How to approach or not approach a person their dog

In my profession I have been hyper vigilant in noticing how people greet other people & their dogs.  Sometimes it is down right scary the way a stranger will approach another stranger & their dog.  Honestly, I am surprised there are not more dog bites occurring during this uninformed greeting process.  Kudos to those dogs for having SO MUCH tolerance.

So, what is the best way to approach another human walking their dog?  This post will address how a person without a dog should approach or greet another person with a dog.  In the meantime, dont forget to read our post on how kids should greet dogs.  Some of this information will be the same, because we all need to have better manners when meeting & greeting dogs.

First I want to bring up The Yellow Dog Project, because I get a lot of people asking me about this.  This is a movement to try to educate people that if a dog is wearing a yellow ribbon, that dog needs more space & promotes appropriate contact with those dogs.  I think this is great!  BUT, I feel this should be the case with ALL dogs, as you will soon learn. I wish this project was promoting proper interactions with ALL dogs, because people should be learning how to interact properly with all dogs, not just ones with a yellow ribbon.  I think they missed the big picture on this one, but my hats off to them for trying to bring awareness in greeting dogs.

1. Not all dogs want to say hello to all people all the time.  This is something that dog loving people have a real hard time comprehending sometimes.  After all, they are dog lovers & all dogs love them.  Well, I hate to burst bubbles, but that is not always the case.  Please dont take it personally either.  Just because a few dogs do not appreciate your intentions does not mean you are not loved by lots of dogs.  :)

·         Even if you have a regular meeting with another dog, does not mean that you should not go through the proper greeting ritual each time you interact.  You should.  Even very social dogs have their off days, or sometimes they are even in pain that you might not be aware of.

2. Evaluate the dog from a distance.  This is very important to do before approaching a person and their dog.  Just stop & watch what is going on.  Does the dog seem comfortable & relaxed?  What about the person?  If either seems stressed, or in a hurry, this would not be an ideal time for approaching.  Try again another day.
3. Approach slowly, relaxed & not making eye contact with the dog.  Please, whatever you do, do not keep extended eye contact with a dog.  This makes a lot of dogs very nervous & unsure of your intentions.  Unlike us primates, canines consider this a threat.  So, as you approach, look at the person & casually gaze at the dog to read his body language.
4. Stop 5-10 away from the person & their dog.  Look at the person & ask if you can say hello to their dog.  Please dont ask if their dog "is friendly" because even a friendly dog doesnt always want to say hello.  Not to mention, some people may take a bit of offense by this question.

·         Wait for an answer.  You are doing a great job so far, asking to greet, just dont forget to actually wait for the person to either say "yes" or "no."  If the dogs person says it is ok, ask what the dogs name is.

5. Ask the dog.  Another step often overlooked is to actually ask the dog if he wants to say hello.  Calmly say the dogs name & quietly tap your outside leg & say "hi Dexter (insert the dogs name)."  You want the dog to come up to you, dont rush up to the dog.

·         If the dog comes up to you, gently pet under the dogs chin, chest, & side area.  If the dog moves away at anytime, do not follow him, ask him to come back for more petting.  If he doesnt come back, he no longer wishes to be pet. 

·         Dont get over exuberant in your petting.  For one, this can intimidate some dogs.  Secondly, a lot of people are trying really hard to teach their dogs not to jump up when petting.  Being overly excited can cause a lot of dogs to jump up.

6. Thank you.  Dont forget to thank the dog and their person for allowing you to greet.  Thank you goes a long way in our society.

Tips:

·         If the dog is barking, or jumping around do not approach. 

·         Dont put your face in a dogs face.

·         Dont approach a dog while he is eating, or chewing a toy.

·         If a dog feels stiff, stop petting & back off.

·         If a dog keeps leaving you during petting he probably does not want to be pet anymore.

Need some extra help?  I offer both in person & online, web, video instruction!
Please feel free to contact me for details.

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

Read More..

Dusk to Dawn Perth Western Australia

.


