you and your dog: a lifetime relationship

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YOU AND YOUR DOG A lifetime relationship

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YOU AND YOUR DOG

A lifetime relationship

COURSE OVERVIEWWhy does your dog do what he wants to do, and not what you are asking him to do? How can you get him to do what you want him to do? If you are willing to modify your behavior, you can expect your dog to modify his behavior. This course is designed for the human who struggles with understanding the canine mind. It is for the human who wants to bond in a great canine-human relationship with their dog.

 

 

COURSE OBJECTIVESDuring the four weeks of this course, students will be able to:

 • Describe the mind of the puppy• Explain the mind of the adult dog• Recognize fears, anxieties, and phobias (in the dog, not

the human)• Create a behavioral plan for the dog

RECOMMENDED READING AND SOURCES USED IN THIS COURSE• Brown, A. (2004). Scaredy dog! Understanding and rehabilitating your

reactive dog. Allentown, PA: Tanacacia Press.• Donaldson, J. (2005). The culture clash. Berkeley, CA: James and

Kenneth Publishers.• Fogle, B. (1990). The dog’s mind: understanding your dog’s behavior.

New York, NY: Howell Book House. • McDevitt, L. (2007). Control unleashed. South Hadley, MA: Clean

Run Productions, LLC. • Parsons, E. (2005). Click to calm: healing the aggressive dog.

Waltham, MA: Sunshine Books.• Wilde, N. (2006). Help for your fearful dog. Santa Clarita, CA:

Phantom Publishing.

COURSE OUTLINEWeek 1Topic: The Puppy MindLesson level objectives:• Identify how the puppy learns• Review important training tips• Determine if a puppy is the best fit for you

Sub Topics Readings 

Activity 

1. A sweet little puppy or a furry monster?

2. Why is he ignoring me?3. Teaching the basics.4. Is our household ready for a puppy?

Chapter 6 (The Dog’s Mind)

Chapter 6 (The Culture Clash)

1. Take “check for understanding” quiz. (10 points)

2. 2. Plan #1: (40 points)3. 3. Create training journal. (0 points)

Week 2Topic: The Adult DogLesson level objectives:• Explain how the adult dog learns• Understand the behaviors of the adult dog• Review training techniques and tips

Sub Topics Readings 

Activity 

1. Is it too late to learn?2. How to train.3. Is he just being stubborn?

Chapters 3 and 7 (The Dog’s Mind) Chapters 5 and 6 (The Culture Clash)

1. Take “check for understanding” quiz. (10 points)2. Plan #2: (40 points)3. Create training journal. (0 points)

COURSE OUTLINE (cont.)Week 3Topic: Fears, Anxieties, and PhobiasLesson level objectives:Recognize when your dog is fearful or anxiousIdentify techniques to help the dog to relaxIdentify behaviors correctly

Sub Topics Readings 

Activity 

1. What are fears, anxieties, and phobias?

2. How can you help your dog with these issues?

3. Let’s talk about “dominance”

Chapter 4 (Help for Your Fearful Dog) Chapters 2- 6 (Control Unleashed)

1. Take “check for understanding” quiz. (10 points)

2. Plan #3: (40 points)3. Create training journal. (0 points)

Week 4Topic: Behavioral PlanLesson level objectives:Create a plan for you and your dogImplement and discuss your planRevise and submit your plan

Sub Topics Readings 

Activity 

1. Create a plan for you and your dog2. Implement your plan3. Talk to your classmates4. Improve your plan5. Conclusion

None 1. Take “check for understanding” quiz. (10 points)

2. Create Behavioral Plan (100 points)

WEEK 1: THE PUPPY MIND"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -- Ben Williams

A sweet little puppy or a furry monster? 

Who doesn’t love a puppy? They are small and soft, warm and sweet. They are cute and cuddly and are simply little angels. How can something so adorable turn into such a monster?

 

My first dog (as an adult) was a Golden Retriever named Levi. I brought him home when he was a little over two months old. I cradled him in my arms and watched him sleep on a little pillow. Then the trouble started. I was providing food, love, and a warm home for him. Why wasn’t that enough? I couldn’t sleep at night because that’s when he wanted to play. When I called him, he ignored me.

 

I took him to the vet for his first visit and told her I was concerned that he had a hearing problem. She just looked at me and said, “You need a class in dog training.” The puppy wasn’t the problem. I was the problem.

