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Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

By Alina Jumabhoy

Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Prey drive varies hugely in individual dogs. While some dogs naturally have a low prey drive, others simply cannot resist chasing every moving thing around them.

It goes without saying that this can be extremely difficult to deal with...

Fortunately, you don't need to worry too much. By putting some time and effort into training your pooch, you will soon be able to get that prey drive under control.

KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH

It may be tempting to un-clip that leash so that your dog can have a good run, but this is something that you need to avoid doing until you have managed to gain some control over your dog's prey drive.

Keeping your dog on a leash gives you much more control to begin with. You should also make sure that your dog does not have any access at all to prey animals.

Each time your dog chases an animal, this reinforces the behavior. This means that your dog will be even more likely to do the same thing again in the future.

By putting a stop to this right away, you will notice results from your training much faster.

REDIRECTION

Redirecting your dog's attention is one of the most important strategies to learn when trying to control prey drive.

What exactly is redirection?

It means being able to shift your dog's attention away from the prey and onto yourself. It is much easier to do this before your dog fixates on the prey, or very soon after. If you wait too long, it will be difficult to break your dog's focus.

So, how do you redirect?

Each time you notice a prey animal in the distance, simply go in the other direction. Keep things positive, rewarding your dog for following you.

What happens if you have no choice but to go in the same direction as the prey animal?

Make sure you have a squeaky toy or a high value treat to hand. Use this to distract your dog, making sure that you only pass by the animal once your dog is fully focused on you. Once you have made it past, you can then reward your dog with the treat or toy.

Ideally, you should work on redirecting from a distance. Once your dog understands that it is more rewarding to stay focused on you rather than the prey animal, you can then shorten this distance and practice this at a closer range.

A clicker can help your dog to pick this up even faster. Simply click and treat each time your dog focuses on you rather than on the distractions around him.

BE AWARE OF YOUR DOG'S BODY LANGUAGE

As mentioned above, you will have much more success at controlling that prey drive if you catch it in its early stages.

There are five main stages to prey drive:

  • Searching for the animal

  • Stalking the animal with the eyes

  • Chasing the animal

  • Grabbing the animal

  • Biting to kill the animal

Ideally, you want to get yourself involved at the very first stage, before your dog manages to latch his eyes onto the prey. This means that you will need to continuously be looking around you, so that you can spot any prey animals before your dog does.

You will notice your dog's eyes scanning the environment when the two of you are out. Keep interrupting this, encouraging your dog to focus on you instead. Make sure that you reward him heavily each time he does.

If your dog's ears have pricked up, and his eyes are focused on something in the distance, then this means he has moved on to the eye stalking stage. You will need to tighten your hold on your dog's leash and work even harder on redirection.

WORK ON IMPULSE CONTROL

Prey drive is an impulsive behavior.

Fortunately, impulse control is something that dogs pick up on quite quickly.

There are certain commands out there that are really useful for this, such as:

  • Leave it

  • Look at me

  • Place

  • Come

  • Drop it

These are vital commands to teach to a dog with high prey drive.

You will need to begin by working on these commands in a calm and controlled environment. Slowly introduce distractions, such as balls and frisbees. Dogs with a high prey drive will want to chase these just as much as they will want to chase a prey animal.

Once your dog has mastered the above commands, you can then move on to practicing them around a wider range of distractions.

One thing to keep in mind...

Make sure that you remain calm throughout your dog's prey drive training.

If you end up shouting a command or getting too excited, your dog will quickly pick up on this energy. It will likely lead to over-excitement and hyperactivity in your dog, which will only slow down his progress.

KEEP YOUR DOG MENTALLY STIMULATED

Many people think that if they exercise their dog enough, then prey drive will be reduced.

However, physical activity alone is not enough to help with this...

Instead, you need a good mix of both physical and mental stimulation.

When it comes to mental stimulation, nose work is always beneficial. Even hiding treats around your house or garden, or providing a sandbox for your pooch to dig in, can help to tire that brain out. There are plenty of other mental games out there too, especially if you get creative. 

You should also be opting for plenty of variety when it comes to the physical, in addition to walks. Try taking your dog swimming or hiking uphill, as these are great forms of exercise. Keeping the physical activities varied will mean that your dog gains mental benefits from them too.

If you do not do anything about your dog's prey drive, it will not be long before this gets out of control. Make sure that you start managing these behaviors as soon as you notice them, because this will give you a much happier and more well-balanced dog in the long run.

