House training (aka: potty training)

The house training of a new puppy or dog is often the top priority for most people. A variety of factors can influence how easy or difficult this process is, how quickly or slowly results are achieved, and how reliable a dog’s training ultimately is. When I was a child, we had a family dog that was never really reliable in the house. There were several factors that contributed to his problem, not the least of which was that he was never neutered (male dogs do feel a compulsion to “mark” with urine.) But the most important factor that I’ve been able to identify was that he was never properly house trained to begin with. My family simply didn’t know how to properly do the job. I’m sure my parents practiced all the “wisdom” of that time period, such as punishing him when he went potty in the house and simply expecting him to understand where he should be going. I’m sure they got angry and thought he was being naughty, stubborn or stupid when he relieved himself in the house. For his entire life, he had to be locked onto the service porch at night or when we left the house because he would relieve himself in the house if we weren’t there to watch him, in spite of the fact that he had a doggie door. My parents remember him as a “bad dog.” I look back and feel sorry for how we failed him. Ironically, his habit of sneaking off and relieving himself when nobody was looking was actually created by us. Since he was punished when he relieved himself (in the house) front of people, he drew the logical conclusion that it was okay to go if nobody was looking. WE assumed that knew we he wasn’t supposed to go in the house because we punished him for the act when we saw him. But truthfully, what he learned from our actions was determined by HIS view of the world, not ours. We expected him to share our view of the world, in spite of the fact that he was a dog, not a person. I now know that it was the combination of our lack of understanding, our unrealistic expectations, and our use of punishment that caused him to be unreliable. We could have gotten the job done right if we’d focused on teaching him what we wanted him to do, using a system of rewards and then carefully supervised him until he was truly reliable. Instead, we’d set him up to fail.

There are many things that make housetraining a challenge. Sometimes dogs have been taught (as my dog was,) to sneak away and go potty when they think no one is looking. Some very tiny dogs make such small messes that people are unaware that they have a problem until the dog has been urinating in the house for quite some time. Male dogs can be inclined to mark things, even after they’ve been neutered. Even dogs with good elimination habits can be hesitant to go outside to relieve themselves when the weather is inclimate or if there is something unusual happening (like construction work or gardeners using loud equipment) which scares or intimidates them. Often they will hold it as long as they can and then relieve themselves. Why they do this is up for debate, but the absorbent properties of carpet probably partially account for why they find this desirable.

The bottom line is, for most dogs there is no natural or intrinsic desire to wait until they go outside to go potty, and our desire to have this happen is completely foreign to them. They simply have different set of sensibilities to our own. Most of us live in rather large homes (certainly from a dog’s point of view) and as long the dog is able to eliminate some distance from his eating and sleeping area he is usually satisfied with the arrangement. As such, when we teach them not to eliminate in the house, we’re actually teaching them to adapt their behavior patterns to suit our sensibilities and ideals. When you understand this, you learn to appreciate just how wonderful it is that they can be housetrained, and you recognize that they when they don’t get it right it’s not because they are naughty or stupid or stubborn, but rather that they haven’t yet been properly taught.

There are several options to explore when house training a dog. They can be taught to eliminate on command, they can be taught to use a pee-pad or a potty box, they can be taught to ring a bell to alert you that they need to go outside. Crate training can be helpful when house training a dog, as can the use of an exercise pen. Dogs can be taught to use a doggie door, although it’s important to note that just knowing that they have access to the outside doesn’t mean a dog will use that option if they aren’t properly trained to want to go outside.

No matter which option you choose, the key to success will always lie in your willingness to stay diligent and consistent, and in remembering that the responsibility for teaching your dog what he needs to know resides with you. If your dog is struggling with the concept, don’t get angry and blame him, but realize that he is trying to grasp an idea that is foreign to him, and re-evaluate what you are doing to help him understand. Stay patient and positive. And perhaps most of all, remember that house training a dog (actually, teaching a dog anything,) is best achieved with a clear, solid plan; using positive, reward-based methods.

Unrealistic Expectations Podcast

Unrealistic training expectations are the subject of our latest Doggie Dish audio podcast. We focus on the concept of people expecting to be able to teach their dog's to "like" what they have an aversion to.

Although behavior modification techniques can often minimize resistance or negative reactions that a dog may have, actually changing his life view of something is difficult to achieve. And it's never a good idea to set this up as a goal, because it doing so, you set yourself and your dog up for probable failure.

