How to train your difficult dog

A thought occurred to me this morning as I was practicing guitar. I'm just learning, and it's really quite difficult. I have some great tutors tho including web coach guru  justinguitar.com and folk legend Dave Goulder, and Jas Smith not to mention all the other incidentals that happen to cross my path when learning tunes or at concerts / sessions  / practicing with friends  etc... (many thanks all)

Anyhow, that's not particularly important.....

Here's what is.

Many people have problems getting their dogs to "just get it" and can't figure out why.

Well - have a think about it this way - when was to last time your taught yourself something - or tried to learn something? Cooking? Cake decorating? Music? Golf? a Language? or had to speak in public?

We dog trainers say - dog's don't learn the same way that we do - they need lots of practice in lots of different places. I've used the phrase myself.

This morning, it just occurred to me that my thoughts are flawed.

For me, playing something on the guitar inside the comfort of my own home, is completely different from sitting in the pub folk session, plucking up the courage to play and sing! in front of a (albeit very friendly and patient) - small - crowd. It's tense. It's anxious. Fingers trip over themselves. Words come out muddled and fuddled. Sweaty palms. Heart racing..... (well hi local friends, that's how most of the aaamms team feel - you know that.... well you do now....LOL). Actually it doesn't even need a crowd - just a different place really makes it feel different.

So, why should a dog - especially one that gets emotional in some circumstances - whether that's excitement or fear aggression - be any different? (Yes, they're emotional when they're barking lunging, cowering - no they're not just being bad or naughty!)

It's very very difficult to overcome emotional surges and be able to think straight and act calmly.

Learning progresses best with
- tons of simple repetition - sit/stand/sit/stand (or for guitar - C/D/C/D/C/D)
- then add in one friend - overcome that embarrassment
- then 2 friends
- then go somewhere else and practice the same thing
- then add in 1 new factor, like another new friend, or another place
- and all within your coping levels - ah now am I talking guitar or dog training now....

see - what's the difference?

How well do you need to know something - a speech? a joke? a tune? a language? before you can 'perform' in public?

So to help with your dog training, have a think about that the next time your dogs having difficulty walking nicely on the lead past a cyclist or another dog or person, or even sitting.....

more thoughts and ponderings to come along as they strike me :O)

Happy training......

How to keep your dogs teeth clean and healthy

When was the last time you checked your dog's teeth? Teeth harbour infection and may well cause all sorts of medical problems, as your dog ages.

It's easy to ignore brushing your dogs teeth because when they're young, they seem to manage to keep their teeth sparkling. But when was the last time you looked?

The only way to keep your dogs teeth clean and keep them healthy into old age is to brush them every day from a young age. If you don't , tartar will build up and by the time they're 6 you may well be looking at having to have their teeth scraped and cleaned by the vet; an expensive operation usually, as the dog needs to be anaesthetised.

Prevention - Puppy Teeth cleaning.

During the early socialisation and training phase, get your puppy used to the feeling of getting her teeth brushed by firstly using just your finger, and then moving onto a wee finger toothbrush, or small sized dog tooth brush. Don't bother with tooth past at this stage, you're just getting your puppy used to the process. Do this just for a few seconds each day.

NB - if you're puppy prefers to bite and nip you instead of sitting still, don't be forceful. Remember that you're trying to build up a nice experience for them. Ask your behaviourist or trainer for help if you're struggling.

Gradually build this up and then when they're adult teeth are in and grown, you can start to use the tiniest amount of tooth paste. Please note that this has to be dog tooth paste. There are several flavours out there including beef and chicken. Why not ask your vet nurse for a wee trial at teeth brushing to see what flavour your puppy prefers.

Fixing plaqued up teeth.

The first thing to do really is to contact your vet for advice here - to see how bad the problem is, and whether they feel that it's fixable without scaling.

There are remedial products such as tooth gel and plaque off that can significantly improve the state of your dog's teeth. If you use these to kind of loosen the plaque and then use a nylon bone like a nylabone or dentease bone, then that will further help to remove the plaque.

In addition, however you want to start to brush your dogs teeth on a daily basis. You might need to start to accustom them to this as per the puppy teeth cleaning guide above. Then build up to a daily brushing regime.

There's more information here on how to keep your dog's teeth clean.

How to Stop dog pulling

This is such a common problem, that it's worth reposting about this again.

I was only the other day that I was sitting in a friends house and she'd been out walking the dog that she's looking after for a friend - a spaniel!!

On her return she declared - argh!! did you not hear me screaming? Blasted dog pulled me right over in the mud!

Now does this sound familiar? One of the problems that we trainers and behaviourists face is knowing when to say something and when not to. We don't want to be behaviour bores, and being a "know it all" just doesn't make anyone feel good - so I kept schtum, smiled politely, gave her a hug and said i hoped the bruises wouldn't be too bad.

If you own a spaniel this must sound all too familiar. These dogs seem to have a pulling gene in them - they seem born to pull. It's really a tough nut to crack.

These training notes clearly outline why it's necessary not only to train your dog to walk to heel - and how to do it, but also why it's also necessary to break these bad habits. Practice makes perfect afterall - so every time your dog goes out there and has a pull is just helping him or her to pull even more.

Dog training aids to stop pulling are really the only way to crack the pulling problem.

So have a look here to find out how to stop your dog pulling and save yourself from muddy bruises.

Good luck & look forward to your questions.

Cheers
Anna, dog behaviourist

Came across this whilst looking for various tick removal things. Smidge is an insect repellent that works with all blood sucking insects. It works by evaporating from skin and disguising human scent. Ticks and midges also find people by other means but at it does at least help with the skin scent. So, we can now walk our dogs in midget places without being bitten and be a bit safer with ticks. Brill!! More info here - 

Smidge insect repellent 

Dog and Puppy Training Classes are starting in Ardgay, mid June. For more information, please look here http://www.pawsability.co.uk/pethelp/dogtraining/dogpuppytraining.htm

Puppy House Training

We've just been having a think about the pros and cons of puppy training pads. And so have written up some new help notes on puppy house training and the benefits or otherwise of using puppy training pads.

On the surface, really, the best way to house train your puppy is to make sure they do all their toileting outside, and to reward them for doing so. However, if you don't have a convenient and safe place to take your puppy or you live in a flat and can't get out quickly enough, then they may be a good thing for you.

Read the full notes on puppy training pads here, or have a look at our puppy house training notes and book here

Dogs and Fireworks Fear

NEW Things to help dogs with fireworks fears......

We always get mailshots of information on new products, some good, and some get deleted straight away. Thinking on these poor dogs and puppies with fireworks fears, and on the credit crunch that's affecting all of us - this new Pet Remedy Diffuser diffuser caught our eye. It's a plug in diffuser that releases essences of valerian and other calming herbs. Valerian drops are frequently used to calm dogs with fears, so this looks like it should do the job. And its much cheaper than the dap diffusers.

Like all calming aids and training aids, many are great for many, but not great for others. We'd be therefore really happy to here your feedback.

Other new options for fireworks fears are Thundershirts - sounds strange, but all TTouch practitioners know that the right type of touch helps to calm fears. These are not just like dog coats, the really hug your dog tightly and help to settle them.

Then there's the lullaby CD - instead of using a desensitisation CD, try using this calming CD. The more you play it when the dog is calm, the more they'll relate the music and heart beats with being calm.

There's loads more helpful hints and tips for dogs with fireworks fears on the pawsability web site

So wishing your puppy or dog a calm fireworks season.