training tips

The Leash

Posted on June 30, 2020 by discoverydog1

I have found myself saying this even more frequently here lately, so I thought I would expound upon it in a post:

The leash may be the most underutilized puppy training tool.

Now, there are several really important training tools for puppies and dogs alike – the crate being the other potentially most important that comes to mind – but I find the leash is horribly underused indoors.

Yep – INDOORS.

Your puppy runs off behind the couch to pee.
Your puppy steals your shoes out of the closet and chews them.
Your puppy bites at your legs as you walk down the hallway.
Your puppy runs away from you or hides in unsafe places where you can’t reach.
Your puppy launches at other members of the family (usually kids) whenever it is given the opportunity.

In each of the above scenarios, a leash worn indoors, and possibly even tethered to you, could have either prevented or significantly mitigated the issue. Now, your crate plays a large role in the above as well, but your pup can’t live in a crate all day every day – nor would you want him to!*

When your puppy is out of its crate, it should be 100% supervised until it is old enough/mature enough/trustworthy enough to be given a little freedom. The easiest way to do this and still be able to do some things around your house? A LEASH.

Need to do laundry and take care of your pup? Tether your leash to your belt and have the puppy follow you from room to room, to the laundry room, and then lay calmly next to you or chew a bone while you fold it. Use the “Sit on the Dog”** exercise often.

Want to allow your pup some freedom but know he’s likely to grab a shoe and run under the bed? (First of all, if that’s a big issue, maybe freedom isn’t the answer.) Let your pup drag a leash so that when he dives under the bed, you can just grab the end of the leash to retrieve him safely and end the “game” of stealing and chewing.

Now, don’t let your puppy drag around a $50 custom leather leash that you hope to use with him as an adult. That just begs for trouble. Go buy a cheap little nylon leash – something easily replaceable if you forget to watch your pup for a moment and he chews through it. If your pup is a horrible chewer, you may even want to get a thin metal line to start. And bonus, for pups who really hate leash walking, this is part of getting them used to the idea in the environment that is the most comfortable and familiar to them.

People are always amazed that I was able to raise Tucker, my Labrador, without loosing any items to puppy teeth. This method is how I did it. You wouldn’t leave a little baby alone in a room with no direction, protection, or supervision – so why would you do that with your puppy?

In this photo, I am using a leash to control Tucker’s movements as he meets my friend Suzie’s dog, Apache. This kept Tucker from 1) jumping all over Apache if he got excited or 2) running away and practicing “flight” if he was scared. This allowed me to have a lot of control over the situation and help walk Tucker through the appropriate behaviors and reactions.

*Puppies DO need a fair amount of structured rest in their crate. Most puppies need to be getting 18-20 hours of sleep a day, and the crate is the best way to make that happen.

**Sit on the Dog – essentially placing the leash under your foot close to your puppy and just standing on it until your puppy settles into a sit or down. Only give the pup as much leash as it needs to stand next to you – no more. If your puppy flops around a little, it’s okay. Most will settle quickly next to you when they realize it’s the only option. Start creating a “coffee shop mentality” early with your dog.

Categories: Blog, dog training, freedom, Puppy, training tips | 3 Comments

Dogs and Social Distancing – Keep it Up!

Posted on March 25, 2020 by discoverydog1

Most of us simply cannot wait for this “social distancing” stuff to be over.

But what if your dog is enjoying it?

Now, I’m not referring the time you’re spending at home (although your dog very well may be enjoying that, too). I’m talking about social distancing on your walks and in public spaces.

Allow me to explain:

I recently had the pleasure of attending Nelson Hodges’ Relationship Based Behavior Modification workshop. As often happens to me at workshops, I learned how to verbalize and put words to something that I may have noticed, but hadn’t yet defined in a repeatable way. Allow me to use that information to frame this discussion.

Anti-Social – dogs who are against interactions with others
A-Social – dogs who are indifferent about interaction
Social – dogs who desire interactions on their own terms – usually pushy and rude
Pro-Social – dogs who use proper interaction as part of a social unit – their actions benefit the group

Here’s the thing folks – only the dogs in category 3 – Social – are upset about social distancing right now. The other dogs are saying, “hallelujah, strangers are staying out of my space!”