Road Trip. Only this time I am flying & by myself. As I have said previously road trips with good people... I just hope I like myself?

Here is the event link Long way to travel for a 12 hour bike race? Maybe. From what I have heard of the trails & the organising of Simon I am confident it is not too far to travel.

Race mantra: along with the "Smooth flowing lines dog!" especially as I will be on the single speed this race, I havent worked it out. I do know that I have hours on a plane today so plug in the ipod & the appropriate one will come to me.

What is my race mantra? My very first one for the Merida 24 hour earlier this year was "No Excuses!" I have found that my mind wanders & can often go into dangerous territory. Thoughts that dont do anything to keep the mind motivated to smashing out more kms. When my legs hurt, "No excuses", when I started hallucinating, "no excuese"... you get the picture. I just keep on saying it & the mind then gives up resisting & allows the rest of me to ride!

Until next time "Om Namah Shivaya"


.

Read More..

How to Condition Your Dog to a Muzzle

Image Credit

After a year of not posting on this blog, I am posting again! Not every day, just when I have something I feel like writing about and when I have the time to do so.

Today I wanted to go over How to Condition Your Dog to a Muzzle. This will come in handy if you have an aggressive dog, or a dog who just needs to wear a muzzle for grooming or nail trims. Or perhaps you use a muzzle for something else like barking or digging.

To Condition Your Dog to a Muzzle simple put a treat in the muzzle. As they put their nose in to get the treat, say Muzzle and mark it with a YES! or a click of a clicker. Repeat. Keep doing this till you can say Muzzle and your dog eagerly puts their nose in.

Once your dog is putting his nose in on cue, you can start buckling it around his head. Give him a treat, then take it off. Repeat this until your dog is looking for his treat after youve buckled the muzzle on him.

Next, let him wear it for a moment while you walk him around. Give him a treat every now and then for wearing the muzzle. If he tries to paw at it to get it off, tell him no and get his attention back on you. If he knows any tricks or anything, see if hell do them for some treats. After a few moments of your dog wearing the muzzle with out trying to get it off, take it off.

Make muzzle time, treat time! No muzzle equals no treats. Gradually build on how much time your dog wears the muzzle. Once he or she is feeling comfortable wearing it, gradually fade out the treats he gets while its on.

There you go! Now you have Your dog Conditioned to wearing a Muzzle!

Amy @ Talented K9 Dog Training
Talented K9 Website
Facebook Page
YouTube Channel

Read More..

Sure fire ways to teach an old dog new tricks

It is fair to assume that a vast majority of people out there have been exposed to the phrase "You cant teach an old dog new tricks." Perhaps more applicable to humans that dogs, a canine of any age is perfectly capable of adding a new trick or two to their repertoire. Behavior modification is handled in much the same way, no matter the age of the dog. Although must all dog owners will agree that it is easier to instill the correct behavior into a younger dog than it is to correct behavior already learned by an older dog, this does not mean that it is impossible for the old dog to change.

The first thing to remember when training a dog to do new tricks, whether it be a puppy or an older dog, is that patience is king. Just like humans, canines learn at their own pace, and nothing but patience and consistency will do anything to change that. An owner should never raise their voice when working with a dog, it will accomplish nothing, and sometimes prove to be counteractive. Instead, remain calm and persistent in what behavior is commanded of the dog. Be sure to always offer praise and reward as a result of the dog performing the desired actions, doing so will help to positively reinforce such behavior.

Another thing to keep in mind is that repetition is key when training a dog to perform tricks. An owner cannot expect their canine to be able to "sit" or "shake" after just a few attempts are learning the behavior. It takes a good deal of time and patience, on the part of both parties, to instill such behavior. Also, once the behavior is learned by the canine, that trick should be practiced regularly. It is oftentimes possible for the dog to forget a trick that was once learned, but no longer practiced.

If you have 15 minutes, I guarantee youll end all of your dogs worst behavior problems at http://spajos.bezoogle.com/pp/dog-training/

Read More..

