Ask the Dog Trainer: Velcro Dog

by Michael Baugh, CPDT-KA, CDBC

© All Things Dog Blog
Independent Play?

Dear Michael:

I am going to need help on this for Skipper. Skipper was in obedience classes twice 6 weeks each. He would never sit and stay and let me walk away. I would take a baby step backwards and he would take a baby step with me. I would put him back and it was the same thing all over. He did get a little btter and I could take maybe 6 steps. Skipper is our rescue and was abused. Skipper was 6 months old when we drove to Nebraska to pick him up. We were his 3rd owners. The first owner never got him his shots and was taking care of him. the second family got his his shots but could not keep him because he chewed everything up plus he was in a small kennel all day and out just for a short time in the evening and back in the kennel. They also had an older female Vizsla that was a hunting dog. I saw the ad in the paper and contacted the lady. We made arrangement to meet them in a park in nearby the Nebraska/Iowa state line. We took Schooner with us to make sure they would get along. Skipper name was Bo we changed the name because he needed a boating name and it had to start with an "S". Schooner and Skipper saw each other and took off running and playing. What a great match. So they offered us the kennel and I said OK we would take it but when I saw the little kennel that Skipper was in I said no. I don't know how Skipper could even turn around in the kennel plus the end of his tail was rubbed raw. I felt like crying for Skipper. Schooner has a brother and it was a perfect match for both dogs. Skipper is a very Velcro dog and needs to be right beside my husband, myself or Schooner all the time. So if you have any ideas for Skipper let me know.

Thanks, Sharon

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Hi Sharon,

Thank you for taking Skipper into your home and into your heart.  You’ve done a great thing by rescuing him.  I know you’re going to do great things with his training too.

The main things here are making independent thinking and action both safe and fun for Skipper.  Look for opportunities to praise Skipper for getting it right, and let him know you’re his biggest fan.  Reading your post about Skipper’s friendship with Schooner made me wonder.  Do he and Schooner ever romp and play away from you?  If so, cheer that on. I might also consider putting “go play” on cue.  You do that by telling Skipper and Schooner to “go play” right when you think play is going to break out anyway.  Make it seem like it’s your idea.  In no time at all they’ll start responding to the cue to “go play” just like any trained behavior.  This encourages independence and fun time away from you.

You’ve worked on stay and I bet you can master it with Skipper.  Take it slow.  Work on building Skipper’s endurance just a step or two away from you.  Don’t go for a great distance quite yet.  See if you can build Skipper’s confidence to the point at which he could sit or rest a short distance away for 5 minutes or so.  Reinforce him periodically with a treat and some praise. Such a brave boy you are Skipper.

I really like to teach dogs how to “back up” as a game.  The dog gets reinforced for increasing distance between himself and you.  The game builds confidence and keeps the dog from getting under foot (not a bad combo).  I found a couple of examples of “clicker training back up” on youtube.  The easiest one is to simply step into Skippers space.  When he backs up even a step, click and treat.  After a dozen or so repetitions you can add the cue: “back up.”  Pause.  Then step into his space.  In time, he will simply take a step back when you ask him to.

In all his training I might recommend you reinforce him (deliver the treat) a foot or so away from you.  This will teach Skipper to sit and down outside of your personal space and not directly against you.

Of course, there is a time for closeness.  Nothing is more rewarding for a dog like Skipper after a job well done than a little cuddle time.  And who can blame him.  At the end of a long day you’ll find me right on my sofa, spooning Stella or Stewie, with just a hint of a contented smile, and the Velcro hardly visible.

© Robyn Arouty
Michael and Stella

Houston Dog Trainer Michael Baugh CPDT-KSA, CDBC is the Director of Training and Behavior at Rover Oaks Pet Resorts. Michael's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

Check out Michael's Archives Page, or these recent articles:

Target Train to Solve Problems

Helping a Fearful Dog
Adding Another Dog to Your Family
My Dog Climbs the Fence

Thundershirts Promise to Subdue Three Nervous Pups' Anxieties

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Storm's Over
 Back to Normal...Whew!

