How's Bentley Dog and Puppy and Behavior and Training and Help
Click “More” for additional pics of Ellie in the pool!
Happy Training!
AT
Alan J Turner, Companion Animal Behavior Counselor & Trainer – Canine Specialization
Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis, TN
Owner: How’s Bentley
Crisco, the Rough Coat Jack Russell Terrier, teaches Java how to dig for treasures!
Why do dogs dig?
There are many different reasons dogs dig.
Some of my clients want their dogs to stop digging. That’s okay and I can help. Like many other unwanted canine behaviors, I must identify the root cause of the digging before I can help.
First, ask yourself these questions:
Does my dog dig only when I am away, only when I am present, or both when I am away and when I am present?
Exactly where does the dog dig? under the gate, in the middle of the yard, under a rock, tree, or bush, under the fence (not at gate), adjacent to the side the house?
What type of hole? shallow hole – long enough for your dog to use as a bed? deep hole, narrow trench?
If the dog escapes, what does the dog do / where does he or she go? several hour neighborhood adventure? right next door or to a specific house? waits on my porch or in my yard?
Are there any specific times when your dog is more likely to dig and escape? before a storm? when you leave? when loud trucks pass by?
By answering the above questions, you can determine why your dog is digging and take appropriate actions to reduce the digging behavior.
For example, if your dog is digging shallow, broad holes next to your house, it’s probably to cool down or warm up. Install fans, awnings, or a wading pool to help your dog stay cool. Build a shelter with a light bulb “heater” to help your dog warm up!
If your dog is digging in the middle of the yard, he or she is playing or hunting for small rodents such as moles or voles. Increase your dog’s exercise and stimulation program and rid your yard of the moles and voles!
To learn more about moles and wildlife damage management, visit this site: http://icwdm.org/handbook/mammals/Moles.asp
Happy Training!
AT
Alan J Turner, Companion Animal Behavior Counselor & Trainer – Canine Specialization
Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis, TN
Owner: How’s Bentley
How’s Bentley
Alan J Turner
Companion Animal Behavior Counselor
& Trainer
Canine Specialization – How’s Bentley – Memphis, TN
Bentley is a male, neutered, 20 lb., AKC Registered Australian terrier born in 1999. Affectionately called Turbo Terrier, he is just that, a turbo charged bundle of curiosity and energy.
How’s Bentley is the first question I hear from all my friends and acquaintances. I always ask my dog owner friends how’s so and so? It represents the universal camaraderie between dog owners and the genuine interest in each others’ pets.
Thanks to all the animals and humans that allow me to interact and learn during their difficult and pleasant experiences. Every interaction enhances my dedication to learn more about humans and animals and how I can improve mutually beneficial human-animal relationships.
Sincerely,
Alan J. Turner
Memphis TN
Member: Association of Pet Dog Trainers
We want the food treat to act as a reward for performing, not as a signal to perform. If you use a food lure when initially teaching behaviors, when practicing in new locations, or in the presence of increased distractions, you should fade the lure quickly.
If food is always presented before the behavior, then it’s considered a trigger for the behavior. If you continue to use food as a lure, your dog will learn to perform only when food is present. Yikes!
This is a very common mistake and is so easy to avoid. Ideally the food lure will be used less than five times, in most instances only three times!
If your dog only performs when the food is present, here’s what you should do. In advance, place a treat or two high up on a shelf or mantle in several locations throughout your home.
At random times, ask your dog to perform a behavior and use the hidden treats as rewards. This will teach your dog that food does not have to be present (in your hands, pocket or a treat bowl) in order for him to earn a food treat.
Get out the treats when your dog is watching. Ask for a couple of behaviors and never deliver food as the reward. This will teach him that even though food is obviously in the environment, he doesn’t necessarily get it as a reward.
The idea is to make the “presence of food” in the environment irrelevant.
He might get a treat when food is not present and he might not get a treat when food is present.
Review the section Rewards Awareness Program. If you give your dog attention and touch for free, the only remaining reward (of which you have total control) is food.
Happy Training!
Alan J Turner, Companion Animal Behavior Counselor & Trainer – Canine Specialization
Private and Group Dog Training in Memphis, TN
Owner: How’s Bentley