T Touch for Scared Dogs

December 11, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Training Scared Dogs

As a dog trainer, I’m still learning about T Touch and what I’ve learned so far is truly effective with amazing results! I use these secret training tips for scared dogs everyday!

What is T Touch?

Linda Tellington-Jones developed Tellington Touch Training (T Touch) many decades ago while training nervous horses. Horses are big. They average 1,000 lbs, give or take 100 lbs depending on their size, so working with scared horses can be extremely dangerous. Instead of man handling or forcing horses, which increases anxiety, Linda thought outside the box. She created a method of reducing anxiety to calm horses so they can learn. While we throw out labels such as “aggression,” it’s important to understand aggression is a symptom of anxiety. Think about it this way: stopping a high fever does not cure the flu.

With T Touch’s tremendous success within the horse world, Linda developed protocols for dogs, cats, small animals and even people! Many years ago, I skeptically attended a T Touch workshop. As dog trainers, we’re always looking for new and effective protocols, but if T Touch worked so well why were we all not doing it? I was blown away with results! And I can’t answer why this secret training tip hasn’t taken off, but hopefully, this blog will help T Touch reach the masses. 🙂

Unleash Your Dog’s Potential: Tellington Touch

How does it work?

T Touch uses slow, rhythmic touching all over a dog’s body. Light pressure with finger tips is key. It’s the same pressure used to softly move the skin over closed eyes. “The intent of the T Touch is to activate the function of the cells and awaken cellular intelligence – a little like ‘turning on the electric lights of the body,'” cites Tellington Touch Training website. Before you scoff at this statement, Linda has a ton of research proving results. This claim has been proven with multiple animals and I’ve personally witnessed positive transformation with the scariest of dogs.

T Touch is a bit different than massage. Massaging is kneading muscles to remove pain while promoting relaxation. T Touch is teaching body awareness by using balance, touching of skin and so forth.

Will this help my dog?

Yes! T Touch will build confidence, teach dogs to self calm, prevent dogs from shutting down, prevent dogs from pulling on the leash and so on!

Take a peek at Alf’s transformation. This video demos the effect of T Touch. Alf was rescued from Michael Vick’s fighting ring and was terrified of everything, and who could blame him? You may need a tissue while watching. 🙂

Alf’s T Touch Transformation

Have you tried T Touch yet?

What to Feed Picky Dogs

December 7, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Feeding a Finicky Dog

Dog Picky Eater — Stop the madness! Tips for the pickiest eaters. edu1971/iStock

Feeding time is stressful for finicky dog owners. It’s the same routine every time. Place the food bowl down, dog walks over and sniffs his food. And just like that, dog turns and walks away. Gah. It’s gut-wrenching and time-consuming all balled into one. As a dog trainer, I’ve been there with clients and my personal dogs, and I’d like to share a few finicky dog eating tips with you!

Do you love this brand?

Choose a healthy dog food that your dog loves and then switch it up. Change dog food brands, especially protein sources, every 3-4 months. This maximizes nutritional health and keeps pesky food allergies at bay. When switching dog food, do so slowly over a 7-day period. Most dogs eat the same food everyday and dietary changes will upset their tummies.

Think of it this way: If your diet consists of bland food and you eat a bowl of spicy gumbo, well you know that feeling, right?

20 minutes to eat

Dogs thrive on routine so set and follow daily feeding schedules. When it’s feeding time, place the filled food bowl down and leave it there for 20 minutes. For multiple dog homes, section off an area for your finicky eater. This provides him plenty of time to enjoy his meal and keeps pushy dogs at bay. You would be amazed how powerful a pushy dog’s glare can be for finicky eaters. After 20 minutes, pick up his bowl.

I know, I know, you’ve heard, “Pick up the food bowl after 20 minutes” song and dance before, but it’s been two days and your dog is still refusing to eat. Ah, allow me to explain why this happens! Basically, your dog is holding out for the good stuff. If he refuses to eat, you’ll hand feed him or better yet, add yogurt or yummy canned food so he waits patiently. Every time you reward food refusal by adding treats to his regular meal, you just increased his picky behavior. Allow me to explain a bit further.

