Dog Play-Dates: It's only fun until someone - or dog - gets hurt

Like many of you humans, you don't necessarily like every other person you meet, right? Well, just because I'm a 10 pound mutt that knows a lot, doesn't mean I like every other dog I meet... However, with proper "first impression" dog training steps, it can be easy for me to do so.

Unlike many of you "mature" humans, us dogs don't have an underlying, pre-judgement agenda. Sure we may have learned by associations (classical conditioning) that some dogs predict certain events - even certain breeds that look alike. And, whether following events are pleasant or unpleasant, we'll bring that "baggage" of emotional history with us. However, with the right training, you can help us like whichever dog you want us to. 

My mom, who happens to be a certified dog trainer, just answered one of our Noozhawk advice column questions that had to do with this very topic. A caring dog guardian in Austin Texas was asking about what to do with her own shy dog and her neighbors exuberant (and a bit pushy) Pomeranian. Seems the Pom was "picking on" her dog every time they walked by. Whoa, been there done that! No fun... 

From this dogs point of view, I'd like to add a thing or two. A couple of dog training tips that mom has done with yours truly, and a few of my own tidbits...

• While I'm on my leash, whenever mom and I walk by another dog, I get little treat. Now, whenever I see another dog, or hear another dog bark or tags jingle, I look straight at mom for my snackie. I love when other dogs are around. 

• If I'm off leash, romping about, or if another dog should come up and want to say hi to me, mom acts like a cheerleader, praising me for being polite and a good boy, then rewards me with yummy chicken! (That's my favorite). 

• Another one of moms dog training steps is her Barking Protocol. This is the one she has her Inquisitive Canine students follow in her dog training classes, dog socials, workshops, and even with her private training clients. The Barking Protocol is simple: whenever another dog barks, your own dog gets a treat. If your own dog is barking, ask him or her to do something else, then reward them. Simple. 

Mom gave the nice lady in Austin some great dog training tips, both in our Noozhawk advice column and on her dog training tips blog. You can check them out yourself. And, if the mood strikes, you can even ask us your own question about life with your dog. 

I wonder when we're going out to look for other dogs? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

Talk About Barking Up the Right Tree

This is one of my latest Noozhawk advice columns. Mom and I really enjoy receiving all of your questions. So feel free to write in if you need suggestions about you and your dog. Sometimes all it takes is an unbiased ear...especially when it comes to barking! 

Dear Poncho,

I get so excited that I bark enthusiastically, very very loudly, over and over. I do it at many different times: in the morning when my owner comes to take me out, when she comes home from being away, or when we are getting home from a car ride. I bark very loudly, and sometimes in the car, right in her ear!

I really don’t like the habit, and my owner doesn’t know how to stop me. She tells me “No,” but I generally give it at least two to four more loud barks.
Do you have any suggestions other than muzzling me?

–– TJ

Dear TJ,

You are totally barking up the right tree! Barking is one of my very own favorite activities –– you can ask my mom, who’s a dog trainer. She’s probably heard every type of barking out there and says that my barks could “crack plaster.’’ I’m not sure what that means, but I’ll take it as a compliment.

It sounds like you bark for a variety of reasons –– like all of us dogs. It’s similar to humans talking, yelling and screaming for a variety of reasons. Personally, I appreciate your enthusiasm and zest for life.

I think we need to remind our humans what barking is: Want to read more? Click here to get directly to the rest of my answer...

I wonder if mom will ever stop barking when she's driving? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

Mom was tough today!

Oh brother was class a bit "ruff" today - no pun intended folks, sorry... Anyway, it was week four of my Manner's Class which means my mom the dog trainer finally talks about "punishment"! I know! It's scary... not because mom would do anything to hurt me, or any dog for that matter, but being "timed out!" is really stinky! and not in a good way...

As you all know, mom is all about "positive reinforcement" - but she's also about using gentle, humane, non-force techniques to teach us dogs (humans too...), she learns the same way! For the first month mom wants everyone to focus in on the behaviors they want us dogs to do...not what they don't want. Then, she brings in the icky stuff - reward removal! That's where all the nasty punishment comes in... 

Not getting to say "hi", not getting to walk forward, not getting to "hang out", not getting the treat... She says they use this type of "punishment" in sports - hockey players get sent to the penalty box, or basketball players have to sit on the bench, baseball players get thrown out of the game etc... it's all about not getting to play along...and it works! 

Last week I was "speaking up" in class a bit too much so dad took me out of the room - this week, not so much - I learned my lesson! Dad kept rewarding me for being quiet - I did slip up once and mom caught me - can't get anything past her...most of the time anyway ;-) 

So mom has given us choices - if I "do this" I get something I want,  if I "do that" I don't get what I want... hmm, I know what the better choice is, thanks for teaching me mom (and dad)... 

