Our Top 10 Dog Training Tips

Created jointly by Carrie Boyko and Michael Baugh

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I hope you have enjoyed reading these top 10 tips for dog training. I'd like to thank Michael, our Ask the Dog Trainer Columnist, for his hard work in creating a nice, succinct list of best practices. We both hope you will enjoy this, bookmark it, embed it on your own site using the code below, and refer back regularly for inspiration. 

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#BarktoSchool: Sponsors and RSVP

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Hooray! It's finally here and none too soon. Dogtipper.com and I would like to share our sponsors for #BarktoSchool as well as help you get your RSVP in right now before you forget. Let's start with our sponsors:


One blogger has won a sponsorship in this party. Peggy Frezon, publisher of Peggy's Pet Place will be joining us to share her story. She is a published author in print, as well, and we'll be sharing some of her many pet escapades such as her blog, her books and her experiences. 


Nature's Logic pet food is touted as the first and only all-natural pet food that includes a full line of dry kibble, canned and raw frozen pet food with no chemically-synthesized vitamins or minerals. Obviously, there will be much to share on this line. You'll hear more in the coming weeks from 5 Minutes for Fido, My Pet Allergies and Paris and John's Country Home.


Our Event Barkers team enjoyed #EBTweets so much that we want in for this party too :)  You can follow our updates at the link, which will lead you to our Event Barkers Facebook page. We'll be sharing more of our upcoming events during the Twitter Party, as well as padding the prizes a bit. What's not to love about that?!!!


Finally, welcome Holistic Dog Trainer Alecia Evans and her Walk in Sync system. Tanner and my mother's dog, Jacque have been testing it out, and we're already sold. I can't wait to share more about this great way to help your dog stop pulling and put you both back in sync as you enjoy your walk. We love, love, love this method!


Join us Sunday, August 12 at 8:00 PM ET on Twitter for #BarktoSchool:

• Prizes: Healthy chow for a busy day of training; comfortable, versatile leashes, harnesses for no-pull walking, training treats, and great shampoo for healthy good looks. This and more will be given away: 10 total prizes to include one huge Grand Prize valued over $250.
• Information: We'll be sharing nutrition info, training tips, helpful ideas for walking your dog, hints for easing separation anxiety and much more. Join us for tons of great information to help out when your kids head back to school or your dogs goes off to doggy daycare.
• Mingle: Meet our fellow blogger, Peggy Frezon, who won a free Twitter Party experience and will be be joining us to share her journey with us. Peggy publishes Peggy's Pet Place and has many books and stories in print as well. Stop by and say hello; feel free to Sit, Stay, Mingle.

We'll be sharing a PreTweet shortly to give you a chance to win a prize even if you can't join us for the party. There will also be a Rafflecopter to enter, giving you another opportunity. Watch the blog for product reviews and more info on what we'll be doing at #BarktoSchool. Now it's time to enter your RSVP. If you don’t have a Twitter account, visit http://twitter.com to get your free account then return here and sign up. Follow the example shown below and you'll be ready to go.

Remember, in order to win prizes at the party, you must RSVP below and follow these sponsors and hosts: @EventBarkers @NaturesLogic, @WalkinSync, @Dogtipper, @AllThingsDog, @Cattipper, @5MinutesforFido, @MyPetAllergies, @Learnin2bGreen, @ParisandJohn, and @PeggyFrezon. 

Below the numbered list at the bottom is a blue link that says "Click here to enter". Click this and follow these instructions, using the image below as a guide. In the field that says "Link Title or Blog Title" just enter your Twitter handle with the @ sign in front of it.  Notice I entered @AllThingsDog in the example. 

In the second field that says "Link" you'll enter the link to your Twitter account. It will look like this: "http://twitter.com/yourhandlehere". 

You can leave your email address and name in the next two fields, if you wish. This will help us reach you if your Twitter handle is listed wrong and you win a prize. Now click "Enter your link" and that's it. You have completed your RSVP. See you on August 12 at 8:00  PM ET.

#BarktoSchool sponsors are providing products as prizes for our winners and working with the Event Barkers team to help you learn more about their products and services. There is no purchase required to enter or to join in the Twitter Party.

Loose Leash Dog Walks: CGC Test #4

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Pleasurable Walking Companions

Continuing with our series on tips to help you prepare your dog for the Canine Good Citizen exam, today we will address walking on a loose leash. Finally we have reached a point in the test where you and your dog don't have to stay in one place. This was a great relief to me. Let's get moving.


How you move in this test will not be evaluated the way you may think. Your evaluator will be looking for a dog and handler who are walking together. In other words, the dog is not leading you.


The second criteria for passing this test is to demonstrate that your dog can walk beside you without you restraining him in that position. This means the leash will be loose and your dog will not be charging ahead, taking up that slack, dragging you along.


The key here is that Fido has learned in his training that you are leading the walk. You turn left; Fido follows. You stop; Fido stops. You get the idea.


We've all seen dogs that wanted to charge ahead and drag their owners along behind. This scenario is not hopeless, and doesn't have to be dealt with using choke chains or other collars that can be dangerous when used improperly.


Let me be clear. There are a ton of collar and leash methods and tools out there that can cause damage to your dog's trachea, neck or snout. Most can be used safely if the handler has been properly instructed. That's where the problem lies. When you go to the pet shop to purchase a new training collar, generally the salesperson is not a trainer. So there you are making a decision about your dog's training based on what you already know, as well as what you don't know. It's a common problem.


So here's my tip for this problem. Forget all the special collars unless you are working with a trainer who uses positive methods and can analyse your needs.


