ElJay's PerFECT-a-Pooch LLC

TRAINING MY WAY

By: L. J. Turner C.P.T.

7/18/07

 The following is a compilation of my experience and more importantly my professional training, along with advise and imput from some of the best dog trainers in the country.  I am not a "method" trainer nor do I claim to know all there is to know about a dog's behavior.  However, I belong to a network of trainers and behaviorist with many years of experience from whom I can seek advise.

Therefore, "Training My Way" is dedicated to God, who has blessed me with unlimited love to share with these wonderful creatures, and to my instructors and fellow trainers and behaviorists who unselfishly share their knowledge for the betterment of our profession and for the well being of every dog. I wish to thank each and every one of them and to give them most of the credit for this excellent and humane training concept.

My approach to dog training comes from 35 years of rescuing, fostering, loving and working with these wonderful creatures along with my formal education in a Master Trainer's Program of which I am a graduate and therefore a C.P.T. (Certified Professional Trainer).  I have many endorsements with that title including "BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION".  Therefore, everything in this informational letter comes from experience and my education from one of the top dog training schools in the country with graduates from every state in the union plus I believe 35 foreign countries.

The N.F.L. technique which I use most often has nothing to do with the National Football League although I am a big fan.  The N.F.L. I am referring to means "No Free Lunch".  This program puts the owner in charge of all things and provides the dog with structure, boundaries and direction.  This technique is used by trainers and behaviorists in conjunction with obedience and behavior modification when dealing with issues such as coping with fear or treatment for aggression just to name a few.

"Freedom" to do what they want is unnatural to a dog's life.  To them such "freedom" means no one is in charge.  This can frighten and confuse your dog, leading to hyperactivity, barking, chewing, over dependence and possible aggression.  Showing your dog that you are their leader does not mean physically dominating the dog.  In fact, there is an old saying, "aggression breeds aggression" This holds true for most dogs and can provoke a bite.  Most dogs are perfectly happy submitting to a leader.  They actually gain confidence and a sense of security from having someone to follow.  By asking them to "WAIT" for everything, we show our dogs we are the leader and they are the followers.

I begin the program by eliminating attention on demand.  Never allow your dog to demand attention by nudging your hand, barking or staring at you.  Simply pretend you don't notice him.  When you give your dog attention on demand your're telling him that he has more status than you do.  Some dogs see their ability to demand attention as confirmation that they are in charge, and then become difficult to handle when told to "sit" or "down" or when some other demand is placed on them.  When your dog learns that the behaviors that used to get him your attention don't work anymore, he's going to try harder.  If you give attention during that time you will have to work that much harder to get him turned around again.  Telling him "NO" or pushing him away is not the kind of attention he's after, but it's still attention.  Completely ignoring him will work faster and better.

The backbone of the N.F.L. Program is that you control all of the resources:  Playing, attention, food, walks, going in and out of the door, going for car rides etc.  Anything and everything that your dog wants comes from you.  If he's been getting most of these things for free there is no real reason for him to respect your leadership or your ownership of these things.  To implement the N.F.L. Program you simply must have your dog earn his use of your resources.  He's hungry?  No problem, he simply has to sit before his bowl is down.  He wants to play fetch?  Great!  He has to "down" before you throw the ball.  Want to go for a walk or ride?  He has to sit to get his lead snapped to his collar and has to sit while the door is opened.  He has to sit and wait while the car door is opened and listen for the release command (such as OK) that means "get into the car".  The same goes for exiting the car, he has to wait for your command to "get out of the car: even if the door is wide open.  Enforce the new rules, but keep in mind that the dog is only doing what he has been taught to do and he's going to need some time to get the hang of it all.  You're going to have to pay attention to things that you probably haven't noticed before.

N.F.L. does "not" mean that you have to restrict the amount of attention you give your dog.  This concept is aimed at who initiates the attention (YOU), NOT the amount of attention.  Go ahead and call your dog to you over and over all day long for hugs and kisses!!!  You can demand his attention; he can no longer demand yours!  Your dog must sit, stay, look and wait for the "OK" (release signal) before:

• Receiving attention
• Going out and coming in
• Eating food or treats
• Putting on a leash and collar
• Going through any door
• Greeting people
• Getting in and out of the car
• Playing with or giving up his toys
• Petting, touching and grooming

Develop your dog's dependency by:

• Hand feeding randomly throughout the day
• Using a crate or tethering him for the rest time
• Include some training sessions with play time so that your dog learns to obey while he is excited
• Play only when you want to
• Stop playing before he wants to
• Hide from him in the house so he worries about where you are
• Respond differently to his actions (keep him guessing how to please you)
• Exhaust the dog with long walks or play times twice a day, but diversify type of play and walking locations. (If the dog gets too used to the same thing over and over he can become too confident, we want him to be slightly insecure and needy.  Not a basket case.)
• Supervise his play by using a long line (unsupervised play teaches that they don't need their owner nor do they have to obey anyone, and that their play is not under the owner's control
• Be sure when entering or exiting any place, your dog is behind you- this applies to stairs as well
• While on walks practice loose leash walking and change directions often

Within a day or two your dog will see you in a whole new light and will be eager to learn more.  This program is not difficult to put into effect and doesn't take a lot of time if the dog already knows a few basic obedience commands.  This technique promises to bring about positive behavior changes in your dog if you commit to it.

Be patient, stay focused, use a balanced combination of motivation, correction and praise.  Dogs are the most forgiving creatures on the face of the earth and only want to please you so give them lots of love and understanding and remember:

"EVERY DOG DESERVES AN EDUCATION"!