Ask the Dog Trainer, with Terry Lynn Cuyler: Teaching Kids Proper Dog Greetings

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, CPDT-KA

Dear Terry,

I have 3 young children. We often visit families with dogs. I would like to hear from a trainer what the best way is to teach my kids to greet the dogs properly. Can you tell me what behavior is normal from the dogs so I can teach my children what to expect and what is acceptable. They need to know how to greet and be greeted without fear, but I do not know how to teach this. Help!

Lily C.

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Dear Lily:


Kids and dogs are wonderful but you are wise to follow steps to ensure the safety of your children.


First, ASK the human holding the leash if it is OK to pet their dog and how it likes to be petted. Then, stand still and have the back of your hand out for the dog to sniff. Let the dog come to you so it is comfortable. Fearful dogs are more likely to try to defend themselves. Then pet the dog under the chin instead of on the head, unless the handler instructs differently. Do not hug the dog. If the dog is OFF leash stand still as a tree and let the dog sniff you.


Most counties have programs bringing dogs and info into the schools to teach about safe dog greetings. Perhaps you could contact your county to come into your school and teach dog safety. A good website is Colleen Pelar’s - KidsandDogs.com which has many useful tips. Her very brief videos help to show some of the greeting methods that dogs do not appreciate; this is excellent material and well worth the few seconds to watch each of the 3 short clips. I also love the pictorial of  dog body language that helps us understand what certain signals mean. Canine Stress Signals is a set of laminated bookmarks this is a great teaching tool or family reference; you can purchase at this link. 


PawsProf

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached atLetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions. You can read more of Terry Lynn Cuyler's training questions at her Archives page.

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Ask the Dog Trainer, with Terry Lynn CuylerWhy is My Dog Restless?

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, APDT, CPDT-KA

© Carrie Boyko
Fetch Training is
Good Physical and Mental Exercise

Dear Trainer:  Why is my dog so restless?
--------------------------------
Dear Restless,

Many dogs who exhibit restlessness are young, under exercised and under stimulated. And restless behavior often grabs our attention so that is rewarding, even if it is negative attention. Two 20-minute brisk walks per day would be great, if feasible.  These walks should be moving walks, not sniffing every bush.  Only once or twice in said 20-minute walk should dog need to eliminate.  Walks are great, but so are many other forms of exercise.  TV trainers sometimes use doggie treadmills.

  

Dogs have working brains and they need to be used.  Our sedentary lives and long work days do not lend themselves to enriching our dogs' lives.  Training a trick can drain energy because it makes a dog use his brain. Something as simple as scattering half his kibble in the grass and making him hunt for it is an enrichment exercise.   

Many enrichment toys are available to keep dogs brains as busy as their feet and mouths. Check out Pet Expertise for some of my recommendations: Kongs, Buster Cubes, Squirrel Dudes,  Wobblers and the Everlasting Fun Ball are but a few.   Chew toys also act as doggie pacifiers.  I like the Nylabone Durables, hollow bones and real marrow bones.  

HIde a food dispensing toy while your dog is practicing a STAY and then go back to him and release him to go find the food toy.  Nan Arthur has written a book for your restless dogs entitled Chill Out, Fido that has some excellent exercises to practice.  Hope we hear a report that your dog is soon a couch potato. 

Terry, PawsProf 

© courtesy tlc
Agility Training:
Great for a Restless Dog

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

The PawsProf's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

Related Reading:

Dog Treadmill Training: Is it Right for Your Dog?

Dog Mental Stimulation

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ASK THE DOG TRAINER, with Terry Lynn Cuyler:Help with Fear Incontinence

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, APDT, CPDT-KA

Fearful Dogs
Need a Patient Introduction to their World

Dear Dog Trainer:


We got a new dog a couple months ago, and although she is generally well behaved, there is one problem that we can't seem to get past. When she gets scared, she runs onto one of the beds and urinates all over it.
------------------------------------------------
Dear owner:


That's a messy problem for sure. To begin we need to manage the problem and then start with some training to give your girl more confidence. 


I suggest a product called Urine-Off sprayed on the mattress and pad and left for 10 minutes BEFORE you wash it, to help rid the bed of odor which might attract the dog again. I also suggest one of the mild essences called Rescue Remedy which may take some of the edge off of her fear. You can put drops in her water or right on her tongue when you expect some fearful things might be about to happen. 


Another natural method is using a collar or plug in diffuser of DAP for Dog Appeasing Pheromone. These odors are undetectable to humans, but have a soothing effect on dogs. There is one for cats as well. DAP is available through vets, some pet stores, and the links above; call ahead to ask if you're going to try a vet or a store. 


