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When the Dog Trainer Goes to Dog Training Class


I raise and train puppies for a service dog organization. I’m also a dog trainer. Yesterday, I got the pleasure of being a student in a dog training class and it was delightful! I don’t live close enough to the service dog organization to go to class every week (it’s a 3-hour one way drive), but my resolution for 2013 is to go to class with Monti once a month. It’s important for the service dog organization to eyeball Monti and I to be sure we’re on track with the other pups in the program and to ensure Monti’s developing temperament is still up to the (very high) service dog standards. It’s important for me because (1) it’s FUN, (2) I get to be just a student, and (3) it’s fun! I think I mentioned that it’s fun, didn’t I?

I had been frustrated with Monti’s lack of self control. I’d started to dread training with her. It wasn’t fun anymore. After our session yesterday with the service dog folks, I got to see Monti from their perspective, a more objective perspective.

I’m thankful for that new perspective. Because I really love this little girl. She and I had developed a habit of arguing more than we were agreeing. We’ve already planned an outing tomorrow to work on her self control — Costco, banking, lunch out, then back home. That will also exhaust her — bonus!

I’m already looking forward to our next class in February. I’m hoping they’ll see Monti’s leaps-and-bounds progress (that we’ll make between now and then). In any event, I’m back to enjoying little Monti to the fullest! And that’s what it’s all about.

 

 

Great Lengths

Pay no attention to the ominous angle of that ladder. In the snow. Against a prickly evergreen. Where Tango’s ball is lodged. At the very tip top, of course, the tippiest of tops.

I know you’re wondering, so here it is…

Today, finally, the sun shone. Brightly, oh so brightly. And finally the wind stopped howling at gale force and the dogs actually wanted to go outside. Being the excellent dog owner that I am, I obliged Tango when he brought me his tennis ball. All was well for about 5 minutes on the retrieve-throw-retrieve merry-go-round. Until I tried to get fancy and throw the ball where Tango least expected it. I meant to throw it over the tree. Over. But no, cue the sunshine! Next thing I knew Tango was dancing around that evergreen. I knew the ball had gone in there — that’s the only time he dances around the tree.

I got countless prickly pine needles in my hand trying to find the danged ball, but was unable to locate it. I guessed it was up higher than I could reach. So, home alone (well, with the dogs, so technically not alone, but no one to call the paramedics if I happened to disappear into the prickly evergree, so that qualifies as alone methinks), I had to right this wrong. In a valiant effort, I brought out the little ladder I keep in my closet to reach the sweater shelf. Ha! Not even close.

I went into the hall closet for the step ladder. It, too, fell far too short. I had to go all the way into the garage and get the giant ladder (maneuvering that thing around our garage [with two cars inside at the time] was no easy feat, but I didn’t ding a one, I can report) and trudge all the way around back (uphill in a snowstorm both ways) to get a ladder tall enough for the job.

The dogs (Lily) had dug a little moat under that tree when it was hot last summer, hence the precarious perch and tilt of the ladder. It only took me a few minutes — with Tango cheering me on, safely from the ground — before I found that stupid tennis ball. It really was at the very tippy top.

These are the great lengths we go to for our dogs. I know you do, too, don’t try to deny it. So leave a comment below and tell me what great length you’ve gone to…

Dog Training Diary: Sometimes I Don’t Feel Like Training My Dog



I’ve got a confession. I haven’t worked with my dogs at all this week. Nothing. Not even sit.

I haven’t been in the right mood for training. And if you’re not in the right mood, no training is better than forcing it. If you’re going to work with your dog, you’ve got to be ready to concentrate on your dog, ready to be flexible with your goals, and ready to have fun.

So there. I said it. The dog trainer has not worked with her dogs. And we’re better for it. Because the results aren’t pretty if you train ugly.

Dog Training – The Personal Side

We have three permanent dogs — dogs that were released from service work. Three dogs, plus a yearly rotating service pup in training, is about all we can handle. Four permanent dogs plus a service dog just wouldn’t work well. And here are the reasons why.

