ASK THE DOG TRAINER: Tackling Toy Breed Barking with the Basics

(c) photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2010

Joan, Jacque and Oliver

Enjoy a Quiet Moment

Dear Judy:

I have an adorable Papillon, Jacque, that I love dearly. My daughter, the author of this blog, helped me adopt him, after I fell in love with her little Oliver.

Jacque is a delightful house companion and is extremely friendly with humans and dogs alike. We visit the dog park regularly and he enjoys running and playing with the other dogs.

While I have a few small issues with Jacque, the main problem is that Jacque has a shrill bark and he knows how to use it! I have tried a few methods for curbing his barking, but have been unsuccessful. 


I should tell you that Jacque's barking is primarily a problem when he has a barrier between him and the object of his excitement. When he is allowed to run up to the person or dog to greet them, his barking ceases. He rarely barks in the dog park. Can you help us?

Sincerely, Joan

---------------------------------

Dear Joan:

Owning a Toy Breed has its own challenges, and training is one of the biggest.  These pint-sized puppies are so small and fuzzy you can’t resist their cute little faces with baby soft brown eyes.   You pick him up and carry him around and laugh at his puppy antics, (barking at the big dogs, jumping on everyone’s lap).   Some small dog owners don’t train their pups enough when young, and may later have several behavior problems that seem impossible to cure. common among these is excessive barking, pulling on the leash, jumping up on everybody, running away when called, and the worst--growling and snapping. You are fortunate not to be experiencing this, as it can be common among toy breeds who lack leadership.  

You may be frustrated, but rest assured, all is not lost.  Providing him with options, and teaching him self control will help bring him under control.

Sit and Stay are two key obedience commands that will allow you to control your dog’s behavior long into the future.  By ‘sit’, I don’t mean the sassy, mini-sit where his little butt pops up off the floor as he sits, and stands again in one smooth bounce.  Cute yes, but don’t reward it or that’s the only kind of sit you’ll ever get from him.  I am referring to the ‘sit’ that will keep him seated wherever and whenever you determine.

As you begin training, to prevent him from escaping and to show him you’re serious in your expectations, practice with him on leash until he learns the commands.  Practice at least 3 times every day for 5 to 10 minutes each time.  Have him sit with his butt on the ground for at least 3 seconds before releasing his treat or toy.  Gradually build up to 10 seconds.  

Once you have the 10 seconds of ‘sit’, add the new command ‘stay’.  He must stay in place for at least the 10 seconds, building up to a long distance stay over a period of weeks.  For now, build up to 30 seconds of stay.  Once he masters sit and stay, add distractions such as someone repeatedly ringing your door bell or walking back and forth with a dog on the other side of a fence.  Again, keep him on leash during the first distraction sessions to keep him from escaping until he responds to the commands reliably.  Gradually add more distractions.  

You can hire a professional dog trainer if you prefer one-on-one guidance, or need special training assistance.  Without doubt, the difference between a trained dog and a well behaved dog is the time and consistency its owner put into conditioning his behavior. Keep practicing and you will see results.

Judy

ASK THE DOG TRAINER Columnist

Judith Joseph, D.O.I.

Write to her at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com

For more information on Judith Joseph and her training, you may find her at TCDOA Dog Training. A personal appointment will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

Also, Check out my latest guest posts at:

Dog Care Journey

Socializing Your Puppy or Dog: It's Never too Late
Dog Park USA
Child Safety at the Dog Park

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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Lupine Leads Awards Dog Adoption Story Prize to Toy Poodle Owner

RESCUING ROVER, 1st edition

by Elizabeth Glavin

(c) E. Glavin, all rights reserved

Meet Cocoa-Latte

Meet my toy poodle, Cocoa-Latte. My mom and I adopted Cocoa after babysitting her over a long weekend for our neighbors. Our neighbors had two dogs and Cocoa had this cute way of jumping in your face and she just begged for attention. It was obvious she wanted to be rescued by us! Well, we were right! Two weeks later, my mom and I spent the whole day shopping for our dog that would be arriving late that night. We got her a pink bed, pink shirts, pink collars, toys; you name it- we bought it! Little did I know that this would be one of the last fun outings with my mom.

A few months later my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer. Me being in a college dorm room, and my mom being on chemo, we weren’t really in shape to take care of a puppy. Needless to say, Cocoa went to live with my grandparents. We knew the outcome was not good, but I would still drive 60 miles each way to bring Cocoa to see my dying mother- it truly brought a smile to her face! When my mom passed, her husband let me have one thing of hers--Cocoa. Normally one would be upset that I didn’t get her expensive purses, lavish jewelry (Did I mention she had a 6 carat engagement ring?), or meaningful pictures, but I was thrilled to just have Cocoa.

