The Invisible Command: How You May Be Sabotaging Your Dog Training Efforts

The Invisible Command: How You May Be Sabotaging Your Dog Training Efforts
I was sitting in the waiting room of my local HMO with a sinus infection and happened to pick up the recent issue of Outdoor Life magazine. Actually, it was the only thing to read, but that didn’t bother me as most hunting publications usually include at least one article on dog training.

I was lucky, as this month’s dog training article was interesting enough for me to tie into this week’s e-zine issue.

On page 36, sandwiched between the ‘Professional Bass Tournament’article and the “His camo-painted truck and ‘Kiss My Bass’ bumper sticker are the only endorsements you’ll ever need” advertisement, I found a story by veteran dog man, Larry Mueller.

Mueller recants meeting 82 year-old James Evans, of Naruna, Va. who owned an 11 year-old Lab-weimaraner cross that could allegedly multiply numbers!!!

Mueller states that, “Evans decided to teach [his] dog to count to 10… ‘What’s the first number?’ One bark. ‘What comes after one?’ Two barks. And so on. [His] dog counted backward, too, in addition to correctly answering what comes before or after any number not exceeding 10.”

As a professional dog trainer, I hear amazing stories like this all the time. The only problems is that upon further investigation… they NEVER turn out to be true.

Mueller writes, “Evans began to suspect that [the] dog was reading his mind.”

However, anyone who has studied the dog’s mind (and canine behavior in general) knows that:

1.) Dogs can’t read our mind. They read our body language.

2.) Dogs can’t do math. Especially multiplication.

Mueller must have come to the same conclusion as I did, because he decided to review several video tapes of Evans and his dog performing their multiplication trick. But it wasn’t until he actually met with Evans that he was able to ascertain how the dog was figuring out the math problems.

“All I knew for sure was that James Evans was no trickster trying to deceive the public for gain,” and that the old man had wanted to know how the dog did it, as much as anyone.

Mueller continues, “I studied the video tape and recognized that the word, ‘ What’s ‘ could be the cue to start barking. I thought the signal to stop might be Evans withdrawing his hand from his pocket with a kibble reward. But it didn’t correlate, so I asked Evans if I could rig something to tell us the approximate location of the cue, if there was one.”

To make a long story longer, Mueller found that when the dog could not see Evans, he stopped getting the answers right! After further study, Mueller noted, “I noticed an almost imperceptible twitch– a reflex action like a blink occurring without conscious thought… I asked Evans to stand motionless. He found it difficult, and [his] dog’s barks in answer to his questions [became] random.” When Evans wasn’t allowed to subconsciously cue the dog, the dog was no longer able to come up with the correct answers.

In sum, the dog was relying on his owner for the answers. Which, in and of itself is a pretty impressive feat, even if it isn’t comparable to knowing your multiplication tables!

Here’s two examples that probably apply to your daily training:

1.) Many owners tend to start bending over before telling their dog the, “Down” command. Because of this, the dog starts to cue off the owner’s body language (just as Evan’s dog did) and lays down anytime the owner bends over… but not if the owner stands up straight and issues the command!

Solution: Always give the command FIRST, before bending over and making the dog do it. This way, the dog will link the behavior with the command, rather than with your body language.

2.) Amateur handlers tend to tell their dog “Heel,” and then walk with their shoulders angled back towards their dog, so that they can look at their dog while they’re walking.

The problem with this is that the dog reads your body language and attempts to align himself with your shoulders, thus lagging behind the owner, rather than walking in the heel position (aligned with your left heal.)

Solution: Keep both shoulders straight forward as you walk. If you need to look at your dog (you should)… cock your head, without angling your shoulders. This will keep your dog lined up right alongside you.

That’s all for now, folks!
Adam

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: <a href="http://www.dogproblems.com" title="http://www.dogproblems.com" target="_blank">http://www.dogproblems.com</a>

Steps To Become An Efficient Dog Trainer
There are some basic tips or requirements if followed sincerely will surely fulfill your dream to become an efficient dog trainer. Loving your dog will not make you a successful trainer but it will pamper your dog. Prior to considering becoming a dog trainer you must have sufficient knowledge about dog behavior, learning theories, behavior modification, first aids (both human and canine), dog competition, marketing and business management. In order to become an efficient dog trainer first and foremost you need to deepen your knowledge by reading good books and watching videos on dog training. After going through several books thoroughly, decide on the best way to get practical skills for becoming a dog trainer and that could be achieved by attending the dog training seminars and conferences where handling skill is not taught which is very unlikely. There are several other ways where you can get hands-on experience. You may attend a school for dog trainers if there is any in your area. If you have a degree on a related area (veterinary, biology, psychology, zoology, etc.) then you can opt for it. Just watch out for a program that provides hands-on experience. You can also enroll yourself in some college programs that offer undergraduate studies on animal behavior only if they offer hands-on experience. Enrolling yourself in a canine club if there is any in your area to practice any dog sport schutzhund, agility, freestyle, etc. is a great way to get hands-on experience while you learn from experienced trainers besides training your dog. In case if you do not have any such organizations in your area then volunteering at an animal shelter will be beneficial for you because it will help you to understand dog behavior and to gain experience with dogs with several personalities including many aggressive non-socialized dogs. Next you can do is to hire a professional dog trainer which is the best way to gain hands-on experience and become an efficient dog trainer and even if you cannot find a good trainer then the last options that remains for you is to take some distance courses on dog training and animal behavior though they are not so useful. Apart from receiving hands-on experience you also need to get involve in canine activities and discuss with vets, breeders, handlers, certified dog trainers, behaviorists, etc. who are involved in canines health care and nutrition so that you get knowledge about overall dog care, besides handling.

