WHAT MY BLOG SITE IS ALL ABOUT

This Site went live June 24th, 2009.

Shortly after moving from Malibu California to the Gold Coast of Australia in the beginning of 2009 I decided to start this blog-site.  Having educated dogs and trained people for the last 28 years, I wanted to share my experiences and give expert advice- so people can have a much better understanding and better relationship with their K-9 companions.

Weekly I will be posting a variety of information on dog behavior, training, opinions or topics about dogs and cats, stories, videos or articles I think you’ll enjoy, even some how-to videos showing step by step instruction on obedience, tricks or solving a dogs behavioral issues.

I want to focus attention on my readers and their needs as dog owners. If you have a comment or requests, I read and respond to everyone.  Please feel free to fill out the comment form or send me an email. By subscribing with just your email, you will be notified when I post something new. Subscribe

Look for the “Wait, there’s more” button at the bottom of the left hand column. It will keep taking you to the next page of training and behavioral tips.

Right now I’m working on several video projects, one big one in particular. Can’t wait to finish and show all of you. About 2-3 months less??? so be patient on the blogs

Thanks for visiting.

email: Robert@malibudogtraining.com

Check out my YouTube channel: YouTube.com/malibudogtraining.com

Follow me on twitter: http://twitter.com/malibudogtrainr

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DON’T GET A DOG…

…I should say, don’t get 2 dogs at the same time, and especially if they’re siblings. Yes they will keep each other company but it’s also double trouble. In most cases you will barely have time to raise and train one of them properly, let alone both. In a dog-owner relationship you want your dog focused on you more than things around them. With having two dogs, they will focus more on each other. It’s best to wait until your first dog is at least year and well trained before getting a second dog. A good idea is to adopt and train an older dog, then get your new puppy. That way they can keep each other company and you’ve saved a life.

… Based on looks alone, you have to realize what your getting yourself into. Some dogs are gorgeous, but can be a huge burden on you, your family and home. It’s difficult for me to recommend a breed, because all dogs require time and patience to do it right. I did post the top ten smartest breeds, thats a good place to start looking for a dog. Some breeds aren’t bred to be in certain living conditions and some owners shouldn’t be owning certain breeds. Unless you know exactly what your getting into and can provide whatever is needed, these are the breeds I would avoid owning. http://www.malibudogtraining.com/2009/08/12/10-breeds-to-avoid/

…If you have small children. When raising a child and dog together, one of them isn’t going to get the attention needed.  It’ s best to wait until your child is at least 7 years old before getting a new puppy. A cat would be a better solution, but any animal will take away from the precious time you need for your child. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule but to do it right, you should wait.

…If you work long hours. A lonely bored dog will develop behavioral issues that usually leads to trouble! Luckily there are options for people with long working hours, dog walkers and doggy day care, however these exercise outlets don’t replace what you provide with companionship. If you get a new puppy, be prepared to take a few weeks off.  I wouldn’t get any animal if I worked long hours. A dog sitting in the backyard is only learning things that will keep them there.

… Just because you have a backyard! ok, maybe having one- makes it nice when you don’t have time to walk them, but it shouldn’t be the main reason to get a dog or not. It’s not how big a home or backyard is, it’s what you do that makes you the perfect dog owner. When left alone a dog isn’t running laps in the backyard trying to make up his daily requirement of exercise. A lonely or bored dog will just develop bad habits like barking, digging, chewing, fence fighting and escaping etc.    Getting a second dog may not be the answer either; sometimes it can help but usually just leads to double trouble. Whether you have a big backyard or a big dog in a small place it doesn’t matter, as long as you spend time with them exercising and educating.

Don’t Speak

From an early age we are conditioned to look at, talk to or pet dogs.  Our Dads and Moms while pushing us in our strollers, would alert us to every dog walking nearby, saying “there’s a doggie”, “look at the doggie”, what a nice doggie”, “wanna pet the doggie?” These are just some of the things I hear parents say while I’m out training the dogs.  Parents want to teach children what things are, and dogs are the perfect thing for parents to point out, because humans love animals.  So it’s understandable why as adults, many of us are programmed to greet dogs on the street or at least say something to them like: “Oh what a nice doggie” or “Hi, little puppy”, “What an adorable dog” etc..

In my many years observation people and their reaction when they see a dog, there is never a time when someone would just pet a dog without uttering a sound. When dogs greet other dogs, they don’t use an excited tone or words to greet each other, it’s all non-verbal but very communicative body signals.  Dogs can read our calm body signals, but when we pet and talk to them excitedly, we’re going to elicit a reaction from them and if it’s a young dog, they may start to nip or jump on you.  The owner then gets embarrassed and of course you tell them “oh, it’s ok- I don’t mind” but the owner is thinking, uh, I do mind!

Think “Dog Whispering”

Every once in a while, try to pet a dog without making a sound. You’ll find it difficult at first; remember you’ve been conditioned as a baby to greet them excitedly.  But still try it; it’s totally worth it for the dog.  When you pet a dog in a calm manner and without making a sound, you’ll notice a more bonding connection; they will respond to your touch in a much calmer way, usually with their eyes rolling in ecstasy in the back of their head.   Plus you’ll be helping the owner from feeling embarrassed, and the dog because now the owner will take them out more.

Personally when I get a massage I don’t like when the masseur is bantering away, if they “Don’t speak” I can focus on the reward I so well deserve.

Happy Holiday’s

Hello Subscribers,

On June 24th of this year (my birthday), I started this blog site.  So far I’ve published 51 blogs or posts and every month more people are visiting the site, so I must be doing something right.  I’ve also had many people (maybe you?) make comments about the stories I write, over 100 comments so far.  I’m not really sure if that’s good or bad, but to me any comment is great! I’m glad and hope people are learning things from this site, because I need people to read what I write, then translate it to their pets.  Together we can make their lives easier and in turn ours.

