This past week, Robin, a dog trainer, came into the DeKalb Animal Coalition Benefit Place with a beautiful young dog and her owner. Robin demonstrated several "tried and true" techniques that make for a well mannered dog and offered lessons that I thought may be helpful for you and your dog: some tips are here:
Taking charge: Has your dog tried to bite you just for telling him to «move over» so you could sit on the couch? When you scolded your dog for getting into the trash, did he growl at you? These dogs aren’t really vicious, but they are "alpha" dogs, they have taken over leadership of your family that loves them! They are giving orders instead of getting them. Alpha dogs can be the size of Chihuahuas or as large as a Great Dane. Dogs are pack animals,it is their social system, with a well defined pecking order. As far as your dog is concerned, no pack can exist without a leader and that is either you or him. Some dogs are born leaders, some fit easily into the lower levels of their human pack’s pecking order. Dogs want and need leaders and have an instinctive need to fit into a pack, (your family pack) .They want the security of knowing their place and what is expected of them. If human’s don’t take over that leadership, dogs will take the role themselves.
To reclaim your place as «leader», your dog needs some lessons in how to be a subordinate, not an equal. You have to let the dog know that he has to obey everyone in the family: if he knows that one family member can be dominated, he will go to that one. Stay ahead of him and anticipate his behavior so you can avoid or correct it. If he gets into the trash and growls when scolded, make the trash inaccessible. If he likes to run out of the door ahead of you, put him on a leash and make him sit until you open the door and give him permission by saying "OK". The following are effective, NON VIOLENT methods of removing your dog from his alpha status. You can teach him that he needs to earn what he gets.
First teach the simple command «sit», then reward with praise or a treat. Don›t go overboard with the verbal praises. Every time your dog wants something, his dinner, a walk outside, some attention, anything, tell him to SIT first. Then give him the «good boy» (or girl!) praise, and give him his dinner, walk, etc. If he refuses to sit, then walk away and ignore him. No SIT, no reward. Don’t give in until he sits with your command. Make him sit before being petted, before giving him his toy, before giving him his food.
If you have been «rough housing» with your dog such as playing tug of war or wrestling, it is a good idea to stop. These games encourage dogs to dominate people physically and to use their teeth. Rough, physical games prove to him that he is already stronger and quicker than you. Other games to play are fetch, frisbee catching or hide and seek.
Dogs learn good behavior by being rewarded for doing well. Anything the dog likes and enjoys is good to train with. A lot of training techniques focus on too many bad things a dog does and forces the animal to figure out through trial and error, what he must do in order not to be punished. For instance, if he jumps on you, instead of yelling, turn your back, ignore him, and when he does sit, reward him with praise or a treat.
Factors such as age, temperament, environment, sensitivity level and past history are a big part in your dog›s response to training. Some breeds take longer to train. More tips in a future column.
No excuse not to come on down to the Animal Benefit Place on Fri. 10-4 or Sat. 10-2, 110 W. Walnut St., Smithville. What deals we have on everything in the store. This week a nightstand, floor polisher, shoes, and new books were donated. Proceeds go to the shelter.