1. We couldn’t raise a service pup in training if we had four permanent dogs.
2. Our current dogs wouldn’t be afforded the same level of attention and training with the addition of another dog.
3. I am devoted to Tango, my yellow Labrador, and want to focus on “he and me.”
4. When I am finally ready to get another dog, after Tango is no longer with us (which I hope is a long, long time from now), I want a dog with whom I can continue therapy work.

Those are four very good reasons. Hard to argue with reasons.

So why, tell me, is it so painful for me to decline keeping sweet Great Dane, Siena, who is being released from the service dog program?

I *know* it’s the right decision — logically. Alas, I am ruled not with logic, but rather by emotion. And emotionally, I WANT TO KEEP HER!

It’s as if I have two very different people living in my head. And they argue constantly over this issue. And each of them have very compelling arguments.

Every danged time a Dane comes into my life so far, it’s resulted in heartbreak. That danged lovely Talos with his ice-blue eyes and cow-like spots nearly killed me with grief when I had to turn him in. (He’s now a brilliant service dog working for a brilliant woman, so the ending is happy].

And now, the adorable and oh-so-lovey Siena’s going to kill me when I give her up to a loving home [that’s going to be wonderful to her and for her].

Here’s the part I really don’t understand about myself. EVERY time I raise a service dog, I cry and my heart is broken. Yet, I’m not keeping Siena because I want to keep raising service dogs.

I think I’m crazy. That is all.

Puppy Training: Lesson of the Day – Polite Walking



Puppies arrive knowing very little. If you want your pup to have good habits, you’ll have to teach them what to do. The easiest way to do this is to start training your puppy as soon as she comes home. One of the earliest lessons (it feels like there are so many early lessons!) we teach our puppies (service dog or pets) is to walk on a loose leash. The bigger the dog, the bigger the problem. Your chihuahua probably won’t pull you down, but your Great Dane surely will — unless you start teaching polite leash manners early. Here’s how you can teach your puppy to walk with a loose leash.

Put your puppy’s breakfast in a fanny pack or treat pouch. Get your clicker ready. When you go on your morning walk, click and treat every time you take a step and your pup’s leash is slack. You’ll be clicking a lot, and that’s good! That’s why you brought your pup’s entire breakfast with you. They need to eat anyway, you might as well get some mileage out of all those treats.

You’re clicking (and treating) every single time you take a step and your pup’s leash is slack. It doesn’t matter which side they are on, if they’re switching sides, or if they’re behind you. As long as there’s a little dip in that leash, you’re clicking and treating.

If your pup gets excited about another dog or a squirrel and pulls ahead, simply stop. Mouth closed, arms at your sides, just wait. Pretty soon, your smart puppy will figure out that she’s not going anywhere. She’ll probably turn to look at you quizically. Yay! You’ll click and then hold the treat down by your side. You want the pup to come back to you to get the treat. Click and treat again. And again.

You’re making it obvious to the pup that being with you is really rewarding! Pulling isn’t. 

We inadvertantly teach our pup to pull when we follow along behind them when the leash is tight. Your pup doesn’t know that pulling means you’ll follow — until it actually happens! So unfortunately, when you follow your pulling puppy, you’re actually telling your puppy that that’s how to move forward — just lean into the collar, little buddy, and I’ll follow along.

That isn’t the message we mean to send, but it’s what’s received by the pup. Puppies do what works. If pulling gets them from Point A to Point B, why on earth would they try something different? So you, the smart trainer, are going to start your pup out with the realization that pulling = no movement.

And, in addition, staying closer to you, so the leash stays slack, gets the puppy two things: (1) treats and (2) moving forward! It’s a double win for your puppy! And it’s definitely a win for you! This is how we start loose leash walking — there are more advanced steps as the pup gets older, but we’ll get into that in another post. For now, all you have to worry about is teaching your puppy that pulling doesn’t work and having a loose leash gets that puppy lots more fun and freedom!

