AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Video

From CGC Evaluator Ada Simms in New York,  here is a short video of her AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class.

Ada’s training school is Reward That Puppy! Inc. Dog Training 

These pups are well trained!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=o2fjU5g0N0o

Why Do Dogs Scratch Ground? …Followup

This is a follow-up to the reader question,”Why does my dog scratch the ground after he pees or poops?”

Citizen Canine readers (many are experienced trainers and canine behaviorists) had some great answers:

* dogs are curious and dig when there is an interesting smell (although the dog owner wasn’t asking about digging)

* dogs scratch with their back paws to mark territory

* while most dogs scratch and spread the ground after urinating or defecating to spread the scent, some scratch as a ‘happy dance’

* one reader noted that cats also do this

* scratching the ground to spread scent after urinating/defecating is more common in males, but some females also do this

So, it seems there are different opinions about the function of scratching the ground after the dog urinates/defecates. It’s unlikely the dog is attempting a polite cover-up and most likely the function is to spread scent to 1) mark the dog’s territory and 2) leave information for other animals that come along.

Dogs have scent glands between the pads of their paws. Scratching up the dirt and grass leaves traces of the dog’s scent and spreads the canine news.  As I wrote in the book, Citizen Canine,  ”humans send email, dogs send pee-mail.”

Presidents’ Day-George Washington’s Dogs

Most people who are interested in dog breeds know that George Washington is credited for developing the American Foxhound. His favorite Foxhound, “Sweet Lips,” accompanied him on trips.

But, did you know that George and Martha Washington were dog lovers and they had a number of other breeds at Mt. Vernon?

In 1786, George paid 12 shillings for a Dalmatian (a coach dog) who was named “Madame Moose.”

Spaniels were used to flush birds when Washington went hunting, and terriers were kept to manage the rat population in the barn.

Finally, a Newfoundland named “Gurmer” was used to hunt ducks at Mt. Vernon.

Happy, happy Presidents’ Day to all of you!

Why Do Dogs…Scratch Ground

Some questions about dog behavior are “frequently asked questions” here in the CGC department. “Why does my dog beg at the table?” (Because he wants your pot roast and you’ve reinforced begging).

Or, “Why does my dog jump on people?” (This is a greeting behavior; your dog is excited and wants to say hello).

What do you think about this question…to start off 2013, more than one dog owner has written to ask, “Why does my dog scratch the ground after he pees?”

Why do you think dogs do this?

Sleepy Time: Choosing a Dog Bed

To tell you the truth, if Wyn, my Welsh Springer, wanted to sleep on my bed, I would let him do it provided he didn’t thrash around keep me awake all night.

But, from the time he was with his littermates, Wyn has chosen a quiet place by himself to sleep. He sleeps in his own bed in the corner of the bedroom, and sometimes, he’ll start the night with a nap on the couch.

If you are looking for a dog bed for your pup, here are a few shopping tips:

* Size is important. Get a bed that is big enough for your dog to lay on his side. Big dogs with long legs do well on rectangular beds.

* What type of coat does your dog have? If you have a flat coated dog that has a tendency to get cold, you might also be adding blankets (e.g., a small blanket or towel) to your dog’s bed.

* Older dogs and dogs with arthritis and joint issues can benefit from an orthopedic bed. You can find these online.

* Consider durability. If your dog likes to turn in circles and scratch the fabric before she lays down, as much as you’d like for her to live like a princess, forget the satin and velvet fabrics.

I took Wyn to the pet store years ago and he chose his own bed. I put several dog beds on the floor in the middle of the aisle and he got into the bed that was his first choice. Of course, it was the most expensive. I took him on a walk around the store, returned to the beds, and put them on the floor again. The pricey one. That was his choice and he was stickin’ to it.

I don’t know what he was responding to. On three occasions, I’ve been drawn in by pet catalogs and I’ve ordered what I consider to be a very high quality dog bed.  Larger than the current bed, thicker, and with a built in pillow around the edges. All three times, Wyn has wanted no part of the new beds.

I realize I could have thrown his old bed away and used operant procedures to convince him he needs a better sleeping experience, but why?  The dog is smart enough to make a choice and he prefers the bed he selected all by himself.

Where do your dogs sleep?

They Ain’t Playin’! How to Tell Play from Aggression

Several years ago, I got a call from an owner who started the conversation by saying, “You’ve got to help me–my dogs are going to kill each other!” The owner went on to describe how sometimes the more dominant dog will “go for the throat.”

I told the owner to keep the dogs apart until I could see them. When I saw the dogs, the plan was to meet them one at a time. I was ready with all of the safety precautions for the dogs, the owners, and me.

The dogs turned out to be two mixed breed puppies who were seven months old. “Going for the throat” turned out to be the noisy, barking, growly play behavior where one pup is on his back. There was no contact with the throat, but as the rowdy play took place, the owner repeatedly shrieked, “They’re going to kill each other!”

The primary intervention turned out to be providing lessons on canine body language to the dramatic owner who yelled more than once, “They ain’t playin!” as the puppies in front of him had a grand time.

Signs of Play

* relaxed mouth

* both dogs wanting to continue the game

* no attempts at hard biting; controlled mouthing

* relaxed body posture, play bow, etc.

They Ain’t Playin’: This is Not Healthy Play

* one dog tries to dominate another, jumps on it, pins it down for extended periods of time

* biting, causing pain

Sometimes, due to the size, strength, and muscularity of the dogs, even with healthy play, someone can get hurt if the activity becomes too rowdy (e.g., body slams). When this happens, you need to change activities.

Training on behaviors such as come, stay, sit, and down, all Canine Good Citizen skills, provides you with tools that can be used to manage your dog.  For more info on CGC, see:

http://www.akc.org/events/cgc/index.cfm

How do you handle rowdy play?

Sit and Watch: For Dogs Who Lunge on Leash

In the official Canine Good Citizen book, “CITIZEN CANINE,” I described a procedure that I called “Sit and Watch.”  This is for dogs who lunge on leash when they see other dogs, or for dogs who become overly excited when other dogs pass by.

It works like this: 1) Teach your dog to sit-stay in a non-distracting setting with no dogs. 2) When the sit-stay is reliable, you’re ready to try this with distractions.  Go to a place where there are other dogs on leash. 3) As another dog approaches, tell your dog to sit and “watch me.”  4) Reward the dog for sitting (with a praise and treat).  5) When the other dog has passed by, you and your dog can begin walking again.

This past weekend, as Wyn and I approached a dog owner with a hound-mix, I saw the dog start to pull and get out of control. The dog’s owner reached in her pocket, pulled out a treat, and in a sweet voice, after telling the dog to sit, said, “mind your own business, Charlie.”

“Sit and Watch” worked beautifully for her. When we passed by, she and her dog resumed their walk.

The behavioral principle behind “Sit and Watch” is called DRI; this means Differential Reinforcement of an Incompatible Behavior. If the dog is sitting and watching the owner, it can’t be lunging.

For other behavioral tips such as Sit and Watch, check out the official CGC book, CITIZEN CANINE, or the official CGC puppy book– AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy: A Positive, Behavioral Approach to Training (www.dogwise.com)