by Gabriel Riesco | Mar 22, 2023 | Dog Training, For Dog Trainers, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs
Respect is commonly miss-understood with showing who is boss. It has nothing to do with this. Fear is not respect. You don´t ask, demand or gain respect. Respect is not something you necessarily achieve. Respect is something that you give and you get back in return. You can not force or convince someone to respect you. You have no direct control over this. It has to come from them. If you are respectful to people, people will be respectful to you. The same is with dogs. Understand that when dogs get out of control they are not mis respecting you. They are simply out of control and our job is to help them.
The better question is, how do I give respect to my dog?
The answer is simple: acknowledge and treat your dog as a dog.
Let me explain. If I treat you as a dog, you´ll agree with me that I´m miss-respecting you. Well, if you treat your dog as a human you’re mis-respecting your dog. Your dog is not a human, your dog is a dog. Dog’s are beautiful creatures and they deserve to be respected for who they are.
I could write an entire book about how to acknowledge dogs as dogs, but to keep things simple here are 6 skills for you to be aware of how to give respect and get respect back from your dog:
1- Instead of talking to your dog, listen to your dog. 95% of dog´s communication is through body language and energy. Meaning in silence. Yet 90% of my clients do not know how to communicate with their dogs in silence. Dog´s don’t understand English or Spanish or Chinese. They understand body language. Be curious and learn It!!
2- Understand your relationship with your dog. Who is the parent? Who is the guardian? If your dog doesn’t feel your are making the calls don’t expect him or her to listen to you. Humans and and animals don’t listen to people who stay in the sidelines. They listen to people who take responsabilties and to people that make decisions. Respect the relationship and accept your responsabilities. Being a parent or a guardian comes with teaching boundaries and educating your dog. It’s work! It can be a lot of fun, but you have to know where your place is. Being a parent or a guardian is a privilege and your choice, not your right or entitlement.
3- Be aware of your state of mind and work on self control. If you are not in control of yourself don’t expect your dog to listen to you in a willing or cooperative way. What I mean by this is to be in control of your body language and your state of mind. This is a skill that you might need to relearn.
4- Be aware of your your dog´s sate of mind. Meet your dog where she/he is at and work from there. You have to be sensitive and react accordingly to your dogs state of mind instead of trying to impose your dog training program. Dogs are not computers or machines that simply obey to commands.
5- Clarity. Teach your dog with clarity. Be clear with what your dog can do and with what your dog can’t do. Always do so for your dog’s best interest.
6- Be present. Dog´s can’t live in the past or in the future. They can only live in the present. So don’t allow your mind to take over and navigate around time. Be present!!
All these skills and tips are ways to give respect to your dog and a sure way to get respect back in return.
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved March 2023
by Gabriel Riesco | Feb 16, 2023 | Dog Problems. Behavior Modification, Dog Training, Dog Training & Conditioning, For Dog Trainers, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs
Do you want a family dog or a highly trained dog?
Answering this question and having clarity on what you want can safe you a lot of time, headaches, money and what’s more important it can help you give the best life to your dog.
There is a big difference between Obedience Training and Behavior Training. These two concepts are usually misunderstood or completely unknown even among some professional dog trainers.
Family dogs usually need more Behavior Training (manners and self control), while highly train dogs need more Obedience Training ( Skills, performance and impulse control)
Your dog can know 100 “cues”, “commands” and “tricks” and yet still have a lot of behavioral issues. Does this phrase sounds familiar to you? :
”My dog is very smart and sweet, but ….”
This happens because your dog can be very good at obedience (Impulse control) but have no control of his emotional responses or state of mind (Self control). Obedience is about learning skills, behavior is a way of being. Obedience has to do with performance, behavior has to do with social skills and having self control of emotional responses.
What’s the difference between Obedience Training and Behavior Training?
Obedience is based on motivation, rewards and consequences. Wether the consequence is good (ex a treat) or bad (ex punishment) it’s still based on consequence. Behavior is based on your dog’s state of mind or emotional responses to environments or triggers.
