A Frustrated Dog Trainer Speaks Out

I’m at a party, enjoying the hors d’oervres, the wine and polite conversation when, suddenly I hear, “Oh, you’re a dog trainer?!” Uh-oh, here we go again – that dreaded interrogative. There are only two others that I think are worse. From behind me I hear, “How do I get my dog to stop (insert behavior of choice here)?” Clunk – the other shoe. Suddenly the cheese puff sticks in my throat and the wine becomes bitter. All other conversation around me stops as they turn to listen to what will, surely, be some sage advice.

Of course I can answer the question, and I do, every time, to every person, ad nauseum. It’s not that I mind people picking my brains for free advice, I really don’t. In fact, I love talking about dogs – my dogs, your dogs, shelter dogs, ANY dogs – and I love talking about training dogs. What really presses my buttons are the people who don’t want to hear the answer. You must work with your dog regularly and consistently. That includes exercise, socialization, exercise, positive training, exercise, positive reinforcement of spontaneous desirable behaviors and, oh yes, exercise. What is regularly? EVERY day, including weekends and holidays, better yet, 2 or 3 times a day. What is consistently? Don’t change the rules on your dog! What’s good today can’t be bad tomorrow or vice versa.

So, I answer the question and, as I begin to qualify it with my usual spiel about daily exercise, positive training and consistency, I watch the person’s eyes glaze over. I get the perfunctory “of course”, “yes, yes” and “I’ll do that”. I want to scream, “No, you won’t do it! I know you won’t! You can’t even pay attention long enough to hear what I’m telling you!” But, of course, I don’t say that. I just go back to sipping my wine and am thankful the party wasn’t at my house. Then I would have heard the worst request ever. “Oh, your dogs are SO good and SO smart! Can you come fix my dog(s)? PUH-LEEZE!?” Yeah, sure, how about I “fix” your kids while I’m at it? Better, yet, let me “fix” you. No, I don’t say that – but I think it.

Occasionally I get the question from a responsible dog owner who just needs some guidance in a problem area. Oh, do I LOVE that! I talk to them so much, they try to hide from me! Recently I gave a friend some tips and techniques for building a strong recall. She had trained her dog to do so many things but had some trouble with a reliable recall. I spent 2 hours on the phone with her and would gladly have spent 2 more. She didn’t just try them on her dog; she worked with her dog every day. Two weeks later she emailed me to tell me she was having great success with the tips and techniques I gave her. I threw my shoulder out patting my contented little self on the back. Unfortunately, she is the exception.

So many people adopt or purchase dogs when they have no business doing so. I know that sounds harsh but the fact is more dogs die every year because of “behavioral problems” than from any other cause. Most of these behavioral problems are avoidable and/or correctable, if owners would just put in the time. But, sadly, they don’t. So the dogs are abandoned, surrendered, put down or accidentally killed. People don’t seem to realize that this is a life with feelings and, yes, a brain. That little dog brain is being trained by the owner, whether he realizes it or not, the very moment he brings that dog home. Too often the dog has actually learned the “bad” behavior straight from the owner. Imagine if we taught our kids to do something, only to punish or abandon them when they actually did what we taught them? How crazy would we all be? Its no wonder so many dogs have “behavior problems”.

I see these abandoned and surrendered dogs every week at the local shelter where I volunteer. It breaks my heart. So many of them are really cool dogs that just need some work. I wish I could take them home but I can’t. I already have 3 dogs, a cat and a husband to worry about. So, I go weekly and mostly walk the dogs and give them affection. I usually don’t bother with training because it is pointless to try to train a dog once a week (there’s that regularly and consistently thing again). Yet, every week I go, armed with my clicker and bag of treats because “hope springs eternal”. I try to at least reinforce the dogs’ known behaviors. Many of the dogs in the shelter know “sit” and “down”. I also reward any spontaneous good behavior I see. No harm in that.

I often assist potential adopters in finding the right dog. I get all warm and fuzzy when I can match someone up with one of the dogs that has been there a while. It’s a great feeling. Alas, not a week goes by that I don’t hear from at least one potential adopter, “I’m looking for a dog that is good with people and kids and other dogs and cats. He MUST be housebroken and he can’t have any issues like jumping or barking. Oh, and my back is bad so he can’t be pulling me around when I walk him, he must know how to walk on a leash. Oh, and, of course, he just can’t shed. We have allergies, you know.” Wow! Is that all? Are you sure you didn’t leave anything out? Of course I can help you, right this way. Go across the street into the building on the left. They have a wide assortment of stuffed toy dogs for you to choose from. Guess you missed the sign outside that reads “Shelter” not “Perfect Puppies R Us”. Nah, I don’t say that. I think it – oh how I think it. I just nod my head and politely tell them they are not likely to find exactly all that in one dog, but why not look around and see if you find a dog that appeals to you.

