Kansas City Dog Days

Our Dog's New Years Resolutions

2011-12-27T06:30:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am not going to act like my dog wrote this list or even that dogs have resolutions. This is simply my take on things you can expect from your dog in the coming year.

Resolution 1: He will respect your privacy and NOT read your mind. If you don't ask him to wait or stay at doorways, then expect him to almost take you out as he squeezes through that six inch gap between the open door and your knees. If you don't ask him to leave-it, then expect him to root through that shopping bag you put on the floor. If you don't ask him to come and then take him in the house, expect him to continue to stand there and bark at that squirrel in the tree. That's right. Your dog will respect your privacy and will NOT read your mind. So. if you don't ask him to do what you want, then he will do the next best thing - what he wants!

Resolution 2: He will follow your rules. That's right. If your dog is allowed to, for example, get on whatever piece of furniture he wants whenever he wants, then expect him to jump up on the couch with muddy feet to greet Aunt Marie. Rules are rules after all - even when we have company. Of course, if the rule is to ask for permission BEFORE getting on furniture then your dog and Aunt Marie will probably get along much better.

Resolution 3: He will help you reap what you reward. So if you reward (even inadvertently) jumping or barking, then he will be obligated to repeat those behaviors. If pulling hard on the leash helps get you and him across the street to check out that fantastic smell, well, he will help 'get you there' by pulling everyday. You get the idea. Your dog will help you reap what you reward so you better pay attention and only reward the behaviors you want repeated.

So, now that we know our dog's resolutions maybe it is time to come up with some of our own. Here are a few that you might want to consider:

1. Reward the behavior you want repeated. Example, acknowledge or reward your dog when he approaches you and sits or stands (aka not jumping!)
2. Establish some 'house rules'. Dog is not allowed on furniture without an invitation. Dog is allowed in the bedroom. Dog is not to be rewarded when offering begging behavior. Whatever works in your household. Just come up with your top 5 and post them on the fridge for all family members to see and follow.
3. Communicate with your dog. Don't expect him to read your mind. If he is jumping around like a goofball and you would rather he sit, then say so!

However you and your dog work it, here's wishing you both a fantastic 2012!

Happy New Year and happy training!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

It's Christmas Time to TRAIN!

2011-12-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. We are hustling and bustling to get ready for our holiday celebrations, but this doesn't mean training our dog should fall to the wayside. In fact, just the opposite. Now is the perfect time to get in a little extra training. Better to be proactive and teach our dog what to do as the decorations come out and the tree goes up , rather than waiting for him to dive bomb the pretty shiny paper as you are trying to wrap gifts.

I Got a Puppy - Now What?

2011-12-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. The holidays are approaching and many families will find a new puppy under the tree on Christmas morning. Everyone knows what you need to do with a new puppy - give him attention, house train him, feed him, exercise him, and keep an eye on him so he doesn't chew up your new shoes. But the one thing most people overlook, or aren't aware of, is the need to socialize their new puppy. Socialize, socialize, socialize.

Ready, Set, Go! Are You Prepared To Evacuate the Whole Family

2011-03-15T21:21:00.000-07:00

The events unfolding in Japan are tragic and I cannot even begin to fathom what those poor people must be going through. As I watch the dramatic footage on TV my heart just breaks, but I also hear this little voice in back of my mind - am I ready to evacuate at a moments notice with my household pets? Sadly, the answer is no.

Dining with Dogs. It's No Big Deal, Honest!.

2010-09-06T21:47:00.000-07:00

Recently, some good friends of mine spent the day helping me out with some yard work. Part of the deal was allowing their 3 dogs to roam the property while we worked. This was no big deal and my two dogs enjoyed the company.

At the end of the day I was too tired to cook so I suggested that we head into town to eat dinner at my favorite restaurant. This put my friends in a bit of a panic trying to figure out what to do with their dogs while we ate. I told them to relax, it was a dog friendly restaurant. This seemed to panic them even more. Their dogs had never been 'out to eat' and they were sure it would lead to mass chaos. I assured them that we would be fine. We had 3 dogs and 3 people so we would each be responsible for one dog and I would show them exactly what to do.

Well, needless to say, dinner went off without a hitch. The dogs were all very polite and my friends were amazed at just how easy it was. So, for anyone that wants to dine with their dog but are afraid of mass chaos, simply follow the tips below:

Casper settles in. Not bad for his
first time at a restaurant

1. For Dining with Dogs rookies - people should ALWAYS out number the dogs!
2. Remember a tired dog is a good dog. Be sure your canine partner gets plenty of exercise BEFORE you head out for dinner.
3. Think of your first 3 to 4 outings as training sessions and not dinner. That means, don't invite a long lost friend and expect to spend the evening chatting away. Until you and your dog have this down to an art you will need to pay more attention to your dog than your guest.

4. Don't go at rush hour. Visit at a slow time (usually early afternoon) so that you and your dog will have plenty of space and not too many distractions.

5. Pick a table that is off to the side and out of the foot traffic path. Picking a table that backs up to the patio edge is even better - this way you don't have to worry about people walking around all sides.

6. If possible, keep your dog on the opposite side of the table as wait staff. Your waiters are busy enough so they should NOT have to fight your dog for access to the table. This will also minimize the chances of your dog jumping up and knocking over a tray full of food.

7. For the first couple of visits, keep the leash in your hand. If you tie your dog to the chair you may forget you have a dinner partner until he wraps the leash around the table and knocks it over.

8. Keep the leash short (and NO flexi's) for the first couple of visits. If your dog keeps wrapping himself around the chair he has too much leash.

