Training Tips

Interrupt, Refocus, Reward

Our society, I feel, is negatively charged. We are quick to tell off our kids and children and employees, but what damage is this doing long term?

Studies have shown that if we continue to tell off children over and over without positive stimulation, the child will grow worse in it's behaviour, doing 'bad' things to get attention. I find that an interesting concept to apply to dogs too. Sometimes we come across dogs that know that peeing in the house is not acceptable, grabbing socks and shoes to play with is not allowed, and they know it has an adverse effect, however they do it, and in front of us to get our attention. We need to bring our thought process round in the opposite direction now, and I know it is more work, but it is alot more rewarding too. If something not so desirable happens, let's ignore it, Interrupt it, Refocus all that energy onto something allowed (like a special tug toy) and Reward that good behaviour with our voices. Let's try to catch Good Behaviours!

Motivation

Nothing in life is free, and everything has a consequence. Your dog's motivation can change from one minute to the next, it is my job, then yours to figure out what makes him tick. If you have (or are) the thing that motivates him most at any given time, then you win - you have his focus!

This can be, food, a toy, you, another dog, whatever. He gets a little bit of it, if he does something for you. So he is 'working' for it. It means that the habit forms of listening to you. If you can do a little everyday, it means that when it counts (off the lead for example) it's not an issue to come back, as it has been practised over and over.

Reward Pushy, Get Pushy

One of the common mistakes I see is people rewarding pushy behaviours. Let's break this down. A 'reward' is something that works. If it works, the dog will try it again, that is how habits are formed (we do the same). 'Pushy' is an undesirable behaviour. Let's take barging through doors as an example. One day a pup goes first through the door. It works, he gets to go first and his owner follows and takes him to the park. The same thing happens the next day, and the pup knows the park is coming and gets a little excited. Each day his excitement grows and he starts barking in anticipation of the door opening. The 'reward' in this case is the door opening (and heading to the park), and his 'pushy' behaviour is getting worse, he is throwing himself at the door and barking his head off, until the door is opened. The owner doesn't understand why the dog is so excited. The dog is in a frenzy, and can't hear his owners pleas of ''shhh, quietTHAT'S ENOUGH'' (indeed he might think you are joining in, rejoicing in the anticipation of the walk!). It is preventable and fixable, but it started somewhere, a little issue can get big in no time at all so be careful of what you are rewarding!

Totall Recall

Does your dog come back every time he is called? You're not alone. Most people who contact me complain about this issue, and there is a very simple explanation. The problem starts the moment you name your dog. We over use it. 'Fido come' 'Fido No' 'Fido get off' 'Fido stop it'. The moment you start using the recall (his name) negatively, then the dog has to stop, then make the desicion ''do I come back or do I stay and do this fun thing that is more interesting?''. When your dog has to think about it (and question you), then sometimes you have a recall and sometimes not. The moment he realises he doesn't have to come back, you are in trouble (or he is - dogs are notorious for making the wrong decisions). Most issues are our fault, but sometimes we have to look at them in a different light to understand what has happened. Yes the dog is choosing to stay away, but we could have done things differently from the start to convince him that coming back is something he doesn't have to think about. Remember Pavlov? He rang a bell before putting his dog's dinner down. Even when the dinner wasn't around and the bell was rung, the dog salivated... Why? Because involuntarily (without having to think about it) the dog associated the ringing bell with the dinner. Wouldn't it be great to have him not have to think about coming back?! Get in touch to find out how you can have your dog doing a totally reliable ''I'll be back'' whenever you let him of the lead.