You can listen from our site,
or subscribe to Doggie Dish on iTunes.
Listen to "Unrealistic Expectations"
on Doggie Dish.

Your comments and suggestions are always welcomed.

Dog Training Podcasts on Doggie Dish

If you haven't checked them out already, take a listen to our podcast series. My friend Laura and I talk about dog training and behavior concepts. There are plenty of tips and tricks to help you build a great relationship with your own dog and assist you with training.

We add a new podcast every Friday.
They're absolutely free and very easy to access
on the Doggie Dish website.
They're also available on iTunes!

The latest podcast is titled "Having your dog's attention." On it we talk about the importance of having your dog's attention if you want him to listen to you. We give ideas and suggestions for maintaining this important skill in every day life situations.

Listen to "Attention" on Doggie Dish

Best Friends Animal Society invites trainers to Pet Adoption Festival

Best Friends has invited positive motivation based dog trainers to share information at their L.A. Pet Adoption Festival. The event will be in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23rd. The purpose of the event is to present dogs and cats from local rescues and shelters for adoption into "forever homes." The hope is to match up 300 - 500 lucky pets with some equally lucky people.

Along with myself, there will be at least five other dog trainers on hand who share a philosophy of positive reinforcement, relationship based training techniques as a resource for rescuers and adopters. Hopefully our contributions can help make this wonderful event an even bigger success.

If you're considering adopting a pet, I hope you'll come out and have a look. In addition to all the beautiful cats and dogs looking for new best friends, there will be demonstrations, pet related vendors, childrens activities and even some yummy food.

It's this Sunday from 11:00 to 4:00

At Westchester Park

7000 W. Manchester Avenue in Los Angeles

It's looking like the weather will be mild,
which should make for a great day in the park.

I hope to see you there!

Dog Agility: fun for you and your dog!

“Jump....Climb.....Weave....Tunnel!”

Would these be the excited cries of hurdling, mountain climbing, basket weaving, miners? I think not. Along with smiles, laughing, wagging tails and the occasional exuberant canine barking, these are just some of the sounds and sights to be experienced at a canine agility event. Many are discovering this fast growing sport and it’s benefits of increased off leash training, physical exercise for both handler and dog, and it’s potential to strengthen the human/canine bond. Not to mention the fact that it automatically places you in the company of other dog loving people.

Agility offers pet owners the opportunity to spend quality time with their dogs doing something that both owner and dog can equally enjoy. It presents an alternative to the sometimes humdrum daily walk which often times isn‘t enough to burn off a dog‘s excess physical or mental energy. It can provide a fun outlet for a slightly hyperactive dog who often requires a more challenging activity. Most really high energy dogs particularly like the physicality and mental stimulation of this sport. For them, the game of agility itself is all the more positive reinforcement they will ever need while working. In fact, it can make a real behavioral difference in the bored, frustrated, under stimulated and thereby often destructive dog who is simply in need of a job to do.

But that doesn’t mean it’s only for the high energy or hyperactive canine. Many a slower, less energetic pup can be seen making it’s easy going way around an agility course with a big enthusiastic grin on it’s little doggy face. The training is positive and usually reinforced using lots of “good boys” and “atta dogs” as well as a favorite toy or tasty treats. For many dogs, this coupled with the undivided attention of their owners can make agility something they just can’t help but love.

But it’s the bond that it creates between dog and owner which seems to be the most compelling thing about this sport for many people. Agility puts emphasis on the dog and owner working as a team. One quite simply can’t perform effectively without the other. This fact above all others seems to be the most irresistible component of agility. It requires that both team members focus on paying attention to each other. Somehow this simple act of just paying attention seems to create a closeness between people and their pets, and a unique bond is foraged through this co-operative teamwork which really makes a difference.

There are people who train their dogs in agility for any or all of the above reasons. For them, agility is just a fun thing to do once a week with little Fluffy or great big Spot. But then there are those who decide that just training isn’t enough. They crave a little applause for their efforts; perhaps even a little competition. For these adventuresome souls, there are titling entities who’s affiliate clubs put on Agility shows. These shows present an opportunity to test out what you’ve worked on at class. Although there are others, I will be focusing on three main U.S. titling entities. They are the AKC, the USDAA and NADAC also known as the American Kennel Club, the United States Dog Agility Association, and the North American Dog Agility Club respectively. Local dog clubs in many areas put on licensed agility shows and offer a chance to win titles and/or ribbons from these titling entities.

