I've had the pleasure the past couple of weeks to be working with an adolescent Boxer/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix that was adopted by a very patient senior woman. This boisterous boy was rescued from a shelter and is now adjusting to his new home. He is very sweet, and very friendly with people, but he has a bit of a social issue. When he gets excited and wants attention, he behaves just the way a 3-month-old puppy would, though he's now about 18 months old and 75 pounds of lean muscle. He jumps up, humps, paws, mouths and nips and tugs at clothing.
Which brings up a common misconception about behavior: "Oh, he'll grow out of it." In some cases puppy behaviors do get less severe as they get older, even without intervention or training. But for most behaviors, owners need to take some kind of action to prevent their puppy from growing into a larger version with the same issues. Puppy classes, private lessons or other forms of training can help puppy parents learn the best ways to mold their puppies into good canine citizens.
There is good hope for this rescue dog. He now has a wonderful home with an owner who has the time and dedication to help him learn the manners he missed out on when he was younger. The training will involve some positive redirection, clear boundary setting and appropriate outlets (such as exercise and interactive toys) for his enthusiasm. I can't wait to see what a charming young man he'll turn into!
It's hard not to fall in love with those soft, brown eyes, or to coo at the tiny features of a new puppy. Puppies melt our hearts. They also bite our hands with their sharp little teeth, jump on our legs as we try to walk, and pee on the floor (oops!) instead of the yard.
But that's what puppy class is for. That, and the critical puppy-to-puppy socialization that nothing else (not even playing at home with your other dogs) offers. We have to protect these little ones who are still on their path to becoming fully-vaccinated adults, so romping off to the dog park is a big no-no (way too many chances for disease, and also a risk of an unfriendly dog doing some serious damage).
Puppy class allows growing dogs (ages 8 to 16 weeks) to learn lots of life skills. It also gives their owners the opportunity to ask the burning "should he really be doing this?" and "am I handling that right?" questions. We cover things that puppy parents may not have thought of, with the hope that every graduating puppy is well on his or her way towards becoming a well mannered adult.
Puppy class is a joy, one of the perks of being a dog trainer. A client once asked me, towards the end of a rollicking play session where 6 adorable puppies were tumbling around on the floor, "you actually get paid to do this?!?"
Well, yes. It's not as bad as, say, a leash walk through cold, sleety rain with a ninety-pound dog who wants to take a chunk out of my arm. But it all comes with the territory. And I take pride in knowing that my puppy classes are well run. They are jam-packed with good information, covering all the necessary topics in a fun way. The play sessions are kept to the right length so puppies don't get too crabby with each other and so we get in plenty of "work" too. Overall, they are a joy not just for the dog trainer, but for the puppies and their owners too.
Next Class: Saturday, July 28th at 4:00 PM Location:Rose City Veterinary Hospital, Portland Cost: $140 for the 5 week course Requirements: Puppies must be enrolled and current on their vaccines (at least one DHPP/DAP and one bordatella two weeks before the first class). Ages 8 to 16 weeks; no more than 8 puppies per class.
We all know that dogs can’t talk (whether or not we care to admit it is another thing altogether).What they do rely on is body language – lots and lots of body language.While we might approach a stranger and say, “Hey, I’m new here. It’s nice to meet you,” a dog might walk up to another dog in an arc with a slow, circular wagging tail, its ears back and drop into a butt-up, front down stretch.They are both ways to express “I’m friendly and mean no harm.”
Calming signals are just what they sound like.They are behaviors offered by a dog in an attempt to keep a situation calm.We aren’t completely sure if they are used by one dog solely to calm another dog, solely to calm themselves, or a combination of both.My feeling is that the latter is true, especially since calming signals are often both offered and returned.We can help our dogs feel comfortable by learning what their calming signals are and respecting them, and even by responding in kind, repeating their gesture as best we can (tail wagging obviously excluded).
Before getting into what calming signals can be, I want to emphasize that context is important.Think of how a person telling another “you fool!” can be issued as an insult or an expression of teasing affection.Context is important, regardless of species.For example, ears held back on a dog’s head can be a calming signal, a sign of fear, or even just the physical nature of the breed.