Time to start ramping it up again!

How is this! It was cold, damp, slippery, foggy. It was just an absolute perfect day for a classic Mount Nebo Ride with a couple of close friends.

I have been resting. Riding 1-3 times a week & only at a casual pace & not for very long. At first it was very frustrating. Then, I started to see the sunrises again, I can smell the Aussie bush again, I can appreciate the cold wind on my face. I have again, found the reason why I started cycling. Phew!

I found this random dude & dudette. They reckon the recognised me from Big Brother 2006 & wanted a photo taken.

Our own Rach is gearing up to tear some international legs off in Canada in the 24 solo womens elite category.

Just over one week ago was the Insomnia 24 hour. 3rd year & each one has been a total, gear destroying, slop fest! The year being no exception. After some solid riding in the first part of the race a mechanical was a great excuse to sit down & call it quits. My legs were strong & chewing up the mud easily. The truth of the matter is, my head was tired & mentally I had had enough. A couple of mates helped out by working on the race machine. Thanks Jezza & Neil.!

All was not lost. In fact I found a couple of gems as I continued to ride the occasional lap. 3 of which werent counted because I just popped of the track to talk to people & forgot to pass by the timing tent hehehe... I rode some laps with friends. I even stopped at the top of a couple of the little hills on the course for a chat! I dont think too many people saw me though.



As I sat down & chatted with Lesley & Warren (two of the loveliest people you will ever meet) during the race I found more than just a gem in the mud at the Insomnia!



The most recent card picked up: When not looking for the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow it is easier to find.

Read More..

How To Give A Dog A Bath

Dog baths are a pretty essential part of any well cared for dog.  But you may have some questions on the best way to bathe your dog.  In this dog article, I will give you some helpful tips in giving your dog a good dog bath.  Of course I reached out to some professional dog groomers as well for their ideas.

First thing first.  If your dog has handling issues, and does not like to be touched or handled, please speak with your dogs veterinarian to rule out any medical conditions.  Then follow up with a qualified dog behavior counselor to work on desensitizing your dog to being touched, groomed, and bathed.

How often should you give your dog a bath?  When I asked this question to professional dog groomer Donna Berggren, her reply was " As long as the pH matches the dogs skin, you can bathe as often as you like.  Dogs with allergies from dust, grass, etc., can really benefit from this. Try for a hypo-allergenic shampoo if you can....no dyes, fragrances."  So that response led to a follow up conversation on pH & dogs.  The take  home message from our conversation is that a dogs pH is not the same as a human so use a dog shampoo.

Prepping the dog bath area.  There are a few tools to make giving your dog a bath much easier on him & you.  First is a hair catcher for your tub.  The last thing you want is a bunch of dog hair clogging up your drain.  Next is a non-skid bath mat.  If your dog has a secure place to stand, your bathing will go much smoother. Finally you will want a hand held shower hose with an extra long hose.  Believe me when I tell you without one, it can be quite challenging to give your dog a bath.

Tools for dog bathing.  You will want to have your dogs shampoo & dog conditioner or any other dog bathing products handy & ready to go.  A nice dog drying jacket can come in handy if you are going to air dry, or a pet dryer if you are going to hand dry.  A few absorbent dog towels & one for yourself would be a good idea.  And dont forget the high value dog treats for rewards!   You can read our reviews of dog grooming tools (towels, shampoos etc) here.

Personally I review EWGs Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to check out the ingredients in the products I use for Dexter The Dog.  This gives me an idea about their toxicology & any side effect concerns.

Prepping yourself for your dogs bath.  You arent going to wear good cloths are you?  Make sure you are dressed for movement & you do not care what happens to your cloths, hair, or face.  Sometimes dogs can get pretty silly in the bathtub.  They do make grooming aprons too.

