CONTROL THEORY

                         Let your dog train itself.

                                                             By Laurelle Reilly.  

Dogs are constantly learning whether we train them or not. They learn through the consequences of their actions on the environment.   If their actions cause a rewarding consequence, the dog will repeat that action,  if not, the dog will disregard that action as it doesn't yield a reward or it may have had a negative consequence. This is the same way that a dog would learn in a natural wild state, in order for it to survive. Dogs are great manipulators quickly learning what it takes to achieve a reward.        

Since man domesticated dogs we have taken away many of their rights, we control what and when they eat, also how often and how much they eat, what they can chew, where they can dig (if ever). We also control where they must sleep, when they can go for a walk and when they can greet others of their own kind (if ever), the list goes on and on. Being the great adaptors that they are, they have learned to cope well. They form strong bonds with us and even learn to manipulate us in such subtle ways that we don't even notice.

A dog needs to feel in control of its life if it is to be happy and content, as do humans, they cannot live in hopeless situations. Everyone needs to feel in control of their own destiny, that their actions do have an effect on their world. The more a dog feels in control the more confident and outgoing it will appear. This depending on the owners’ viewpoint could be a good or bad thing; lots of owners don't want an independent, confident, outgoing dog. They want a submissive dog that obeys every command, feeling that you can't have both independent confidence and total obedience.” "If the dog is in control, than surely the owner isn't, attitude."         

In this new war of minds our intelligence will win out over the canines. No longer will we need check - chains to "strangle" our dogs into submission. We will be using the same tactics that they have been using on us, by manipulating them into believing that they are manipulating us. The dog will believe that its actions are causing a rewarding consequence but we will have manipulated its actions. Sound confusing? Well its not really, in this form of training we will be using things in the environment that the dog wants, to reward its actions.

                 How to let your dog train itself.

In this form of training you will not need to give any commands, position the dog or reprimand it. All you need is an Immediate Counter Action in response to its action.

Going in and out of doors: (If the dog is on the same side of the door as you.)

Walk towards the door and stand still when you reach it. Your dog thinking that you are leaving the room will come running, continue to stand still and watch your dog. Do not give a command. Your dog will become puzzled as to why you are not moving, after a short time it will sit, the moment it does immediately put your hand on the door knob and open the door, the dog will think that its sitting caused you to open the door. If the dog gets up quickly close the door. When it sits again immediately open the door again.

Keep opening and closing the door until the dog will remain sitting while the door is completely open. Walk through calling your dog through as well.

Your dog must get to go through the door, as this is its reward. Do not go through alone, how to do this will come later, after the dog has a conditioned response to sitting as you open the door. (See variable reinforcement page).

Sitting and waiting for Dinner:

After preparing your dogs dinner, take its bowl to where you feed and call your dog. Stand still and wait. When your dog comes to you it will wonder why you are standing still and not putting his bowl down. The dog may start jumping up to try to force (manipulate) you into putting his bowl down. Hold the bowl high and just stand there. The moment the dog sits immediately put the bowl down on the floor. If the dog starts to get up to eat it immediately pick it up again. Continue this process of putting the bowl down every time it sits, and picking it up again if the dog moves. Soon the dog will remain sitting while the bowl is on the floor. Give the dog a release signal such as O.K. and allow it to get up and eat.

Sitting when the dog is on the other side of the door:

When a dog sees you enter a room, it may become excited and start barking or scratching at the door. Start to approach the door. If the dog keeps barking, jumping or scratching Stand still like a statue. The dog will soon be puzzled as to why you are not moving, and become quiet or sit. Immediately start moving towards the door, if it starts up again stand still. Repeat this sequence until you reach the door and open it, only open the door if the dog remains sitting.

Dogs that jump on you.

Dogs jump because they want to greet and interact with us. But mostly because we have trained them to, so it doesn't seem right to punish them for it. When the dog jumps up on you, Stand still like a statue, and fold your arms. Let the dog jump all over you, until it realizes that you are not interacting with it. It will soon become puzzled and jump off you and sit or stand. Immediately your statue comes alive, and starts to pat and interact with the dog.

This same principle can be used for gates and getting in and out of cars. If the dog jumps around, stand still and don't open the door until it sits.

Dogs playing with dogs.

