Dog Relations: Let Your Dog Be A Dog

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/Dog-Relations-NYC-dog-trainer-let-your-dog-be-a-dog-1024x683.jpg

Very often the first thing we teach a puppy is how to sit. I am not quite sure when all of that started. I guess it is easy enough to teach and makes a puppy guardian proud.

However I have become tired of this cookie cutter approach. Not because I think that sit and wait are not valuable but because I feel that people start to ask for those behaviors under difficult or inappropriate circumstances. I also object to forcing the puppy/dog to sit by pulling up on the leash or pushing the butt down; even worse is to constantly ask the dog to sit when he is jumping.

If you want them to keep all paws on the floor then prevent them from jumping in the first place by rewarding them for remaining on the floor. Don’t wait until they start jumping.

When I work with a dog I feed the dog strategically in the position I would like the dog to be in. In other words: low and while the dog is still calm. With my puppy Snorri (who is huge!) this has paid off big time because he has taken to alternate and low positions when he greets humans or other dogs. He will play bow, offer a stand sideways to the human greeter, for small dogs he will lie down on the ground and other behaviors that everyone prefers over jumping, and he does so because I reward so highly for that.

In situations that I know are difficult for him I will feed his polite position. I know people think that I am constantly handing out behavior candy and they say stuff like “Ahh yes the treats…” but they don’t understand that there is a method to my feeding madness.

The reason I felt the need to discuss this topic is that I have lately seen a few examples of people who are so obsessed with the idea of “no jumping” that they won’t even let their dog/puppy play with another dog! Ironically, as the puppy sees the other dog and wants to play, they tighten the leash causing the puppy to stand on his hind legs and hop up and down on the restraining leash… while they order them in vain to SIT… something the pup cannot possibly do. The puppy is being punished for being a friendly puppy, for wanting to play and be social. It’s a double whammy of inadvertent reinforcement caused by overly zealous control. It’s quite troubling to me.

As much as I feel that a puppy should be taught to be polite in human and canine terms I feel it is cruel to smother their good instincts. Help them by showing them what we would like the greeting to look like and they will gladly follow your guidance.

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Dog Relations: Let Your Dog Be A Dog appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/dog-relations-let-your-dog-be-a-dog/

Tips for Spring Dog Grooming in NYC

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/Zeldi-the-Briard-Dog-Relations-NYC-dog-trainer-1024x683.jpg

It’s spring and we look forward to warmer weather and nice expeditions to the country and the beach with our dogs. As delightful as the warmer weather can be it also brings with it the same question: How to beat the heat?

I have two Briards with lush, long coats. I cannot tell you how often people ask me if I am not going to give them a haircut for the summer. They must be hot?

No way would I ever shave or clip them for reasons of climate!

By the same token I hear dog guardians proudly pronounce “He got his summer haircut! Now we are ready!” and I think: Really? Their coat protects from the heat as much as from cold!

Think of people who live in the desert who wrap themselves in wool blankets. They are not masochists, they know what a shading effect these heavy blankets have. I would never consider shaving my dogs. Dogs can only perspire through the tongue and the paw pads to keep themselves a bit cooler… skin exposure would only risk sunburn and additional heat exposure.

The article below explains in more detail why double coated dogs should not be shaved.

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/why-you-shouldnt-shave-your-dog-in-summer/

But double coated dogs aside: why shave at all? If you feel you need to give your dog a summer haircut then cut the hair down to one inch in length, please!

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Tips for Spring Dog Grooming in NYC appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/tips-for-spring-dog-grooming-in-nyc/

Insights from a Dog Trainer: Food – Motivator, Reward or Distraction?

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/Insights-from-a-Dog-Trainer-Food-Motivator-Reward-or-Distraction-Dog-Relations-NYC.png

As I was walking to training appointment I was followed by a puggle who wanted to greet me. Dogs follow me in the street quite often and I am always delighted. The man holding on to the leash was somewhat surprised and said: “Oh you must have treats on you!”

I confirmed his suspicion and admitted that I worked with dogs so I had goodies in my pockets and in my bag. He then surprised me by saying: “We were never able to train this dog: He is so food motivated.”

I didn’t say it but thought: Are you kidding? Food motivation is a gift from heaven.

But I guess you have to know how to use it.

After reflecting a bit about what he said and combining it with the ideas of “clean” training and how to reward effectively I think I now understand what he was talking about.

If food is constantly dangling in front of the dog, if food is used to lure the dog all the time they are so intent on looking for food and how they can get at it that they are in fact not learning anything.

It’s the kind of situation in which we get the famous: He’s not going to “do” it if there isn’t any food involved. When dogs are in that “Gimme the food NOW drooling state” they are really way too distracted to think about what we are asking them to do. They are not motivated to learn how to get the coveted food. They will not gain any understanding of other signals that would get them to respond appropriately to get access to the desired food reward.