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How to Teach a Dog to Stay

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Teach a Dog to Stay

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Looking for how to train a dog to stay?

The “stay” command may seem simple, but there are actually several steps involved when it comes to teaching this. It does take some time and effort, but this is a part of basic obedience that is definitely worth mastering. From choosing cue and release words for dogs to an advanced stay, read our guide to perfect your technique.

Choose Your Cue and Release Words

Before you begin training a dog to do anything, you need to decide on your cue words. In terms of the “stay” command, this means having a distinct beginning and end.

Examples for beginning to learn how to teach a dog to stay would be, simply, “stay” or “wait.” For the release, you could use “okay,” “done,” or “release.” A hand signal to accompany each cue word is also useful.

Once you’ve decided on your cue and release words, you’re ready for the next step in how to train a dog to stay.

The First Steps

To start, put your dog into a sit or down position.

Then, give your dog your stay command. Immediately after this, say your release word for your dog and then reward them. Encourage your dog to move around after you say the release word using praise, treats, or whatever motivates them most.

How to Reward Your Dog

When learning how to teach a dog to stay, the reward is important. The specific reward depends on what motivates your dog the most. Some dogs are happy with praise and attention, while others need a treat to convince them to listen to you. You could also try a quick game as a reward if your dog is toy-oriented.

Another important part of how to train a dog to stay is keeping the training durations short. Dogs have short attention spans, especially puppies, so practice the stay for one minute at the most when you’re just starting out. As they learn, you can gradually increase the time of training, as well as the duration, distance, and distractions.

Increasing the Stay Duration

fluffy white dog sitting on tile
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When you’re learning how to teach a dog to stay, you need to gradually build up the amount of time for which your dog is staying.

Begin as above, putting your dog into the sit or down position, and then telling them to stay. Then, count to three in your head before saying the release word for your dog and rewarding them.

Then slowly increase the time in two-second intervals. Make sure you don’t go too quickly; it’s important to set your dog up for success, not failure! Adding too many seconds to the stay can lead them to frustration, which is not good for either of you.

What to Do if Your Dog Moves Before You Say the Release Cue

As you teach a dog how to stay, it’s inevitable they’ll get up before you say the release word. The key is to not get frustrated. Simply put your dog back into the sit or down position and start again. However, this time, don’t leave them in the stay for as long before saying the release word.

Extending the Stay Distance

The distance as you train a dog how to stay refers to how far away you are or move from your dog while they’re in the stay. You can teach your dog to stay while you walk hundreds of meters away, but it all starts with just half a step.

Position your dog in the sit or down position and then give them the stay command.

To teach a dog how to remain in the stay, move just one foot backward and lean back slightly before stepping forward to your dog again. Immediately give the release word for your dog and reward them.

The next time you do this, take a full step back before immediately returning to your dog and releasing. Carry on in this way, just one step at a time.

While you may be tempted to call your dog over to you to release them, avoid doing so for now. It’s fine to do this once in a while, but make sure that you also practice returning to your dog before releasing them, too.

A Note About Using Treats

If you’re using treats to teach a dog how to stay, make sure that your pooch can’t see these while you’re walking away from them.

Why?

Because the treats will act as a lure, encouraging your dog to stand up and follow you rather than remaining in their stay position.

Working with Distractions

As you train a dog how to stay, they’ll likely pick up on all of the above pretty quickly, especially if you’re working on this in a calm and quiet environment. However, add some distractions and everything could change. It’s important to add distractions because there will be many natural ones when you use the stay command in a real-life setting.

When you are learning how to teach a dog to stay, you should only start working with distractions once your dog has a pretty solid understanding of the stay command. Also, ensure they obey the release word for dogs you chose.

Types of Distractions to Add

pack of dogs sitting in park with leashes held by walker
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If you’ve been working on the stay command in the house, move outside.

Once your dog is responding well outdoors, ask a friend or family member to do something around the yard while you’re training. Your dog should be able to listen to you while completely ignoring the distraction.

You can then start working on how to teach a dog to stay in different environments. However, make sure that any setting you choose is a safe one; you don’t want to be training this command by the side of a busy road, for example.

The Advanced Stay

You’ve already worked on duration, distance, and distractions when learning how to train a dog to stay, but there are always ways in which you can improve on each of these. This will help to cement the stay command in your dog’s head.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Duration – have your dog stay while you’re doing different activities around the house. Try watching TV, cooking, or anything else. Make sure that your dog only moves upon hearing their release word.