9. Reward, reward, reward!! It is your job to teach your dog how to act. Take treats with you and put them on the table. Then reward your dog 2-3 times a minute (yes, every 20 seconds) for sitting or laying down until they settle. At first, if you wait too long between rewards your dog will become bored and start to entertain himself.

10. The wait staff is approaching, do you know where your dog is? Make sure they haven't slipped under the table or around a chair just hoping to meet the waitress. It is also a great idea to reward your dog for sitting while the waiter is at the table. Teach him that good things come from you, not the waiter.

Junior patiently waiting
for his reward

11. While you are eating do not zone out on your dog. The moment your dog gets bored he will start to entertain himself by trying to get to that crumb the people at the next table dropped or chasing that bird that just landed in the grass. A good rule of thumb for Dining with Dogs rookies is for every 2 bites of food you take your dog should get 1 reward treat for appropriate behavior.

12. Remember that Dining with Dogs is a privilege - not a right. A couple of bad experiences or complaints from other diners and your favorite dog friendly restaurant could quickly become not so dog friendly. So, don't let your dog eat from the restaurants plates or utensils. Do not let them relieve themselves near the restaurant. Don't assume that other patrons are dog friendly. Keep you dog with you and under control at all times. Do not allow your dog to approach other people or disrupt their dinner. If they want to meet your dog they will ask. If they don't then steer clear. Never take aggressive or overly anxious dogs.

So, Dining with Dogs is not that hard. Just plan ahead, pay attention to your dog, and reward, reward, reward. Before you know it, Dining with Dogs will be a non-event for both you and your canine partner.

Happy Training!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

But My Dog Didn't Do Anything! - Exactly!!

2010-07-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

As we have discussed before, in dog training, behavior that is rewarded is usually repeated. We reward our dog's for sitting and they sit more often. We reward them for bringing us their toy and they bring their toys more often. Easy enough - reward the behavior you want repeated!

Unfortunately, we humans are pretty good at rewarding dogs when they do something but we overlook their good behavior when the don't do something. Now before you think I am talking gibberish let me explain.

There was a woman in class the other night with an exuberant 8 month old boxer. He was very friendly and just wanted to play with all the other dogs which meant he was lunging at the end of his leash every time another dog came within a 10 foot circle. Toward the end of class he had calmed down considerably when another dog walked right in front of him. The boxer didn't move. He didn't lunge. He didn’t jump. He just calmly watched the other dog walk by. I said, “Good job! Good boy!” and proceeded to give him a treat and a quick side rub. His owner looked directly at me and with a perplexed look said “But he didn't do anything?” I said “Exactly! He didn't lunge and he didn't whine - he calmly watched another dog walk by! This is the behavior that we want him to repeat.”

So, as you work with your dog, don't forget to reward him for what he doesn't do. When he doesn't jump on your guests - Good Job! When he doesn't pull on the leash to chase that rabbit - Good Job! When he doesn't bark at that cyclist going by during your walk - Good Job!

Remember, always reward the behavior that you want repeated even if that means you are rewarding your dog for doing nothing!!

Happy training.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Brittney's Journey Day 7 - a foster dog's story

2010-07-07T19:44:00.001-07:00

I have decided to blog about the daily activities with my latest foster dog. The goal is to detail how I acclimate a new dog into the household and how I start preparing her for her new home. Hopefully this information will be useful the next time you introduce a new dog into the household.

Brittney is available for adoption through Mastiff Hope Rescue. You can find more info at http://www.mastiffhope.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=2575253

You can start at the beginning of the journey by reviewing our past day activities at http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/06/brittneys-journey-foster-dogs-story.html http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-2-foster-dogs.html
http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-3-foster-dogs.html
http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-4-5-6-foster-dogs.html

When we left off, Olive and Brittney had had a short play session. Olive ended the session after a couple of minutes and wouldn't reengage. She continued to avoid Brittney for the rest of the evening and this morning. I think she found Brittney's in your face play style a little overwhelming. Well, I am glad to report that all is well now. It is as if Olive thought it over and came up with a solution - if Brittney cannot catch me she cannot try to box me. Her plan worked as you will see in the video.

Other than that it was a pretty slow training day. The dogs were having a great time hanging out so I decided to stay out of the mix and just let them be dogs for the evening. I have started working on Brittney's Come cue and all is going well. You will see her in action in the video.

As Brittney's personality continues to emerge I have to admit that she came to me with many good habits. She is not a jumper. She can be overly excited when she approaches but manages to keep four on the floor when she gets to me. This is a good sign. Alot of dogs jump out of excitement but she has mastered four on the floor. She is not a big chewer and enjoys hanging out with Theo and Olive but is just as content hanging out alone. She knows how to sit, down and is easy to manage off leash.

Her weaknesses are waiting (yes Brittney, patience is a virtue) and Coming when called when there are distractions. We still don't know how she will handle small kids and I plan to get her out and about this weekend to see how she interacts with strangers in a strange environment.

Now the sales pitch begins - I have been very impressed with Brittney. I think she will make a fine addition to any home. I think she would even be a good choice for a first time dog owner. She really does just want to hang out and please you.

And as a side note, her current buddies are both rescue dogs. Theo is from Mastiff Hope and Olive is the namesake of Olive's Hope Pet Rescue in Louisburg, KS.

