11/24/2020 0 Comments What's the behavior you want?When you are dealing with problem behaviors, there are two main directions you can go in, two paths to changing the behavior. Just like with kids, we can tell our dogs NO all the time, but it's exhausting. And it can be an uphill battle. So let's explore the two paths... Path A: Stop the problem behavior. Remove attention, remove access, give consequences (never physical). Tell your dog NO, don't do that. Stop running away. Stop begging. Stop jumping. Essentially, you have to wait for the behavior to happen so you can tell your dog not to do it. Or... Path B: Teach your dog a skill that is incompatible with the problem behavior. Your dog takes off with socks? Teach him to bring it. He can't run away with an item and bring you an item at the same time Your dog begs at the table? Teach him to stay on his bed. He can't beg and be in his bed at the same time Your dog runs away when you are trying to get him to come? Teach him to target your hand (touch your hand with his nose). He can't run away from you and offer that behavior at the same time What problem behavior are you dealing with? What could you intentionally teach your dog to replace that behavior? So Path A or Path B. It's your choice but I know what I would prefer! If you need help learning HOW to teach those replacement behaviors, that's exactly what my Elementary Pup Course in the Canine Homeschooler Academy teaches you
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11/6/2020 0 Comments An Evening Management WinYou know how you get to the end of the day and you just want to put your feet up?
Maybe even enjoy a glass of wine. Drown in a little tv...but as soon as you sit down, your dog is ready to go...
Yup, me too. Willow is notorious for it. The picture above doesn't happen until long after I'm ready for it. Willow's trigger for needing to go outside and pacing or needing to bring me a toy or needing needing needing...is me sitting down. You know what? I have kids. I'm virtually schooling. I'm creating content, answering emails, taking videos, posting on social media, keeping the house somewhat tidy, feeding everyone, throwing the ball, doing the dishes, doing the laundry... must I go on? So at the end of the day, I like to put my feet up - watch a little TV and maybe enjoy a glass of wine. Do I want to play with Willow at that point? No, not so much. Do I want to cuddle with her? Sure. But she's not ready for that. She hasn't settled. So we started a routine. I shared it on Facebook a couple of nights ago and it was appreciated by many so I thought I would share it here too! Whether you have a puppy, a teenager, or an adult dog playing the game of keep-away with what he found, you have two choices in the momentYou could jump on Path A: Catch your dog, take the item, and put it away or throw it away
or... You could jump on Path B: Grab a treat, offer it to your dog in exchange for what he stole, and then take the item Where does Path A take you? Where does Path B take you? They go in two very different directions! |
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