How to Train a Puppy to Give Items Back

February 4, 2015 by Fanna Easter

Teach a Puppy to Give

Puppy Trade Game

Train a Puppy to Give Items Back — Teach your puppy to trade the sock for a yummy treat. willeecole/Deposit Photos

Puppies were not born with nor read, the pet owner’s guide to polite manners so it’s important to teach them the trade game. Would you give up the $100 bill you found at the park? Probably not. 🙂

Trade Game

When puppies or dogs find something, they intend to keep it. Guarding resources is a natural instinct. The more you have, the more likely you’ll survive. Plus, puppies and dogs will pick up items, such as socks, to instigate play like chase. Oh, it’s tempting to chase a puppy with your sock. We panic and think, “Oh my god, they will swallow it!” and we continue chasing. Not fun huh?!

Instead, teach your puppy or dog how to trade instead. And say goodbye to crazy chases around the dining room table. 🙂

RELATED: Resource Guarding

How to Teach Your Dog to Give Items Back

Whenever your puppy or dog picks up a sock, shoe or a child’s toy, instead of chasing him, try:

Stop moving. Your puppy will probably stop moving too. He’s not sure what’s going on.
Walk to the refrigerator and select a yummy treat. These treats must be yummy. They should behoove your puppy to trade the smelly sock for something better.
Approach your puppy. If she runs away, stand still.
Say “trade” and show her the yummy treat. She probably smells it already, but thinks the treat is for you and not her.
Remain still and wait for your puppy to drop the sock. If she continues running with the sock, your treat needs to be yummier. She’s saying, “Nah, I would rather keep my stinky sock instead.”
As she drops the sock, say yes and toss the yummy treat in the opposite direction of the sock.
When she runs for the treat, pick up the sock.

Now, you’re not rewarding your dog for stealing socks. You’re rewarding her for giving it up.

VIDEO: Teach Your Dog the Trade Game

Taking Items From a Puppy’s Mouth?

On rare occasions, such as a puppy snatching up a cooked chicken bone or medication, I would remove it from her mouth. Now, as I explain to my puppy people, don’t make this a habit. If you do, your puppy will learn to swallow an item quickly, usually as you approach. She knows you’re going to take it away!

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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!

How to Park Your Dog

October 24, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Train Your Dog to Stay

As a professional dog trainer, if I had to narrow down the top behavior all dogs should know, I would say parking your dog would be the first one! Trust me, “Come When Called” is probably right up there with “Park Your Dog.” However, this behavior will teach your dog to stay with you.

“Park Your Dog” is a great way to bring your dog’s arousal level down. It’s like taking a yoga breath for your dog.

Why Should I “Park My Dog”?

“Park Your Dog” is a great way to bring your dog’s arousal level down. It’s like taking a “yoga breath” for your dog. Use this dog behavior when your dog becomes overwhelmed by visitors or anything, really! When teaching hyperactive dogs to be calm, many folks ask them to sit still. This is tough, as they are learning how to manage their extra energy and excitement. So next time your dog tries to jump on guests, “park your dog.”

Just by teaching your dog this simple behavior, your dog will learn

Self control (teaching your hyper dog to relax)
Polite greetings of people (not to jump on people or you)
Polite leash manners (not pull on the leash)
Ignore other dogs
Stay with you
Prevent excessive barking

How do I teach “Park Your Dog”?

Step on your leash (about half way up to your dog, your dog should have 3 feet of extra leash).
Click and treat your dog the instant the leash becomes loose. Tip: instead of watching your dog, feel when the leash tightens and loosens under your feet. The moment you feel slack in the leash, Click and treat!
That’s it! Bingo, you are rewarding calm and quiet behavior!

Additional Troubleshooting:

Dog still jumps up on you, shorten the leash.
Dog continues to pull on leash, your timing is probably off a bit. Click/treat every time the leash is loose.
My dog is still pulling, then call their name and click/treat five times in a row. Now you have their attention, so keep their attention by rewarding frequently.

VIDEO: How to Teach “Park Your Dog”

When can you park your dog?

While talking to someone at the park
Having guests over
Outdoor dining
Paying at the pet store or vet’s office
During group class lecture, we ask pet parents to “park their dog” while listening to instructions

I want to hear from you! When should you park your dog?

Come When Called Part 3: Adding Distractions

September 26, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Teaching Your Dog to Come When Called

Adding Distractions to “Come” Cue

If your dog ignores you and runs off, it might need some specific training. Here is the final installment of a four-part series on training your dog to come. You’ll learn:

How to perform an emergency recall
To call your dog indoors from the backyard
To call your dog back to you around distractions (squirrels, etc.)
How to teach multiple dogs to come back to you
Fun games

Directions

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

Each video contains tons of information so re-watch them 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.

You’ve completed the “Come When Called” series. Revisit the videos as often as necessary for polite greeting behavior!

In case you missed it: Come When Called Part 1: Intro

Dog Tug Toy

September 22, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Playing the Tug Game

It’s raining outside, but your puppy or dog is full of energy. What should you do? Learn how to teach your dog to play the tug game!

Dispelling Tug Game Myths

I’m not sure who started the rumor (myth) that tug can teach dogs to be aggressive. Whoever it was, shame on him! Tug game is a fabulous game for dogs and their pet parents to play together.

Everyday, your dog will have a tank of energy and it’s our job to empty that energy fuel tank, but what if it’s raining or you don’t have time for a long walk? Play tug!

As with all games, there are rules that both of you should follow:

Rule 1: Dogs need to learn to let go of the tug toy when asked.

Rule 2: Pet parent must reward dog when he lets go of the tug toy.

Now we understand tug game rules, let’s begin teaching your dog how to play!

Choose a tug toy: I like soft ones that are pretty long (about 2-3 feet long) so your dog can hold one end while you hold the other end.

Make it fun: Wiggle or drag the tug toy in front of your dog. When he grabs the toy, begin gently pulling the toy around.

More fun: Now that your dog understands how to pull and tug on the toy, really pull and wiggle the toy for super fun!

Teach him to let go: Stop moving the toy and wait for your dog to release the toy. Your dog will try to continue pulling the toy not wanting the game to end! But hold fast, you and the toy should remain still.

Play again: Once your dog lets go of the toy, start wiggling it again. You’re rewarding “let go” by another play session!

End game: After rotating back and forth of “let go” to tug, ask your dog to “let go” as you and the toy remain still. Once your dog lets go, give him a treat while you pick up the tug toy and end the game.

I promise, your dog will let go of the toy (even your scrappy terrier). Once the toy stops moving, it’s no longer fun so your dog lets go.

Do you want proof that dogs will let go? Watch this unedited video of Stella Mae, my uber scrappy Miniature Bull Terrier that learned how to let go of a flirt pole. About halfway through, there is a moment when I’m totally shocked she actually let go!

VIDEO: Teach Your Dog the Tug Game

Go play tug with your pup and share your findings in the comment section below!

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