I guess that is how food gets a bad rap from a certain segment of the population who may share this mindset:

“The dog should perform because the dog is supposed to be ‘obedient’. I want the dog to love me and do it for me and not for the food I give him.  Food is considered a bribe.”

Well yes, if you constantly bribe your dog you are in effect doling the food out for free. If you give food for a behavior well done you will get voluntary offers for that behavior!

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Insights from a Dog Trainer: Food – Motivator, Reward or Distraction? appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/food-motivator-reward-or-distraction/

Teaching and Eliciting Voluntary Compliance for Grooming and Medical Procedures

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/teaching-eliciting-grooming-and-medical-procedures.png

I can’t touch her ears!

She hates the brush!

He shakes on the way to the groomer.

Isn’t it an oxymoron that on one hand we “spoil” our beloved dogs with the fanciest beds and coats, find the greatest joy in giving them a toy they love to play with but when it comes to taking them to the vet or groomer we show much less concern for the emotional state of our pups.

Oh…he’ll get over it!

Yes, he HATES going there and the vet tech has to hold him in a stranglehold when they take his temperature. We have to muzzle her when she gets a bath. All of a sudden, the puppies’ suffering becomes a thing they just have to deal with.

WRONG! Teaching your puppy to accept being handled, brushed, having their nails clipped and accepting injections is possible and will make your and the dog’s life a whole lot better.

Does it come naturally? Not necessarily!

Is it a whole lot of work? Not really.

Planning ahead is key and realizing that stopping in at the vet’s just to get them a cookie without “having anything BAD happen to them” will not solve the problem.

Even if your tiny puppy lets you handle their feet, toes and ears, and lets you take stuff out of his mouth that does not necessarily predict that this will be the case a couple of months down the road. Be happy but practice anyway!

I think if the goal is to make our dogs’ lives as stress and fear-free as possible that teaching them to accept grooming and medical handling voluntarily should be seen as basic as teaching them to sit or recognize their name.

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Teaching and Eliciting Voluntary Compliance for Grooming and Medical Procedures appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/teaching-eliciting-grooming-and-medical-procedures/

Why You Need to Focus on Reinforcing Your Dog’s Good Behaviors

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/Elisabeth-and-Zeldi-Dog-Relations-NYC-dog-trainer-2.jpg

Behaviors fulfill a purpose. Behaviors have consequences. A behavior that pays off will be worth repeating.

A couple of days ago I came across an advice column for parents in the Washington Post:

How to handle a 6-year-old who won’t take no for an answer

I was really excited by the explanations given there. If you have read any of my previous blog articles you will have noticed how I harp on inadvertently reinforced nuisance behaviors and the idea that attention is a great payoff for dogs. So, when a couple of sentences into the article I saw this sentence:

What is your child getting out of this back and forth? Every behavior serves a purpose. It is a useful exercise to sit back and say, “How does arguing serve my son?” The answer isn’t, “He likes to be annoying.”

I was rather amused!

I usually explain to clients that they should notice and pay attention to their dogs/puppies when they are “being good” or when they are “doing nothing”. This is usually met with a blank stare. If it’s all OK why reinforce it? My answer is that rewarded behaviors increase in frequency and if you ignore “good behavior” without reinforcing it, it will not really pay off for the dog. After all, doing nothing can be really boring. And then the dog decides to do something that will get him much needed attention, even if the quality of that attention might not be lovey dovey in nature.

Here’s some more from the article:

Another reason your son may be debating with you is that this is how he connects with you. Because connection and belonging are fundamental human needs (and even more so in children), a child can easily become accustomed to arguing as a form of connection. It sounds odd, but when there is strong eye contact and a raised voice, this feels normal. Even good! Even though you are annoyed, all of your attention is focused on him, and that is powerful stuff for a 6-year-old.

Bingo! Your dog is thinking: If that is the only way I can get my human’s attention, I will do this again! It works! You have just encouraged the dog to misbehave…

So, what should you do? Well, it depends on the problem. If you are over parenting and bossing your child around too much, take a look at where you can make more room for choices and enthusiastic yeses. In fact, I would recommend creating scenarios during which to say yes more. Six-year-olds are remarkably useful, smart and love real work.

In other words: Teach the dog behaviors that will get them approval from you! Instead of yelling at them for barking at you: show them that settling on the floor will get you to share table scraps with them. Instead of jumping up on you in delight when you come home, teach them to leap onto a chair, or get a toy to play tug or whatever seems fun enough for them but doesn’t rip your clothes.

If you feel that your son is mostly connecting with you through arguing, make a list of positive, fun ways you can connect with him. Anything will work: sports, card games, roughhousing, reading together, watching a movie, going on a hike, you name it. The point is that you laugh, be silly, smile and enjoy your son. Will this stop the arguing? No, but my hope is that it will lessen it.

