STOP NAGGING YOUR DOG!

Teaching/Learning is a Three-Part Equation

I.  The way you let the dog know something is expected.

II.  Whatever the dog decides to do (based on instincts, learning, motivation)

III.  The consequences that are connected to the actions.

Part-I  THE CLUES  

Usually people focus on the first part -humans love to give verbal instructions (commands).  This part of the equation is really the LEAST IMPORTANT PART of teaching an animal to DO SOMETHING.  Furthermore it is the LAST part I worry about when training a new dog or teaching a dog that a new situation requires a previously known behavior.

Part-II THE OPTIONS

Dogs that are trained with force/aversion often get stressed out during the second part of the equation.  Stress is NOT conducive to relationships or learning.  In Aversive training the risks for getting answer wrong can be high and/or the motivation to give an alternate answer to great to avoid putting the dog in a double bind (I really need to pee, but if I do I might get punished).

In contrast dogs trained systematically with rewards are encouraged to try stuff and praised & rewarded at first for:  Good-Attempts, Better-Answers, Correct Responses.  The consequences for mistakes are "bummers" they don't get access and/or loose a reward, but they are never given aversive treatments for failing.

Part-III CONSEQUENCES ARE CRITICAL!!!!

This is **THE MOST** important part of training any lasting behaviors.  Sadly most people never think about it, they just keep repeating commands to their dog.  Consequences are where it is at.  

Whenever I ask something of a dog, I already know in my mind three questions.

1)  what will I give them if they do it right  

2) What will they loose if they give the wrong answer

3) How will I know they don't know they don't know the answer and need a hint for training to stay fun and successful.

YOUR HOMEWORK...

Teach your dog to offer good options & give consequences.

For the next 3 weeks, whenever you are going to leave with your dog through a door...  Leash your dog and get your stuff.  Put your hand on the door knob, but don't open it.  SAY NOTHING!!!!

Week-1:  Wait.  Do & Say nothing.  Ignore your dog.  As soon as your dog sits, Say "AWESOME!" and open the door.  Let the door do through the door however they want as long as they are on-leash and safe.

How long does it take before your dog sits as soon as you are at the door?

Week-2:  Do everything from above.  As soon as your dog sits, open the door SLOWLY!!!  If your dog's butt pops up, close the door.  Again, SAY NOTHING.  If your dog re-sits, open the door slowly.  If the butt-pops up, close the door.  Repeat.  If you get the door open 6" and your dog's butt is still on the ground... Say, AWESOME! and open the door allowing your dog Out!

Week-3:  Everything from above, but go for door open 12"... Door open 18"... Door open 6" & 30 seconds... Door open 12" and 30 seconds... Door open all the way, 5 seconds...  Door open all the way, 30 seconds.  

NEVER SAY A THING!  Just close the door (preventing access to outside/walks/play) if the dog's butt moves from a sit BEFORE your can say AWESOME!

There's almost 400 Pounds of dog in my house right now!  

This would be OK if I had two Neapolitan Mastiffs that were sleeping like rugs.

BUT, I have a 1000 sq. ft. California Cottage and, one German Shepherd under the age of 10 months, 1 Border Collie just over a year, a Hound Mix, an AussieX, a Chow/PitX and a 6mo Pittie, plus one very old, slow moving Schnauzer.

Keeping play tame, furniture standing, and knees from being blown out is NOT OPTIONAL!   ...BUT it is simple.

When a new dog is thrown into the mix they get a quick lesson on home-manners. The rules are as simple.  There are 3 obedience phrases and 2 consequences.  I NEVER yell any of these.  I never threaten (everything has a consequence).  I am always right.

Commands:

Yellow Warning Light: "__dog's name__, Cool-it."

Red Light: "Too-bad."

Green Light: "Thank You."

Consequences:  

Errors earn a dog a 10-15 second time-out in a crate, bathroom, or tied to leash.

Compliance earns the dogs Praise & Freedom, maybe a toy tossed to them, perhaps a cookie.

THE RULES:

1. Bump into Kelley, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
2. Bump into grandma (schnauzer), get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
3. Bump into furniture, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
4. Get TOO LOUD, get a warning.
5. Head the warning, and become quiet, get a green light to keep playing.
6. Ignore warning, get a time-out:  "Too-bad."
7. Play with anything but a dog toy, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."
8. Go in the no-dog-zone, get an automatic time-out:  "Too-bad."

BONUS:  "PLAY BREAK"