Manage the Environment

When I was 5, I thought animal training was magic.  I thought trainers had some kind of magical power to get dolphins to jump through hoops or dogs to catch a Frisbee.  

As I read pet owner’s questions about their dogs, it seems like they are searching for that magical power.  They want their pet to magically stop barking, jumping, running away, nipping, etc. without putting that much effort into training. 

A typical problem is, “My dog won’t stop jumping over the fence.”  It is a good concern because it can be a potentially fatal problem.  A great recall and focus work can take a couple of months to make it reliable enough, but that will not magically happen in an hour or two. 

It is interesting how often “manage the environment” may be the key.  If your toddler has just learned how to unlock the front door to your house, how would you manage the environment?  You might put a baby gate near the door.  You might change the locks.  You might even push the couch to block the route while the little guy is in the room. 

The same can be done with dogs.  If a dog is doing something that the owner does not like, it is usually because that behavior is more reinforcing than listening to the owner.  In the case of the fence jumper, what is reinforcing?  Is there a dog walker that frequently passes by the fence?  Is there a squirrel or cat on the other side of the fence? 

When I ask someone to manage the environment for their pet, I want them to realize it is not difficult to come up with an “easy” solution.   If a dog is jumping over the fence, keep them on a leash every time they go outside.   It is like putting that baby gate up for the toddler.  Until the toddler is old enough to know not to unlock the door and until your dog is taught that you are more reinforcing that jumping over the fence, manage their environment.

It's National Train Your Dog Month!

I LOVE that is it National Train Your Dog Month!  Below are my two cents about training and setting yourself up for success.

Think, Plan, Do

Remember in grade school when you liked someone and you spent weeks writing down what you were going to say and practiced in front of the mirror the moment of proclaiming your love?  Yeah, I don’t like reliving those moments either.   But, bringing back some of those memories can help your dog training experience immensely. 

I once heard Terry Ryan say, “Think, Plan, Do.”  As trainers and dog owners, I think sometimes we forget about the think and plan part. 

You don’t need to stress over planning  your training like you did for the cute boy in your math class.  Just envision a training session before you do it.  Below are some easy steps.

1.    Plan out the perfect dog and the perfect scenario and then write it down, step by step.   I love using the staircase diagram when I’m plotting a new behavior.  The key to this chart  is starting at zero and figuring how exactly where you want your dog (lying down, sitting, standing, etc.) Then, write down your steps.  There is no rule about how many steps you need, you just need a beginning, middle, and end. It is almost a way of training ourselves.   You get to check off each step you accomplish with your dog until you reach the end.  Never assume that your dog “knows” something.  We don’t speak the same language, so make it as clear as possible.  It will help both of you!

2.      If you’re really brave, stand in front of that mirror with your clicker and treats and pretend to go through those steps.   If you want to take it up a notch, videotape yourself with and without your dog.  It is amazing what we don’t realize we are doing.  It probably looks very goofy to our dogs and non trainer friends.   Watch yourself.  Praise yourself.  Your dog will thank you. 

3.      Do!  The best part.  Remember, training should be fun for both parties.   If you or your dog get frustrated, repeat steps one and two as needed (it is probably you that needs to change something instead of your dog).  Take breaks as needed.   Remember you can always come back later and you can always change your training plan.  Need to break down the steps you originally planned?  Do it! 

Happy Planning!  Happy Training!