When people ask me why I love my dog so much, I just reply that Cocoa was my mother’s. I even think my mom loved Cocoa more than she loved her only daughter! I take extra special care of Cocoa because I know that’s what my mom would want. She gets her special organic dog food, plenty of exercise (got to love those dog parks and early morning walks!), and goes to the groomers monthly. I love my little poodle to the moon and back!

(c) photos courtesy of E. Glavin

-----------------------------------------------------------------

For toy poodle adoptions available in your area, visit Adopt-a-Pet's Poodle locater page for information and search functions that will help you locate just the right poodle for you. You can also use this widget to find an available poodle in your area:

Congratulations, Elizabeth, for winning our contest and becoming the first guest writer in our RESCUING ROVER reader column. Elizabeth and Cocoa have won a matching collar, leash and key chain set provided by Lupine Leads for our contest. 


Thanks, Lupine! We love your support, and so do our readers. Let's make it easy for them to show it. Click on your favorite and you can buy it right here, right now, in your pup's size:

 

Want to Write for RESCUING ROVER?

I invite you, my readers, to sharpen your pencil and herd up your computer and pictures to join Elizabeth and Cocoa. For more information, v

isit my earlier post, Rescuing Rover: Your Column for Rescue and Adoption Stories. We're all waiting to hear the amazing story of your canine family. Do it now!

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© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

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ASK THE DOG TRAINER: Help with Walking a Delicate Toy Dog

by Judith Joseph

(c) owner's photo copyright on file, all rights reserved
Help for Smudge's Pulling
is on the Way:

Dear Judy:

I have recently adopted an abandoned Papillon, Smudge, who was rescued from a lake and turned in to Little Dog Rescue. I don't believe he knew how to walk on a leash when I got him, so it has been a challenge. He has tripped me already. I fell and hurt my hand, which I need for my work every day. I was trying to use a Gentle Leader, but the smallest size does not fit his face.

When I wrote to Carrie, she suggested I get your help. She pointed out that a Papillon's bone structure is very delicate, and many experts suggest harnesses rather than collars or the Gentle Leader to protect them from injury--particularly to their necks. Apparently, they are prone to collapsed tracheas, so walking a high-spirited Pap on a leash means that corrections may be dangerous during the training phase.

Carrie was careful to tell me that her Pap's original trainer had been against the idea of a harness during beginner training, but she continued because of her vet's insistence. She was able to train Oliver to walk nicely on a harness, and he responds to corrections without injury.

Smudge is getting better, but when he sees a squirrel, boy does he go crazy. I am walking him with a leash and collar now; sometimes I use his bra harness. He chewed it the other day, so now I'm afraid it will rip when he goes bonkers over the squirrels. Can you help me with some good strategies to get this boy in line.

Thanks, Patti

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Patti:


Owning a Toy Breed has its own challenges, and training is one of the biggest.  These pint-sized puppies are so small and fuzzy you can’t resist their cute little faces with baby soft brown eyes.   You pick him up and carry him around and laugh at his puppy antics, (barking at the big dogs, jumping on everyone’s lap).   

Some small dog owners don’t train their pups when young, and may now have behavior problems that seem impossible to cure such as excessive barking, pulling on the leash, jumping up on everybody, running away when called, or growling and snapping at you.  You may be frustrated, but rest assured, all is not lost.  Providing him with options, and teaching him self control will help bring him under control.

Sit and Stay, two obedience commands that will allow you to control your dog’s behavior long into the future.  By ‘sit’, I don’t mean the sassy mini-sit where his little butt pops up off the floor as he sits and stands again in one smooth bounce.  Cute yes, but don’t reward it or that’s the only kind of sit you’ll ever get from him.  I am referring to the ‘sit’ that will keep him seated wherever and whenever you determine.

As you begin training, prevent him from escaping and show him you’re serious in your expectations by practicing with him on leash until he learns the commands.  Practice at least 3 times every day for 5 to 10 minutes each time.  Have him sit with his butt on the ground for at least 3 seconds before releasing his treat or toy. 

