How to Make Training Successful

• Remember that dogs do what works!  If your dog's actions get her something she enjoys, she will continue to do those actions, whether YOU like them or not! 
• Try to set your dog up to be successful in acting the way you want her to act.  Catch her doing something you like!  Always be prepared to reward behavior that you like.  The more you reward it, the more it will happen!
• Dogs react to our thoughts and emotions.  Think positive and happy thoughts!  Instead of focusing on what your dog does that you don't like, focus on all the great things she does that you do like! 
• Schedule training sessions before you feed your dog.  Better yet, use some of her meal as training rewards!  A dog that is waiting to eat will be more motivated than one that has just eaten her entire meal.
• If you run into trouble - stop!  Do not dig yourself into a big hole or get angry with your dog.  Think about what went wrong and how to do it better next time.  Take a break.
• Manage your dog's environment to minimize behaviors you don't want.  Do not leave the chicken on the table and leave the room - unless you want the dog to eat the chicken, or you take the dog with you! 
• Reduce stress!  Dogs and humans do not learn very well if they are stressed.  If you or your dog is stressed, stop training and try again later. 
• Always reward your dog for paying attention to you!  If your dog's attention is on you, she will be less distracted by other things in her environment and can learn easier.
• "Accept the dog you have, not the one you wish you had!"  ~Leslie Nelson.  I love this quote.  All dogs are different, just like all people are different.  Learn to enjoy what makes your dog unique.  We all have strengths and weaknesses.  Learn to expand on your dog's strengths and learn to work to minimize her weaknesses. 

How to Find Time to Train Your Dog

Wow, so it’s National Train Your Dog Month, but how do you find the time to train your dog when you have so many other commitments that have to get done every day?  Often, we even feel like we need more hours at the end of the day to fit in all the stuff we didn’t get done.

Here are some tips to help you train your dog to do or to stop doing all of those things that you wish you had time to teach her – when you don’t have any extra time!

 

Keep small containers with lids stashed all around your house in the places that you spend time – at your computer, near the door, in the kitchen, next to the bed, on the end table next to the couch, in the bathroom (yes, we know your dog follows you in there too!).  Yogurt or cream cheese containers work well for this.  Fill the containers with a mixture of your dog’s regular food and high value treats that are cut up into the size of a pea. 

Any time you notice your dog doing something you like, say “yes” enthusiastically, and quickly grab a container to give her one treat.  Then put the container back.  At first your dog will probably stand and stare at you afterwards, waiting for another snack.  But you don’t have time to train her right now, so go back to what you were doing.  Soon you may notice her doing something else that you like – “yes” and treat.  By having the treats close by, you can reward behaviors you like quickly without leaving what you were doing. 

 

This same principle works with deaf and b/d dogs, you will just use their "yes" signal, either visual or tactile, and then immediately give the treat.  With a dog that will notice you moving to reach for the treat, it's important that your "yes" comes while they are still doing the good behavior, before they come running to get the treat.  The "yes" should come during the behavior you like, as it serves as a marker to the dog about what exactly you liked. 

 

We often notice our dogs doing things that we don’t like, but when they are doing things we do like, we often ignore them because we are busy doing other things.  So, our dogs learn that if they want attention, they should do things we don’t like – that’s not really what we want them to learn, is it?  So, when your dog is quietly chewing her bone, “yes” and treat.  If she is lying quietly at your feet, “yes” and treat. 

Right after you treat, though, go back to what you were doing before.  That will help you get done what you need to get done, but it will also signal to your dog to go back to doing something wonderful because it might possibly earn her another treat. 

 

If your dog is only doing things that you don’t like, choose one behavior at a time to concentrate on.  Whenever you see her doing something (anything) other than that behavior, “yes” and treat.  For example, if your dog barks at the window a lot, any time you notice her look away from the window, scratch an itch, go get a drink of water, grab a toy, or stop barking – all of those deserve a “yes” and treat.  If you can catch her doing other things to reward a lot, you will start to notice the barking at the window will happen less and less and the behaviors you are rewarding will happen more and more!

 

Another way you can find time to train your dog is by using life rewards.  This means that you will use the things that your dog wants in life to reward behavior that you life.  Our dogs all need to be fed, to go for a walk or playtime, and to go outside for business trips every day.  Use these times to expect a behavior from your dog that you like. 

 

If you mindlessly open the door to let your dog out when she is pestering you, you are rewarding her for pestering you by giving her what she wants – you to open the door – and so her behavior of pestering you will continue.  If instead, you open the door when she is doing a behavior that you like, you will be rewarding that behavior instead, and she will start to do it more and more. 

The best way to get your dog to do behaviors that you like is to reward her when she is doing them on her own.  If it’s close to time for her to go outside, and you notice her chewing her bone, say “let’s go outside” and quickly go to the door to let her out.  If it’s her mealtime and she is spinning and barking in the kitchen, go sit down on the sofa and wait until you see a behavior that is calmer and quieter (you probably won’t get her to be completely calm – after all, her dinner is there!)  Then go feed her. 