Oh well, enough for this evening. Will post again this weekend.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

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Brittney's Journey Day 4, 5, 6 - a foster dog's story

2010-07-06T15:34:00.000-07:00

Also, I should probably mention that Brittney is available for adoption through Mastiff Hope Rescue. You can find more info at http://www.mastiffhope.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=2575253

You can start at the beginning of the journey by reviewing our past day activities at http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/06/brittneys-journey-foster-dogs-story.html
http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-2-foster-dogs.html

http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-3-foster-dogs.html

So I took a break from blogging over the Holiday weekend but there was no break in Brittney's story. First, she took a couple of car rides. All to non-event places like the post office and McDonald's. It is important that car rides have a variety of destinations. Too often car rides always end at the vet's office making some dogs afraid of the car. She did great in the car and thank goodness she isn't one to get carsick.

We also had several severe thunderstorms and the lovely 4th of July fireworks. Happy to say that Ms. Brittney was not phased by any of it. Some dogs can spook at loud sounds but she was relaxed through all the excitement.

I haven't mentioned it before but crating is also a non-issue. She crates up every night and when I leave for work. She also gets crated occasionally throughout the day just so she learns to be calm in the crate even when I am home. She hasn't whined once in the crate. Yea Brittney!

She has shown no food guarding issues. I accidentally dropped a pork chop on the floor this weekend and I was able to call her off with Leave It and a quick body block. Some dogs would have challenged for the food but she was quick to back off. Of course we were both sad because that pork chop looked delicious!

Her personality is starting to come out. She is not really into food stuffed toys (Kong's) but she will toss around a ball and chase it through the house. She prances as she plays and is a joy to watch.

Of course the biggest event this weekend was her introduction to Ms. Olive, the resident dog. Glad to report that all went well. Olive can be a little intimidating with her in your face play style. Brittney had no issue with it at all. The video below captures them in motion. As you watch the video note:

I did not catch their first greeting on tape. The tape starts with their 2nd interaction.
Brittney is on leash for their greeting. I am not fond of on leash greetings since we humans have a bad habit of tightening up on the leash which could add stress to a tense situation but I had to use a leash since the area is not fenced and I wanted to make sure we didn't end up with a cross country play session. Notice that I try to keep the leash loose during play so Brittney doesn't notice it too much.
There is a little tension in their play. You will see some raised hackles and tense bodies/tails but that is not unusual during first time play. They are relaxed enough to interact but not 100% sure of the situation.
I am silent during their play. I was ready to verbally call off the play session if need be but as usual, dogs speak dog better than I do so they did not need my meddling.
The video is in chronological order.

If you want a quick lesson on dog speak watch for the following

twice Brittney places her front paws on Olive's back. Olive stops, freezes and turns her head around to make eye contact. It appears she is saying - please stop that now - because Brittney slides back to 4 on the floor both times.
Olive's tails is high and excited during play but lower and relaxed after the play session is over.
in the middle of the video Olive runs off. This effectively ends the play session. Brittney tries to reengage her in play but Olive has said enough.
Brittney has a habit of standing on her back legs. I do believe that is just the boxer in her. Hence the name - BOXER!
At one point Brittney shakes as though she is wet. We call that Shaking It Off and it is a common response from dogs after a stressful situation.
Watch the times when they aren't wrestling and running - that is when the real communication happens.

Still on the agenda, finding out how Brittney handles interactions with children and at some point she will leave my side long enough for me to practice the emergency come command.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Brittney's Journey Day 3 - a foster dog's story

2010-07-02T20:53:00.001-07:00

You can start at the beginning of the journey by reviewing our past day activities at http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/06/brittneys-journey-foster-dogs-story.html

http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-2-foster-dogs.html

Day 3 - Brittney is doing great. She is much more confident in the house. Her tail is wagging and the cautious walk is almost gone. She still startles easily if she isn't expecting your touch so I spent quite a bit of time today just sitting on the floor petting her all over. She loves the attention and eventually ends up laying in my lap. A 50 lb lap dog is no problem considering I already have a 100 lb lap dog in the house!!

She met Theo today and all went well. She tried to initiate a play session but I think she was a little intimated by his size so she eventually decided just to follow him around the yard.

I also allowed her some uncrated alone time in the house today. I needed to see if she became stressed or anxious in my absence. Good news - she didn't. Some dogs will start to chew, bark or scratch up windows if they are panicked at being left alone. She did none of this. She ate her dinner and then curled up for a nap in the cool house. She is a very quiet dog. I don't think I have heard her bark or make any vocalizations. This doesn't mean she won't find her voice as she becomes more comfortable in her environment but for now she is silent.

We continued our work around the food bowl. I was able to pet her while she was eating and if she sees me coming she will back off her food bowl to see if I have a special treat - which I usually dog. This is a great sign. It is a much safer environment when dogs don't feel the need to protect their resources around humans. Now just because she is comfortable with me around her food bowl doesn't mean she will be comfortable with strangers around her food bowl - but one step at a time.

She was also allowed outside off leash today. She is still what is commonly referred to as a velcro dog. She stays very close to me when we are walking. She is not underfoot but usually stays within 6 to 8 foot of me. When she did start to wonder off I was able to verbally call her back, no issue. Of course her velcro tendency may fade as she becomes more confident in this environment, but for now, I am using it to my advantage by rewarding her every time she comes to or near me. I want her to think of me as home base. A place where good things happen. A great place to hang out!

