Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Check out the David the Dog Trainer YouTube Channel!
We have great videos uploaded on YouTube. Check them out here!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
David the Dog Trainer--Official Bio!
So we are so excited to have David as part of our Idawg team that we wanted to share a little about his background with you so you can understand his experience, training, and maybe where his training approach comes from. So enjoy!
"David Hogan, CTC, holds a Certificate in Training and Counseling from the San Francisco SPCA Academy For Dog Trainers, under the direction of Jean Donaldson, where he graduated with honors. David has been working with dogs since 2003, and in 2006 he launched his own business, David the Dog Walker. In 2007, David the Dog Trainer was added as the training branch of the business.
David is a positive reinforcement trainer who emphasizes the importance of establishing humane control and relationship building between pet dogs and their people. David specializes in clicker training, leash training, training walks, off-leash training, and obedience training. David recently prepared a client for his therapy dog training test (http://www.tdi-dog.org/), which they (pooch and handler) passed with flying colors.
David is committed to his clients and their success with their pets, and is as equally committed to continuing his own education and training. David attends seminars and workshops with leaders in the field of dog training and behavior, and is fortunate to have had the chance to learn from experts such as Terry Ryan, Dr. Ian Dunbar, Pia Silvani, and Sue Sternberg, to name a few."
Have fun when you train!
~ David
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Off Leash Time! by David the Dog Trainer
Allowing your dog to spend time off leash is critical for his mental health, and may be one of the only ways to get him the high intensity exercise he needs.
If you do not spend time training your dog to behave when off leash, you are going to get frustrated when he ignores your request to come when called.
One of the best places to begin training off leash obedience is in a fully fenced yard with few distractions or at a park (where you can find a bit of solitude) on a long leash.
Here is a link to a video of me and Vida working on the Recall in our favorite park.
When you practice, never call your dog to you then provide a nasty consequence. You must not call your dog with your standard, "Fido, Come!" (which usually gets rewarded) and then inadvertently apply the worst consequence (from Fido's standpoint) - you leave the park. This rule goes for all communication and is called "poisoning the cue." Reward the behaviors you like and do not punish the dog for the non-response. Perhaps he does not "know" it as much as you think.
If you do not spend time training your dog to behave when off leash, you are going to get frustrated when he ignores your request to come when called.
One of the best places to begin training off leash obedience is in a fully fenced yard with few distractions or at a park (where you can find a bit of solitude) on a long leash.
Here is a link to a video of me and Vida working on the Recall in our favorite park.
When you practice, never call your dog to you then provide a nasty consequence. You must not call your dog with your standard, "Fido, Come!" (which usually gets rewarded) and then inadvertently apply the worst consequence (from Fido's standpoint) - you leave the park. This rule goes for all communication and is called "poisoning the cue." Reward the behaviors you like and do not punish the dog for the non-response. Perhaps he does not "know" it as much as you think.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Language and Dogs by David the Dog Trainer
Let's agree on a few things before we get started, shall we.
1. Dogs do not speak English (or whatever your native language might be).
2. Dogs communicate with each other through body language, vocalization, and scent. Here is a bit of info from Wikipedia.
Just how smart are dogs, is a question to ponder as we discuss language and communication. Here is a wonderful video about animal learning. In the video we meet a dog with a 300+ word vocabulary.
In order for dogs to learn what we want from them we have to make sure that we know how to effectively communicate what we want. We must be consistent in our feedback if we are to expect consistent results.
There are more than a few ways to communicate with your dogs. I am going to focus on result-oriented communication, and look how to:
There are also plenty of ways to tell your dog you do not approve of his behavior, and I am only going to focus on two:
There are, of course, other ways to attempt to punish (make decrease) behavior, but I am not going to cover them, as I am in the business of promoting reward based training methods. Collar corrections are the most blatant example, and you need not look far to find a trainer or a friend using corrections to punish behavior. What I want to know about the dog who is trained by corrections is how they do off leash or on a flat collar.
Let's talk more about human to dog communication and how to nurture a good relationship.
The first thing you can do to establish good lines of communication with your dog is to be consistent, train with rewards, and have fun with your dog during bonding activities (walks, games, trips, etc.). It is going to be vitally important that your dog trusts you, so be sure to be gentle with your dog and learn how to interpret his language so you know when he is stressed, fearful or upset. You are also going to want to make sure you do not confuse your dog by giving him mixed signals. Dogs will often be confused if you are inconsistent about what is favored and what is not. If you do not want your dog on the couch, give him a comfy spot on the floor and never, ever let him on the couch.