Gradually build up to 10 seconds.  Once you have the 10 seconds of ‘sit’, add the new command ‘stay’.  He must stay in place for at least the 10 seconds, building up to a long distance stay over a period of weeks.  For now, build up to 30 seconds of stay.  Once he masters sit and stay, add distractions such as someone repeatedly ringing your door bell or walking back and forth with a dog on the other side of a fence.  Again, keep him on leash during the first distraction sessions to keep him from escaping until he responds to the commands reliably.  Gradually add more distractions.  You can hire a professional dog trainer if you prefer one-on-one guidance or need special training assistance.  Without doubt, the difference between a trained dog and a well behaved dog is the time and consistency its owner put into conditioning his behavior.


Good luck,


Judy
ASK THE DOG TRAINER Columnist

Judith Joseph, DOI
Write me at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com
For more information on Judith Joseph and her training, you may find her at TCDOA Dog Training. A personal appointment will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

Visit Adopt a Dog Park

Help protect our precious dog parks

© Carrie Boyko, all rights reserved

Double Love: Toy Rescues Make for a Nice Family

Find me on Facebook    Follow me on Twitter    Write to Dr. Jacki, ASK THE VET

ASK THE TRAINER at All Things Dog Blog

Photo courtesy of owner on file, all rights reserved

Meet Sully

I'm thrilled to report that All Things Dog Blog is humming along quite nicely. Your letters of all sorts are so inspiring to me, that I want to share them all. Today's showcase is a toy pair each adopted separately by a groomer in Orlando. Her generosity to open her home to two lost little ones really tugged at my heart.

Sully was her first rescue, adopted from a neighbor who was unable to keep him because of long hours at work. The neighbor's two dogs barked all day and animal control was at her house twice about complaints. When our reader stepped in to help find him a home--he was 5 months old at the time--she knew he needed quite a bit of training for barking, peeing, etc.  After one afternoon of him being at her home, she decided to keep him herself and give him her own love. She reports that he has turned into the sweetest, best dispositioned little guy.

Sully was not destined to be an 'only dog' for long. Recently this same reader adopted another toy pup who came to her in quite a different set of circumstances. Read on...

(c) reader photo copyrighted, all rights reserved

Smudge was Abandoned

Florida Little Dog Rescue brings their rescued dogs to All Creatures Pet Grooming, when they are picked up from the pound. 


One of the foster moms' brother saw a couple arguing at a lake by his house, and then witnessed the dog thrown into the lake, after which the people drove away.  He fished him out with his pool net and gave the little pup to Little Dog Rescue.  Thank goodness for caring people like this man, who knew Smudge would end up as gator bait, if left in the lake to fend for himself.


Our reader asked about the Papillon and the foster mom brought him to see her that day. It must have been love at first sight; he came home with her that very day.  A bouncy, happy-go-lucky little guy, Smudge seems to have left the bad memories behind!


Do you have an adoption story to share, a photo that is special, or a unique dog activity that you'd like to tell our readers about? I'd love to hear from you. Shoot me an email at LetsAdoptaDogPark and I'll be glad to read your story.

Be sure to visit Adopt a Dog Park to learn

what you can do to help protect our precious dog parks.

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Pocket Pups....I Never Thought it Would Happen Here

© photo copyright Carrie Boyko 2008

Toni and Oliver are Off to Shop

I have a confession to make. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be the owner of a toy dog. I always envisioned me with a good sized athletic dog, one like Tanner who loves to gallop around the dog park, play fetch and swim like a fish.

When Toni adopted Oliver, I certainly had my concerns. I knew I could integrate him into our family. Xena and Tanner are quick-studies, and very accommodating of other pets in the house. After all, they were both raised with a cat and a rabbit. I didn't expect any problems, but on the same note, I did study up on how to properly manage a pack of mixed size dogs. Especially since the toy dog was the puppy, I wanted to be sure that no one would try to take the leadership job away from me. Suffice it to say I devoured the Dog Whisperer's books and videos for tips on keeping this little guy in line.

Do you find it odd that I was more worried about a 3 pound dog taking over the house than I was my 60 pound Golden Retriever? Maybe. But you have to know Tanner. He's generally quite a submissive dog.

Since he was the logical playmate for Oliver, I quickly taught Tanner the rules:

• Play in a down position.
• No paws; only snout.
• The toys and the food belong to the pack leader.

These simple guidelines worked to assure that we have no food aggression or toy aggression issues in our home. That said, I still remain diligent about keeping tabs on everyone. The good news is our pocket pup has integrated into our pack with a good nature and an affection for his whole family. Now we're just working on getting to "calm." I suppose it is in our future, just not tomorrow or next week.

Is there a toy dog in your future? Who knows; you may get a surprise like I did.