Mo & Manu

Some pictures from our training session today with Manu & Mo.  We worked on some socialization with other dogs and with each other.  These two housemates have been fighting with each other since their other dog pack member passed away.  The family is working on rules, boundaries, and socialization.  Also pictured are several of my dogs and our doggie helpers.  Thank you to everyone who was able to help out today.

Mo, Devo, & Manu.

Bella with the gang.

Manu, Devo, Ahsoka, Hilo, & Caravaggio.

Manu & Caravaggio.

Manu is also a very nervous and anxious dog, and he is hyper-attached to his mom.  One thing I like to do with dogs like this is to tie them to another dog that is calm and social.  This helps them transition into the pack, feel what calm energy is, and keeps him from being able to hide under mom.

Both dogs are making progress.  Remember to have lots of patience when doing socialization training.

I also attached Manu to Ahsoka.

BML1--Class #6

Dogs from L to R:  Hope, Koa, Boone, Maybe, Devo, & Ogi.

Basic Manners Level One:

Positive Reinforcement Training

Energy Balance

Marker Word

No Reward Marker

Food Lure

Look/ Watch Me, Basic & the T position

Come when Called, 3 Steps & 3 Rules

Loose Leash Walking

Sit & Auto-Sit

Down

Up/ Stand

(Hand Signals)

Stay with Release Cue

Impulse Control

Leave It

Drop It

Class #6 of Basic Manners Level One is a review of all things learned.  We go over each cue and play different games to improve on each command.  At the end of class #6, each participant is given a certificate of completion.  Below are some pictures of the dogs working on "Stay."

Maybe.

Devo.

Boone.

Ogi.

REMEMBER to Keep Training Going:

Proper Exercise:  Every dog should be walked every day!

Good Relationship with the owner:  When you get frustrated, remember why you got your dog, he’s your buddy, he’s your pal.  Don’t take set-back’s personal.

Socialization:  It is very important to have a dog that is comfortable in as many different situations as possible.  Take your dog everywhere you can, but proceed at your dog’s pace.

Consistency:  Everyone in the household should have all the same rules, all the same cue words and commands, ALL THE TIME!

Generalizing:  Dogs do not generalize well.  It is important to practice everything you learn, everywhere you go.

Training Sessions:  Keep them short and sweet.  3-5 minutes a few times a day.

Trainer Tips--Dog Parks...Friend or Foe?

Dog Parks...Friend or Foe?

As a dog trainer, people often ask me many questions about training and different dog situations.  One that often gets asked is how I feel about dog parks.  In response to this question, I'm writing this month's Trainer Tips about dog parks.

If you're a fan of this blog, you know I often write about socialization and how important it is to properly socialize your dog.  Proper socialization does include introducing your dog to as many new situations, new people, and new dogs as possible.  However, all of these things should be done in a proper environment and at the dog's pace (see previous post).  Let me be perfectly clear, it is your job to be the leader in your home and elsewhere.  That means it is YOUR job to protect your dog from potentially dangerous situations and YOUR job to keep your dog from being the one that creates any such situation.  (See previous post on Leadership.)  Keep watch of other dogs and notice their Body Language to gage potential threats.

So how do dog parks fit in?

Generally speaking, I do NOT recommend taking your dog to a dog park on a regular basis.  The reason I say this is because dog parks are very chaotic environments with little or no rules.  Most people who bring their dogs to the park on a regular basis make the dog park the only regular exercise their dog gets, and generally have little to no control over their pet.  This is very bad!  A dog should actually be exercised BEFORE being taken to a dog park.  Why?  Well because when a dog is full of energy and excitement, they are more likely to engage in bad behaviors, especially if they are simply set free to do whatever they want in an chaotic environment with unstable dogs.  A huge part of my training program focuses on what I call Energy Balance.  If you have ever been to a dog park, you know that the energy and atmosphere of the park is chaotic and crazy.  This is NOT an environment I recommend.  Because the environment of the dog park is so chaotic, dogs can and will easily pick up bad behaviors. Further more, many dog owners that take their dogs to the dog park should NOT be around other dogs.