  • Distance – teach your dog how to stay with varying distances. Try moving behind them or diagonally away from them and going completely out of sight.

  • Distractions – try providing a few distractions yourself while working on stay. You could run circles around your dog, or even throw a ball around. It may also help to ensure that your dog knows the “leave it” command before trying this.

It does take quite a bit of time and patience to teach a dog to stay, but this is a command really worth working on. Not only is it useful, but it could also prove to be essential to your dog’s safety if you’re in an environment in which they shouldn’t run freely.

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Put a Stop to Puppy Mouthing

By Alina Jumabhoy

Put a Stop to Puppy Mouthing

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of congerdesign @ Pixabay

When a puppy is still young, puppy mouthing is completely normal behavior. After all, this is how a puppy explores the world, interacting with different objects.

However, while puppy mouthing may be necessary during the earliest stages of your pup's life, this isn't something that should continue on into adulthood.

Why?

Because an adult dog is much stronger and heavier. What used to be gentle puppy mouthing can unintentionally cause injury as a dog grows up. Plus, puppy teeth themselves can be quite sharp, especially if they come into contact with a child's skin. This is why it is so important to put a stop to puppy mouthing once your pup is a couple of months old.

Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition is the ability that a dog has to control how hard he mouths and nips. This is usually something that a pup will learn from his mother, as well as his littermates.

How?

Well, when a puppy bites another pup too hard, that other pup will usually let out a yelp and immediately stop playing. This causes the first puppy to stop playing too, teaching him that biting too hard puts an end to the fun.

This is a method that you can copy when teaching bite inhibition to your puppy...

When your puppy mouths you, yelp in the same way that a pup would. Make sure that you immediately stop playing too, leaving your hand to go limp.

Your dog will likely stop too, if only for a second. Make sure that you quickly praise your dog as soon as he has stopped, and then immediately carry on playing.

It will take quite a bit of repetition, but it won't be long before your puppy soon learns not to mouth.

Already tried this method with no success?

Instead of letting your hand go limp, try putting a stop to the play altogether. Walk away from your puppy after you have yelped. Then, wait for your pup to remain calm for about half a minute or so, before returning to play.

This will help to reinforce the idea that mouthing is bad, but playing in a gentle way is good.

Provide a Safe Alternative

While many puppies mouth while playing, others do this simply because its an instinctive behavior. Puppies have a natural urge to chew and bite.

If you don't want this urge to be carried out on you, or any of your belongings, then you will need to provide your pup with a safe alternative.

What sort of things should you give your pup to gnaw on?

Try some of the following:

Don't forget, every puppy is different when it comes to the things he enjoys chewing on. Make sure that you try a few different chews and toys until you have found some that you know your puppy genuinely enjoys.

Remove the Temptation

Many puppies only mouth when they are playing certain games.

So, to prevent puppy mouthing, simply stop playing those games. For most pups, these involve rough play games, such as wrestling.

There are many other non-tactile games that you can substitute this with. Try playing tug of war, or a game of fetch. Introducing your dog to other pups his age will also help your pup to release all of that energy, making him less likely to mouth you when you get home.

Make sure that you also never tease your puppy with your fingers or your hands. Even using an item of clothing can only end up encouraging the mouthing.

Is your puppy mouthing your belongings as well as your skin?

This is another temptation that you should remove.

Make sure that all of your belongings are well out of your puppy's reach, in the same way that you would baby-proof a house if you were bringing a new baby into it. Baby gates and other types of barriers can also be useful to limit your pup's access to certain parts of the house until you have the puppy mouthing under control.

Basic Obedience Training

Giving your pup a treat or a toy as a distraction is always a good idea, but what happens when you don't have a treat or a toy around?

This is where basic obedience training comes in...

This will give you an extra tool when it comes to distracting your pup. By teaching your puppy various commands and tricks, you will be able to use these to encourage your pup to control his impulsive behaviors.

Wondering what basic obedience training involves?

Teach your puppy the following commands:

  • Sit

  • Stay

  • Lie down

  • Recall

  • Leave it

When it comes to puppy mouthing, the two most-useful do tend to be “sit” and “leave it”.

Once you have these commands cemented into your pup's brain, your puppy should automatically listen to you each time you say one of them, even if they happen to be mouthing at the time.

Don't forget, each time your puppy stops mouthing to listen to your command, make sure that you provide plenty of praise, and even a treat. This will really help to reinforce that good behavior.

Don't Punish Puppy Mouthing

As mentioned earlier, mouthing is an instinctive behavior.

