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Create Good Habits Instead of Breaking Bad Ones

Bark in the Park If you've got a new dog or a brand new puppy, don't wait for bad habits to begin. Start your dog (or pup) from Day 1 with a clear set of rules and teach him what those rules are. To do this, you might want to start by making a list with two columns: MUST NOT DO and WOULD LIKE TO DO. Fill those columns up and then take a look at what you've got. 


For example, in the MUST NOT DO column, maybe you've written:
  1. get on furniture
  2. bark at other dogs 
  3. pull on the leash  

And in the WOULD LIKE TO DO column, you've got these:

  1. come when called 
  2. sit politely for petting 
  3. sit before going outside 

It's a good idea to get input from everyone in the family and then finalize the list together. You want everyone on the same page when it comes to the rules for the dog. 


Next, figure out how you can prevent the dog from doing the things in the first column, and how you can help the dogs do the things in the second column. And by "preventing", I don't mean "yelling at." If you don't want the dog on the furniture, for instance, don't allow him access to that room if you're not in the room to supervise. If you want your dog to come when called, use a pleasant voice (no demanding your dog come to you), and always have a really tasty goodie when he does show up (not a crunchy, hard dog treat, either – something worth coming for!). 

Avoid the word "No," when teaching your dog what to do. "No" doesn't give your dog any information to help him figure out what you want. And "no" only happens when you're around. So instead of learning what to do and what not to do, the dog is really learning when he can do something (when you're gone!!).

It's much easier to teach your dog good habits than it is to break habits. A little planning, consistency, and training can make the difference between a dog that drives you crazy and a dog you love to have around.

(The picture above was taken at Bark in the Park at the Frederick Keys stadium in Frederick, MD. Both Nemo and Talos are being well-behaved companions, despite the distractions of a baseball game, curious children, and noisy dogs.)   

In the Moment

TangoMulti-tasking. It sounds good, doesn't it? And I guess maybe sometimes it is. But when it comes to time with my dogs, multi-tasking just doesn't cut it. 

Pretty Lily I work at the computer a lot. The dogs venture over every now and then to say Hey. I absent-mindedly scratch their ears, say a few nice things, and then it's back to the computer. Sometimes, I don't even stop what I'm doing. I type with one hand and scratch with the other. 

Then I stopped to think about that for a minute. Doesn't it drive me crazy if I'm talking with someone and they're checking their Blackberry? If I'm deep in conversation, how much do I like when my friend checks her watch? Or looks over my shoulder? Or intermittently drops in a "yeah, uh-huh?" 

I hate it. 

So why should I do that to my dogs? Can't I just take five minutes out of my schedule to stop and really visit with the dogs? It's good for me, it's good for them. 

Nemie When they're gone from this earth, wouldn't I really rather look back and say "Wow, we had fun together," rather than "I wish I would have spent more time with them."

Don't shortchange your dogs or yourself – take the time – make the time – to enjoy your dogs. You won't be sorry.  

Vets Against Merial’s Newest Campaign

Despite strong objections from both the dog training and veterinary community, Merial (makers of Frontline and Heartgard), is going ahead with it's partnership with Cesar Millan.

You might be wondering "What difference does it really make?" And that's a good question. Does it matter that a veterinary product company ignores veterinary advice? Does Merial believe that marketing is more important that what veterinarians recommend?

Read this article by veterinarian Sophia Yin, as she explains the magnitude of Merial's decision to ignore the professional opinions of three veterinary professional groups.

Reaching the Animal Mind

Abc_reach_animal_mind_090615_mn Attention all dog lovers, there's a great new book out you're gonna love! It called Reaching the Animal Mind, by Karen Pryor. It's a fantastic look in to clicker training and why it works so well.

It's an easy read, and filled with lots of really good information every dog owner needs. There are rollicking tales of Karen's experience with dolphins, surfing ponies, a rhinoceros who loves her pedicure, and games that wolves play.

Want to work with your dog without jerking the leash? Without pushing? Without smacking? Without reprimanding or correcting? Read this book! Your dog can quickly learn that one behavior earns them a reinforcing click and a bit of food (or the toss of a toy or anything your dog likes), while undesirable behaviors get them nothing. If given a choice, we'll all focus on what works and give up on what doesn't.

Wanna see more? Karen was on Good Morning America and actually demonstrated clicker training with a Golden retriever puppy. You can also read an excerpt of her book on the GMA site, as well.

At Smart Dog University, we use clicker training to help you teach your dog to listen and behave. We find it works quickly, and is fun for both you and the dog. We're committed to force-free training and we hope you are, too. If you want to learn more, visit the Smart Dog University website.

My Dog’s Guilty And He Knows It!

Pitiful_nemo copy I can't tell you the number of people who tell me they know when their dog has done something naughty because he gives them the "guilty look." As much as I try to convince them that it's just not true, they don't believe me.

A great new research study finds that "people see ‘guilt’ in a dog’s body language when they believe the dog
has done something it shouldn’t have – even if the dog is in fact
completely innocent of any offense."  This is a great read, you can find the rest of the article at Science Daily.

Science Rules!

In my previous post "Methods Schmethods" it seems I raised quite a fire storm by expressing why I shun the Whisperers and those who use positive punishment, flooding, and aversives. I've received more comments in 24 hours on that one post alone than I've ever received in the history of this blog.

Which is funny because there are many more posts here that discredit those who claim to Whisper and rehabilitate. And those never raised anyone's ire. Anyway, I thought I'd give you all some of scientific evidence that shaped my thinking. These aren't opinion pieces (although I could post a ton of those), but actual scientists, researchers, and veterinary behaviorists who have done the research.

Regardless of what quadrant of operant conditioning you use, these are valuable pieces of research. I recommend everyone read through each of these, as these findings are not opinion. 

And, in science, a correction is identified as positive punishment. Professionals in the field stick with accepted definitions and don't use words like correction, as that's too loosely defined. So if you'd like to leave a comment, please use the professionally accepted terms – not the undefined "slang."

Science Daily
http://preview.tinyurl.com/pm8ghw
"Using 'Dominance' To Explain Dog Behavior Is Old Hat"

Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical App. + Research
http://preview.tinyurl.com/p3grgy
"Dominance in domestic dogs-useful construct or bad habit?"

Am. Society of Veterinary Animal Behaviorists
http://preview.tinyurl.com/6cz775
"The Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals"

Am. Society of Veterinary Animal Behaviorists
http://preview.tinyurl.com/yw3op6
"The Use of Punishment for Behavior Modification in Animals"

American Humane
http://preview.tinyurl.com/b7t687
"'Dog Whisperer' Training Approach More Harmful Than Helpful"

Sophia Yin, DVM
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ozqhlu
"Experts Say Dominance-Based Dog Training Techniques Made Popular by
Television Shows Can Contribute to Dog Bites"

Science Daily
http://preview.tinyurl.com/cmwuln
"If You're Aggressive, Your Dog Will Be Too"

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