 

Puppies need to be taught proper behavior. They aren’t being stubborn or mischievous. They are just being animals.

WEEK 1: THE PUPPY MIND

Why is he ignoring me?

When I thought my puppy had a hearing problem, I was concerned. When I found out his hearing was fine, I started to get annoyed. He was just ignoring me! Or was he? Levi had to be shown how to behave. Dogs don’t just come hard-wired to sleep when we want them to sleep or to come when we call their name. They have to learn it. And we have to teach them. Unless the behavior is embedded in the dog, it has to be taught.

 

For example, when you are trying to teach your puppy to come when called, become an opportunist. Jean Donaldson in The Culture Clash explains (p. 181) how to take advantage of the times when your puppy comes to you and use that time to teach and reward. Crouch down, clap, get excited, and when he comes to you, reward like crazy. The puppy learns very soon that good things happen when you start calling his name.

Can you Relate?

What has been your experience? Have you adopted a puppy or a dog who didn’t seem to know what you’re trying to say? If so, you’re not alone. If only they could understand your language. Oh wait…we can make them understand! Read on!

WEEK 1: THE PUPPY MINDTeaching the basics 

Seeking or hunting food is embedded in the dog. She will always do something for food. That’s what she’s all about. Food drives her behavior.

 

The following behaviors are all hard-wired into the dog, because they result in food acquisition. (Donaldson, p. 23):

 • Searching• Stalking• Rushing• Chasing• Biting/Holding/Shaking/Killing• Dissecting/Eating

 

So when you are training your dog, creating activities that encourage her to search, stalk, rush, chase, etc. will capitalize on her natural food-driving behavior.

 

For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit, forcing her behind down on the floor is not capitalizing on this natural behavior. Holding a treat in your hand and moving it back behind her head encourages her to sniff and search for that treat. And you’re probably going to get a “sit” out of it. If she cranes her neck back and jumps back without sitting, be patient and start over. Dogs will always try new ways of getting treats. If something doesn’t work, they stop doing it. When something does work, they will continue doing it. Teaching your dog to lay is using the same concept.

WEEK 1: THE PUPPY MINDIs our household ready for a puppy? 

Puppy-proofing a home can be compared to baby-proofing a home. Only babies don’t rip into pillows, socks, rugs, and lots of other things with their sharp little teeth. So, how do you prepare for a puppy? There are many who swear by crate-training. If you plan on crate-training your dog, you can’t just keep her in a little cage for 8-10 hours while you’re at work. There are guidelines and best practices for crate-training. Be sure to read up on these. Crate-training does not take the place of training behaviors, though. You still need to train the pup.

 

Puppies can’t tell the difference between your shoes and a chew toy. So, don’t blame the dog when you leave your shoes out and he chews them up.

 

Do you have a yard or do you plan on taking your dog out every day, several times a day? Puppies especially need to be taken out quite often. Not only to urinate and defecate, but to get their exercise and play. They also love to sniff around. Remember, it’s part of the hard-wiring.

 

Of course, you’ll need to ask the question, is a puppy right for you? Or should you consider an older dog who has been through these stages? Next week, we will talk about adult dogs.

What’s the Plan?

Go to the Week 1 Discussion Assignment and talk about your plan with your classmates.

WEEK 1 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #1

Puppies are born with the following behavior(s) (check all that apply):1. Sitting2. Eating3. Playing4. Coming when called 

Correct answer: eating and playing. Both of these come naturally to dogs.

WEEK 1 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #2

When training your puppy, food is a preferred reward.

1. True2. False 

Correct answer: True. A dog is hard-wired into seeking out food.

WEEK 1 DISCUSSIONAfter reading about the challenges of a puppy, have you still decided to get one? If so, what’s your plan for training and house-proofing? What about the other members of the family? Will they be on board?  If you already have the puppy in your home, is there something you plan on doing differently with training?  Based on what you have read, how would you teach your dog to sit? To stay? To come when called?

Write up your plan and share it with your classmates.

WEEK 2: THE ADULT DOG“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” -- Gilda Radner

Is it too late to learn? 

Whether you decided to adopt a puppy or an adult dog, either way it’s important to know how to train an adult dog.

 

The adult dog has developed into a strong, amazing creature. A dog’s sense of smell is powerful. His eyesight is remarkable. And his hearing is excellent. Stories exist of dogs who can predict earthquakes or read minds. I could swear that my border collie, Cassidy, knows when a thought crosses my mind such as, “It’s time for a walk.” (Of course, being a border collie, he is very much in tune to the slightest facial expressions or movements.) Dogs are unquestionably awesome.