Over the next few weeks and throughout this blog, I will present a series of articles in an attempt to convey a clearer picture of the how’s and why’s of agility. I’ll write a bit about the various obstacles and how they're used. I'll explain what I believe to be the minimum amount of training that is advisable before starting and suggest a few of the possible considerations to think about before choosing a potential agility class or trainer. In addition to exploring some of the differences between the various titling entities, I'll take a closer look at the potential benefits and possible hazards to the canine agility athlete. In future blog entries, I'll look at these and other agility topics and hopefully mix together equal parts of information and fun. There is a lot to know about this fast growing and interesting sport.

And who knows, maybe I’ll even spark the interest of a future agility enthusiast.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Share your own agility experiences...your comments are welcomed!

The Role of Leadership in Dog Training

If you lead...I will follow...
Truer words were never spoken…at least from a dog’s perspective.
I’m always surprised at how many wonderful, loving pet owners who work to provide all they believe their pets could ever want, can overlook this most essential dog need. In the interest of “being nice” many well intentioned dog owners shudder at the thought of setting up boundaries or limiting their dog's choices, fearing that to do so would seem harsh and somehow interfere with their beloved pet's freedom and happiness. Unfortunately, this misguided notion could not be further from the truth. No dog wants to be, or can ever be anything but a dog. No matter how we view him, or how much like a human child we treat him, every dog does now and will always think and feel like a dog. The fact is, he sees absolutely nothing wrong with that. And as a dog, his instincts give him a strong, clear message: successful survival is dependent on intelligent and powerful leadership.

The goal when beginning a relationship with a dog, whether it be a young puppy, or an adult dog just coming into the home, should be to set parameters that the dog can work within in order to effect the outcome that he desires. By doing this, we empower our dog. (not to be confused with giving up our power to the dog which is NEVER a good idea.) In the dog/human equation, it is very important that the human be the leader of the partnership or “pack.” In a domestic living situation, it’s completely unnatural and more importantly unsafe, and therefore also uncomfortable for the dog to have to assume the role of leader. Our pets' total dependency on us for neccessities, such as food, water and shelter make it impossible for a dog to ever believe himself to be a true or capable leader. If he is forced by circumstance or encouraged by the actions or inactions of his owner to take up the leadership role, he is always aware of his dependency. He soon realizes that neither he nor his owner are REALLY in control, which leaves him feeling confused and vulnerable. This most often leads to an animal that is unhappy, untrustworthy and/or sometimes even potentially dangerous.

To understand this most basic concept, as it relates to domestic and wild canids, lets consider the life experiences of the newborn puppy, beginning with it’s first hours and continuing on through adulthood. In the beginning, puppy is totally dependent on his mother for every life sustaining component of his life. Her diligence and care are literally what determines whether he will thrive or perish. She feeds him, shelters him, keeps him warm and clean, disciplines him and keeps him safe by protecting him with her very life if necessary. If she fails to perform these tasks, there is a good chance that puppy will not survive.

As puppy grows, some of his dependence shifts slightly and eventually other caregivers within his family/pack begin to share in the responsibility of feeding, playing with and protecting him. Mother still plays a very important role in his life and puppy remains largely dependent on her, but now and to a lesser extent, also on the other family/pack members for his care and survival. In the wild these other caregivers would be the members of his canid pack, but in the domestic environment of our pets, that caregiver would most likely be his human owner or owners.

As the wild canid grows, he becomes a part of the pack, participating in the acquisition of food and in the protection of the pack members. He slowly over time, as he begins to assume the responsibilities of an adult, his status and position in the pack will also begin to change. Although at first a low ranking member of the group, he will most likely and in varying degrees that depend largely on his personality type, begin to assert himself; as time goes by, he may even begin to ascend higher in the rank and file order of the pack. Very rarely a canid with exceptional strength and abilities will eventually work very hard and earn his way up to the position of pack leader, but not without many tests of his merit and challenges to his position. This is where the life of our domestic dog takes a turn from his wild cousins.

