Dogtopia of Munster, IN Blog

Dogs act like dogs. However, rather than teaching them how to appropriately act like dogs when living with people, many owners try to eliminate the dog’s natural tendencies altogether by punishing the poor dog every time he acts like a dog. However, since the dog’s behaviors are both innate and habitual, the punishments are often ineffective. Unpleasant? Often! But ineffective nonetheless.  

Punishments generally fail to work when they are delayed or are non-instructive. And when punishments don’t work, rather than assessing the overall training program, far too many people become frustrated and respond with a knee-jerk increase in the frequency, duration and severity of “punishment”. We are going downhill quickly. Even though we can prove that in most cases the dog simply doesn’t understand what’s going on and he hasn’t got a clue why he is being “punished”, the rejoinder is always the same — “But he knows it’s wrong!” “He’s doing it on purpose!”

Well here’s the deal. When punishments are aversive (and they don’t have to be) and if they are correctly administered, they work within just one or two trials. Insufficient nastiness is not the most common reason for punishments not to work. Heaven forbid… it’s pretty awful what some people do to dogs, horses and humans under the guise of training. Rather, punishments fail to work because their administration did not satisfy the criteria listed below.

By definition, a punishment simply has to be effective. There is actually nothing in the learning theory literature that states that punishments have to be unpleasant. For most people though, the words “punishment” and “aversive” are synonymous. This is simply not true. Punishment need not be aversive. Punishment need not, and therefore, should not, be painful or scary.

I praise and reward my dogs lots and I reprimand and punish them less. I only use my voice when punishing  (with instructive reprimands) and I seldom raise my voice when doing so.  It works. And please remember, adequately training and motivating your dog how you would like him to act is by far the best way to minimize the use of even non-aversive punishments for undesirable behavior. If you have taught him what you want him to do and you have motivated him to want to do it your way, then by and large, punishment is unnecessary.

Punishment or Abuse?
Behavior is modified by its immediate outcome. Behaviors will tend to decrease in frequency if always followed by punishment. Often however, undesirable behavior is unaffected by punishment because inappropriate administration renders punishment ineffective. And sometimes, undesirable behavior (and hence the ensuing punishment) actually increases in frequency, usually because the so-called “treatment” (punishment) is the underlying cause of the behavior problem, as with poor heeling, slow recalls, licking, pawing, jumping-up, growling and biting.

To effectively inhibit a specific behavior, punishment must meet a number of criteria. The first criterion is tautological; a punishment must be punishing, i.e., punishment must reduce the immediately preceding behavior. Consequently, repeated and escalated punishment is the best evidence that punishment is not working. Obviously, if punishment were effective, the dog would no longer misbehave and therefore, would no longer be punished. Now, if punishment is not effective, by definition it cannot be termed a punishment. So what is it? Well, depending on the severity, it’s either harassment or abuse.

In order to be effective, punishment should be immediate, of short duration, not overbearing, preceded by a warning and above all, instructive.

Immediate
The biggest problem is faulty timing. Punishment long after the fact simply doesn’t work. A punishment must follow within one or two seconds to effectively inhibit the immediately preceding behavior. Ideally, both crime and punishment should occur in less than a second. If delayed punishments were effective, obviously the problem would no longer exist and there would be no need to continue punishing the dog.

This article is based on Dr. Dunbar’s Behavior column in the January 1990 issue of the American Kennel Gazette.

For the full article, go to:

http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/why-beat-dog

Another video showing what a day at Dogtopia is like!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idnj-x4r-N4

Jeff, the owner of the Alexandria, VA Dogtopia put together a video, I really like it.  It shows what a day is like here…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfTRQ02RNAY

Whether your dog is just a puppy or well into adulthood, there are many things you, as a pet owner, need to be aware of. Training your dog is an important step in starting off on the right foot and teaching him obedience. All dogs – no matter how old – need some form of training so that they can be easily handled in all situations. A wise investment in your new best friend would be basic training or obedience classes that will help you to build a bond and learn to control your dog. TV shows, books, and articles abound on dog training, but tips that are truly effective are harder to come by if you don’t do the necessary research.

