Creative Dog Training

Demi (my dog) and me… true confessions

Do you find it hard to carve out time to train your dog? So do I!

I have watched my dog’s behavior recently in several real life situations. I was not pleased with what I saw.

She constantly tested my loose leash rule. She not only jumped on me, but tried to jump on others as well. She was barking at every noise she heard at home. She broke her stay command on numerous occasions. My list could go on as long as yours.

I thought of all of the reasons and all of the causes (and excuses). These ranged from ‘thank goodness no one is watching’ to ‘can anyone recommend a good dog trainer?’. Then it occurred to me that I was having the same issues that you are having.

My ‘training practice’ sessions with Demi were flawless. She knows every command. I can’t entice her to make a mistake. The problem hit me square in the face — I was practicing obedience commands instead of just using them in real life settings.

I have changed my attitude. I am now remembering to be the big dog in every context. Instead of just reacting to what Demi does, I am directing her behavior according to my pack rules. It was so simple once I thought about my own behavior. Now, when she is exhibiting a behavior that I don’t want I think about what ‘counter command’ I can use to stop her.

When she jumped on me I moved towards and over her with the command ‘Off’. When she started barking at a noise at outside I used the command ‘Leave it’. If she did not respond I said ‘Wrong’ and put myself between her and what she was barking at. If she tried to pull on the leash I put the leash behind my back and practiced ‘follow me’ with quick direction changes. In short I practiced what I preach. The results were quick and dramatic.

There were times when I had to remind myself that this would save her life one day. I admit that when she put her ears back and her tail drooped that my first reaction was guilt and remorse. I had to ask myself if I was being ‘mean’ to my dog by demanding that she admit that I was a bigger dog. I then asked myself if she loved me any less after I acted like the ‘big dog’. I then realized that she seemed to love me more. I then asked myself if she still trusted me. The answer was that she seemed to trust me more.

Then I asked myself the big question — did she respect me? Before I changed my attitude to always act like the ‘big dog’, my dog gave me ‘lip service’. Now she gives me genuine respect. I am also finding that I am finding more and more ways to respect her as a direct result of knowing that she looks up to me as her ‘big dog’.

When she is doing a behavior that I do want I reward and encourage her. I am remembering to use ‘off’, ‘leave it’, ‘settle down’, ’goalie’, ‘wait’, ‘stay’, ‘place’, and the countless other commands and concepts that I have taught her.

My result with Demi (so far) is that is our life is peaceful: she listens to me, and we enjoy each other’s company with no ‘fights’ and ‘no hassles’.

I invite you to take a look at your life with your dog. Are you using your commands in every interaction that you have with your dog? Or are you saving those commands for ‘obedience training’?

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