13 minute read
Words, Woofs & Meows
My students often ask when they can stop training their dogs. That's when I ask them when do you anticipate you will stop learning? My point is that we are still learning as long as we are alive. The same is true of our dogs.
If our dog is awake, they learn from both us and the environment in which they live. Since the environment is vast and almost always available to our dogs, it provides more learning opportunities than we do. For example, a child in a highchair or an elderly parent at the dining room table can teach your dog by accidentally or intentionally dropping tidbits of food while eating. In this case, your dog may be learning something you would rather they hadn't.
Understand that your dog may also learn from dogs and people it interacts with at the dog park or doggie daycare. Even the wind blowing through your apple tree at the end of summer, causing fruit to drop, could be teaching your dog. Considering your dog is always learning, I believe there are many wonderful reasons to continue training them.
Reasons to Continue Training Your Dog
We all need a refresher now and then if we expect to maintain our skills. While I had two years of German back in high school, I have not used that knowledge and skill for years, and as a result, ich kann kein Deutsch mehr (I can no longer speak German.). If we stop asking our dogs to do what we have taught them, they may get rusty and not respond as well as we would like. Muppy and I practice behaviors like sit, leave it, and recall regularly. Having a reliable leave it and recall can save your dog's life.
However, I also practice training for my benefit. Training is a mechanical skill; like all skills, it requires maintenance, just like a golf swing. The only difference between a clicker and treats and a golf club and ball is the furry friend I'm interacting with is sentient, whereas the golf ball is not.
However, a second and even more important reason to continue training your dog is that it is a great way to provide you both with mental stimulation. When done right, training will be fun and will make your bond even stronger. That doesn't mean you must be enrolled in a dog training class. A well-designed class will leave you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue working with your dog long after completing the class; however, if you attend a class so that you can both learn something new, why not!
Remember, training does not need to be limited to things like sit and recall. You can teach your dog silly tricks or teach him to use his nose while playing fun scent games like find it. You will soon forget you're learning when you and your dog have fun together. The best teachers I have had in my life were able to make learning fun.
My point is that minimally, we at least need to acknowledge that our dog will be learning his entire life. So why not use that zest for knowledge by turning it into an opportunity to continue nourishing our bond with our dog while having fun.
Determining If Your Dog Understands SIT
Students often ask, how can I tell if my dog understands what I'm teaching him? How we assess a dog's training can vary with what we're teaching, the environment where we are testing him, and the dog and his physical and emotional status at that particular point in time. Below you will find one method you can use to assess how well your dog understands a simple behavior like sit.
You will give your dog a single visual or verbal cue and look for him to respond in 1 to 2 seconds, eight times out of 10 in each of these scenarios. • In three different rooms in your home • For three family members • With you standing in front of the dog • With you sitting in a chair with the dog in front of you • With you sitting on the floor with the dog in front of you • In three different places in your yard • In three other locations away from your home • In a distracting environment
The ultimate test can be if you can lie on your back in an environment where you usually play with your dog, and he will respond to your cue.
by Don Hanson
ACCBC, BFRAP, CDBC, CPDT-KA
photo credit: debra bell
Don Hanson lives in Bangor, Maine, where he isthe co-owner of the Green Acres Kennel Shop (greenacreskennel.com) and the founder of ForceFreePets.com, an online educational resource for people with dogs and cats. He is a Professional Canine Behavior Consultant (PCBC-A) accredited by the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB)and a Bach Foundation Registered Animal Practitioner (BFRAP). Don is a member of thePet Professional Guild (PPG), where he serves on the Board of Directors and Steering Committee and chairs the Advocacy Committee. He is also a founding director of Pet Advocacy International (PIAI). In addition, Don produces and co-hosts The Woof Meow Showpodcast,available at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts/,the Apple Podcast app, and Don's blog: www.words-woofs-meows.com.The opinions in this post are those of Don Hanson.
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TANK
4 years old, Mixed Breed
Tank is a big jolly boy. He loves to snuggle and be an outdoor adventurer. He needs to be the only pet in his home.
CASH
8 years old, Border Collie Mix
Cash is sweet, funny and aloof. I would loke an active family with no one younger than 15. An apartment would not work for me.