On tap for tomorrow - the emergency come command and intro to my other dog Olive. Olive is a very excitable, in your face, let's run, play and wrestle all the time kind of dog so I want to be sure that Brittney is prepared for her energy. Better to delay the introduction and get it right the first time than try to recover from a rushed introduction that goes all wrong.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Brittney's Journey Day 2 - a foster dog's story

2010-07-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

You can start at the beginning of the journey by reviewing our day one activities at http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/06/brittneys-journey-foster-dogs-story.html

Day 2 and Brittney is already more comfortable and confident in her new environment. It is obvious by the tucked tail and cautious walk that she is still a little timid inside the house but she has conquered her fears of the great outdoors. Her tail is up and she evened chased a few butterfly's during our evening walk.

We are still walking on the 50' leash but I continue to call her to me for a reward and she has started 'checking in' with me on her own. I stop and acknowledge her every time she checks in because I want her to remember that good things happen when she is with me.

With her new found confidence, she decided door dashing was a good idea. Me, not so much. So, the rest of the evening she had to 'Wait' at every door and threshold until I invited her to come through. Teaching Wait is really quite simple. I cue her to Wait and start to open the door. If she tries to dart through the door I simply close it until she backs off and then I try again. It took less than 2 minutes (and 4-5 door shuts) for her to realize she couldn't come through until I invited her. There is a chance she will forget this new found skill overnight so I will be prepared to start from the beginning tomorrow morning if need be.

I also wanted to be sure that she didn't have any concerns with humans around her food bowl. So, when she was eating, I made myself busy in the same general area. I kept about a 4' distance from her as I walked around opening cabinets and drawers and just looking busy. I was watching for any signs of discomfort or fear in her body language such as, freezing, watching me out of the corner of her eye, lowering her head into the bowl, etc. I didn't see any of these signs. I even called her off the food a couple of times and had her sit/wait while I added some special treats to her food bowl. We will continue this exercise and hope to eventually be able to pet her while she is eating.

She also met the cats today. For every one's safety, I made sure she was on leash for this meet and greet and didn't get close enough to make physical contact. As she noticed the cats I once again paid attention to her body language. I was looking for any signs of concern - excitement, a high tail, frantic panting, etc. She showed no more than a casual interest in their presence and I was able to redirect her attention verbally. Of course she is still the new kid on the block so I will not allow physical access to the cats for a couple more days.

As you can tell, I like to take things slowly. With foster dogs you usually have no idea what has happened in their past and how they might react in certain situations. With this in mind, I prefer to go one step at a time to insure every one's safety and to make sure I don't put her in a situation that she may not be ready to handle. I would, for example, prefer to wait 3 days to introduce her to the resident dogs when I have a better idea of how it might go than to have to break up a dog fight on day one.

Tomorrow we will introduce the Emergency Come Cue and she will probably get to interact with the resident dogs.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA

Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Personable Pets Dog Training

http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Brittney's Journey - a foster dog's story

2010-06-30T20:52:00.000-07:00

I just took in my latest foster dog so thought I would provide daily updates on our activities. Hopefully this information will be useful the next time you introduce a new dog into the household. Keep in mind that my interactions with Brittney follow what I consider to be the 2 most important dog training rules:

One, everytime you interact with a dog you are training them. So I want to reward appropriate behavior from the moment I meet a dog.

Two, behavior that is rewarded is repeated. I will reward good behaviors - sitting, coming when called, waiting at doorways, four on the floor, patience, etc.

Day 1 - I think Brittney is a boxer mix and underweight at around 50 lbs. Her body language tells me that she is very unsure in her new surroundings. Her tail remains tucked up close to her body and she has a very timid and light footed walk. She is ready to run at the slightest noise or unusual movement. Since she is so timid I probably won't let her physically interact with the resident dogs for a few days since they are both such physical players. She has meet them through the crate and window screens and she doesn't appear overly concerned with their presence.

I allowed Brittney plenty of time to explore her new surroundings. She had an extended walk outside on a 50' leash. She was allowed time to sniff and investigate but I also called her back to me every couple of minutes to reward her with a treat for a polite sit. This training exercise accomplished several things -

She learned to return to me from a distance.

She learned that sitting made good things happen. (the food treat)

She learned to acknowledge her name. (Brittney, HERE!)

She was then allowed time to investigate the inside of the house while the resident dogs were outside. Again, I called her every couple of minutes to reward her for a polite sit. She was able to eat and drink without interruption except for the few times I called her away for a treat. She then got another opportunity to explore the outdoors before being crated up with a bully stick.

So, day one may not sound like much, but in reality it was a huge day for Brittney. She had the opportunity to investigate her new environment at her own pace - proving to herself that she is safe. She learned good things happen when you sit, that good things happen when she responds to the HERE cue, good things happen in the crate (bully stick) and she learned good things happen around me. Hopefully she had a good 'first' impression of her new temporary home and she will be a little more relaxed tomorrow.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

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2 Kids, 1 Dog and a Backyard - Can't We All Just Get Along?

2010-05-31T20:22:00.000-07:00

Backyard playtime is a common problem for families with pets. The kids want to run and play but the dog wants to join the fun. And, since dog play is so different than human play, this often means the dog is jumping and mouthing the kids and possibly creating a dangerous situation.

Does this look familiar?

Fortunately, dogs and kids can learn to share the same backyard with a little practice. Just like you teach your dog to sit when greeting people - you simply need to teach him how to behave while the kids are playing. You will also need to teach the kids how to interact with the dog as well.

For this family, we decided the best solution was to have the dog hang out with the adults while the kids are playing. We also needed to teach the kids to Be A Tree when the dog tried to join the fun so he wasn't inadvertently rewarded with their interaction or yelling. We then set up a couple of training sessions so we could reward the dog and kids for the appropriate behavior.