There are many reasons for training your dog. Training allows the dog to understand your expectations, helps him become calmer and more relaxed in all situations, in new places, and with new people, provides him with much-needed structure, makes him easier to manage, and perhaps most importantly, helps keep him out of the shelter. Unfortunately, the biggest reason that dogs are in or are returned to shelters is due to their lack of training and out-of-control behavior.

DOG TRAINING TIPS: THE NECESSARY COMMANDS

Because dogs thrive in packs and are naturally social, once they come to your home, they expect you to be the leader. Training your dog appropriately with a few highly effective dog training tips teaches him to follow you, understand your necessary commands, and learn to accept his place in your “pack.” To avoid problems later in life, it’s recommended that you enroll your pet in obedience and/or training classes early on, or at the very least, begin training your dog yourself, rewarding him each time he learns a new command. The following dog training tips are some of the more vital guidelines in ensuring your pet will be a well-behaved, functioning member of your family. If you have the patience and the time, here are some ways to begin training your dog at home:

   - Always enforce your commands – don’t let your dog ignore a command, but most certainly reward him when he does follow it. If your dog does not follow it immediately, help him perform the command, then reward. Above all, however, do not call your dog to you and do anything negative to him when he comes. If he disobeys and you react with anger, your dog will learn to fear you and may not listen to you in the future. Attempting to integrate any other dog training tips after that may be futile.

   - Reward your dog immediately when he listens. Positive encouragement in the form of treats or praise is always welcome and helps the dog learn that he is doing well at responding to what you say. During training, have treats in hand and deliver them quickly when the dog performs correctly. Don’t punish your dog or ‘rub his nose in it’ should he have an accident. When training your dog, these tips will help you avoid discouraging or even confusing your pet.

   - Master one command at a time – go slowly and over time, your dog will learn the command. Don’t overload multiple commands into one training session as this approach will likely result in failure. Most experts recommend 5-10 minutes at the most for one session. You’ll need to be patient during the process of training your dog; chances are that your dog won’t respond to every command or even learn them in just a few weeks – it will take time.

   - “Sit,” “Come,” “Stay,” and “Lie Down” – these are perhaps the four most important commands your dog needs to know, and all helpful dog training tips from books or your vet should cover these comprehensively. Once your dog masters them successfully, you will be able to manage him in all situations and control his behavior around other people and animals. For dogs that may like to run free, “come” is a necessary command should he manage to wriggle out of his collar and/or leash.

   - Maintain solidarity with training – in family situations, make sure that everyone follows the rules with training your dog. If you’re the only one using commands and the rest of the family is ignoring certain behaviors that the dog exhibits and not re-enforcing the dog training tips you’ve been using thus far, then your one-on-one training sessions will largely be forgotten. Re-enforce commands each day as repetition is key.

   - Keep it fun – this is a time to grow and bond with your pet; make training your dog fun for both of you. Once he masters the basics of these dog training tips, move on to the fun tricks, like “roll over,” “shake,” and “play dead.” Your dog will begin to look to you because you’ll have made your role clear.

ASSUME THE ROLE: YOU ARE THE PACK LEADER

It is your responsibility to be aware and responsible for your pet – your dog relies on you to take care of him at all times. Providing him with a healthy diet, plenty of exercise, and one-on-one training will ensure that he has a long, healthy, and happy life with you. Don’t leave his behavior up to chance – you can ensure that your new best friend is obedient and happy just by integrating some of these simple dog training tips into his routine. Assume control as leader of your pack and your dog will look to you in all situations that may arise.

You are the best person when it comes to training your dog – he trusts you, after all. More importantly, training your dog will keep him safe and protected, which is something all dog owners should want.

__________
Reprinted with permission, September 2008.
Mailey E. McLaughlin, M.Ed and the Training and Behavior Coordinator at the Atlanta Humane Society, has been working with dogs for over 25 years and has been a professional trainer for eight years. A Certified Dog Trainer at the Atlanta pet rescue and welfare education organization, she teaches all the AHS dog obedience classes and runs the free pet behavior hotline.

http://www.pawfriendly.com/community/dog-training-tips

JUST A DOG

by Richard A Biby, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
From “The Versatile Hunting Dog” NAVHDA’s Magazine; February 2006

From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just a dog,”
or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.”

