Teaching a Not So Old Dog Some New Tricks

Hi! It’s me, DixieLee. Zeva said I could write the blog this week because I have some exciting news.

I am going to school! Yup. Just like the human kids, I am starting school today. Mom and I are going to Basic Dog Obedience class at Paws-a-tive Training in Lancaster.

I am nervous but not scared because I already know my teacher really good. Gail is the nice teacher who came to our house and even took me and Mom for a big walk once. Gail is really nice and she always has lots of treats in her pocket.

Basic Dog Obedience class teaches dogs how to do important things like Sit, Come, Down, Off, Stay and Heel. I’m already sort of good at most of those things but I am going to class so that I can get to be with other dogs and learn how to behave around them.

Since I came to live with my family, I spent most of my time with Mom and Dad and Zeva. I never got to learn how to behave around other dogs. When I see other dogs I jump and bark and pull on my leash. Mom says it makes it very difficult to take me to dog park or for big walks because I don’t pay attention to the walking.

When Zeva came to live with our family, she went to work with Mom every day. She got to meet and play with the other dogs that worked in the same building and went for walks with a dog walker and some other dogs. She even got to go to doggie day care ALL DAY some times so she knows how to act nice around other dogs.

Zeva said I can tell you all about my adventures but that I shouldn’t think that I am going to be taking over the blogging because that is her job and she does it best.

So, wish me luck. I am going to try real hard to be on my best behavior and show all the other dogs how good I do Sit, Come, Down, Off, Stay and Heel. Well Sit and Down anyway.

Talk to you soon,

Love

DixieLee

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Back to School

I almost never get in trouble but I think I may have stepped on Mom's last nerve.

It's not really my fault. You see, she says I need to ALWAYS come to her when she calls my name. Well, there are times when I am really busy and sort of ignore her. Since she is the MOM, she says that is unacceptable. She said DixieLee and I need a training refresher course. I wasn't sure exactly what that means so I went on line to find out about dog training.

From what I read there are lots of ways to train a dog and it seems like nobody is sure which is the bestest way. From all the choices I read about, I like the one called “reward based training” or “conditioning”. Although some dogs respond well to praise or play, DixieLee and I love food or as the professionals say, we are food motivated so I hope Mom decides to use food in our training.

Some people think that using food in training is bribery and when the food stops coming, we will stop listening. There is a trick people use so that doesn't happen. Mom always tells us when we do good and pets us when she gives us our reward. After a while, getting told we are good and getting petted is almost as good as getting a treat.

Others think that we will be afraid that if we don't behave we won't get fed. Only a really horrible person would do that! We trust Mom and know that we will always get fed every day.

DixieLee and I love all kinds of food but some dogs are picky. They would do better with people food like peanut butter or cheese. Not that we wouldn't love getting some cheese or peanut butter! The thing about using people food for training is that dogs should only have tiny bits of it and there are lots of people foods that dogs should not eat so they have to choose the right foods.

We would love to have people food but the treats Mom uses are made special for training. They are small and even healthy but they are really yummy so we overlook the small and healthy part.

Some people don't like to use food in training because they think their dog will get fat. Well, that is a concern and that is why you only get a tiny bit for the reward. Some people use regular kibble for training. They measure out the daily amount and take part of that amount for training. That way the dog is getting his or her regular amount of food only spread out over the day.

Now that I know what a refresher training course is all about, I'm ready to start. I saw that Mom put a box of the special small and healthy treats in the cabinet so I know she is ready too. The next time she calls my name I'll respond the first time. I'd hate to miss out on any of the rewards.

See you after class,

Zeva

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