Trainer Tip Video: Walking a scared or timid dog

Today's Trainer Tip Video:
How to walk a scared or timid dog.  Featuring Sherman, the bulldog.

When it comes to a dog that is scared, timid, or unsure, the most important thing you need is patience.  You must be patient and allow the dog to take extra time in exploring a new place or moving out into the world.  Be sure to encourage the dog with any movement forward or movement towards whatever they may be scared of.  Only use "baby talk" when the dog is doing what you like.  Remember that any time you reward a dog (which baby talk is a reward), you are letting the dog know you like the behavior they are doing.  This is why you should NEVER "baby talk" a dog that is scared.  By saying "its ok, its ok" you are actually unintentionally encoring the dog to continue the scared behavior.  Obviously this is not what you want.
For more information on this, 
please review What's rewarding to Dogs

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3 Things on your body that are Rewarding to Dogs:

1.  Voice

2.  Eye Contact

3.  Touch

Anytime you engage your dog in one of these things, you are rewarding them and encouraging whatever behavior they are currently doing.  This is important to keep in mind so you do not unintentionally reward bad or unwanted behaviors.  

Example:  when a dog jumps up on you to greet you, the proper thing to do is cross your arms and turn your back while saying nothing.  

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When using the leash in training a scared or timid dog, be very careful how you do so.  Never just pull on the leash and drag the dog while not releasing the tension on the leash.  What you want to teach any dog about walking on a leash is that a loose leash is good and pulling or tension on the leash is bad.  So when walking a scared dog, you want to pull the leash just enough until the dog starts moving forward on their own.  As soon as that happens, be sure to release the tension on the leash.  By doing this, we are communicating with the dog that we like that he is moving forward.  However if you continue to pull on the leash and there is always tension, the dog will never learn how to move forward on his own.


Related Blog Links:
Trainer Tips Video:  How to Walk your dog on a leash
Common Training Terms
Training Terms Help

Trainer Tips--Pulling towards an object on Leash

Breed of the Month:  Bulldog
Proper Leadership
Other Helpful Commands
Reward Marker or telling your dog "Good"

Redirection--Bad Dog Behaviors turned Good

Many times when a dog misbehaves, people focus on the bad behavior.  Often times when I am called in to help a dog with bad behaviors, people love to tell me the numerous stories about the dog's repeated bad behavior.  This example, that example, oh this one time...  Although some of this information is helpful in deciding on a training program, every single owner focuses only on what the dog is doing wrong.  Instead of focusing on the bad behavior, I like to ask them, "What would you like the dog to do instead?"  

That is the question you should always be asking yourself when your dog presents an unwanted behavior:  
"What is it I would like the dog to do instead of this current bad behavior?"

This is called redirection.

When a dog misbehaves, it is best to apply what we call a No Reward Marker, meaning to the dog..."I do not like what you are doing right now."  

No Reward Marker:

This is what we do when the dog does not do what we are looking for.  Try using an “Uh-oh” (for mistakes during regular training sessions) or “Eh-eh” (for behavioral issues such as barking or chewing).  This will let the dog know that the behavior just performed is not what we wanted.  

For example, for a barking dog, I recommended doing a loud clap and an "Eh-eh" to snap the dog out of the behavior.  Then immediately redirect the dog to a behavior your would like them to do instead.  For example:  go lay on your bed, chew this bone or toy, etc.  You may need to begin by using a food lure to get your dog's attention on you and not the thing that is making the dog bark.

Another Example:  If your dog is chewing on something inappropriate such as furniture (like the dog in the first picture), first mark the behavior with your "Eh-Eh," then redirect them to chew on something appropriate, like a toy, bone, or Kong filled with yummy treats.

Food Lure:

This is something we use to teach many new behaviors and commands.  A food lure involves getting the dog to follow your baited hand into a desired position.  It is basically "attaching" your dog's nose to the food and encouraging them to follow it.

Although it is important to mark bad behavior, it is more important to mark the good behaviors.  We must teach our dog what behaviors are considered good and/or acceptable by us (you and your family).  To mark good behaviors, use a Marker Word.

Marker Word:

Use your chosen marker word:  “Good” or “Yes” (or the Clicker).

This is the word (or sound) that says to a dog, “Yes! That is exactly what I wanted you to do!” and is then followed with a reward.  Rewards do not necessarily have to be food.  Rewards are different for each dog but can include:  toys, bones, petting, praise, and even your calm energy.  

