by Michael Chill
One of the most
common complaints among dog trainers is that many clients choose breeds of dogs
whose innate behavior and temperament are totally inappropriate for their
lifestyles. In fact, many people
don’t even consider behavior or temperament when choosing dogs at all. “He has such beautiful blue eyes,” or
“He looked just like a bear in the pet store window,” or even, “The one on that
TV is show just so cute!” are typical of some of the many reasons people offer
when asked why they chose their dogs.
People are
under the impression that any dog, regardless of breed, can be trained to fit
any circumstance or situation, and they discount the fact that breeds carry
with them myriad traits and behavioral tendencies that cannot be “trained out
of them.” Even the late Barbara
Woodhouse, in the epilogue of “Dog Training My Way” states that, when asked
which breed someone should choose, she advises “choose whatever dog you fancy,
for it will be the one you fancy that is the easiest for you to train.”
She couldn’t have been more wrong.
When was the
last time someone saw a seeing eye Chow?
Or a police K-9 force of Golden retrievers? Or a Malamute herding sheep? The answer is never, of course. And that’s not because trainers don’t choose to train these
particular dogs for those jobs. It
is the very real fact that these breeds cannot do those jobs! Genetically, these dogs have behavioral
and temperament traits that make them unable to respond to certain types of
training, no matter how hard someone tries. And, yes, there are the wonderful exceptions to every rule,
but as much as we can predict the size, shape and coat of a Chow, we can also
predict that practically none would be able to meet the requirements of a
seeing eye dog.
Many breed
characteristics may actually be assets when one considers the original purpose
of the breed. The indefatigable
energy of a Labrador, the protectiveness of a Doberman pinscher, even the
nipping of a Border collie are really talents that have been selectively bred
for generations, but can cause frustration for many of these dogs’ owners. Other traits, such as the submissive
urinating of Cocker spaniels or the excessive shyness of Shetland sheepdogs are
obviously not actively encourage, but nonetheless, come with the contract, so
to speak. So, doing research about
a particular breed has always been the rallying cry of trainers and
behaviorists, hoping that clients could, therefore, avoid certain problems.
However, there
are problems with that well intentioned, but inadequate suggestion.
Very simply,
the books describing the various breeds are written by breeders and other
enthusiasts who rarely write bluntly of a breeds’ shortcomings. And, even when they do, the statements
are couched in euphemisms, much like reading the promotional material of a
particular car. Only those who can
read between the lines of car magazines understand that the term “high
performance” really means 11 miles to the gallon of gas; with dogs, it is much
the same.
Take the phrase
“loves exercise” or the slightly more honest “needs exercise.” That statement would be much more
effective if there was an accompanying photograph of the destruction done to
the home of the owner of a bored and under-exercised Weimaraner, for
example. Or the term, “independent;”
in “dogspeak” that simply means that he will not come when called.
This isn’t
meant to stereotype all dogs into rigid categories and to imply that nothing
can be done to train dogs or alter their behaviors. Being informed and prepared, however, will certainly help in
avoiding the pitfalls, or at the very least offer some consolation. Explaining to a Bichon owner that they
should expect housebreaking mistakes until 6 to 8 months of age is certainly not
welcome news, but at least makes them aware that this is typical and that there
may be nothing wrong with either what they are doing or their dogs. Furthermore, a young couple would be
well advised to avoid certain breeds known to be problems around children,
should they plan on having kids in the future.
Contact Michael Chill
The Name Game
by Ann Masters
LOS ANGELES - This is a hard one to remember because, in our day-to-day “human” interactions, we often used each other’s names—paired with a variety of, let’s just call them, “inflections”—to communicate our feelings.
I’m sure we’re all familiar with the stomach-tightening feeling that accompanies hearing one’s name called at top volume from across the house by a partner or parent. Are you ever excited to respond to that? (The assumed response, by the way, is “No.”)
