Robin's Training Tips

Here are some helpful training tips from Robin Baizel, Training Director of The Canine Club.  Click on a topic of interest, or scroll through them all.  If you need additional help, please check our Training Services page for a class or lesson that is right for you and your dog.

(Recalls) (WhyUse Food?) (Jumping Up) (House Training)

Recalls

Want your dog to come when you call? Make yourself an attractive target. Use treats and toys to make your dog want to come to you. Better yet, run away! Dogs are hard wired to chase moving targets, when your dog "catches" you, reward him/her handsomely!  

REMEMBER the Cardinal Rule of Dog Training:

NEVER, EVER CALL YOUR DOG TO YOU THEN PUNISH
HIM OR HER!!!

This includes calling your dog to you and doing something punishing to your dog, like toenail clipping or bathing. Young dogs and pups may consider being called into the house punishment if they are having a great play session. Go get your dog, or trade them something valuable, something valuable enough to make them really want to come, like FOOD.

We use food in training because that is the currency dogs understand. Fluffy, wiry, furry, big, small, curly, Golden, black, white, dappled or brindle, all dogs have one thing in common. They are predators. And predators live for the acquisition and consumption of food. So to make training much simpler than it was in the old times with choke chains, we simply use food to reward the behavior we like. Basic learning tells us behavior that is rewarded happens more often.

If you don't believe me, try flipping your teenager $20 after taking out the trash. Do that once or a couple of times and I guarantee your teenager will be begging you for trash to take.

Using food isn't bribery, as thought by some. It is simply a reward for a job well done, and who wouldn't like more of that in their life? Wouldn't you like a boss that noticed every time you do something Right, instead of when you mess up? It works the same with dogs. Notice them being right, reward it, and the "right" behavior increases.

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Jumping up?

Dogs jump up to get to the good stuff, your face. We often accidentally train our dogs to jump up, by petting them or even just talking to them when they jump up. True, the talk may consist of words like "ACK! Get Down, Umph, ouch!!!"  Unfortunately, dogs don't understand words so talking to the dog means "oh thank you for jumping on me!"  That’s the fact of dogs.

They don't understand anything about human language until we teach them by repetition what we expect to a sound, such as "Off!"  

"Off!" is the preferred command for dogs that jump up, as we usually use "Down" for getting the dog to lie down. It is always best to have only one specific command for each action. When your dog jumps up ask him/her to sit and reward the sit. If your dog persists in jumping up, turn around sideways so the dog can't maintain balance, and when the four paws are on the ground, say "Sit" and reward the dog for complying. Every time your dog achieves a "four on the floor" say "Off!" Really, really reward your dog if the dog then offers you a nice sit.

House Training

More dogs get turned over to animal control over House training than any other single issue.

First and foremost, if you have a dog that has been reliable in the house, and it starts having "accidents", start at the vet. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are fairly common in dogs and a fairly easy fix.

House training requires commitment and consistency. Be proactive and take that puppy outside every hour. Go outside with the puppy, as puppies have very short attention spans and really will forget to go potty if not reminded by the human. Pick a word or phrase for the Puppy to associate with the act of going potty outside, such as "Go Potty", or "Hurry up". Use it every time you take your pup outside. Reward your puppy for doing their business appropriately outside as if this was the singular most wonderful thing ever.

Never punish your puppy for pottying inappropriately, you'll only teach the pup to hide it. Clean any areas the pup has soiled with an enzymatic cleaner or white vinegar and water. Don't use soaps, as they can smell like urine and attract even more puppy pee.

Rule of thumb for how long a puppy can hold its urine: One hour per month old the pup is. With a larger dog you can add 1 hour to the total, but with little dogs go by the 1 month/hour rule.

Times to be sure to get the puppy outside:

• When waking up from a nap

• 15-20 minutes after a meal

• After a heavy play session

• 10-15 minutes after the big drink of water that followed play session 

• Last thing before bed

• All those other times not mentioned :-)