Shiloh K9 - Obedience is Rewarding

Nutrition: Flavor of the week or the same stuff?

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:36:00 GMT

Hot weather precautions

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:51:00 GMT

Accepting No for an answer???

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 20:42:00 GMT

No? Is that an acceptable answer?

By Adam Witherspoon and Adam Diederich

Training Director and Assistant Trainer Shiloh K-9 Dog Training Services LLC

Just recently I was in Wal Mart, doing some shopping, and just happened to notice a lady and her son that was in every isle in the store, at the same time I was. You know how it is, it seems every place you go, they are as well. You speak cordially, they speak back, and they become inadvertently your “shopping partner”. Her son was bright eyed to say the least, and into everything. This kid reminded me of myself when I was his age. Also, I noticed every time he got into mischief, the mother would give him the proverbial “I’m not going to tell you again to stop it!” This must have happened 15 or 20 times, and every time her son would call the bluff. How many times have you done this with your dog? Accepted no for an answer, and do nothing to correct it? This has to be in my opinion one of the single biggest problems that people have with their dogs. People who own dogs generally want to the dog’s leader, really and truly, but don’t assert their authority as the rule of the house. Another example is someone at the vet in the waiting area telling their dog to sit or be quiet, well over 20 times in as many seconds and yet the dog does not sit, and still continues to bark.

So how do we stop this vicious crazy cycle? Here are some steps to put in place that will help.

Many people assume that from the first days of puppyhood all dogs understand us the same way we understand each other. We rationalize right from wrong, and just assume that they should be able to do the same. WELL, how many times have you over heard people talking about a person from another country, saying somethingto the affect of "This is America, they should learn to speak English!” While I agree with this sentiment to somewhat (not going to get into a political discussion here), the person must FIRST BE TAUGHT ENGLISH BEFORE THEY CAN SPEAK IT! Your dog must also be taught how to communicate with us, and to teach your dog, you must learn how they communicate. To sum it up, body language and voice tone are paramount, but ultimately their language is leadership. As a leader you must establish the rules and enforce them. "Enforce" seems like a harsh word to some. However it only means to not stray from what has been established as rule of law. You cannot however sit there and go over a list with the dog of his do's and don'ts. This must be demonstrated in a manner the dog can understand. So step one has to be accepting that you can’t explain the rules to a dog the same as you would a kindergarten student.
Rule out “no” as an acceptable response. This will mean persistence and consistency. It may take you 10 minutes to get one point across, but for example if a dog will not stop barking at the door, or a runner traveling briskly down the street, you must put a leash on the dog, (another presumed headache, which is not if you do it consistently for a short time period) and do anything reasonable to stop that dog from barking. Use a squirt bottle. Walk the dog away from the source of the excitement. DO NOT call the dogs name and tell them to be quiet. If they won’t stop, they don’t the meaning of these words. Do not use the name, as the dog will associate positive things with their name, and only take it as affirmation. I challenge anyone who can and will do it, to use only a leash in correcting their dog and not talk to them. Watch the results. I do it during consultations all the time, and people sit on the sofa in my training center with their jaws dropped to the floor. I am not doing anything special, just not talking to the dog.
Refer to my article on dog behavioral fitness, and pick one thing, JUST ONE to work on and do this until it is fixed. Get simple, and get stubborn. Do not lose or take no for an answer. Do not however try to fix the barking and jumping, and nipping at the same time. Address these one at a time and it will be easier as you go.
Understand all dogs are different and what you did with your Golden Retriever 15 years ago, may not work with your Yorkie today. Also remember your life has changed since your last dog, ie schedule, commitments, cell phones, laptops, tablets, (all sources of time consumption) and things will never be the same as they were with the previous dog. I have a client who just got a new dog, and it is admirable that in working with this person, they have NEVER said "I wish this dog was more like my last!" They have made references to accepted differences, but only once maybe twice. Most people rant and rave about the previous dog and never accept their current dog for who they are, rather they reject their current dog for not being like the previous one. Owning a new dog is an opportunity for a fresh start and a better one at that! Do things with your current dog that you never did but wanted to with the previous one. Get creative, and make it an enjoyable experience.
Avoid using food to stop an unwanted behavior!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now all the trainers that disagree with this are sure to write us with some hate mail, but I don’t care. Let me assure you that your dog knows how to eat already. There is absolutely no reason to try to reteach something they know very well and correctly already. Food is never a reward to a dog while experiencing a problem behavior. If you start using food, the dog will see this as a cycle. So in the dog’s mind, they think “Hey, if I go nuts at the door bell, my owner will tell me to stop, and I will, and then I get an awesome treat!” Think about it, and it makes sense. Let the reward be your happiness in the success of the dog.