CAP
10 months old, Retriever Mix
Cap is a cute fella with a big personality. He can possibly live with some dogs. Cats are a no and the humans need to be at least 16.
3.5 months old, Pit Bull Mix
Jill is sweet, cuddly and submissive. Great with other dogs and kids. Almost house trained and loves car rides.
DJ
4 months old, Black Lab
DJ loves kids, cats and dogs. Great on a leash and loves the water.
ODIN
11 years old, Norwegian Elkhound
Odin’s human passed away so he needs a retirement home. He loves walks and is good natured.
FMI: pulledfromthepits.com Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union
299 Auburn Rd., Turner, (207)225-2525, parisfarmersunion.com
2 years old, Shepherd Mix
Mac is affectionate and energetic. He should live in a home without small children or other dogs.
FMI: pulledfromthepits.com Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union
671 Main St., Lewiston, (207)783-1366, parisfarmersunion.com
GIGI
5 years old, Catahoula Leopard Mix
Gigi is a fun-loving,
intelligent, and loyal gal who comes from a loving family who is heartbroken to part with her. She does need to be the only dog and be in an active home.
FMI: luckypuprescue.org Sponsored by: Kompletely K-9 Dog Training and Rehab.
248 Choate Rd., Montville, (207)322-5111, kompletelyk9.com
BULLET AKA HOBBS
2.5 years old Catahoula Leopard Dog
A sweet, friendly guy who loves meeting new people. Kids might be too much though. While I have lived with other dogs in my foster homes, I would thrive as your one and only.
FMI: nehoularescue.com Sponsored by: Green with Envy Salon
Camden, Rockland, Belfast, Augusta, (207) 236-3689, greenenvysalon.com
RUBY
3-4 years old, Lab/Hound Mix
Ruby loves to hike and cuddle on your lap. She comes from an abusive background so she needs the space to take her time with all introductions. She is ok with submissive dogs.
FMI: nehoularescue.com Sponsored by: Debbie Gagnon * Red's Eats
Wiscasset, (207)882-6128, redseatsmaine.com
PRISCILLA
1 year old, Hound/Shepherd Mix
Priscilla is curious and sweet, very busy and wants to check out everything. She is housebroken and crate trained. She is great with dogs, people, and seems to have a healthy respect for cats.
FMI: grammyrose.org Sponsored by: Debbie Gagnon * Red's Eats
Wiscasset, (207)882-6128, redseatsmaine.com
JUSTINA
7 months old, Mixed Breed
Justina is very sweet. She does great in her crate and is housebroken. Justina would enjoy the company of another dog in her home and would make a great hiking partner.
FMI: luckypuprescue.org Sponsored by: Kompletely K-9 Dog Training and Rehab.
248 Choate Rd., Montville, (207)322-5111, kompletelyk9.com
PADDY 2 years old, Australian Cattle Dog
Paddy is an amazing young Cattle Dog. He is super smart and has the drive to learn and the willingness to work with you.
FMI: nehoularescue.com Sponsored by: Rising Tide Co-op
323 Main St., Damariscotta, (207)563-5556, risingtide.coop
REMI
10 months old, Terrier Mix
Remi is happy go lucky and wants to be your best friend. She loves being with you and watching what you're doing and is eager to please. She should be the only dog in her home.
Email: passion4petsrescue@gmail.com Sponsored by: Debbie Gagnon * Red's Eats
Wiscasset, (207)882-6128, redseatsmaine.com
SARGE
3 years old, Bulldog Mix
Sarge is sweet and playful. He loves toys and chasing balls. He enjoys people, following them everywhere and loves to snuggle. He is what we call a "velcro dog!"
Email: passion4petsrescue@gmail.com Email: passion4petsrescue@gmail.com FMI: fetchinghope.com
Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union Sponsored by: All 4 Paws Wellness
1243 Roosevelt Trail, Raymond, (207)655-6760, parisfarmersunion.com 83 Royal St., Winthrop, (207)377-2614, parisfarmersunion.com
119 Bishop St., Portland, (207)809-9505, all4pawswellness.com Help us find a forever home!
LAYLA
8 months old, Labrador Retriever
Layla is a doll- such a happy, happy girl! She even prances when she walks. She is extremely sweet, loves to cuddle as well as to play with toys and other dogs.
