Watching Behavior

     When  I tell people I am a Behavioral Consultant for Canines, there is always a pause.... and then they ask "So what, you train dogs?"  Well, that's part of it. I began my journey as a Dog Trainer.

Directing Brutus to run in a particular direction.

     An Animal Behavioral Consultant needs to have a solid foundation with many different forms of training not only to know what works, but also why.  Only by working in the field (of dog training) can one gain the necessary experience to accurately identify what types of methods will most likely be most effective for a particular dog.  Not all learning styles are compatible to all canines OR their owners.  Part of what I do is clarify for clients what methods are most complimentary to the handler, dog, and household structure.

     Today the norm is positive reinforcement training.  I wholeheartedly agree that this is the correct way to begin bonding and teaching your dog.  When praise and rewards are given consistently, stellar results can be achieved!  Some canines only have minimal response to this method however.  Others have only been partially exposed to this style, but not consistently enough to have reliable behavior, and there are many unfortunate dogs that have obstacles in their past that must be overcome in order to be able to learn new information.  This is where I come in.  Alternate methods are available, but the correct method must be chosen per dog, and per household.  It then must be implemented correctly to be effective.

     Another aspect of my career is to evaluate canines.  An evaluation is not just for rescue dogs.  It is useful information for all dogs and their owners. It is typically more accurate because it is an objective view of the dog's reaction to stimulus.  When an owner says "Fifi doesn't like her crate!" it sometimes means the owner doesn't like the crate.  A behavioral consultant has enough background knowledge that they can correlate behaviors to innate canine reactions- not human projections of emotions.

     What happens in an evaluation is not a "test", it is simply observing and recording reactions of the canine to stimulus in a structured environment.  The reasons it is typically more accurate than an owner's observations are two-fold.  An evaluation is stripped of emotion.  It is an assessment of what is actually happening- how the dog is moving, where, at what speed, etc.  In a professional evaluation there is no mention of "How the dog feels" about something, so no assumptions are made.  The other reason is that the environment is controlled to the point where only one stimulus is encountered and recorded at a time.

The puppy flattens her ears and approaches slowly.

     An Evaluation delivers unbiased observations of what the dog was seen to do at that time.  In my evaluations I also include explanations of what the behavior demonstrated means in the context it was displayed, and what training may benefit the animal based upon what I had observed.

     Most trainers are only well versed in one particular type or style of training, and thus accustomed to seeing a certain set or sets of behavior.  A Behavioral Consultant can assess a wide variety of behaviors in different settings.

     If you would like to understand more of your dog's behaviors, please feel free to contact me!

Quick Tips: Troubleshooting "Sit" with a lure

One of the first commands a dog is expected to learn is "Sit".

If your dog is motivated by food, it makes it much easier to get the repetitive motions necessary for muscle memory. Never forget that the dog follows it's nose- this means that where your food is, the dog is.

If the lure is too high the dog will rise up to meet your hand.

To clarify, a common problem is a dog jumping up when the handler is asking for a sit. Look carefully at where the hand is. If the hand is holding the treat too high, the dog thinks it should hop up and get higher to get the reward.

If the dog is too far away from you, check to see how far away your hand is from your body. If you see you are extending it out to the dog, you are working too hard! Bring your hand closer to your body, this brings the dog closer to you.



The lure needs to be almost directly above smaller dog's heads to get the head facing straight up. When the nose goes straight up perpendicular to the floor, the bottom has to lower to accommodate the position. The label "Sit" needs to be stated clearly, one time, when the dog is IN THE CORRECT POSITION. After you have labeled and fed a treat for the position, move a few paces in any direction to begin again.


You will need to repeat this exercise several times before you begin asking your dog to do it on command. As tempting as it may be, do not verbally encourage your dog to perform. If too many words are used, the dog will not associate the correct word with the command.

The reward needs to be given in a timely fashion, along with plenty of verbal praise! Keep your practice sessions short and sweet, and always end on a good note.

Happy training!

*More training tips will be available through our new website soon at www.pawsthenplay.com

Blackberry Adventures

     One thing I enjoy is picking blackberries. In the family pastures, there are bushes that grow wild with ripe berries bigger than my thumb. Some of the branches almost touch the ground because of the weight of the fruit they hold.

A cousin owns this gorgeous (and friendly) Palomino!

     I like to stroll leisurely with my bucket casually strung on my arm, only selecting the ripest, sweetest and juiciest berries for my cobblers.

     Today I had some extra attention. Three pairs of eyes watched with keen interest as I made my way through the gate. I ambled on towards my prickly prizes, but took note of the 12 legs following me.

     About the time I filled my bucket, I felt warm breath on the back of my neck. Huff. Snuffle. Big soft lips gently pulled at my ponytail.

     I welcomed the attention and laughed as I petted the three horses that had wandered up to say hello. It seemed everyone wanted a pat and some nice words.  Suddenly my bucket arm felt unbearably heavy. One velvety nose had disappeared into my container. Another was trying to fit in it at the same time.

