EMOTIONAL HELLO’S AND GOODBYE’S

Emotional “Hello’s and Goodbye’s” are when you greet your dog or say goodbye to your dog in an excited way.

If you have a new puppy or dog that jumps on guests, doesn’t listen to you or has other behavioral issues, you may want to reconsider saying hello or goodbye to them because doing so can cause behavior problems.  Petting your dog when you come home should have nothing to do with dominance or pack leadership, no matter who tells you.

I consider this one of the biggest mistakes people make and the number one contributor to a dog’s behavioral issues.  I have a lot of experience on this topic and consider myself a true dog person, sacrificing my own needs if it will benefit the needs of my dog.

I’ve learned over the years that although dogs don’t worship us, they must think we are super beings.  We tower over them, we pet them unlike any dog is able too, we provide shelter, security, food, play and adventure, things that all dogs want and NEED to survive.

Because of the way dogs learn, attention equals reward (approval).  Given at the wrong times, it can have an influence on their behavior and EMOTIONAL state.  Because of the strong bond with humans and the fact they are highly social, playful creatures, they’re not accustom to being separated from one another, especially being separated from humans.

Here is what some people think emotional hellos and goodbyes are telling their dog:

1. Were just saying “Hi”- wouldn’t a dog think we were rude if we didn’t?

2. That we really miss them and it proves that we still love them.

3. They understand we’re feeling guilty for keeping them locked up in the home all day.

4. By petting them, a dog will forgive you for your lack of companionship.

5. My dog seems happy to see me (which is true), they must have missed me (this is very true) isn’t that sweet? Is this unconditional love or what? (That’s not true)

6. I‘ll be thinking about you and miss you while I‘m gone.

7. Not saying goodbye would be rude. I also want him to understand me when I say be a good boy, because he’s not always good.

Coming home and getting your dog all excited with a high voice and praise, or saying goodbye before you leave them for hours, translates the following:

1. That it’s ok to greet you and your guest in that excited way.

2. They’re being rewarded for worrying and anticipating your arrival/departure.

3. Its ok to be hyper and jumping, and they should be even more hyper and do more jumping the next time.

4. Its ok not to listen to you whenever you give them a command.

6. You’re teaching them to develop behavioral issues, like separation anxiety, chewing, barking, digging etc..

7.  All that crying, scratching, barking really was worth it, cause it got you back home.

8.  You’re saying, “good bye, be a good doggy“, they’re hearing nah-nah-nah I’m leaving you all alone, all by yourself and you are going to be miserable!

So, what do you do? and when can you say “Hi”? or keep them from being hyper and jumping on people? Well, I can’t give all my secrets away, there needs to be a reason people will hire me. In Australia I offer private and in-home programs. I also offer Skype lessons to help people all over the world.

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Spray Correction Collars

Many years ago, I was contacted by a company to test a new correction collar that didn’t involve a shock but used citronella spray as a correction.  I was sent both a bark spray collar and a remote spray collar. I quickly realized these were much better than the shock collars that were being used at that time. People bought shock collars because they thought it was a “quick fix” solution to behavioral and obedience problems, and for many reasons they were more trouble than they were worth.  You can read more of my thoughts about shock collars  here>: SHOCK COLLARS

Back to my story. I tested the spray collars and thought they were great! The spray doesn’t just directly affect one of a dog’s senses (like the shock does) but four of them, which is why they are more effective than the shock collars.  When sprayed, they can see it (it’s a mist) the can feel it (under the chin) they can hear it (pssst!) and they can smell it (citronella).  The remote collar set-up worked great for stopping the more difficult behaviors, like digging, chewing, jumping on the other side of the door (to name a few).

There are 3 buttons on the hand-held remote, and when you press the first button, it emits a double beep sound on the collar. The second button emits a short duration of spray (1 second). The third button emits a longer duration of spray (2 seconds).

I thought this is great; you can vary your correction or re-direction by warning them first with the beep sound and because many dogs are sensitive to sound, the beep was the correction, so you didn’t need to spray. If the dog didn’t respond to the beep, the short and longer spray could be used.  Those dogs quickly learn the beep was a warning to the more startling spray correction, then after a few beep and spray experiences, the “beep” became the correction. The collars are only part of the behavior modification process, I also incorporated a re-direction reward after the beep or spray marker. I also made sure the dogs had plenty of time to be dogs and get exercised and understand at least five obedience commands, because a tired dog is less likely to display behavioral problems and a smart dog learns not only what to do, but what they’re not supposed to do.

