The Healthy Pets » Advanced Training

Separation Blues

The Healthy Pets — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:31:30 +0000

Separation blues is a very common problem that occurs when dogs are frequently left alone. In the milder cases, it can be the result of boredom, and reactions can range in intensity from whimpering to constant barking and howling. Extreme cases can lead to downright neurotic and destructive behavior, like hysterical barking and destroying furniture. Some dogs go as far as to relieve themselves throughout the home. These more extreme behaviours are usually associated with a somewhat serious condition called dog separation anxiety.

Howling or barking while the master is gone is best dealt with by using the handy crate you have for your dog. Keep the crate in the same room with you while you are attending to some project that will take a bit of time. Talk to your dog in a calming voice and in so doing, reassure him that everything is fine.

Begin your absences by walking out of your room for just a minute or so. Gradually increase the time you are gone. When you return, praise the dog in a calm voice or give him a treat. Leaving some article that smells of you will help comfort the dog when you are away, and a toy will keep your dog’s attention on the toy rather than on your absence. Fretting and complaining are reduced considerably, if not entirely eliminated, when your dog is getting plenty of exercise; a dog with a high level of pent-up energy is far more likely to think of ways to act out or misbehave.

Here again, insisting your dog learns that lying down or sitting quietly is what leads to release is very effective. This is taught in the same way you had your dog learn the proper way of gaining admittance to a room or into the house.

Some dogs are fine as long as they can see you. It’s your absence that launches the vocal tirade. If this is the case, walk in and out of the room several times and extend your absences gradually. Just as soon as the dog begins to complain, rush back in and repeat the rap on the crate as you give the quiet command.

Some of the truly stubborn complainers require more drastic measures. By drastic measures, we mean the tried-and-true spray bottle or what we call the “rattle can” method. The scenario remains the same, except when the dog complains about your absence from the room, rush back and give the dog a good shot of water from the steady stream cycle of your spray bottle. This method seems to be very effective with even the most stubborn offender.

Many dogs are fine indoors but resent being left outdoors. If this is the case, the rattle-can approach might work best. You can use an empty aluminum soft drink can and drop a small handful of pennies into it. Shaking this makes a surprisingly loud clatter. When your dog begins to bark, throw the can at the fence or ground near him. If possible, do not let him see you throw the can. Lead him to believe that his sound caused the commotion.

These treatments are usually effective. But then again, some dogs are more persistent than others, and it is up to you to be unwavering in your dedication to the task. Above all, you must have the last word. Never release the dog because he is barking or howling. Release can only come when he is doing what you demand, never because he complained long enough or loud enough.

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Aggression

The Healthy Pets — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:11:32 +0000

Most types of aggression can be dealt with and controlled. In the rare case of unprovoked and uncontrollable rage, however, immediate and drastic measures may have to be taken. The best course of action is to get a professional involved immediately.

As explained in a good many cases, aggression is more likely to be the result of an effort to establish dominance or to be protective. Boundaries, both behavioral and territorial, are very important for dogs to learn. Being taught early on what he can and cannot do leaves a dog with aggressive inclinations no opportunity to decide how to behave. It is up to the owner to establish the boundaries by which his or her canine companion will live.

Some dogs take their responsibility to protect too far and inadvertedly create problem situations. They feel like they have to defend what they believe to be their territory and, lacking guidance from their owners, establish their own boundaries. Aggressiveness is a natural part of some dogs’ personalities. It must be nipped in the bud and redirected when it begins, and if it continues to be a problem, professional help must be obtained at once.

Absolutely no law-abiding citizen should have to endure being menaced by an aggressive dog. Even dogs that were specifically obtained to protect one’s family or property must be trained to know their boundaries clearly.

If a dog less than six months of age snaps and bites, it strongly indicates inherited bad temperament. Correcting or harnessing inherited bad temperament is a risky undertaking at best and usually leads to dire consequences at some point in the dog’s life. Temperamentally untrustworthy puppies grow up to be temperamentally untrustworthy and dangerous adults.

If the puppy was purchased from a breeder, he should be returned to the breeder without delay. If the puppy has not been obtained from a responsible source, it is strongly advised to discuss the problem with your veterinarian, who may advise you to see a dog behaviorist.

