The Dog's Way Podcast: Dog Training for Real Life

In this episode I talk about training collars. Are they right for you? And if so, what kind of training collar do you choose for your dog, and just as important... what kind to choose for your dog/owner combination? For those who may be opposed to the idea of a training collar, I still urge you to listen. After training hundreds of dogs I have some ideas to share that might help with your decision on the matter. Today's episode is sponsored by The Swiftest. Instead of doing all of the research yourself on what type of pet insurance to buy, consider clicking this link to rely on their extensive research. It's also a great way to support the show! The Minimum Collar for Training Martingale Collar: basic low level training collar. At a minimum I use a martingale collar like the one at this Amazon link (no plastic clasps, no chain loops)  Here’s a link to find out more about this type of collar on Amazon.  They also have them in most Pet stores.   FYI – if you read the reviews of these collars, you’ll read some from people who left them on their dogs, while they were home alone all day, and they got the collar caught on things and choked themselves.  So … don’t do that – problem solved. Note: make the size selection that is appropriate to your dog.  Upgraded Training Collars Herm Sprenger Chain Collar: Medium level upgrade for more rambunctious dogs (again, more info on this at this link) Starmark Plastic Training Collar: Medium plus level of collar. (Note – these come with a redundant line slip collar that you use with this collar to guard against the possibility of an improperly fitted link coming apart and separating while you’re training – be sure to use this redundant safety collar when you’re using  the Starmark collar.)  Click here to view on Amazon.com.   Herm Sprenger Prong Collar: The highest level of leverage and the collar makes it easiest for you to manage your dog in training and on walks.  We generally work our way out of this collar as a dog’s proficiency indicates that it’s not necessary anymore. Here is the metal collar link http://amzn.to/29842kW And an alternative http://amzn.to/29bLHVb Note: I often use a redundant slip collar (like the one indicated above as an alternative) when I use a prong collar.  Because this training collar has separate movable pieces to it, there’s a possibility (usually human error) that sometimes results in the collar coming apart while training. The redundant slip collar assures you that you don’t lose your dog if this happens. Also, it’s worth stating that they have decided to name this slip collar a “dominant dog collar”? I’m not really sure why.  It functions just as well for nondominant dogs that happen to have a training collar break and want to run across a busy road to play with another dog … guess they figured the name sounded cool?         Full disclosure, this page contains affiliate links.  We’ll make a few dollars if you purchase through the affiliate links. The Dog's Way Affiliate Program Additionally... we offer our online video course at TheDogsWay.com. If you'd like to refer others to it and make a few dollars at the same time, try our affiliate program! Affiliates Resources - The Dog's Way (thedogsway.com) This process will be very straightforward if you are familiar with the Click Bank Affiliate platform.  If you need help signing up with Click Bank and finding the course, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that will walk you through how to do it.

In this episode I talk about natural transitional rewards. Many may not have heard the term, but a lot of you may have used them in the training of your dog whether you realize it or not. If you want to do a real dive into the behavioral part of training, I encourage you to listen to my two episodes on conditioning - Session 73: Skinner's Four Quadrants Part One, and Session 74: Skinner's Four Quadrants Part Two. I'll talk about the conditioning baked into every day interactions with your dog (like the feeding ritual). The same thing goes for when we are preparing for a walk. Those rituals can be a good thing. But it's it's more than simply the obedience skill you're teaching - it's the nervous system state that is occurring during that sit/stay and from the moment that you give the command to "break free" or say "all done". I'll describe how those commands and practices get embedded in their head, and how that fixation needs to be inhibited in certain instances. Here are a couple of other instances where you might practically use this training; Preparing for a walk Preparing for feeding time The "Getting out of a car" ritual Going through the front door ritual Going through the gate at the dog park ritual I'll talk about how sometimes we unintentionally signal to our dog when we reward certain types of gregarious responses is "I love it when you freak out and run around when I do this action!" Identifying those habits is a real eye-opener to what you might want to consider adjusting during these routines. Meet Our New Sponsor! By the way, a couple of things that I wanted to mention to you. First, we have a new sponsor of the podcast! It can be so frustrating trying to find the right insurance for your dog! My new sponsor, The Swiftest, can help you compare different types of policies and quotes for your pet to make sure you get the best value for your pet! Click here for the 6 Best Pet Insurance Plans Compared for 2023. (full disclosure – this is an affiliate link, and we’ll make a few bucks if you decide that the pet insurance that the folks at The Swiftest have recommended is right for you.) The Dog’s Way Affiliate Program Also, I sincerely appreciate all of those who have referred my video series to friends!  Here’s how you can make some money by referring the Online Video course to folks: Affiliates Resources - The Dog's Way (thedogsway.com) This process will be very straightforward if you are familiar with the Click Bank Affiliate platform.  If you need help signing up with Click Bank and finding the course, there are a lot of videos on YouTube that will walk you through how to do that.  If you need some assistance with the process, feel free to email me directly via the link below: Contact Page - The Dog's Way (thedogsway.com)  

In this episode, I dive into the world of teen puppy training, and exploring the challenges and rewards of raising a well-behaved canine companion. Whether you're a new or experienced dog owner, join me as I discuss some tactics for a successful training journey. The Teenage Phase of Puppy Training During the teenage phase of puppy training, expect your dog to undergo significant changes in behavior and temperament. This phase usually occurs around 4 to 8 months of age and can be characterized by increased independence, occasional rebelliousness, and a surge in energy levels. Recognizing these changes is crucial, since it allows you to adjust your training approach and provide the guidance and structure your dog needs to mature into a well-rounded adult dog. By understanding that these behaviors are a natural part of their development, you can navigate this challenging period with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. Setting Expectations and Reinforcing Training Principles It's essential to set realistic expectations and reinforce the fundamental principles of teen puppy training. Remember that every dog is unique, and the training journey may have its ups and downs. Consistency is key: establish clear rules and boundaries from the beginning, and ensure everyone involved in your dog's life follows them consistently. Positive reinforcement, like rewards and praise, is a powerful tool for shaping desired behaviors and building a strong bond with your dog. Remember that training is an ongoing process. Be patient, stay committed, and enjoy the journey of watching your teen puppy grow into a well-behaved and happy adult dog.

In this episode, I talk about using a modified version of the approach I talked about in session 115 so that you can train a puppy. Just like you'd teach your children differently than you would teach them as an adult, there are incremental parts of the process that apply differently to a puppy. As I mentioned with adult dogs, this is fundamental training that is typically one of the first lessons I teach in person. To review the session for adult dogs, check out session 115 here. The reality of training any social mammal is that it requires different approaches based on age. In all development, small progress markers for are clarified to help create a foundation of understanding for a younger brain. I talk about some of those concepts and how to apply it to training a puppy. Additionally, I'll point out the counterproductive approach to continuing to teach a dog as a puppy, the same way that it might seem odd to teach a teenager the way you'd teach a small child. I'll also cite some examples where you might apply a small version of some of those with older dogs in certain instances. We'll apply similar principles from session 115, where we use a two-step approach. For puppies, we use it to help with a first stage (away from humans) to remove them from a setting where the puppy may just absolutely lose their mind when approaching a person. Once they've understood that, a second step involves interaction with people. With a puppy, it's not phrases, but general noise making to draw their attention. I'll demonstrate techniques to enlist help of people you may encounter with your puppy, demonstrate the approach, and specific verbal markers to relay to your puppy during each stage of the process. This process can be fun and is a key fundamental part of the training process. Enjoy this episode, and go have fun with your dog! Sean