I’ve seen meme after meme from dog trainers about how nice the social distancing is at the park – because it’s keeping us and our clients from being bombarded by well meaning, but uneducated, people.

Let me speak to the owners of the “Social” dogs for a moment. I know it breaks your heart when you have to tell you super ooey-gooey labrador puppy that he can’t just run up and say hello to every person and dog he sees at the park.* But guess what? I say this with love – it isn’t about him. It’s about the shy dog who doesn’t like strange dogs rushing up into her space. It’s about the owner who is working hard to reduce her dog’s leash reactivity and is trying hard to prevent an explosion. It’s about the owner who has a pro-social dog who has no problem with you or your dog, but knows that face to face leashed greetings with strange dogs often end poorly.

Socializing doesn’t mean you have to touch, wrestle, lick, or be within so many feet of another dog. Socializing is getting out and seeing the world – taking in the sights, sounds, smells, and doing so in a responsible way.**

So maybe, just maybe, our social distancing practice during this pandemic can encourage some of you to really analyze your behavior out in public with your dog. Are you the person who asks every dog who walks by to say hi? Are you the person who always says, “but my dog is friendly!” without ever pausing to consider the feelings of the other person or dog? If so, I would ask you to consider trying to see the world from the other owner and dog’s perspective. Try to practice respectful distancing when this is all over. Am I suggesting you should never ask to pet a puppy at the park again? Not necessarily. But you should be willing to graciously accept a “no” if the owner/trainer doesn’t want to participate, and you should DEFINITELY stop forcing attention and interaction on the people and dogs who don’t care for it.

*Training tip – the folks who let their puppy spend the first several months doing whatever they want at the park, and saying hi to everyone all the time, are the ones who call me between 6-8 moths old and say, “my dog just can’t focus and he pulls me towards every dog and person in the park!” Guess what, you accidentally taught your dog that this is exactly how the park works and what he’s supposed to do! It’s okay to set boundaries early and show your puppy that the park is about the two of you getting out and having a great time – not about seeing how many people and dogs you can rush up to and smother with kisses. There are times and ways in which saying hi is appropriate – but it has to be done responsibly and within reason.

**We fully support supervised, guided playtime/social time at daycares and boarding facilities where the staff are not only supervising, but stepping in and teaching the dogs what Pro-Social behavior looks like and how to read the body language of the other dogs involved. There is a big difference between an off leash scenario like this and randomly walking head on at another leashed dog out in the park.

Photo just for attention – and because they’re adorable. Our dogs, Ellie and Tucker, with Search and Rescue dogs Sabre and Reign.

Categories: Behavior, Blog, dog health, dog training, Dogs and COVID-19, Fearful dogs, leash laws, owner encouragement, Puppy Socialization, Rescues, training tips | 2 Comments

COVID-19 and Crate Rest

Posted on March 22, 2020 by discoverydog1

If your schedule hasn’t been affected by COVID-19, aka Coronavirus, then you are in the minority. We have many friends who are trying to figure out new schedules for themselves, their employees, and their children.

But what about your dog?

Many folks won’t realize that these changes may be affecting their dog until a negative behavior begins or occurs. Dogs love structure and schedules, so as you make your plans for creating a new normal over the next few weeks, don’t forget to include the dog!

We’re all basically on two weeks of “crate rest” – so don’t forget to give your dog crate rest*, too! Most adult dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day. Puppies under 10 months old need to be closer to 18-20 hours! When we disrupt our normal schedules, it is very easy for our dogs to miss out on their normal nap times and rest periods and become anxious, grumpy, or otherwise off their normal.

You have permission to crate your dog even if you are working from home.

Let me say that again – you have permission to crate your dog even if you are working from home.

If your dog is struggling with finding a new normal, help him out by keeping his sleep pattern as close to his previous normal as you can. Schedule naps, play, training, and feeding times. You’re the human – it’s your job to advocate for your dog and help him navigate your world. And sometimes, that means putting him down for a nap whether he likes it or not.