 

You get the idea.  Your dog needs these things in her life every day.  There is no getting around it – that’s part of living with a dog.  But you can use those things she wants to reward behavior that you like, or that you don’t like.  It’s your choice.  And it doesn’t really take any extra time from your day. 

Reasons to Train Your B/D Dog

 

10 (Plus) Reasons to train your b/d dog

1.      Training will improve your communication with your dog.  Not only will you learn to communicate to her what you want to tell her, but you will learn to better read her body language so you can tell what she is trying to tell you.

2.      Training will help you develop a partnership with your dog.  Living with and training a dog is not a dictatorship in which you tell the dog what to do and she must always obey without question.  It’s about a partnership where you both adapt according to what the other one is communicating, the environment, and the situation.  You can’t learn that unless you spend time working with your dog.

3.      Training exercises are great enrichment for your dog!  She will look forward to learning new things and being able to problem-solve, and of course, there is Treasure’s favorite part – the goodies!  The more your dog uses her brain, the smarter she will become!

4.      Spending time with and training your dog is just plain FUN!

5.      Good manners are important for allowing dogs and people to live together safely and comfortably.  Things like being able to be groomed and examined by the veterinarian need to be taught to your dog.

6.      Trained dogs are welcome to accompany you more places, such as hotels, camping, at parks, baseball games, and family reunions.  Even a few basic skills such as walking politely on a leash, sitting when asked, coming when called, and greeting people without jumping, can go a long way toward making your dog more welcome.

7.      Teaching your dog tricks is fun, and a great way to show off how smart she is to all your friends! 

8.      By training your b/d dog, you can begin to educate others about what they are capable of achieving.  Once trained you dog can be an ambassador to help other b/d dogs in need of adoption.

9.      Trained dogs can participate in organized dog activities such as k9 nosework, therapy work, CGC evaluations, dog scouts, and more! 

10.  Training your dog and spending time with her in any way is a great way to strengthen the bond you have with her.  Dogs are social animals and enjoy spending time with us.  But when that time is actually spent with you paying focused attention to her, you will find that your relationship with her will grow even more than you thought possible.

11.  Because it’s January – National Train Your Dog Month! 

Happy 2014!

Hi, it’s me, Treasure, again!  Happy January 2014!!  My Mom says it is a new year that is going to be the best one yet!  She’s been working very hard on a surprise for this month – which is National Train Your Dog Month, by the way!  I guess you can understand that it is one of my Mom’s favorite months, since she loves to teach all dogs and their people. 

One of the things Mom is good at is teaching blind and deaf dogs, like me.  She loves to teach me all kinds of new stuff, and I love to learn it and eat all the cookies that come with it!  I’m very excited that she has her surprise finally finished to share with you!  

Ok, I guess I’ve kept you in suspense long enough … Introducing!!  My Mom’s newest book, which is all about teaching blind and deaf dogs like me!  It’s called Through A Dark Silence: Loving and Living with Your Blind and Deaf Dog.  She decided to make this one an e-book, since she says most people read on their electronic devices nowadays.  But she said that also means you can get the book faster and start reading it sooner! 

It’s got some really good information in it about double merles, like me, but it’s also meant to help any dog that can’t see or hear the right way.  You’ll learn all about how my Mom communicates with me and trains me, as well as lots of tips for making living with a blind and deaf dog safer and easier.  And, you’ll see a lot of pictures of me (and my friends too)!

Anyone can benefit from reading this book.  My Mom has trainer friends that ask her questions about how to help people train their blind and deaf dogs.  And rescues and foster homes ask her too.  Of course, anyone who is getting ready to adopt one of us special dogs needs to read this book to get ready!  But even people whose dogs can see and hear now, may one day notice that their dogs are losing their sight and hearing, like my dog sister Shelby.  They might learn some tips to help their dog adjust faster to the changes. 

I hope you enjoy my Mom’s book and that you spread the word to anyone who loves and helps blind and deaf dogs like me!  Mom says this is the first book about training blind and deaf dogs, and she hopes it can educate people about so many things – double merles and why to be careful when breeding, that special dogs are capable of so many things and make great family members, fun games to play with blind and deaf dogs, and so much more … Maybe Mom can change the world for one blind and deaf dog at a time – with one book at a time! 
 

Let’s make this the best year yet for blind and deaf dogs!  To get my Mom’s book, click here

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HMBOZE2 

New Year's Eve!

Hi all, Treasure here!  My Mom has a new idea for blogging in 2014.  She says that each month has a theme assigned to it, and some months have many themes!  And then there are some special days mixed in there, like my favorite, National Specially-abled Pets Day! 

Mom wants to blog each month about the special theme and the special days, in addition to just our regular updates and pictures that we post.  So, stay tuned for some pretty neat stuff this year!  She and I have already met to begin planning our January blogs, and there are some great posts coming, as well as a really GREAT surprise! 

Happy New Year to all our friends and readers out there!  Celebrate safely, and I hope all your New Year’s dreams come true! 