FOE!

There is an unofficial dog park in Honokowai that many people go to (including several friends and clients of mine).  I have also been to this dog park with my two dogs on a few occasions to check it out.    I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS DOG PARK!  This dog park has had several instances of red flag warnings.  There is an owner that takes her dog to this park on a regular basis that should never be there.  Her dog has attacked at least two dogs that I know of, and bitten at least one owner when going for a third dog.  This owner picked up her little dog to get it away from the oncoming attack and the dog attacking jumped up and bit the woman's arm instead.  This woman had to have several stitches.  This same dog (who is not a very large dog) tried going after one of my dogs as well, Caravaggio.  Lucky for me, my dogs are both trained very well and will not engage in a fight unless absolutely necessary.  So this little attack dog kept lunging at Caravaggio for at least an hour one day.  Caravaggio did exactly what he was taught and moved away from the dog when it tried to attack and let me deal with the situation.  Funny enough I left the park with my two dogs for about 15 minutes and returned.  Upon our return this same dog came running and jumped up on my car trying to get at the dogs through the window.  Ridiculous!  The owner, of course, had no control.
This is just one example of a bad apple at the dog park.

Dora getting trampled at the Honokowai dog park.

There is also a high likelihood that your dog will pick up bad habits at a dog park.  Some examples of common bad behaviors dogs easily pick up at the dog park include:  barking, digging, toy possession, aggression, and not listening to the owner.  My best client and the dog I'm most proud of training is named Dora.  She is now about a year and a half.  I have been training with her and her owner since she was about 5 months old.  Dora and her owner made amazing progress and she has turned out to be a great dog.  However, about 6 months ago, her owner started taking her to the dog park mentioned above.  Since then Dora has picked up several bad habits that we must now address and train her out of.  She was also recently attacked (2 weeks ago), and received several puncture wounds on her back foot.

Here's a good example of a dog that should not be at the dog park.

As you can see, the owner has no control.

My other dog, Nekita, was also attacked at a dog park a few years back.  She was so severally attacked and injured at the time, that she became dog aggressive for a short while after the attack.  We had to put in some extra time and training to get her back to her usual self.

Another little-known danger is poison.  There have been various news reports over the last several years about people who do not like dogs leaving poison or toys laced with poison at dog parks.  I recently saw a story like this where a dog picked up a toy left at the dog park that someone had poisoned and passed away only an hour later.  People leave all kinds of toys at dog parks and most dogs will go up to a toy and pick it up without hesitation.  Although this danger is less likely to happen than others, it is still a possibility.

I do not share these things to scare you, but to make you realize just what you may be getting yourself into when attending a dog park.  This is not to say that all dog parks are bad all the time.  In fact I do believe that a dog park CAN be a fun place for you to socialize your dog.  The thing is, you have to really be aware of what's going on around you.  Don't become the owner that just brings your dog to the park every day and lets them do whatever they want!  If you are interested in attending a dog park, do your homework.  Go there without your dog once first at the busiest time (usually in the afternoon after work), and see what the environment is really like.  If you don't like what you see, don't return with your dog.  You can also try going to the dog park at less popular times.  At these times, the dog park will not only be safer for both you and your dog, but more conducive to training and socialization for your dog.

TRY A LESS BUSY TIME
Try the dog park when there is only one or two other dogs around.  This environment is much less hectic and better for your dog.  This will also allow you to easily assess the situation and meet other dogs and owners.  (Below:  Wicket & mom playing at the dog park at a quiet time.

FRIEND.

Overall, if you do end up taking your dog to a dog park, please be aware of what is going on around you.  Watch your dog at all times and keep them away from any potentially harmful dogs or situations.  Also beware of toys.  MANY dogs are possessive over toys, especially around large amounts of other dogs.  Two dogs going after the same toy can easily trigger a bad situation if one or both dogs are not properly trained and socialized.  The time Nekita got attacked in a dog park was because another dog wanted her ball.  When she got to the ball first, the other dog attacked her.  I have seen this same thing happen multiple times at the dog park.  Even if you don't bring your dog's toys, there is always someone who does.

