My latest article for The Examiner

[Juke99]

http://www.examiner.com/dog-trainin...aversive-training-methods-can-impact-your-dog

 

[big dog cowboy]

The Demon Vertical Blinds

:laugh2:

Nice story Juke!

 

[Juke99]

:laugh2:

Nice story Juke!

I try to steer clear of writing with too much science.

People remember stories.

I do all my training with stories.

Fortunately, 90% of them have been provided by my own dog.

 

[bbgun]

Need advice on how to keep Spot out of the cake batter.

http://img145.*************/img145/6278/oooomg.jpg

 

[peplaw06]

:laugh2:

BBgun has a picture for everything.

 

[Juke99]

Bbgun.

Best way to keep Spot out of the cake batter?

Keep it away from him.

 

[bbgun]

Bbgun.

Best way to keep Spot out of the cake batter?

Keep it away from him.

Done. Any idea how I can keep WG out of my heart and mind? She's tried swatting my nose with a newspaper, but no dice.

 

[Juke99]

Done. Any idea how I can keep WG out of my heart and mind? She's tried swatting my nose with a newspaper, but no dice.

Sure, every time you see her, think of Yeager. Eventually the association will be so negatively powerful, you'll have no interest in her.

 

[bbgun]

Sure, every time you see her, think of Yeager. Eventually the association will be so negatively powerful, you'll have no interest in her.

Unlike Yeager, I've actually seen a pic of BP, so I'll use him instead.

 

[Juke99]

Unlike Yeager, I've actually seen a pic of BP, so I'll use him instead.

Doing this might cause deep trauma and unintended side effects.

 

[peplaw06]

Sure, every time you see her, think of Yeager. Eventually the association will be so negatively powerful, you'll have no interest in her.

That sounds like positive punishment.

I think he probably needs to think of Halle Berry when WG is NOT around.

 

[Juke99]

That sounds like positive punishment.
I think he probably needs to think of Halle Berry when WG is NOT around.

It's actually cruel and inhuman punishment.

 

[Kevinicus]

Speaking of blinds, I'm trying to figure out how to keep my dog from destroying them when we leave the house. He has a tendency to flip out at times and just destroy (Twice he knocked over a 61" TV in order to get to the blinds behind it).

I got privacy film so I could have privacy without having to repeatedly pay for new blinds, but I do like the look of blinds better and would like to let them down more often. His thing now is to destroy the curtains on the front door. He's pulling them down more and more frequently and destroying the rods in the process.

I don't know how to positively reinforce something when I'm not there. I guess the biggest thing is getting him to not have so much anxiety when we leave so that he stays calm and doesn't destroy anything.

And then I have another little dog who doesn't destroy anything, but he goes a little psycho when other people come over. He always tries to bite people when they first come in. Everyone but my wife and I (and now on occasion my mother-in-law). He even settles down when people have been there awhile, and will even cuddle up on their lap, but if they go to the bathroom or something it's like he completely forgets who they are and starts nippin at their heals again.

 

[Juke99]

Speaking of blinds, I'm trying to figure out how to keep my dog from destroying them when we leave the house. He has a tendency to flip out at times and just destroy (Twice he knocked over a 61" TV in order to get to the blinds behind it).

I got privacy film so I could have privacy without having to repeatedly pay for new blinds, but I do like the look of blinds better and would like to let them down more often. His thing now is to destroy the curtains on the front door. He's pulling them down more and more frequently and destroying the rods in the process.

I don't know how to positively reinforce something when I'm not there. I guess the biggest thing is getting him to not have so much anxiety when we leave so that he stays calm and doesn't destroy anything.

And then I have another little dog who doesn't destroy anything, but he goes a little psycho when other people come over. He always tries to bite people when they first come in. Everyone but my wife and I (and now on occasion my mother-in-law). He even settles down when people have been there awhile, and will even cuddle up on their lap, but if they go to the bathroom or something it's like he completely forgets who they are and starts nippin at their heals again.