     I shooed away the berry-thieves. They seemed to giggle as they trotted slowly away to the other side of the pasture.  At least I still had enough to berries left to make a cobbler!

The bushes in this field are so large I cannot reach the top branches!

Leash Length

Grace has on a 4ft leash, and Brutus has a 6ft leash.

   If you've ever wandered down the "Leash Aisle" of a pet store, your senses have probably been assaulted by every imaginable color, shape, material, size and length of leash available.  Before you wander the aisle, it helps to have a specific goal in mind.  By choosing the correct leash type, you can make your training experience much easier!  When a dog has been taught how to walk on leash properly, it will feel like there is not a dog there at all. 



     Many people pose the question to me "Why do I need a leash right now if my puppy stays right at my feet?".  A young or insecure dog will often suction to their handler in the beginning, but eventually distraction and exploration takes place, and a leash can prevent them from undesirable behaviors, as well as keep them safe.  The behavioral ramifications are more difficult to overcome.  By choosing to allow the dog off-leash, it gives the impression to the dog that their proximity is always their choice, and they may refuse to follow you when you put it on.

     A standard 4 or 6 foot leash is the best starter for basic training. It allows for a few wiggles, while keeping the dog close enough to show it what you would like it to do for that tasty treat!  It also helps keep a young puppy close enough to prevent them from getting themselves in trouble! 

     Longer leashes (10ft and more) are great for working on recalls ("Come When Called").  Even though many retractable leashes are available in these lengths I always recommend against them.  Firstly, one hard tug from a dog can dislodge the line and break the leash.  A dog that is already 20ft away and tugging hard enough to break the leash is not usually easy to catch.  The long lines are very thin, it allows them to coil neatly in the handheld part.  It makes then incredibly flimsy and able to be bitten through in less than a moment.  Also, the way the leashes are designed, there is always a slight tension on the line, which teaches dogs that it is a normal sensation to pull against the handler to move forward.  Unless you are training your dog to pull you on Rollerblades (and attach the line to a harness of course) this walking is undesirable, and counter-productive to teaching the "Heel" position.

Peanut uses a 5ft leash for his loose leash walking exercises.

      There are other less frequented options as well.  Leashes are also available in 6 inch - 2 foot lengths.  These shorter leashes are often called "Pull-Tabs" or "Traffic Leads".  I have seen people mistakenly grab these short leads intending to use them to teach "Heeling" nice and close to the handler.  It very rarely is successful however.  The dog must learn to "Heel" first, then a shorter line can be used- otherwise the dog is just constantly pulling and learns to drag you around and choke itself whenever it is on leash.



     When used properly, these shorter lines are used with collar conditioning for pressure collars to proof the work done with new distractions present, under the guidance of a trainer. 

     Happy walking!

Stress in Dog Body Language

 
     Dogs are communicating all the time.  Vocalizations are used when the body language has failed to deliver the message.  Many dogs learn to vocalize at the onset of a situation that has become predictable for them (for example, the "Speak" command creates a predictable outcome of a treat for some dogs).  By learning more about our dog's body language, and what it is intended to project, we can greatly enhance our relationship with them, train more easily, and prevent many undesirable or dangerous behavior patterns.

Brutus is poised and ready for action!

     In the years I have spent as a trainer and behavioral consultant, I have seen it to be a common occurrence for owners to have never seen their dogs in a calm and attentive state.  They have become so accustomed to their dogs being stressed and hyperactive that seeing the dog respond in a calm submissive nature appears to be an alien body-take-over.  The whole body trembling or dancing in circles that begins in puppy basic obedience classes is not a normal or desirable state of existence for an adult canine.



     Dog body language can display slightly differently in different breeds.  There are some details that stand out across breed lines however.  If you have ever seen your dog when they have caught scent or sight of something irressitable-  it could be a squirrel, squeaky toy, or your evening meal- you have seen a hypertensive, alert pose.  Consider the physical toll on the body. 


     When a dog is poised like this, whether it is in a "pointing" pose or a "play bow" ALL of the muscles in the body are being tensed and used to freeze in this position.  Other dogs can instantly sense this tension, and it can spread like wildfire!  If you are playing outside, it is nice to let them burn off a little energy.  When every small noise causes this amount of nervous response in the home, it can cause stress in a dog, and affect their overall mental and physical health.

Silver likes to relax in the grass after a good romp.

     Another time when high energy is likely to be misinterpreted by a human is when considering greetings.  Most people prefer that dogs do not jump up on them when "saying hello".  But consistently insisting on a calm greeting is one of the most under-emphasized skills I have seen exercised in the training world.  The insane wiggling, whining or running in crazy laps around the house upon your return from work should not be a normal response!  It does not mean your dog loves you, it actually is a manifestation of stress.  Your presence should be a stress relief for your dog, not the signal for adrenaline rush. 


     Having your dog sit for petting is the first step.  Teaching them that petting from other people (or you coming home from work) is no reason to be stressed should be the final culmination.  