As he matures, the domestic dog may feel the natural inclination to assert himself, but in the back of his doggie consciousness is the awareness that he is still as dependant on his human caregivers as he was when he was very young. He is still dependent on his humans to provide the basic necessities of life, namely; food, water and shelter (protection.) This dependence clearly signals to him that try as he might, he can never truly be the leader of his group. Dependence is weakness and weak leaders are dangerous. All is fine if his human leaders are strong and dependable, but what if they too send out signals of weakness? If they fail to define boundaries or set up some clearly defined rules for the dog and clearly indicate that they are not in control? The dog is now left believing that the pack is without a true leader. This is where the stability of our domestic dog’s life can take a frightening and sometimes even dangerous turn for the worse.

In the wild adult canids life, the survival of an animal is largely dependent on the stability of the pack he lives in. Within a smooth functioning group with good, strong leadership there is a certain general feeling of security. The ability to successfully feed and protect a pack rests largely on the existence of a strong and intelligent alpha leader or alpha pair who can make good decisions and take charge in any situation. After all, there has to be somebody who leads when there are decisions to be made, preferably someone with the confidence and wisdom to navigate their way through even new and challenging situations. Instincts tell the wild canine the same thing that it tells our domestic dogs, that strength and intelligence is vital and competent leaders reassure a feeling of continued survival. In absence of strong leadership a pack can't help but unstable and insecure.

This is often times also at the crux of our domestic dogs problems. Although most dog owners are loving caregivers who work very hard to provide what they believe their dogs want, many fail to understand this most basic canine need. A puppy coming to live in the home of his new human, sees himself as joining a new “pack;” the members of his new household, whether they be human or canine, are all members of this new pack. People often times view their dogs as human members of the family, but a dog can only ever view himself as a dog, with an accompanying canine view of the world. They are “hardwired” to view their situation this way. The most comfortable situation they can find themselves in therefore, is one where the pack that they have joined has a strong and intelligent and most of all powerful leader or leaders. Not only will these leaders be the providers of food and shelter, but they will clearly define the rules that will keep the pack/family safe. They will show their competency by being fair, clear, consistent and unwavering in their decisions and leadership. They plainly illustrate that they can and will take charge of any situation. This gives the puppy/dog confidence and a feeling of security and insured survival. It also allows him to trust his new family completely.

As they grow in their new environment, dogs can never, EVER be left to wonder who is making the decisions in their new home. To do so would be very disturbing to them indeed. No matter how tough they may act, a dog living in a domestic situation cannot help but be painfully aware of his obvious inability to provide the most basic necessities of survival for himself. In addition, many of the things that we humans consider to be commonplace, can be strange and bewildering to our dogs (the vaccum cleaner for instance.) The human caregiver who provides their dog with food, water, toys and shelter in the form of a warm bed and comfortable living situation, but who fails to also provide structure, guidance and clear leadership, leaves their dog in a tough spot indeed. By providing all that they do, they make it clear to the dog that he is dependent on them, but by not also stepping up to LEAD, they unintentionally send the dog the message that they are weak and may not be very dependable if the going gets tough. Any dog placed in this situation is going to feel some level of unease. This unease can manifest itself in a variety of ways, possibly in the form of aggression, fear, destructiveness or extreme anxiety just to name a few. Indeed, all behavioral problems can be positively influenced by understanding this most basic canine concept. Although behavior modification techniques may vary according to the problem, good leadership is integral to all canine/human interactions.

As a pet owner you can do much for your dog by supplying not just what you think he wants, but by focusing more closely on what he really needs. Look at the tasks that you perform for your dog each day. By providing food, water, shelter and by cleaning up after him, you in essence present yourself as his caretaker (not so different than his mom, when he was just a dependent baby) and therefore as his leader. If you don’t also show him that you are strong, steady and in control, then on a very primitive and instinctive level, you leave him wondering about the security of his survival. By setting clear boundaries and defining rules and limits for your dog's behavior, you can help to convey to him that he is the member of a strong pack with good leadership, and so leave him feeling confident and secure.
When you meet this need for your dog, he will benefit and so will you.

Watch your dog closely, and listen to his soundless yet poignant message:
IF YOU LEAD... I WILL FOLLOW...

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Soon to come: STOP "WHISPERING!"

LEADERSHIP is not about "dominance"...

your dog knows you're not a dog or a wolf!

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What do you think?

Your comments are always welcomed.