TRICKS OF THE TRADE

           Over the years every dog trainer learns a few simple fixes they share with their friends, fellow trainers, and students, to make simple everyday tasks easier. Unless you go to dog class or get professional help, you may needlessly be waging war with your dog instead of teaching cooperation.

            I am always delighted to see the smiles on the faces of folks when they see how simple and rewarding working with (and not against) dogs is. Here’s a couple tricks of the trade that make living with dogs easier.

 PUTTING A COLLAR ON YOUR DOG

             This works well with any collar. If you are using a slip style collar, simply loop it over your arm. Hold a treat in your fingers and allow your dog to sniff it, but not have it yet. Let him follow the treat with his nose and through the collar, as you slip it over his head. Once it is on, praise him and reward him with another treat.

            If you are using a buckle collar, make it large enough to slip over the dog’s head. Once it is on, adjust it to the correct size.

            It won’t take long before he hears the jingle of the collar and comes running to get it on.

 GO TO YOUR CRATE

             Remove the gate from either a wire or plastic crate. Put a slip collar on your dog, so he cannot pull it off his head. Attach a long leash or rope and pull it through the side of the plastic crate window, or the back of the wire crate. Take a yummy treat (like steak) and let him sniff it. Now toss it into the back of the crate. Tell him, “Go crate.” Give him a moment to respond. He may go right into the crate. If he does, praise him and throw in a couple more treats. He may resist. If he does put just enough pressure on the leash so he cannot back away from the opening. Hold the crate with your other hand, or have someone hold it, so it doesn’t move much. Above all be calm and patient, no matter what the dog does. Some will raise quite a fuss, but remember this is a tantrum and the dog is not afraid or hurt. Given no choice, he will go into the crate. Once he does allow the line to remain slack, and praise his decision to do things your way. Only take up the slack if he tries to leave without permission. The dog is more than learning to go to his crate on command, he is learning that obeying you is in his best interest.  Repetition is all it takes, and in no time at all your dog will happily be going to his crate when he is told to.

• Provide energy using activities - It is your responsibility as a good dog owner to provide daily activities for your dog - a walk - play ball - do something fun
• Structured walks - I recommend at least an hour structured walk - Structured walks begin at the door. Practice putting your dog behind you, and exiting doors and gate first. Once you are out the out the door or gate, keep your dog right next to you. If you allow him out in front, you are giving him pack leader position and all the privileges that go with it. No good ever comes of this arrangement between man and dog.
• Communicating to your dog - Twenty minutes of basic obedience training a day.
  This information is vital in communicating to your dog that you are the pack leader - not your dog. I am the leader and I make all the decisions. You are the follower and do not.
• Give your dog permission - If one of your activities is playing at the park, be sure you give your dog permission to leave you and go play. Playing does not mean bolting and running away, so make sure your dog understands this before giving him the privilege of playing off leash

• Teaching a dog to set up into heel position is fun and easy. Hold a yummy treat in your left hand. Let the dog sniff at it. As soon as he is "on the bait," slowly direct him into heel position. Be careful, if you move too fast he will loose contact with your hand. It is not necessary to say anything. You are simply teaching him to follow your hand into "heel." As soon as he has moved into position, lift your hand up and slightly back over his head. He will follow the bait with his nose. This will cause him to sit. Praise his efforts then reward with the treat.
• Practice is all it takes to get the idea. Eventually the dog will learn to follow your hand into place and you can dispense with the treat. As soon as he gets the idea, add a verbal command, "Max heel."
• Don't forget to praise. This tells him you like what he is doing.

after a fun training class at the
West Plains Caine School