Prepping your dog for his bath.  Before giving  your dog a bath, run a brush through his fur to loosen the hair & remove any tangles.  If you are going to trim your dogs nails now is a good time.  The same for cleaning the inside of your dogs ears.  Place a cotton ball inside each ear (organic cotton balls are available).    Having a good artificial tears gel like Genteal gel is a great idea to protect your dogs eyes.  Remove his collar and/or harness.

The dog bath.  Now is the time.  Youve prepped yourself, your tub & your dog for the dog bath.  When I spoke with professional dog groomer Sheri May Myers on the best way to start bathing your dog, she gave me these tips.  "The wet down and the rinse are most important.  Use warm water, not cold or hose water because this will not rinse well.  Start by wetting the dogs head and work your way down.  When you think your dog is wet, continue wetting more.  Make sure you get the feet, face & privates.  This starts to loosen the dirt.  After the dog is thoroughly wet, shampoo the dog, but leave the head for last.  When rinsing, start with the dogs head to minimize potential shampoo contact with the eyes."

After the dog bath.  You will want to either hand dry your dog with a dog dryer and absorbent dog towel, or let him air dry.  Please keep in mind that dogs do get cold.  If he does air dry, I like using a dog drying jacket to speed up the process.  Once your dog is fully dry always brush thoroughly and of course give your dog a nice high value dog treat for his troubles.

Thats it.  Those are a few tips to make your dogs next bath more enjoyable.  If you have any problems, or are unsure, visit your local dog groomer or pet salon for help.

Check out our dog shampoo, dog towel & dog grooming reviews here.

A big thank you to Sheri at Sheri May Meyers Pet Styling Salon in Holland, Ohio for the use of your grooming tub. -601 S. McCord Rd Holland, OH  43528 419-868-6887 Or 5529 Harroun Rd Sylvania, OH

And thank you to Donna Berggren at Dog Designs By Donna in Charlestown Indiana for your dog grooming tips.

 

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

Read More..

How To Train A Dog At Home

If youre looking to properly train your puppy or older dog yourself at home - this website is for you.

Youll find a huge collection of proven dog training information and tips used by professional dog trainers worldwide.

Choose your dog training issue from the list below and learn how to train your dog step-by-step using the very latest dog training techniques - your dog will love you for it.

Read More..

Starting to see results

.


Steve at U-Turn fitness has been working not only on a cycling program & weights but also keeping an eye on my mental strength/fatigue. "I want you to have a second rest day today dog!" Oh man, that is harder that the most difficult session you have dished out.

As a result of Steve maintaining a holistic approach to my training I had 2 big days on my bike over the weekend & made the comment to him "If I could show up to a race as good as what I felt last weekend & ride as well as I did I would be really, really happy!"

I am starting to learn a little more patience. Especially when I am able to see the benefits. Thanks Steve. I am looking forward to getting my arms & legs ripped from my body again next year when our weighs sessions continue.


.

Read More..

12 hours dusk to dawn

How awesome is this... Andy Fellows, currently the world champion in his age group for 24 hour racing & Andrew Bell is not shy of the podium either!

This is just two of the big hitters that will be racing this weekend at the Ay Up Dusk2Dawn 12 hour enduro.

There is a surprising number of solo riders in this years event which is always great to see.

I have my personal goals set for this event. They include a total km goal, nutrition goal & a technical/skills goal.

I am looking forward to getting out onto the dirt again for a race. Too much racing on tar lately ;o)

Quote for today: “By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.” Christopher Columbus

Read More..

Training Your Rottweiler to Listen to You

Training Your Rottweiler to Listen to You

Why Wont My Rottweiler Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Rottweiler owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

• Do you use cookies, collars, head halters or clickers to make your Rottweiler listen to your commands?

• Do you have to raise your voice every time you want your Rottweiler to listen to you?

• Does your Rottweiler always come or sit on command - anytime and anywhere you want him to?

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Rottweiler trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Rottweiler with this free mini course.