 

As highly evolved as your adult dog is, you still need to train him. According to Bruce Fogle, in The Dog’s Mind, “Dog training is constantly going on whether or not people are actually involved in it” (p. 98). So the training is happening. You can be a part of it. The experts have terms for the training and learning. Now would be a good time to learn a few of these.

WEEK 2: THE ADULT DOG

Important Terms to Learn this Week!

Operant Conditioning – strengthening a behavior by reinforcing it. For example, whenever your dog lies down, if you reward him you are strengthening this behavior.

 

Classical Conditioning – a reaction to a stimulus. For example, every time I open the yogurt container, Cassidy starts to drool. Since I give him a little dollop of yogurt in the morning, he is conditioned to drool at the sound of the lid coming off the container.

WEEK 2: THE ADULT DOG

How to TrainDogs are always seeking out the reward. The rewards can be more than food. Cassidy loves his food, but he also loves his walks. Some dogs are driven by toys. Some dogs love to tug and chase. Whatever reward you decide to use, just remember you are strengthening a behavior by reinforcing it! The dog doesn’t just do something out of the goodness of his heart. He is seeking that reward. As wonderful and good-hearted these guys are, they still want that reward. People who think that the dog should just want to sit, stay, come, etc. are not in touch with the reality of how dogs learn. Remember, this is operant conditioning.  So begin with that reward. And don’t forget to make it fun. If the dog is not being joyful or acting eager to please, ask yourself why. I’ve seen people walking their dogs, and although the dog is very well-behaved, they don’t look like they’re enjoying themselves. I have to wonder if the owner is using punishing techniques. These techniques can backfire. Use positive reinforcement, not punishment! In The Culture Clash, Chapter 6 will give you all the help you need on training basic commands.

WEEK 2: THE ADULT DOG

Is He Just Being Stubborn?

So, you’ve trained your dog to come to you when called. One day, you call him and he acts like he never learned this command. He looks at you like, “who me?” You think to yourself, “he’s being stubborn.” A more likely explanation is that maybe the behavior wasn’t reinforced steadily and consistently. People just love to try to explain the behavior of animals by making them sound like children. They are not children. They are tenacious and persistent; but they’re not trying to “get back at you” for something.

I would highly recommend reading more about how dogs learn in The Culture Clash.

Can you Relate?

How many times have you seen or heard someone try to teach their dog something by treating them like a human child? Are there any comparisons you can make between training a dog and teaching a child? Are there any contrasts you can make?

WEEK 2: THE ADULT DOGHere are some old, outdated ways of thinking about a dog’s behavior. Please don’t fall into these old ways of thinking:

Outdated

 “He’s just trying to be dominant.”

“She wants to be the leader of the pack.”

“She’s trying to get back at me.”

“He’s in a really bad mood.”

Here’s what really might be going on with your dog:

 

Current Thinking

“He hasn’t really learned this, yet.”

“Her owner is not taking control of the situation, so she (the dog) has to.”

“She doesn’t understand the string of words you are putting together.”

“He’s bored.”

What’s the Plan?

Go to the Week 2 Discussion Assignment and talk about your plan with your classmates.

WEEK 2 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #1

The following are true of the adult dog (check all that apply):1. A dog can get bored.2. A favorite toy may be a good reward for some dogs.3. A dog can get moody.4. A highly-evolved, smart dog needs less training.

Correct answer: #1 and #2. If a dog appears to be in a bad mood, there may be something else going on, such as boredom. And, even smart dogs have to be shown how to behave.)

WEEK 2 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #2

Classical conditioning is defined as an automatic response to a stimulus:

1. True2. False

Correct answer: true.

WEEK 2 DISCUSSIONReview your training plan. Are there behaviors you would like your dog to have, but you’re having a difficult time training him? If so, what could be going on? Is he enjoying himself during the training sessions? What’s your dog’s favorite reward? 

If you still are thinking about adoption, what will you train your dog to do? How will you make it fun?

Write up your plan and share it with your classmates.

WEEK 2 TRAINING JOURNALWhat are some of the challenges you’ve encountered this week? Did your dog surprise you and do something you weren’t expecting? What went well? What didn’t go so well?

If you’re still thinking about adoption, write your reactions to the material this week.

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." -- Edward Hoagland

What are fears, anxieties, and phobias? 

