I give you my permission.
Desperation! Lady called last night about her 4 month old lab mix puppy that was driving her Insane. She loved him, oh yes, but! But….
He was mouthing and jumping and nipping and barking and driving her nuts and being a typical puppy. She decided to come to class That Night.
Should I resemble that remark?
On a week one class, I talk about lots of things. Housebreaking, manners, what we are going to do in the class, motivation – and one thing I always talk about is crate training.
I say crates are good things. They keep your puppy safe. They help with housebreaking. They give your puppy their own space, their den.
My crate is a tiny little carry bag. I love it! Its my safe place!
Then I tell them, “If you ever read the dog training books, they will tell you to never use the crate for ‘punishment’. And all I have to say to that is a huge big HOOEY.”
I don’t know what world those people who write the books live in, but I live in the real world. Where the customer is not always right, and is sometimes a huge jerk. Where bosses sit around in the office and text all day,and then snark at you when you need their help. Where the month is sometimes longer than the money. Where you get mad when your dog eats the cell phone. And where your puppy drives you insane sometimes.
How could I possibly be in the way???
It is OKAY to take a break from your adorable bundle of joy sometimes. Its okay to pop them in the crate Just Because or because you are mad at them. I would Much rather have the dog in the crate for a few minutes than have you jumping up and down and screaming like a fool. Just pop them in the crate with a nice chewy and walk Away. You can do it!
My crate is the back porch. I'd rather be in the house. I'm working on it!
You don’t have to drag puppy there kicking and screaming. You are a grown up person and can fake it. “Kennel up, dog dog – its bedtime.” And then walk away and kick the tree or something else. Sometimes you just need a break from the dog and the crate is a safe place for him to be for a bit (not for Hours!) while you get that much deserved break.
My dad and I work very hard. Sometimes we both are grateful for a break!
As the lady left last night, she stopped and shared, tearfully, “thank you. The thought I can take a break from my puppy and let him have some crate time just might have saved his happy home. I’d read never to do that, but now that I know its okay and he doesn’t have to be on top of me all the time, I feel so much better.”
We will see how she’s doing next week – but for right now, that’s a Good thing.
Teaching the velcro dog to come
There are dogs that I call ‘Velcro’ dogs. They are attached to you. You don’t make a move, but what they know it. They follow you everywhere. “Dog-dog, I’m just going to the bathroom. I PROMISE I’ll be right back! Really! You don’t Have to get up!”
And dog lumbers or jumps to his feet, saying, “Oh, no, its my pleasure! Let me follow you everywhere!”
I love my mom and grammy, but I'm also just fine with others!
And they do.
Sure, sometimes it gets annoying but most generally its not too much of a pain. After all, that’s why we GOT a dog – to have their companionship, even into and including the bathroom.
Go ahead. I'll be here when you get back. Its just fine!
What is challenging is teaching these dogs to ‘come when called’. And you know why? Because they are never far enough away to teach them to do it.
They are always right on your ankle, hanging beside your thigh, just there. There is no reason to call them, so we don’t.
Come? Go? Stay? Huh? What?
So they don’t know the command.
That was very evident in class last night. Out of a class of about eight puppies, three of them were velcro dogs.
First the socializing. THEN that 'come' thing will happen. I promise!
We were doing a hide and seek game – you hide while I hold the dog, and then call him to come and let him find you.
The parents all scoffed, “Piece of cake!” and yet. None of those three dogs managed to find mom without help.
Come? But I didn't go anywhere!
One ran under the chair as soon as I loosened the leash. Another stood in the middle of the floor, and stared at me and wouldn’t move, even though mom was calling quite excitedly. The other looked around the room and said, “Who knew there were other puppies to play with here!” and went off to socialize.
Socialization is what puppy class is all about!
None of them had practiced the ‘come’ games we’d been playing, because there was ‘no need’.
‘Come’ can save their lives. Its not a cute trick, like shake hands, which honestly, I could care less if your dog will do or not. Its not only a matter of safety and security for you, but a matter of life and death for your dog.
Play the ‘come’ games with your dog. No matter how challenging it is to manage to step a few steps away from them.
You can DO it!
Right??
You’re the first trainer he hasn’t tried to bite.
New dog started class yesterday. Mix of maybe boxer, shar-pei, lab? Throw in a little shepherd and you have a large sized dog.
One who slunk into the training center, tail tucked, ears flat, not a happy camper at all. Eyes moving quickly, checking out everything that was going on.
I’ve seen this before.
In class, you can make new friends!
Some dogs walk into class, “I’m queen of the World!” and have no worries at all except how she can be given the proper respect she deserves.
Princess is my name and being Diva is my game!
Most come in all excited! Happy day! Dogs to play with! People to pet me! New things to learn! Jump leap happy bark! We LOVE class.
I think class will be fun. What do you think??
Some are more tentative. “Not sure about this…” But they aren’t really worried, but, taking things easy, looking around, checking it out.
I guess we'll have fun. Maybe?
Some come in, carried in arms or cute little bags. Peering out, wondering what crazy thing mom is up to now.
Others have to be literally dragged in at the end of the leash protesting all the way. “Nooooooooooo……!!!!!!!!!!!!”
This dog walked in on his own, but he was not happy about it at all.
I was a mess when I came to class. Not happy at all. I got SO much better!
Usually, nervous dogs, I give them their space for a bit. Let them settle in, try not to overwhelm them more than they already are.
So I let this one settle in. I chatted with the other dogs, the people. I casually walked over, after a while with a treat, and offered it. Dog said “No thank you” very politely. So I handed it to dad, and let him give it. Dog ate it. A good sign. Majorly stressed out dogs usually won’t take a treat.
If they don't eat their treat, do I get it?
Then I dropped one on the floor in front of him. He looked at it for a while, and then ate it. Good.
Took a little while, but in between talking to the other dogs and doing things, I had him treat taking from my hand. Once I get them relaxed enough to do that, we can usually work together.
Relaxing in class is what its all about for me.
As I was standing there, treat feeding off and on, I gave him a pet or two, which is when his dad said, in tones of awe, “We’ve been to four trainers now and you’re the first one he hasn’t tried to bite. He got two of them pretty good.”
HEY! This tiny bit of information is on the NEED TO KNOW list, people!! Sooner, rather than later would be preferable! I mean, really now!