Come When Called Part 1: Intro

September 8, 2014 by Fanna Easter

How to Train Your Dog to Come to You

Does your dog ignore you and run off? View part 1 of our “Come When Called” series, which will teach you how to:

Perform an emergency recall
Call your dog indoors from the backyard
Call your dog back to you around distractions (squirrels, etc.)
Teach multiple dogs to come back to you
Fun games

Directions

View first video and practice homework for seven days.
View second video and practice homework for seven days.
View third video and practice homework for seven days.
View fourth, and final, video.

Each video contains tons of information, so rewind and watch several times. Bookmark for easy future reference.

What you will need:

Delicious treats the size of a pea
Six-foot leash
Flat buckle collar or body harness
Clicker

Note: Always enroll your dog in a group dog training class. This video should not be used in place of dog training class attendance.

WATCH: Come When Called Part 1: Intro

NEXT: Come When Called Part 2: Adding Distance to “Come” Cue

Is Your Dog Confused?

August 4, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Confused Dog: Dog Training Tips

If you’re wondering whether or not your dog is confused, the answer is probably yes!

I will say it: it’s our fault when a dog becomes confused. We didn’t give clear instructions. Many teachers are quick to blame their students, but it’s not the students’ fault when they make mistakes. The teacher wasn’t clear enough for the students to understand. Students must be successful within 1-2 attempts. If not, they will become confused.

Don’t allow your dog to make mistakes. If he doesn’t understand within 1-2 attempts, stop and make the next attempt easy. Mistakes are part of the learning process, but too many mistakes cause frustration, which stops the learning process.

What does a confused dog look like?

Confused dogs display many signs, such as:

Become hyperactive
Ignore you and their high value treats
Startle easily
Bark or lunge at other dogs
Lay on the ground and totally ignore you

During group dog training class, when I notice a confused dog, the owners are usually very frustrated at this point. They feel the dogs are blowing them off. I gently explain their dogs are simply confused and they should take a break. If you keep pushing, your dog will shut down completely, and we never want to get this far ever.

What should I do?

When you have a confused dog, remain still and drop 10 treats on the ground for your dog. Take 5 deep breaths and relax for a few minutes. Continue relaxing until you and your dog feel better. Pushing, pulling, tugging or yelling will only make the situation worse.

In a few minutes, your dog will look up at you, so smile and ask your dog to “touch.” Touch is an easy cue, which sets your dog up for success immediately. We all like small wins, right? Now, you and your dog are feeling much better, so you can get started again.

VIDEO: Teach the “Touch” Behavior

How to Prevent Confusing Your Dog Again

Use treats your dog loves! Confused dogs are more forgiving if you’re using fabulous treats. 🙂
Take lots of breaks: Let your dog drink some water, enjoy a quick play session in the backyard or let him sniff outside. Meanwhile, you should sit and relax, drink some water, or read the paper.
Keep dog training sessions short: Think 1-2 mins.
If your dog becomes confused and isn’t successful within 2 attempts, this means it’s too difficult for him to understand. End the dog training session with an easy behavior, such as “touch.” Then, try to simplify the behavior further by breaking it into smaller sections.
- Example 1: Your dog will stay until you step away. This is normal, as your dog has learned that your movement means he’s moving too.
- Instead of stepping away, shift your feet while remaining in the same place.
- When your dog is successful, take one step back and then one step forward, and so on.
- Move at your dog’s pace until he learns “stay” means to remain in this spot while you walk away.

Prevent Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is when your dog shuts down, meaning he’s become so discouraged. Make sure to listen to your dog.

It’s your turn! When does your dog become confused?

Choosing an Animal Behaviorist

July 23, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Animal Behaviorist

Dealing with dog aggression, moderate to severe anxiety or fearfulness or obsessive compulsive behaviors (OCD) is extremely trying for pet owners. I’ve held these owners in my arms, as they sobbed. It’s a difficult situation for dogs and their owners.

That is why I refer these cases to a qualified animal behaviorist. Within my 20 years of dog training experience, I find difficult cases are solved much quicker and with better results when a qualified animal behaviorist is involved.

What is an Animal Behaviorist?

An animal behaviorist is an expert who deals with difficult behavior cases, such as dog aggression, anxiety and obsessive compulsion behaviors on a daily basis.

Veterinarians, whom are board certified in animal behavior:

Bring their expert veterinary knowledge plus four years of solving and studying dog behavior (and many other animals) to their cases
Have completed their vet requirements and studied dog behavior, solving difficult behavioral cases for a minimum of four years, plus have passed a demanding animal behavior board certification
Can prescribe medications, if needed, so a dog can learn how to overcome his fears

Applied Animal Behaviorists have:

Earned a Masters or PhD degree in animal behavior
Studied dog behavior for a minimum of 7 years
Been required to successfully solve difficult cases under supervision with field experts during their internships

Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medications

Some pet owners are reluctant to use anti-anxiety medications and I understand. You’re scared you will make your dog worse or drug him. Personally, when training dogs with life-destroying anxiety, I’ve seen amazing results when anti-anxiety medications are used. “The ultimate goal is to reach a point where the drugs are no longer necessary, a point where your dog has overcome his anxiety and learned to react in an appropriate fashion,” says Dr. Lorie Hudson DVM.

Why Contact an Animal Behaviorist?

Dog trainers and animal behaviorists are two different professions, yet they work together as a fabulous team. Think of dog trainers as general practitioners (GPs) and animal behaviorists as specialists in dog behavior.