Your puppy isn't doing this on purpose, meaning that puppy mouthing isn't something that can be stopped immediately.

For some pups, it takes quite a bit of time to ease away from the mouthing. Punishing your puppy for not learning this fast enough will definitely not help the situation. Instead, it is likely to just make your puppy fearful of you, especially when your hands are near your pup's mouth. This could make certain situations quite tricky in the future, from vet visits to being able to remove a dangerous food item from your dog.

Rather than punishing your puppy for unwanted behavior, focus on rewarding your puppy for positive behavior instead. This will give you so much more success in the long run.

Although puppy mouthing is a natural behavior, this is something that you need to take control of quite early on. Fortunately, with plenty of consistency, it doesn't take long at all to put a stop to puppy mouthing, even for the more playful pups out there!

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Training Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

Training Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of StockSnap @ Pixabay

Planning on doing some traveling with your dog?

Whether this may be by car, train, plane or anything else, these training tips will help to make the journey go so much more smoothly.

MASTER BASIC OBEDIENCE

Traveling with your dog instantly becomes so much less stressful if your dog has some basic obedience skills.

What Exactly is Basic Obedience?

It refers to the essential commands that every dog owner should teach their dog.

The list includes:

The first few commands on that list are ones that most dogs out there know. However, it's the last command in particular that you should focus on before traveling with your dog.

The Settle Command

So, why is the settle command especially important when traveling with your dog?

Because, no matter how you may be traveling or where you may be traveling to, there will always come a point when you need your pooch to just lie down and relax.

There are several ways to teach your dog the settle command. One of the easiest is by saying your cue word, such as “settle”, every time your dog settles on his own, and then rewarding him for this. Make sure that your dog remains settled until you say your release word, such as “okay”.

As you continue to do this, your dog will soon learn the connection between the action of settling down and the command itself, meaning that he will then be able to settle on cue.

Once you have mastered this command at home, make sure that you practice it in busier places with more distractions, such as train stations, shopping malls and restaurants.

BATHROOM CUES

Is your dog able to go to the bathroom on command?

This may sound a little militant, but it is quite an important skill to teach your pooch if you plan on traveling with your dog.

Unless you are traveling by car, there are likely to be long stretches in your journey during which time your pup would need to hold his bladder. If you get the chance to take your dog out for a bathroom break, you need to make sure that he will actually go to the bathroom, rather than waste those few minutes sniffing around.

How Do You Teach a Dog to Go to the Bathroom on Command?

This is actually quite an easy one...

Keep a jar of treats near your door. Every time you send your dog out to go to the bathroom, keep an eye on him and wait until he is just about to go. Then, say your cue word, such as “go bathroom”, and give him a reward as soon as he's done.

Those steps will require quite a bit of repetition, but your dog will soon associate the command with the action required.

CRATE AND HARNESS TRAINING

two bulldogs show that harness training is important when traveling with your dog
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When traveling with your dog, you need to have some form of control. This would usually be in the form of a harness and leash, or a crate.

Of course, the method you choose does depend on your mode of transportation. While a leash and harness may be enough for a car or train journey, you may be required to crate your pooch when traveling with your dog on a plane.

Harness Training Your Dog

Harness training a dog is pretty easy, especially if your dog loves walks.

Begin by measuring your dog and making sure you get a harness that fits. Comfort for your dog is key here! The harness should also not affect your dog's gait and range of motion.

Then, when introducing your dog to the harness for the first time, have plenty of treats and praise available. Keep treating and praising as you place the harness onto your dog.

Allow your dog to wear the harness around the house for a while. Then, attach a leash to the harness and let your dog go outside, with the leash trailing behind him.

You can then start to pick up the leash and lead your dog around.

Crate Training Your Dog

Your dog needs to think of his crate as a safe and happy place.

Begin by making the crate comfortable and inviting.

Then, start feeding your dog his meals inside his crate. The same applies for any snacks or treats you give your dog during the day.

Try to encourage your dog to spend more time in the crate, and praise him whenever he goes into his crate on his own.

Once your dog is comfortable inside the crate, shut the door and keep it shut for a minute or so. Then, open it and let your dog out, giving him plenty of praise.

Keep doing this, extending the amount of time you shut your dog in the crate for.

It won't be long before your dog is happy and comfortable in his crate for extended periods of time.

Of course, keep in mind that you should never leave a dog in a crate for more than a few hours a day.

Planning on traveling with your dog by plane?

