|
|
|
|
Mobile Users Click Here
|
Today I saw a provocative image — Rapunzel as an American Bulldog, peeking out his apartment window onto 107th Street. Otto, (“Rapunzel’s” given name) looked pensive and very cute, perched far above my head behind those iron safety bars. His family was seated on the stoop below the window, enjoying the temperate June afternoon. When I went to snap the photo of Otto, his owner offered to sell him to me; not entirely joking. Poor Otto, left inside while his family played outside without him. My friends lingered beside me politely waiting for me to take my photo. At once, Otto could stand no more. He began to bark and snarl, warning us three to begone and pester him no further. I told my companions we were making Otto uncomfortable, and we turned away. I spoke softly, bidding Otto a good evening. He quieted as I left. If only this were a fairy tale ending. Otto, still alone, stared after us in the fading light. Maybe tomorrow his prince will come.
Tags: Dog training, Dogs
Posted in Ruff Rants | No Comments »
Tags: Dog training, Dogs, ruff rants
Posted in Training tips | No Comments »
Tags: Dog training, Dogs, ruff rants
Posted in Training tips | No Comments »
Hi There Ruff Customers! I read the best blog post by another dog trainer, John Visconti, who recounts the training and socialization of his dog and human aggressive adoptee, Pepper. This story really explodes a great myth about dog training – that “red zone” or highly aggressive dogs need a “stronger,” “harsher,” or otherwise more punishing form of training. Many old fashioned dog trainers use prong collars, choke chains, or even electronic shock collars along with neck pokes, flank kicking, and other aversive methods to “rehabilitate” these dogs. However, those methods are absolutely not necessary, as John demonstrates with such a dog. Many dog owners seek out the old fashioned type of trainer because they just don’t know any better and that there is another way to train and rehabilitate dogs. This article series is so great, do check it out. And kudos to trainer John Visconti for his efforts to help this difficult dog!
click on http://tiny.cc/2yq0x or go to http://www.boulderdog.net/2011/04/01/difficult-aggressive-dogs-need-strong-training-really/
Tags: aggression, behavior modification, choke chain, dog trainer, Dog training, prong collar, red zone dogs, shock collar
Posted in Ruff Rants, Training tips | No Comments »
SO many people see an adorable puppy in a store window (NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store, as they are ALL from commercial puppy mill breeders), and they can’t resist the urge to bring it home. OR they scan Petango.com or Petfinder.com and same thing – see the adorable dog, adopt the adorable dog. PLEASE don’t impulse buy any animal. You MUST be prepared for the disruption this new addition to your family will create – sleep deprivation, time dedicated to proper training to help teach your dogs the rules of your household, time exercising your new pet, food expenses, medical expenses, emergency expenses….. and that’s just the beginning.
A great resource for getting prepared BEFORE you get a puppy or dog is the free book – “Before You Get your Puppy” by Ian Dunbar, DVM, CPDT-KA (a veterinary behaviorist and dog trainer). You can get the book here – at http://dogstardaily.com/free-downloads . After reading this book (which is applicable to new dogs of any age in your home, not just to puppies), THEN you should begin your search for a dog. Check out Petfinder or Petango for options for all kinds of available dogs, young and old, any breed, and you’ll be doing a great service to a dog who needs a home. IF you choose to get a specific breed puppy, then PLEASE choose a reputable breeder. See this article for ways to help decide how you want to get your next companion – http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/choosing-dog-part-one-adopt-or-buy .
When it comes to trainers, there are many great resources for finding the right one for you. Search trainer Pat Miller’s website for certified positive reinforcement trainers with fantastic credentials – http://tiny.cc/id3jj . Also check out Truly Dog Friendly for nationwide list of dog-friendly modern dog trainers – http://tiny.cc/fdbzh – or nationally certified professional dog trainers listed at www.ccpdt.com. Picking the right trainer to help you start your new best friend off on the right paw will make your life a million times easier when helping your new dog adjust to life in your home. And check us out at www..RuffCustomers.com for great training in NYC!
Tags: dog trainer, Dog training, new york, puppy, puppy training, ruff customers
Posted in Ruff Rants, Training tips | No Comments »
Having a dog is so much fun these days! Unlike dog/human teams of the past, we have many new options for playing with our dogs. Doggie sports are all the rage: agility, flyball, rally obedience, freestyle, nose work, treiball, weight pulling, and the more traditional herding, schutzhund, tracking, and field work. Have you tried one of these sports? I’m sure I’m missing a few, but these are the ones I’m familiar with.
Increasingly, pet dog trainers are offering classes where you and your canine companion can learn a dance routine (freestyle) or how to run and jump through an obstacle course (agility). Rally obedience is the performance of traditional obedience behaviors at stations arranged in a designated course. And you don’t have a have a pure breed pooch to compete — the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the AKC both offer competition for mixed breed dogs.
My dog Allie and I are taking a beginner nose work course, where Allie is learning to follow her nose to find specific scents hidden in a designated area. This sport is great for her because she uses her mind and her nose a lot but she doesn’t stress her joints or aggravate her hurt knee. I haven’t decided whether we’ll actually compete, but just taking classes with my dog is rewarding for us both. Allie gets to exercise body and mind, and I get to spend quality time with my bestie. Or should I say beastie?
Try your hand at a doggie sport today. Its fun and a great relationship builder. For more information on where to find classes check out the trainer search at www.APDT.com or www.CCPDT.org Get out there and PLAY with your dog today!