A great way to teach your dog basic obedience is through lure-reward training, popularized by the "grandfather of modern dog training," Dr. Ian Dunbar. Here is a link to his fabulous, interactive blog. When you train your dog to do certain things like sit, lay down, come when called, etc. with reward based techniques, you are doing your dog a great favor. It is the way children are taught (good behaviors are rewarded with good grades), and punishment does not work that well in contrast (the recidivism rate is high for punished criminals). Now, I do realize that dogs are not humans, but as a trainer experienced in both correction and reward based techniques, I can say from personal experience, that dogs are happier when trained with rewards and reward training is easier to apply.
It is your responsibility as a person who lives with a dog to provide your dog with exercise, stimulation, play, and instruction. Your dog is going to look to you for answers - they want to know what they should do, they need direction, and many of them need a job! A specific, challenging job. Never forget, most dogs were bred for WORK and many of them are expected not to perform behaviors which they were bred to perform (dig, stalk, chase, bark, attack, guard, etc.). We want our active, working dogs to behave like pets. We want them to be "good dogs." We wonder why they are "bad." Most of the time, dogs are misbehaving and frustrating to us because we are not communicating well, we are inconsistent, and they are under exercised and under stimulated.
Please take the time to learn how to communicate with your dog. Learn how to listen to them and how they are "talking" to you. Enroll in a dog training class or find a fun group activity to engage in with your dog. It is also very important to note if your communication is working. If your efforts are leaving you completely flustered, you might consider talking to a trainer about how to open up the lines of communication with your dog.
Listen, love, teach, play, and live in harmony with your canine companion.
1. Dogs do not speak English (or whatever your native language might be).
2. Dogs communicate with each other through body language, vocalization, and scent. Here is a bit of info from Wikipedia.
Just how smart are dogs, is a question to ponder as we discuss language and communication. Here is a wonderful video about animal learning. In the video we meet a dog with a 300+ word vocabulary.
In order for dogs to learn what we want from them we have to make sure that we know how to effectively communicate what we want. We must be consistent in our feedback if we are to expect consistent results.
There are more than a few ways to communicate with your dogs. I am going to focus on result-oriented communication, and look how to:
- Tell your dog that you approve and want more of a particular behavior.
- Tell your dog that you do not approve and that you want to see less of a particular behavior.
- Attention
- Affection
- Food
- Games
- Interaction
- Friendly Looks
- Etc.
There are also plenty of ways to tell your dog you do not approve of his behavior, and I am only going to focus on two:
- Reward Removal
- Instructive Reprimands
There are, of course, other ways to attempt to punish (make decrease) behavior, but I am not going to cover them, as I am in the business of promoting reward based training methods. Collar corrections are the most blatant example, and you need not look far to find a trainer or a friend using corrections to punish behavior. What I want to know about the dog who is trained by corrections is how they do off leash or on a flat collar.
Let's talk more about human to dog communication and how to nurture a good relationship.
The first thing you can do to establish good lines of communication with your dog is to be consistent, train with rewards, and have fun with your dog during bonding activities (walks, games, trips, etc.). It is going to be vitally important that your dog trusts you, so be sure to be gentle with your dog and learn how to interpret his language so you know when he is stressed, fearful or upset. You are also going to want to make sure you do not confuse your dog by giving him mixed signals. Dogs will often be confused if you are inconsistent about what is favored and what is not. If you do not want your dog on the couch, give him a comfy spot on the floor and never, ever let him on the couch.
A great way to teach your dog basic obedience is through lure-reward training, popularized by the "grandfather of modern dog training," Dr. Ian Dunbar. Here is a link to his fabulous, interactive blog. When you train your dog to do certain things like sit, lay down, come when called, etc. with reward based techniques, you are doing your dog a great favor. It is the way children are taught (good behaviors are rewarded with good grades), and punishment does not work that well in contrast (the recidivism rate is high for punished criminals). Now, I do realize that dogs are not humans, but as a trainer experienced in both correction and reward based techniques, I can say from personal experience, that dogs are happier when trained with rewards and reward training is easier to apply.