So, make a decision to not accept no. This is a tough one. It require self discipline, and will power, but it can be done. Also we have a group class starting in February, and will be helpful in learning this concept. For more info, go to www.shilohk9.com/groupclass.htm. Hope everyone has a great New Year!!

Danger lurks behind every corner

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:47:00 GMT

As we approach Christmas, new puppies will undoubtedly be romping around the house. However danger does indeed lurk around every corner. There are things around the house that can and will kill your dog if you are not carefull. Plants, linoleum, cleaners, etc...

Here is a list of plants that are poisonous that I know of

Acorns Amaryllis apricot (pits) asparagus (berries) Autumn Cocus

Avocado (pits) Azalea Baneberries Bird of Paradise Black Locust

Black Nighshade Bleeding Heart Box Buckeye Buckthorn

Buttercup Caladium Calla Cashew(leaves) Caster Bean Century Plant

Cherry Christmas Cherry Christmas Rose Chrysanthemums Crown of Thorns

Corn Lily Daffodil Daphne Dephinium Devils Ivy Dieffenbachia(Dumbcane)

Eggplant Leaves Edlerberry Elephant's Ear English Ivy Flax Four o Clock

Foxglove Golden Chain Tree Holly Horsechestnuts Hyacynth Hydrangea

Indian Tobacco Iris Jack in the Pulpit Jequirity Bean Jerusalem Cherry Jimson Weed

Jonquil Lantana Lilly of the Valley Lobelia Lupine Mango(pits) Marijuana (Shucks!!)

Marsh Marigold Mayapple Milkbush Mistletoe Monkshood Moonseed

Morning Glory Mother in Law(should have known!!) Mountain Laurel Mushrooms

Mustard Narcissus Nephthytis Nightshade Nutmeg Oleander Oak Pansy(seeds)

Peach(pits) pencil tree Peony Poinsettia Poison Hemlock Poison Ivy

Poison Oak Poison Sumak Poke Weed Potato(leaves and stem)

Privet Ranunculus Rhodendron Rhubarb Rubber Vine Scotch Broom

Sedum Shamrock Skunk Cabbage Star Of Bethlehem Sweet Pea Sweet Potato (leaves)

Tobacco Tomato (leave and stems) Tulip Virginia Creeper Water Hemlock

Wisteria Yellow Jessamie Yew

So these are some but not all. You get the point. Be careful what your dog picks up and eats. As a rule we teach the dog not to pick up anything we dont offer. Everyone keep their dogs safe and have a Merry Christmas!!!

Is Dog Training Cruel?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Is dog training cruel?

Recently I was asked if anything that we did training dogs is cruel? Sometimes I have to grab myself by the shirt collar, or give myself a good mental slap in the face when I get asked that, because generally it comes from someone else talking to that person giving their two cents about something they know absolutely nothing about. It is a frequently asked question to many trainers in the U.S., and with all the pit bull horror stories, and animal cops on tv, I understand why it is so easy to be mislead to think dog training could be cruel. My answer to the young lady was this: “Is it cruel to educate a child?” She responded “of coarse not!” So I ask, why would it be cruel to educate a dog? Now the methods used are often questioned, but true dog training is education to a dog. It should never consist of beating, choking, scolding beyond belief, or any one of a hundred different tactics I have been asked about. See, if you do any of these things to a dog, then you are not training, you are practicing tyranny. The British did that to us about 235 years ago, and we didn’t stand for it and had a revolution. We did learn a lesson, but it was a lesson to avoid and become free, and this is not what we want to teach our dogs. So there is no room for physical or mental abuse towards a dog. Corrections are needed, but gentle and kind, not harsh. So I would encourage anyone interested in learning about dog training to further explore it’s roots and methodologies, and I would strongly encourage those with a set in stone opinion that dog training is cruel, to visit myself or any other reputable trainer to in fact learn the truth, versus spreading unfounded rumors. And just a note thanking Lisa Doss with Eden’s Own Journal for the hard work they do there. I enourage everyone to get out there and tell your friends about the paper, and continue to support them and their advertisers. They are a true breath of fresh air here in Rockingham County.