It would be worth taking your dog to the airport, in his crate, beforehand. This will allow him to get used to the many sights and sounds around him, as there will be so much new stimuli for your pooch to soak up.

Doing this will help to prevent your dog from feelings stressed on your actual day of travel. Make sure that you keep things calm for your dog, giving him enough time to adjust to his surroundings.

Traveling with your dog can be such a fun experience, but you do need to make sure that you have some training under your belt in order to make the journey stress-free. A well-trained dog will be so much more receptive to the traveling experience, and the two of you will be able to make some long-lasting memories together.

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How to Bond with a New Rescue Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Bond with a New Rescue Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Purchasing a young pup from a breeder usually means that you begin with a relatively clean slate. However, adopting a rescue dog, even if that dog may be quite young, means that that your new pooch will likely come with a bit of baggage.

This can make bonding with a new rescue dog quite challenging, so here are a few tips to speed that process up.

SPEND TIME WORKING ON OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Even if your rescue dog is already trained in the basics, spending some time going over obedience training together can really help you and your pooch to bond.

How?

Because obedience training requires two-way communication. This makes it a great method for teaching a dog and a new owner how to work together.

The two of you will be fully interacting when training, and this is something that will help your rescue dog to feel more comfortable in your company.

COMMIT TO PLAYING

Just about every dog owner out there is guilty of sitting back on the sofa and watching TV, while absent-mindedly tossing a ball around every few minutes for their dog to catch.

Well, don't kid yourself...

Your dog knows very well that he doesn't have your full attention!

This may not seem like a big deal, but playing is an activity that enables your dog to let loose and really enjoy life. You want your dog to associate this with you as much as possible.

So, make sure that you commit to properly playing with your dog a few times a day. Get moving with your pooch, giving your full attention to the game the two of you are playing.

Showing your new rescue dog that his happiness is important to you will help your dog to associate your presence with happiness and fun.

DAILY WALKS

Woman with her rescue dog on top of a mountain above the clouds
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Walking is one of the best ways for an owner to bond with their dog. The fact that daily walks tend to be the best part of a dog's day is an added bonus for your pooch!

Dogs love being able to explore new places and sniff exciting scents. Having you at the other end of the leash will help your dog to feel safe and secure with you around.

Of course, off-leash time is important for your pooch too. However, you never quite know what may trigger your rescue dog to go speeding off into the distance, so keep your new pooch on a lead for at least the first few weeks. Making sure that your dog has a solid understanding of the recall command is also vital before unclipping that leash.

Getting bored of your daily dog walks?

Try mixing things up a bit!

Take your dog along different routes as much as possible. Not only will this be more interesting for you, but it will also help to keep your dog more mentally stimulated. 

If you aren't able to keep trying new routes...

Make your own route more exciting!

How?

Try hiding some treats along the way for your pooch to sniff out, or invite another four-legged friend to join you on your walk.

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WITH A RESCUE DOG

Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog when he has done something good.

When it comes to a new rescue dog, emphasizing these positive reinforcements can really help to strengthen your bond.

How should you go about doing this?

Try rewarding your rescue dog for all of the small, but good, things that he does.

This could be any of the following, plus more:

  • Sitting down to wait for something

  • Not barking

  • Being affectionate

  • Showing confidence

  • Being calm

What should you be using to reward your dog?

Treats are usually the best thing to use. Make sure that you hand feed these rather than tossing them on to the floor. This will encourage your dog to trust you and be more comfortable around you.

The treats could be anything from dried liver bites to pieces of your dog's usual kibble. Try to keep your treats varied, as this will ensure that your pooch stays interested and alert.

Physical touch, from a belly rub to a pat on the head, can also be a good way of positively reinforcing certain behaviors. This is also a key aspect of bonding, but make sure that your dog is comfortable with this first.

DEVELOP A ROUTINE

Dogs thrive with a routine, making this so important when it comes to helping your new rescue dog settle in.

Try to involve your dog in your own routine as much as possible, while also setting aside set times for dog-related activities.

This could mean:

  • Feeding your dog at the same time each day

  • Walking them at the same time

  • Playing with them at the same time

  • Cooking your own meals around the same time each day

  • Leaving for and returning from work at the same time each day

It won't be long before your dog knows what to expect from each day. This will help them to understand your needs too, which will enable you to bond so much better.

KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS LOW

No matter how much success you may have had with dogs, or even rescue dogs, in the past...

It is important to keep your expectations low when adopting a new rescue dog.

Why?