It is your responsibility as a person who lives with a dog to provide your dog with exercise, stimulation, play, and instruction. Your dog is going to look to you for answers - they want to know what they should do, they need direction, and many of them need a job! A specific, challenging job. Never forget, most dogs were bred for WORK and many of them are expected not to perform behaviors which they were bred to perform (dig, stalk, chase, bark, attack, guard, etc.). We want our active, working dogs to behave like pets. We want them to be "good dogs." We wonder why they are "bad." Most of the time, dogs are misbehaving and frustrating to us because we are not communicating well, we are inconsistent, and they are under exercised and under stimulated.
Please take the time to learn how to communicate with your dog. Learn how to listen to them and how they are "talking" to you. Enroll in a dog training class or find a fun group activity to engage in with your dog. It is also very important to note if your communication is working. If your efforts are leaving you completely flustered, you might consider talking to a trainer about how to open up the lines of communication with your dog.
Listen, love, teach, play, and live in harmony with your canine companion.
Friday, January 8, 2010
PACK LEADER dog training - By David The Dog Trainer
I am going to explore the popular notion of "leadership" or "pack leader" training. I am not an expert on this topic, but I know enough to be useful in the debate, and can, hopefully, help you find the best resources to help you understand how to have the best relationship with your dog.
Proponents of this kind of "training" seem to advocate that the best way to have a well behaved dog and the best way to have a healthy relationship with your dog is to BE THE ALPHA.
Pack leader training seems to be rooted in dominance theory. Dominance theory is a misunderstood and controversial topic, especially when it comes to its application in the dog training world. There is a ton of writing on the topic. Here is a book by Dr. James O'Heare that you might want to look into on the subject. I have read him before, and have appreciated his work.
What dominance theory seems to imply is that within a social group there exists a hierarchy in relation to resources. The most dominant member of the group, by definition, gets first pick of the resources.
My understanding of why organisms would adopt a hierarchical structure is to reduce conflict amongst the group. If I am not mistaken, the idea of linear dominance actually comes from the study of chickens who seem to establish a pecking order. Here is some info on chickens from someone who, I am sure, knows more about the topic than I.
One reason so many people seem attracted to the idea of pack leader training is that it is mistakenly assumed that wild wolves live by a similar practice, and since wolves are ancestral dogs, then it makes sense that we should do as the wolves do. There is a ton of new research on the topic, and I am going to provide you with a few links below:
International Wolf Center
Science Daily's "Using 'Dominance' to Explain Dog Behavior is Old Hat."
Welfare in Dog Training's "What's Wrong with Using 'Dominance' to Explain the Behaviour of Dogs?"
I also have come to understand that there are different theories about what exactly dominance theory is exactly.
We have:
contextual dominance theory - A has dominance (first choice of resource) over B in relation to the couch but dominance in relation to the pet owner.
alpha type-ology - Dogs are either Alpha types, Beta types, or status seekers (always looking to achieve a higher status through conflict).
linear dominance theory - There is a clear top dog at all times who gets first choice off all the resources.
Etc.
Here is where pack leader training gets problematic for dogs and their people:
Maintaining Alpha status often requires confrontation, physical punishment, intimidation, or force.
Pack leader training seems to be masking plain old positive punishment training. It usually comes with a lot of collar corrections and physical punishment. If people are going to advocate "pack leader training," and are getting their desired results through the application of punishment, I think it would be more helpful to call it what it really is, and look at learning theory as the cause of the behavior change.
If "pack leader training" is only a fancy way of labeling punishment training, then the consumer should know punishment's potential side effects and just how tricky it is to give timely and consistent "corrections." Here is an article on the subject - too many ads on the page, but sound advice, IMO.
Here is Wikipedia's definition of social dominance theory.
Here is the ASVAB position on the use of dominance theory in the behavior modification of animals.
Here are some words on training from the Humane Society of the United States.
This blog is by no means an exhaustive examination. I hope it promotes discussion and commentary.
As always, thanks for reading, and I encourage your comments.
Posted by David the Dog Trainer
http://www.davidthedogtrainer.com/
Click to return to the Idawg Clothing website.
Proponents of this kind of "training" seem to advocate that the best way to have a well behaved dog and the best way to have a healthy relationship with your dog is to BE THE ALPHA.
