Why should I use In Home Training rather than Group Classes?

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Deborah

Lately, I have been getting calls about training from owners of dogs that they have just adopted or purchased and they are looking for training. When I ask what their goals are for the training, they say, I want him to come when I call him, sit/stay, not jump on people, not run out the front door, not counter surf, not go to the bathroom in the house. etc, etc. If those are your goals, then in home training in the best value for your dollar. Group classes are great for some dogs ! But, how may I ask are you going to potty train, teach him not to run out the front door, not try to get food off your kitchen counters, come back when he gets loose out the front door, not jump on your guests and the furniture if you are not in YOUR HOME. Isn’t that where the problems are? I have trained many dogs who have attended group classes, BUT they do all of the above because these are things better learned in your OWN environment. Yes, I have to charge more than the $99 group rate because I have to drive to and from your home, but once there I am giving your dog 100% of my attention for the entire lesson. No other students to interrupt and give attention to, just you and your dog.  Isn’t your new dog worth that much?

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Why won’t my dog come to me when I call?

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Deborah

This is truly the question I get the most from my dog training students. They say, he’s really a good dog, BUT, he won’t come when I call. The first question I ask is what are the circumstances under which he will not come? Then I ask, does he come when you call him inside? What do you do or say when you call him? Most people will tell me that he looks at me, then just pretends he did not hear me.  The most important thing your dog must do is come when you call. It can save his life ! So, the most important thing for dog owners to remember is YOU must be more interesting than whatever he is doing when you call him. How do you do that you ask? Well, be exciting ! Call him in a pleasant, nice sounding tone ! Wave your hands and whistle. When he gets there, make sure you reward him with a high dollar reward! And finally, no matter what-never be mad when he gets to you. Would you want to come to someone who calls you a bad boy when you just ran all the way back? That means from the start, him coming to you is ALWAYS a good thing, no matter how LONG it took! And never use the command HERE to get him to come and then take away his fun. Meaning, if he is playing, call him to you, reward him and send him back out to play. When it is time to come in, use another way like saying, let’s go! to take him inside.  Reserve the HERE for the most important times when he MUST come the first time! And ALWAYS reward him!

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But My Dog is Stubborn!

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Deborah

Dogs are not stubborn. Stubborn is a negative term that indicates a conscious effort to be difficult.

When dogs don’t listen, it’s because:

**They were never taught by their owner to consistently obey every time, all the time, and in every situation. Just because a dog responds to a comand sometimes, it does not mean he knows to obey all the time.

**They are completely preoccupied with something else ( a new smell, taste, person, animal, play or some other distraction) Frankly, you DO NOT have their attention.

To avoid teaching your dog NOT to comply with your request, never ask them to do something if you  A) do NOT have their attention and B)  know they will NOT obey.

If you need help with Dog Training in Mars Hill, Weaverville, North Asheville, West Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Candler, Montford, Merrimon Ave, Woodfin, Beaver Lake and Grove Park, Buncombe and Madison Counties, contact Behavior Specialist, Deborah Hicks at 828-689-8745 Trainer@ugooddogu.com

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My Dog Does This Out of Spite!

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Deborah

My dog does this out of spite ! The human term “spite” means to “treat malicously”. Isn’t it wonderful that our canine companions are NOT capable of emotion ?

Dogs do not act out of site. The destructive chewing, excessive barking or inappropriate elimination that occus when you are home or the dog is home alone is more likely a manifestation of improper training, separation anxiety(see previous post) or an inadequate amount of interactive play, exercise or obedience work.

For more information on training dogs in If you need help with Dog Training in Mars Hill, Weaverville, North Asheville, West Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Candler, Montford, Merrimon Ave, Woodfin, Beaver Lake and Grove Park, Buncombe and Madison Counties, contact Behavior Specialist, Deborah Hicks at 828-689-8745

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Treat Training or Bribes ? Which is it?

Posted on March 27, 2011 by Deborah

You have probably wondered how you can effectively use treat training without it becoming a bribe/or your dog only performing the command when he sees a treat. Here is the solution to using treats.

**Only use treats to lure the dog into the command. If they don’t know what you are asking, the treat helps them get there.

**Once you are sure the dog knows what the word means, then you can put the teats in your pocket, out of site and after the dog follows the command you can use the treat (or a life reward) as the reward. Food helps to understand, then it becomes a reward only.

**Every dog is different so you need to decide how many reps it takes with a treat, before the treat is put away and used as a reward only.

**Life rewards are: petting, nice sounding tones, balls, walks, toys etc. Pick something that your dog loves. At that point he is doing something you ask because he knows something he loves is coming !!
Good Luck!

If you need help with Dog Training in Mars Hill, Weaverville, North Asheville, West Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Candler, Montford, Merrimon Ave, Woodfin, Beaver Lake and Grove Park, Buncombe and Madison Counties, contact Behavior Specialist, Deborah Hicks at 828-689-8745

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Dog Separation Anxiety

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Deborah

Does your dog bark incessantly when you leave everyday? Does he destroy things while you are gone ? There is hope. Most dogs would love to be with you 24 hours a day if they could. But that does not fit into our everyday lives. We must go to work, to the grocery store, and other places where our dogs are just not welcome.

Here are some things you can try to help your dog cope with you leaving. First, do NOT make a big deal about your departure. Don’t start talking to your dog about, mommy’s leaving now, you be a good dog while I am away or start trying to reassure your dog that everything will be ok. Instead, change somewhat your normal departure schedule. If you normally put on your shoes and then pick up your keys and run out the door, instead  put on your shoes and grab your keys way ahead of time and let your dog see you did not leave so he relaxes the next time he sees you pick up your keys. He says”Oh, everytime she picks up her keys it does not mean she is leaving”.

Practice leaving and coming home. Yes, I mean go out the door as though you are leaving and then come right back in. BEFORE your dog starts barking. Each time he sees you come back in he realizes that when you leave you ALWAYS come back. Lengthen the time you wait outdoors before you come back in slowly. When you see he can manage 2 minutes try 3 minutes. The important thing is to not go too fast. If he starts barking then you are moving too quickly. Go back to shorter periods.

Dog training is very important for dogs who have separation anxiety. Obedience training can also help with the problem. Consult a dog trainer for ways to help your dog.

There are many more things we can do to help dogs who have separation anxiety. Be sure and consult a professional dog trainer for these and other behavioral issues. We can provide a lot of relief for you and your beloved dogs.

Deborah Hicks, Behavior Specialist

U Good Dog U

If you need help with Dog Training in Mars Hill, Weaverville, North Asheville, West Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Candler, Montford, Merrimon Ave, Woodfin, Beaver Lake and Grove Park, Buncombe and Madison Counties, contact Behavior Specialist, Deborah Hicks at 828-689-8745

 

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