Positive Dog Training Tools for Heeling

Dream Dogs recommends using positive tools to train your dog to walk nicely next to you than the older “traditional” ways of dog training. Tools like choke chains and pinch collars have been used in dog training for many years and are unfortunately common, and even more commonly misused. They are designed to induce a painful correction if the dog pulls on the leash, then the tension is supposed to be released immediately. However, many people use the “heavy metal” aids as a constant and unnecessary punishment because they are either not fitted correctly or not used in the appropriate “correct, then release” formula. Some people even put theses devices on their dogs simply because they think it looks cool, or they want their dog to look tougher, and they are ignorant to the counter-training they are doing by improperly using equipment. Dream Dogs advises utilizing a “softer” tool to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash. We can help fit your dog with either a Gentle Leader head collar or an Easy Walker harness.

The Gentle Leader works like a horse halter in that it directs your dog’s head (and then their body will follow) in the direction you desire. Starting out with this type of aid is far easier than trying to force your dog to understand the pull and tension you would otherwise be putting on their flat collar. It is instinctual for a dog to brace against a constant pressure, NOT yield from it. They can actually damage their trachea (wind pipe) by pulling too hard against the pressure you end up having on their leash. Again, this is an instinct to drive against the pressure – no matter how smart you think your dog is, they CANNOT understand that a constant pull means to do something different than they are doing. You need to use a correct-release strategy. The Gentle Leader can also help control a dog with jumping problems – you can control their head and thus often curb a jump in progress. It also allows for the quick correct-release.

The Easy Walker harness is a unique design unlike a traditional harness. Regular harnesses don’t allow you to teach your dog direction, as tension on their back between their shoulders where the leash attaches doesn’t guide them one way or another. The back-clipping harness is however excellent if you wish to carry your small dog like a suitcase. We don’t actually recommend this!! The Easy Walker allows the leash to be clipped to the front of the chest, still allows for a quick correct-release, and directionally controls their shoulders (and then their body will follow). Some dogs will naturally “graduate” out of the equipment as their training progresses and will have developed into pleasant walking companions, but many owners actually prefer to make these aids a permanent helper for keeping their dog “heeling” like a happy obedience champion.

Both the Gentle Leader and the Easy Walker come in multiple sizes and are adjustable, and the Dream Dogs trainers can help you determine which tool is best for your pet, as well as properly fit it for them. For a leash for your dog, we recommend a basic six-foot leash. Four-foot leashes are often too short to quickly shorten or lengthen your hold on it when you need to. Both length leashes come in different widths, depending on how large and strong your dog is, and what is most comfortable for you to grip. Retractable leashes (flexi-leads) are NOT appropriate for walking your dog if you want to keep control. These leashes actually reward your dog for pulling – the harder they pull, the faster they get away from you and get to do what THEY want. If you choose to use a retractable lead for circumstances like potty-time, you can teach your dog the difference between “walking-time” with the proper equipment, and potty-time or play-time.

Dream Dogs is owned and operated by Lori Wainio-Carman, who has a proven track record of animal training for events, obedience, agility, behavior modification, and tricks.  Her training methods focus on promoting the proper relationship between dog and owner in order to achieve maximum results in minimal time. Dreams Dogs offers positive dog training services to clients in the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs to Indio, including Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Desert Hot Springs.

We can Train Any Dog! Contact us at (760) 899-7272 or email lori@dreamdogs.com.

Visit our website for upcoming classes www.dreamdogs.com

Jumping: A Common Dog Training Topic

Jumping is a dog training topic that is commonly brought up in classes. Jumping is actually a normal behavior for canines. It is an acceptable greeting from dog to dog that develops from the time they are puppies and jump up to lick the food from their mother’s lips. However, this joyous display towards people can be everything from annoying to dangerous.

Dogs that jump on people can dirty or rip clothing, scratch skin, and knock you down. It is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly. How many times has your beloved “Brutus” embarrassed you by launching at your guests, planting muddy paws on your friends, or flattening your neighbor? You are not alone! Don’t despair – the solution is more basic than you may think, the utilization of some basic dog training techniques will  put your mind at ease when company arrives.

First you must realize that your dog really doesn’t understand that jumping is not acceptable in human culture. To them it may as well be like shaking hands to us. They need to be taught what the proper way is to meet and greet people. Even though you may have heard things like “Just knee them in the chest” or yell “Off!”, these responses are still acknowledging them while they are doing something inappropriate. By speaking to them or touching them (no matter how roughly), they are still getting a “reward” by you paying attention to them. Physically wrestling them is going to rile them up and they may jump back at you with even more determination. As hard as it can be, and as overly simple as it may seem, you must IGNORE them.  Ignoring means NO words, NO hands (or knees!), and NO eye contact. You may have to turn away and “make like a tree” facing away from them with your hands out of reach.

As soon as “Buster” is back on all four feet, ask him to “sit”. Then he can receive as much petting, praise, and treats as you like. Think of this step as :

FOUR ON THE FLOOR.  Just remember that they can not have ANYTHING (food, pats, words, eye contact) unless all four feet are on the floor. The second step is to teach an AUTOMATIC “SIT” response. The second they stop jumping, ask for a “sit” and reward like crazy. Once you are getting a fast response to this sequence, start ignoring them until they “sit” before you have to ask. You are circumstantially teaching them an incompatible behavior. They quickly realize that to get what they want, the faster they “sit”, the faster the fun comes. No matter how smart or agile your dog may be, they simply can not jump and sit at the same time!

While you are instituting this new dog training greeting protocol for your pet, consistency is key. Every time you give in and pat your dog for jumping on you, or even yell at them during the event, you will confuse them. They can’t determine why jumping on you is okay one minute and not the next.

You can’t just tell a dog what is wrong, you need to show them what is right.

 If you have a regular flow of traffic at your home, it will be easier to speed up the learning curve for your dog not to jump on people at the door. Take a minute to put your dog on a leash before opening the door, and make sure you have treats handy. Regardless of whether or not your visitor insists “Oh I love dogs… it’s ok, he’s just excited”, ask them to ignore “ Simba” just until he sits.

Try to not ever tell your dog “down” for jumping. If you do more dog training, you will make the word “down” mean to lie down. The word “off” has no meaning to them YET, but it can be so easy for them to learn to “SIT” their way to success!

Dream Dogs is owned and operated by Lori Wainio-Carman, who has a proven track record of animal training for events, obedience, agility, behavior modification, and tricks.  Her training methods focus on promoting the proper relationship between dog and owner in order to achieve maximum results in minimal time. Dreams Dogs offers positive dog training services to clients in the Coachella Valley from Palm Springs to Indio, including Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta and Desert Hot Springs.

We can Train Any Dog! Contact us at (760) 899-7272 or email lori@dreamdogs.com.

Visit our website for upcoming classes www.dreamdogs.com