After my evaluation input,  the company (Premier Pet Products) wrote in the instruction book to use the beep as a positive sound, letting the dog know that when they hear the beep it’s a good thing.  There was also no mention of the redirection follow through reward, which to me is the most important part.  When I read that in the instruction manual, I knew the testing from other trainers who gave input was not done properly nor did they read or take my input seriously.  Too bad, because many dogs get sprayed when there is no need, and what a waste of the proper use for the beep sound.  I haven’t read their instruction booklet in several years, I wonder if changes were made?

Today, I rarely use these collars but it’s nice to have them on hand when I run into the more difficult cases.  I can see however, where a few people can benefit from using them, as long as they understand the right way and take all the other steps needed.  If you ever purchase a remote spray collar, I don’t recommend using the beep as a reward marker as per instructions.  That’s what a “Clicker” or the word “Good” is for.

Opposition Reflex

In the dog training world, “Opposition Reflex” is a term used to describe why a puppy first resists the tension of the leash by stopping or pulling away.  When tension is applied, a dog’s predatory instinct of fight, freeze or flight kicks in.  Many people don’t realize dogs have this reflex or they believe a dog stops or pulls out of spite or challenge. It was discovered by Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) and is discussed in many books since  including a 1996 book by Jean Donaldson, “The Culture Clash” AMAZON BOOKS .  To see opposition reflex in action just put a leash on your cat. That’s opposition reflex! It’s stronger in most other animals, probably the more wild or the more predators they have the stronger the reflex, Thankfully, dog’s have been domesticated and puppies are fast learners and through conditioning, patience and trust, this reflex diminishes.

Opposition reflex plays a role initially, but the main reason dogs continue to pull is owner allow it and are greatly rewarded for doing it.  Dogs that pull on a leash think the harder they pull, the more they get, even if it means choking themselves in the process. The other reason dogs pull is owners never showed them, in a language they understand “how to” walk on a loose leash.

People make the mistake initially when getting a new puppy by placing it on the ground and following it around. Once the puppy can tolerate the collar and leash, the owner then allows the puppy to pull them everywhere. As the puppy grows and gains more pulling strength, most owners make the mistake of putting these nice, humane,  harnesses (that you see on sled dogs), along with a tightly held leash or retractable leash (that causes dogs to pull) allowing opposition reflex and the pulling behavior to really kick into gear.

Leash pulling can easily be avoided or stopped altogether with a little time and knowledge.

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Top Tweets

I’ve posted over 1800 tweets on twitter and have over 5000 followers.  The 10 tweets listed below are ones that other people have either responded to or re-tweeted to their followers.

1. NEVER use laser pointers as a chase game for dogs! It may be entertaining 2 U, but it literally drives dogs crazy! Really!..Warning About Laser Pointers

2. If you’re wondering if you should get a dog or not? I say, Don’t Get A Dog ….(DON\’T GET A DOG)

3. You’re saying “goodbye, be a good doggy”, they hear nah nah I’m leaving you all alone, all by… (NO EMOTIONAL HELLO’S)

4. Pointing only gets them to look at your finger, it’s not until they’re trained do they know what your pointing at.

5. Around 5 MILLION dogs and cats (in U.S.) are euthanized each year. Leave breeding 2 professionals. Spay /neuter your pet!

6. Dogs are unaware of the dangers and social expectations within the human world. It’s your job to educate them

7. It’s just a tennis ball to us, to them it’s NIRVANA!

8.  Your dog’s mind is a terrible thing to waste, educate, don’t dominate

9. For many years I’ve questioned the veterinarian immunization schedule for dogs because I believe immunizations can…(SHORTNING A DOGS LIFE)

10. Why the pack leader mentality 4 training and living with your dog is out of date and inappropriate. The dog training…(Old vs. New)

A few of my favorites:

Little dogs don’t know they’re little but owners keep trying to convince them they are.

A dogs “G” spot is behind the ears, the chest or tummy and right b 4 the tail on their back.

A dog living in the backyard will only learn things that will keep them there.

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