If you find that most of your interactions with your dog are yelling “no” “stop that” “hey” or repeating his name in a disapproving tone of voice or any version of that kind of nebulous reprimand it’s time for playing, walking and training.

Need help applying positive reinforcement techniques for desired behavior?  Book a behavior consultation!

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Why You Need to Focus on Reinforcing Your Dog’s Good Behaviors appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/why-you-need-to-focus-on-reinforcing-your-dogs-good-behaviors/

Dog training Tips: Substitutes for “STOP IT!”

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/HII04401-Dog-Relations-NYC-dog-trainer.jpg

When I first teach “leave it” I start with a piece of food that I throw on the floor and reward any movement away from the desired object. I can then practice with different desirable objects in different environments but usually it is very clear to me what the object is, since I am controlling the “it”.

Then it all of a sudden hit me; Since I mostly don’t have control over what I want my pup to “leave” the actual cue to the dog should mean this: whatever you are looking at (the dog across the street, the weird limping person on the sidewalk, the shiny piece of orange peel sticking out underneath a trash bag) no matter what “Look at me and you get a reward” or “Give me your full attention”.

This can work when you are on a walk with your dog and the environment is such that the dog can actually hear you.

The best cues I find are “circumstantial”. I put down a platform and the dog knows they are going to stand on that platform no matter what. It’s totally clear.

I put my hand on the doorknob to open the door and the dog knows this means “sit” until they hear the word “OK!!!”

With my puppy Snorri I have also made putting on my winter jacket a cue for “ sit” and instead of rewarding his begging for food I say “ you know what to do” and he will settle on the floor. It’s a wonderful way to get replacement behaviors that lead to a harmonious and fun time instead of the boring “stop it!” or ”now, now: we don’t do this, do we?”

That just misleads the dog and contributes ultimately to reinforcing that behavior.

The goal of so called positive reinforcement teaching is to replace nuisance behaviors with highly rewarded replacement behaviors.

This article by Kay Laurence (Can we teach “stop doing that”?) describes very well what this means in practical terms. Keep in mind that any gesture, any object or location (such as a designated spot or platform that you pick) can become a cue for a specific behavior.

So that the somewhat elusive cue “leave it” should mean something specific behaviorally to the dog and offer the dog the solution to earn the reward. Kay Laurence tells us that she does use different “go to’s” for different situations. That is so smart.

Need help applying these techniques?  Book a behavior consultation!

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Dog training Tips: Substitutes for “STOP IT!” appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/dog-training-tips-substitutes-for-stop-it/

Puppy Training & Managing Fear Periods

https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/wp-content/uploads/puppy-fear-periods-Dog-Relations-NYC-dog-trainer.jpg

We try and keep our dogs safe and do everything to stave away scary and unfortunate events. You can’t and should not raise your puppy in a bubble. However there are times when you might want to be extra cautious. Those times are when your puppy is going through natural fear periods.

I am particularly interested in the subject at the moment since my current puppy Snorri is clearly going through a fear period now.

The unfortunate events that happen can be anything from your dog getting growled at or attacked by another dog, some weirdo approaching your dog in a way that scares him or a piece of debris falls or tips over and makes a loud bang. These kinds of things will happen and really are practically unavoidable and luckily in most cases your pup can overcome the experience with a bit of counter conditioning. However, if your dog is in the vulnerable stage of a fear period there is an increased possibility that they experience something called “a single event learning experience”

Fear periods generally happen at two separate intervals as your puppy grows; one predictably at around 8-10 weeks of age, and a second more variably in late adolescence (6 – 24 months). A fear period is essentially a time when your pup is extremely sensitive to bad experiences. A single frightening or painful experience can have a lasting impact on your dog’s behavior.

This article describes fear periods and single event learning along with examples of what can happen:

http://www.drjensdogblog.com/the-dark-side-of-socialization-fear-periods-and-single-event-learning/

If you find that your puppy is all of a sudden afraid of things he was not at all bothered about before, please pay attention to that. Fear is not a rational response. Fear needs to be supported.  Try to help your dog remain in a state of mind where he can still think and accept his favorite treats.  Under no circumstances should you “flood” your dog, meaning that you force him through the scary event. That’s like throwing someone out of a plane to help him overcome his fear of heights.

Lastly, please be aware of the fact that sometimes the trigger event can leave permanent scars even with the best efforts and the most skillful training techniques.

---

Elisabeth Weiss is a highly certified, experienced dog trainer in Manhattan, NYC. To learn more about dog training services, contact us by phone at (917) 783-1473 or our contact form.

The post Puppy Training & Managing Fear Periods appeared first on NYC Dog Trainer.

Read More at https://www.dogrelationsnewyorkcity.com/puppy-training-managing-fear-periods/