SDiT Laws

Did you know that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) does NOT cover service dogs in training (SDiT)?  Trainers of service dogs must look to their individual state’s legislation to see if it bridges the gap between ADA coverage for a service dog and a SDiT. Here’s a helpful resource I found that details laws by state and highlights “SDiT friendly” states.  This is pretty important, as if your SDiT is not allowed the same access to public spaces as a fully graduated service dog, it will take that much longer to properly socialize and desensitize him to all of the situations and places he will need to become a dog capable of passing a Canine Good Citizen test.

And since Blessings Unleashed is based in Kentucky, here is a link to the state laws governing service animals in Kentucky.

Be informed of your rights!

-Kelly- ABCDT

Doggie Dos and Don’ts?

Making its way around the internet is an article titled 11 Things Humans Do That Dogs Hate.

Although I am a trainer, I will make no claim to being an “expert” on our four legged friends.  I would however like to offer some of my thoughts upon reading this piece.

Some of the things mentioned in the above linked article ring true, to an extent.  The author of the article mentions that dogs “like” rules.  From what I learned during my schooling (and watching The Dog Whisperer— haha!) dogs do seem to appreciate the feeling of security that having a family “pecking order” and limits seems to offer.  However, the author also goes on to say we should not “force” our dog to interact with people or dogs they don’t like. If we are to be the leader of our pack, it is our job to determine and enforce the behavior we want from the rest of our pack, and that may mean tolerating “people” they don’t like if we say so.   Furthermore, the idea behind most positive based training methods actually involves motivating the dog in such a way as to make a normally “unpleasant” (ie: interacting with an unliked dog) or ambivalent (learning to sit/lay on command) experience something the dog looks forward to by rewarding desirable behavior.

The author claims that what we tell our dogs with body language is often different from what we actually are verbally asking of them, thus confusing the dog.  While this may often be the case, I think that happens more in every day life than in training situations.

The example the author cites is telling a dog to “stay” while leaning forward toward the dog and holding out a hand like a traffic cop is, in body language, actually inviting the dog to come toward you. (see article.)  I find this interesting because that is one of the ways I was taught as a trainer to train “stay,” and I have not had any issues with it. If dogs are, as the author suggests, so in tune with body language, a dog who is paying attention to a competent trainer should have no problems picking up new meanings of the “stop hand” or any other physical cue.

Basically, the whole point in training a dog in obedience is that it will sometimes require the dog to go against his “instincts” to do certain things, so her assertion that we should not do certain things with our dogs, (especially in the context of training, ) doesn’t necessarily sit well with me. 

As to hugging your dog and head petting, it is true that some dogs may view this as a play for dominance.  Many will tolerate it, some will not.  As with anything, to me it is common sense that if something you are doing is making a dog uncomfortable or unhappy (unless it is absolutely necessary) you should just stop it.  As the author suggests, people should carefully keep an eye on their dogs’ body language to determine if something they are doing is upsetting their furry friend.

Anyway, those were my impressions of the article, such as they are.  I welcome any comments or opinions from you, our dear readers (providing of course that they are respectful of other readers and myself.)

I’d love to hear what you all think of these doggie Dos and Don’ts!

Kelly-ABCDT

Sometimes the Solution is Simple

As trainers, we often get asked how to help solve common behavioral issues, like barking or jumping.  People may be surprised to learn that many commonly complained about dog behaviors are easily solved with a little more consistency or attention  from the human half of the pair.  Many “bad” behaviors are simply normal dog behaviors that are either self-rewarding, or simply the result of a dog needing more physical or mental exercise (digging is often one such behavior.)  Many people are receptive to the advice we give, but sometimes, we run into people who want an “easy” solution to their problem (ie: one that does not require them to do or change anything.) While there are dogs out there that require little in the way of instruction or consistent reinforcement, this is not the norm.  Most dogs are not perfect and it is not fair to expect your dog to “behave” according to human standards if you are not making it clear what it is you expect from them.

I once had someone ask me how to keep their dog off their furniture…  after they told me what they weren’t willing to try (like a crate when they weren’t home,) I offered a few other suggestions, but finally discovered it wasn’t that they were trying to teach a new dog the rules of the house, but that they had gotten new furniture, and wanted to change the established habits of the family dog (which could be done, but they seemed to believe they should be able to do it with little to no effort on their part.)

I’m assuming I don’t have to tell most of you that it doesn’t work this way, but it wasn’t until I was on my way to becoming a trainer that I realized how many people “own” dogs, but don’t really understand them, or realize that if they want an obedient dog it’s more than likely going to require some time and attention.

Likewise, I have an acquaintance whose dog is insecure around other dogs, especially bigger ones, which seems to result in him adopting a sort of faux bravado (which has gotten him in trouble before.)  When he inevitably attempts to “talk crap” to the other dog, his owner sort of chocks him on his blocky head and scolds him.  I cringe every time I see her do it.  But she did not ask for my advice, and I don’t want to be be one of those obnoxious people who offers unsolicited advice.  If I were one of those people though, I would tell her she may actually be reinforcing negative associations about other dogs by scolding him in this manner.

SO I leave you with this:

Just a friendly reminder– try not to get to frustrated when you are not getting the behavior you want from your dog.  Examine how your own habits and methods may possibly even be inadvertently contributing to the very behavior you want to avoid.  DO research or ask a vet or trainer for help if you are unsure.  Our dogs may be our best friends, but they are still dogs, and they don’t understand English unless you teach them what the words mean (literally and metaphorically.)

Kelly- ABCDT