Do I need a Protection Dog?

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 01:53:00 GMT

To say that a dog is a “Man’s best friend” to me is an incredible understatement. They listen to us without criticism, always accept us for who we are, and they love unconditionally. They have proven themselves as the single most versatile animal to walk the earth, while also capturing our hearts with loving eyes, snuggles, and unlimited kisses. I can think of no greater pet to have than a dog. However, can we push the limits of the dog’s capabilities? Recently, I am seeing a rash of that happening. It seems like every day I hear from different people that get a dog for protection. Oh dear, what a huge mistake. Many of these people want a well behaved dog, that is polite, accepting of company, and completely trustworthy. The ever present statement always follows though: “If someone is trying to get me, I want the dog to do his thing!” This idea must be stopped quickly, as it creates so very much conflict in the dog’s world! Police dogs, personal protection dogs, doing bite work, all things that I love and have a passion for. However these dogs that do this work are specifically bred and trained for this type of work. The idea that you can go to the pound, or read up on the internet about what breed does well at a specific task like protection, then go buy one and put it in your house expecting it to do the job is grossly mistaken and misunderstood. The reality is that most of the time, the presence of a dog alone is deterrent enough to keep away anyone with ill will towards you. But to rely on a dog for your own protection that has not been specifically trained and bred for that task, is a horrible mistake, as well as an extreme liability. This results in people coming to see me about aggression problems with their dogs. Most of the time unfortunately I cannot give the owners what they want. “I don’t want him to bite anyone, I want him to bark, growl and put on a show.” A dog not bred for this is simply not capable to do this type of thing. Protection dogs require intensive consistent training, as well as being tested thoroughly to determine that they are appropriate. I have only seen two dogs out of hundreds brought to me by someone who already owned it that was truly suitable for the work. He trains regularly with the dog (which is also required and rarely done) and has made a commitment in a lifestyle change to owning this dog. The responsibility is huge and the liability is increased as well.

Now having said all of this, it is not unreasonable to expect a dog to bark at the door, or stay beside you in an uncomfortable situation, but that should be the absolute limit to the expectations. A dog that is well behaved, focused on the owner, and really obedient will turn heads, and demand respect. Just don’t put an unreal responsibility on your dog, as he will disappoint you every time. If anyone feels they need a protection dog, while I personally don’t train them for families any more, I would encourage you to call me so we discuss the best route for you to take. This should be a decision made with the utmost of care, taking into consideration all factors in your personal life, as well as others. We can help with that. This is probably not what a lot of people want to hear, but has needed to be said for a long time. I myself am a very conservative leaning person, and I own several protection dogs, but again, the commitment it takes is extreme, and if not taken seriously can result in irreparable damage to yourself, others or the dog.

A lesson to be learned from a dog

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:46:00 GMT

Recently I was in a grocery store and I witnessed something heartbreaking. Two young teenagers were looking and jeering at a young kid with his mother. The young boy was exuberant, smiling, full of life….and obviously had down syndrome. Standing in line behind these two teenagers waiting to check out, another person who was physically handicapped walked in and sure enough, the jeering started. Needless to say I wanted to jerk a knot in these two young girls heads, and teach them a lesson in compassion. How many times have we seen someone made fun of due to a disability they were either born with, or due to life handing someone a raw deal. It is truly a disgusting part of our society.