Animal behaviorists study and treat difficult cases daily with great success rates. They are required to complete yearly continuing education in their field of study and stay updated on the latest findings with fear, anxiety, aggression or OCD.
Animal behaviorists provide immediate assistance and solutions for the issue at hand, which provides quicker results for your dog and saves money. Dog trainers (GPs) teach polite manners, solve everyday pet issues and are usually a pet owner’s first contact when dealing with difficult behaviors.
Dog trainers’ knowledge is vast. They are prepared for anything that might walk through their training center doors, complete yearly continuing education and provide recommendations to ensure the success of a dog and their owners. They are the general practitioners of the dog training world. They triage to specialists when needed. Personally, I’m extremely proud to be a dog trainer and empowered to have qualified animal behaviorists to call upon when needed.

Referral Process and Consultation

When dog trainers encounter moderate to extreme fear, aggression, anxiety or OCD, they refer pet parents to an animal behaviorist, as these cases require one-on-one attention that provides specific training protocols for success. Dog trainers usually have their preferred animal behaviorist and will always ensure this person works for you and your dog too.
An animal behaviorist will ask you to complete an extensive history background. Answer to the best of your knowledge. This history report is key to note triggers (what causes your dog to act fearful, aggressive, anxious or causes OCD behavior to happen).
Then, an animal behaviorist will involve your local veterinarian to rule out any health issues.
Once heath issues have been ruled out, the animal behaviorist will schedule a time to discuss your dog’s history background. Ask questions and observe your dog.
After the consultation, a training protocol is designed and medications are prescribed if needed.
Dog trainers will assist you with your prescribed training protocol and report back to the animal behaviorist on progress.
Most animal behaviorists require a six-month check-in, especially if medications were prescribed.

Contacting an Animal Behaviorist

Usually, local positive reinforcement dog trainers work with an animal behaviorist in the area. However, still research your dog trainer’s referral. Qualified animal behaviorists should be listed in the below database:

American College of Veterinary Behaviorists Directory
American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior
Animal Behavior Society

If you’re unable to find a qualified person in your area, the below vets (both are board certified in animal behavior) provide phone consultations through your regular vet:

Animal Behaviorist Tips

Not recommended: Dog trainers or unqualified animal behaviorists boasting they can fix any issue is equivalent to a general practitioner saying they can preform open heart surgery.
Choose a qualified animal behaviorist. The cost is the same or less than an unqualified animal behaviorist.
Do not choose an animal behaviorist using punishment-based training methods.

You’re more than welcome to ask any questions on this subject in the comment section below. This is a tough situation and I hope this article points you in the right direction with solutions.

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

Dog Obedience Training Techniques

July 17, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Which Dog Obedience Training Technique Will You Use?

When training a dog, consequences (i.e. a result or effect of an action) are rewarded or punished. For example, you go to work and then you get paid. You don’t go to work and then don’t get paid. Not receiving a paycheck is a punishment, which is what you learn to avoid. Thus, you go to work. Receiving a paycheck is a reward, so you go to work more often. This is the basis of how we all learn. Let’s discuss the three most popular dog obedience training methods, which are food rewards, clicker training and corrections.

Food Rewards (Positive Reinforcement )

Positive reinforcement dog training is a large umbrella, so let’s make it simple. Reward behaviors you like. Ignore or redirect behaviors you don’t like. Positive reinforcement means to reward a dog’s behavior, such as “sit,” so your dog will sit more often.

Rewards can be food, toys or games. Your dog should choose his reward, as it’s his currency.
Many dog trainers use and recommend food rewards because it’s user-friendly for pet owners and dogs love food. This method is very forgiving for both you and your dog.
If a dog refuses to eat his food reward, this is usually a clue that your dog is too stressed or fearful to learn or doesn’t like his reward.
Food rewards fade. Once the dog knows the behavior, he will do the behavior on cue 80 percent of the time. You don’t need to carry treats in your pocket all the time. 🙂

Clicker Training

Clicker training has become widely popular lately. Clicker training uses the same premise as positive reinforcement training except you use a clicker to click when the dog performs a good behavior.

The click is used to mark the good behavior and means the dog has earned a treat.
Before using a clicker, dog owners need a firm understanding of clicker mechanics, which means they should learn perfect timing of the click, shaping and capturing a behavior, and basic guidelines for using a

Corrections (Compulsion Training)

Compulsion means “to compel or coerce.” In dog training terms, this means to physically place (i.e. using your hands) a dog into a behavior and use leash tugs and verbal sounds as corrections.

This method of dog training was hugely popular 15 to 20 years ago, and was based on military dog training.
Some dog trainers don’t use food rewards. Rather, they correct a dog until he does the right behavior, such as “sit,” and then praise the dog. In my opinion, this is a difficult way to learn.
Now, I’m not saying punishment doesn’t work. Think about speeding on the highway and a policeman gives you a ticket. You learn to drive slower for at least awhile until you learn to scan your area for policemen.
Punishment works, but it has fallouts. Punishment teaches a dog to become helpless and confused, so he offers nothing. This is sad.
This dog training technique isn’t user-friendly. You must know what you’re doing and give the smallest amount of correction to stop the behavior or else you can damage a dog. Also, when giving corrections, most pet owners go overboard. Punishing is very rewarding for the person doing it, as he’s releasing his anger.

What questions do you have about dog obedience training methods? Please comment in the section below.

More:
Choosing the Right Dog Trainer
3 Behaviors All Dog Trainers Should Know
Handling Difficult Dog Training Cases
Best Dog Training Books