In teaching obedience some trainers use positive reinforcement and some trainers use punishments. For me in Obedience Training, Positive Reinforcement is king. This method is great to teach your dog to DO things. Ex: sit, stay, go to your place, leave it, bring me the news paper, come when called etc.
This way of teaching new skills is very effective because dogs tend to do what’s reinforced with rewards. So if you want to teach your dog to Do something is a no-brainer to use rewards and motivation to do so.
They learn fast, they are happy and it’s fun. You can start with simple cues like “sit” or “stay” and move on to more complex skills like agility courses. In either case you want your dog to be motivated, excited and happy to learn.
There’s a catch though, this is not so effective when you want to teach your dog NOT to do things.
Most trainers put the dog on high arousal and high dopamine to tap into the dog’s “high drive”. Why? Because you will get faster obedienece. This can backfire when dealing with some unwanted behaviors.
So, How do you teach your dogs Not to do things?
The answer is with Behavioral Training. When you have a family dog, usually this “Not to do things” are unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, pulling on the leash, biting, aggression, jumping on people, resource guarding, destructive behaviors etc.
All these behaviors are not fixed by encouraging excitement, high arousal, high dopamine or high drive. Quite the opposite. These behaviors can only be modified with self control, calm energy, boundaries and a sound state of mind.
When dealing with these behaviors all of a sudden the excessive encouragement of excitement, high arousal, high drive and high dopamine used in Obedience Training are not going to help. Even worse, they can backfire if you’re not careful.
Behavior Training is based on emotional state of mind, self control and social skills. Training and Conditioning is about micromanaging and redirecting every move the dog does without really working on the state of mind of the dog.
What’s Behavior Training?
Behavior training has to do with helping your dog to be in a sound state of mind. The skills needed are self control, respect and boundaries. It is based on your body language skills, energy control and mastering techniques that changes the emotional response of your dog, not necessarily redirecting them all the time.
A different way of seeing this is thinking of Behavior as social skills (being in a controlled state of mind and emotionally sound) and thinking of Obedience Training as going to Harvard or Yale, where you can learn very specific skills.
The one that will put you in trouble is the lack of social and behavioral skills (Behavioral Training). In other words you are not going to go to jail because didn´t go to Yale, but you will go to jail if you destroy Yale.
In animal world this has nothing to do with being ¨good¨ or ¨bad¨, it has to do with being ¨in a controlled state of mind¨ (green zone) or in an out of controlled state of mind¨ (red zone). If your dog is in the wrong state of mind, no matter how much training and conditioning you´ve worked on, your dog wont´t listen. Any animal on fight/flight state of mind will not listen to anyone unless you force them. And forcing does not create acceptance it creates resistance.
To change behavior you basically need three things:
1. The ability to master techniques to change your dog’s state of mind or emotional response to triggers or environments.
2. Effectively communicate with your dog: Body language and energy. Different from hand signals and treats.
3. A solid relationship with your dog where your dog fully trusts you. This has to do with parenting not with dominance.
Conclusion.
In a nut shell Obedience Training is a method for learning skills, while Behavior Training is a way of being where your dog learns to control him/herself.
Knowing when and how to use and integrate this two different approaches: Obedience Training and Behavior Training is key in order to create and to maintain a harmonious relationship for any family dog.
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved February 2023
by Gabriel Riesco | Feb 8, 2023 | Dog Training, Dog Training & Conditioning, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs
As a parent I know that bringing a baby into your home is one of the most exciting times in your life. It is also one of the most amazing experiences, but it comes with a lot of work and responsibilities that are time consuming. So it’s important to make sure your dog is ready for this big change.
A well-prepared dog will be less likely to feel threatened or stressed with the new arrival and will be more likely to welcome the baby with unconditional doggy love. Having said that don’t take it for granted.
If you are a first time parent just know that everything is going to change. No matter your intentions and your good planning you are going to have less time for your dog. There’s no way around it.
