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How do they get them to do that?
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| Shen, an Australian shepherd, intently watches his owner, Penny Richardson, of Lebanon, Ore., before eating the treat on her nose. - News-Record photos by Sarah Voegele |
By ANDY CHAPMAN, News-Record Writer achapman@gillettenewsrecord.net
The North American Dog Agility Championships this week at Cam-plex will showcase some of the country’s most nimble and well-trained dogs. Trainers must dedicate hours with their animals, all for a chance to run a race that may last less than a minute. Featuring steps, jumps, tunnels and even seesaws, it’s a test of a dog’s ability to run and jump, but also, listen and look at the owner’s commands.You may be saying, “My dog won’t even come in from the yard when I call it, so how did these dogs get so good?”
It began with a solid foundation in correcting and preventing bad doggy behavior ” obedience training. And the trainers of these world-class dogs have offered some tips so regular owners can turn their pooch into a model of good behavior.
Praise/encouragement
The name of the game here: treats. Dave Castle has trained dogs for eight years in the Kansas City, Mo., area, and he says No. 1 on the priority list is that dogs need to feel rewarded for good behavior, so giving them treats is a great way to foster good behavior.
“As soon as they do something good, reward them,” he said.
Avoid problematic situations
Some behavioral problems can be stopped if the owner gives the dog a lot of attention and watches for warning signs. Trainer Denise Gosik had her hands full with Zeke, a 6-year-old Labrador retriever when he was a puppy. But she didn’t have trouble with the high-energy dog chewing up the furniture or digging holes in the yard, because she took a proactive approach.
“I try not to wait until the bad thing happens to stop it,” she said. “I like to catch it beforehand, and avoid it altogether.”
Repeat, repeat, repeat
It’s not going to happen overnight. Castle says even if it takes a “zillion” times, owners must keep teaching the dog that certain behaviors will not be tolerated. Take the good with the bad and you’ll see progress eventually, he says.
Dog’s best friend
It sounds cliche, but you’re not going to stick to a training regimen if you’re not enjoying it yourself. Gosik, who describes herself as a “novice” handler, says owners should choose activities that both they and the dog enjoy ” things like playing around the yard, playing fetch or going for a relaxing walk work well. It’s in these activities that owners can use everyday situations as training opportunities.
Don’t worry, be happy
If it’s a happy and fun session for the dog, they’re more likely to be receptive. It’s a matter of getting them so they want to do it, Castle says. Animals can pick up on positive energy, so try and be upbeat and excited during the training, he said.
Don’t just train the dog
Owners need to get used to keeping a routine, so that both the dog and the handler can track progress from day to day. Castle says it’s important not to let setbacks deter a trainer’s enthusiasm. Keep it positive and stay consistent so the dog will pick up on it and behave accordingly.
“You may hate to correct the behavior by scolding, but sometimes you’ve got to,” he said.
Patience is a virtue
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is patience, trainers say. Some dogs will be persistent in jumping, biting or digging, but owners must remember that eventually, the behavior will stop, Castle says. Another important thing is to not just correct bad behavior, but to reward routine good behavior with treats.
Don’t be a loner
Trainer Tina Stafford says one of the best things owners can do to develop good social behavior is to let the dog get used to people and other animals in various settings. It’s a key in getting them to learn what is acceptable and what isn’t, because if a dog isn’t acclimated to people, it will act more scared or excited than a dog that’s used to being around them, she said.
Getting exposure to other dogs and socializing them is key to getting them to understand what you expect from them, she added.
Give that dog something to do
It may sound tough, but all dogs are naturally energetic, so giving them an outlet to occupy their time can curb troublesome behavior. Things like chewing furniture and digging in the yard can be prevented through simple activities, like exercise and chew toys.
“Most dogs are naughty because they need a job, so give them something to do,” Stafford says.
Success
In many ways, your dog’s behavior reflects upon you, so getting them to act appropriately with others is important. Your dog may not be competing in national agility competitions any time soon, but can still impress others if it behaves well. And Castle believes it’s worth all the time and effort to get a result you’re happy with.
“A well-trained, obedient dog is a beautiful thing,” he said.
IT’S IN THE GENES
Trainer Dave Castle said some breeds are naturally responsive to training, while others can take a little more time to develop.
- THE QUICK LEARNERS: These dogs are very adept at picking up direction well, and include animals in the herding breeds, like collies, shepherds and heelers.
- PATIENCE NEEDED: These pooches need a little more attention, but can develop given the proper time and instruction. Dogs in this group are high-energy, and most likely will be terriers, and hunting breeds like retrievers.
The Basics
He’s trained dogs of all sizes, shapes and backgrounds, but Castle has two basic guidelines for dog owners to get their pet to be nice to the mailman.
- START EARLY: The day you bring a dog home, regardless of age, begin the training. The longer you wait, the harder it will be, so start with basic commands, like sit, stay, come and lay. Those will provide a foundation for more advanced training down the road.
- KEEP IT CONSISTENT: Dogs need to know what is expected of them and what behavior will not be tolerated, and will continually test boundaries as time goes on. Keep the same message and tone throughout, and they’ll learn what they can and can’t do. “If it’s a ‘no’ (activity) today, then it’s a ‘no’ tomorrow and next week,” Castle says.
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