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TEACHING SELF CONTROL
by Suzanne Clothier
Does your dog pull on lead when someone approaches? when he sees another dog? if
joggers run by? if children are playing? if a cat or squirrel dash through the yard? Is he
hard to control at the vet's or groomer's? when people come into your house?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, chances are your dog needs to learn self
control. Just as children must learn to control their impulses before they can mature
into responsible adults, dogs must learn self control before they can become well mannered
canine citizens. Self control must be taught, just as you teach him to sit or speak or
come when called.
Every owner can teach his dog self control by following these guidelines:
Train, don't restrain. Taking a firm grip on the leash and collar
teaches the dog nothing except that you can restrain him. Instead, give a simple command,
such as sit, reminding with the lead if needed, then loosen the lead so there is no
tension at all. If the dog breaks position, quietly and slowly reposition him, and loosen
the lead again.
Ask for compliance, not submission. View working with your dog as you
would working with any friend. Avoid creating a struggle by asking the dog for more than
he can do at the time. For example, if your dog is really excited, he may be unable or
unwilling to lay down, but agreeable to sitting quietly with a few reminders from you.
Compromise and be reasonable - most struggles between dog and owner are created when the
owner attempts to dominate the dog, instead of finding a solution acceptable to both owner
and dog.
Remember the dog does not know what his options are. A dog who is
lacking self control simply does not know that it is possible to sit quietly in the face
of distractions. It is the owner's responsibility to show the dog that he has options
other than lunging, pulling or leaping around.
Move slowly and talk quietly. A dog who is highly excited needs calm,
slow handling. A common mistake owners make is to move quickly, grabbing at the leash and
collar, raising their voice and speaking in short, sharp tones. From the dog's point of
view, the owner appears as excited as they are, and short sharp tones often sound like
barking. Instead of calming the dog, this reinforces his excitement. By moving
slowly and talking quietly, the owner sends a clear message to the dog that he is not
excited and is in control of the situation.
Remind and ask, don't demand. A dog who is already excited is likely to
resist a harsh correction or respond by becoming more excited. "Ask" by using
the lightest possible touch on the leash and collar, and remind the dog what he's doing
each time he forgets and shifts position.
Work on teaching self control in all situations. Begin by working in
distraction free areas, and ask your dog to sit on a loose leash for five minutes.
Gradually move on to more exciting situations, and practice often. Work at home, at
friends' homes, in parks, shopping centers, at dog shows, training classes and the
veterinarian's. As your dog's self control and respect for you increases, you can add
laying down quietly for up to 30 minutes to his skills.
For more information, we recommend the Flying Dog Press booklet -
Understanding & Teaching Self Control.
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FROM BARN FIRE
to BARN OF JOY: St. Patrick's Day 2004, our barn burned to the ground,
taking with it our beloved
pig Charlotte, turkey Mabel, cats Dudley & Jessie and many chickens and turkeys
did not escape. ( Please
click here for details.) The incredible outpouring of support from
all directions has humbled and staggered us - we are truly blessed. The
new barn that stands now is the barn that love built, and includes a room for
seminars & training so that the love that made this possible can be passed along
for years to come. Thank you for
your support & patience during this difficult time. - Suzanne & John