The last reason I do not recommend dog parks is the lazy factor.  In my experience, most people who regularly bring their dogs to the dog park do so because they refuse to put any energy into exercising their dogs.  The best exercise for a dog is proper walk or hike.  And when I say proper, I mean walking on a leash properly, not pulling the owner everywhere.  The owner should be in charge of the walk or hike, NOT the dog.  A proper walk is the best exercise because the dog is not only getting the physical exercise they require, but mental activity as well.  A good owner will properly physically AND mentally exercise their dog.  Most people who bring their dogs to the dog park every day have not put in the time and effort to train their dogs on how to walk on a leash, and therefore take the lazy way out...the dog park.


TRY ANOTHER ACTIVITY!
There are so many activities we can do with our dogs, that I don't even need to take my dogs to such a place.  Go for a walk, go for a hike, go swimming, play fetch.  There are so many other forms of activities that are much healthier for both you and your dog.  So stop being the lazy owner that does nothing with your dog and get out on a new adventure!  You're dog will thank you!
Plus, its fun and even easier to make friends with other dogs at these activities!

Caravaggio, Dora, & Nekita swimming.

Kana & Nekita relaxing on the beach.

Kahiko & Dora hanging out after a hike.

Caravaggio & Jack at the beach playing fetch.

TAKE A TRAINING CLASS

Still need a way to make some new doggie friends?  A great way to meet new dogs and new owners is to take a dog training class or activity.  In every class I have taught, at lease someone makes a new friend that they keep in contact with even after the class is over.  Such Good Dogs also offers socialization hours, where you and your dog can meet new dogs that are properly trained in a healthy environment.

Kuma watching Mocha & Kengie say hello

in their first Basic Manners Class.

Splash & Eku became fast friends.

Budi'i & Henry playing after our class.

Caravaggio loves cats

Many people ask me if my dogs get along with other animals.  Now most of the time I get this question because their dog does not get along with others very well.  Dogs in generally are very capable of getting along with other species, many other species.  Its all about training and socialization.

For example, when Nekita was a puppy, I had pet snakes.  I had a Ball Python snake named Nia.  She was a fabulous pet in her own right, but she (the snake) helped teach Nekita at a very young age how to deal with other species.  Basically its about respect and boundaries.  Nekita was taught from day one to keep a certain distance from the snakes, as well as the cats in the house.  Since then, Nekita has always approached other animals with respect and has given proper distance.  I am very thankful for that.

Caravaggio happens to love cats.  When Vaggy was a puppy, he was raised with an older, de-clawed cat.  So Caravaggio thought that being batted in the face by the cat was some sort of fun face massage.  Obviously this is not always true.  Caravaggio unfortunately learned early on that its best to get right up in the face of other animal, not what we were going for.  Since then, we have had to do some extra training with him to teach him to respect other animals.

Now for Caravaggio, it is not that he wants to ever harm another species, he just gets overly excited to meet and make friends with others.  He forgets his boundaries.

Below are some pictures I caught the other day of Caravaggio practicing how to calmly greet some of our neighborhood cats.  He now has a few new friends.

Caravaggio saying HI.

You can see by his body that he's still a little too excited.

Calmly sniffing orange kitty.

Orange kitty then got up to say hi and rubbed up on Caravaggio's face...

then pawed him in the face (just to remind him the cat's in charge here).

Shock Collars

The term "shock collar" refers to many types of dog training collars including:  remote training collars, shock collars, Zap collars, Ecollars, or e-collars.  Using a remote, these devices deliver varying degrees of electronic shock to the dog's neck (some may also be used on other places of the dog's body).  Some collars may include a tone or vibration mode, or a GPS tracker to locate the dog.

Originally used to train hunting dogs in the 50s and 60s, the shock collar really gained popularity in the 1970s.  Early electronic collars were used to break dogs of unwanted behaviors like chasing livestock and not coming in with the party after the hunt.  These collars were very powerful and many dogs that were frequently jolted often became afraid to work and lost spirit.  The fear of doing something wrong and of being punished with pain made many dogs react to corrections with panic.

