LIVING
IN HARMONY WITH DOGS
People usually ask for help from dog trainers because there is something about their dog's behavior
that they would like to change. They ask "How can I stop my dog from..?" or "How can I train my dog to..?" Those questions
are valid ones, but training is only part of the answer. Living in harmony with dogs involves more than just training specific
behaviors. There are three concepts to keep in mind when you are looking to change your dog's behavior;
MANAGEMENT
TRAINING
LEADERSHIP
Most of the time you will use more than one of these concepts to get your dog to do what you'd like. Visualize
the concepts as three circles of influence, which at times may overlap.
MANAGEMENT
Management basically means controlling the environment to limit opportunities for
your dog to get into trouble. Management involves doing things such as; using crates to prevent destructive behavior,
providing plenty of appropriate chew toys, using fencing to keep your dog contained outdoors, and barriers and/or gating to
limit access to portions of your home. Management tools are sometimes just a short term "fix" until you teach your dog appropriate
behaviors. Other management tools may be used throughout your dog's lifetime.
TRAINING
Training consists of teaching your dog the behaviors that you like. Dogs don't understand the concepts of
right and wrong. They are opportunists. Dogs do whatever works to get them what they want or need. By teaching and rewarding
the behaviors that you like, your dog will quickly learn which behaviors "pay off". Because those behaviors are being rewarded,
they will happen more often. Since your dog will be spending more time on those "good" behaviors, he will have less time to
practice the "yuckky" ones. With repetition, the good behaviors will become habit.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership consists of interacting with your dog in a way that shows him that you are in charge
of the household. Some trainers call this the "No Free Lunch" principle. Your dog needs to understand that there are household
rules and that.he should be expected to follow them. When your dog comes to you and repeatedly nudges you hand for attention,
he should be asked to sit or lie down before being petted and should be expected to sit before being fed or allowed to go
outdoors. If your dog chooses not to cooperate, don't give him access to what he is asking for. Don't worry, this doesn't
mean that you aren't allowed to be kind to your dog or show him affection. It just means your dog is not allowed
to be rude or demanding.
Whenever you'd like to change your dog's behavior, it's wise to think about all three concepts. Decide
on the behavior you would like to see. Next, make a plan. Consider how you can use each of the three concepts to achieve that
behavior.
SOME EXAMPLES
Desired behavior # 1:
DOG WLL STAND OR SIT NEAR COUNTERTOP INSTEAD OF JUMPING UP TO SNATCH FOOD.
How to get the behavior:
MANAGEMENT: Limit access to countertops by using barriers, leashes, etc, so that your dog can not get to
those areas when you aren't there to supervise his behavior.
TRAINING: Teach your dog to sit or stand calmly near countertops. Teach your dog to "leave it". Reward
desired behaviors of sitting or standing near countertops when spontaneously offered by your dog.
LEADERSHIP: Expect that your dog will move away from the counter area when asked to do so. If he doesn't
willingly move away when requested, calmly remove him from the area.
Desired behavior #2: DOG WILL GREET PEOPLE POLITELY
How to get the behavior:
MANAGEMENT: Put your dog in another room or his crate when visitors come to your home OR before you open
the door for your visitors, put a leash on your dog, step on the leash to prevent him from jumping up.
TRAINING: Teach your dog the default behavior of "sit" for all interactions with people AND/OR teach your
dog to go to a specific place and lie down when visitors come to your home.
LEADERSHIP/RELATIONSHIP: Your dog should comply with your request to go to his "place" when asked
to do so. If he chooses not to comply, he loses the privilege of access to visitors.
In some cases you may choose not to invest the time and energy involved in "training out" an undesirable
behavior, and may decide to focus on managing your dog's environment. For example, if you have a dog that likes to snatch
items out of wastebaskets, good management would involve placing waste containers out of reach, or using ones with dog-proof
lids. That alone may be enough to stop the behavior.
In other instances, it might be necessary to use all three areas of influence to get the desired behavior.
