Almost a year ago The American Humane Association denounced Caesar Millan's dog training methods as inhumane. Yet the mainstream media has barely even spoken of it.
The American Humane Association works continuous in the California area and with movie and tv production companies all over the country making sure the animals are treated with humanity and respect on set. Caesar Millan's tv show is exempt from some of the policies set to protect animals because of the nature of his show. He's not hiring animals to perform but that he is hired to "rehabilitate" owner's pets. The traditional style of training that Caesar Millan uses is outdated and extremely problematic. Over the past twenty, thirty and even forty years other styles of training (based on dolphin training) have been developed and tested in scientific scenarios proving less evasive methods work more reliably for a greater number of dogs.
Caesar's claim that he's being vilified by the dog training community because he didn't get a degree at some fancy university just isn't founded in truth. The majority of dog trainers out there today are self taught and apprentice under other trainers to learn their trade. However, being self taught doesn't mean that you are uneducated. There is a wealth of information out there, on the Internet, in published books, and through animal behavior/veterinary journals that anyone motivated to learn about these new methods can easily find the information.
Traditional style trainers are correct that some of their methods work. But do they work for the largest percentage of dogs? NO! Do their methods make the most of the human/animal bond that most of us want to have? NO! Do most people want to string their dog up by a chain as opposed to giving it a treat? NO!
Hopefully The American Humane Association will continue it efforts to change The National Geographic Channel policy of allowing dogs to be endangered by these methods. Hopefully we in this consumer society will let them know by not watching Caesar Millan that we too want a better more humane method of dog training.
Follow the link on the left to The American Humane Association press release
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Looking for a dog???
Make sure to check out Sweets and Crumpet's blog posts. You can click on their blog archive to the left. As well more can be found out about Sweets on his own blog page and Crumpet at Abandoned Angels website. Both those links are to the left as well.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Punishment
Despite the fact that punishment rarely accomplishes the changes in behavior one desired, some people retain an unrelenting belief in its effectiveness. Many pets are traumatized and ultimately ruined by failed rituals of punishment, retribution and reprisal. Before considering punishment to change your pet's behavior, ask, "Is it safe?" After punishing your pet, ask, "Did it work?"
If you are constantly punishing your dog for urinating on the carpet then the punishment isn't working.
Stop thinking about what you don't like about your dog: I don't want him urinating on my carpet.
Think about what your want your dog to do: I want my dog to urinate on the curb outside on our walks.
Then work towards training a positive bathroom break. Train happy to go on leash. Train happy to pee in front of you. Train urinating outside. Then train urinating only near the curb. Then train only urinating on the curb at the end of your block.
If you work in this manner of little positive steps over a couple months you will have that dogs that can "hold it for hours on end" and always goes on the curb right at the beginning of the walk.
How wonderful
If you are constantly punishing your dog for urinating on the carpet then the punishment isn't working.
Stop thinking about what you don't like about your dog: I don't want him urinating on my carpet.
Think about what your want your dog to do: I want my dog to urinate on the curb outside on our walks.
Then work towards training a positive bathroom break. Train happy to go on leash. Train happy to pee in front of you. Train urinating outside. Then train urinating only near the curb. Then train only urinating on the curb at the end of your block.
If you work in this manner of little positive steps over a couple months you will have that dogs that can "hold it for hours on end" and always goes on the curb right at the beginning of the walk.
How wonderful
But my dog can sit at home!!!!!!
I hear comments like this all the time. "I know my dog understands the word sit, he sits at home when I have a treat all the time."
First off, GOOD JOB! You have started training and your using rewards to help your dog learn and build your bond.
What is different about dogs' brains than people is that they do not generalize things very well. If you teach a child their ABC's over a month period at the kitchen table every morning, then you go to grandma's house and your child will gladly and proudly say their ABC's to Grandma. Take the same scenario and teach your dog to sit over a month period at the kitchen every morning and he won't be able to sit when you go outside. WHY?!?
