Choosing the Right Dog Trainer

July 23, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Find a Trainer for Your Dog

How do you pick the right dog trainer for you and your dog?

Dog Trainer Requirements

Use positive reinforcement training. This means he uses treats to reward good behaviors and redirects or ignores bad behaviors. Positive reinforcement works!
Use positive reinforcement on humans too! Basically, dog trainers are teaching you how to train your dog. And if it’s not fun, who wants to do it, right? 🙂
Provide a safe, clean and fun learning environment. Potty accidents must be cleaned immediately. Dogs should not be allowed to bark and growl at each other. Good dog trainers will provide visual barriers to ensure everyone is safe and having fun! If a dog is barking constantly, the dog trainer should be offering the pet parent tips to manage this barking.
Has excellent communication skills. Dog trainers should smile, encourage, ignore mistakes, offer different tips to ensure success. Students should feel comfortable and encouraged.
Understands dogs are individuals. Dogs learn differently, just like humans, so a dog trainer should have plenty of fun ideas in his Dog Trainer Tool Box. He needs to find what works for your dog.
Provides plenty of time to practice behaviors during class. While your dog trainer will explain how to teach a behavior, his stories should be kept to a minimum. About 70% of class time should be focused on practice time.
Shows up on time for each session and is available to answer questions after class.
Helps pet parents meet or exceed their training goals. Dog trainers should check in with each team before, during and after class even if it’s a “thumbs up”or “high five” when they reach their goal 🙂
Leaves you feeling empowered. You must feel successful during and after each class. Fabulous dog trainers strive to ensure you and your dog are always successful.

For additional details, click here.

Locating a Dog Trainer

My advice is to begin searching for dog trainers at Animal Behavior College Certified Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy, Council of Certified Dog Trainers Database, International Associates of Animal Behavior Consultants, and American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Interviewing a Dog Trainer

Now that you understand the requirements and have located a dog trainer, it’s time to interview them. It’s best to speak with dog trainers on the phone and ask to observe a class in session. Dog trainers are honored when pet owners ask to observe a class because they can show off their skills. Using your list of dog trainer requirements, observe a group class in session. Are they meeting your requirements? If, at any time, you are not comfortable observing/practicing any techniques, stop and speak with your trainer. I’m empowering you to be your dog’s voice. 🙂

Tell us about your dog trainer in the comment section below!

More: 
Dog Trainer Fanna Easter 
Dog Trainer Karen Pryor 
Dog Training Classes 
Dog Obedience Training

How to Choose Dog Training Treats

July 16, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Dog Training Treats

Puppy Training Treats — Fabulous treats! L-R: Dried venison, cheese, blue cheese, salami, peanut butter and hot dogs.

So many times, clients bring their dogs into the training center and their bait bag is filled with dry kibble or biscuits. Their dogs are overwhelmed with others dogs, sights, smells, sounds and ignore their owners as everything else is more exciting. Learn how to train a dog by choosing treats your dog loves!

Treats are your dog’s currency. Be generous, pay well and often.

Think about it: If I were paying you for a job well done, would you work harder for $100 or $1 bill? Now translate to food: If I paid you with donuts or broccoli, which would you choose? Personally, I would work for donuts and a $100 bill. I think you see my point now. 🙂

Now, I’m not saying you must have treats in your pocket for your dog to sit. We use treats and rewards in the learning phase, and then wean him after the dog understands the cue. By “weaning,” I’m not saying remove treats entirely. I’m saying reward behaviors intermediately (like a slot machine). We, as humans, have an obsession with weaning our dogs off treats too fast. Not sure why we do it. When you are thinking of not rewarding a dog for a great job, think of a stingy boss from your past – yuck!

RELATED: Healthy Dog Treats

Stinky, small, easy to chew dog treats — Stinky, small and easy to chew dog treats.

Try these dog training tips when selecting fantastic treats for your pooch. He will thank you with his full attention and polite behavior.

Treats must have a strong aroma. The stinkier, the better, as your dog has a fabulous nose. Meat-based treats, especially fish, smell luscious!
Tiny like the size of a pea. Look for treats that break up easily and don’t crumble. Keeping the treat size tiny keeps your dog hungry, calories down and treat cost low. We ask pet parents to bring 100 tiny treats to each class. 🙂
Easy to chew. Soft treats are easy for your dog to chew and swallow quickly. With hard treats, you are waiting for your dog to crunch, crunch and crunch some more before moving forward.

Some dogs love catching their favorite ball or a game of tug as a reward, but 9 times out of 10, most dogs respond to scrumptious treats in high distraction places (i.e. dog training classes). Praise is awesome too. However, this is the icing on the cake with treats. Again, think of working on a project with a friend: praise is nice for a while. Currency is better because you need to pay your bills and eat. 🙂

How to Tell if Your Dog Loves His Treats

As you cut treats or open the bag, your dog is glued to your side sniffing.
You have his full and undivided attention during class.
Immediate and improved success when teaching behaviors.