I can already hear some folks saying, “But my dog goes crazy if I crate him while I’m home!” This is exactly why we encourage our clients to practice utilizing their crate for a variety of circumstances and at different times of the day. Normally, we encourage this habit because of the potential of a medical reason on the dog’s part for unexpected crate rest (kennel cough, surgery, pulled muscles, etc), but today, we can add “just in case you get stuck working from home during a pandemic” to the list.

If your dog struggles with being crated while you’re home, try some of the following:

Begin feeding your dog his meals in his crate.
Make sure your dog is getting adequate exercise – we’re talking planned and purposeful exercise, not just “walking around and barking at birds out the window.” Go for a walk (6 ft way from other humans, of course), play structured fetch, paper plate recall, or any number of other structured activities that use both your dog’s body and brain. (Your training homework can also count here – hint, hint!)
Cover the crate – for some dogs, seeing everything going on outside the crate is just too hard and they settle better with a blanket over the kennel.
If covering the crate isn’t helping, move the crate to a central location so you can provide feedback more easily – treats and/or release from the crate for good/quiet behavior, verbal reminders or crate pops for poor behavior. Rinse and repeat in small increments.
Allow the dog to have special edibles or toys while in the crate – and in the crate only! Make the crate a desirable place to be. (Please be sure to only provide edibles or toys that are safe, especially for unsupervised use.)

To be clear, the concept of making sure your dog has adequate rest applies in a wide variety of circumstances, not just during a pandemic.

The nature of our work and schedules means that our dogs, Tucker and Ellie, are very accustomed to having a slightly different schedule most days. At the moment, however, we are practicing down time and crate rest because we have ended up with a foster dog in the house. Even at 9 years old, this dog needs the rest and downtime because she was an only child until three days ago. As she navigates her new world, new people, new siblings, it’s important to be sure that we aren’t asking her to do all of that with a low battery. So right now, as I write this, she’s crated and her crate is covered to encourage her to take some deep breaths, nap a little, and give her space to process. She’s doing well so far, but it’s our job to be sure that we do everything we can to set her up for success.

Daisy – 9 year old Weimaraner

*If your dog is able to rest well without a crate, modify the advice to fit a dog who can rest on his “place” or in a particular area of your home.

Categories: Behavior, Blog, crate training, dog training, Dogs and COVID-19, owner encouragement, Rescues, training tips | 4 Comments

Leash Laws – They Aren’t Just About YOU!

Posted on April 12, 2018 by discoverydog1

This one is going to step on some toes – sorry folks!

I often hear people explain their choice to have their dogs unleashed in public/leash-required areas by saying, “My dog is super friendly – he won’t hurt anyone!” I’ve also heard, “He doesn’t go too far, and he almost always comes when I call.”

These individuals assume that the leash law is just for them – and that because their dog is friendly or usually comes when called that the law is irrelevant to them. Friends, this simply isn’t the case. Nearly every week, I hear my clients complain about off leash dogs who run up on their leashed dogs. And here’s the thing – most of these client dogs ARE REACTIVE. Dogs who are aggressive or fearful do not need your happy-go-lucky pup running up into their faces – no matter how much of a social butterfly your pup may be!

I have clients who have worked extremely hard to improve their dog’s behavior, but they are still nervous about going to our local Greenway because of the large number of off leash dogs who show no obvious training or manners. That is simply unacceptable.

Listen folks, I get it. Most of you don’t have large yards to let your dogs run and we only have one dog park (which I hear negative reviews on regularly) in the area. Regardless, it doesn’t give you the right to ignore a law or rule that has been put in place not only to protect other dogs and people, but your dog as well! If you need to practice obedience at a distance, or even play a small game of fetch, why not use a lightweight long line to make sure you remain in control?

Please, respect your fellow dog lovers and keep your dog leashed where required – especially when that area is a high traffic area. Remember that some of the dogs you see at the Greenway have been attacked by off leash dogs – and they are still affected by that fear and anxiety!