So yesterday, a client of ours brought their dog back for a little refresher training. Luke is a black lab, full of the joys of spring, and very lively to say the least. However at less than 2 years old, he wound up with cancer in his leg. The owners made the painful decision to have his leg amputated. He walks funny, looks funny, but has taken it with grace, and shown he will not let it get him down! This morning he runs out with a group of dogs here, and NOT THE FIRST dog even gave him a sideways glance. They all treated as what he was… a dog. What a revelation! To imagine that a dog with an obvious impairment, obvious difference, and with not an obvious change in his attitude, was accepted by a group of 7 or 8 dogs without the first one whispering to the other “Look at that!”. So I ask, do we have something to learn from our dogs?

Challenge

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 22:17:00 GMT

To challenge- A call to take part in a contest or competition, esp. a duel

My definition of to challenge- To set and try to attain a new goal. Each day I try to challenge myself and every dog I work with. I create new goals each day and try to attain them. Both long term and short. Long term challenges are much easier to formulate than short term, as short term requires immediate action. My Challenge to my clientel is this. To help them to create new daily challenges with their dogs, long term and short, and be a resource to help them meet and exceed these challenges. Doing this will give purpose and reason not just in your dog's life, but in your own as well. As a dog's leader we cannot help the dog to attain goals of purpose in life, until we can define that for ourselves. Each day provides a new opportunity for a new challenge. Seize it, grab it by the horns, and run with it!! Work to help the dog sit and stay a little longer today, and help them learn to meet and greet a little better by exposing them to two new people tomorrow. Each day challenge your dog, and each day they will learn something they didn't know before. Enroll in Challenge My Dog University, and while you may never attain a phD, you will certainly give purpose and reason to your dog's life other than just sitting in your lap, or hearing "Your my little shoogieboogie!!" I would be hard to deal with if that was sum of my Leader's ambitions for me. Enjoy your dogs!!

Can I afford to own a dog?

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:42:00 GMT

A few days ago I was in a Vet hospital, and in the ten minutes I waited for a fecal to be run, I overheard at least 3 phone calls from people who were brow beating the receptionist about how much it would cost for vaccines, a heartworm test, and heartworm and flea preventative. This is a low cost vet in comparison to others I have been to, and the prices were very reasonable. However each conversation turned after the intial quote turned to how much it would be without this and without that. ABSURD!!!!!! Vaccines, heartworm and flea preventative is a normal part of dog ownership. If you cant afford that, then I say you are abusing that dog for even bringing the dog into your home. The reality of it is, every person I have ever met could afford it IF they choose to. Give up a soft drink once a week, a meal out once a month, and that coffee at Starbucks (because those are the ones usually complaining about the cost) just once for a month, and there you have the money for the proper care of your dog. This is a rant I know, but the dog has no voice. This is a tough economy, but PLEASE take the cost of caring for a dog properly into consideration before getting one. If you cant afford it, then save for the proper care first, and THEN get a dog. Everyone have a great 4th of July!

A "Rescued Dog"

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 04:30:00 GMT

Wow how I hate that term. So many people come into my training center telling me "This is a rescued dog" NO! This dog is PRIVILEGED. See "Rescued" puts a label of woe is me poor little thing on the dog. If you get a dog from a rescue org, don't think of it as a dog that you "Rescued" Think of it as a dog that is privileged. This way we don't harp on the dog's past. Doing that will only cause problems. It is a life started a new. I like to think of it as my relationship with Jesus Christ. I was a lost soul on my own, and headed for trouble. When I got to know him, he saved me, and now I AM PRIVILEGED to spend all my days here and after with him. (Had to get that in there, not trying to offend anyone but hey, I am who I am...if you don't like it, don't read it!) Even if you don't share my beliefs, your dog doesn't need pitty, it needs love and provision. So don't label your dog unfairly. Enjoy your dog, and let go of it's past as it will too let go if you allow it to!

Ticks and Fleas are active

Tue, 10 May 2011 20:37:00 GMT

Ticks and fleas are active! Don't let these nasty little bugs ruin the summer for you or your dog, start prevention now.

Temps are rising

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:23:00 GMT

Summer is right around the corner, and higher temps mean your K9 needs a place in the shade.