Please note, we didn't wait for the inappropriate behavior to happen in real life. We actually directed mock play sessions so we could control the environment and level of excitement - allowing both the dog and kids to learn new behaviors. Here is a video clip of a couple of our training sessions.

As you can see, we made significant progress in just a couple of sessions. The dog learned that all the fun stopped when he tried to join so he was eager to hang with the adults on the sidelines. The kids learned that Being a Tree was much more effective than yelling or trying to push the dog away. Of course, both the dog and kids need much more practice for this to become a habit but it proves that most dogs and kids can successfully share a backyard with a little training and appropriate adult supervision.

Please keep in mind that this particular solution is not one size fits all. If you are having these same issues at home, we highly recommend that you work with a local trainer to ensure every one's safety. Also, the dog in this video did NOT have a history of biting or trying to physically hurt the kids during play. If he had, our training plan would have been completely different and a little more controlled. This is just an example of what can be accomplished with a little training.

Also, although we allowed one of the children to run away from the dog to demonstrate the stop and Be a Tree solution, you should teach your kids to NEVER run from a dog. Our video was recorded in a controlled environment and with a family dog that has never shown aggression or extremely rough behavior while playing with the kids. Running from a dog can quickly turn a bad situation into a DANGEROUS situation so make sure your kids never run from a dog. For more dog safety tips please visit http://www.doggonesafe.com/

So, 2 kids, 1 dog and a backyard - yes, we can all get along. You just need a plan, patience and practice. And practice. And practice. And then practice some more!!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

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Even Politicians Reap What They Reward!!

2010-04-23T21:20:00.001-07:00

Since this is a dog training blog, I try to avoid touchy subjects such as religion, money and politics. But I watched a video of Mrs. Obama today and WOW - just can't let it go. The video was a Q&A session with children attending the White House ‘Bring Your Kids to Work Day.' I was shocked at what I heard and saw and thought I would share my opinion with my readers.

Now, before you think I am really going down the road of debating politics on my blog - the video included Bo, the White House dog, and the mischief he was creating. A link to the video is below but if you haven't seen it, let me summarize. Several times during the presentation, Bo becomes bored or over stimulated and barks at Mrs. Obama for attention. Unfortunately, every time he barked she would immediately look at him and try to soothe him with kind words. She probably thought that by acknowledging him he would calm down and let her continue her discussion with the kids. He apparently thought, "Hey, every time I bark she gives me her full attention so bark, bark and then bark some more!!"

This is a common complaint from dog owners. How do I get my dog to stop barking at me? Most of them are surprised to find out that the best thing to do in that situation isn't to look at, reprimand or yell at the dog - the best thing to do is to walk away and ignore the behavior. Remember the most important rule in dog training - Behavior that is Rewarded is Repeated!

Now, in Bo's defense, I think the entire presentation was 45 minutes long. That is a long time for a young, energetic dog to stay calm. Here are some tips that may have helped Mrs. Obama and that may help you:

1. A tired dog is a good dog. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you take him to events where he needs to remain calm and under control.
2. Take along a couple of doggy entertainment items. Maybe if Bo had had a stuffed Kong to chew on he wouldn't have had to entertain himself. And trust me, when dogs have to entertain themselves they hardly ever pick what we consider to be the appropriate choice.
3. Reward the behavior you want. Several times in the presentation (you have to watch the full version on WhiteHouse.gov) Bo laid down peacefully on stage. Those would have been perfect opportunities for Mrs. Obama to acknowledge him but unfortunately she ignored him and continued to talk to the audience. This is a common failure in training - we ignore good behavior because the dog isn't bugging us or getting underfoot. Always remember to Reward the Behavior you want!
4. Never reward attention seeking barking. Not at home, in the office or events that you attend with your dog.

So there you have it. My detour into politics. I think it just goes to show that dogs are dogs and people are people and that training the dog is never enough. Training is a joint venture and you both have to modify behaviors or you will never get the results you want.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training
Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/

Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

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Dogs Cannot Turn the Radio Down

2010-03-19T22:16:00.000-07:00

Dogs cannot turn the radio down. Sounds silly, but stay with me for a moment.

Driving to training class the other night I saw an accident up ahead on the highway. Emergency flashers, brake lights, one lane traffic - you get the picture. Anyway, I slowed down and then I turned the radio off. I needed to pay attention to what I was doing and at that point the radio was just a noisy distraction. I needed a calm, quiet, controlled environment in order to concentrate.

And then it dawned on me - dogs cannot turn the radio down. We take them into different environments - stores, vet offices, parks, etc., - and just expect them to perform on cue, often overlooking the fact that the environment may be too overwhelming for them to even think straight.

So, next time you are out and about with your dog and he doesn't seem to be paying attention to anything you say, don't assume he is being head strong or stubborn. He is probably just too overwhelmed by all the distractions and, unfortunately, he cannot turn the radio down!

If your dog is unable to concentrate in certain public situations don't despair. Start practicing in calm environments and then work your way up one distraction at a time. Or better yet, contact a local trainer and let them help you work your way up to public outings.

Just remember to take it slow, reward for good behavior and keep it fun for both you and your dog.

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
www.personablepets.com
Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.
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Make a List and Check It Twice - the Keep Fido Safe During the Holiday List

2009-11-15T18:56:00.000-08:00

The holidays are a very busy time with new foods, decorations and plants entering your house. Unfortunately, in the excitement, we can quickly forget about Fido and his safety. Here are some tips that might come in handy.

