Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide.  Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the lead trainers are all graduates of Purdue University’s DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Puppy Enters The Home – Now What

The thought of having a wonderful fun furry friend in your home is now a reality.  Your children swore on whatever is precious to them, they would help or totally care for the puppy.  Memory of your own youth served you well. The childhood puppy and how much fun it was coming through the door after a long day at school to be greeted with puppy breath and kisses.  Wisdom gained only through age has you knowing, why your parents were always reminding you of your commitment. How you swore to do everything from feeding to walking and cleaning up after him. Now before your children are tucked in bed you have fed, walked, and cleaned up after their new puppy.

The fun thing about the past is, the present. Yet a puppy’s needs remain the same, but thank goodness the process of blending him into the family has greatly changed for the better.  The past meant if your puppy “messed” in the house one solution may have been to rub his nose in it.  Science and behavioral studies have now proven rubbing his nose in it does nothing to make him stop messing in the house.  It will, however, cause him to find another area to eliminate and could produce a more fearful puppy when people reach for him.  Studies tell us it’s best to clap your hands, interrupting the natural elimination process, followed by immediately taking him outside to the same potty area. Then remain quiet and still while patiently waiting for the job to be finished.

The past meant if your puppy grabbed a shoe, sock or magazine, you may have chased him screaming “no” throughout the house.  Oh, how your reaction taught him a great game of “catch me if you can”, which was reinforced each time played.  Now, you have the advantage of knowing how to turn that game around and let him chase you. Run away while making high pitched sounds and it causes your puppy to turn and chase you. Before reaching for the coveted item, give the puppy a tasty treat. As he takes the treat that shoe will automatically fall from his mouth and you’ve begun training the retrieve.  By putting valuable items out of reach or behind closed doors for safe keeping you will be able to eliminate future chewing problems and enjoy your puppy even more.

Another old time favorite myth is, when your puppy is doing something wrong, for an example, chewing on a table leg and remember to a puppy the world is his chew toy, you should smack him with a newspaper. It, too, has been proven wrong, now you can read the newspaper by providing your puppy with plenty of interactive toys. These toys will keep the puppy entertained and teach him what is and is not appropriate to chew on.

Remember back to when you would never, ever think of putting your puppy in a crate.  Many thought it to be equal to a solitary jail sentence. Thank goodness that one has changed.   The crate, when properly used is now known to be a safe haven.  A place he can go to rest or when in need of quiet time, his very own indoor den.  There are many uses for a crate, an aid in house training, a safe place when he cannot be supervised and management when needed.  There are many good reasons to use a crate properly, and none to abuse the use of a crate.

Times have changed, but not the reasons for kids still wanting their very own puppy or dog.  The love and laughter received from a puppy or dog far exceeds the inconveniences.

Tip of the week:  Squeaky and food stuff-able toys allow puppies and dogs to problem solve.  When our canine friends have puzzle solving toys they remain contented and thus far less likely to be destructive.  Today’s market offers many mentally challenging toys for your puppy or dog.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide.  Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the lead trainers are graduates of Purdue University’s DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers

Trainers are often asked about electronic training devices including the question, “what’s the difference between electric fences and electric shock collars?” The truth is, both produce a painful shock, and make no mistake, the manufacturer’s word “stimulation” really means “painful shock”.

First understand the technical differences.  An electric fence system is designed to keep a dog contained on your property by placing a wire under ground and around the perimeter of the property.  The dog wears a collar with a transmitter that locates the underground wire.  When the dog gets close to that wire, he first receives a warning tone and should he continue on towards the underground wire an electric jolt is received.  These work well to keep most dogs in their own yard.

When using a shock collar, the dog wears a similar type collar, but the electric tone and jolt are administered by the owner pushing a button on a handheld remote.