For now, as you prepare for the CGC, let Fido know you are totally and completely in charge of the walk with your actions. He'll get this message pretty quickly. Here's the drill:


At the door, have your dog sit as you walk out first. This establishes your new initiative: "I'm taking the lead."  When your dog begins to walk ahead and/or pulls, stop dead in your tracks. No need to correct your dog. Just wait. After a few seconds or even minutes, if he doesn't return to your side, call him there and give a gentle tug on the leash. Indicate what you want.


Repeat this process for your entire walk. Fido will eventually realize you don't intend to walk until and unless he is beside you. No corrections, no scolding, no pain. This is results oriented training and believe me, your dog will get the message quickly if you maintain this program without changing gears.


Continue this for as long as it takes to get the message across. Many dogs respond nearly immediately but regress with each new walk, until you go through the drill quite a few times. Soon it will become habit and you'll rarely have issues.


Other dogs may require a month of walks before they finally get the picture. You'll get a light bulb moment one day and suddenly your sled dog will become a walking companion. What a joy that day will be. Mark it on your calendar and celebrate it each year :)


Preparing for test day: Be sure that you take a nice long walk before the test--long enough to adequately diminish Fido's energy level. A less energetic pup will be more likely to perform this skill as required, walking beside or slightly behind you without pulling. When you and your dog finally reach this agreeable walking arrangement, you will both find more pleasure in this time together. Relish it for the bonding that it is.


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

CGC Test Two: Weekly Wag #26

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Oliver May Enjoy this Greeting
But it's Not Allowed on Test Two

Last week we began this series on preparing for the Canine Good Citizen exam with a few things that may be helpful with Test One. Well, let me tell you, Test Two seems so similar that many are baffled. I have to admit I was one of them.


Now that I've been through this exam with three different trainers/testers and seen the  variations in execution, I have a different perspective. First, let's talk about the test. Test Two requires your dog to sit politely for a petting. Sounds simple, right? Not so much when it came to my dogs, Tanner and Oliver. Their little butts popped off the floor the minute they realized that a human was coming to greet them. Xena was fortunate to have the calmness that comes with being 13, so she was successful when at 2 or 3 she, too, would have struggled with this test.


Some of the CGC administrators will ask the greeter to pet your dog under the chin, as opposed to leaning over your dog and patting it on the head. For many Fidos, this is an important step in getting the desired result. Don't hesitate to ask for this, if your dog is noticeably more comfortable with a neck rub than a head pat; he's not alone.


It may seem odd, but I've now realized that highly socialized dogs have a tougher time with this test than those that are a bit more aloof. Who knew?!! 


If your pooch is not one to mingle with the humans, seeking a belly rub or offering a face wash, then you are among the lucky on test day. As long as your pup is willing to allow a gentle pet without much reaction beyond pleasure (no moving away, no barking, jumping or mouthing) you're more likely to cruise through this test successfully.


Those of you with friendlier dogs may have more challenges. Tanner and Oliver, both young when they tested, found extreme difficulty in keeping their fannies on the ground and their excitement contained. This is where we had to go back to the closest pet store and camp out for more practice in calm greetings. See last week's notes on this strategy.


The other method that helped was to ask the person assigned to greet and pet my dog to avoid eye contact and approach slowly, calmly, and nonchalantly, as opposed to a well-targeted 'walk right up' to my dogs. Somehow catching them off-guard meant I got a little less reaction out of them both. You'd think they were twins from my descriptions, but they are as different as can be.


While practicing at the entrance to our PetSmart I discovered that asking a store visitor for a calm approach helped us get more success, allowing me to reward and praise my dogs for a job well done. They needed that success to begin to connect with what I was trying to accomplish. What else? More practice!


Next week we'll discuss Test Three, which relates to appearance and grooming. Be prepared to learn some new ways to get your Fido ready for a hands on test. See you next week, and remember, keep your practice light and fun. You'll be building a better bond all the way up to test day.


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping! 

Weekly Wag # 25: CGC Test Number One Tips

by Carrie Boyko, CEB


Note: Test Two located here

© Mika via Flickr.com
Your Goal: No Reaction

Test #1 is "Accepting a friendly stranger". The best way to practice for this very tough behavior is to get your dog out in public frequently. Camp out at the entrance to your local pet superstore and you'll have plenty of opportunity for practice.


Here's the drill. Fido will have to allow a total stranger to approach you and speak with you in a casual way. He may not bark, jump, show extreme excitement, hide behind you or show fear in other ways. In other words, he has to stay put and shut up.


This one reminds me of that awful rule I had to abide by while a child out to dinner with my family: "Children must be seen and not heard."  Your dog may feel the same way.


For friendly dogs and puppies, this is one of the toughest parts of the test. Although it may seem unreasonable, in order to get a CGC certification, your dog will need to acquire the ability to remain calm in all situations, including social ones that may otherwise bring out his exuberance.


Tanner and Oliver, both intensely social dogs, each struggled with this practice. We spent hours greeting people as they entered a pet superstore, and I learned much about the type of person that appeals to each of my dogs. This is one of those learning experiences that does not have a shortcut. The more you practice, the more you will understand how to help your dog manage this calm distance he must project while you chat with a stranger.


Training treats when proper behavior is accomplished, along with calmly praising your dog will help him understand the target behavior. Practice cannot be overdone. Bring a chair and meet your neighborhood!



Happy tails,


Please note that our Weekly Wag's quarterly drawing will occur on July 1. Entries are made by comment about your Weekly Wag experiences at the inaugural post. You will find it easily by clicking on the Weekly Wag button. Good luck!

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!