Fall 2017 – I needed to work on off leash obedience with Beau, but since we were at the Greenway, I used a green parachute cord as my long line to make sure we were still being respectful of other patrons. Choosing a material that blends in and isn’t heavy helps simulate an off leash environment.

Categories: Aggressive Dogs, Behavior, dog health, Dog Parks, dog training, Fearful dogs, freedom, leash laws, training tips | Tags: Aggressive Dogs, boone nc, Dog Parks, dog training, dogs, parks, training tips | 1 Comment

Freedom is Earned

Posted on April 4, 2018 by discoverydog1

In my domain, my dogs have always earned freedom. What does that mean?

It means that before Tucker earned unsupervised free run of the whole house, he had to show good unsupervised behavior in my bedroom.

And before he earned unsupervised free run of my bedroom, he had to show good partially supervised behavior in my bedroom.

And before he earned partially supervised behavior in my bedroom, he stayed in his kennel when I wasn’t able to watch him – because that was the safest place for him (and my stuff).

It would surprise most people to know that Tucker was not left outside of his kennel if I wasn’t home until he was somewhere between 2-3 years old. Why? Because I knew his kennel was safe, and when he was an adolescent, I didn’t 100% trust him not to stick his head in a trashcan or steal some kleenex.

I have received numerous calls, emails, and text messages from folks who have provided their dog (usually a puppy) with too much freedom too fast. Young dogs are like children – they get distracted, they “forget” rules, and they are easily tempted. You shouldn’t feel guilty for limiting your dog’s unsupervised freedom – it can save you money and your dog injury! I have heard of dogs destroying couches, digging through walls, and even ingesting foreign objects – all because they were trusted too soon.

But here’s the reality folks – as you begin providing freedom, you may have great success for a while and then your puppy does something very “puppy.” So what then? Just like a parent with an unruly teenager, it’s okay to take freedom AWAY again for a time until you feel it can be handled appropriately again.

Exhibit A:

Ellie just turned a year old this past Saturday. She’s a firecracker, so she has not been given much freedom yet. It’s only been in the past few months that she’s even been trustworthy enough to leave in the living room while I walk down the driveway to get the mail. Lately, she had been showing much improved maturity – so the hallway gate blocking off half the house was used less frequently and fewer doors were closed when she was out of her kennel.

This morning I took a phone call from a client. I didn’t realize that Ellie was no longer in sight until the call ended – less than 10 minutes. I found her ripping up Tucker’s bed in the back room. So what now?! We’ll take away some freedom – we’ll spend a while using the gate again and closing more doors – and when she has gone a while without an incident, we will slowly begin providing more freedom again.

Restrictions and boundaries aren’t mean folks – they’re a safety net for you AND your dog. Don’t feel guilty – feel in control!

Categories: Behavior, Chewing, crate training, dog training, Ellie the Warrior Princess, freedom, kennel, owner encouragement, Puppy, training tips | Tags: boone nc, dog trainer, dog training, dogs, puppies, Puppy, puppy messes, puppyhood, stress management, training tips | Leave a comment

You Matter!

Posted on January 31, 2018 by discoverydog1

Yes, you!

You matter. You are important. And, dare I say it, you are more valuable than your pet.

I know this concept is taboo in today’s society, but I believe it to be true. Our society has taught us to believe that our dog’s happiness far exceeds the value of our own. I simply do not agree. Yes, we should care for our animals and ensure that they have proper food, water, shelter, medical attention, and socialization (and training!). That does not, however, mean that they get to rule the home and do whatever they please at your expense.

I have several clients who start to look anxious at the very mention of going to the park. They’ve had so many horrible experiences because of their dogs’ behavior that they experience a stress trigger just thinking about it. Even the ones who aren’t experiencing that level of stress usually say, longingly, “I just want to be able to go to the park again.”

