Dog Training And Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Twenty something years ago, I joined a Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy (dojo). It was a bit intimidating that first time, not knowing what to expect... (MORE) 

Being Your Dog's Leader

In my opinion, the "be your dog's leader/ alpha" thing in dog training has done more to hold back pet dog training than any other recent phenomenon over the past 20 years or so. 

Instead of figuring out the dog, the mantras just were implemented to bully dogs into inaction. 

The second worst thing is the germination of all these internet dog gurus, promoting discredited theories, and inventing their own, just to mass market their programs for money. 

Plan accordingly. 

Does Dog Breed Matter?

One of the latest claims is that there are few differences that matter between breeds.

Clearly, this is said by people who don't train dogs of various breeds. 

It is just another ignorant assertion floating around the internet. 

Dog differences are more than just physical. 

Note the people who say this and the types of dogs they own, and their background in working with dogs of the various breeds. We could test their assertions by putting them with each of the various breed types and see how things went... but we know they would never take up that challenge. 

Don't be fooled and don't spread this nonsense. It harms dogs by matching innocent dogs with the wrong owners. Dog ownership is more than a beauty contest.

Plan accordingly.

Is It OK To Play Fetch With Your Dog Every Day?

Is Fetch a harmful activity for a dog? 

No. 

Prey runs away (the stimulus), dog chases, and "kills" it. That is what predators do, every day, all over the world. When we use a dummy, such as a ball, to many dogs they perceive that just as if it was a prey animal trying to escape. 

Prey drive stimulation, and the obtaining of that prey by the dog, is the basis for most of what is done when training hunting, competition, scent detection, police and military dogs. It should also be the basis for companion dog obedience. These dogs don't become neurotic as a result. In fact, the propensity to Fetch is one of the criteria many breeders enhance in their lines to make their dogs even more useful for their owners. 

When might Fetch be harmful, or maybe a nuisance? 

It could be harmful if you do it in such a way that your dog is injured. I had a dog that ran so fast to get the ball I had to be careful how far I tossed the toy so that he didn't slip and fall on wet grass. That wasn't the fault of Fetch, it was a physical safety thing. Same with tossing him a Frisbee. Dogs look amazing when they jump high in the air to get it, but they can torque their backs if they land in a twisted manner. Again, that isn't a Fetch problem, it is a physical safety thing. Other issues can be what you use as a Fetch object. Sticks are dangerous. Dirty tennis balls can wear the teeth down over time. Very hard toys can chip a tooth. 

The nuisance part happens this way. I can relate. Years ago, I had a student with a Golden Retriever. He would sit in his chair with a Chuck It and toss a ball out the back door all day while he sat in a chair. If he stopped, the dog wouldn't stop because that was the only thing they did together. All the toys on the floor were balls. I had him pick up the balls and had him get some chew toys for when the Fetch was over. He had made the dog a total pest. All he had to do is create a clear break between activities: this is Fetch time, then, Fetch time is over, I'm putting away that toy, and I have to do something else. Simple. This wasn't a Fetch problem, it was that the dog didn't do anything else with his owner except Fetch.

So... go ahead and Fetch with your dog. 

Plan accordingly. 

Dog Training Days Off

I believe it is healthy and good to train dogs regularly. Correctly work some objectives several days a week. But also, take one or two days off per week. 

Even the best training transmits some mental and physical stress into the dog and owner. Too much stress, even good stress, can cross over and become bad stress. Mental stress can create physical problems. Physical problems can develop with too much stress and cause mental problems. The mind-body connection should always be considered. Repetitive micro injuries also need to be healed regularly with training rest. 

So, do your homework. I teach students how to properly use their time to work with their dogs. I also encourage them to take strategic breaks during lessons and between lessons. A day or two off each week is a good idea. 

Obviously, most people don't even train their dogs. That isn't the type of students I work with. For them, the bigger question is what is going to be best for their dogs. 

I'd advise the same for you and your dog.

Plan accordingly. 

Lazy Dog Training

Many teachers, regardless of the field, are lazy. It is easier to get students to memorize material than to figure out how to use that material in the real world.

This is a serious problem in dog training, which in most cases is formulaic and doesn't prepare the owner or dog to solve the real world problems they will face outside of class. This is the problem with the debate over "purely positive" and "balanced training" programs. They teach a set of memorized rules. The dogs are subjected to a "method". That is lazy. 

Life isn't always going to be that predictable, my friend. 

Plan accordingly. 

 

Can You Fix An Aggressive Dog In One Lesson?

Scientific experiments on dogs, about 100 years ago, discovered how to "break" a dog. These experimental neuroses were described by Pavlov, and he defined specific ways cause them. 

Is the trainer you admire doing this to dogs? You had better figure that out.

Plan accordingly. 

Dangerous Dog Risk Management

You want to fix your problem dog. It doesn't work that way.

Dog training and behavior modification can only attempt to reduce the risks and probabilities of a future incident. 

Bad past experiences are never forgotten, various dogs have various propensities, medical conditions (known and unknown) can cause unpredictable results, and the dog has a say in what will happen in the future.

The owner has their part to play, especially regarding training maintenance and situational awareness supervision, and they will have a say in what will happen in the future. The dog trainer isn't moving in with you.

Society, the environment, and unexpected situations will have a say in what will happen in the future. 

Contrary to what you are being "sold" by online dog training gurus, there are no magic, quick fix solutions. Many of these people couldn't train a stuffed animal. 

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs And Heatstroke

Summer is on its way. It might not be the hottest time of the year yet, but even now, your dog is at risk of heatstroke. 

Keep an eye on your dog when playing, especially when playing with another dog in the yard. Heatstroke can come on very quickly.

Plan accordingly. 

Dogs That Are Bored

Many dogs live boring lives. Is that a fair and humane life for a dog? 

Training can be a fun activity for dogs. I have countless training ideas that most dogs can do. I have had students that continued on with their dog's training, well beyond what was "needed", just to give them something to do with their dogs. 

And, trained dogs can go and do more things with you. Too many dogs are left at home because they aren't trained. Because of training, many of my students have been able to take their dogs to work, on errands, to visit friends and family, go camping, on road trips, eat at restaurants, and such.

Does your dog lead a boring life?

Do something about it.

Plan accordingly.

I Loved Hearing Your Dog Bark All Night

It is foolish, to say the least, to allow your dog to bark through the night. 

Not only is it rude, you are...

Making enemies. 

Some people will eventually go after you and your dog. At some point, you will have an encounter with law enforcement. 

I have followed the dog news for too many years and seen some very tragic outcomes. 

Get a clue.

Bring your dog inside. If your dog has issues being inside (potty training, destructive, separation anxiety, etc.), that is what dog trainers are for.

Plan accordingly.

Don't Train Your Dog When You Are Having A Bad Day

STOP! If you are having a bad day, don't train your dog that day. It isn't going to be a productive use of that time, and you are probably going to do it all wrong, and do wrong to your dog. 

Is It Right To Treat Your Dog Like A Slave?

One of the advantages of social media is that it gives everyone the opportunity to have an opinion on just about any topic.

The one that strikes me today are the videos being posted by dog trainers who treat their dogs like slaves on a galley ship. These dogs are bullied, scolded, ordered around, given no freedom, and severely punished unless they do or don’t do anything these trainers say. They even implement group punishment: if one dog doesn’t do what is demanded, they are all punished together. 

Who dreams up this garbage? What is in someone’s head to treat a dog like this?

This isn’t good dog training. It is abuse. 

You KNOW that's not right. 

Plan accordingly.