New versions of the shock collar are now widely available.  Today, shock collars are used for a large variety of things including:  military, police, and service training, obedience training, behavior modification, and pet containment.  Proponents of this method of training state that using the shock teaches dogs avoidance and eventually cessation of a behavior.  This tool "works" by instilling fear, distrust, and pain.  This method of training only marks the bad behavior, what the dog does wrong.  A dog will be punished for doing the wrong action, but he is never rewarded for doing something correct. Sensitivity to shock varies by each individual dog.  Dogs who are more sensitive to the shock will shut down sooner.  There is no current standard level of shock for the many brands of shock collars today.

Used appropriately, correctly, and with proper training, a shock collar can be a very effective and helpful tool.  However, it is a tool.  A shock collar should not be viewed as a "quick fix," and should never be used as the first method of training.  Many trainers today widely promote the use of shock collar training and even have their own brand of collar you can buy directly from them.  Be very careful of these so-called "trainers."  Many times these people have no formal training or background in other methods of dog training (such as positive reinforcement, energy balance, and dominance).

The decision to use this tool should not be taken lightly!  I am not a huge fan of the shock collar, but I do believe they can be useful in certain situations, if properly used and combined with positive reinforcement training.

Again...I like to look at it this way...
Think of your job, no matter what it is...
Would you rather go to work and work really hard to get rewarded?
Or
Would you rather work really hard to not get punished?

If using a shock collar is truly something you are thinking about, do your research.  Make sure you find a professional dog trainer that is trained in how to properly use the shock collar AND in positive reinforcement dog training.  Remember, no matter what your dog's behavioral issue may be, there are many other methods of dog training to try before using a shock collar.  It is very rare that positive reinforcement training will not work to improve your dog's behavior or issue.  This is why good professionals will tell you to only use an electronic collar after all other methods of training have been used.  It is much better to encourage our animals to enjoy their training so they will become more confident and-well adjusted members of society.

Studies have shown that misuse of shock collars in dog training can cause long-term damage that may make your pet less trusting and more reactive.  Aversive training such as the use of shock collars can add serious stress to the dog and may result in psychological damage.  Generally speaking, hurting an animal creates a barrier to learning and causes distrust.  People who train large animals such as lions, killer whales, bears, and walruses use positive reinforcement training.  Using pain/punishment training in these large animals is considered highly dangerous and foolish.  These are also wild animals, whereas dogs have been domesticated.  If all these professional trainers can train such large, un-domesticated animals without using pain, don't you think we should be able to do the same with our dog at home?

The real problem with the shock collar is that it is widely mis-used.  Again, this is not a "quick fix" answer to your current dog problem.  The real answer to your dog problem is training.  When we take an animal into our home, we take on the responsibility of caring for its needs.  Many behavior problems arise because the humans have not properly fulfilled the needs of the dog.  Lack of proper exercise and lack of proper leadership (by the owner) are the two main causes of behavioral issues in dogs.  So why are we punishing our dogs for something that is our fault?

There are a vast array of problems that can arise from improper use of shock collars.  A few of these include:  infliction of stress and pain, suppression or "shut down," escalation, redirected aggression, generalization, and unintended dog injury.

Pictures like these are well-known on-line.  But what about the damages you can't see.  Your dog may not show physical signs of pain, but that does not mean he is not experiencing any pain.  Stress is very harmful to humans and dogs alike.  Stress can affect our eating and sleeping habits, as well as over-all health.  Escalation can easily occur in many cases when pain is added.  The dog that used to growl will now bite without warning.  Or maybe your dog will just shut down.  A dog that does this is so terrified of being caused pain, he is unwilling to make any decision, for fear it will be the wrong one.

It's never too late!
Training can start today!

I don't care if your dog is 3 months old or 12 years old, it's never too late to change behavior.  You CAN teach an old dog new tricks!  Besides, did you forget why you got your dog in the first place?  You got a dog to have a buddy, a friend, a companion...someone to hang out with and play with, someone to love, and someone to love you back!