You may or may not notice calming signals with your own dog.Unless you recently adopted your dog or have a new puppy, chances are your relationship is fairly established.Your dog may not feel the need to offer these signals on a regular or frequent basis.Unfortunately we can also extinguish calming signals in our pets, even without intention.If a dog offers calming signals that are repeatedly ignored or corrected, eventually they will stop trying.Think about people – if your partner brought you flowers after a fight and you always responded with snide comments about wasting money or stinking up the house, chances are your partner would stop buying flowers – at least for you!Since we are frequently our dog’s entire world, our response (or lack thereof) to their behavior is critically important.
Calming signals may include:
·“Look aways” (turning the head to the side, away from the other dog or person)
·Yawning
·Sniffing (becoming very interested in not much of anything)
·Paw raises (raising one of the front paws off the ground)
·Shake offs (can be a slight shake off or entire body, as if wet)
·Scratching (like they are itchy – a sudden case of “fleas”)
·Blinking
·Lip licking (or nose licking)
·Moving in an arc (approaching or leaving in a semi-circle, not a direct path)
·Sitting or lying down
·Stretching (particularly into a play bow position, though not quite the same behavior)
·Making a “soft face” – ears back, soft eyes, etc.
There are a few signals that you may want to try, either with your dog or a dog you are just meeting.*They can help a dog feel more comfortable, and may even be offered back to you.
Blinking is pretty universal between species – go for slow, deliberate blinks (not fast fluttering). Lip licking is also simple to duplicate.Again, make it slow and obvious. You can actually lick your lips or even just stick your tongue out a few times.“Look aways” involve turning your head to either side, away from the dog. You may then look back, without making eye contact, then look away again.A paw lift is a little more difficult (largely since we don’t have paws and walk on two legs, not four).But if you are feeling daring you can try it with one arm, holding it as if you were imitating a hurt paw.
You may have figured out now how yawning can be contagious.Offered as a calming signal between dogs, or even from dog to human (and human to dog), a yawn is much more than feeling sleepy. It can be offered back and forth, and maybe that's why we feel the urge to yawn when someone near us yawns.
For additional information on calming signals, read On Talking Terms with Dogs by Turid Rugaas.Rugaas is an internationally acclaimed dog trainer from Norway who has done extensive studies on calming signals in dogs.You can visit her website at http://www.canis.no/rugaas/index.php .A good visual example of using calming signals with dogs can be found in KikoPup’s collection of YouTube videos (http://youtu.be/MgnLgHFRJu4 ).While you’re there check out her other videos – Emily has produced a goldmine of how-to videos on clicker training everything from cool tricks to problem behaviors.
Video: KikoPup's How To Communicate With Dogs in Their Own Language
* Offering calming signals doesn’t make it safe to approach an aggressive dog.When in doubt, keep your distance.
10. My work is flexible. I can be returning phone calls at 9 AM in my PJs, then off to the grocery store, then home again before a private lesson. It allows me to work in doctor's appointments, time with friends and preschool events.
9. I make a comfortable income. Not long ago I applied to Petsmart for an open dog trainer position. I thought it would be easier than starting my business over again in a whole new community. They offered me the job, but for what they would have paid me I'd need to work an entire day to make what I currently bring in for one hour-long private lesson. I won't buy a luxury vacation home on my income, but it works for us.
8. I get to work with an endless variety of different dogs. All different breeds, ages, personalities and problems and successes.
7. My dogs get to be part of my day, all the time. Even better than "take your dog to work day," I get to involve my dogs in my work.
6. My work is varied. I do marketing, customer service, accounting, continuing education, networking... there's always something different to do.
5. Puppy breath. Need I say more?
4. I meet wonderful people. I am welcomed into my client's homes and their lives. Many of my clients have become close friends and have provided support for me when I've needed it. It wouldn't be the same without all the amazing clients.
3. I am my own boss. It's just so cool to be in charge of yourself.
2. My job allows me to be, in some ways, both a stay-at-home mom and a working mom at the same time. It's always a precarious balance, but I love the way my job lets me be close to my son and to be far more involved in his life than I would be if I spent 8 hours a day in a cubicle somewhere.
1. Dog training is my passion. I'd do it for free (but sorry guys, the utility companies, the grocery store and the landlord don't feel the same way!). What more could you ask for in life?
Mary Majchrowski and her son, Ethan at Mount Hood, OR
February, 2012