While there are always exceptions to the rule, I have found that these dogs can typically make vast improvements with a little boundary setting and self-control. In the image below, you will see my Labrador, Tucker, and a client’s dog, Archer, walking side by side at the Greenway. We did a few lessons at my shop and then ventured to the park. Archer’s owner had become very wary of taking him out as he had become very dog reactive and somewhat aggressive. While at the park, Archer not only walked happily with his new buddy, Tucker, but was able to pass by other client dogs we ran into with much more composure. It was the first time in a long time that his owner had felt in control enough to walk him around other dogs.

Tucker and Archer walk side by side at the park.

Interestingly enough, while checking out kennels in my area this month, I saw Archer and his brother at a boarding facility. Upon telling the kennel owner that I knew him and why, she said, “I just told his owner yesterday that he’d been so much better behaved this time. Now I know why!” Boundary setting and teaching self-control can have an effect on so many areas of your dog’s life – and can reduce the anxiety that is often the root of the poor behavior.

So, don’t disregard your own happiness and quality of life. If your dog is making you miserable – do something about it! Don’t let our society tell you that setting boundaries and rules makes you a bad owner. We always want to treat our dogs humanely and with respect, but that doesn’t mean letting them run the show at your expense. Yes, your dog matters – but YOU matter, too!

Our dogs are going to have bad days and they’re going to do ridiculous things at times, but that doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t still be enriching your life. If you’re stressing more than laughing, find a trainer and make a change. [Picture – me laughing after one of puppy Tucker’s “oops” moments – 2012 – photo credit Beth Anne Ho.]

Categories: Aggressive Dogs, Behavior, dog training, owner encouragement, training tips | Tags: boone nc, dog training, dogs, owner encouragement, parks, stress management | Leave a comment

Common Puppyhood Injuries

Posted on January 31, 2018 by discoverydog1

Puppies, like children, often get sick or have accidents. And while some of these sicknesses and accidents are unavoidable, there are some things we can do as owners to attempt to reduce visits to the vet.

The AKC recently published an article about the top puppy injuries they see come through their insurance program (yes, doggie health insurance is now a thing). You can read the full article by Clicking Here.

Two of the five most common items they discuss are ear infections and ingestion of a foreign body.

In Puppy Preschool, we discuss the importance of first aid and proper grooming, which includes regularly checking your puppy’s ears and knowing how to properly clean them when they become dirty. Some breeds are more susceptible to ear infections than others, such as breeds with floppy ears and/or a lot of hair in the ear canal. Ear infections can be quite painful, and at times costly, so it’s important to utilize preventative strategies when possible. Even so, ear infections can still occur, so owners would do well to familiarize themselves with the early symptoms so they can receive medical treatment before the infection worsens.

Anyone who has ever owned a puppy also knows that they explore the world with their mouths. That means that anything within a puppy’s reach is often fair game for mouthing and/or ingesting when unsupervised. Puppies can often make quick work of certain household objects, so best practice is to crate your puppy when it is unsupervised. If you are crate training properly and helping your puppy understand that the crate is his safe space, crating him should not cause undo stress. Even if your puppy doesn’t love the idea of going in his crate while you go to work or run an errand, his safety (and the safety of your belongings) should still be prioritized over his feelings. As the mature adult, it’s your job to make decisions for him – he’s just a baby!

Even diligent owners who move objects to higher ground and utilize a crate can still find themselves with a puppy who has ingested a foreign object. While some objects may pass through your puppy’s digestive tract without causing harm, other objects can either leech toxins or become stuck along the way. When in doubt, call your veterinarian. He or she may want to take x-rays to identify and locate the object in order to create an appropriate treatment plan.

Don’t forget that “all natural” objects can become a problem, too! Puppies who swallow large chunks of wood, rocks, or even large nuts could end up with a digestive issue. Supervision is always key!

Categories: dog food, dog health, dog training, Puppy, training tips | Tags: boone nc, Discovery Dog Training, dog food, dog health, dog training, dogs, puppies, Puppy, puppy health, puppyhood, training tips | Leave a comment

Accidental Training

Posted on November 8, 2017 by discoverydog1

Ordinarily, when you think about your dog learning a new behavior, you think about actual training – specific, planned instruction to elicit the response you want.