Now apply that same concept to your dog. If you use her name in conjunction with corrections, reprimands, warnings or punishment, she will soon lose the desire to
respond to it. So, whenever you can, make sure you’re using your pooch’s name positively. That way your dog will feel eager to respond to her name because, when you use it to get her attention or call her to you, good things happen.
You Don’t Have to Yell
by Ann Masters
LOS ANGELES - When it comes to issuing commands, it's the tone not the volume of your voice that matters.
You want to sound calm, assertive, authoritative and confident. A harsh, loud command can confuse your dog or, if your pooch is particularly sensitive, may even shut him or her down.
Take the time to notice what your dog responds to positively and, even more important, what he or she responds to negatively. Many owners make the mistake of assuming their dog is being obstinate or willful when ignoring a command. The dog may, in fact, be confused, stressed, tired or scared. If you're having a problem teaching a new command or getting your dog to comply with familiar commands while training, switch gears. Work on a command he or she knows well (like "Sit" or "Down") and, once you both succeed, end the lesson there.
Just Say It Once
by Ann Masters
If there's one phrase I find myself (ironically enough) repeating several times during my training sessions with clients, it's "Just say it once."
When you tell your dog to "Sit," he or she should sit. If your pooch doesn't sit, then gently guide the dog into a sitting position and then praise or reward the sit. Just say it once.
When you say a command more than once-this is the most common one-Sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit, sit-you're teaching your dog to blow you off and tune you out. After all, you didn't mean it the first time, right? Just say it once. Why should the dog hang out and listen to you do a lack-luster impression of a broken record?
Just say it once. Just say it once. Just say it once.
You Get What You Give
by Ann Masters
LOS ANGELES - When it comes training your dog, you get what you give. If you work hard, so will your dog. If you slack off, Bongo will too.
That's why it's so important to set realistic guidelines for yourself and your
pooch. Decide just how perfect you'd like Bongo's behavior to be and, more importantly, what training is most essential to you. For example, if you decide you want Bongo to heel like a champion on the leash, then give that training a champion effort. Maintain it just as mindfully.
If you ever want to assess the effectiveness of your training, simply look at the appropriateness of your dog's behavior. If your pooch tends to do what he wants, when he wants, then chances are - when it comes to your training - you do, too.
Work it, Baby
by Ann Masters
LOS ANGELES – Whether you have a wiggly Chihuahua or a rough-n-tumble mutt, your dog needs to work. Notice I used the word needs. Working is as much a part of Puddles' genetic makeup as running, playing, sleeping or eating. Unfortunately, along with domestication, we've introduced our dogs to joblessness.
The result?
They're bored. And a bored dog is a destructive dog. Without a job to do, Puddles has a limited list of ways to pass the time. Unfortunately, chewing, scratching and digging typically top that list.
The solution?
Help keep Puddles entertained by making him earn everything. Practice your commands regularly to reinforce his training. Walk him daily and exercise him with interactive games like fetch. Make your dog sit before receiving affection, a treat or a toy. And, finally, when you're not at home, provide interactive toys like the Buster Cube, puzzle toys and stuffable chews.
You’re Always Training Your Dog
By Ann Masters
LOS ANGELES – When you give your dog attention - affection, treats or any kind of reward - you are reinforcing the behavior that is happening at that very moment. For example, if you come home and Sir Doggy Von Doggle Pants jumps all over you while excitedly whining and you respond by petting him enthusiastically (most likely while coo-cooing the words, "Hey, Boy! Didya miss me? Who's the big boy that I love? WHO'S THE BIG BOY THAT I LOVE!?"), you're reinforcing that behavior.
Congratulations. That's how your dog will greet you every time you come home. On the other more appealing hand, if you wait until your dog is calm before you greet him, then that's the way he'll learn to welcome you home. See how it works? Ignore or correct the behaviors you don't like and - this is the most important part - notice and reward the behaviors you do like.
ANN MASTERS
Ann Masters is a professional dog trainer in the Los Angeles Area. Contact Ann for information on her training methods and services.