What NOT to do.
A big mistake new parents make is to start spending more time with their dogs before the baby arrives. The thinking is to make up time now because they know they will be busy later with the baby. The problem with this is that when the baby comes the change from spending a lot of time to not spending barely any time is going to be more dramatic. This can lead to major behavioral issues.
Here are some tips to help you get your furry friend ready for the arrival of your little one.
- Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends alone. This will help your dog get used to being alone, which will be important once the baby arrives and you have less time to spend with your pet. Start by leaving your dog alone for a few minutes at a time and gradually increase the length of the separation.
- Introduce your dog to baby sounds and smells. Play recordings of baby cries, laughter, and other sounds so your dog can get used to the new noises they will be hearing. Also, get a blanket or other item that smells like the baby and let your dog smell it so they can get used to the new scent.
- Train your dog self control and games where they learn to be calm around excitement. A well behave dog that trusts you and listens to you is going to learn to be at peace around the baby. Focus on commands like “place” and “ settle”.
- Create boundaries and rules for your dog. Decide where your dog is and is not allowed to be when the baby is around, such as in the nursery or on the furniture. Also, establish rules for how your dog should behave around the baby, such as not jumping or barking.
- Teach your dog to be calm on the leash indoors. Leash communication skills can help tremendously to create calmness and bonding. The leash is a tool that can let your dog and your baby share the same space in a safe and calm manner.
- Set up a safe space for your dog. Designate an area where your dog can retreat to if they become overwhelmed by the new arrival. This can be a crate or a special room where they feel safe and comfortable.
- Show your dog love and attention. Despite the new arrival, it’s important to continue to give your dog love and attention so they don’t feel neglected or pushed aside.
By following these tips, you can help your dog adjust to the new arrival and become a loving and supportive member of your family. Just remember to be patient, consistent, and positive in your training and interactions with your pet, and you’ll be sure to have a well-prepared dog who loves and welcomes your new baby.
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved February 2023
by Gabriel Riesco | Feb 3, 2023 | Dog Training, For Dog Trainers, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs
How dogs think?
Dogs are intelligent and affectionate creatures, and they have their own unique way of thinking and learning. Understanding how dogs think and learn can help us better understand our furry friends and improve our relationships with them.
Dogs think in a different way than humans do. They are primarily driven by their senses and instincts, and their primary mode of communication is through body language, energy and some vocalization. Dogs process information in the present moment, which means they don’t have the ability to reflect on the past or anticipate the future in the same way that humans do.
How dogs Learn?
When it comes to learning, dogs have a remarkable ability to associate things with one another. Dogs also learn through observation and experience. They observe the behaviors and actions of their owners and other dogs, and they learn from the consequences of their own actions. This is why it’s important to provide dogs with consistent and understanding reinforcement, as well as opportunities to interact with other dogs and people.
They have the ability to learn through observation, repetition, and reinforcement. Here is a brief overview of how dogs learn:
- 1. Observation: Dogs have the ability to learn by watching and observing other dogs or their human companions. For example, if a dog sees another dog being rewarded for sitting on command, they may learn to associate the command with the desired behavior and begin to sit on command themselves.
- 2. Repetition: Repetition is a key aspect of dog training. When a dog is taught a new command or behavior, they may not understand it immediately. By repeating the command or behavior multiple times and rewarding the dog for successfully completing it, they will eventually learn the desired behavior.
- 3. Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement is a key component of dog training. When a dog successfully completes a desired behavior, they should be rewarded with treats, praise, or other forms of positive reinforcement. This will help them to associate the desired behavior with a positive outcome, making them more likely to repeat the behavior in the future.
Overall, dogs are intelligent creatures that are capable of learning through observation, repetition, and reinforcement. With patience and consistency, you can train your dog to learn a variety of commands and behaviors. You can train your dog by using methods like Luring, shaping, capturing and mimicking. I’ll be writing more on this different methods and on what are their pro and cons of each one of them.