One very important skill you will need with your dog is how to read her body language.  In Help for Your Fearful Dog, Nicole Wilde devotes a chapter to recognizing fear in your dog (pp. 17-34, 2006).  Wilde describes what the ears, tail, mouth, and eyes may look like in a fearful dog.  Review this chapter carefully.  Recognizing these signs is crucial to intervention. 

Your dog may be fearful of certain things, such as another dog lunging at him or loud noises.  Past experiences can create fears. Once this experience has happened to your dog, certain things can trigger a reaction. If your dog had a bad experience with a certain breed of dog, then the sight of that breed can trigger a reaction. However, if the dog begins fearful in a situation where his “trigger” isn’t even present, then he may be suffering from anxiety. “Anxiety deals with what could happen, not what is happening at the time” (Wilde, p. 5, 2006).

A phobia may develop when a dog is extremely fearful of something. And the reaction to the fear is severe. For example, if a dog develops a phobia about being left alone, he may destroy the house while the owner is away. If your dog has phobias, you may need to first try to manage the situation by preventing the dog from encountering those triggers. Nicole Wilde in Help for Your Fearful Dog also indicates that behavior modification and complementary therapies, (even pharmaceuticals) may be necessary. 

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

How can you help your dog with these issues?

If your dog is anxious, your main goals are:

• Teach your dog relaxation skills• Provide a stable environment where your dog feels secure• Build your dog’s confidence

 How do you teach relaxation skills? How do you ensure stability and security? How do you build your dog’s confidence? There are some fantastic resources available to you. In particular:

Help for Your Fearful Dog (Nicole Wilde) Control Unleashed (Leslie McDevitt) Click to Calm (Emma Parsons) Scaredy Dog (Ali Brown)

Let’s talk about some of the common techniques from these books. 

What’s the Plan?

Go to the Week 3 Discussion Assignment and talk about your plan with your classmates on how you are dealing with any fears, anxieties or phobias, or how you will deal with these if they arise.

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

Clicker Training

Teaching your dog to relax can be challenging. My border collie won’t relax until every squirrel has been evicted from the back yard and every cat has been chased away. The clicker can be used, of course, for command training; it’s also useful for getting your dog to relax. In Leslie McDevitt’s book, Control Unleashed, she talks about rewarding relaxing behaviors. Remember when we talked about reading your dog’s body language for cues that she’s stressed? You can also read body language for cues that she’s relaxed. And when she starts exhibiting these cues, you can click and reward them. 

Now, the dog is also picking up on every cue you are giving her. So, if there are some stressful cues such as the tone of your voice or the tightening of the leash, your dog may be learning to react when this happens. What if you trained your dog to relax when these cues are given? Read Emma Parson’s book, Click to Calm, pages 85 through 95 for some advice on how to train your dog to relax, even though some cues you are giving her are stressful.  

 

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

Fun and GamesHave you ever been stressed out and you start working on a crossword puzzle, or read a good fiction book, and before you know it, you’ve forgotten what you were stressed about and you’re much calmer? Games such as a stuffed Kong, hide and seek, tug-o-war, puzzle toys, and of course, fetch, are all important for a dog’s well-being on a daily basis!  He needs activities where he can use his senses, instincts, and abilities.  

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

ExerciseThis one’s a no-brainer. Anyone who doesn’t understand how relaxing exercise can be for humans and dogs alike probably shouldn’t own a dog. Dogs need to get out of the house and sniff. They need to move. Taking a dog for a walk is not only great for them physically, it’s great for them emotionally. They get to use those amazing senses and instincts, again on the walk. 

This is what you want your dog to look like after some beneficial exercise. And what human can’t use some exercise, too?

WEEK 3: FEARS, ANXIETIES, AND PHOBIAS

Let’s talk about “dominance”

How many times have you heard someone say their dog has a dominant personality? Or how many times have you been told by someone that you need to be the dominant member of the household, so that your dog knows where he falls in the hierarchy? When the dog is not listening to you, even though you are calling him repeatedly, people will tell you, “Oh, he’s just being dominant. You need to show him who’s boss.”

Now there’s a difference between showing him who’s boss and showing him who’s got his back.  In other words, you don’t have to provide an environment where you’re always going to be top dog in the pack. But you do have to provide an environment where you’ll be there to take care of him, and he doesn’t have to take care of you. 