What’s in my bait bag? Mozzarella cheese sticks, hot dogs, cooked chicken breast, blue cheese (yes, they love it!), cubed round steak and any fish-based treats.

What treats does your dog love? Please comment below and tell us what is in your bait bag!

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Crate Training

July 16, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Crate Training a Puppy

In the dog world, there are many opinions on how to crate train your puppy and I’ll share mine. But first, I need to explain what crate training is not:

A crate is not used for punishment ever.
Dogs should not be left in their crates longer than 4 hours at a time. If you work an 8-to-5 job, please hire a pet sitter. Pet sitters are worth every penny. You will definitely get your return on investment. 🙂 You can begin searching and interviewing pet sitters here.

Keep these thoughts in your mind as I explain how to crate train your puppy or dog. 🙂

Choosing a Crate

A dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably.
For a fast growing puppy, choose a crate he can fit in as an adult. These large crates have a moveable divider so you can adjust as your puppy grows.
If a crate is too big (too long or wide), your puppy will sleep in the front and poop in the back- oops! 🙂

RELATED: Choosing a Dog Crate

Purpose of a Crate

Teaches your dog bladder and bowel control, and basically how to hold it.
Provides your pooch a relaxing and safe napping place and a getaway from distractions (visitors, children playing, etc.).
Serves as a secure and safe place to leave your puppy alone when no one is home (keeps him from chewing drapes, carpet, furniture, electrical cords, etc.).
Serves as a great tool when traveling with your dog!

Once upon a time, a puppy was left alone in the apartment all day (no crate was used). He chewed through the drywall and entered the next door neighbor’s apartment and destroyed his home too! Yes, it happened!

Training Your Dog to Go in His Crate

Plan on teaching your puppy these steps before you plan on leaving him alone. This will take 1-2 days to teach, depending on your training skills.

Step One

Start by tossing a treat in your puppy’s crate so he can walk in and eat it. Keep the crate door open so he can come right back out. Repeat this 10 times in a row.

Step Two

Toss a larger treat in the crate. As he enters and eats the treat, close the door. Once he is done eating his treat, open the door and let him out. Say nothing, as the reward is the crate door opening. Repeat this 10 times in a row.

Tip: Toss the treat in the back of the crate so your dog walks all the way inside the crate. Please don’t push your puppy inside.

Good girl, she goes in her crate! — Crate training. Good girl!

Training Your Puppy to Stay in His Crate Quietly

Step One

Hide treats in his crate (10 treats) and then open the crate door. Once your puppy goes in the crate, close the door behind him. Once he is done eating the treats, open the door so he can step out.

Step Two

Hide 2-3 treats in his crate and close the door after your dog steps all the way inside. Once he is finished eating these treats, throw a few treats in the crate with him (crate door is still closed). Throw treats five times in a row about 10 seconds apart. If you wait too long to give him treats, he will begin to whine in his crate. We want him to learn that staying in his crate quietly earns treats!

Step Three

Throw a larger treat (biscuit) in his crate and close the door once he walks inside. Take a few steps away from the crate, then walk over and toss one treat in the crate. Count two seconds silently (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi), walk over and toss another treat in the crate. Repeat until your dog can stay in his crate for 10 seconds (Move slowly. We don’t want him to whine!). After 10 seconds, toss a treat and open the crate door. Great job!

Step Four

Add a luscious food filled toy in his crate. He only gets this wonderful reward when he is in his crate. Toss the filled toy in his crate, walk away and let him enjoy!

RELATED: Puppy Training Classes

Troubleshooting

Barking/whining in crate:

Oops, if this happens, you moved too quickly with the above steps. Take a few steps back and begin again. If your dog is whining, don’t open the crate until he is quiet (opening the crate door is a reward).
Ensure your dog has plenty of exercise (a minimum of a 30-minute walk) before going in his crate.
Freeze his food stuffed toy so it will last longer.
If your puppy or adult dogs whine at night, bring him potty on leash, and put him back in his crate with a treat. You are not rewarding whining, as he may very well need to potty. We don’t want puppies to learn to potty in his crate. 🙂
If your dog is pottying on his crate bedding, remove it for a week until he learns to hold it. Once he understands to potty outside, you can add his bedding back.

Barking at visitors when in crate:

Set up a bowl of treats about 6 feet from your dog’s crate.
Put dog in his crate.
When guests walk by, toss a treat into your dog’s crate and keep walking past him.
Have all guests play this game. Soon your dog learns guests equals treats.

Leaving your dog alone in crate:

Before leaving your puppy alone in his crate, exercise him mentally and physically.
Leave a frozen food stuffed toy in his crate anytime you leave. (A frozen food stuffed toy will help puppies while teething.)
Play soft music in the background. Dogs have excellent hearing. Try crinkling a potato chip bag when your dog is upstairs, he will come running! Help him tune out neighborhood dogs’ barking, nearby construction and sirens. I recommend Through a Dog’s Ear Music. I have the entire series and it works! I will admit it helps calm me too, especially when I’m stuck in traffic. 🙂
This may sound hokey, but spraying lavender has proven to calm dogs (and humans!). What will it hurt? At least your house will smell wonderful!
Another tool I recommend are Dog Appeasing Pheromone Sprays and Diffusers. Personally, I’ve had wonderful results and have a diffuser plugged in near my dogs’ crates. There is supporting research on DAP’s effectiveness.