Dogs love playing with their own species. But, it can become so reinforcing that the dog can think of nothing else. Have your dog on a collar and lead, with the collar buckled firmly just behind the ears, so it can't slip it. When you encounter other dogs that your dog is allowed to play with, hold the lead very short. Don't stand too close to the other dog. Turn your back to the other dog, so you are facing away from it, make your dog face the same direction as you. Stand still, your dog may try struggling to look around. Hold it firmly, and wait until it looks up at you. Immediately excitedly turn towards the other dog and release your dog from its position, saying Go Play. After a few minutes play, call your dog and repeat the process. If it will not come, go and get it. Soon your dog will sit and look into your eyes, when it wants to go and play with another dog.

Taking your dog for a walk:

Put a collar and lead on your dog. Don't plan on going very far, as this is a training session not a walk. Dogs have a natural reflex action called opposition reflex. It causes them to pull away from or push towards an opposing force. That is why you see so many owners being pulled along the street. A tight lead causes a dog to pull!

Every time the lead tightens, stand still like a statue. Your dog wanting to continue its walk will come back to you, to see what the problem is. Pat it and say good dog and start to walk again. Only walk when the lead is loose, never when it is tight. If the dog continually tries to pull, go home and end the session.

EYE CONTACT:

Years ago, if a dog looked its owner in the eye, it was considered a challenge to their authority. Now, we look for and actively train for eye contact. It has been discovered that eye contact is not always a threat, in fact, dogs do this when they want to start playing with each other. 

When developing a good relationship with your dog, the more it looks at you, the better the relationship is.

With your dog sitting in front of you, have a piece of food in each hand. Extend your arms out from your sides, and move them up and down. The dog will not know which one to look at, but it knows that sitting usually gets it a reward. The moment it looks at your eyes, instantly give it both rewards. Repeat this several times. Soon your dog will be looking into your eyes, no matter what your hands may be doing.

SPEAK ON COMMAND:

Always teach speak on command last, as the first command that you teach your dog, is the one that it will try on you when it wants something. It's much nicer to have a dog sitting looking into your eyes, that barking at you.

Find your dogs favorite toy, go to the other side of the fence where your dog can still see you.   Start to play with the toy, running it along the ground and then throwing it into the air. The moment the dog makes any kind of sound, immediately throw the toy over the fence to the dog. Repeat this several times, each time waiting for a stronger louder sound before throwing the toy. Add a command or hand signal, such as an open and closed fist.

Soon you will be able to be on the same side of the fence as the dog.

            Fixed and Variable Reinforcement.

When first training your dog, you will need to let it have it's reward every time it does the action you wanted. Once the dog understands how to make you give it what it wants, and will do the action immediately every time, it is time to commence a variable schedule of reinforcement.

Fixed schedule of reinforcement:

Means that the dog must receive a reward every time it does the desired action. Think of it like a drink machine, every time that you put money into it you expect a drink in return.

Variable schedule of reinforcement:

The dog only gets its reward for improved performance or longer duration stays. Like a poker machine, people will play for hours hoping for a jackpot.

When first changing from fixed schedule reinforcement, you may encounter some unusual behavior. The dog may no longer sit or stay. This is normal, people madly press buttons and kick drink machines that fail to give a can of drink. Soon the dog will realize that it has to work harder for its reward.

This simply means that after the dog has learned that it can make you open the door by sitting. It does not always get to go through with you. Hold your open palm in front of the dogs’ face, and say WAIT. Never say 'Stay', as Stay should mean that the dog should not move from that place. Wait means that it is not coming with you. Block it with your body by stepping towards it, if it still tries to follow you.

Your dog is probably already manipulating you in some fashion. Perhaps it makes you pat or play with it, and you readily comply. You may even let it on the lounge or bed, where it usually is not allowed.

In order for you to be in control, yet still have the dog feel in control:

 Don't allow your dog to manipulate you, whilst you mindlessly obey.

 Never act in response to its actions, when there is no benefit in it for you. This doesn't mean that you should stop patting and playing with your dog. It means, that you should have it do something for you first. You could call " COME " for a game, or " SIT " for a pat.

Since you control every aspect of your dog’s life, why give it away for free, or allow your dog to manipulate you to its benefit.

               YOU BOTH CAN BE IN CONTROL.