A dog barks in his crate, you open the crate door to stop his barking. You just rewarded his request barking.
Dog pulls on a leash, you follow behind him. You just rewarded pulling on the leash.

Healthy dogs won’t starve themselves

To fix this dog behavior, follow the 20-minute rule and hold firm. It may take a few meals for your dog to learn ignoring his food is not paying. Learning is about consequences, not punishment, so remember this while your finicky dog pitifully glances at his food bowl minus the yummy stuff. Resist the temptation to give in even after a day. If you do break down and give in, you’ve just taught your dog to ignore his food for an entire day and he’ll earn yummy stuff!

Maybe try this?

Minimize extra treats during the day. Simply break reward treats into thirds when rewarding behavior.
Before feeding time, have a training session. Click and treat sits, downs, spin, touch, body handling and other tricks with bits of his dinner.

When to seek professional help

If your dog is vomiting, withdrawn, in pain, has diarrhea, seek veterinary care immediately. He is probably sick. Also, a small percent of finicky dog eating behavior is anxiety. Usually anxious dogs will display other behaviors besides picky eating habits. However, it will not display physical illness symptoms.

Inability to settle down
Excessive barking, shaking, panting
Frightened of objects, people or other dogs

To rule out anxiety, contact a professional animal behaviorist.

Picky dog eaters unite! Tell us about your finicky dog eater!

You may also like: Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

How to Stop a Dog From Digging

November 20, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Stop Your Dog From Digging

How to Stop a Dog From Digging — Save your backyard from your digging dog. irinafuks/Deposit Photos

Does your backyard resemble the moon’s landscape riddled with craters and holes? Well, I have some tips for keeping your dog from digging to the center of the Earth — I promise!

Why Do Dogs Dig?

Dogs were bred to dig: While many folks believe this is a Terrier thing, I beg to differ. Pretty much all dogs like to dig, some more than others (hence Terriers). I would lump Dachshunds and many scent hounds in this digging group too.

Dogs smell vermin under the ground: This scent is mesmerizing to just about all dogs even that darling little Maltese with bows in her hair!

Dogs left outdoors, especially in the heat, will dig a hole to cool themselves off. To prevent this from happening, bring them indoors.

Bored dogs dig: If a dog is alone and bored in the backyard (and sometimes dig indoors too), he will entertain himself this way. And it’s usually digging up your petunias. 🙂 Instead, provide him with plenty of puzzle toys, or better yet, hire a pet sitter to bring him on a long walk.

Trying to escape or get to something: Prevent by never leaving a dog outside unattended. Cover a hole with dirt and secure fence lines, if needed. The more your dog practices digging out the yard, the better he will get at it so prevent. 🙂

Bury something: Sometimes dogs want to bury a bone or chew.

It’s fun! Who doesn’t love cool dirt running through your paws?

Pre-Dug Holes — Don’t Fill Them Yet!

Before filling holes dug by your dog, do one extra step and add poop in the hole first! Poop is a powerful deterrent for most dogs. Go ahead and try it. Add fecal chunks in the hole and let your dog out in the yard. You’ll notice his disgust once he notices what’s in the hole and he’ll meander away — bingo! Leaving poop in the hole, even if filling with dirt, will continue to deter your dog from digging in that spot again.

Now, if your dog enjoys eating stool, you just made him a buffet! Instead, add several large rocks in the hole, then cover with dirt.

Digging Pit

Actually, this idea works really really well! Dogs will dig so it’s best to teach them where they are allowed to dig and to their heart’s content!

Fill a plastic swimming pool

Place in a shady spot and fill with dirt. When choosing dirt, choose regular dirt or sand. Stay away from potting soil, which can contain chemicals. Bury toys, treats and bits of kibble within the layers of dirt and turn your dog loose. Cheer him on while he’s digging. This is very rewarding (who doesn’t love his own cheering section?).

Section off a small part of yard

Choose a shady area (who wants to dig in the heat?). 🙂 Till or shovel the digging pit area, which exposes and loosens the dirt, making digging easier and fun. While your dog watches, hide treats, chews or kibble within the loose dirt. Several times a week, hide treats in your dog’s new digging pit and cheer him on while he’s digging in his new spot.