Tags: agility, Dog, Dog training, doggie sports, nose work
Posted in Ruff Rants, Training tips | No Comments »
This article is a good little info piece on conflicting opinions on the MUCH-touted theories espoused by punishment-based TV trainers such as C. Millan. In short, dominance theory as touted by Millan was debunked by animal scientists in the 1980′s, despite Millan’s insistence that these theories are correct. Millan does do some things right, but he makes way too many training and behavior mistakes on his show. Several of the dogs he trained were later euthanized, given away, or returned to shelters (most notable JonBee, the Jindo owned by an actor and his wife, and well as Patti Labelle’s dog, though Millan had declared the dogs rehabilitated). I DO agree that all dogs need both training and appropriate exercise, two things which Millan strongly believes. I also believe he loves dogs, as the TIME article notes. I just dislike his methodology – punishment is never the best way to address training or rehabilitation. Many trainers still follow Millan’s methods, but many more use Positive Reinforcement as their primary training method. I recommend reinforcement as a primary training method, and I use it in my Ruff Customers training and behavior modification business.
Victoria Stillwell (www.Positively.com) is a TV trainer who uses reward based training and shows how one need not use a choke chain, prong collar, shock collar, or other punishment-based equipment or methodologies in order to train a dog well. She is quoted in this article. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) are also quoted, and they both speak out against punishment and dominance based training of dogs. The article is definitely worth reading, see link below. Have a great day with lots of Wags!
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,2007250,00.html?xid=rss-topstories
Posted in Ruff Rants, TV dog trainers | No Comments »
Read this very interesting article from the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors on dominance – Why Won’t Dominance Die, by Matt Ryan.
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/why-wont-dominance-die
My favorite quote from the Ryan article is this one -
“In part it [the dominance myth] persists because it is still “seen to be working”. It makes good television to go head to head and dominate a dog. Unfortunately, television is not real life and tends to show short interactions where the dog is forced to submit. It is not impossible for a “handy” owner to repeatedly force their dog into submission either, but these unpleasant and unnecessary measures are not how most pet owners want to live with their dogs. Lamentably the high profile of these programmes means the on-screen warning “do not try this at home” is often not heeded.”
My biggest question is why a pet owner who professes (and I’m SURE, does) love her dog would think that the best way to teach is to hurt. In this day and age, when the notion of spanking a child is thought of very differently than even a generation ago, it boggles the mind why someone would think spanking the dog would be effective OR, more importantly, ANY more acceptable. Dogs don’t even communicate in the same language we do – it’s the equivalent of smacking a Russian man for not understanding when you speak English to him. Not nice, and likely to get you in some trouble, as well. 
I’d love some comments on this one, if in fact anyone ever reads this blog. So fire away, pro or con. I’m up for it! and have a happy 4th.
Posted in Ruff Rants, TV dog trainers | No Comments »
5. WITH A FRIEND LIKE YOU, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?
Why would you intentionally hurt your best friend? Would you punish a child by using electric shock? (do you still have custody?)
4. TEACH FIRST.
Before you punish your pooch for doing something you don’t like, such as barking, try teaching him what you DO want him to do. Reward for “quiet” and put that on cue first, instead of applying shock to “teach.”
3. WHY DID THAT CAR/CHILD/____ HURT ME ON MY NECK?
Your dog may not understand the association you intend, so she learns to fear whatever she sees at the moment she’s shocked, instead of learning to come when you call her
2. ANTICIPATION…..
Testing it on yourself first is not the same sensation because you know it’s coming – Even if you “test” it on your neck (most people use an arm), you **expect** it. Your dog doesn’t know what just hapened, only that it hurts!!
1.OUCH!
You know how, in winter, if you walk across a carpet then have to touch a doorknob, you KNOW the static shock is going to hurt. You try to avoid it. NOW, imagine that shock, but around your neck. Not nice!!
Tags: Dog training, shock collar, training tips
Posted in Ruff Rants, Training tips | No Comments »
Want to know how to teach your dog or puppy a new trick that she’ll enjoy performing? Try treats. Yes, treats. Most people are worried that using treats to train a behavior will teach your dog to refuse to perform the “trick” (like sitting on cue) UNLESS you have a treat in your hand. However, that fear is UNFOUNDED if you train with treats the RIGHT way. First, you can use a treat to grab your dog’s attention. If your dog doesn’t know “sit” when you’re out in the back yard, use the treat at first to gain her attention (there are sooo many distractions around it’s harder for her to pay attention to you – a good treat can focus her attention). Next, lure her into the position you want, by placing the treat in your hand, putting your hand right by her nose, then moving your hand back, almost touching her nose, till you are moving it over the top of her head. If she wants the treat, she’ll follow your hand until she can’t reach anymore without sitting on her haunches. AS SOON AS her bottom touches the ground, RELEASE THE TREAT and say GOOD GIRL (if you like). REPEAT till she’s getting the sit motion easily. At this point, you can start saying the word “Sit” before you lure her. Once she’s done the sit with the lure enough to sit easily without hesitation, you should start using an empty hand and the word “sit” to get her to sit. FINALLY, once she’s sitting about 80% of the time with ONE verbal request “sit” and one hand signal (if necessary), THEN start giving her a treat at random intervals, NOT every time she performs a sit on cue. Don’t always hold treats or keep them in a pocket — try hiding them on a table above her head. Fade out treats SLOWLY, though, so she doesn’t get the idea you’re being stingy. After all, you don’t work for free, she shouldn’t have to either, at least during the learning phase. When she performs sit on cue easily and well, the treats can become a welcome surprise to show your pooch you’re happy she sits and you love her work ethic. Then you give yourself a treat too. GREAT JOB!
Tags: ruff rant, training tip
Posted in Training tips | No Comments »
BARK AT US:
RuffMail (234) PLAY-RUFF  FAX:
(206) 339-8778 |
|---|
Ruff Customers Dog Training ©2007-2011, All Rights Reserved.
Howls by Ruff Customers is proudly powered by
WordPress
Entries (RSS)
and Comments (RSS).