How do you know when to progress with training new tricks?


If your dog is emitting sit on the first approximation (first time) you ask for it, move on to the next behavior. Down can be difficult for some dogs so work slowly. First ask your dog to sit say good (or any positive word) then reinforce that. With your dog still sitting get another treat say the word down and move your treat down to floor. if your dog moves his head downward take that, say good and reinforce. Now do it again but move your hand further down if your dog leans down further reinforce that. Now the next time when you start bringing your hand down to floor, say down and move your hand away from the dog on the floor. If he starts crawling down to get the treat, say good and reinforce that. This is called using small approximations or steps to get desired results. Dont expect your dog to just lay down. lean him down through positive reinforcement. I know some dogs just seem to get “down” but this method is great for dogs who just need more guidance. Remember also to always end on a positive. If your dog has improved at all after a few sessions stop and give them a play. Then after some time start again. Your dog will learn down in a day if you work on it in small positive steps. Anytime you dog doesn’t do what you want, ignore the behavior and ask again. Reinforce only improvements!!

20130506-125413.jpg

 

Rescue dog bites leash


When dogs are biting leashes, don’t let them think of it as a game. Meaning don’t play tug of war with your dog over the leash or drag the dog if they refuse to move. Remember with rescues to not automatically use adversives, there is a much more humane and successful method. If you and your dog our snuggled on your sofa put the leash on your dog but don’t move. Reinforce your dog for wearing the leash with out biting it. If your dog is afraid of leashes this is a great solution. Let your dog wear the leash in the house so they almost forget they our wearing it. Reinforce your dog with love or food through out the process . In time the dog will be desensitized to the leash and you can go on walk comfortably.

If your dog bites the leash in an aggressive away instead a fearful way we need to use a different technique. Ask your dog to sit , place the leash on the dog, and with treat in hand when the dog starts getting excited ask him to sit again . If he sits reinforce him. If he is hyper active and not responding to commands, take leash off and no walk. Come back a few minutes later and do it again. Only go on that walk when they are calm. It is remarkable how quickly dogs improve with this technique. Always reward small improvements. If your dog is more calm after the second approximation take that!!

Dogs are all different and there problems are different. Don’t treat one dogs problem with another dogs solution. Understand your problem and diagnose it properly and use positive reinforcement training .

20130506-170826.jpg

Why get CGC certified


CGC or canine good citizen is a great way to let your community know that your dog is well behaved and can be respected in your city. If you are moving in to a new building a CGC certified dogs are starting to be a requirement. The CGC test involves sit, down, walking comfortably meaning left/right turn, meeting strangers, meeting strange dogs, stay and come behaviors, they need to accustomed to distractions (loud noises or skate boards rolling by)
and finally your dog needs to be left with a stranger for 3 minutes. Everything must be completed with your dog being calm and relaxed and under control. They need to show discipline and that they can follow commands. Your dog must be at least 1 year old to take the test and after the CGC test your dog has more opportunities to receive other certifications like being therapy dog certified.

If you are interested in CGC testing and need lessons contact your local trainer.

If you are in Key Biscayne, FL

Contact: Alexa Holloway
3057100502

20130506-125913.jpg

How to fade behaviors


A lot of people tell me that they don’t want to use treats forever. What people need to understand is that treats are used in the beginning of training. We use the word primary reinforcement to describe treats because they are the first or primary resource that dogs seem to enjoy. Secondary reinforcement examples are toys, touching ( tactile), ice, even hose plays. It is important when you begin training to first use the primary reinforcement (R1) then over time if the behaviors are consistent ( ie the dog does the behavior every time you ask for it) start fading the treats. Using smaller and smaller amounts and substituting touching and praise will move you away from treats. However treats are an important part of the training process and I suggest if you are training a new behavior or trying to correct undesired behavior to use treats initially. Set yourself up for success.

20130506-130100.jpg

How to Sit


Sitting is a fundamental behavior in obedience training. This should be starting right when you get your dog. There are many ways of starting the process but today we will learn how to use positive reinforcement training to do “sit”.

Bring your dogs favorite training treats and get your dog positioned in front of you. We will use a verbal signal paired with with a hand signal. Say the word “sit” and move your hand with a treat in it from your dogs face back toward their back. Your dog will begin to follow your treat and naturally fall back and sit, the second your dog sits say ” good” and reinforce that behavior. Do it again and again, reinforcing only when they completely sit. That is key because if you say good and they are not sitting they will take advantage of your mistake and do less and less . So only reinforce behaviors when it is complete also reinforce immediately. The probability of a behavior reoccurring is increased by the immediacy of the reinforcing.
Now if your dog doesn’t emit sit we will LRS. It is called the least reinforcing stimulus . It is like a 3 second time-out. All you do is ignore the wrong behavior. So you say sit and he always sits and now you say sit and they are still standing. Ignore that behavior which lets your dog know something is not right and then ask again.

Sit is an important behavior. It is the “gateway” behavior to a world of other behaviors. I personally don’t let any of my dog clients get freebies. Before they go for a walk I ask them to sit whilst the leash goes on. When I come home and the dog runs to greet me I say sit immediately.
Let sit work for you!

20130506-130237.jpg