Don't forget all the many reasons you love your dog.  Yes I love my dog, but I also want him to behave...that's what you're thinking right?  Well guess what, it all starts with YOU, the owner!  If we give our dogs what they need, they will do what is asked of them.

So...what does my dog need?
First, dogs need Proper Leadership (see the full post)

Duties of the Leader:

1)  Establish the rules

2)  Enforce the rules

3)  Maintain social order

It is vitally important the owner takes the leadership role right away and maintains it!

Other important things your dog needs:
Proper exercise.  Dogs need regular amounts of daily physical and mental exercise.
Rules & Boundaries.  All dogs must be taught was is acceptable behavior and what is not.
Routine.  Dogs need a regular schedule of daily activities.
Consistency.  All members of the family should have all the same rules ALL the time.  Changing rules from person to person, or place to place is confusing for dogs and curbs their training progress.
Proper Motivation.  This is where that "positive" part of positive reinforcement comes in.  We all need motivation right?  You wouldn't go to work if they didn't pay you would you?  Our dog's need motivation too.  Motivators are different for each dog, so you must find what works best for your dog.  Common motivators include:  treats, toys, attention, praise, and petting.
Socialization.  Dogs must be properly socialized.  A dog that has been exposed to many different situations with many different people and other animals will remain calm and confident in new situations.  Dogs who are not properly socialized become overwhelmed when outside their normal environment and react in undesirable ways (barking, lunging, shying away, hiding).
Patience.  One of the biggest things our dogs need from us is our patience.  Dog training can be very stressful for both humans and dogs alike.  But if you remember to stay calm, it will help keep your dog calm and learning can continue.  Dogs will not follow a leader who is stressed, fearful, or angry.  Be sure to always be calm, but firm when training.  Remember, all good things take time and practice.

Start practicing Responsible Dog Ownership with your dog today!

{This post is part TWO of two.  Check out Part One on Shock Collars too!}
Also check out this fantastic article:  Why electric shock is not behavior modification.

Trainer Tips--Island Dogs & Socialization

Properly socializing your dog is very important, but many people don't understand what that actually means.  Proper socialization is not only exposing your dog to as many situations, people, and other dogs as possible, but more importantly, making all of these positive experiences so that your dog becomes easily comfortable no matter what happens.  In order to do this, it is important for you to allow your dog to take his time exploring something new.  Never quickly force a dog that is not comfortable into a new situation.  The dog should appear mostly relaxed, not tense or afraid.  This is why it is so important to begin this process as soon as possible!  This means the day you get your dog, or as soon as your new puppy has all his shots and is vet approved to meet others.

Beyond a properly socialized dog, I believe it is important to keep an "Island Dog" mentality.  If your dog is a true "Island Dog" he should be able to enjoy your favorite island spots WITH YOU.  Some of the places we enjoy with our dogs include the beach, various hikes (we have even worked our dogs up to hiking out on some cliffs), and accompanying me to work.  Lucky for me my job is working with dogs, or in dog environments, so taking my dogs to work is easy for me, whereas it may not be as easy for you.  It never hurts to ask your supervisor, even if its for an hour, it will help socialize your dog.

Below are some various pictures I found of our dogs accompanying us around the island
(and elsewhere).

Athena & Nekita at Camp Olowalu.

Athena & Adam at Napili Bay.

See the pups in the background, behaving well.

Caravaggio & Nekita hanging out in our car full of stuff.

Look how relaxed Caravaggio is!

Caravaggio & my mom back home in Minnesota.

Caravaggio & my aunt's horse, back in Wisconsin.

The pups at our friends house.

Caravaggio & Nekita swimming at Napili Bay.

Caravaggio sandy face at Napili Bay.

Nekita playing in the water while I look for sea glass.

Caravaggio laying in the sand while I look for sea glass.

Athena & pups at Kapalua Coastal Trail.

Caravaggio drinking out of a cooler for the first time.

My pups leading the pack on a hike in the pineapple fields.

Nekita is hiding in the background grass :)

Caravaggio met a new friend on the surfer road off Honolua Bay.

Nekita & our neighbor dog, Jack, in our apartment courtyard.

The whole family at Honolua Bay.