Because every dog is unique, meaning that every relationship will take its own individual length of time to build.

Feeling disappointed that your experience is not going how you expected it too will only be a barrier when it comes to bonding with your rescue dog.

Many rescue dogs have gone through tough times in the past. This means that they require so much more time and effort when it comes to bonding, compared to other dogs who will immediately give you their whole heart.

With some rescue dogs, owners form an instant bond, but, with others, the bonding process can take quite a bit of time and effort. It is important not to give up, even if progress seems slow, because your dog will eventually come around and start to see you as his new best friend.

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Dog Training Treats: High Value vs Low Value

By Alina Jumabhoy

Dog Training Treats: High Value vs Low Value

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Nicooografie @ Pixabay

While just about every dog loves to learn, training treats give them that extra bit of motivation. Whether you’re working on basic obedience training or something more advanced, understanding the difference between low- and high-value dog treats for training can make all the difference when it comes to your dog’s success.

What Are Training Treats?

Let’s begin with a quick look at training treats in general (later on we’ll give you examples of low- and high-reward dog treats).

In general, low- and high-value dog treats are ones you can use to help train a dog, meaning that they need to be quick and easy for a dog to eat.

They also need to be portable so you can carry them around to train in a variety of locations. As a bonus, they should be relatively tidy, especially if you’re going to keep them in your pocket.

Ideally, a good training treat should also be one that the owner physically delivers to the dog, rather than dropping or crumbling it onto the floor. Why? Because the drop or crumble distracts your dog and prevents him from fully focusing on you.

What’s the Difference Between Low- and High-Value Dog Treats?

side view of brown and white Chihuahua wearing a blue sweater straining for a treat
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Place a piece of meat in one hand, and a slice of carrot in the other. Hold both hands out to your dog, and see which one your pooch picks.

Chances are, they’re going for the meat, meaning that the meat would be an example of a high-reward dog treat.

In a nutshell, that’s the difference between low- and high-value dog treats for training.

Low-value treats are ones your dog is used to. While your dog will still work for them, their motivation will be less and they may lose interest over time.

High-value dog treats are ones that your dog absolutely loves, and will pretty much do anything to get. They should be treats that your dog doesn’t get on a regular basis, so they’re exciting each time.

Of course, every dog is different and will have different tastes. What may be a high-value treat for one dog could be a very low-value treat for another.

When Should You Use Each Type of Training Treat?

After reading the differences between the training treat values, you might be wondering why you’d use low-value treats at all, if high-value ones motivate your dog more?

Well, if you’re only giving high-value dog treats to your pup, then it won’t be long before these become low-value to them. The novelty wears off, and your dog will get bored.

Plus, you don’t need to be giving your dog an extra-special treat each time. Using these to mark significant learning moments will be much more rewarding when it comes to teaching new things.

So, when’s an example of a time to use high-reward dog treats?

When you’re first beginning to shape a certain behavior, stick to high-value treats only. After your dog has begun to get the hang of it, you can then switch to a mix of low- and high-value dog treats. This means that your dog will never be quite sure as to what treat they will get next, giving them plenty of motivation to keep trying.

What Are Examples of Low- and High-Value Dog Treats for Training?

outdoor photo of woman in red vest bent over holding out treat to shaggy black dog
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As mentioned earlier, training treats need to be quickly and easily eaten, as well as portable. These requirements can sometimes make it difficult to find a wide selection of both high- and low-value treats.

Mixing things up and keeping your dog guessing is always a good idea when it comes to training treats. Here are some ideas to incorporate low- and high-value dog treats into your training routine:

Low-Value Dog Training Treats

Low-value training treats could include:

  • Dried dog food: if you can find these in small sample bags, then you can mix and match different brands and flavors to keep things more interesting

  • Fruit and vegetable chunks or slices: if you find yourself having to use a lot of treats, healthy raw bites of a fruit or vegetable could be a good low-calorie option

  • Dog biscuits: many people use dog biscuits as a daily snack for theirdogsg. While your dog will still enjoy these as a training treat, they’re low-value because your dog is used to eating them

High-Value Dog Training Treats

Examples of high-reward dog treats could include:

  • Sausages or hot dogs: make sure you choose ones free of nitrates/nitrites, as well as low in sodium. Cut sausage up into multiple pieces to make it last longer

  • Freeze-dried meat: this is something that just about every dog loves. You can find them in both training treat sizes as well as larger pieces that you can cut up yourself

  • Cheese: mix a few small chunks of different cheeses into your dog’s training treats. You don’t need to use much as the smell from the cheese will rub off onto the other high-value dog treats. This will give even the low-value treats a cheesier appeal. Alternatively, opt for cheese in a tube, giving your dog a small lick as a reward

  • Dehydrated meat: you can easily do this yourself at home by placing thin slices of meat into the oven or a dehydrator for a few hours until they’re brittle enough to be easily snapped into small, training-sized pieces. You can do this with just about any cut of meat

  • Liver cake: this may not sound very appetizing to you, but it’s something your dog will definitely work hard for

There are many low- and high-value dog treats available at pet stores too. As you’re shopping, how do you know if the treats are high- or low-value?

