PAWs to RUFFlect: Training When Guests Come Over

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Training When Guests Come Over

***Posted on our facebook page!! Come visit us: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kahunas-K9s/98634629823***

Yesterday was the celebration of our country's independence and with that comes the ceremonial...BBQ!

We had some guests over and, as predicted, the girls weren't necessarily the most perfect dogs at the door. In their defense, they've never been fully trained in that situation. If you don't train a dog in the situation where they'll need to behave the most, you can't expect perfect behavior!

So what did I do instead? I kept an eagle eye on what they did right while greeting the guests and I rewarded it. Also, if they started to get scared/uneasy/unsure, I encouraged them by reinforcing their courage. B hates being pet from above her head...it sketches her out and makes her duck under the weight of someone's petting hand. So when someone pet her from above her head, I showered her with her favorite treats.

If you keep experiences positive by associating treats with everything, you're more likely to have a well-adjusted dog with excellent bounce back. If you haven't trained something yet and you know that situation is coming up (hello! Fireworks anyone!!??) then be prepared with YUMMY, high-value treats and you can turn any potential disaster in to a training session!

Happy Training!

E

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Ask me, I dare you.

What's the point of Paws to Rufflect?

My knucklehead puggle, B (abbreviated to protect her identity), is dog-reactive. This is more common than people think and yet people are out there, right now, frustrated and basically hating their dogs because nothing seems to work. I want people to understand that being a dog owner isn't done as soon as they're housebroken (the dog, not the owner). It's a continuous thing and it sure as hell aint easy. And I want people to hear that coming from a trainer. When I tell people I have a dog-reactive dog, they think "If she's a trainer, she must not be very good at it." My retort: the coach's son doesn't always grow up to be in the Major Leagues!

What's your favorite breed?

Dog. [laughs] okay, okay, just kidding. I love pit bulls and Rhodesians - coincidentally, my Big S is a Rhodie/pit mix. I love them because of their tenacity. They're such a challenge - you have to be really sharp because they test you constantly. I admire that in a dog - I know there are many dogs, regardless of breed, that are that way. And that's why I'm just in love with dogs, period. I respect them so much and to get to their "doggy spirit", you have to go so much deeper than "sit" and "stay" and "good dog".

If you could teach your dog one thing, what would it be?
Eek...prior to learning clicker training, I would have said "I would teach them to obey me!!" Now that I've been enlightened?? The list of possibilities is literally limited only by your imagination. I just taught B to turn on/off the lights. Sarah picks up after B (well, almost). I can't keep up with B - she learns something and then looks at me like "what's next!?! Let's go! hurry up!"

Where would you suggest getting a dog? Breeder? Adopt from a rescue?
I suggest doing research before getting a dog. Find out where they're coming from (you could be buying from a puppy mill!!), how will they fit in to your lifestyle, etc...All too often, people make impulsive decisions (for example, my purchase of B from a pet store. A PET STORE for crying out loud!) I'm embarrassed but I was truly ignorant. Now I try to educate people using my mistake.

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Sunday, July 5, 2009

Training When Guests Come Over

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