Training that's Fair for the Dog

People ask me why I train dogs and the answer is simple, because I LOVE dogs.  I love all animals, but dogs have become such a special part of my life and have formed a special bond with me.  I understand them, and they understand me.  I am perplexed at peoples attitude toward training a dog, and that they consider certain methods mean and cruel.  Basically anything that is strong in the area of correction is considered mean.  Unfortunately, what I consider mean in training a dog, is to expect the k9 to understand human language and emotions.  For a dog that is used to a pack order and the nature and structure of pack order to suddenly be made to understand that I will "ask" it what to do and reward it with a treat.   I will not and have not ever trained a dog with a treat.  I will give a dog a treat when they finish training, but not for doing something that I, as the pack leader expect the dog to do.  The dog will follow my lead because it is the right thing to do.  Just like any dog in the wild will follow the lead of their leader.

One of the worst things I can imagine is the people that send their dogs off to be trained.  They expect someone to take their dogs issues and make them go away and bring them back a perfectly behaved animal.  I personally would never trust my dog to "go away" with someone.  I want to know what is going on in my dogs life.  I have fixed many dog issues in one or two sessions with people who understand it, guided many people along in their training of their dogs and consulted many through this blog and helped them.  They key thing to all of this is that I give the people the opportunity to work with their dogs.  The fact that the trainer can get the dog to do what they need him to do is not the issue.  The owner of the dog needs to be able t do that.  The ONLY way that will work is if the dog sees the owner as their leader.  A dog is a master of opportunity and will see through a weak leader immediately.  Dogs are better judges of character than you or I will ever be.  

The way to get your dog to listen to you is not to give him a treat and hug and kiss him and use the clicker.  The key to getting your dog to obey you is to be his leader.  This structure re-organizing needs to be present in everything you do from the morning to the night.  The way you speak to him and the way you avoid him.  Every piece of your interaction must be structured toward you being your dogs leader.  

Why is this so important?  Why not just cuddle the dog and let him be as he is?  Several reasons...  one is that the dog lives in a human world.  There are cars, poisons, obstacles and more all around your dog that could cause him harm.  If you call your dog and he chooses not to listen, he very well may run into the street and get hit by a car.  If your dog does not obey you and runs over to a person and bites them, he's gonna get put down.  The main problem that people don't understand with dogs is that love and respect are very different in this world.  If a dog loves you and doesn't respect you, the love is useless.  A dog can love you and not respect you.  However, if the dog respects you, it is greater than love.  Please don't confuse fear for respect.  I mean respect.  You earn respect, you'll earn it from you dog.

Gain your dogs respect and you have a friend for life.

Beyond Leash Control - a Dummies Guide

It never ceases to amaze me how often I see people with their dogs off-leash.  There are few things that get my goat as much as this... for several reasons.  For those who feel they are giving their dogs "freedom" - you are wrong - DEAD wrong.  Yes, a dog does like to run free, and for that very reason it is imperative that they be leashed.  People walk their dogs on busy streets, load them in and out of cars, take them across the street, all off leash.  What these folks don't grasp is that a dogs capacity to think is easily startled.  No matter how well trained your dog is, he is likely to be startled by something and totally lose his bearings.  I can tell you this from an experience with a friend.  He has a doberman that I would consider one of the best trained dogs that I have known.  We were at the beach and suddenly the dog decided to run up to the highway.  Luckily he caught up with the dog, and the dog was saved.  However, this could have ended up much differently.

There are many other reasons to keep your dog on a leash if you love your dog.  If someone else is walking by with their dog dog leashed, it will create a conflict that you will be unable to control.  The leashed dog will trigger an instinct in your dog and the two dogs more than likely will have an issue.  Children may  approach your unleashed dog and since you are unable to control your dog he may become playful, chasing and/or playing with the child or worse yet may attack the child.  Yes, these are flukes, but they happen.  There is a time to have your dog free and off leash.  That time is in your back yard and when the dog is playing with other dogs that he may be familiar with or playing with you.  Since I do not recommend dog parks, for reasons that I will explain at another time, I would rule that out as well.  

If you are responsible and love your dog, and would like to keep him alive and with you, a leash is an imperative tool.  Dogs live in a human world.  In a human world, unfortunately there are many things to protect your dog from.  The safest and sanest way to do this is by having your dog on a leash and in control at all times.

Leash Control

It never ceases to surprise me how many people have problems with leash control.  Their dogs are constantly pulling them on their leash and the collar ends up choking the dog.  Then, the main complaint is that the walks are not enjoyable.  If the walk seems un-enjoyable to the person holding the leash, imagine how it must feel to the creature at the other end of the lead.  

Gaining proper leash control is something that will enhance the relationship between human and canine.  Also, having a good handle on the leash will make your dog feel more comfortable, less aggressive and more responsive to you.  Leash control is one of the basics that a dog must be taught before progressing to any further levels.  A dog that pulls on a leash will be difficult to train to do most other things.  That being said, it is important to use the proper leash.

Many people like to use the retractable - flexi leads that are very popular.  There is a place for them, and I will discuss that later.  The ideal leash for training and control is a 6' leather lead, sometimes the nylon ones can be good as well.  I'll leave that up to you.  The key is that it is 6 feet long and that you know how to use it.  If you have 6 feet of lead, that means you can control your dog at any level up to 6 feet away.  The dog should not walk at the end of this 6 foot lead, but should be allowed some free reign therein.  If the dog is pulling at the end of the lead, he should be corrected and made to walk next to you.  The same holds true if he is lagging too far behind.  Ideally the dog walks next to you with slack in the lead.  That means that he is walking and paying attention to you instead of pulling on the lead and dragging you along.  Bear in mind that a dog who is constantly pulling on the lead will often times be more aggressive than a dog who walks on a loose leash.  

If you want you dog to enjoy walks, and that is what they are--walks  - not drags, then you will need to be sure that your dog walks next to you.  If he needs to sniff somewhere or do his duty, he can do it at the end of the lead.  That is why you have the flexibility of 6 feet.  The flexibility is NOT there for him to pull at the end of it.  Imagine holding your child's hand and dragging him everywhere, or vis a vis.  

Dogs are not miserable on a leash, and people who don't use leashes on their dogs are clueless as to how important a leash is.  A leash will give your dog structure and also protection.  Dogs now live in a human world.  There are many many things that could hurt them or potentially kill them.  Giving your dog the "freedom" to be off leash is giving him the possibility to be killed by a car, getting lost, getting attacked and more.  Keep your dog next to you and allow him to run around in your back yard.  If you feel he needs more exercise, put on some running shoes and get some exercise with him.

OFF leash is not a good idea in areas where there is a risk of an accident.  Just because your dog is "good off leash" is not  a reason to put it to the test.  I see people with their dogs off leash on busy streets all the time.  I think these people are absolutely crazy.  The slightest distraction can cause even the best trained dog to "slip."  And one slip is all it takes to lose your best friend.