“Come” is probably the most difficult of all commands to teach a dog. Many of us expect a dog to understand the command with little or no training. Some of us use the “come” word for almost anything – get in the car, get out of the car, eat dinner, walk with me, to leave something, and so on. We understand the ambiguousness of the word, but dogs don’t. So for them, it becomes this convoluted word.
I don’t usually write much about equipment for dogs because I have always believed that equipment should be discussed and recommended for the individual dog. However I just spent a week with my colleagues at the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors Annual conference and had a few eye-openers and reinforcements for feelings I have had about some equipment. I am not a veterinarian, but I am confronted with harnesses on a daily basis. The conference did address the use of harnesses and collars with relationship to behavior. Behavior IS something I deal with everyday.
Many dogs are very uncomfortable with someone touching their collar. That space around the neck is very sensitive to dogs. It comes from a dog’s natural fear of another dog grabbing their neck in a fight. The neck bite can be lethal for a dog. This is how wolves eventually kill their prey. In our human society, a dog really needs to accept having his collar or harness touched or grabbed in the case of an emergency.
Cloud is now almost 11 weeks old. He is the last puppy from my litter and will continue to stay with me and learn until he goes to his new home. We have worked on house training by using a marker method and food to let him know that going outside is what I want. He has also learned that sitting by the door is how I open it. Now, when he has to go, he immediately goes and sits by the door!
Cloud has been cruising right along learning all kinds of things including imprinting of behaviors I want to see the rest of his life. I have until he is 16 weeks old to teach him those vital things. Who he will be is a combination of genetics and experiences. Essential to having many talents, I give him many experiences using his nose, exposure to the training wheelchair, crutches and walker so unusual things in life do not startle him.
Cloud has been going new places almost every day and meeting someone new every day. Even though Cloud is not staying with me, I am preparing him for his new home. Socialization is so important, especially for a German Shepherd. This CONTROLLED socialization must occur very young, and hopefully before a puppy reaches 16 weeks of age. It should be with people and other friendly, adult dogs. All of these interactions happen on a loose leash. I always have him sit before he gets to play with other dogs and when greeting people.
Cloud has learned his basic manners. He has not jumped on anyone because I began early training with all the litter the minute jumping started. I will not pet him or give him any reward for jumping up, EVER. He sits politely to go in or out a door including his crate. He has also stopped running through my legs. He almost tripped me many times. Imagine what would have happened had I allowed that behavior and he weighed 65 pounds! He would have knocked me over! I stopped the running between my legs by just gently squeezing my legs together so he couldn’t pass through.
Cloud has been cruising right along learning all kinds of things including imprinting of behaviors I want to see the rest of his life. I have until he is 16 weeks old to teach him those vital things. Who he will be is a combination of genetics and experiences. Essential to having many talents, I give him many experiences using his nose, exposure to the training wheelchair, crutches and walker so unusual things in life do not startle him.
It’s winter. Yes, there are dogs that have extremely short coats that will, indeed, get cold. In all fairness, these dogs should be wearing a coat to keep them from getting frostbite. This morning, as I write this it was 10 F in Hailey, with a wind chill of -140F. Any dog left out for very long at this temperature, is in danger of frostbite or hypothermia. My personal rule for my dogs is if the temperature is below 150F they don’t get to be outside to play longer than 15 minutes. It’s my 15/15 rule.
I recently saw a book by a very famous dog trainer on television and she is posing on the front of her book in stiletto high heels and a very cute blouse and scarf. She looked fabulous! But, apparently, she had never had a dog of her own until she finally got a Labrador! Now, I must say, I am not a book cover type of dog trainer/instructor.
Now back to work part time. Please call to schedule.