Keep track of your pets. Guests may leave a door or gate open allowing for accidental escapes or that unattended turkey on the counter could quickly become Fido's dinner These situations can usually be avoided by assigning one family member to be responsible for Fido. This way family members don't incorrectly assume someone else is watching the dog.
Keep your dog on leash if he has not yet learned to remain calm in exciting situations.
Plan in advance. Have food stuffed toys or chew bones ready to entertain your pet on a moment's notice. Also, have a safe quiet guest free area prepared for your dog - this way you aren't lugging crates around at the last minute.
Not all pets are comfortable with a houseful of people. If your dog seems stressed or nervous do not hesitate to crate them in a safe place with a good chew toy. (Dog Blog: Talking without saying a word - Shy and Anxious dogs.)
Do not allow children to hug, kiss, or overwhelm your pet. If you cannot supervise children/dog interactions crate your dog for every one's safety.

These are just a few tips to keep you on track. Remember that preplanning is the best way to avoid accidents/conflicts. So, while you are making that shopping list make a keep Fido safe list and all should go well. Also, click here to review the ASPCA's Poison Safe Home list. While you are there, be sure to order your Free Pet Safety Package.

Have any safety tips of your own to share? Feel free to let us know.

Have a safe Holiday Season!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
www.personablepets.com
Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.
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Dog Safety is a Family Affair

2009-10-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Personable Pets Dog Training hosted their 1st Annual Dog Safety Fair on Oct 11th. We hosted this event for one reason - to help people (kids and adults alike) stay safer around dogs.

Most dog bites can be prevented and education seems to be the key. Also, don't think that dog safety is just for people that own dogs. It is estimated that there are 53 million dogs living in America, meaning approximately one out of every three households is home to a dog. So, even if you don’t own a dog, you and your children will most likely come into contact with other people’s dogs on a regular basis.

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The first step to dog safety is to realize you can never undo a dog bite. You should stop, think and evaluate before you decide to interact with a dog. Do you speak 'dog'? Can you tell if a dog is relaxed, anxious or threatening? Most people cannot. Dogs communicate almost entirely with body language so if you cannot interpret their signals you should not try to interact with them. To better understand dog body language visit Doggone Safe or purchase the Dogs, Cats & Kids dvd.

The second step to dog safety is to realize dogs are NOT humans with fur. They are a completely different species with their own definition of acceptable behavior. If you impose acceptable human actions on dogs you run the risk of being bitten. You should never hug, kiss, wrestle, poke, startle, stare at, surprise or hit a dog.

Unfortunately, parent's often let their kids hug and kiss the family dog assuming they will know better than to try the same with strange dogs. This is dangerous for two reasons. First, most kids learn how to interact with dogs in the home and they usually try to exercise those same behaviors on strange dogs. I often have to stop young kids in public who try to hug my dog. The parents usually offer an embarrassed grin as they explain the child is allowed to hug the family dog. For most kids dogs are dogs and if they are allowed to treat familiar dogs a certain way they will often duplicate those actions on strange dogs. Second, most kids are bitten by dogs they know - not strange dogs. So while parents need to be vigilant about teaching their kids how to act around strange dogs they need to be just as vigilant (if not more) implementing household dog safety rules. And these rules should extend to dogs that kids interact with on a regular basis including the neighbor's dog, Aunt Suzie's dog and Grandpa's dog. (please note, kids should never be allowed to hug or kiss dogs - even their own dogs!!!)

Household dog safety rules should include the following. Children should never interact with a dog when he is sleeping, eating, chewing, scared, playing with a toy, sick, frightened, resting or crated. Children should never be allowed to lay on, crawl on, hug or kiss dogs. Kids should never play chase or tug games with dogs. Most importantly, young children should NEVER have unsupervised access to the family dog. These are just a few dog safety tips. Visit Doggone Safe or the CDC for additional ideas.

So as you can see, teaching kids how to interact with strange dogs is important but teaching kids how to remain safe around familiar dogs is just as important. Make dog safety a family affair! Look for a dog safety presentation in your area or contact a local dog trainer for guidance. The sooner your family learns to speak 'dog' the better!!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/
Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.
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Join us at the 1st Annual Dog Safety Fair

2009-09-22T20:17:00.000-07:00

According to the CDC, 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year.

But most dog bites can be prevented!!

It is estimated that there are 53 million dogs living in America, meaning approximately one out of every three households is home to a dog. So, even if you don’t own a dog, you and your children will most likely come into contact with other people’s dogs on a regular basis. Attend the Dog Safety Fair to learn ways to stay safer around both unfamiliar and household dogs.

This free interactive fair is designed for kids 4+ years of age and adults of all ages. Spin the Wheel of Dog Talk or take on the challenging Which One Can I Pet? Cubes as you learn more about dog body language and common safety tips.

Personable Pets 1st Annual Dog Training Fair

When: Sunday, Oct 11th
1-4 pm

Where: Tails R Waggin
6976 W. 152nd Terrace
Overland Park, KS

Contact 913-212-8007 for additional info

We can accommodate groups of 10 with advance coordination!!

This is a human only event - please leave your pets at home!

Join Personable Pets on Facebook for additional event info!!

All content © Personable Pets Dog Training

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
http://www.personablepets.com/
Serving Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.

Talking Without Saying a Word - Shy and Anxious Dogs

2009-08-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

As we discussed in our first Talking Without Saying a Word blog - humans are a very verbal species. Although we pay attention to body language and facial expressions - we tend to fall back on verbal communication the majority of the time. And in case you haven't noticed, dogs do not speak English! The majority of their communication is through body language and we tend to miss these signals because we are too busy - you guessed it - TALKING!!