Ah, well, what can I expect? They are just dogs, after all. In a society where so many parents won’t even raise their own children, what hope is there for a dog? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against working moms – my mom was one and I like to think I turned out just fine. Even though she and my dad both worked, they somehow managed to find the time to raise me, nurture me, teach me, discipline me and encourage me. We even had a dog and he was very well behaved because the whole family was consistent and worked with him. But in today’s society, everyone seems to want more for less and something for nothing. We seek instant gratification. One-hour face-lifts, glasses in an hour, microwave dinners, the Internet – they all feed this mindset. Then of course there are the televised dog trainers that miraculously fix dogs in one episode – imagine that! What makes them so much better than me? EDITTING!

Let’s face it folks, good dogs don’t fall from trees. Some things just can’t be fixed in an hour. If you want a well-behaved dog, you have to make a well-behaved dog with time, effort, consistency, positive reinforcement and patience. Ah, but if you make that journey with your pup, you will reap the rewards for many years.

Helen DelBove, ABCDT
Dog Lover, Owner and Trainer

Dog Training in Nassau County, NY - Basic Obedience Group Classes

Smarty Paws Dog Training, New Hyde Park, NY...

Wednesday evening's group class went well, despite missing one student. Yesterday's lessons were "DOWN" and an introduction to "STAY". Axl, the Chesapeake Retriever was somewhat reluctant to go into the "DOWN" position but, of course, I got him there with the aid of a food lure. It still took some time but I was patient and persistent and soon he got the idea. It was a beautiful thing to see. Sasha, our tiny Yorkie, was a little nervous in class yesterday so we really couldn't get her to do much of anything. I thoroughly explained the exercise to her parents and told them to work on it at home. Amber, the Wheaten Terrier, was a perfect "fitness" model doing her doggie pushups. Amber and Axl had a good romp after class. Axl is still quite the jumper so I spent some time explaining to his dad how to curtail the behavior and I even gave him my written tips, usually reserved for my private clients. I'm truly hoping that he and his family work with Axl to discourage the jumping behavior. He's still a puppy, only about 5 months, and he's more than 60 lbs! As an adult, his jumping will not only be annoying, it could be hazardous to one's well being! Speaking of which, I took quite the graceless fall in class yesterday. Oh the embarrassment of being taken down by a mere 30lb Wheaten. Amber was headed full charge around the yard and careened right into the back of my leg, just below the knee. Well, I went down in a flash, after doing some twisting & contorting to avoid landing on Amber. Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not exactly a lightweight and landing on a 30lb pup would not bode well for the dog. Well, I successfully avoided landing on Amber and hit the ground like a ton of bricks. Fortunately, it was on the grass and not the concrete. Despite the soft surface, I'm sporting 2 new black & blue bruises today.

On another note, I received a call this week from the director of the Locust Valley Adult Education Program - how very exciting! They were looking for a trainer to conduct a 4-lesson dog obedience course at the high school. Well, of course, I said, "Look no more!" I am very happy to be doing that in October. Much thanks to Dr. Brickman who knows my work and referred them to me.

Anyone who is a patient at New Hyde Park Animal Hospital may know Dr. Brickman by her maiden name, Dr. Hurowitz. She moved on from the NHPAH practice to the Locust Valley Veterinary Clinic and I wish her much success and happiness.

Well, that's all the news in SmartyLand! Of course, don't forget to check our website at http://www.smartypawsny.com/ for information on courses, tips and fun photos. Stay well and have a Happy Fourth!

I dream of a world where every home has a happy dog and every dog has a happy home.
HAPPY TAILS!

Honey the Mini Dachshund Starts Obedience Training with a Clicker!

Yesterday afternoon I met Honey, my newest private client, for the first time. She's only 3 months old and just the cutest little thing to waddle up to me on 4 stubby legs! She took to the clicker immediately and I just know she's going to be a fabulous student (then again, they all are!). She loves to sit on her own so "capturing" sit wasn't a problem at all. She performed our little Sit, Release, Return & Sit game beautifully. I can't wait to see her again next week! Maybe then I'll remember to get her picture for the website. Meantime, visit the site for other cool photos: http://www.smartypawsny.com

Happy Tails!