4. Training Dogs

Question 1

What can cause behaviour problems

Answer 1

• Changes in life-style
• The discovery that a dog requires more
  work and responsibility then willing/able to provide
• Specific behavior problems

Question 2

Describe some dogs and their notable traits and behaviours

Answer 2

Border Collies = Herding
Labrador Retrievers = Retrieving kids
German Shepherd = Protection
West Highland Terrier = Ratting (digging)
Chow Chow = Hunting/Pulling

Question 3

How is play benefitial?

Answer 3

• Puppy learns and practices all the behaviours and skills for adult life through play
• Puppy learns signals and tests the waters of pack structure and hierarchy

Question 4

How is body language important?

Answer 4

• Our single most important way to communicate
• Important in deferential/agonistic structure that canine social structure is based
• submissive posture used to diffuse/prevent agonistic situations

Question 5

How does our body language affect things?

Answer 5

• Leaning forward can be agonistic, leaning back is less threatening
• Head cocking can disarm a dog
• Staring them down may activate them
• Be authoritative when giving commands; slumped shoulders won’t work but letting belly button shine might
• Holding breath = fear or tension, deep breaths = relaxation
• dilated rough eyes - need to be on guard
  -relaxed jaw that is slightly open = relaxed dog
• tense jaw, closed mouth - tense/fearful/reactive dog

Question 6

How do dogs think?

Answer 6

• Dogs like in the “now” and have a very good internal clock
• Routines work great with dogs but can lead to problems when these expected events don’t happen

Question 7

Becoming a pack leader, cesar milan - Control his mind

Answer 7

1. control his mind

Show leadership, dog needs exercise, rules, boundaries and limitations. must earn affection + food

Question 8

becoming a pack leader Cesar Milan 2. Owner must be a pack leader

Answer 8

Have authority, demand good behavior not debate it, don’t give attention when stressed, project a calm + assertive attitude, never work with a dog when frustrated, angry, or passive

Question 9

Becoming a pack leader cesar milan 3 channel energy

Answer 9

Make dog work for reward, appropriate play, walk + runs, play dates with other dogs, pacifer toys/chew toys, dog sports agility, flyball

Question 10

Becoming a pack leader 4. Obedience training

Answer 10

sit, stay, down need to be solid to desensitize to other problems
yawning in dogs is a displacement behaviour, dog is in conflict

Question 11

Becoming a pack leader 5. importance of attention

Answer 11

Dogs are monogamous, social behaviour/competition, facility of attachment, negative attention is still attention

Question 12

becoming a pack leader 6 attention seeking behaviour

Answer 12

barking, mounting, mouthing, inappropiate elimination, stealing, social interference, anxiety, hyperactivity

Question 13

What is the definition of a well behaved dog - cesar milan

Answer 13

• Reliably obedience trained
• Quiets on command
• Pays attention to owner
• Plays independently
• Defers to owner consistently
• Owner plays a crucial role in dog development!

Question 14

What are types of rewards to give your dog?

Answer 14

food, touch, praise, play, attention, social access, chewing, avoidance of discomfort

Question 15

Describe how clicker training works and what to do

Answer 15

1. classical training - click first, offer treat, continue once link established between them
2. Operant training to teach desired behaviour - once performed, click and treat. Once established begin to remove food

Question 16

Describe teaching sit-stay

Answer 16

1. Stand in front of dog and show treat. Get them into a stay and reward. Repeat once sit is solid and say the word.
2. Reward relaxed attention - no barking, walk quietly around, reward
3. add distance and distractions. ex. walking to door and knock return

Question 17

How is sit-stay useful?

Answer 17

Manage jumping up problems, help restrain dog, protects visiting guests, guests pet a calm dog