Julie's Journal -- August 2001

Do you have a dog or cat at home? How about a bird or horse? No matter what type of animals you own, it makes sense to train them, for their benefit as well as yours. Many people think training is a mystical secret or just plain too difficult, but really, it is just common sense. Let’s take a close look.

Learn to Teach

When you want your child to learn something, what’s the best way to get her or him to learn it? Make it fun and interesting right? Teach the subject you want them to learn often enough to make progress, and be consistent in what you say is right and wrong. Finally, make it so rewarding, that your child looks forward to the time you spend together on this project. There may be difficult moments, or unmotivated times, but you don’t dwell on these. You figure out how to get the information across in a different way and you keep at it. You reinforce correct answers with praise, free time, play, favorite foods, and a thousand other rewards that they enjoy. That makes sense doesn’t it?

Well, that’s the same formula for teaching animals – positive, fun sessions; consistency, patience and understanding; and rewards for a job well done.

You might ask why is it a good thing to train a pet at all? Well actually, you are training your pet whether you know it or not, because your behavior determines your pet’s behavior in many ways. Wouldn’t it be so much better to understand how and why your pet behaves the way it does? And of course you want an animal who listens and willingly obeys, one that won’t ruin the furniture, make too much noise, or dig holes in the garden. A positive training program can also bring you closer to your pet and create a relationship you both deserve.

Train(ing) De-railed

The fact that you are training your pet all the time whether you know it or not, is a very important concept to embrace. Let’s say you bring a two-year old dog home from the pound. It wants your attention constantly and you are excited to have it in your home. So you get it home, spend hours playing with it, slip him a few small tidbits from the dinner table and let it sleep in the kids room (just until it gets adjusted). The next morning you put him in the back yard to do his business while you get ready for work. He immediately begins whining and barking because after all those long lonely nights in the shelter, he has finally found a loving home. You don’t want to get the neighbors mad, so you let him in while you finish getting ready for work.

Do you think you haven’t been training this dog since the moment you brought him home? What have you taught him so far in the first 12 hours? He has learned he gets to be with you constantly, to wait under the dinner table while you are eating, he loves his new sleeping arrangements, and knows to whine and/or bark if he wants something. Is that what you wanted to teach him?

No Bark...All Right

Let’s try another scenario. You bring your dog home when you will have some time to teach him what he needs to know about his new environment. One of the first things I teach is for him to realize that he won’t be able to be with me all the time and how he needs to behave when I am not available. Spend a few minutes with him inside the home, then put him outside by himself. He will whine and bark for a few minutes, or depending on his history, maybe an hour. Don’t look at him, don’t try to quiet him, just go about your business. After he gets tired of it (he will), and lies down or is sitting quietly for at least a minute or so, tell him good dog and let him in (or sometimes go outside with him). Spend a few minutes with him, then put him back outside, or come in without him. He will whine and bark for a few minutes again, but he will eventually lie down. A minute or so after he lies down, tell him good dog and let him in. Repeat this process several more times. By taking the time to teach your pet that whining and barking does not get him what he wants, you will forever have a quiet dog who waits for your attention and to be let in. This process may take anywhere from an hour to several days, but the time will be well worth it. I have trained all my dogs this way and have never had one that took more than a couple hours.

Teach 'Em How to Bowl

Another good habit to get into is not feeding your dog from the table, kitchen counter, or sink. All his food comes to him in his bowl, that way he won’t be begging and underfoot while you are trying to fix, eat or cleanup after dinner.

Fido Doesn't Change Sheets

Give your new dog (or cat, bird, etc) a place to sleep that will be his own. It can go wherever you want, but from the very first night he’ll learn where his bed is. Unless you always want him sleeping on the bed with the kids, don’t even start there. Teach him where his bed is and that he’s a good dog, (or cat, etc) for staying there while his new family sleeps. If this is especially difficult, you may want to put his bed in a bathroom for the first couple nights.

Who Let the Dog Out

Finally, unless you know for sure that your new pet is “potty trained”, don’t wait until he goes in the house. Take him outside several times and show him the spot you want him to use. If you can distinguish this place from the rest of the yard (rocks instead of grass, or grass instead of bushes), that will make it easier. Just like when you teach a young child when and where they need to go, you need to pay attention and anticipate the needs of your animal. Set a timer for every 15 minutes in the beginning and take him to his spot. Ask him to “go” with whatever words you wish to use, but be consistent. Praise your pet heavily for going where you want him to, each time he goes there until he has it down pat. You can even use a favorite treat or toy to make it more memorable. After he goes, you can wait awhile longer before you repeat the process, but notice when he starts looking at the rug with longing – and get him outside again quick! If you follow through in the beginning without making a lot of “oops, waited too long” mistakes, you will be rewarded with a dog that learns quickly where he is supposed to go. The process is the same with a puppy, who for short periods of time, you can confine in a kennel, or small open area, to avoid mishaps – animals usually won’t spoil the location they have to live. But remember, this is only a tool for short periods of time.

Pets need lots of attention, exercise, appropriate space, and things to occupy the mind, especially when you aren’t around.