What few people realize is that your dog is constantly learning – not just when you’re actively teaching. Dogs are masters of association. Have you ever marveled at how your dog sometimes seems to know what you’re planning to do next before you do? For example – I pick up the dog toys in our living room each time before I vacuum. Well, as soon as I start putting toys away, Tucker goes to his bed to get out of the way and prepare for the entrance of the vacuum cleaner – and the vacuum isn’t even out of the closet yet.

This same principle is at work when we teach “auto” commands. If you habitually ask your dog to sit as you approach a cross walk, odds are high that he will eventually start sitting at cross walks before you even ask. He has learned that certain actions from you warrant a certain response from him.

Because dogs are creatures of habit, love associations, and pay attention to every little detail, it can be very easy for us to “accidentally” train behaviors. Allow me to give you a funny example.

When Ellie was a small pup, I didn’t trust her to be out of my sight for more than three seconds. She was notorious for getting into things and even more likely to have an accident in the house – housebreaking was not an easy task for her. I spent a lot of time with her corralled in the living room so I could sit on the couch and work on my computer while still monitoring her playtime. Well, when I needed go to the bathroom, I would pick her up and take her with me to the closest one, our guest bathroom. As she got a little bigger, but still no less mischievous, I would entice her to come into the bathroom with me with a toy. At the time, my only thought and concern was that if she was closed in the room with me, I would at least be able to see if she had an accident instead of missing it and stepping on a spot of soggy carpet later in the living room.

Fast forward several months. Ellie is now more trustworthy and no longer has accidents in the house. And yet, nearly every time I walk into our guest bathroom, regardless of where she is and what she’s doing, she follows me! Without meaning to, I convinced Ellie that when I go into our guest bathroom, she is required to come with me. Now, she is a shepherd, which means her desire to keep an eye on me is fairly high. So, how do I know that the behavior is accidentally trained and not just a virtue of her breed? She only does it with our guest bathroom – never the master bath.

As she gets older and the behavior isn’t reinforced, it will likely fade. But for the time being, she seems very convinced that I either need moral support or a bodyguard when I go to the guest bathroom!

Ellie’s example is a funny one, but sometimes, we can accidentally train behaviors that we don’t like. As you’re evaluating your dog’s behavior and trying to figure out how to stop a certain action, ask yourself if you may have accidentally taught it or still be reinforcing it – it might give you some insight into how to fix it!

This is Ellie’s self-appointed “spot” when she follows me to the bathroom.

Categories: Behavior, dog training, Ellie the Warrior Princess, Puppy, training tips | Tags: boone nc, dog trainer, dog training, dogs, Puppy, training tips | 1 Comment

How Many Lessons?

Posted on August 23, 2017 by discoverydog1

How long will it take to train my dog? How many lessons will I need?

I get this question almost every time I meet with a new client. And it’s a valid question – people want to know how much time and money is going to be required for their dogs to reach their goals.

My typical answer is this: It’s up to you and your dog.

Every person is different. Every dog is different. Every situation is different.

And yet, I think I can say with relative certainty that those who consistently put in the time and effort and do their best to maintain good training habits typically reach their goals faster.

But it takes two to tango – and your dog is the other half of the training equation. I had a client, now friend, who called me for help training her two dogs. They were not related, but both were Miniature Pinschers mixes. The same owner, using the same methods and equipment, experienced two different rates of success. Her female dog was a pleaser and very eager to learn. She figured out the “heel” command with a high level of consistency in just one lesson. Her male dog was a stubborn guy and not eager to have to follow rules. He figured out the “heel” command with some consistency after about two weeks of practice.

As the owner, your part in the equation is commitment to practice, consistency, and patience. Some dogs/breeds will learn faster/slower than others, but no dog is going to learn quickly if the owner cannot effectively take the lead in training.

Bottom line? Do your best, do right by your dog, and be patient in the process.

Ellie, June 2017

Categories: Behavior, Blog, dog training, training tips | Tags: boone nc, dog trainer, dog training, dogs, training tips | Leave a comment