Videos
Bringing out the best in a cat or dog is a hands-on task. Seeing it in a video is often better than reading it. My goal with these videos is to make behavior management easier to understand and implement.
Close the window blinds during storms. If possible keep your dog in an interior room with less outside sound White, pink, or brown noise (downloadable from the Internet) can be played at the start of the earliest indicators that a storm is approaching. There is scientific evidence behind the value of these frequencies. Only trial-and-error will determine which, if any, of these will help your dog. Through a Dog’s Ear is specially designed music that you can play when a storm is predicted. Research has supported this method. http://throughadogsear.com/ You will be able to manage your dog effectively if you…
Dogs Need a Job – Gainful Employment Confucius said, “A man (woman) who enjoys what they do never works a day in their life.” Our dogs can have that life. They naturally work to survive, an activity they appear to enjoy. Food-dispensing toys and puzzles are not prey and they’re not really rotting carcasses found in the wild but they require manipulation so bits of sustenance can be extracted. Check out Lulu here. This girl had a history of separation anxiety. Other dogs, like the Nichol family Border collie, Mick, need work to stay occupied. The downside for him is…
Our dogs should always come when called, whether they’re sitting and looking at us or when they’re heading off in another direction. Don’t get frustrated when ignored; train in baby steps that your pupster can understand. Mick has gotten pretty good at the recall command – when he’s already paying attention. But when he’s way from home, well, other priorities can get in the way. That isn’t OK but let’s not lose our patience. While allowing him to forge ahead on-leash he knows he can sniff and investigate at his leisure. But when I say, “Mick, Come!” I can enforce…
There are so many things to see and sniff outside the home territory. It’s more than just natural for dogs to investigate everything; reading the bulletin boards and posting messages is essential to who they are. But for part of a leash walk they can work for us. They can earn reinforcers, like treats, just for doing the right thing – like watching their leader. Another essential component canine behavior is to check with the leader for opportunities to earn resources like food. As Carolyn walks with Mick next to her, she hands him a tid bit every now and…
Mick and I have practiced the stay command 2-3 times a day. I no longer need to stand in front of him to remind him of what I mean when I tell him, “Stay”. I move slowly as I walk about 4-5 feet away. I don’t stand there any longer than he can take just sitting and waiting. He’s only a kid, after all. With more practice and maturity we’ll work up to longer durations. The business of walking back to Mick, slowly, and then around behind him to take up my position on his right side is important. A…
Young Mick Nichol enjoys his daily jaunts along the irrigation ditches because, well, because he’s a dog. Leaving the home territory to sniff, investigate, read the bulletin boards, and post messages is essential to his canine genetic programming. This puppy’s Zen state includes wading into the ditch to watch ducks and listen to other birds. Switch on the sound.
Teaching “Down” – Step 1 Dogs love to work for food. You don’t need to push a puppy to ground. Give the “Down” command as you use a treat, as a lure, to show that kid what you want. When Mick “follows the money” he earns the payoff. You’ll know when your dog is catching on because she’ll start dropping when she hears the command. Then give her the food when she’s completed the job. Take baby steps with the babies. Teaching “Down” – Step 2 Mick is getting clear on the concept of “Down” on command but he…
Who wants to stay? We may not want to but a dog can, if we motivate him. Mick is just learning that if he watches me, and then I show him the money (treat), he can wait for me to come back to his side to get reinforced with a snack and a hug and a kiss. He’s new at this so we’re taking baby steps. After giving the command, I stood in front of him for a few seconds to remind him of his job. They I backed up a about 4 feet and then stood there for only…
How much garbage and other poop should a dog eat on a leash walk? You can yell LEAVE IT! and jerk hard on the leash but your dog may only learn to move faster in his quest for dangerous junk. Besides, scaring your dog with a harsh reprimand could damage the trust you’ve worked hard to build. All dogs want to scavenge when they’re away from home because foraging is natural for them. Their survival in the wild depends on it. Never mind that great dog food is abundant at your house; our dogs are sure that the Great Famine…
Dogs of any age can learn to walk well on leash and come when called. Start by setting the kid up to succeed with no distractions. I told Mick to heel, only expecting him to stay somewhere in the same county. Of course, he forged ahead. Already pretty good at coming when called (when leashed) I told him, “Mick, Come!” and backed up to remind him of what he needed to do to earn the treat, a kiss, and me telling him how good he is. He’s learning to stay closer when leashed and that the opportunity to earn great…