Get Your Rottweiler To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the "ALPHA dog" of your family. Your Rottweiler must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DOs and DONTs that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

• Always go out or come in through the door first - remember you are the leader;

• Always eat first - give your Rottweiler something to eat only after youve finished your meal;

• Don’t circle around your Rottweiler when he is lying on the floor - make your Rottweiler move out of your way instead;

• Dont let your Rottweiler set the rules - pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands;

• Don’t permit your Rottweiler to sleep with you in your bed - demarcate his sleeping area clearly.

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Rottweiler and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Rottweiler does not learn to "listen", all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Rottweiler know his name? Does your Rottweiler look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Rottweiler Training. If your Rottweiler doesnt respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Rottweiler recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Rottweilers name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once youre sure that your Rottweiler has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Rottweilers respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Rottweiler better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

Read More..

Spring Is Here! list of plants that can be harmful to your dog

Its been a week since spring has officially started and it is getting warmer!

You know what else happens in spring?

 Flowers! All kinds of different flowers are blossoming in the spring time!

Yay for beautiful scenery and an awesome back drop for photos right?!

Well I wanted to make this post about flowers and plants because although they can be extremely beautiful they can also be extremely dangerous for your dog! Check your yard for plants that could possibly harm your dog and avoid buying them for planting to make sure your yard is puppy-proofed for spring!

Here is a list of the top ten most dangerous plants for your dog! Remember to never induce vomiting and contact your vet if you believe that your dog has ate something poisonous.

Lets keep our doggys safe this spring!

click link for more information on the harm each plant may cause your dog.

1. Autumn Crocus

2. Azalea

3. Cyclamen

 4. Kalanchoe

5. Lilies

6. Oleander

6. Dieffenbachia

  

7. Daffodils

  

8. Lily of the Valley

9. Sago Palm

  

10. Tulips and Hyacinths

Here is the list on ---> petpoisonhelpline

Here is a complete list of poisonous plants for your dogs at ---> ASPCA

Image credits to google search engine.

Read More..

A Trip to Chester Zoo

Tuesday night my Fiancé tells me he’s taking me to the zoo in the morning. I LOVE the zoo, so when he surprised me with this I was so excited. I immediately messaged my bestie to fan girl with her over trips to the zoo because I know she loves to see the animals as much as me. So I asked her if she could get the train to Chester and meet us there and enjoy the day with us, I hadn’t seen her in what felt like forever. I wasn’t expecting her to say yes as we were going the next morning, but she did! I was like a kid at Christmas, no word of a lie I had trouble sleeping because I was so eager to get up.

I’ve chosen some pictures I took from the zoo to share with you all. I took nearly 200 photos (oops) so it wasn’t easy picking just a few.

Chester Zoo is the best I have been to so far, it took us hours to walk around and see everything because there was just so many exhibits. So I would really recommend it for a day out with your friends or family.

Can you recommend a zoo? I know I want to visit Edinburugh Zoo at some point (PANDAS!). Drop a comment below and let me know your favourite animals to go and see/places to see them!

Read More..

When To Use a Harness to Walk Your Dog

Image Credit

I wrote a new Bubblews post today on When To Use a Harness to Walk Your Dog. I get a lot of people that are confused about harnesses and what they are actually for, so I thought I would share this with everyone!

Read it HERE

Amy @ Talented K9 Dog Training
talentedk9dogtraining@gmail.com
Talented K9 Website
Facebook Page
YouTube Channel

Read More..

Back to Front Report Tailwind Super Series

.

Lots of racing can mean lots of race reports. Generally they start out with "The lead up to this race wasnt the best..." following on with "I started the first few laps too fast, but then settled in..." moving onto "I passed him, she passed me, the track was good, bad, ugly..." You are all getting the picture here.

I am a couple of races behind so here it is back to front. Tailwind Super Series

10. The three amigos at the end of race 2. These are also the top 3 series points holders for the Single Speed category.

9. Race 2 saw lots and lots of mud, sticky mud, sloppy mud. I even saw the bottom half of someones derailleur in the middle of the trail.