This ignorance of dog talk is most evident when we are interacting with a shy or nervous dog. Although humans tend to notice when dogs appear anxious, we often overlook the fact that they are trying to get away from us. Or even if we notice their escape attempts we assume we know better and we continue to approach them assuming we can convince them that there is no reason to be afraid.

Watch the video below and notice the way Gigi avoids Sandy. Keep in mind that Gigi is NOT deaf - she is just ignoring Sandy both physically and verbally.

In this clip Gigi is avoiding her owner. Watch the first time her owner tries to pet her, Gigi backs up to escape. The second time, however, Gigi is not able to escape but does it appear to you that she is enjoying the interaction?

So why is it so important to understand and respect the signals that anxious dogs provide? Two reasons. First, if a dog is afraid or anxious around humans, your continued approaches or unwelcome interactions can further reinforce their fear - making them even more afraid of humans. Second, and most important, if an anxious dog feels trapped or threatened he could bite.

Keep in mind, it is easy to spot anxious signals when someone points them out on video or when you are watching someone else interact with a dog. But often, when we are the ones interacting with the dog, we get caught up in the moment and completely overlook the obvious. So pay attention when you are interacting with a dog. Are they just our of your reach? Maybe this is intentional so you cannot physically touch them. Did they not hear you when you called their name? Maybe they did hear you and they are just avoiding you. Was it a coincidence that they walked behind their owner just as you approached? Maybe they are actually hiding from you.

So, be nice and be careful out there. If it appears that a dog is avoiding you they probably are. It would be best in these situations to just leave the area or room or just ignore the dog and let them initiate contact if and when they are ready.

Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Personable Pets Dog Training, http://www.personablepets.com/, Serving Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas

Talking Without Saying a Word - Dog to Dog Communication

2009-07-24T19:03:00.000-07:00

Dogs have been human companions forever. But even with this long history of companionship, the relationship has been pretty one sided. Although we have made great strides in dog nutrition, healthcare and training - the same cannot be said for understanding or even noticing dog communications, whether it is dog to human or dog to dog communication.

I don't think we intentionally ignore what dogs are saying - we're just not bilingual! Humans are a very verbal species. Although we pay attention to body language and facial expressions - we tend to fall back on verbal communication the majority of the time. And in case you haven't noticed, dogs do not speak English! The majority of their communication is through body language and we tend to miss these signals because we are too busy - you guessed it - TALKING!!

Now, if you are sitting there saying "Whatever, I always know what my dog is saying" keep reading, please.

My business partner Karla and I got together recently to film some footage for an upcoming dog safety presentation. We consider ourselves dog savvy and we are both pretty good at picking up on dog communication signals so I was pretty shocked when I saw the footage below and realized just what we missed while we were - you guessed it - TALKING!!!

Let's see if you can do any better than we did. Watch the clip below and take note of what you see.

So what did you see? Two excited dogs trying to interact with Karla? Karla ignoring the pushy black dog’s behavior? Did you see anything else?

Here is what I noticed when I replayed the clip.

1. Karla is interacting with the yellow lab (Sadie) until the black dog (Olive) successfully gets between the two.
2. Karla diverts her attention so she doesn't reward the black dog's pushy behavior.
3. The black dog continues to place her body between the lab and Karla so that she has Karla all to herself.
4. Eventually the black dog freezes up (her tail stops moving) as she stares the lab down. Notice that when the lab backs away you can see the black dog's face staring directly at her.
5. The lab gives up and ultimately leaves the room, I assume, to avoid conflict.

I have zoomed in on the action in the clip below so watch it and see if you agree with my assessment.

The clip below is a close-up so you can see the stare down as the lab moves.

So in the few seconds that Karla and I are busy talking and laughing the black dog has successfully communicated to the lab that Karla is off limits - and we missed the entire conversation!! Now, had Karla and I been paying more attention to the dogs, and less attention to trying to get some great footage, we would have realized what was going on and probably interrupted the behavior. But the reality is, no matter how well we understand dog communications, we cannot watch our dogs 100% of the time in every situation so we are going to miss a lot of the action.

Why is this important? Think about it. If the yellow lab had barked or tried to correct the pushy black dogs behavior we would probably have assumed the yellow lab was the aggressor and behaving inappropriately, when in reality, she was the victim and just trying to stand up for herself.

So, the next time your dog appears to be the aggressor in a situation, and before you punish them, you might want to take a step back and decide whether or not you "heard" the entire conversation.

Happy Training....

Content, pictures and videos ©Personable Pets Dog Training

Wait - one of the Personable Pets Super 6 House Manners Dog Training cues

2009-07-14T21:33:00.000-07:00

One common complaint from dog owners is the out of control behavior their dog's offer at feeding time. Rushing out doorways is a close second and racing up and down the stairs usually comes in third. These are very common complaints because all dogs seem to act on impulse. And it is this exuberance for life - 'Hey, open door!! Run!, Cool! She is going to feed me, Yes! Yes! Yes! - that gets them in trouble in our world.

But there is a simple fix to these issues - teach your dog to Wait. It is as simple as that. Patience is a virtue. If you don't reward pushy and/or excited behavior then your dog won't offer it. Honest!

For example, if your dog jumps for the food bowl before you can place it on the ground, teach him to Wait until you free him. Try this next time you feed him. Ask him to Wait as you go to lower the bowl. The moment he moves toward the bowl raise it back up. The moment he backs off the bowl start to lower it again. Keep repeating the up/down motion of the bowl until you get it to the ground and then immediately tell him to Free (go eat).