Dogs are very sensitive to the visual environment around them. They initially learn that sit is connected to the morning light, kitchen table, and treats. We must after training sit in the kitchen train sit outside, at night, with other people around, etc etc. And then without treats.... Then our dog understands that the ONLY qualifier for the action of "put butt on the ground" is the vocal sound "sit."
This way we end up with a dog that listens to us, wherever we are.
Good Training
Kat Berger
First off, GOOD JOB! You have started training and your using rewards to help your dog learn and build your bond.
What is different about dogs' brains than people is that they do not generalize things very well. If you teach a child their ABC's over a month period at the kitchen table every morning, then you go to grandma's house and your child will gladly and proudly say their ABC's to Grandma. Take the same scenario and teach your dog to sit over a month period at the kitchen every morning and he won't be able to sit when you go outside. WHY?!?
Dogs are very sensitive to the visual environment around them. They initially learn that sit is connected to the morning light, kitchen table, and treats. We must after training sit in the kitchen train sit outside, at night, with other people around, etc etc. And then without treats.... Then our dog understands that the ONLY qualifier for the action of "put butt on the ground" is the vocal sound "sit."
This way we end up with a dog that listens to us, wherever we are.
Good Training
Kat Berger
Housetraining tips cont.:
3. Take your dog outside. Go to the same place every time. Somewhere you know that other dogs are going as well. Now WAIT. and wait and wait. If they don't go then bring them back inside and into their crate. Wait 15 minutes and try again. Your dog should not get to roam the house until they have gone to the bathroom outside.
4. If you live in an apartment on a high floor. Carry your dog downstairs. It's very difficult for dogs to get up, wait for you to get dressed, walk down the hallway, sit quietly in the elevator, walk through the foyer, down the front stairs and THEN PEE. Carry them outside and get them peeing outside then slowly add in that long walk. After they are peeing outside several times then set them down in the foyer so they walk ten steps to go pee. Then twenty. then thirty etc etc. Make it easy enough so they can be successful then go from there
4. If you live in an apartment on a high floor. Carry your dog downstairs. It's very difficult for dogs to get up, wait for you to get dressed, walk down the hallway, sit quietly in the elevator, walk through the foyer, down the front stairs and THEN PEE. Carry them outside and get them peeing outside then slowly add in that long walk. After they are peeing outside several times then set them down in the foyer so they walk ten steps to go pee. Then twenty. then thirty etc etc. Make it easy enough so they can be successful then go from there
Housetraining Tips
The key to housetraining is you.
Set your dog on a strict schedule so s/he can be successful then SLOWLY give more freedom.
1. Crate your dog. So many people aren't willing to confine their dog when not at home and if you can't confine them you have an uphill battle ahead of you. Just remember it doesn't help your dog to end up in a shelter because you didn't have the guts to properly manage his housetraining.....
2. Restrict water. Again if s/he drinks water whenever and as much as s/he wants then s/he will go to the bathroom whenever and as much as s/he needs. This restriction isn't forever, it's for a short period of training.
More to come- I must go walk my doggies :-)
Kat
Set your dog on a strict schedule so s/he can be successful then SLOWLY give more freedom.
1. Crate your dog. So many people aren't willing to confine their dog when not at home and if you can't confine them you have an uphill battle ahead of you. Just remember it doesn't help your dog to end up in a shelter because you didn't have the guts to properly manage his housetraining.....
2. Restrict water. Again if s/he drinks water whenever and as much as s/he wants then s/he will go to the bathroom whenever and as much as s/he needs. This restriction isn't forever, it's for a short period of training.
More to come- I must go walk my doggies :-)
Kat
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Crumpet, the Cockapoo
Today I tell the story of Crumpet. He is a two year old Cocker Spaniel/Poodle that had a rough start of life. His owner's turned him in because they found dog ownership too difficult and unfortunately the mistakes they made caused Crumpet to be very scared of people indeed.
When Abandoned Angels contacted me they asked if I could take Crumpet into my home and help him learn to trust people and become a well bahaved dog who could then be adopted to a new forever home. I said yes. The first day he came to me I saw how untrusting he really was. He wanted to say hi to me but was also cowering, sure that I might become mean at any second.