Henry being told "Good!" for doing what he was asked.

When you have successfully redirected your dog's bad behavior to a good behavior, be sure to mark that behavior as "GOOD!"  This is so important.  The more we mark good behavior, the more your dog will want to engage in good behaviors.  Dogs enjoy pleasing their owners, we just have to learn to communicate with them in a way they can understand.  You can achieve this goal by marking your dog's behaviors in appropriate ways.

Trainer Tips--Lavender Oil & Dogs

Lavender Oil for your Dog:

Lavender is a naturally calming scent for both humans and dogs.  To use lavender for your dog, take some time to give your dog a massage and some good petting.  Put just a little dab of lavender oil on your hands.  Before massaging your dog and/or petting him in his favorite spots, allow him/her to smell the oil you have applied to your hand.  If the dog remains calm, proceed to using nice, calming, slow strokes.  Slowly massaging the outsides of the spine from the neck down is a proven approach.  Do this several times to really associate the smell of lavender to a relaxed state of mind for your dog.

The point of this exercise is to associate the smell of lavender with a nice calm, relaxed state of mind.

Be sure that you are purchasing oils free from contaminants.  Be sure to only use therapeutic-grade Lavender Oil from a reputable company and verify the quality of the oil before use.  (For Maui, I recommend purchasing your Lavender Oil from Down to Earth in Kahului.)

Do not use a lot of Lavender oil.  A tiny dab will do just fine.  You do not need a lot to get the smell, and we do not want to have dogs licking excessive amounts of oil off themselves.  Be sure to buy diluted oil or dilute it yourself.  Use oil on your dog in moderation and with caution.  Be sure to avoid the eye and mouth areas.  I also recommend that you do NOT use Lavender Oil on your dog every day.  Some dogs may develop a sensitivity to the oil if used too often.

Why use Lavender Oil?
Lavender Oil is naturally soothing to the central nervous system in both humans & animals.  Many humans with anxiety-related issues use lavender oil to help calm themselves in stressful situations.  This oil may be used in a similar way for your dog.

Anxiety:
If your dog suffers from anxious or nervous behaviors or has separation anxiety, Lavender oil could help.  You want to start using the oil as directed above, and then continue to have the scent present in situations that are stressful to your dog.  

For example if your dog suffers from separation anxiety, start as directed above, then do the same ritual before leaving your dog for the day.  Remember to remain calm and relaxed (do NOT try and do this if you are rushing out the door).  Your mood must match what the lavender oil is trying to accomplish:  a calm state of mind.  

Another example:  if your dog is frightened of guests:  start again as directed above, then bring back the scent of lavender right before guests come over and have them follow the "No touch, No talk, No eye contact" policy to further help relax your dog.

Have a dog that is afraid of car rides?  Start as directed above and then apply a drop of diluted Lavender oil on your dog's collar before your next car trip.  Remember to remain calm yourself.

Over-Excitement:
If you have a dog that is high-energy who easily gets over-excited, Lavender Oil can be used to help calm their behavior.  Start as directed above then re-apply the scent before events that may excite your dog.  For example if you dog becomes very over-excited when guests arrive, apply the oil a few minutes before they arrive.  (Also remember to remind your guest to follow the "No touch, No talk, No eye contact" policy until the dog fully calms down.)

Older Dogs/ Dogs with Physical Pain:
Lavender oil is also an excellent way to help dogs with joint and other types of physical pains.  Two of our dogs are getting into their "senior" years and starting to show signs of joint pain.  We use lavender oil while massaging the areas of the dog that are aching and in pain.  This helps both relieve their joint pain and relaxes them at the same time.  We are associating the smell with the relief of massage and relaxation.  Essential Oils have also been known to help reduce inflammation.  So next time you notice the dog is having a bad pain day, you can bring out the Lavender smell and it will help the dog both mentally and physically relax.

Allergies & Skin Conditions:
Lavender oil has also been known to help with dog allergies and skin conditions.  If you dog suffers from hot spots, try applying a few drops of diluted Lavender oil.  Start out small to be sure your pet does not have a bad reaction.  
If your dog suffers from allergies, try adding a Lavender oil diffuser near the pet's main area.