At first you should free your dog the moment the bowl touches the ground but delay your free cue with every repetition so that he doesn't think food on the ground = free. Timing is important in this scenario so he understands every time he moves forward the bowl goes away and every time he backs off the bowl is lowered. Also, other than the initial Wait command, try to remain silent during this exercise. No need to scream or yell - let your bowl do the talking for you.

I have attached a quick video clip of Monkey learning to Wait for her food bowl. Notice that I am not talking (you can hear the birds chirping) and that I am raising/lowering the bowl every time Monkey moves. Also, Monkey eventually sits while Waiting but that was not something I asked her to do. I simply wanted her to Wait - sitting or standing I didn't care.

Of course, Waiting for the food bowl is only one application of Wait. It is also a good idea to teach your dog to Wait before coming out of the crate, coming in or going out of the house and before entering or exiting the car.

Please realize that your dog will only be as consistent as you are. So the sooner you get into the habit of asking for a Wait in all these scenarios the sooner it will become a habit for your dog!

1 of Personable Pets Super 6 House Manners Cues down and 5 to go. Happy training!

Personable Pets Super 6 House Manners Cues

2009-07-10T22:04:00.000-07:00

Bringing a new dog home can be very exciting. From watching him investigate his new surrounding's to introducing him to family and friends, life is fun with a new furry friend. Unfortunately, in their excitement, new dog owners often overlook minor inappropriate behaviors assuming they can address them later or that they will just magically go away. Then, about 1-2 months into the relationship, the new dog owner realizes that these minor behaviors have now become major issues and they decide it is time to train the dog.

Well, guess what! Whether they realize it or not, they have been training their dog since the moment they brought him home. It is true! Every time you interact with your dog you are training him. Every time someone else interacts with your dog they are training him. Every time your dogs barks at you for attention and you tell him to be quiet - guess what? You just rewarded his barking with your attention so he will most likely try it again. Every time you let your dog pull you down the street on walks you are training him to pull on the leash. Every time your dog jumps for attention and you pet him - you got it - you just rewarded his jumping so he will most likely jump for attention again. Every time your dog....well, you get the idea.

So, what is a new dog owner to do? It's obvious! Start training your dog from the moment they enter the house. Don't panic! It isn't as hard as it sounds. I frequently foster rescue dogs and I start training the 'Personable Pets Super 6 Household Cues' from day one. The 'Super 6' includes sit, wait, come, walk on a leash, leave it and 4 on the floor. Although there are many more cues they you and your dog should learn - the 'Super 6' is an excellent start to a manageable household. Over the next couple of months I will review the 'Super 6' cues including how, why and when to use, so be sure to check back for updates!!

Where in the world is – Sadie Lou!!!

2009-06-23T22:23:00.000-07:00

For all you Kansas City dog people – we will occasionally blog about local dog friendly locations. To make the blog more interactive, the first person to identify and visit the location will receive a gift from that establishment. So, here is our first Where in the World is that Dog??

Sadie Lou is our first volunteer. Sadie is a 4 year old lab and she has a very busy life. She is a Pets for Life Therapy dog, she participates (very successfully) in NADAC agility and she frequently accompanies her owners on sail boat excursions. In this picture though, Sadie is taking a breather at a local dog friendly establishment. Use the clues below to identify her exact location:

Clue 1 – Sadie and her many canine and feline friends visit this establishment frequently to be entertained while their owners are at work.
Clue 2 – This establishment opened up a little over a year ago and is considered “Your pet's destination of choice to play, stay and be treated like one of the family”
Clue 3 – This establishment is located in the southern Kansas City area.
Clue 4 – Sadie and her friends can stay all night or just play the day away.
Clue 5 – The establishment is owned and operated by Dawn and Elise. Dawn and Elise realize a pet is not just a dog or a cat, but rather a part of the family that is cherished. With this in mind their primary goal is to give lots of love, attention, and provide safety for the pets in their care.
Clue 6 -This establishment offers several training opportunities including the popular Agility Test Drive.
Clue 7 - After a hard day of playing, Sadie can get a bath and maybe a pretty ribbon in her hair before she leaves.
Clue 8 – And as Sadie says, tails r waggin the entire time she is there.

So, be the first one to identify and visit this location to receive a free gift from this establishment! While you are there be sure to take a tour of this wonderful dog friendly location!

Content, pictures and videos ©Personable Pets Dog Training

Dog day out - is your dog ready?

2009-06-23T21:07:00.000-07:00

Many of us get dogs for companionship. We have daydreams of taking our dogs out and about with us as we run errands, visit with family and friends and attend local dog events. We are so excited about socializing with our 4 legged best friend, that we often forget dogs have personalities of their own and they may not enjoy or be ready for our socially active lives. Before you put that leash on and drag Fido to the big noisy pool party at your sister’s house ask yourself the following questions:

1. Does your dog get nervous or anxious around new people and places?
2. Is he frightened by new or loud sounds?
3. Do active, screaming kids put him in a panic?
4. Is he uncomfortable or aggressive around other dogs?
5. Is he unable to concentrate on you and your handling cues (sit, down, leave-it, etc.,) in distracting public settings?

If you answered yes to any of these questions your dog may not be ready to play social butterfly sidekick. And just dragging him to the event thinking he will just have to get over it is not a great plan. It can actually cause him to become more afraid or stressed in these situations and eventually he may dread having to leave the house with you at all. But don't despair! Most dogs can usually get over these fears with a little training and patience. Contact a local trainer and discuss your issue today!

Need help finding a local trainer? Click here to access the Association of Pet Dog Trainers trainer search to find a trainer in your area.

Content, pictures and videos ©Personable Pets Dog Training