Indoor Digging Area

Find a large box, then cut a side hole so your dog can easily enter and exit the box. Now fill the box with old towels and newspaper, then scatter treats within the layers. Turn your dog loose, show him the hole and now he has a digging pit! If he’s not sure about entering the hole, scatter a few treats next to the outside and inside entrance.

Does your dog love to dig? Mine sure does!

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?

November 20, 2014 by Fanna Easter

How to Stop a Dog From Eating Poop

Before you’re completely grossed out by this topic, do know it’s quite common. When discussing this topic during Puppy and Basic Manner group classes, usually 50% of enrolled dogs have or had this issue. This issue can be fixed. However, it takes some trial and error to find out which solution works for your dogs.

Coprophagia is the technical term for stool eating and is usually due to a poor diet. Even dogs that have super healthy diets eat poop.

Dogs smell undigested food, such as rawhide bits and undigested supplements, in stool.
Some dogs lack digestive enzymes that break down their food. If a dog is unable to digest his food properly, he possesses ravenous appetites, which can include stool eating. Usually, these puppies or dogs are thin even though they eat a tremendous amount of food. Always rule this out with your vet.
Diet lacking essential vitamins, minerals and probiotics. In this case, upgrade to a high quality diet, which fills these needs.

How to Stop Coprophagia

100% effective way to prevent stool eating: pick up immediately after each dog poops.

Is This a Behavioral Issue?

For 90% of the dog population, I would say it’s not a behavioral issue. Changing a dog’s diet, including adding taste deterrents, probiotics, digestive enzymes or upgrading to premium dog food usually stops the issue. For persistent coprophagia, immediately picking up fecal matter prevents this behavior from being practiced. Over time, when a behavior is not practiced, it extinguishes (goes away on its own). For some dogs, this may be behavioral, especially if they’re lacking mental and physical exercise.

Don’t feel alone. We’ve all been there. 🙂

How to Stop a Puppy From Biting

November 14, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Puppy Biting

Pet Parent Question:

I have a question on a new puppy. I’ve always had dogs, and currently have two Yorkies, a Rottie and a new pup. The new pup is a Beagle and Dotsy mix, extremely smart at 12 weeks, completely house and kennel trained — I’ve never had a dog that young be so quick to house train. Though she is a huge biter! By that I mean she brings blood, nothing is off limits — arms, legs, hands, face if she gets close enough. I’ve tried scolding her, stop showing attention, giving chew toys when she bites, and I’m lost. Nothing has worked. I’ve even used a fly swatter, which she will turn and attack. She is very, very active and has a doggie door she can go through and run around, which she definitely does for hours. Any advice that I haven’t tried?

Dog Trainer’s Answer:

Congrats on your new family member and huge congrats on potty/kennel training your new puppy! A high five to a fellow Rottie pet parent! Do know the secret to potty training is providing clear boundaries and rewarding good behavior often, which you did so pat yourself on the back. 🙂

Ah, puppy nipping, or as we say in the dog training world bite inhibition. It’s pretty important to teach your puppy that teeth on skin does not pay. Now, your puppy is probably beginning the teething process and it takes a few times to teach your puppy what he can chew on so hang in there. 🙂

A couple of things to try:

Teach boundaries. If you’re rude when playing, the game is over: The moment you feel teeth on your skin squeak loudly, freeze for a moment, then walk away from your puppy. If your puppy chases you or tries to pull on your pant leg, repeat the squeak and freeze. Then walk away.
Redirect to a toy. Wiggle a toy in front of your puppy and play a quick game of tug. This redirects your puppy from you and onto the toy — works like a charm.
Lastly, spray bitter apple on your arms. Careful though, as some dogs love the taste of bitter apple. When polling my students, over half the puppies love the stuff.

Puppy nipping will pass. This is a normal part of puppyhood. 🙂 Punishment usually makes it worse, as any fast movement is play behavior. Hence, chasing the fly swatter. Just as you did with potty training, set boundaries early and follow them. Soon your new puppy will learn to control those little shark teeth!

Check out my article on puppy nipping. There’s some really good tips on helping your puppy through the teething process to puppy biting.

Happy training!

Do you have a dog or puppy training question? Ask the dog trainer!