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For nearly 20,000 years, dogs and people have been collaborators. Both species possess unique skills. Dogs can scent, track and run, for example, much better than people. And human beings can think, plan and execute complicated tasks that are beyond a dog’s brain power!
The key to collaboration, whether your dog is a working partner or a family pet, is effective teamwork. Teamwork is effective when each member of the group contributes from areas of strength toward a common goal. The goal may be bringing in the flock or fetching the paper, but whatever your objectives for you and your dog, teamwork is the essential foundation.
How do you build a solid human-canine team? You can begin by thinking of the human members of the group as the coaching staff, and the dog as an athlete. Good coaches teach their team members appropriate skills, motivate and encourage them, celebrate their victories and maintain a positive and consistent set of rules and boundaries. And the best coaches do this in a manner that is kind and enthusiastic, never intimidating or forceful.
You can get started when your dog first joins your team. Begin by talking to the entire family about the rules of the game. Establish your boundaries. Will the dog be allowed on furniture? Will it eliminate outside or on pads in the house? May it climb up on people’s laps or must it stay on the floor? Reward your dog enthusiastically when it successfully follows the rules. Try to ignore the occasional lapses, but if they are very frequent, or become dangerous, use a “Time Out” to reduce them; we have a handout on that topic. A time out also provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to review the game plan and to adjust it if necessary!
Using food or play rewards, teach your dog to do some simple tasks, like sitting, looking at you and responding to its name. (See our handout, Training the Basics, for tips on training techniques.) As your dogs’ ability to learn progresses, add some other behaviors like down, stay and come. Do some tricks such as shake or roll over. They are great fun for dogs and people alike.
At the same time, be sure that your dog is cared for, physically and mentally. Athletes (and pups) need sound nutrition, adequate exercise and mental stimulation. Pick a high quality dog food; provide safe exercise consistent with your dog’s age and breed; and give your dog interactive toys like Kongs™ and Buster Cubes™ to keep it thinking.
Once your dog is learning the rules, and has mastered some skills, it’s time for the coaches to begin the motivation phase. Let your dog earn “real life rewards,” like meals, walks, toys, petting and praise by doing simple tasks. For example:
- Ask your dog to sit and stay before eating from its food dish.
- Have your dog sit while you put on the leash for a walk.
- Ask your dog to lie down for petting while you watch TV.
- Play “round robin recalls” in which family members take turns calling the dog and rewarding it when it comes.
- Make a scent trail with bits of kibble and let your dog follow them to its food bowl, encouraging it to “find it” along the way.
- Ask your dog to roll onto its back for belly rubs.
Involve all of the family members in the coaching process. Remember, the responsibility of the coaches is to call the plays. Let each “coach” pick the activities that he or she enjoys most and teach the dog how to join in. Perhaps one person likes to play fetch, while another enjoys peaceful petting. Have each human involve the dog in a favorite task and give an appropriate reward.
Encourage the family to be as consistent as possible. Try not to give rewards like toys, meals and attention away without asking for some task from the dog first. It can be very simple: think of a “sit” as the equivalent of “please” and let your dog politely ask for privileges. Consistency and reasonable expectations will make it much easier for your dog to be successful.
As your dog’s basic skills improve, do some research to find out more about its breed or mix. Identify the tasks for which the breeds were developed. Then try out some formal or informal dog sports that draw on those tasks like retrieving, herding, agility or obedience trials. They are extremely rewarding for both species.
If behavior problems arise, a “back to basics” approach is often helpful, just as it is with athletic teams. Put your dog on a serious “real life rewards” program, be sure the rules are clear and consistent, and be sure to reward your dog for successfully following them. Use time outs, not physical punishment, to reduce undesired behavior.
If the behavioral issues are very serious, involving potential injury to humans or other dogs, a teamwork program alone will not be sufficient, and punishment or harsh corrections may well make them worse. If you encounter these situations, please contact us at (401) 339-2398 or info@ridogguy.com to discuss your concerns. |