You are viewing all 'Behavior & Training entries.
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It takes a household to raise a dog. Before you even bring your new pet brought home, create a list of doggie-related household rules and tasks. Who will walk the dog? If you’re getting a puppy, who will be responsible for midnight potty breaks during the training stage? Who will take the dog to training class and be in charge of initially training new behaviors? Who is financially responsible for the dog’s care? Who will take it to the vet or the groomer?
Delineating these responsibilities before you bring your dog home will help everyone.
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Dogs will do whatever works best for them. They are opportunistic, not vindictive. They are not barking simply to make you mad, or peeing on the bedroom floor to scold you for leaving the house. Your dog’s problem behavior can now be addressed with a training plan.
There will likely be setbacks along the way, but be patient with yourself and your dog and keep working. If you need to, talk to the professional who helped formulate your training plan and tweak it where necessary. But above all, give it time. Learning is not instantaneous.
Tammy Reinarz, CPDT-KA and a Professional Member of the APDT, has been training dogs of all breeds within the Central PA area since 2005.
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Talk to a training professional you trust to figure out how to improve the situation with your dog, but remember to be realistic in your expectations. Let go of preconceived notions of what you think works, such as yelling, giving your dog a good talking to, or, of course, physical correction.
Your plan should be simple and straightforward. If you have questions, make sure you ask them. If you have doubts, tell your trainer. Write out the steps of the plan if they aren’t provided for you. Afterward, check with the professional that you got it right.
Tammy Reinarz, CPDT-KA and a Professional Member of the APDT, has been training dogs of all breeds within the Central PA area since 2005.
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I know a lot of you are dealing with dogs who charge at the end of their leashes, barking their fool heads off at every distraction in sight — dogs, cats, people, whatever. Or maybe you have a new rescue pup who quivers in fear when your in-laws arrive for a visit (hopefully you’re not feeling the same way). You might be frustrated because you’ve spent money and time on training, treats, and care, but you still have a dog that shreds the couch whenever you leave the house. If you’re despairing that you have an untrainable dog, this week’s tips are designed to encourage you to help your pup through its problems. Because you can.
Tammy Reinarz, CPDT-KA and a Professional Member of the APDT, has been training dogs of all breeds within the Central PA area since 2005. |
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Many new dog owners enroll their dogs in doggie socials at local pet supply shops. This controlled, social interaction is very good for you both. Programs in early socialization pave the way for learning how to make friends in the canine world and they allow a dog behavior specialist to observe and interpret your dog’s progress for you. But social classes are not obedience classes. If you want a dog who listens to you, and not one who just plays well with others, then you will have to enroll your dog in obedience classes. And, yes, it is true that a dog who has taken socialization classes is much more likely to be comfortable in obedience classes with other dogs.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Even though your dog can’t read a word, he could be destined to be the best teacher ever. You still have time to check out www.librarydogs.com and summer reading programs. If your dog is gentle and good with children, he or she could qualify as a Reading Therapy Dog for children who benefit from a nonjudgmental, patient listener. Sure there could be some process to get certified, but any lazy, canine with a good listening ear could make the cut. What a brilliant accomplishment!
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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It’s our last day of recommending great reads for fearful dog parents. Today’s pick is “Stress in Dogs” by Martina Scholz and Clarissa von Reinhart. Of all the books mentioned this week, Stress in Dogs is, without question, the most technical in nature. It also tends to provide less in the way of actual training/behavior modification exercises than the other books we’ve suggested, but does delve far more deeply into available research on how stress affects the body, the causes and signs of stress (in both dogs and humans), how stimulation levels increase or reduce stress, and how you might modify your dog’s lifestyle effectively to decrease overall stress levels. While this is a bit of a technical read, it is invaluable for those wanting to truly understand the mechanisms of stress on the brains and bodies of fearful dogs.
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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This week we’re talking about great reads for fearful dog parents, and another one of our picks is “Scaredy Dog! Understanding and Rehabilitating Your Reactive Dog” by Ali Brown.
Ali is a behaviorist (a pet behavior professional with an advanced degree in behavior) who specializes in rehabilitating fearful and aggressive dogs using positive reinforcement methods. Many of Ali’s reactive dog class graduates have gone on to compete successfully, some earning championships, in a variety of performance venues including agility, rally, nosework, freestyle, and conformation. At 148 pages, this relatively short read is packed full of a wide variety of training exercises, photos, and illustrations that are dog and people friendly while being extremely effective.
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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This week, all of our daily tips will be about fantastic books written to help owners of fearful dogs better understand and help their dog to overcome his fears. Nicole Wilde’s seminal book is what I call “the bible of fearful dog books.” At 432 pages, it’s a long read, but it goes into more depth on specific treatment plans, types of fears, and holistic and conventional health aids for fearful dogs than any book on the market. A must-read for professionals who work with fearful dogs and pet owners of fearful dogs!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Behavior problems like house soiling, aggression, and even hyperactivity often have medical contributing factors. Poor diet can contribute to heightened stress, disinterest in food as reinforcement in training, over-arousal, effect serotonin re-uptake, not to mention contributing to health problems. Pain is a frequent cause of aggression: if your dog is suffering from intense arthritis, she may be more likely to snap at or even bite a child who accidentally tramples a paw. When seeking assistance for a behavior problem, your trainer will likely work closely with your veterinarian – behavioral and physical wellness are intertwined!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