This is completely up to your dog. If you’re doing a lot of training, it’s worth purchasing a selection of different treats to see how much your dog actually likes each one.

Understanding how to mix-and-match different low- and high-value dog treats for training is crucial when it comes to succeeding in training your dog. No matter what type of skill you’re trying to teach your pooch, the reward you provide them for learning new behaviors will help to speed up the rate at which they learn, while also keeping their enthusiasm at an all-time high.

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How To Teach Your Dog To Come

By Hope Hammond

How To Teach Your Dog To Come

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy: 2843603 At: Pixabay

Taking your pet out for a walk or a visit to the dog park without the leash is a wonderful way to spend time together. Your dog has a chance to roam. You can even play challenging games, like Frisbee. However, there are also times when your best friend manages to slip away from you and get into trouble off-leash. A little obedience training can go far in protecting your pet.

Why Should You Teach the Come Command?

There are so many dangers of being off-leash in the human world. Dogs could accidentally run into traffic and get hit by a car. They could get picked up by another person, who may not have their best interests at heart. Your pet could even get lost and hurt out there...Where you can't help.
The come command is a great way to encourage your dog to return when he or she gets away from you. It's even useful in non-hazardous, but still immediate situations. For instance, you may be looking for your dog in the house and just want to know he or she is okay. Or you could be ready to go on an outing with your pet and want to the dog to come to the front door in a calm manner.
Of course, before you can do any of that you have to start the process of training your dog to come when called.

Training Your Dog To Come

You'll find many different obedience training techniques for this command. But, the most effective ones use positive reinforcement. The key is to get your dog to associate returning to you with good things.
Here's how to get started.

  1. Purchase a long training leash to use for your practice sessions. Some leashes can be up to 20 feet long, or more. This allows you to teach your dog the command at a distance without actually taking the leash off.
  2. Select a high-value treat to give when your dog successfully responds to the obedience training. This could be something that your dog really likes, such as cheese, chicken, beef, or even package treats. Dice the treat into small pieces. You'll be practicing the command over and over again and don't want to give a big treat every single time your pet responds.
  3. Start with the dog just a few feet away from you. Put the leash on and take up the slack so that the dog can wander a little bit, but not far.
  4. Wait until your pet gets distracted by something and wanders away. Call out your dog's name. Keep calling until your pet turns and looks at you. Say, "good," or "yes," and give your pet a small treat as a reward. Repeat this a few times.
  5. Increase the distance your dog can roam by letting some slack out on the training leash. Allow your dog to get distracted again, and call out his name with the word "come". When your dog responds and comes over to you, reward with a treat.
  6. Keep this up, while gradually increasing the distance, until your pet has a good understanding of the command. Eventually, you may want to practice with your dog off the leash in a safe, pet-friendly area.

A Cautionary Note

No dog is too old to learn this trick. As long as you have a strong enough reward available for your pet, even older dogs can learn to come when called. Although, it's best to reserve this command for emergencies or hazardous situations. You don't want your dog to associate it with anything negative, such as going to the vet or getting a bath right afterward.
It's also important to remember that this command won't work all the time, even after you know your dog has the command down. Your dog is a living, breathing, thinking creature with his or her own desires. So, there may always be something so exciting and distracting that your dog won't come back when called.
With regular practice of the command and continued positive reinforcement, the chances of that happening are greatly reduced. So, it still serves as a great item to have in your pet owner's toolbox.

Ways To Maintain the Obedience Training

This is not a command that you can teach to your pet once and forget about until you need it. To make sure the come command is strong, you'll need to test it with your dog at random times. One way to keep your dog interested is by turning it into a game, which only furthers the positive association with this command. Here are a few variations to try out.