Is this week over already? It seems like just yesterday we announced this giveaway and here we are handing out the winners. The folks at Thundershirt and I certainly did enjoy your enthusiastic participation, and thank you doubletime to those who did not win. We encourage you to find a Thundershirt for your dog if he suffers from anxieties. You can purchase them through the Thundershirt website, Amazon, and Pet Supermarkets.


After a whopping 981 visits to our Thundershirt review, 208 entries were received at closing time last evening. I believe that constitutes a record for All Things Dog Blog, telling me there are plenty of anxious dogs out there in need of a Thundershirt. We're going to help 3 of them get one right now.


Come on down: Shiloh, Kouga and Sarah S., you are our 3 winners. I will contact you separately and you can send your addresses by reply to my email. Thank you all for your participation and good luck with your new Thundershirts. They will be shipped to you from the company. Happy tails!


Full disclosure: Thank you to Thundershirt for supplying 1 free shirt for Oliver to test. Thundershirt did not pay me to review their product, and my opinions in the review reflect my actual experiences. 

Fido and Fireworks: Helping Him Hold it Together

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© Carrie Boyko
Am I Celebrating Noise or Bright Lights?

Tonight's the night--fireworks factory finale. After this the fireworks makers get nearly a six month break until distribution for New Years kicks in. What a great business, huh? Not so much for our Fidos though. Many dogs are frightened by lightening, thunder and fireworks. Our Xena was definitely on this list. She had a particularly odd habit of needing to climb on top of tables and desks. The higher she could get the better. We soon learned that escorting her to her crate ("Go Nite Nite, Xena") EARLY was the best strategy. 


I've learned a few things since those first years and yes, I'd like to share them with you. Tanner and Oliver are another story entirely, so here's the benefit of my successes, just for you:

• Plan ahead and use your preventive methods proactively: Thundershirt, Calming Collars and Through a Dog's Ear (Music to Calm Your Canine Companion) are all great therapies for helping to quell Fido's nerves, yet they each work better when started early.
• Another tactic that must be started early is vigorous exercise. Here's the plan I like best: Take a long walk in the morning. After rest, get a long swim or fetch game going, or perhaps some mind games or indoor training if rain slows your outdoor plan down. Later, take another walk, run or dog park romp to assure a fatigued mind and body. This all adds up to less re-activity to noise and stress and a calmer pup during tonight's festivities.
• Choose a room for Fido's evening hang out that has few, if any windows. If he is comfortable in a crate, this is the best place for him to calm himself. Taking your pup to the crate early may be a good plan for preventing the "freak out" that often starts with the first of the loud noises. Offer a safe, durable chew toy for your dog to work out her nerves on. Add a blanket or dark covering to keep the fireworks lights from spooking him. Close any shades, curtains or blinds.
• Now that you've played the relaxing music for several hours today, place the player next to his crate and turn it up louder. Volume will help dull the outdoor noises, or at least confuse them with other worldly sounds. A TV or radio is also an acceptable substitute.

If only I could take Tanner around to visit all the anxious dogs, allowing them to soak up his "what's the big deal" attitude. I have a theory. He was born in Florida during the peak of Thunderstorm season. I'm guessing he learned early on that thunder is just noise--not unlike that which he hears any other day of the year, but perhaps a bit louder and less predictable. Thankfully, he's clueless and it's business as usual for Tanner on nights like tonight. 

The even better news is that Oliver, having absorbed a small amount of nervous anxiety from Xena, is now learning some better ways to calm himself. Between the techniques above and 'clueless Tanner' for a housemate, Oliver is getting a grip. And that's a very good thing.

Happy Independence Day. Hopefully your pup will be able to be independent of you tonight as you enjoy some celebrations of your own.