Happy Christmas - Paying It Forward

Some of you may know that Treasure is the official spokes-dog for Fluffy's Blankets.  Fluffy's is an organization that was started when a wonderful woman gifted a woman and her dog in need with a warm blanket and a care package.  It's tradition continues.  Volunteers make and gift warm blankets and care packages for animals and their people in need.  The blankets may be given to an animal battling chronic illness, to animals in rescues or shelters, to animals and their people facing major surgeries, or wherever there is a need. 

 

Recently, the organization also began giving Rainbow Bags to area veterinarians.  If you have ever had to euthanize a pet, you know the heartbreak of leaving the office afterwards.  Rainbow Bags provide a small bit of healing to people as they leave the veterinarian's office. 

 

And, sometimes, the spirit of Fluffy's branches out to include those without an animal of their own.  Treasure has been known to gift a warm Fluffy's Blanket to a special resident at the assisted living facility where she does therapy visits.  One recipient told me that she was sleeping better than she had in years when she was wrapped in Treasure's blanket.

 

And, so, this year, Treasure continues to pay the spirit of Christmas forward.  We are far from our friends this holiday season, but making and gifting Fluffy's Blankets has helped us to keep them close in our hearts. 

 

 

As is her practice, Treasure closely supervised the making of each blanket that we made here, and she blessed each one before it was gifted.  This year, we gave 12 blankets and two beds to the humane society where I am volunteering.  The dogs and cats loved their new blankets and beds and wasted no time in breaking them in! 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our blog friends!!  I hope you each had the chance to make this season a little brighter for someone else!  Pay it forward!! 

Ways to keep your b/d dog (or any dog!) happy when it’s too cold to go outside!

This week has been bitter cold, well below the freezing mark, and the dogs and I do not want to be outside. But that means only quick trips outside to potty, and not a lot of walking or running exercise. We are all going a bit stir crazy! What to do? Here are some of the things we’ve been doing this week to burn off some energy and keep the dogs content.

Will work for food – when I feed the dogs out of bowls, they are finished eating in about a minute, and then they wander around smelling all the other bowls and looking for more food! If I feed them more food, they will gain weight, which is not healthy for them, and I don’t think they are really still hungry. But they are looking for something exciting to do, and eating is an exciting part of their day. 

So, my dogs work for their food. Actually, it’s more like playing for their food! They have a great time and they get even more excited to play with their food than to eat it from bowls. Making eating into a game means that it takes longer for the dog to eat the same amount of food that they normally eat, plus, they get to move their bodies around and use their brains - all things that are important for their health and our sanity!

We’ve posted about the muffin tin game before. I love this one! Use an old muffin tin (you can find them at thrift stores) and sprinkle your dog’s food among the muffin cups. Then take your dog’s toys and place them on top of each cup to hide the food. I like to use different sized toys, so some can be bumped off easily, while others will roll inside the cup and my dog has to lick the food from around the edges. Then, let your dog figure out how to get all his food from the pan. With some more exuberant dogs, you may need to hold the edge of the pan so she doesn’t just flip it over and then gobble up all the food from the floor! 

 

 

With a b/d dog especially, you can create trails with her meal. Lay the food pieces out in a trail along the floor, using turns and circles to make it interesting. Start her at one end of the trail, and let her follow her nose! This can be played on a kitchen floor so it’s easy to clean up the floor afterwards. If you want to challenge your dog even further, you can lay the trail across different surfaces or under a chair. Just be sure whatever you use will be safe for your dog and she won’t get hurt or scared.

Food toys and puzzles are the best! There are so many different kinds out there now. I have many different types and I rotate them, so my dogs rarely get the same one in the same week. These are good for feeding your dog her meals, but you can also put a little snack inside in the middle of the day to keep your dog occupied for a bit. Sometimes I use just the regular food, but sometimes I toss in an extra special goodie.  

 

 

Keeping food toys already stuffed and in the freezer can be a great indoor day saver! When your dog is getting stir crazy, grab a frozen Kong or other toy from the freezer to keep her content and allow you to get things done. I mix my dog’s regular dog food with some canned food to make it mushy. Then I stuff the Kongs full of the mixture (I recommend doing this step in the sink!) and pack it in tightly. Wrap the Kongs in a plastic bag and place in the freezer.  

Freezing the Kongs means the dogs need to work even harder and longer to get all the food out. They stay busy chewing and licking for a long time. Usually, dogs will sleep after having a good long chew, so when they are finished, they are usually content to relax quietly for the rest of the afternoon.  

Learning new tricks is always fun for me and the dogs. Treasure is learning some new tricks that not only make her think in new ways, but also require her to use her body in new ways. So she is building muscle and getting in shape while we have fun together!  

After you’ve exercised your dog’s mind for a bit, it’s time to curl up and spend some quiet time together! After all, what good is a nice warm puppy on a cold day, unless you are snuggled up together? Soft petting, massage, Healing Touch for Animals®, and TTouch® can all be wonderful ways to connect with your dog and promote relaxation and health, for both you and your dog.

And, with any luck, it will be sunny and warm enough tomorrow to go out and enjoy the walking and running exercise that is so important to us and our dogs! Happy Winter! Woof!