I wonder if mom was every "timed out"? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

I can't get away with anything!

Wow class was kinda tough today - not the training exercises per say... I just couldn't get away with anything! That's my mom the dog coach - she's kind, patient, and loves all her students - but she won't let you get away with some things...especially from me! 

All I was doing was barking and whining at her during class while she was teaching...sure, dad was there working with me, but I wanted my mom... I heard her tell the other students what I was doing is called "attention seeking behavior"...which is something I guess you humans aren't too fond of. She seems to know the difference between me wanting her attention, and me letting her know I don't feel well...two different types of whining. It's good that she knows the difference - something else she teaches the students during her classes.

Anyway, mom instructed dad to give me a "time out" - which means I got sent to the bathroom by myself for a few seconds... Geez! Then of course I tried it again, and of course she and dad were right on it! By the third time dad figured it out himself, and well, so did I! I was quiet for the remainder of the class... Dad paid attention to that too - got treats for just sitting on my blanket and being quiet... now I know what the better choice is. 

I wonder if mom or dad ever had a "time out" when they were young? Hmm, something for this inquisitive canine to ponder... 

My mom the dog trainer barks too!!!

Wow...and I thought I was a barker. My mom the dog trainer has trained me pretty well to keep it quiet in the car. She has a whole routine. She also teaches humans how to keep their own dogs quiet when riding around in their cars in her dog training classes at The Inquisitive Canine studio here in Ventura. 

Once in a while she has to remind me with a short time-out...but for the most part I sit tucked in my car-seat all safe and sound...not a peep. But HER! Well, that seems to be a different story. Yikes! And she says I can "peel paint"...

Usually happens when we're sitting on the road - instead of moving along... She calls it "traffic" - I don't know what this means...but I have noticed when mom gets what dad calls "grumpy" her body language is all tense - shoulders are up around her ears, her brow is all wrinkly (she hates that), mouth is closed up - unless she's "barking" at the people around her. And if I bark with her, she gets even angrier. What a hypocrite...! I'm just trying to help... Well, forget it. She can bark all she wants - but this inquisitive canine has learned that it's more fun and more rewarding to just stay quiet - same as my dad does. 

"Kibble Hunt" for this predator!

Wow! What a fun day! My Mom the dog trainer and I played a new game today... I'm not sure why...something about a human holiday where moms, dads, and other adults hide eggs for children to go and find. I totally get the "hiding" part - I'm a predator after all, and love to go and find stuff with my nose. But why eggs? Why not dog treats? Well, I guess mom feels the same way I do because she went out in our backyard and hid lots and lots of my yummy kibble - plus she threw in some extra treats too! YUM! and FUN!!! She called it my "Kibble Hunt" - I recall her doing it before... about this time of year. Check out the pictures she took - There's one where I'm waiting...not too patiently, but trying. The others are a few of the easier places she set out some yummies for me to find... 

    

Mom really likes planning these types of activities for me. She said something about me keeping busy while she worked... I get so focused I forget about all of those trucks and people going by - don't have any time (or care) to bark at them... Hmm, maybe that's why mom likes to play this game...something for this inquisitive canine to ponder. 

You can ask my mom the dog coach more about this type of activity, as well as other enrichment opportunities for your dog - just email or give her a call... You will learn all about this kind of stuff in her classes, workshops, and play-time lessons... 

Sunday Drive

ROAD TRIP! I love going to Santa Barbara with mom and dad... Started out kinda rough with mom in a "mood" about sitting in traffic... I only barked a couple of times before we got to the freeway, but she got "that look" - and that tone of voice, plus that word "crate" and I knew if I didn't put a sock in it I'd end up making the ride all cooped up... So, I decided to follow the plan and keep it quiet... got to look out the window (harnessed in of course); then stopped at that lovely park in Summerland... pretty crowded with lots of other fellow canines - and I must say, the other dog moms and dads were quite responsible by keeping all of us on those dreaded long strap things...makes it hard to run off, but I guess they want to keep us safe - and not break the laws... Nordstoms was great as always - we didn't buy anything, but it was still fun to walk around... lots of humans said hello to me... I keep hearing this word "cute" - not sure what it means, but they all have a smile and sound giggly when they say it... I'm pretty sure mom likes when people say it too - mostly because I can read her body language...relaxed, then kisses me on my head... not like when I'm barking in the yard at trucks.... speaking of, oh boy! tomorrow is GTM (Garbage Truck Monday for those who don't know me) better rest up now because tomorrow is a big day! Lot's of trucks to be dealt with! nice way to end 2007...

woofs,

Poncho