If your dog is exhibiting what people may refer to as dominance, take some time to examine if he’s maybe not feeling secure. Maybe he doesn’t think you’re in control of a situation. Or, maybe he’s just being a dog and hasn’t been shown specific behaviors are not acceptable. If he jumps up on people when they come in the door, maybe he’s never been completely trained not to do that. Dogs will always want to get close to someone’s face. You have to show them through proper training techniques that this is not acceptable behavior. 

Jean Donaldson writes about the “dominance theory” in The Culture Clash.  Read pages 17-20 for a thorough explanation of the fallacy of “dominance.”   

WEEK 3 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #1

The following could be signs of fear (check all that apply):

1. Excessive licking2. Dilated pupils3. Tail tucked4. Weight evenly distributed

Correct answer: 1, 2, and 3. When a dog’s weight is more distributed to the front two legs, or more to the back two legs, he may be showing signs of fear.

WEEK 3 KNOWLEDGE CHECK #2

Through clicker training, you can teach your dog to relax when given stressful cues.

1. True2. False

Correct answer: true. If you tend to pull on the leash[a stressful cue] when you see another dog approaching, teaching your dog to relax when the leash is pulled may be helpful.)

WEEK 3 DISCUSSIONReview your training plan. Has your dog exhibited fears, anxieties, or phobias?  How will you deal with these?  Have you observed what you thought were dominant behaviors in your dog?  Do you think something else was going on? 

If you’re still thinking about adoption, take a walk and watch people with their dogs. Have you seen any dogs who are exhibiting fears, anxieties, and phobias? What do the humans look like who are walking these dogs?

Write up your plan and share it with your classmates.

WEEK 3 TRAINING JOURNALWhat are some of the challenges you’ve encountered this week? Did your dog surprise you and do something you weren’t expecting? What went well? What didn’t go so well?

If you’re still thinking about adoption, write your reactions to the material this week.

WEEK 4: OUR BEHAVIORAL PLAN“Dogs are miracles with paws.” -- Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

Create a plan for you and your dog 

During the last few weeks, you have been learning about puppies and how to train them. You’ve also learned about adult dogs, and how to deal with some issues they may have. At this stage in the course, you will want to develop a plan. This plan will be tailored to your situation. You may:

• Be considering adopting a puppy or dog• Have already adopted a puppy or dog, and:

• Things are going well• Challenges are arising

Whatever your situation, now’s the time to create your plan. Let’s see what it might look like on the next page!

WEEK 4: OUR BEHAVIORAL PLAN

Week PlanMy puppy “I’ve adopted a puppy and this week I’m going to house train him.

I’m going to take him outside every few hours and when he goes outside, I’m going to praise him and be really enthusiastic. If I see him start to look like he’s going to go in the house, I’m going to take him out quickly and try to “catch” him before he goes in the house. ““I’ve decided I’m going to adopt an adult dog. There are many wonderful adult dogs in shelters and I’d rather not deal with the chewing and all the other things that go along with bringing a puppy into the home.”“I haven’t adopted, yet, but plan on a puppy. I’m going to puppy-proof the house, and review how we’re going to integrate him into the house with my family.”

 

My dog “I have adopted an adult dog who needs some training. I’ve decided I’m going to teach her all the basic commands this week, plus a few fun tricks.  I’m going to reinforce desirable behavior using the clicker.”“My puppy will turn into an adult dog very soon, so I’m going to start her on basic commands this week, clicker training, and fun tricks.”“I haven’t adopted yet, but plan on an adult dog. I’ve read the material on clicker training, and have decided that’s what I’m going to use. The family is all on board with the training. We are all going to deliver the same consistent message to the dog.”

WEEK 4: OUR BEHAVIORAL PLAN

Implement your plan

So, you’ve written your plan.  Maybe you’ve implemented some of the activities already.  If you haven’t adopted your dog yet, you may skip this section. If you have adopted your dog, let’s get started!

Talk to your classmates

You can learn so much from others’ experiences. Post your plan as well as one challenge and one success. Comment constructively on another classmate’s challenge. Give praise for a success!

Improve your plan

Based on your classmates’ comments, revise your plan. Integrate their comments into your plan, and then indicate what you’ve decided to do. You don’t have to take the suggestions of every person. You know your dog better than anyone else, so if someone suggests something that you know won’t work, just indicate that in your plan.

CONCLUSIONCongratulations!  You’ve completed the course successfully!  May you and your dog enjoy a fun-filled, healthy life together!