In the comments below, tell us how you create a spa atmosphere in your dog’s crate.

READ ALSO: Dog Time Out

Dog Trainer Karen Pryor

June 23, 2014 by Fanna Easter

As a dog trainer, Karen Pryor brought clicker training to the industry of dog trainers in the mid-1980s. Her background comes from a career in marine mammal biology and behavioral science. More than 40 years ago, Karen pioneered force-free training methods for animals by using a clicker and a guide stick as a means to training animals, specifically dogs, with positive reinforcement training methods.

Karen has done remarkable things in the industry, not only for dog trainers, but she has also done cognitive research of many species of animals.

She is an accomplished author of many books and research papers, including her infamous book “Don’t Shoot the Dog.”

She began by training dolphins using a whistle and soon figured out that she wanted to bridge her dolphin training experience with other applications, such as dog training.

Karen Pryor on Training Animals

In the training video below, Karen Pryor explains the simplicity of using positive reinforcement training to train her beta fish. She demonstrates how these techniques can be used to train just about any animal with a marker, target object and training treat.

VIDEO: An Introduction to Target Training a Fish!

“Don’t Shoot the Dog” was published in 1984 and quickly changed the landscape of the dog training industry. What dog trainers refer to as clicker training was adapted from an application of Animal Behavior Analysis invented and developed by Keller Breland, Marian Breland Bailey, and Bob Bailey.

Dog Trainer Books by Karen Pryor

Karen Pryor has published 21 unique works throughout her career, including:

“Clicker Training for Dogs” (1999)
“Getting Started: Clicker Training for Dogs” (2001)
“Click To Win: Clicker Training for the Show Ring” (2002)
“Getting Started: Clicker Training for Cats” (2003)
“Click Tricks: 10 Fun and Easy Tricks Any Dog Can Learn” (2010)

VIDEO: Cat Clicker Training in Action

She continued to blow the dog training world away with “Reaching the Animal Mind.” According to ClickerTraining.com, the book “describes how to bring out the undiscovered creativity, intelligence, and personality of the animals in our lives.” She expanded the first edition of “Don’t Shoot the Dog,” and went into a much deeper level on how animals learn in her revised edition of “Don’t Shoot the Dog – The New Art of Teaching and Training.”

She has spoken all across the globe about the neurobiology and behavior science, including a lecture she gave during a TagTeach seminar in 2012.

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Clicker Training for Dogs

June 5, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Dog Clicker Training

The power of clicker training for dogs is amazing. You are rewarding a thinking dog, which is awesome!

Many people use a verbal marker, such as yes to replace a click sound. Keep in mind that people can say yes using many different tones so this can be confusing and may not be the ideal word to use for the behavior praise. The click is a consistent way of marking the behavior before rewarding the treat. The click sound always stays the same whereas the cadence, tone, excitement, clarity and words used with a voice are not always the same.

Why Clicker Training Works

Hypothetically, if I placed a chair in the middle of a room and asked you to sit in it, the moment that you sat down in the chair, I would click and reward. That is the premise we have discussed using clicker training so far. Sounds simple, yet it’s possibly something that a human might get bored with rather quickly. But if every time that she asked you to sit, after you have properly done so, I could click and then reward you with a $100 bill.

What might the outcome be?

Most people would immediately continue to stand up and sit back down in the chair. What has happened is that the dog trainer has now reinforced the proper behavior using clicker training! You have learned that each click meant that you did what was asked. In this case, you were then given a $100 for doing so.

When you should click:

Sit: As your dog’s behind touches the ground.
Down: As your dog’s elbows touch the ground.
Loose Leash Walking: When the leash is loose (your dog is not pulling).
Attention: When your dog looks at you instead of the other dogs or distractions.
Barking: When your dog stops barking even for a nanosecond, click/treat!
Anything you like! If you can think it and your dog is physically able to do it, go for it!

– When your dog stretches while coming out of his crate, click and treat. Do this several times and add a cue, such as “pray.”

– Click when your dog looks to the left and add a cue, such as left.

– Click when your dog backs up and add a cue, such as back.

I have trained my Beta fish, Dribble, to touch my finger with his mouth, follow my finger around his bowl and swim through a hoop using these same clicker training methods.

While I’m not sure he could hear the sound of a click, I used a pen light and blinked when he did the correct behavior and fed him Beta kibble as a reward!

Apply Clicker Training to Other Animals

You can train chickens, horses, cows, guinea pigs and bunnies to do agility by using clicker training. I have even trained humans to sit in a chair. There are tons of games that can sharpen your clicker training skills and keep your dog mentally stimulated. I enjoy 101 Things to Do with a Box. Have fun training your dog!

VIDEO: How to Use a Clicker

What dog training clicker games do you play with your pets? Tell us in the comments below.

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