Lavender Oil is also a natural repellent for fleas, ticks, and other insects.  Add a few drops of Lavender Oil to your dog's shampoo and shake well.  Use as normal for bathing and your dog will have an added natural insect repellent, plus smell great!



More Information on Animals & Essential Oils:

Previous SGDs Blog Article "Trainer Tips--4th of July Safety."
Audio Clip & Article:  Dr. Karen Becker interviews Melissa Shelton, DVM.
"Essential Oils & Dogs" article by The Bark.
"Essential Oils for Pets" article by Dogs Naturally.

Trainer Tips--A schedule matters

For this month's Trainer Tip, I would like to remind everyone (and myself) that a schedule matters to your dog.

As some of you may have read in a previous post, I recently broke my ankle in the beginning of May this year.  Although I am currently back on my feet and back to work, things have been a little bit chaotic for me getting back into a routine.  Besides running my dog training business, I also switched a part time second job from serving, to becoming shop manager of a tattoo shop.  Obviously, my responsibilities have increased.  Along with all this, we also adopted a new puppy, DEVO.

Because I had been sitting around unable to do anything for TWO months with a broken ankle, I was ready to get moving once I was given the green light from the doctor.  I may have overdone it just a bit.

In the midst of all the chaos and changing schedules for both myself and my husband, I was reminded just how important a schedule is for our dogs...especially a puppy.

Why a Schedule Matters to your dog:

Don't get me wrong, dogs can be fairly flexible, but they do like a basic regular schedule.  A basic schedule for your dog should involve his/her daily walks, feedings, and play times.  Your schedule should also include those extra exercise times as well.  For example maybe every Saturday you go for an hour hike or take your dog to the beach for some swimming.

The reasons dogs like and need a schedule are really quite simple.  Dog have regular needs just as we do.  They need to eat and use the bathroom every day.  Having a regular time when your dog knows when s/he will eat and be able to do his business is important.  As humans we find it unreasonable to work more than 4 or 6 hours without a bathroom break, yet we expect that our dogs can easily hold it for up to 12 hours.  This is not true.  It is possible, but that doesn't mean it is easy for your dog to do that.  So just like us, dogs need to know regular times that they are able to both eat and use the bathroom.

Along with this, dogs also need a regular exercise schedule.  Besides your twice daily walks, your dog should be getting some other regular sort of exercise.  As I said, maybe this is that once a week when you have the time to go on a long hike or to the beach to really wear out your dog.  These exercise days are very important.  Remember, a tired dog is a good dog.  When dogs get bored, they start making trouble.  Even though we have been away all day working very hard and are usually tired when we get home, our dogs have been patiently waiting for us and looking forward to their own exercise time.  Let's not disappoint them.  Dogs need regular daily exercise to stay both physically and mentally healthy and happy.

So take a quick look at your schedule...do you have one?  The time of day does not matter.  If you work nights or if you work days, it makes no difference to your dog.  As long as you have a mostly regular schedule you follow, your dog will thrive.  Just don't forget the exercise part of your dog schedule!

What a Basic Schedule should look like:

I will give you an idea of a good basic schedule by sharing my schedule with you.

Monday -- Friday

7:30am   Wake up/ use bathroom

7:35am    Walk dogs

8:15am    Return from walk/ feed dogs

8:20am    Shower/ get ready for day as dogs eat breakfast

8:50am    Put puppy in kennel with plenty of toys and water, go to work

5:00pm    Return home from work.  Set things down/ get dog leashes ready

5:02pm    Walk dogs

6:00pm    Return from walk

6:30pm    Make dinner for humans

7-7:30      Humans eat dinner

8:00pm    Feed dogs dinner

8:30pm    Take puppy out for potty break

8:35pm    Play with puppy/ training with puppy

9:30pm    Take puppy out for last potty before bed

10:00pm   Put puppy in kennel/ get ready for/ go to bed

This is what a weekday basic schedule should look like for you (obviously times may vary).  Since my schedule also varies during the week, anytime I come home, I must immediately let out the puppy for a potty break.  This is because we are still in potty training with our new puppy.  However, this should also be true for any dog.  Be courteous to your dog and let him out to go potty!  I will also throw in a quick game of fetch (10-30 minutes) in the middle of the day if I have time.

Overall, if you meet your dog's needs, you will have a happy and healthy friend that will be with you for a lifetime.