On the nosey.

For dog number one. Don't allow him to associate certain triggers with you leaving. So for instance, keys are a big big trigger. Anxiety that isn't built up before you leave, typically doesn't happen after...so the key is to try to figure out ways to not let it start when you're home.

So....keys, hair blowers, jacket being put on..etc. Figure out all the triggers...then get to work screwing up all the dog's associations. Pick up your keys, often...and give him a treat. Then put the keys down and watch TV or go about your business. Do that with all the triggers. Alter your routine. Don't become predictable. Also, practice leaving for three minutes, five minutes and then come back home and stay home so that he doesn't associate leaving with a LONG duration of time.

The manner in which you leave and return also makes a difference. No threatrics. When I leave (and my pooch had sep anx) I simply say "See ya. Don't use the phone to call for pizza" I don't even as much as look at her. WHen I come home, it's always a calm hello that I give her.

Next...Kongs...if you don't have them, get them. Take your dog's food...mix it with something like peanut butter, honey, anything that he likes. Freeze the Kongs...freeze as many as your dog's normal meal can fill. Then before you leave, give him the Kongs. It'll take him a LONG time to get his food out of them. WHile doing so, he's keeping himself busy...he's tiring himself out as well...and he's using his mouth. As an aside, don't let the Kong become a trigger for you leaving. On occasion, give him one when you're not leaving.

If you leave a TV on during the day...or radio...do so when you leave. But if you dont, don't turn one on. Again, keep things as "normal" as possible.

Friend of mine, Nicole Wilde has written a great book. You can get it on amazon. "Please don't leave" Super good book about this stuff.

Oh and yes, management is part of the protocol. For your pooch, eating the blinds is self reinforcing. It lets him blow off steam. The more he does it, the more it is reinforced. So for now, just keep things up and out of his way when you're not home.

 

[Juke99]

Speaking of blinds, I'm trying to figure out how to keep my dog from destroying them when we leave the house. He has a tendency to flip out at times and just destroy (Twice he knocked over a 61" TV in order to get to the blinds behind it).

I got privacy film so I could have privacy without having to repeatedly pay for new blinds, but I do like the look of blinds better and would like to let them down more often. His thing now is to destroy the curtains on the front door. He's pulling them down more and more frequently and destroying the rods in the process.

I don't know how to positively reinforce something when I'm not there. I guess the biggest thing is getting him to not have so much anxiety when we leave so that he stays calm and doesn't destroy anything.

And then I have another little dog who doesn't destroy anything, but he goes a little psycho when other people come over. He always tries to bite people when they first come in. Everyone but my wife and I (and now on occasion my mother-in-law). He even settles down when people have been there awhile, and will even cuddle up on their lap, but if they go to the bathroom or something it's like he completely forgets who they are and starts nippin at their heals again.

As far as dog #2...

Here's where positive reinforcement comes in handy.

Mine was the same way...and worse. In fact, I used to take her out of the house, on leash...and stand on the front lawn with her. Visitors were instructed NOT to look at us, or acknowledge us. They would enter the house first. We'd enter last.

Once inside, still on leash, I'd treat (sometimes use a clicker) every time she looked at someone. The association I was building was "Oh boy, every time I look at a human, I get a reward" Eventually, she was only rewarded when she looked AND behaved in a calm manner.

Lots of reps. Keep him on leash. Let someone get up. When they do, reward. Change his wiring.

The problem with aversive technique trainers is, they'll tell you to give the dog a "correction" (euphimism for, inflict physical discomfort) The dog begins to pair, every time someone gets up, I get hurt. I really hate these bastids.

You can also work on establishing what is called an incompatible behavior. So, when people get up, your dog MUST give you a solid "sit-stay" He can't chase them, nip, etc if he's sitting.

Sit-stay is a biggie. Can be a life saver. If you want a really solid protocol for how to build up to a GREAT sit-stay, PM me.