Training Small dogs can be a challenge.  Dogs that weigh less than 10lbs move quickly.  They are also so close to the ground already that using a Food-Lure (a treat held in your hand, close to their nose) can be challenging.  For medium and large dogs Food-Lures are a convenient ways to move dogs into positions like sit or down.  However, with small dogs Food-Lures can sometimes cause more jumping-bean action than is conducive to training.

For really small, fast-flying dogs I prefer to sit back and relax when training.  For this type of training a CLICKER is really, really handy.  A clicker is a small device that makes a click-sound when the metal flap inside the small box is pressed down and released.

Clickers are used to train dogs, horses, cats, pigeonsrats and even marine mammals.  Using a clicker is simple.  In the beginning the animal in training needs only to learn that each click-sound will be quickly followed by a small reward (technically it must be a reinforcer) that the animal will enjoy and working for.  I like using small, tasty bits of food like cheeses or meats.

The rules are simple.

1.  Click what you like.

2.  Click at the EXACT moment the behavior is accomplished.

3.  Don't command the animal to DO anything, JUST WAIT for something -be patient!!!

4.  Reward the animal after every click.

5.  Train is short intervals 5-10minutes

Sometimes it is helpful to think of the clicker as a camera.  At the end of the training if each CLICK was a PHOTO, and if you placed all those photos on your kitchen table you would have only photos of the behavior (sit, down, bow) that you were hoping to train.

Here are two Kinder-CLICKER lesson for fast-flying, jumpy little-dogs.

1.  Click (and reward) the dog anytime they are NOT moving.  Click the dog for being still in any position.  Offer extra treats for clicks that marked exceptionally cute still positions (like sit or down).  After 2 or 3 sessions, raise the bar and click only certain positions.

2.  Click (and reward) All Cute Behaviors.  This is my favorite.  I will click anything cute!!!  Head-tilts, play-bows, prairie-dog position, sit, down, waving.  Then I pick one behavior that gets clicked and a special bonus treat (gorgonzola).  I like to see how long it takes for the dog to offer only that behavior.

Predatory Drift is a sudden, and drastic change in a dog's demeanor that is characterized by behaviors associated with hunting small prey. 

The term is most often used to describe a medium to large dog who has suddenly and uncharacteristically targeted a smaller dog as prey (dinner).  

Predatory Drift is NOT Aggression, but it can mean injury or death for small dogs.

Predatory Drift happens when the larger dog's instinct to hunt are triggered. 

These instincts can be triggered when play escalates or gets too much like the real thing (an out of control chase game).  It can happen when a small dog gets scared or injured and squeals or wriggles in a way that makes them look like prey (dinner), Predatory Drift can happen just because thesize difference says, "You are comparatively bite-sized, or move like something that is bite-sized, and I am a canine predator." 

The most alarming fact about Predatory Drift is that it can happen even with well-behaved, well-socialized, playful dogs who play well and often with no aggression, and no fights. 

Dogs who are triggered into predatory drift, may or may not have ever been in a dog fight, and may or may not be generally well-behaved and obedient.  There is NO protection against predatory drift.  It is not a good dog/bad dog problem. 

Predatory Drift is not about how brave, strong, feisty, or fearless the small dog acts.  Predatory Drift is not about how well your medium or large, or extra large dog plays, listens to you, or how many times they have met, played with or been around a small dog.

Predatory Drift can even happen between two dogs that know each other well and have lived, played, and or known each other for years.  In the right situation, a sudden shift happens and the predatory sequence (like dominoes falling) is triggered and completed with lightening fast speed.

While it is not a problem seen every day, all it takes is the slightest trigger -an injury, a fight, a response to something startling or scary.  Predatory Drift is a SIZE MATTER! It usually involves a grab and shake, which instantly breaks the small dog's neck.  There is no time to react.  This in not a fight, it does not escalate.  There is a trigger and then it is over.

Read more...

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Today the world witnessed what many would call a "Dream Come True." Barack Obama took the Inaugural Oath and became the 44th President of The United States Of America.

For two young girls, another dream looms on the horizon.  Dog lovers everywhere are rabidly devouring any, and all news of the First Dog.  Fans, supporters and critics all have opinions, advice and stories to share.

For anyone considering a dog, finding and selecting an appropriate match for the family and home is paramount.  The Obamas seem to be taking their time, waiting for the right dog and the right time.  A good choice.

Once found, the pup needs to be welcomed into the home and family.  For many families, bringing home a new canine companion marks the beginning of many challenges.  As with all things, raising and training a well-mannered pup will have "setbacks and false starts." 

Success takes time, commitment, consistency and hard work.  Hope is needed here too.  Many first-time dog parents feel a paralyzing hopeless as they face any number of unexpected challenges.  Perhaps it will serve them well to remember the words of President Obama. 

Could there be such truer words?

I wish that I could, so directly and so convincingly,

If we can't acknowledge what we face, then we will never find the courage, strength and commitment we needed to overcome.  No doubt, there are bigger challenges in life than how to raise and train a new dog.  However, do not underestimate the stresses of a new canine companion. 

Training a new pup can feel like an insurmountable task.   Trainers should be leaders and must not forget to tell all their clients that they are not alone in their frustrations, fears and concerns.  Pup parents and doggie adopters need to hear that the challenges they face are no less enormous than they feel, but that when taken in turn these seemingly insurmountable tasks are smaller and more manageable that they look from afar. 

And yes, everyone with a new dog or puppy needs a good trainer; someone who can to lead them in relocating hope when it has been chewed up, peed on and buried deep in the yard.  Sometimes a good start is just acknowledging that there is a serious matter at hand and that everyone is going to need to dig in and commit to working hard.  

The solution is always out there, but it may not come easily or freely.  In life there are no easy fixes, no short-cuts and no magic potions.  This applies to training dogs, too.