So what’s the difference and why do most professional trainers support underground containment systems while being strongly against remote control electronic training devices.  The difference is human vs. technology. Hand held devices are poor to bad training methods just waiting to happen. This includes, but are not limited to, accidental administration of the shock, lack of knowing how canines learn and how best to teach them, poor timing, frustration, and little to no patience. The dog is at the mercy of the one holding the remote! The electric underground systems deliver a warning tone and followed by a shock in the exact place each and every time providing consistency.  The timing is always impeccable because it is free human error, frustration and little patience, the dog activates the punishment.  No human can be so precise.  Anyone trying to use a shock collar to keep a dog in the yard cannot press the button at exactly the same location every time single time.  One day the dog receives the shock 5 feet from the imagined line and the next time, 3 feet past it.  Sending mixed signals of any kind to your dog can cause confusion, anxiety, unwanted behavior, submission urination, fear, fear-based aggression and more.   The dog has no idea why he suddenly feels intense pain, but he does understand fear and that fear can become so bad, some dogs won’t even leave the house. They now must live with no comprehension of how to end the random jolts of pain.

When using a shock collar for other problem behaviors, the same applies.  Human timing will always include errors therefore the use of a remote shock collar is never justified to train any dog any behavior.  In addition, using a shock collar to fix one problem behavior often creates other more serious problems.  As trainers, we’ve treated many, many dogs that jumped on people so their owners used a shock collar to stop the jumping, and sure enough their dogs stopped jumping.  Unfortunately, now their dogs are afraid of people and why wouldn’t they be afraid. Every time they tried to greet someone they felt intense pain.  Their seeing people and feeling pain created a horrible association. The dog came to associate (believe) people brought them pain; not their jumping!

Deciding to keep your dog in the yard by using an electric underground containment system should be carefully considered.  First, not all dogs respect the boundaries of an electric fence, although the odds are very good if properly train to the system.  Some dogs see the incentive on the other side of your underground fence worth the pain of breaking through its boundary.  In addition, electric fences do not keep possible danger out. Stray dogs, coyotes or other animals can enter the yard and may be a true threat to your dog.  Children can freely walk through your yard, and if your dog is isn’t well socialized with children there’s the risk of a bite.

Realizing many neighborhoods don’t allow structural fences the option of an underground electric fence is an appealing way to provide some fairly affordable freedom for your dog and one we support when necessary.  Given a choice, however, it is the structural fence that best protects overall, keeping all involved safe.

Tip of the week:  Thinking about investing in an underground electrical containment system? Do your research and choose a good quality fence.  Read the directions in addition to your research. Some systems will provide intermittent shocks when the phone rings or when close to a television or radio. Even the good systems require you to be responsible. Low batteries can produce shocks so be sure to check and confirm your system is working properly at least once a month.

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide. Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the lead trainers are graduates of Purdue University’s DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Do You Need A Dog Trainer?

There are many reasons why you might want to seek help from a professional when you have a dog. Poorly socialized puppies can develop aggression to unfamiliar things, so they need to meet a variety of dogs, people and places when they are young. Attending a puppy class that includes off leash playtime is a great way to socialize a puppy with other canines. They get to play with and learn from puppies of similar age. You may have an older dog in your home that your pup interacts with, but older dogs play differently than young puppies and puppies need to be around a variety of dogs & puppies to become well socialized.

Dogs are individuals, what works with one dog may or may not work with the next dog. Some learn quickly and for those who have the quick learning dog, enjoy it! When multiple dogs are in the house they need individual training time. Taking them to a training class where they get one on one time can greatly speed up the learning process.

Many trainers make house calls to work on specific behavior issues. Some unwanted behaviors needs to be seen, evaluated and treated in the dog’s home environment.

Dog training methods have evolved dramatically in the last 10 years. Often it’s the dog owner who has the most to learn from the trainer. Find a trainer who is educated on positive reinforcement training, traditional methods for the most part haven’t changed in since the 1920’s. Positive reinforcement training is used, taught and recommended by all of the animal behavior colleges and Veterinary behaviorists.