8. A good friend of mine and a very tough single speed competitor Al Cook and I spent the first half of the race attacking each other. I was in front when I got a flat. Grateful I had tubeless tyres I was able to pump it up a few times & make it home. Al passed me in the pits when I was getting it fixed. He then got flat legs surprisingly I caught up very quickly and didnt see him until the end of the race.

This always only makes Al more determined next race. Damn! thats Race 3 the Merida 24 hour. Now that is going to be some serious pain.

7. Pre riding the Race 2 track was very valuable. I was able to pick the right front tyre, the right single speed ratio to use on my Koiled SS. Most importantly, I was able to plan the start of my race. Most of the mud was in the very first 5 minutes of the race. My start plan was to be right up the front to make sure I had a first good lap time. I shared this information with Al and a few others. This proved to be a very good decision.

6... more to follow soon...

dog

Read More..

When To Crate Train Your Puppy

While doing a search for some Talented K9 things, I came across another site that used my article Talented K9 Crate Training Tips. I am happy they thought my article was worthy of posting on their own site. So I wanted to give another thank you and a link back.

Visit them at When To Crate Train Your Puppy

The post was published a while ago, but better late than never right!? They also have some other good tips and articles on there, so its worth checking out.

Enjoy!


Image Source: Commons.wikimedia

Amy @ Talentedk9
talentedk9@yahoo.com
www.talentedk9.com

Read More..

Some beautiful places to ride in Brisbane

This is only 10 minutes from the city.

Brisbane River

Sandgate foreshore. We busted a friend of ours picking up their Sunday newspaper as we cycled past. So we stopped & got a free coffee :o))

Read More..

Intro To Toledo Dog Training

Welcome to Toledo Dog Training. We provide convenient & professional dog training & dog behavior modification solutions in the Toledo Metro Area.  For those outside our service area, Online & Live Feed Dog Training Services are available. Our services are customized to meet & exceed your expectations. In-home private consultations & dog training lessons help you find an effective solution to behavior problems. 

We also offer a wide range of innovative group classes that develop & build lasting relationships between you & your dog. These include classes from puppy socialization to pet dog manners, dog sports & therapy dog training. Class size is limited to 6 students to ensure optimum learning and personal attention to each team.

At Toledo Dog Training, we recognize that reliable behavior does not happen quickly.  Thats why were pleased to offer discounted dog training packages for private sessions, group sessions & a combination of both!  This will allow you to save money while hopefully motivating you to continue to work & play with your dog.   

All of our services are designed to help you & your dog build a mutually enjoyable relationship with one another. We look forward to assisting you in your journey.
~Tonya Wilhelm Owner/Founder

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

Read More..

Dog To Dog Reactivity

Its 5 in the morning and you load up your pockets with tasty treats, poop bags and an air  horn.  You force a smile on your face and in an upbeat, quivering voice, you say to your dog, "are you ready to go for a walk?"  Next you place your Gentle Leader Head Collar on your best friend and give him a treat.  You then proceed to slowly open the door, peek outside with your dog still inside behind you, look down the street in both directions as far as you can see.  You take a deep breath, and say to your dog, "lets go" as you take a quick step outside.

If this scenario sounds at all familiar, you too are probably living with a dog who is a bit reactive, or fearful of other dogs and/or people.  Believe me, I can relate!  My golden retriever, Theo suffered (passed in 2009) from a variety of issues including being dog reactive.  When I refer to the term "dog reactive" for me it means a dog who over reacts with either excitement, extreme fear, or arousal around other dogs.

As a professional dog trainer since 1998, I can tell you this is a very common behavior problem.  There are a lot of reasons a dog can become dog reactive including improper socialization as a puppy, corrections when around other dogs, medical conditions and  the list goes on.  In this blog post, I will focus on a few of the key concepts to get you and your dog out walking more with confidence.  But I do urge you, if you are living with this problem, please seek a professional who is well versed in this behavior, and only uses positive methods.