Crumpet had many problems that I discovered over the next several days. He had learned to protect his things at all costs. He would start to growl at me even when I brought a food bowl out, before any food was in the bowl. He would also try to bite fingers through his cage and if you startled him while he was resting he would turn and bite. What I mostly learned was Crumpet was scared of the world. He was always scared of my movements, and he had learned to protect himself by biting although he didn't want to hurt people he just didn't want to be hurt himself!
Over the next 2 months I have slowly taught Crumpet to begin to trust people and the world.
1. He has played with many dogs in my house but still must be muzzled when he first meets new dogs. He just hasn't figured out how to say hello yet.
2. He now can eats from my hand or quietly off the floor with me standing nearby. He still can't have a person touch him while eating but he gotten so much better about his food, I'm am very proud of his progress.
3. He can go in and out of his crate without trying to bite you. He can even take treats from your though the bars although sometimes when you loom over him he begins to growl again. His progress here is again something to be very proud about and he keeps trying to get better every day.
4. He no longer gets spooked while resting and can wander the apartment without a problem.
5. He does love to play fetch. He is so so happy when I throw a ball. He will run at top speed to fetch a ball and run right back to you. He will happier drop the ball at your feet to play again. He loves this game so much I always have to stop him before he wears he pads down til they bleed!!!!!! Fetch is so much fun!
Crumpet is trying so hard to be a good dog. He wants to be a good dog and have a loving owner who will care for all his needs for the next fifteen years. Crumpet says he plans to live a long and happy life from here on out. He knows he stills has lots of learning to do. Crumpet has promised me he will keep trying and learning and working on his behavior. He sees that good behavior really will be the way to his happy future. In return he asked me to choose a wonderful new owner for him. One who will be patient and help him continue his learning and traust of people. This person needs to be experienced with dogs, especially ones who are fearful. The new owner needs to know that Crumpet is still learning and might forget a couple more times that biting is wrong. This new owner needs to be able to handle Crumpet gently even if Crumpet forgets to be gentle. He is so much more trusting then he was just two months ago. With time Crumpet will be a perfect companion
ALL potential adopters must fill out an application through Abandoned Angels (link is on the left)
If you are choosen to care for Crumpet, Abandoned Angels and I are committed to giving you loads of after care to help Crumpet transition into his new home.
Please if you feel worthy of such and wonderful dog contact us ASAP.
Thank You All
Love for all Creatures
When Abandoned Angels contacted me they asked if I could take Crumpet into my home and help him learn to trust people and become a well bahaved dog who could then be adopted to a new forever home. I said yes. The first day he came to me I saw how untrusting he really was. He wanted to say hi to me but was also cowering, sure that I might become mean at any second.
Crumpet had many problems that I discovered over the next several days. He had learned to protect his things at all costs. He would start to growl at me even when I brought a food bowl out, before any food was in the bowl. He would also try to bite fingers through his cage and if you startled him while he was resting he would turn and bite. What I mostly learned was Crumpet was scared of the world. He was always scared of my movements, and he had learned to protect himself by biting although he didn't want to hurt people he just didn't want to be hurt himself!
Over the next 2 months I have slowly taught Crumpet to begin to trust people and the world.
1. He has played with many dogs in my house but still must be muzzled when he first meets new dogs. He just hasn't figured out how to say hello yet.
2. He now can eats from my hand or quietly off the floor with me standing nearby. He still can't have a person touch him while eating but he gotten so much better about his food, I'm am very proud of his progress.
3. He can go in and out of his crate without trying to bite you. He can even take treats from your though the bars although sometimes when you loom over him he begins to growl again. His progress here is again something to be very proud about and he keeps trying to get better every day.
4. He no longer gets spooked while resting and can wander the apartment without a problem.
5. He does love to play fetch. He is so so happy when I throw a ball. He will run at top speed to fetch a ball and run right back to you. He will happier drop the ball at your feet to play again. He loves this game so much I always have to stop him before he wears he pads down til they bleed!!!!!! Fetch is so much fun!