If the puppy had a sunny disposition growing up, but has begun to display aggressive tendencies at maturity, it is more likely to be an indication of a lack of proper training. Again, only one of you can be in charge. If your dog realizes he can behave as he chooses and is inclined toward aggressiveness, you have a dangerous situation on your hands. Proper training and the establishment of definite boundaries will help to control this type of behavior

Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC)

Tracking Events

The Healthy Pets — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:42:10 +0000

Tracking events have become very popular among dog owners, and many dogs earn the rare Tracking Dog (TD) and Tracking Dog Excellent titles (TDX). A newer competition called Variable Surface Tracking (VST) is open to the dogs that have won their TD or TDX titles. When the competitors on this category have attained the qualifying scores, they earn the VST designation.

Participating in organized events can be fun for both dog and owner. With a good training foundation who knows how far your dog can go.

Obedience Titles

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:46:31 +0000

The competition levels, what they include, and corresponding degree are:

Novice – Earning a Companion Dog (CD)
1. Heel on leash and figure 8
2. Stand for examination
3. Heel free
4. Recall
5. Long sit – one minute
6. Long down – three minutes

Open – Earning the Companion Dog Excellent title (CDX)
1. Heel off leash and figure 8
2. Drop on recall
3. Retrieve on flat
4. Retrieve on high jump
5. Broad jump
6. Long sit – three minutes (with owner out of sight)
7. Long down – five minutes (with owner out of sight)

Utility – Earning the Utility Dog (UD) Degree
1. Signal exercises
2. Scent discrimination – Article 1
3. Scent discrimination – Article 2
4. Directed retrieve
5. Moving stand and examination
6. Directed jumping

Those super dogs that have earned their Utility Dog titles are eligible to go on to compete for the next highest award – the Obedience Trial Championship (OTCh.).

Obedience and Conformation

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:53:31 +0000

Obedience trials are held at both championship shows and at matches, as are the conformation events. The same informal entry procedures that apply to conformation matches apply to obedience as well. The championship or sanctioned obedience trials are usually held in conjunction with conformation events.

Obedience training classes are definitely prerequisites here, because competition is highly precise and based entirely on the dog performing a set series of exercises. The exercises required in the various classes of competition range from the basics like heel, sit, and lie down in the novice class through the sophisticated exercises of the utility and tracking levels that require scent discrimination and directed jumping.

Each level has an obedience title that can be earned after attaining qualifying scores at a given number of shows.

The CGC Test

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:01:44 +0000

There are ten parts to the Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC) test, and the dog has to pass all ten in order to receive the CGC Certificate. The parts are:

1. Appearance and grooming: The dog must be clean, healthy and well-groomed.
2. Acceptance of a friendly stranger: The dog is required to allow a friendly stranger to approach and speak to the handler.
3. Walking on a loose leash: The dog has to walk along attentively next to the handler.
4. Walking through a crowd: The dog is required to walk along, paying attention to the handler without interfering with other people or dogs.
5. Sit and down on command and stay in place: The dog has to respond to each of the handlers commands-sit,down, and stay.
6. Come when called: After being put in a sit or down position ten feet away, the dog must return to the handler when called.
7. Sit while touched by a stranger: A friendly stranger must be able to pet the dog.
8. Positive reaction to another dog: The dog has to keep his attention on the handler, even in the presence of another dog.
9. Calm reaction to distracting sights or noises: These distraction can be an unusual or loud noise or sight of a bicycle or unusual-looking object.
10. Supervised Separation: The dog must wait calmly, on a leash, while owner is out of sight for three minutes.

Canine Good Citizen Program (CGC)

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:58:57 +0000

The AKC sponsors this program, which is aimed at making all dogs that graduate from it respected members of the community. Classes geared toward training the handler to qualify his or her dog are offered in most communities. Information about where these classes are conducted can be obtained from the place you shop for your dog’s food and supplies, from local kennel clubs , or from the classified section of your newspaper. The CGC is not a competition of any kind-the dog is scored only on his ability to master the basic requirements.

Anyone interested in this program can obtain information regarding rules as well as when and where testing is held directly from the American Kennel Club.

Advanced Dog Training

The Healthy Pets — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:34:38 +0000

An obedient dog is a joy to have around. Dogs that have had no training are a royal pain on the neck! As much as we love dogs, visiting someone whose dog has never been taught to obey is not our idea of fun. Training is necessary for your dog to be accepted into society and for your sanity. It can take care of the behavior basics, but even beyond that, training can also be a wonderful hobby. With practice, almost any dog and owner can participate, and the classes and competition are offered in and around cities throughout the United States.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) and the United Kennel Club (UKC), the two registry systems in the Unites States, have both acknowledged the benefits of obedience training by offering competitions in which your dog can earn titles and championships. These events range from the somewhat informal Canine Good Citizen program to the complex and highly respected obedience degrees involving tracking events and scent discrimination.