I feel like the flight attendant when they say “Thank you for flying with us, I know you have many other choices of airlines”. But really “Thanks” for reading what I spend time writing.  I have many more stories and training tips in me, plus I have some exciting things happening early next year and I hope you’ll stick around. Give your pet a hug for me..

Happy Holidays to you and your loved one’s.

Cheers,

Robert

Top Ten Excuses

Nobody wants to face reality or they’re being too politically correct.  Quite often I hear people making excuses as to “Why” their child (I mean dog) doesn’t behave or listen to them like they should.  I hear things like: They’re too tired, too distracted, not in the mood, I didn’t exercise them enough, etc. When the real reason is,  a) They never took the time to teach them  b) They don’t know exactly how to teach them or how dogs learn  c) They keep doing the wrong things without seeking professional help d) They treat them like a human baby  e) They’re afraid of scaring them emotionally by challenging them and their intelligence.

Excuses I hear from dog owners:

Too tired

Too distracted

They only listen when I have a treat

They’re a rescue dog; they’ve had a tough life

They didn’t get their exercise today

I guess they don’t feel like it

They must smell something

My dog is too young or too old (set in their ways)

He’s mad at me?

He’s trying to be Pack Leader or dominating me?  This is my favorite, from the perspective of an animal behaviorist, this is equivalent to:  Say you’re helping your child study for a test and you ask your child a question and they don’t know the answer; they must be dominating you.

Do I hear more excuses down here in Australia vs. in the States?  Well, I’ve only been here a year and I do hear excuses but in the States is where I’ve heard most of them.  This blog was kind of directed at the people of Australia because almost all dogs in this area are being walked on harnesses and of course pulling the owners everywhere.  I believe the owners don’t realize the true potential or intelligence of dogs and just make yet another excuse that dog’s pull on leash because they’re dogs.  To me, it’s a waste of a dogs mind, talent and well-being.

Smart, Not Perfect

I posted a blog on the TOP TEN SMARTEST BREEDS and if you think I’m giving you a green light to owning one of the breeds, you’d be wrong.  Just because they were tested by professionals and shown they have higher train-ability IQ than other breeds, doesn’t automatically make them good family pets.  As a mater of fact, some of these so called “smartest breeds” are far from perfect and come with a lot of baggage.

The dog in the # 5 spot: Labrador retriever is the breed I get more calls about than any other and the breed that goes through my training course the most.  People complain the breed is like a clown in a dog’s suit, always stealing food, mouthing body parts, acting hyper, jumping and banging into kids, chewing and grabbing at everything, jumping on strangers and other dogs.  The breed frustrates and embarrasses them when they don’t listen or behave around people.

The dog in the # 9 spot Rottweiler: Has the strongest jaw pressure of any breed and are very vocal dogs that occasionally growl at their owners. People are intimidated by them so they tend to get what they want.  The Rottweiler is in the working breed group and because of it’s mastiff line, can be a good, maybe too good guard dog, intimidating people & dogs.

The dog in the # 3 spot the German shepherd: Is responsible for more bites to humans than any other breed. The breed is a very protective and can make a good guard dog or a bad one when biting friends and family. It’s a hard working dog in the Herding group, so many complaints are about how their dog likes to chase moving things:  kids, cars, small dogs etc… Many small dogs are bitten my German Shepherds.

The dog in the # 2 spot, the poodle: Owners complain the small poodles are difficult to housebreak and they have excessive barking problems and won’t shut up! (Their words, not mine) The standard size poodle owners complain about pulling and lunging on leash at anybody or for no apparent reason.

The dog in the #10 spot Australian Cattle dog: Is in the herding group, so you guest it, likes to heard, chase jump and nip at family members.. They get bored very easily and require lots of room and a job, if they don’t have one, they take it out on anything that isn’t nailed down.

With that said, I hope we all understand it’s not the breed’s fault owners are having trouble! People probably got the dog for the wrong reasons i.e. they’re supposed to be a smart, they like the look of the breed, a friend has a nice one, they grew up with that breed, they now have a backyard, and the bad reason list goes on > DON\’T GET A DOG .  Regardless of what we know about the intelligence of the different breeds, dogs are still predatory animals which comes “Hard wired”  with traits like jumping, licking, guarding, eating everything, chasing, holding, grabbing, tearing. For an unsuspecting owner who doesn’t understand behaviorism or learning theories and how to re-direct those behaviors towards except-able things, this will only lead to a life of misery for dog and dog owner.

If your dog has a specific breed trait or behavioral issue you’d like to change, please use the comment form below

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.

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.

Follow me @ MalibuDogTrainr

It’s us, not the dog

BEING RE-WRITTEN

Basic Dog Care

Dogs can’t verbally tell you what’s wrong with them, so taking their temperature can tell you a lot about how they’re feeling. That’s the first thing you would do with a child and it’s the first thing a vet does with your dog. A dog’s normal temperature fluctuates close to the 102.7F or 39C. It’s very simple to do, very similar to taking a babies temperature. Be sure to use the proper type of thermometer (rectal).

Another good indication on how your dog is feeling is their eating habits. A dog can survive 4-5 days without eating, but we obviously wouldn’t wait that long to be concerned. Missing more than a meal or 2 should alert you that something might be wrong.

I know there are many over the counter medications for humans that also work on our canine friends. Of course the doses are based on the weight of our dogs, so you must be very careful. Talk to your veterinarian about the use of human medication for your pet. I’m not a vet but I have many years of experience in caring for dogs and I know I don’t need to rush my dog to the vet every time they sneeze. It’s always better to be on the side of caution by learning more about your dog’s health.

Please subscribe to my blog with just your email and you will be notified when I post new things. TNX

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