Pack leader training seems to be rooted in dominance theory. Dominance theory is a misunderstood and controversial topic, especially when it comes to its application in the dog training world. There is a ton of writing on the topic. Here is a book by Dr. James O'Heare that you might want to look into on the subject. I have read him before, and have appreciated his work.
What dominance theory seems to imply is that within a social group there exists a hierarchy in relation to resources. The most dominant member of the group, by definition, gets first pick of the resources.
My understanding of why organisms would adopt a hierarchical structure is to reduce conflict amongst the group. If I am not mistaken, the idea of linear dominance actually comes from the study of chickens who seem to establish a pecking order. Here is some info on chickens from someone who, I am sure, knows more about the topic than I.
One reason so many people seem attracted to the idea of pack leader training is that it is mistakenly assumed that wild wolves live by a similar practice, and since wolves are ancestral dogs, then it makes sense that we should do as the wolves do. There is a ton of new research on the topic, and I am going to provide you with a few links below:
International Wolf Center
Science Daily's "Using 'Dominance' to Explain Dog Behavior is Old Hat."
Welfare in Dog Training's "What's Wrong with Using 'Dominance' to Explain the Behaviour of Dogs?"
I also have come to understand that there are different theories about what exactly dominance theory is exactly.
We have:
contextual dominance theory - A has dominance (first choice of resource) over B in relation to the couch but dominance in relation to the pet owner.
alpha type-ology - Dogs are either Alpha types, Beta types, or status seekers (always looking to achieve a higher status through conflict).
linear dominance theory - There is a clear top dog at all times who gets first choice off all the resources.
Etc.
Here is where pack leader training gets problematic for dogs and their people:
Maintaining Alpha status often requires confrontation, physical punishment, intimidation, or force.
Pack leader training seems to be masking plain old positive punishment training. It usually comes with a lot of collar corrections and physical punishment. If people are going to advocate "pack leader training," and are getting their desired results through the application of punishment, I think it would be more helpful to call it what it really is, and look at learning theory as the cause of the behavior change.
If "pack leader training" is only a fancy way of labeling punishment training, then the consumer should know punishment's potential side effects and just how tricky it is to give timely and consistent "corrections." Here is an article on the subject - too many ads on the page, but sound advice, IMO.
Here is Wikipedia's definition of social dominance theory.
Here is the ASVAB position on the use of dominance theory in the behavior modification of animals.
Here are some words on training from the Humane Society of the United States.
This blog is by no means an exhaustive examination. I hope it promotes discussion and commentary.
As always, thanks for reading, and I encourage your comments.
Posted by David the Dog Trainer
http://www.davidthedogtrainer.com/
Click to return to the Idawg Clothing website.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Idawg Welcomes Aboard David The Dog Trainer
We are so excited to announce that Pacific Northwest's Dog Trainer Extraordinaire, David The Dog Trainer, has become part of the Idawg team! Our goal is to make IdawgClothing.com not just a destination for big dog apparel and soon to be accessories, but also a community where dog owners can come and discuss all things "dog". David will post regular blogs on a variety of dog training topics and will serve as an advisor on our Idawg Forum in the "dog training" area. We welcome you to ask questions, post comments, and engage in healthy doggie dialogue.
David has been an active personal dog trainer for several years and has dedicated his work to helping people have harmonious relationships with their pet dogs. On this blog you will find opinions, videos, and information on dog training, in general. No guarantee is stated or implied in these blog entries and if you follow any of the advice in it, you do so at your own risk. If you ever feel that you, your dog, or others are at risk because of your dog, please seek the services of a professional dog trainer. Other than that disclaimer, we hope you enjoy reading his dog blogs!
David has been an active personal dog trainer for several years and has dedicated his work to helping people have harmonious relationships with their pet dogs. On this blog you will find opinions, videos, and information on dog training, in general. No guarantee is stated or implied in these blog entries and if you follow any of the advice in it, you do so at your own risk. If you ever feel that you, your dog, or others are at risk because of your dog, please seek the services of a professional dog trainer. Other than that disclaimer, we hope you enjoy reading his dog blogs!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Idawg's Holiday Big Dog Gift Guide
Christmas is a time of giving and remembering those you love. You give gifts to your human family members, so why not your dog? Isn't he/she a part of your family too? The truth is most Americans do give Christmas gifts to their dogs. The Associated Press reported that 52% of pet owners plan to buy their animals a holiday gift--up from 43% last year. When it comes to pet owners that own only dogs, the AP-Petside.com poll found that six in 10 planned on shopping for their dog for the holidays.