     A lot of what I do is teach dogs how to relax.  The difference it makes in their lives, and in turn, the lives of their humans is a lasting reward.  Take some time to relax with your dog today!

*Photos by Thomas Brown, PawsThenPlay Photography*

For more information, visit the main webpage at www.pawsthenplay.com

Howl at the Moon

Dogs don't actually howl at the moon

Something about a long moaning howl on an otherwise quiet night, especially under a full moon, sends shivers up and down our spines. Perhaps it is a subconscious reminder of our human mortality, and that we used to be hunted by wild packs of wolves. Or it could be the thrill of hearing the remnants of wilderness lost to development and civilization.

No matter how the howl may strike your fancy, it is sometimes used by wolves' domestic counterparts. Our companions, regular household dogs, occasionally use howling to communicate also, just not quite in the same fashion. Our house pets use varied forms of howling to attempt to share more basic concepts or needs (since domestic dogs are descended from wolves and dogs with puppy-like tendencies, and who were able to accept human leadership).

The saying goes "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" and I would like to think it applies to my first example. A canine can learn to mimic a human's "howls" just for kicks! If you have never had the pleasure of singing a song and having a dog join in you are missing out on some fun. Some pups learn to howl along when music is being made or played. I taught one of my dogs to howl when sirens go by (he matches the pitch quite well, but never police sirens, only fire and medic). This adaptation is most likely to occur when the human actively encourages accompaniment. It is somewhat of a double-edged sword though because a dog may learn that when it makes noise, it gets attention (without preference to good or bad) and can lead to barking, whining, howling or growling to try to get what it wants!

At times, howling is not just for entertainment. Dogs can also howl because of boredom, extreme stress, pain or loneliness. If a dog is not taught at a young age to accept being alone sometimes, it can become very stressed out and vocalize dramatically. The mechanics of sound allow the noise of a howl to travel farther than a pant, whine or growl so it is the choice for dogs who want to reach out acoustically to people from a distance, or with great urgency. An overly anxious dog can effectively alert an entire apartment complex, so preventing a dog from howling while in the crate is critical not only for the animal's health and well-being, but for your neighbor's sanity as well!

Not all dogs can be convinced to howl. Some breeds are more prone to vocalizations (like hounds and huskies). Also, some temperaments in individual dogs are more focused on appeasing the owner than others.

Brutus will howl with me, but I have never tried with Grace. Perhaps the next full moon we'll give it a try......

Breed Knowledge

"Lucky", a Standard Poodle.  Poodles were originally bred for water fowl retrieval.

     Many of us have enthusiastically researched a specific breed, just for fun.  Now-a-days, it is easy to find oodles of information about pretty much anything!  With so much information, it can be helpful to keep a spoonful of salt to balance out all the sugary mess streaming towards you.  I have found, when it comes to dogs, many things can end up so "sugar-coated" that the facts are sometimes obscured.  Most texts are written to appease a human, with pleasing a wide audience in mind. Some sites allow anyone to post an answer or definition.



     Language can at times be ambiguous, or unintentionally misleading, even when it is accurate!
When a particular dog breed is described as having certain tendencies, it is not a guarantee!!! People do not publish information about their breed to trick you, but to inform you. Unfortunately, I see nice people all the time reading a page or two and only hearing what they want to.



"Grace" is a German Shepherd Dog

      Take the AKC (American Kennel Club) for example.  They are a trusted and reputable source for massive amounts of information on all breeds.  It says... "the German Shepherd Dog is also a loving family companion, herder and show competitor" on their website describing the Breed Standards.  Of course this can be absolutely true, but that does not mean all German Shepherd Dogs will be those things.  Properly bred GSDs should have the genetic potential to do all these things.  Without guidance and education very few dogs reach their breed standard potential. It is also worth mentioning, that people writing about breed standards and hallmarks are highlighting the best things possible from the traits that breed has.


     To further clarify the quote from the AKC on German Shepherds: 

     "...a loving family companion..." implies the breed craves human companionship.  In a balanced dog, it is what it says.  It can also bring the potential  for separation anxiety.

     "...herder..." states what the dog was bred for originally.  Not all GSDs have as much of an instinct for moving animals, unless they are bred from generations of other dogs that are working daily herding.  Herding dogs have an abundance of energy, and can get nippy with small people (read "Children") if not supervised.  Herding dogs have the desire to control the movement of whatever they are allowed to.

     "...show competitor...." this applies only if the owner takes the time to condition, train and go to the shows with the dog.  This also does not imply the dog will always win....





"Luca" is an American Eskimo dog. Eskies were once used as Circus entertainers!

       This is only a small tidbit to highlight the ambiguous language used to describe dog breeds, and how the information can impact your daily life with your fur-companion.  All breeds have admirable traits!  The trick is also being able to see the potential pit-falls with inherent behavioral patterns.  Not all personality traits are only sunshine and butterflies, remember to read between the lines!


* "Lucky" and "Grace" photos courtesy of Thomas Brown *