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Cat Litter Box Problems: 7 Essential Keys To Solve The Problem Quickly!
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Dog training book
Dog training book At one time it was considered that the only way forward for you to train your dog properly was through a dog training book! Now don`t get me wrong there is an endless source of good free advise in these books that you can put to really good use , but the trouble with book`s is like most thing`s in life they become stale and are not able to move with the time`s . I`ve read some good dog training book`s in my time they have good tip`s and little common sense dog training method`s that some dog trainer`s use ! However like most other topic`s and infomation every ounce of knowledge has evolved to the internet where there is access to a vast array of website`s that cover absolutely every issue , this resource is better than any dog training book! However i`ve searched site after site for different element`s on dog training where as i`d find one site good for one aspect and another in other area`s. It wasn`t until i came across one site that just simply seem to cover far beyond my expectation`s there was so many techniques and method`s by this dog trainer i thought to myself what make`s this particular dog trainer stand above the vast sea of other dog trainer`s ? So i delved deeper and deeper to learn that this young lady just happen to have a C.V and other credential`s that just simply comfirm why she`s the best at her game by far, she`s a young Hollywood dog trainer called Dove Cresswell and i was so much in awe with her i created a site reviewing her tutoring school if you want to visit my review on Dove please feel free to visit at http://dog–training–book .blogspot.com to read more about her. I found her method`s and techniques far more refreshing and rewarding than any dog training book i`ve ever read and reviewed before and i can truly say i have seen a significant change in my dog after using just afew of these method`s . Because Dove`s learning all the time you benefit from learning more as her site can update at any time unlike a dog training book and this is what purely made me review Dove Cresswell Dog trainer taking dog training to a new level!!!! Dog training book.

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Training Your Dog To Use A Leash And Collar
There are many different techniques you can use to train your dog, and it is important to find one that works for you and your family in order to have the most loyal and well-behaved pet possible. All successful styles of dog training emphasize the bond between dog and owner, and the basis of a successful training program is earning the dog?s respect. It is fortunate that dogs are innately programmed to submit to a leader, it allows them to follow commands and make training easier.

This article will discuss on of the more common types of dog training ?leash/collar training. Other articles will examine other common dog-training techniques, known as reward training or positive reinforcement.

Both the leash/collar styles of dog training and reward-based dog training have been proven to be effective methods of dog training over time. The method of training that is most effective is dependent on the dog?s breed and his temperament. Each dog has its own personality, which is emphasized even further by many years of selective breeding.

The personalities of individual dogs can be very different, even within the same breed. It is up to you, as the owner, to determine which method of training will work best for your dog, so it is important to work with the trainer in order to attain your goal of an eager, well-trained and friendly dog.

Leash/collar training is the best way to fulfill many factions of dog training, especially in circumstances where the dog must be very dependable. For example, certain working dogs, such as police dogs, rescue dogs or guard dogs, tend to gain from leash and collar training.

In leash/collar training, different levels of force can be used, varying from light modifications with the lead to firmer corrections. The level of correction used should be relative to the situation, as too much correction, or not enough, can prove unproductive.

In a leash/collar emphasized dog-training program, the dog is first taught a desired behavior on the leash. Once the dog seems to understand the command, the leash is then used to modify incorrect behaviors. The leash is used as the main form of control and communication with the dog in this form of training.

With leash/collar training, the dog must learn to trust the handler and follow commands without any hesitation. The dog is considered fully trained when the handler is able to show that the dog will follow a command even if he does not want to. While this does not mean using brute force, it will likely necessitate some physical handling. This type of handling is most effectively completed by use of the leash.

Anyone attempting to train his or her dog should understand that the leash is merely a device. While the leash is necessary for this style of dog training, it is important for the dog trainer to strive for the same results using whatever gear are nearby.

No matter what device the owner uses for training, such as the owner?s body and voice, the dog should be eager to comply. Building a trusting relationship between owner and dog is vital, and it is important that the leash is used as a tool rather than a crutch. A properly trained dog should be eager to obey with or without a leash.

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