 TIP #1: SOCIALIZE WITH PLAY
Everyone in the family, including children, should play with their dogs. Even young children can be suitable playmates for many dogs (with close adult supervision). Assuming your dog likes to play, the more humans she gets to play with, the more humans she'll think are wonderful because they make good stuff happen, and the better socialized she'll be. Dogs who are well-socialized are far less likely to bite or otherwise engage in behaviors that are likely to get them into serious trouble. In addition, the more that each family member has fun interacting with the dog, the more likely it is that the dog will stay in that home for her entire life. Play helps build strong bonds, and relationships that support lifelong loving homes for canine family members. - excerpted from The Whole Dog Journal TIP #2: PRACTICE SOCIALIZATION SKILLS "I encourage people to work with their dogs outside of post offices and in front of storefronts. This helps with a dog’s socialization skills, as well as attention. Dogs can practice the sit for introductions, the leave it, and watch me commands, and stay and heel exercises." - Marian Pott, Miramar Dog Training  "The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be."
- Konrad Lorenz We began a desensitization and counterconditioning program today for Duncan's reactivity to other dogs. Last time we had him out teaching loose leash walking we didn't encounter other dogs so we brought Ash along to help. As it turns out we were inundated with other dogs and Duncan was over-stimulated to the point that his wasn't learning. For the next session we will choose a quieter location with less activity.
Today we taught Emmett how to walk on a loose leash. Being a hound dog presents
particular challenges because when his nose catches something he becomes highly distracted. But he did really well for his first lesson and with practice he will do fine. It's been a while since we last met with Rose, and in that time she has learned to Sit on
cue very well. Tonight we taught her Down and Stay. Her Down still needs some work on harder and more slippery surfaces, but on carpet she does great.  TIP #1: WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
Water is the only thing to which your pet should have unlimited access, and the purity of your pet's drinking water is a serious consideration. Animals know when they're thirsty and they should have free access to clean containers of pure, healthy water, yet contaminated drinking water is a common cause of health problems. The simple act of replacing tap water with distilled, bottled or filtered water can bring surprising, dramatic improvements to your own health as well as your pets. - excerpted from The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care TIP #2: BABY STEPS LEAD TO SUCCESS You cannot rush the learning process when teaching a new behavior. Start with a step your dog can handle, and when he has mastered it, move on to the next one. Doing too much too soon will confuse your dog and frustrate you, which benefits no one. We took Duncan on a walk around is neighborhood in order to work on his leash aggression. While we encountered some dogs and strangers we began a desensitization and counterconditioning protocol in order to create positive associations with his triggers. Duncan
actually did really well. Being that Jumper lives on a farm presents some different scenarios than a dog living in a
more urban environment, though the way to train doesn't change all that much. Teaching Jumper to Come When Called still involves games, work with a long line, and plenty of positive reinforcement.  "The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man's."
- Mark Twain We taught Buster how to Come When Called, and while we were outside we were able to
work on some of his reactivity to trucks that go by. He did really well. |
AuthorJeff Dentler, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, CTDI Archives
May 2025
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