GOOD DOG: Training framework and basic equipment
In the previous issue of the Manor Park Chronicle, we considered the importance of behaviour and obedience training and proposed achievable goals for each. Attention was also given to essential leadership abilities and the importance of a strong human-dog bond. Interested readers can find earlier issues of the Good Dog column online at https://manorparkchronicle.com/.
In this column, we introduce readers to a training framework that strengthens your leadership and the human-dog bond, identify common practices to avoid, and discuss basic care, housing and training equipment.
Training Framework
Firm, Fair and Friendly: How is the best way to manage the four major training elements at play: obedience, behaviour, leadership and bond? Remember, strong leadership, above all, and a strong human-dog bond are essential ingredients to the success of your training program. The best approach, I believe, is one integrating the four elements noted above. My friend and dog-training mentor, Mike Ducross, puts it quite simply: “Your training methods must be firm, friendly and fair.” In practice, Mike says: train your dog on obedience and behaviour (firm); reward and praise solid effort and success (friendly); and insist on full compliance only when you are certain the dog has adopted the desired behaviour and/or learned the command (fair).
Communication: Human-dog communication is also of critical importance to your success as a leader. But trainers should not be under any illusion that understanding and communicating with your dog is easy. Fortunately for dog trainers, Stanley Coren’s book How to Speak Dog — Mastering the Art of Dog-Human Communication (Free Press, New York, 2000) explores this topic in detail, offering practical training guidance. For your dog to accept your leadership and want to please you, Coren advises that as pack leader your communication needs to establish you are dominant, and the dog is accepted as a pack member and can expect to enjoy a peaceful life. When we turn to the “how-to” of training (including applying the firm, friendly and fair principles noted above), human-dog communication techniques will be much in evidence.
Four Practices To Avoid
In your efforts to successfully train your dog, be aware of common “practices” that can weaken your status as leader, undermine the human-dog bond, undo your training, and even create a safety risk. Here are four very common “practices” trainers should avoid.
• Once you have taught your dog the command, do not repeat it expecting the dog to eventually comply. This simply teaches your dog to ignore you.
• In training your dog, don’t rely exclusively on treats. Your dog may understand your command but will ignore you if a treat is not in the offing. And even if a treat is available, dogs often become distracted and ignore the treat.
• Don’t pick up your dog when it halts and refuses to move, nor pick it up and attempt to calm barking and aggression when encountering another dog. In so doing, you inadvertently reward and reinforce undesirable behaviour.
• Finally, retractable leashes and harnesses (with one exception discussed below) serve no useful purpose for dog training. Neither allows the handler to properly control or correct and worse, they enable the dog to make the decisions.
Grooming, Housing And Training Equipment
Among the references I recommended in our opening column, two books are of note in regard to care, grooming, training and housing: Gwen Baily, The Perfect Puppy and Nona K. Bauer, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Golden Retrievers. In the upcoming “how-to” columns we will discuss training in greater detail, including the purpose and use of the tools and equipment discussed below.
Grooming and Treatment: Basic grooming and care are well within the ability of the average dog owner. With a few simple tools and a bit of knowledge, grooming, nail trimming, ear and eye cleaning, foot care, and teeth brushing are easy. Regular dog care contributes to good health in addition to ensuring your dog is easy to handle, groom and treat, something veterinarians and professional groomers appreciate.
The usual list of tools includes brushes, combs, blunt-nosed scissors, nail cutters, ear cleaning solutions, shampoo, doggy towels, food and water bowls. Your veterinarian can provide guidance on dog grooming and care and there is plenty of great information in the two books referenced above. But don’t make the mistake of trying to groom or treat your dog on the floor – you are at a considerable disadvantage. Most veterinarians and groomers rely on a waist-height table with a smooth metal surface. At home, I recommend a sturdy table, or if space does not permit, then a folding-leg aluminum work table, one with locking legs. Always help the dog on and off the table and never let them jump down on their own.
Housing and Transportation: You will need proper sized dog crates both for your home and for your vehicle. As a safe and comfortable haven, your dog should be able to stand, sit and comfortably lie down in the crate. Additionally, for puppy training and containing the antics of an adolescent dog, a portable folding wire pen is recommended. For safety reasons, specifically to avoid entanglement and choking, , ensure the dog’s collar does not have any dangling metal tags on it and remove all other collars before placing your dog in a crate or pen.
Training Equipment: The basic requirements for obedience training include the following items:
• A well-fitted flat collar with your name and address on a metal plate riveted to the collar.
• A training collar of your choice: martingale, slip collar, Halti collar, or a harness (front chest attachment only). I prefer the slip collar and find that other options, particularly the harnesses, are much less effective. All users should be trained in the proper use of any collar — here again safety is a priority.
• A five- or six-foot leather or synthetic walking leash and two synthetic check leads, 50 feet each, one made of light webbing for puppy training, and one in soft rope for adolescent/adult dogs.
• Dog boots and a protective coat for inclement conditions.
• And finally, dog treats for training. Small pieces of Milk Bone work well — they do not stain your pockets and retain their quality.
Conclusion
In the upcoming column, we will explore in detail the fundamental working strategies for behavioural training and obedience, and in subsequent columns we will discuss how to put these strategies into practice. In the meantime, below is a training tip you may wish to practice with your dog.
Until the next issue of the Chronicle, my sincere thank you to the many dog owners who have provided feedback on the Good Dog column. Letters to the editor with your comments, questions and suggestions are always welcome.
Greg’s Training Tip
Training sessions are an opportunity to bond with your dog and should always end on a positive note. As an example, after every field training session with my dog, Axel, I always offer him a dog retrieving training bumper. Axel eagerly takes the bumper from my hand. While I clap, hoot and holler, he parades around in circles until he finally returns to the car, carrying his bumper, proud as can be, tired, thirsty and happy. We both have fun. You and your dog can too!