So what makes good gifts for dogs? Well, this obviously depends on your budget. If your budget is less than $20, I would suggest purchasing one nice durable toy and maybe something fun and destructable! We've yet to find a really durable toy for Diego. Most of the claims of durability, simply don't hold up. When you have a big dog, they usually tend to be a bit destructive. Stuffed animals are great short-term entertainment if you have a destructive dog. If your budget is a bit more, in addition to a few playful gifts, I'd consider what your dog needs. Yes, they have needs too!
Is it time for a new bed for Fido? If so, we love http://www.animalsmatter.com/. Great beds for both small and large dogs. I love the South Bay Snuggle Cube in particular by their sister company LA Dog Company. http://www.ladogcompany.com/LA_Dog_ProductPages/LA_Dog_Snuggle_Cube.html (click to view).
Does your big dog need a new big dog collar? In my opinion, a good collar is hard to come by. And frankly, one is never enough. You need a casual one that's comfortable for every day wear that you don't care if it gets wet at the beach or drooled on at doggie day care. And you need at least one snazzy one for special outings or parties at the house. For casual wear, I love Planet Dog. The Natural Hemp Adjustable Collar. It's a wonderfully simple, eco-friendly hemp collar that withstands the more rigorous salt-water swims, mud puddle baths, snowy romps and the occasional roll in the sand. Fits from a 9" all the way up to 28" neck (for our big guys!). http://www.planetdog.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=HEMP%20COLLARS . Great thing about these collars is the price! Only $16.95-$18.95.
For a fancier collar option, visit http://pacocollars.com/products/category/pets/ as well as http://www.dtdogcollars.com/ for BIG dog and small dog collar options. For those that know me, you know that I am not a fan of using leather or any other animal by-product, but I do know many of my customers want leather products for their big dogs and don't know where to find them. So there you are! Both of these companies do a fabulous job in their construction and with their hardware.
If it's apparel you need, then well, you know where to go! Now, through November 30th Idawg is featuring a 20% off promo on your entire purchase! http://www.idawgclothing.com/.Great holiday coat ideas are the Idawg Moss Sherpa that features a an ultra-suede exterior with an amazingly soft sherpa laminate lining protecting your dog from the cold. Available in moss green and camel brown.
Now on sale! Or the Silver Fader--this is one big dog coat that is sure to keep your big dog warm and dry.
http://www.idawgclothing.com/product_info.phpcPath=1&products_id=1&osCsid=kijpj55h0csdgmvlhi98b89b80
For toys under $20, we love the Orbee-Tuff Woof and Fetch balls. For 5 out of 5 Chompers. These Orbee-Tuff® Woof. and Fetch. balls are durable, bouncy, boyant, mint-scented and, of course, 100% guaranteed. Visit http://www.planetdog.com/category.aspx?categoryID=63 to purchase. Price - $11.95. 
Another favorite is the Orbee Tuff Snowball--so cute yet functional! It is non-toxic, recyclable and rinses clean!http://www.planetdog.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10818000.
Price - $10.95.
If you are looking for a strong tug toy that will with stand even the toughest teeth, I have yet to find it (being honest). I do however, like Tuff Enuff's Tug Toy which is great for interactive play with one or multiple dogs. In their words "Tough construction for high energy dogs. Contains two squeakers providing hours of fun and enjoyoment." We were fortunate to meet the owners in Chicago at the Backer show and they gave us a few free samples for Diego. He had loads of fun! His main goal was to bust into it but nevertheles it entertained for a bit. To find a local retailer you have to email them (yeah, I know it's silly) at contact@tuffenuffpet.com. 
The holidays are also a good time to make sure your pup has up to date ID tags in case you've moved or gotten a new phone number http://www.dogids.com/ is a great place to get a custom made ID tag. For the dog-loving HUMAN in your life, we have just the perfect place! http://www.dogisgood.com/. They have tee shirts, hoodies, holiday cards, hats and more! BTW, yes, that is the Idawg crew modelling, lol.
Here's a few options to get you started, if you need more ideas, email us! comments@idawgclothing.com.
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