DOG TRAINING AND SOCIAL HABITS
AN IRRESISTABLE LIVER TREAT TO TRAIN DOGS
This will help in all kinds of dog training. Crush three or
four cloves of garlic and liquidise with 1 lb liver. Bake this mixture
till it is a hard biscuit and break up into bits. The smell is awful and
it attracts flies! Keep in a screwtop jar in the fridge. Take some on
walks to reward the dog when it returns. Some people add flour and an
egg to make this more cakey but keep it mainly liver, which is the exciting
bit for a dog. If you canšt be bothered to make your own buy liver
treats from Barker and Barker. Be sensible. Don't give them in handfuls!
HOW TO FIND A GOOD DOG TRAINER
In the UK find one via the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Check their website before contacting them so you can see how they teach. Just because a trainer has been on TV, doesn't mean he/she is any good. You don't see what happens after the programme ends. Avoid the following:
1. Trainers who say dogs are like wolves. They are not. They are a separate species.
2. Trainers who tell you to be pack leaders. See above. They talk about "dominant dogs" or "dominance hierarchy." If you spot the D-word go elsewhere. These are trainers who have not kept up with modern dog training theory. Trainers like this can be seen on TV but they are simply WRONG. Don't believe because it is on TV it is right or even acceptable. This sort of trainer is likely to tell you to do a status reduction programme or that you should take food away from your dog when he is eating. The latter can create a dangerous problem. They may believe in pinning down dogs to the floor, sometimes called an alpha roll - a technique which is upsetting for dogs and dangerous for the humans doing it.
3. Trainers that bully people or are sexist to women. You won't enjoy the experience and your dog will feel your unhappiness down the lead.
4. Trainers that bully or punish dogs. Despite what you will see on celebrity TV dog programmes (many TV stars are ignorant, alas), physical punishment distracts dogs from learning. It has no place in dog training classes and may leave your dog worse than before. If they handle dogs roughly, they are not good trainers.
5. Chaotic noisy classes with a shouting trainer. Any trainer shouting at dogs is a poor trainer. There is absolutely no need to shout.
6. Choke chains. These are called "check chains" or "slip collars" by people who use them. They work by yanking at the dog's neck, restricting its breathing, or, in the hands of amateurs or bullies, strangling the dog. They cause neck pain and sometimes neck or throat injuries.
7. Electric collars. These are now illegal in Wales and should be illegal in Britain. Why behave like Saddam Hussein to your best friend?
8. Trainers that string up dogs with a choke collar or hang them over their shoulders, or swinging them round in so called "helicoptering." Report these trainers immediately to the RSPCA. They can, and should be, prosecuted for cruelty. Unbelievably, they still exist. Indeed you will see a dog being strangled at the start of a popular TV dog training programme. It is shocking.
9. Breeders do not necessarily know how to train dogs. Got a behaviour problem? Don't ask a breeder, ask a trainer.
10. Avoid franchises. Some of these offer a weekend's training.
Remember - if a trainer wants to hurt a dog, there is something wrong with the trainer.
DOGS THAT
DON'T COME WHEN CALLED
Every time a dog fails to obey, its disobedience is reinforced. On the
whole obedience should start in the house, then on the lead, and only
finally should the dog be left off the lead. Dogs that run off and will
not come back risk being shot by farmers, run over, poisoned by illegal
bait or simply lost. (Incidentally all dogs should be on a lead when near
sheep anyway.)
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If your dog starts chasing moving objects, get a Halti or a Gentle Leader collar for more control. Whistle train your dog. Take him into the room with you, blow a dog whistle (not a silent one) and feed him a good treat. Do this several times. When he has got the connection, go into another room and do the same thing when he is not expecting it. After about a week of doing this several times a day in the house, when you blow the whistle he will streak towards you. Then put your dog on a long 15 foot line, and start doing this in the garden. Get neighbours to help with distractions -- a human bouncing a ball, other dogs, etc. The aim is to get your dog focussed on you, the whistle, and the forthcoming treat!
Finally take him on a walk, still on the long line, and start doing this there. Use the whistle when hešs stopped concentrating on you. Whenever he stops focussing on you, turn round and go in an unpredictable direction. This way he will have to keep his eyes on you." If you are consistent about this, after three weeks or so your dog should start coming back. Do not let him off the long lead, until his behaviour is reliable. You may need to cut down on his food if you are feeding him lots of treats!
It is very important to call him back to you throughout the walk once he is trained to come. If you only call him back when you are going home, he will realise that being called only happens when it is time for the walk to stop. So throughout the walk, call him back and reward him with treats or affection.
Collies and some other breeds are toy, rather than food, orientated. Choose a special toy, Never leave it down for the dog, But play with it, with the dog, for short periods. Really stoke up the dog's excitement about this toy. Then take it with you on walks. At recall times, when he/she comes to you, she gets a game with it.
A male dog that refuses to return because he is chasing bitches, or spends a lot of time sniffing their urine, will benefit from being neutered. This wonšt make him obedient, but will remove one distraction.