communicate effectively, not as a last resort, but as an awesome way to begin a relationship with a new dog.

I hope my videos inspire others, who want to help dogs, share their message in such a way to impact their community, too. Education is key to helping humans live better lives with their dogs, and I can only hope that I have had an impact on at least one person, as so many others have inspired me. We all have so much to give, and so many ways to help these dogs and families.

I have a YouTube channel full of free how-to training videos. If you are struggling with your dog, I hope you find them helpful, educational, easy to follow, and fun! Www.youtube.com/taketheleadk9

If you are dealing with serious behavioral issues or are in need of a balanced trainer recommendation because you don't live in the Orlando area - let me know! I have many talented colleagues around the country who I can refer you to.

Let's make 2017 the best year for dogs and families yet! Happy #FosterDogFriday

Cause and Effect

As animals we are creatures of cause and effect - the world either tells us "yes" based on our actions or "no." Mistakes means consequences, and things that work are successes.

Dogs don't speak English (or any human language) so they speak the language of the world: does this work or not?

For instance, if a dog hassles a porcupine, they get the quills. If a dog puts paws on a hot stove, they burn their feet. If they stick their nose to far into the cat's space, they get a good smack. If a dog eats a lemon or lime, they pucker and find it sour. Most of those actions will not be repeated, because the way of the world issued consequences: if you do this, _______ happens. Dogs arn't dumb and usually get the hint pretty quickly - not needing a human to explain to them verbaly, because cause and effect shared a consequence. And (what's most important!) your dog is mentally fine, not terrified or psychology damaged due to life's correction - trust me, if your dog runs head first into a tree while it's playing and really knocks his noggin pretty good, I promise you he won't be afraid of trees but he will be more aware of where they are and his actions around them.

When it comes to inappropriate behavior with your dog, you must share a consequence if you want them to learn yes and no. Remember, they don't speak English, so you can't explain why taking things off the counter is bad, chewing up your furniture is wrong, barking at every person or dog they see needs to stop. 

Actions create results, and lack of a "no" for certain behaviors is really telling a dog "yes" you can keep doing that. Ignoring problem behaviors does not make them go away, because the dog never learns that they are wrong. As a society of verbal language, we want to talk some sense into our dogs, but they don't speak our language and in the end you are setting yourself up to fail. So, if you're having trouble with your dog and talking and ignoring behaviors arn't working, it's probably time for a new approach - particularly if your dog's behavior is becoming more and more serious, stressful, and harmful to themselves or others.