When you are looking for a dog trainer, ask questions. What training methods will be used, where did the trainer get his or her training, what are their credentials. A good dog trainer is current on training methods, scientific studies and proven learning theories. They don’t base their expertise or abilities by telling stories of personal experiences or years of doing it this or that way. If any trainer suggests a training technique that physical inflicts pain, don’t comply just because they are the “trainer”.

If your pet exhibits any behaviors you’re not happy with, find a trainer who can help you either through class or private consultations. Your dog may not need perfect obedience, but a trainer can help you have the perfect dog for you.

Tip of the week: To help find a dog trainer in your area visit the association of professional dog trainers at http://www.ccpdt.org. Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North – 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or email susan@caninecompanion.us 260.344.1217 or 260.436.5556

Canine Companion conducts dog training classes in Fort Wayne, Huntington and surrounding communities and behavior consulting nationwide.  Along with their combined 30 years experience and endorsement by national organizations, the lead trainers are graduates of Purdue University’s DOGS! Program and have earned the title of Certified Pet Dog Trainer through the Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Dogs that growl, snap or bite are frequently labeled as aggressive and often owners and some trainers begin using punishment to stop the unwanted behavior.  This does not work and it can make the problem worse.  The underlying cause of the aggression must be understood and addressed.

Fear aggression is the most common cause of growling and biting.  The dog’s perception is that when presented with a new or frightening situation, growling or acting out makes things better.  A dog who is afraid of strangers growls and the person backs away.  A dog that does not like having their toenails trimmed growls and the owner stops trimming them.  The dog learns that growling makes the scary thing go away.

When punishment is used with dogs displaying fear aggression, the aggression often gets worse.  The dog is already in a frightened state.  If while in that situation they get yelled at, hit or punished in any way, their fear increases.  Often the growling may stop, but eventually the dog will bite if the underlying fear is not addressed.  Pairing really good treats with the trigger is a good start to reducing the dogs fear.

Territorial aggression is when a dog barks at or even bites people who come on or near their property.  This is a self rewarding behavior.  The deliveryman walks up to the house and leaves a package on the door, the dog barks and the person leaves.  The person leaving rewards the dogs barking.  They do not understand that the person would have left anyway.  A jogger approaches the house, the dog barks and the person passes by.  Once again rewarding the dogs barking.

Don’t leave your dog out in the yard or alone in the house where he can see people passing by when you are not there to stop his behavior.  Teach him to come into the kitchen to get tasty treats when the delivery van pulls into your drive.  Call him for a game of fetch when out in the yard and people pass by.  Teach him what you would like him to do in these situations instead of punishing him for his outbursts.

Inter-dog aggression is when dogs don’t get along with other dogs and growl at or even fight with them.  Sometimes this is only when on leash or confined behind a fence or kennel.  In these situations, the dogs choices about how to greet another dog are limited by the leash or barrier.  Similar to the fear aggression, the behavior of growling is rewarded by the other dog staying away.

Dogs who are aggressive with other dogs both on and off leash typically had little to no socialization with other dogs once they were taken away from their littermates.  The socialization period for dogs ends at around 14 weeks of age.  If they are exposed to few dogs, or people for that matter, they are more likely to show fear aggression and inter-dog aggression as they age.  Begin pairing the appearance of other dogs with really good things, like tasty treats or a favorite toy, and his way of behaving may begin to change.

When a dog growls, the first response from most dog owners is to reprimand the dog.  If you have a growling dog it is important to understand why they are growling and work to change the dog’s attitude.  If you can do that their behavior will improve.

Tip of the week: Does your dog growl, snap or bite?  Find a trainer who uses positive reinforcement and behavior modification to help you change your dog’s attitude about the situation.   Bark questions to: Canine Companion, 11652 North – 825 West, Huntington, IN 46750 or email info@caninecompanion.us