They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent,
or the costs involved for “just a dog.”

Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog.”

Many hours have passed and my only company was “just a dog,”
but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just a dog,”
and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “just a dog,” then you will probably understand
phrases like “just a friend,” “just a sunrise,” or “just a promise.”

“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy.

“Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of “just a dog”, I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away
from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it’s not “just a dog”,
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
“just a man or woman.”

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”
just smile…
because they “just don’t understand.”

Dog daycare provides an open play environment for dogs to socialize with one another and participate in healthy exercise – both mental and physical. There are benefits for most dogs, regardless of breed, size or age:

Puppy Power!

For young pups Dogtopia is a place to learn social skills with a variety of other dogs that will help them grow into a well-adjusted adult dog. From their older peers they learn the appropriate way to greet, initiate play and proper “doggie manners”, such as when another dog would like to play or prefers to be left alone.

Terrible Twos

Parents of adolescent dogs, often with lots of energy, find daycare gives them a welcomed outlet for all that excess enthusiasm.

This energy can be the cause of common behavioral issues like barking, jumping, chewing, digging and even separation anxiety. Without a positive way to get rid of that energy, some dogs release it through these destructive actions.

Dogtopia caters to dogs that attend daycare daily, as well as those whose owners choose to bring them once or twice a week. They leave content and tired. A well-exercised dog is a happy dog!  

The Golden Years 

Older dogs like getting in on the action, too! As dogs age, activity and exercise become less of a focus. Just like humans, this can lead to adverse health effects such as an unhealthy weight. Carrying this extra weight places additional stress on a dog’s heart and may also lead to joint and hip pain.

Once upon a time, it was commonplace for groups of dogs to wrestle and romp together. Farmers and ranchers kept at least several dogs at a time: some to herd livestock and protect the homestead, some for hunting, one or two to kill rats in the barn, and maybe an unusually fortunate small house dog. The dogs had the run of the farm, romped and ran together, and led doggie lives. In a society more casual than today’s, even town dogs tended to roam freely in compatible packs, sorting out their differences with an occasional scuffle that rarely turned into anything serious.

In modern society, our dogs are more likely to stay at home, safely confined to the house or the fenced backyard, plied with vaccinations, toys, and regular meals. As a result, while many of today’s dogs live longer, healthier lives than their ancestors did, they also miss out on socialization and exercise with their canine pals.

Most dogs today also lack the stimulation of a real job the herding, hunting, ratting, carting, or guarding that they were bred to do. Left home alone all day while their families are at work and school, they are bored, lonely, restless, and unemployed. Without the opportunity to interact regularly with others of their own kind, they even forget how to speak “dog,” and when they do meet up with other canines they are often socially inept, fearful, or aggressive. The sad result is a growing population of pets who exhibit inappropriate behaviors in the home, and who are “not good with other dogs.”

Enter the rapidly growing phenomenon of doggie daycare. Our ancestors would have laughed heartily at the notion, but an increasing number of dog owners are realizing the benefits of paying to provide their dogs with a day full of activity and supervision. Imagine the relief of owners who realize (often too late!) the difficulty of housetraining the new puppy when no one is home to take her outside regularly; now they can happily drop Puddles off at daycare in the morning, knowing that the staff can further the pup’s understanding of proper potty behavior. Those who have dogs with separation anxiety can stop administering tranquilizers (and stop taking them themselves), knowing that their house is not being systematically reduced to toothpicks in their absence.

In addition, in a well-supervised daycare program, Timid Tess can learn how to be a dog. She won’t be allowed to run with scissors, and she will learn how to play well with others. Bouncing Bob, who now spends his days at home sleeping, storing up energy for wild greetings and demands that you pay attention to him when you get home, can romp with his pals all day and come home just as exhausted as you are after a tough day at the office. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Excerpt from: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/sample/Doggie_Daycare.html