When did you start teaching your puppy leash manners? Share your dog-friendly loose leash walking tips in a comment below! I’d love to hear what’s worked for you!

 

Service Dog Training: What It Takes to Make a Good Service Dog


service dog, dog training, assistance dog, therapy dog, dog obedience, Frederick, Smart Dog, puppy training, dog classesLots of people say “I think my dog would be a good service dog, he’s so friendly!”

Truth is, it’s really hard to become a service dog. Friendliness is just one of the many things a dog needs to be good at to meet the high standards of service work.

As we evaluate our latest service pup in-training and her progress, here are some of the things we’re looking for.

  • ability to bounce back quickly from something scary
  • adaptability — can she transition easily between crowded public places like the supermarket, to quiet locations like the library
  • go with the flow attitude
  • physical health and structure — is she physically built to do the job of a support/brace dog? Does she have any allergies or other medical conditions that would prevent her from working a full career
  • can she learn all the basic good-manners behaviors quickly and incorporate those into her daily life easily without contsant reminders
  • can she learn to walk nicely on a leash all the time — no matter what distractions pop up in her environment
  • is she able to tolerate loud noises, sirens, flashing lights, bangs, and clattering? Many dogs are undone by the applause of an auditorium or the public address system — a service dog has to be rock-solid regardless of the noise or commotion going on in their environment.
  • is she able to walk on any type of surface, even if she’s never seen it before? Even if it’s wobbly?
  • can she adapt to new people quickly and easily? Being comfortable with strangers is very important for a service dog because in the event of an emergency, they may need to be separated from their partner.
  • does she enjoy seeing new places, getting attention from strangers, having a crowd around her, seeing many hands come toward her at one time? Service dogs sort of stick out in a crowd — especially a big, spotted Great Dane. She needs to be able to handle the crowds of people that will inevitably surround her at some point during her career.
  • can she sit to be petted? A service dog will rarely be asked to put her paws on people and in fact, jumping on people can lead to a quick dismissal from the program if that behavior can’t be modified. This is where most people who think their dogs would make a good service dog have trouble.
  • friendly with all other dogs. This one can be tough, as service dogs need to be able to tolerate other dogs, but not want to play with them or be distracted by them no matter what else is going on. This is a common reason that service dogs are released from service work.
  • a real desire to work with their partner. Lazy dogs don’t make very good service dogs! Service dogs need to be able to sleep quietly under a desk for a few hours, then at a moment’s notice be able to get up and thread through a crowd and help their partner navigate the subway system.

Most pet dogs have some of these qualities. Service dogs need to have them all!

Even though many service dog organizations select breeders specifically for dogs with good temperaments and excellent health, the release rate can be high. Our three dogs: Lily, Tango, and Nemo were all released from the program. Lily wasn’t comfortable in public, she was also reactive to other dogs. Nemo was a bit nervous in public and had a very bad fungal infection when he was just a year old. Tango would have been a fantastic service dog, but he has a bum leg (shoulder/elbow) that precluded him from having a full service dog career. He’s now a registered therapy dog which makes him very happy. He was born to do service work, and thankfully therapy work allows him the best of both worlds — he can still go into public places when he’s doing therapy work, but he’s able to get a lot more rest and preserve his health.

Some dogs have all the right skills to do service work, but just aren’t happy doing it.

Lily is an example of a whip-smart dog who could be a star service dog. But she doesn’t like being in public. That’s enough to keep her out of the program. An unhappy working dog doesn’t make a good partner for someone. And we want both ends of the leash to be happy together!

We will continue to watch Siena and evaluate her through the lens of a service dog partner for someone.

She’s already passed the “good pet” tests — if she doesn’t make it in the tough world of service work, she’s going to make someone very happy as she lounges on the couch or takes long walks with them.

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