Crumpet is trying so hard to be a good dog. He wants to be a good dog and have a loving owner who will care for all his needs for the next fifteen years. Crumpet says he plans to live a long and happy life from here on out. He knows he stills has lots of learning to do. Crumpet has promised me he will keep trying and learning and working on his behavior. He sees that good behavior really will be the way to his happy future. In return he asked me to choose a wonderful new owner for him. One who will be patient and help him continue his learning and traust of people. This person needs to be experienced with dogs, especially ones who are fearful. The new owner needs to know that Crumpet is still learning and might forget a couple more times that biting is wrong. This new owner needs to be able to handle Crumpet gently even if Crumpet forgets to be gentle. He is so much more trusting then he was just two months ago. With time Crumpet will be a perfect companion
ALL potential adopters must fill out an application through Abandoned Angels (link is on the left)
If you are choosen to care for Crumpet, Abandoned Angels and I are committed to giving you loads of after care to help Crumpet transition into his new home.
Please if you feel worthy of such and wonderful dog contact us ASAP.
Thank You All
Love for all Creatures
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Sweets the Dog
I met Sweets and his foster parents Jaclyn and Seth yesterday. They were all very very nice, although Sweets was the only one that gave me kisses. :-)
Please check the link to the left and help Sweets find his new permanent home. He's being well taken care of right now. Jaclyn and Seth have taken him to the vet gotten his shots and bloodwork done. Sweets also needs a dental and some growths looked at. They have gone that extra mile for Sweets and we should all help them out if we can.
Please check the link to the left and help Sweets find his new permanent home. He's being well taken care of right now. Jaclyn and Seth have taken him to the vet gotten his shots and bloodwork done. Sweets also needs a dental and some growths looked at. They have gone that extra mile for Sweets and we should all help them out if we can.
Kat, Keeper of the Dogs
Hi I’m Kat Berger. I’m a dog behaviorist with over nine years professional experience. I’ve been working in the dog industry since 1997. Starting out as a day care supervisor I spent my evenings as an apprentice to the owner in her group training classes in Maryland. Over the following years I’ve apprenticed under two more trainers, worked in three separate daycare/boarding facilities, and a veterinary hospital, as well as training/ pet sitting private clients and volunteering as a trainer for several rescues and shelters in three different states.
Let me help you find the best and most effective way to train your dog. Each dog and person is unique and I love the process of opening that bond between dog and human so you may communicate with each other over the next decade of your lives.
Dog training can and should go beyond just sit and stay. It should be a learning process of how to communicate between to very different species with two very different social structures.
I can demystify all the conflicting information out there: STOP WHISPERING AND START COMMUNICATING
Whether you need just one or two sessions to help with housetraining or a small problem behavior or you are interested in long term training/behavior modification/sittingor continual care I’m here to help.
I’m a professional member of APDT, HSUS, SPCA, ISCPA, ASPCA, ABS, house trainer with Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel rescue of New York, and planned certification with CCPDT and IAABC by November 2007.
Love to all living creatures
Let me help you find the best and most effective way to train your dog. Each dog and person is unique and I love the process of opening that bond between dog and human so you may communicate with each other over the next decade of your lives.
Dog training can and should go beyond just sit and stay. It should be a learning process of how to communicate between to very different species with two very different social structures.
I can demystify all the conflicting information out there: STOP WHISPERING AND START COMMUNICATING
Whether you need just one or two sessions to help with housetraining or a small problem behavior or you are interested in long term training/behavior modification/sittingor continual care I’m here to help.
I’m a professional member of APDT, HSUS, SPCA, ISCPA, ASPCA, ABS, house trainer with Abandoned Angels Cocker Spaniel rescue of New York, and planned certification with CCPDT and IAABC by November 2007.
Love to all living creatures
Hello dog lovers
This will be my sounding board for dog training advise, tips, political dog policy discussions etc etc etc
I hope that my thoughts will be helpful to others in their search to create a space to love their dogs more.
I hope that my thoughts will be helpful to others in their search to create a space to love their dogs more.
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