Hide and Seek

Have a friend or family member distract your dog while you go hide somewhere in the house. To start, it could just be the next room, but feel free to get creative later on. Once your pupper is good and distracted you can call out his or her name with the come command. Be sure to reward your pet when they do find you with treats, playtime, or plenty of affection.

Distraction Busters

It's also a good idea to build up your dog's tolerance to distractions. Make up a list of things that distract your dog when outside and set up a targeted practice session. For instance, if your dog is always going after the mailman, have a friend pretend to be the mailman putting some letters in the mailbox or through the door slot.
Then, start calling your dog with the come command to get them to come back to you. Practicing with distractions can be time-consuming. So, you'll want to go slowly and start with the least distracting things or people before building up to the biggest distractions.

Ping-Pong Game

If you are trying to train a puppy, this is a fun game to help them learn to come to you when their name is called. You'll also need a friend for this one.
Start by holding your pet back while your friend calls the dog by name in a positive and energetic way. Your friend may even offer a little treat or have a toy that the puppy likes to entice him or her. When the puppy is completely focused on your friend, let go and, hopefully, he or she will run to your friend for playtime. Afterward, switch roles, with your friend holding the puppy back while you call to him or her by name. The puppy should start to associate your calls with your desire for them to come to you, and will also start to recognize their own name through the repetition of it.
Your dog is a smart and vibrant animal. It deserves a full range of obedience training to better interact with you and the rest of the world. If you're looking for better ways to interact with your pet, consider teaching your dog how to socialize through the Reinforce-Alpha-Positive-Training (RAPT) method today.

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How To Teach Your Dog ‘Leave It’

By Beth Frumkin

How To Teach Your Dog ‘Leave It’

Photo by Show 131/ CC

It is important to teach your dog at the beginning of his life to set him up for a happy and obedient life! One of the most universal commands taught to dogs, “Leave It” works effectively in a host of different situations. And it keeps you away from the negativity of always using the word “no”. Whether you’re telling your tiny pup to stop chewing on your slippers or you’re trying to get your larger dog to stop sniffing at your neighbor’s rear end, the command “Leave It” works effectively if you know how to train him to listen and obey.
 
If you want to learn how to teach your dog the “Leave It” command, let me tell you - it is fairly simple and straight-forward. This command can be taught incrementally, in just four small steps combined with a significant amount of repetition and patience. By the end of six or eight weeks, even the most tempting treat or satisfying slipper will be left to lie when you tell your dog to “Leave It”. Follow these steps for dog training success:
 
Step One. Begin indoors. Start by putting something on the floor that your dog might want. This may be a piece of food, a shoe, or something else that your dog might usually be interested in. Have some treats available and bring your dog over on a leash to the item. Be ready for when your dog first notices the object (as he will!) and give a firm “Leave It”.  Combine the command with a tug on the leash, using your foot to keep the object away from him.
 
You’ll likely need to repeat this step many times. Possibly over and over. The goal is to get your dog to look at you at some point during this process. Once he looks at you, take this time to reward him with a treat and verbally praise him. If he goes for the object, put the treat under his nose and lure his face away from the object while repeating the phrase “Leave It”. Practice this repeatedly with various objects while you teach your dog what the command means.
 
Step Two. When your dog becomes successful while on the leash, then you’ll know it is time to take the leash off. To make it more challenging, set up a sort of obstacle course. Walk with your pup off leash, navigating through the objects. Repeat “Leave It” each time he looks at one of the items. When he understands, he’ll look at you for a treat each time you say “Leave It”. At this stage, treat and praise him each time he obeys. If he does grab something, pull it out of his mouth immediately—making it unpleasant so he won’t repeat this.
 
Step Three. Once your dog has mastered the “Leave It” command inside the house, feel free to move outside. Use the same technique for any type of outside distractions, keeping treats ready. At first, if your pup is attracted to something you may have to give his leash a tug. Get him to focus his attention on you. If your dog doesn’t succeed well at this stage, go back to practicing inside until he gets it.
 
Step Four. These steps may take approximately six weeks from the start until your dog can obey your leave command without needing a treat for reinforcement. As time passes, wean your pup off the treats by giving one every second time. Never stop using verbal praise to reinforce your puppy’s new obedience trick. When he gets it without a treat every other time, pare it back to every third time and eventually stop giving treats altogether.
 
Effective obedience training for your dog required a great deal of patience, firmness, and repetition. Eventually your dog will defer to the “Leave It” command every time you say it. You’ll find yourself on the way to an obedient, happy dog in no time! And you will get immense satisfaction when you teach your dog these easy, but essential commands.
 

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