Best Dog Training

Today I am going to teach you something that I have been using over the years to work through problem behaviors. It’s a three-step method to problem solving that will help you to isolate the cause(s) of your dogs behaviors and find a solution.

The best way to do this is to take a sheet of paper and a pen or pencil and write the three words below.

Problem
Cause
Solution

Give yourself enough space between them to write your thoughts on each. Start by identifying the problem. When you look at a problem behavior don’t look at it with a superficial glance think about what’s really going on. Take the example of Jumping, is it excited jumping when your dog goes to greet someone new or is it jumping to get your attention? Try and identify the actual problem.

Now look at the different things that could be causing the problem. In the case of jumping on guests is it the fact that your guest is encouraging your dog to jump up by patting their chest or getting overly excited? Maybe your dog trying to get your attention because when you come home you’re not spending some time after walking in to give him the attention he needs after not seeing you all day.

Now for the fun part, coming up with a solution. This is going to depend on your experience base because the more experience you have in training dogs the more things you will have tried successfully that you can go back to. Remember to stick with basics and use the corrections that your trainer outlined during your program first. Then in the example of a dog jumping on a guest that is encouraging that behavior your next step would be to educate that person on why what they are doing is causing your dog to behave badly. Maybe in the case of a dog trying to get attention at the wrong time you might spend 5 minutes playing with your dog when you first come in and then take care of the kids or work until you have some more time for fun.

Try this for yourselves and see what a difference it can make in taking care of your dog problem behaviors.

Service Dog Owners are Ambassadors in Their Communities

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 08:34:55 -0500

As we continue to train dogs as Service Animals I am continually amazed at what passes for common sense in our society. Business owners, managers, security guards and even the general public upon seeing a disabled person with a service dog seem determined to violate that person’s rights.

It’s a shame yes, but it’s also growing problem. You see as more people use Service Animals there will undoubtedly be more cases of abuse on both sides.

I had a conversation with a woman a few months ago that is a perfect example of the kind of abuse on a dog owner’s part that I’m talking about. This woman calls and says she wants her dog trained as a Service Dog. The odd thing was she ended that request with “So I can take him on a plane with me.” I asked everyone who calls about service work to tell me a bit about their disability so that I can help determine their needs. You can understand my anger one this woman tells me “I don’t have a disability. I’m 85 and I run every day.” Well, stupid you don’t need a service dog need to take a course on ethics.

On the other side of this problem is a clueless manager/owner/patron who, upon seeing a service dog, feels it’s their civic duty to banter the owner about his disability.

So what’s the solution to all this nonsense? Well, as a service dog owner you are also an ambassador of sorts. You may be the first Service Dog handler someone has ever encountered. They may ask you questions, they may challenge you, but like most ambassadors you will need to be gracious and help educate them about why a Service Animal so important to you and your quality of life.

Here is a list of things to keep with you that will help you protect your rights and educate those around you. This list is a merely recommendation; the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) does NOT require you to carry any of these items while public with your Service Animal:

Printed ADA revised Requirements
Doctor’s prescription of your need of a Service Animal. This may or may not specify your specific medical need
Identification, Photo ID to show your dog is a Service Animal and you are the handler
Updated shot records showing your Service Dog is current on all required vaccines

You may have never considered yourself an ambassador and you might be frustrated that you have to endure many questions regarding your condition and Service Animal. Remember, every time you set the proper example and teach others about life with a Service Dog you are making life easier for the next generation of Service Dog owners. Consider it a “thank you” to your dog for how he has helped you.

Saying Goodbye to Your Beloved Dog

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 08:33:05 -0500

Just a quick glance through a google search will bring up a great variety of pet urns. Some of them are quite beautiful and are a deep and meaningful way of remembering the pet that brought you so much happiness and joy. Some people prefer a proper grave at a pet cemetery instead of an urn.

On a recent radio program a lady spoke about the loss of her friend’s dog to snake bite. She said they were planning on scattering the dog’s ashes at its favourite beach. There was going to be more than just the family members at this event.

I wonder what other ways people have used to make the passing of their beloved pet one that honours the relationship they shared.

I always fancied having my dog’s ashes buried with me when my time comes but my family would have to ask permission for this to happen. I suppose this raises other questions as to human / pet burials.

What unusual ways have you heard or experienced where people have said goodbye to their pet? Or do you have something special planned already?

Prong Collars are illegal and for VERY good reason!

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 08:31:47 -0500

I had to ask a client to remove prong collar at training. I was devastated that this person could even think of using it on his dog - which is under 12 months. He claimed they weren’t illegal and that he could purchase one at a big name pet store in Melbourne (I won’t name it). I understood that they were illegal. Either way they are a cruel and pointless way of training a dog. It will only learn what not to do and will become aggressive. I suggested he look at doing more motivational obedience and I insisted it be removed from the dog immediately.

Many people are naturally against them but there are a few that believe in the rhetoric of old-school trainers that believe it’s important to dominate and control a dog. These ideals are not only extremely out dated but are completely false. Dogs are social creatures that want to be part of the family and they are more than willing to allow you to do all the work! Whoever is alpha is in charge of food, mating, housing and generally security. Most dogs are happy for us to do all that work for them (leaving the mating to one side, of course!) And who could blame them!

Your dog wants you to be a cool, calm, confident leader. If you inflict pain on your dog you become untrustworthy and irrational in your dog’s mind. This will lead to the dog becoming more aggressive and mentally unstable: As is the case with our own species.

This was provided by one of our Facebook followers:

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2008 Regulatory Impact Statement - Department of Primary Industries 6.1.4

USE OF PRONGED COLLARS The use of pronged collars on an animal is currently prohibited in Victoria. When this regulation was introduced in 2004, the Minister stated that “it has nothing to do with training but a great deal to do with brutality. Most dog training and animal welfare organisations do not support the use of these devices in the legitimate training of dogs.” Pronged collars have a metal chain with inward facing prongs. When the owner pulls on the leash the prongs pinch the skin, proponents of the collar claim it mimics the nip a mother will give a pup to correct its behaviour. These collars work on the basis of repetitive aversive corrections and have a high potential for misuse with serious welfare implications.

While pronged collars are currently prohibited in Victoria, there are a small number of dog trainers and owners seeking to have this ban repealed. Under the current ban those affected are mainly persons with large dogs, which they have trouble controlling on a lead or dogs that pull or lunge on the lead. There is general support for a continued ban of these collars, including from the AVA and Dogs Victoria.

Huckleberry King Update: Taking On Diabetes Awareness Month!

Sat, 27 Feb 2016 08:29:39 -0500

It is Diabetes Awareness Month (November), which also means the busy holiday season is upon us! What does this mean for diabetes alert dogs and other service animals?

Because service dogs go everywhere with their handlers, it is vital that they are trained to stay focused, managing distracting crowds no matter where they go. That’s one reason Michael King and Huckleberry have been working hard, playing and training together, to prepare for all of the hustle and bustle of the shopping season.

HERE they are practicing their public access work at their local mall! Even at 9 years old, Michael knows that practice makes perfect. By training ahead of time, Huckleberry will be ready to take on life with him, even during the happy holiday seasons!

Not only that, Michael and Huckleberry have more than just the holidays to be thankful for! Their hard work has been paying off: With the help of their certified instructor Brandi Jones, Huckleberry is now alerting Michael of his high and low blood sugar levels! Although they are working on taking away his verbal command and making the response automatic, this barely one year old Golden Doodle is well on his way to being Michael’s very own diabetes alert dog!

In light of Thanksgiving, another very special thank you to Dr. Judy Genshaft and JDRF for providing Michael King and Huckleberry with this life changing program!