HAPPY
1 year old, Cur Type
Happy is sweet, polite, house-trained, crate-trained, great with kids and dogs, too! She LOVES cheese, running, playing, snuggling, tennis balls and car rides.
STING
14 years old, Boxer Mix
Sting is a sweet, friendly and affectionate guy who has a lot of energy for his age. He is looking for a quiet home without a lot of activity. He is nervous around other dogs, and young children would be too much for him at his age. Probably no cats.
FMI: fetchinghope.com Sponsored by: First National Bank
17 Branches from Wiscasset to Calais, 1-800-564-3195, thefirst.com
HAZELNUT
6 years old, Lab Mix
Hazelnut is a beautiful girl looking for a dog-savvy home where she can be the only pet, with no small children. Hazelnut is bright and trainable, loves to play and go for car rides. She is good on leash and needs plenty of exercise.
FMI: fetchinghope.com
Sponsored by: Androscoggin Animal Hospital
457 Foreside Rd., Topsham, (207)729-4678, androscogginanimalhospital.com
XENA
8-10 years old, German Shepherd
Xena hasn’t had the best life until she went into foster care, now she is soaking up love like a sponge! She bonds deeply with her human and wants them all to herself, so a home without other dogs & cats is best.
FMI: olddogsnewdigs.com Sponsored by: Acadia Antlers
acadiaantlers.com
ROSIE
2 years old, Terrier, American Staffordshire
Rosie is a fun-loving gal looking for a home that will play a lot! She loves to play and would love a family with older dog-savvy kids.
FMI: olddogsnewdigs.com Sponsored by: Acadia Antlers
acadiaantlers.com
ROXI
9 years old, Cattle Dog/Chow Chow
Roxi is a senior gal looking for a peaceful retirement home. Low-key, maybe one or two people, quiet, loving, that sounds perfect to Roxi! Oh, and treats, lots of treats.
FMI: popehumane.org Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union
230 Main St., Jay, (207)897-3333, parisfarmersunion.com
PAULINA
6.5 years old, Labrador Retriever Mix
Super sweet but a little shy. Once she knows you are not scary she warms up to you. She is mellow and just wants a good home and to feel loved. She is good with other dogs and most likely with cats.
FMI: olddogsnewdigs.com
Sponsored by: Ridge Runner Veterinary Services
559 South Main St., Winterport, (207)223-2596, ridgerunnervet.com
DIEGO
5 years old, Terrier, American Pit Bull/Mixed Breed
Diego loves people, food, and toys! That's a pretty great combination. This handsome guy is ready for a home that will shower him with love and toys, lots of toys! Get it? Diego likes toys!
FMI: popehumane.org Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union
12 Progress Park South, Newport, (207)368-4329, parisfarmersunion.com
GILLA
2 years old, Mixed Breed
Gilla is so much fun. She is so playful and energetic and hops around with her toys like a bunny! She is good with other dogs and would be fine with kids too.
FMI: popehumane.org Sponsored by: Paris Farmers Union
1116 Eastman Rd., North Conway, NH, (603)356-5669, parisfarmersunion.com
KARTER
3 years old, American Pit Bull Terrier Mix
He is a big boy but loves his people. He would do best as the only dog in the home. He needs a strong handler but trust me, this guy will love you BIG. He smiles big and loves to show off his teeth as you can see.
FMI: pawsadoption.org Sponsored by: Water Bark Wellness
4 Commercial St., Rockport, (207)230-8455, waterbarkwellness.com
TANK
3 years old, Mixed Breed
Tank is a super loving boy with lots of energy! He needs to be the only animal in the home due to his enthusiasm and size (72 lbs.). He needs lots of exercise and an experienced owner willing to help refine his manners.
FMI: pawsadoption.org FMI: pawsadoption.org FMI: bangorhumanesociety.org
Sponsored by: Green Tree Coffee & Tea
2456 Atlantic Hwy., Lincolnville, (207)706-7908, greentreecoffee.com
Sponsored by: Bagel Café
25 Mechanic St., Camden, (207)236-2661, bagelcafemaine.com
Sponsored by: Mason’s Brewing Company
15 Hardy St., Brewer, (207)989-6300, masonsbrewingcompany.com