In conclusion, dogs have a unique way of thinking and learning that is different from humans. Understanding this can help us better understand and communicate with our furry friends. Whether you’re training a new puppy or just trying to build a stronger bond with your dog, taking the time to understand how dogs think and learn can be a valuable investment.
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved February 2023
by Gabriel Riesco | Jan 27, 2023 | Dog Problems. Behavior Modification, For Dog Trainers, Mindfulness & Psychology with Dogs
There’s been a lot of confusion between this two terms: leash reactivity and leash aggression. I’ve even read very strange and confusing explanations of these two labels.
Let’s start with leash reactivity
Why’s is my dog reactive towards other dogs only on leash?
This a a very common problem, especially in big cities. The outcome is usually your dog barking, lunging or attacking other dogs or humans when they are on leash. Sometimes dogs can redirect and bite it’s own handler when this happens.
Most of the times very social dogs want to meet other dogs while they are walking on the leash. They have friendly intentions and they just want to say hi to other dogs. Unfortunately, this is not always possible. Maybe the other dog has kennel cough, or doesn’t have the vaccines yet,or is an aggressive dog, or the owner just doesn’t want to stop. Maybe your is dog too crazy and the other dog or person doesn’t want to interact.
When this happens dog parents tend to pull on the leash to keep their pup away from other dog/s out of respect.They restrain their dogs maintaining constant tension on the leash. When you do this consistently every day your dog slowly starts becoming more frustrated. You start noticing more excitement, some friendly barking, kind of wanting to say hi and you don’t think much of it. Eventually this starts escalating and your dog start loosing it more and more. Suddenly one day your dog explodes and starts growling, lunging and showing teeth when he sees another dog. What started being friendly, it turned into frustration and ended up being aggression.
So what’s the difference between Leash Reactivity and leash Aggression?
The difference between leash reactivity and leash aggression it’s just a matter of intensity. Leash reactivity is just your dog pulling on the leash out of excitement trying to say hi to another dog. There could be barking, franticness and a lot of pulling, but your dog’s intentions are friendly. When you continue this behavior on leash your dog starts getting frustrated. Leash aggression is when that frustration starts penting up throughout time and it turns into aggression. At this point if you let your dog go it can turn to be a bite or a fight depending on the other dog’s response.
Why does this happen?
This happens because the leash becomes the source of frustration and the leash pressure becomes the trigger.
The problem here is never the dog. The problem is the human. There’s no leash without a human. So it’s either because of the constant tension on the leash provided by the human, or the human pulling or yanking at the wrong time with the leash.
Leash aggression is always caused by the lack of leash communication skills between you and your pup. Wether you created the problem or you already adopted your pup with this problem, it was created by a human at some point.
Why is my dog biting me when he sees another dog?
This is called redirection. Some dogs with leash aggression when they are hold back and they don’t have an outlet of their aggression they redirect their frustration into whatever is closer to them. Sometimes is you, sometimes is another dog that is next to them and sometimes is another human.
Do I need to use a prong collar or an electric collar to fix it?
No you don’t. You can, but there are different ways to solve this problem without having to use a prong collar, an e-collar or corrections.
How do I know it’s leash aggression and not just aggression?
When your dog is social at doggy day care or can meet other dogs off leash, but is reactive only on leash, then it’s leash aggression. If your dog is always or sometimes aggressive with other dogs off leash, then it’s not leash aggression. Your dog needs to be socialized. Thats a different problem. Having said that, your dog can have both problems Leash aggression and poor socialization skills.
Will my dog grow out of it?
NO, if you don’t do anything about it, it will get worse.
Can you fix leash reactivity or leash aggression?
Yes! Absolutely. With proper training and good leash communication skills this can be fixed. Sometimes pretty fast without using corrections, prong collars or e collars. The first step is to make sure you can walk your dog with no tension on the leash on a regular basis.
© Gabriel Riesco, Pawmos Dog Training LLC | All Rights Reserved January 2023