Feel free to message me for a referral, and as always, I provide dog behavior counseling around the globe.

1. Management:  I know, you may be thinking to yourself, "if I could manage my dog around other dogs, I wouldnt need to read this post".  I hear you, I really do.  But we still need to address some management issues if you want to work on changing your dogs behavior around other dogs.  In order to change this behavior, you really need to try to prevent your dog from performing the unwanted behavior in the first place, so you can replace it with a new behavior.

·        Space:  How much space does your dog need between him and the other dog in order to successfully give you his attention for a treat or toy?  This will be your key to success.  If your dog will not eat a tasty (chicken, steak, cheese etc) treat and would rather bark, lunge, or pull towards the other dog you are TOO CLOSE!

·        Location:  Remember the SPACE point?  If your dog needs 20 between him & the other dog to get success & you are about to walk on a 10 wide bridge, you are setting your dog up to fail.  Or if you are on a path that is in the woods without a "get away" location, you are again setting your dog up to fail. 

·        Time:  Think about the time of the day that you will run into the least amount of dogs.  Ideally, you will see a few on your walk so the training can occur, but you dont want so many that you overwhelm your dog in one outing.

·        Training Equipment:  We wont go into reasons why your dog may be reactive around other dogs, but anxiety is a common reason why dogs start to exhibit this behavior.  So, we will leave any kind of punishment in the hands of outdated TV programs.  I personally prefer to work with humane and effective training tools such as head collars (Gentle Leader or Halti), front clipping harnesses (Easy Walk Harness, Freedom No Pull Harness, Ruffwear Front Range or Sensation), 6 nylon or leather lead & yummy treats and toys.   

Training:  After management tools are addressed, the next step is to work on changing your dogs reaction around other dogs.  Below are a few concepts to get you started. 

·        U-Turn:  The first thing you should teach your dog is a quick U-Turn.  This will help you out in the times when you & your dog gets surprised and are a little too close for comfort.  Start with your dog leashed inside your house, or in your own yard providing no other dogs will be around.  Start to take a few steps with your dog, then say your dogs name & "this way" in an upbeat tone as you simultaneously tap your leg closest to your dog and make a U-Turn.  At this time, treat your dog for coming with you.  So it would sound like this, "Theo, this way!" in a happy, fun tone.  Practice this at various times when working with your dog on or off leash.  Increase the distractions as your dog picks up the concept & moves quickly.  Practice on your walks when you DONT see other dogs so you and your dog are a pro when you need it.

·        Desensitization and Counterconditioning:  Two big words that may sound intimidating at first, but once you get the hang of it can become second nature.  When you are working with a dog who has emotion attached to his behavior (anxiety, arousal etc.) you want to focus on changing his emotional state.  Try not to focus on what hes doing wrong, but focus on helping him get more comfortable in a particular situation.  This is the most effective & has a more successful long-term affect on your dogs behavior.   

In psychology, desensitization is defined as the diminished emotional responsiveness to a negative or aversive stimulus after repeated exposure to it.  In other words, your goal will be to reduce or eliminate your dogs reactivity around other dogs.  This can be done by gradually exposing your dog to other dogs at such a distance that he does not react & instead, can take treats from you and focus.

Counterconditioning is the conditioning of an unwanted behavior or response to a stimulus into a wanted behavior or response by the association of positive actions with the stimulus.  For our purposes, you will want to teach your dog to have good feelings around other dogs.  You will do this by associating the other dog with something good like meat treats or a high valued toy.  Now the other dog predicts this wonderful experience, not the emotional baggage it once did.  Over many repetitions, he can learn the once upsetting intruder dog equals good stuff from Mom/Dad.

For more information on how to apply these training principals to your dog, please feel free to contact me.  I offer dog training & behavior modification services across the globe via phone, email & video dog training.  I would be more than happy to help assist you in finding a qualified dog behavior counselor in your area if you prefer.

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

Read More..