The products above are helpful when you don't know what is triggering her fear. And they will help her calm down enough so that she can attend to some of the behavior modification I'm going to suggest. Also the management tool of restricting her access to your bed, ie close the bedroom door, confine her to a 'safe' area with tile etc. and give her an appropriate place to feel secure, such as a dog crate. 


There is a CD called Through a Dog's Ear (learn more about this here) which is music therapy to calm and soothe an anxious dog. I believe in this enough to carry some in my retail lineup. There are also two dog wraps which have helped many dogs: the Anxiety Wrap (learn more here)  and the Thunder Shirt (learn more here). Both of these wraps come in a variety of sizes to fit most dogs.


I'm guessing yours is a dog adopted as an adult and not a puppy, in which case we need to gradually introduce her to the things that scare her, and help her feel more comfortable with them. A trainer's help is recommended here, as proceeding too fast can make the problem worse. 


Puppies need to be acclimated to things when they are younger than 16 weeks, and allowed to explore and see new experiences as safe and wonderful, instead of scary. Puppies who are not carefully exposed often become fearful adults. She may never become bold, but we can help her become more confident. I recommend Nicole Wilde's book, Help for Your Fearful Dog.

Terry, the Paws Prof

(c) courtesy TLC

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com

For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

The PawsProf's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

************************
Need help quick? I'll give away 1 copy of the Through a Dog's Ear CD to calm your canine companion. Enter with a blog comment or a Facebook comment. The winner will be announced next Friday.

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ASK THE DOG TRAINER, with Terry Lynn Cuyler: Selecting a Train-it-Yourself Assistance Dog

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, APDT, CPDT-KA

© International Association of Assistance Dog Partners™

 Dear Terry:

I was on a waiting list for 5 years, and with so many problems I have to train my own assistance dog. I need a mobilty dog for the biggest part because I have a depth perception problem because of medications , and with lupus, fibromyalgia, hypoglycemia, seizures, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, there is so much to train for.

I haven't started yet. I probably won't get a dog until I find the right one. Hubby is gonna have to help me train, because I don't have much energy. There are many shelter dogs, especially large breeds here in Northern Europe. What do I look for?  A puppy is best, I know, but I have seen dogs from 6 weeks to 14 years at the shelters. I have looked into Antesion dogs, and different mountian dogs (Bernese, Swiss, Danish), and mixed breeds too. For me, it's the one that touches my heart.

What is one of the first things I should look for? Temperament, or willingness to serve or getting a 6 week old and hope for the best?

Thanks, Niki

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Dear Niki,
You are so right that the best one is the one that clicks with you. I look for temperament and that includes a willingness to serve, or you may be referring to a keep-working ethic, but there has to be a connection between you and the dog. 


You can help build that bond by using positive reinforcement to teach skills you need. Even in traditional training organizations where they train the dogs first, and then bring in the potential human partners, they find certain dogs bond with certain people. You need a dog who is physically capable of doing the work you require, so it does need to be substantial in size, and then you need a list of the things you absolutely must have it do--prop you up if you start to fall, retrieve something you dropped, guide you to the edge of the curb, etc. 


 Karen Pryor, who helped solidify clicker training, as the most efficient way to train a dog for a specific behavior, offers a 4 DVD How-to set. to help owner trainers such as yourself. You can find additional assistance on skills at at the International Association for Assistance Dog Partners.


For you, I don’t recommend a puppy because puppies are difficult enough for anyone without the illnesses you mentioned. And you CAN absolutely train a mature dog, though they don’t soak it up quite as fast. You do want a self-confident dog, not a fearful one. As for some of the specific skills, equipment and trainers see the Delta Society's webpage.
I hope this has helped you in your search, and that you will keep us advised of your progress. Best of luck!


Terry, The Paws Prof

© courtesy T.L.Cuyler

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com

For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. 

A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

The PawsProf's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.


Related Reading:
Ask the Dog Trainer, with Terry Lynn Cuyler: Clicker Training Pros and Cons
Don't miss the Clicker Success Stories video coming 12/18/10

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Kikopup's YouTube Demo of Clicker Training Successes

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

As a followup to Terry Lynn Cuyler's ASK THE DOG TRAINER post earlier this week, this video is amazing proof of the uses and value of clicker training. For some owners, dog training means work, yet it can be fun for both owner and dog, when the right tools and goals are discovered. I encourage you to visit the Kikopup channel and watch more of their videos. Perhaps you will become a Canine Freestyle enthusiast!

Related posts:

ASK THE DOG TRAINER, Pros and Cons of Clicker Training

Gin the Dancing Dog (from Britain's Got Talent)  **video**

The Best Dog Dancing I've Seen (Golden Retriever does the Salsa) **video**

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