Alcoa 12 hour Dusk to Dawn done!

.


Quick one. The track was out to smash me. Little round gravel the size & shape of peas. It was like riding on marbles. I set the single speed up with a 32 x 18. for a couple of hours last night I was in 2nd.

I ended up with 3rd in open mens with about 187 kms. I also won the highest ranked single speeder for the race too :-)

Race report to follow once I get back to Brisbane.

Until next time, smooth flowing lines!

Dog


.

Read More..

Teaching A Dog Not To Jump You First

Dogs are very social creatures, and a friendly dogs initial greeting reaction is to sniff and lick our faces.  Since we are taller than the average dog, this means they jump up to say hello. Not something us humans particularly appreciate, or at least not all the time.  And if you are the "not all the time" kind of person, I urge you to make that a never.  Dogs really have a hard time knowing when we think its ok, and when we would rather them not.  They dont know the difference between your Sunday best, or your grubby weekend attire.

Teaching your dog not to jump up during greeting isnt about teaching your dog what not to do, but rather teaching your dog what TO DO.  You can teach your dog to go find his toy, go to his crate, keep four on the floor, or butt on the ground.  I tend to teach butt on the ground behaviors first. 

I love teaching dogs and coaching dog parents how to teach their dogs to ask politely ie. butt on the ground when they want something.  If a dog wants petting, wants you to toss the dog toy, eat dinner, go outside....butt on the ground first.  And I dont want you to have to tell your dog to put his butt on the ground / SIT, I want him to do it automatically.  I think by teaching our dogs to think for themselves, they understand a concept much better, and it sticks.

First, you must teach your dog at least an idea of the SIT behavior before you can expect him to offer it on his own. Put a healthy dog treat right to your dog’s nose, and move your hand slowly in an arc above your dogs head and back. As soon as his rump hits the floor say "YES!" and follow quickly with a treat. Repeat this process until he is easily putting his butt on the ground.  Tip:  If your dog is leaping to get the treat, your treat lure is too high.  Place your hand with the treat right ON his nose, so there isnt any jumping to follow your lure, or to eat the treat.

Now that your dog has a basic understanding of putting his butt on the ground, its time to incorporate that to offering this behavior when he wants something.  Again, this will lead to an offered sit for your attention instead of jumping.

Grab a handful of high-value treats, or healthy dog food and do a quick round of SIT sessions. After, say, 3 sets, just smile at your dog, do not provide any luring or words. As soon as his butt hits the floor say "YES!" and give him a jackpot of treats. Quickly take a few playful steps away from your dog and stop and smile at him again. As soon as his butt hits the floor again, say "YES!" and treat. Repeat this game running around the house or yard.

You can vary the offered sit by doing the same process before other events that your dog wants to participate in. For example, if you are about ready to toss your dogs ball during a game of fetch, hold the ball close to your chest, smile at your dog and wait. As soon as his butt hits the floor, toss the ball. If your dog jumps up at you and the ball, do not say anything, just wait for the correct behavior. This is part of the learning process. He will be learning that the “jumping up” behavior does NOT get him access to things he wants, but the “butt on the ground” behavior does - a very good life lesson for your dog to learn. Tip: Do not tell your dog to sit during these lessons; the point of the offered sit is that your dog is thinking through the process and realizing on his own that sit makes good things happen and jumping up does not.

Now that you have incorporated various offered SIT behaviors with your dog for a variety of days and sessions, start to wait for your dog to SIT before you greet him.  He doesnt have to SIT/STAY, but if he jumps up, stop his attention and wait for the SIT again, and immediately pet and/or treat.  You will be amazed at how quickly your dog can learn to offer a SIT instead of jumping.  But, you must be consistent.  No, its ok one day and not the other. 

For more tips, visit my previous post- Polite Dog & Human Greeting Pt. 1.

Do you need extra dog training help?  I offer in-person,  phone consultations, weekend dog retreats and public seminars.  Contact me today for details.

   

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

Read More..