THE VERSATILE GOLDEN RETRIEVER   -  PART 11

Hopefully some owners with older Golden pups exhibiting behaviors similar to the traits of a toddler going through the “Terrible Two’s”  have started to establish their authority over the “little darlins” by practicing some of the social handling exercises discussed last month.  Let’s now look at some other ways to teach our pups basic manners, particularly if certain behaviors have gotten out of hand.

Remember, the key to changing unwanted behaviors is patience and consistency.  A puppy does not understand that it is acceptable to jump on you when you are wearing jeans, but unacceptable when you are wearing your best clothes.  You must also be certain to make expectations clear to your pup.  Your voice needs to convey that you are telling him to do a certain thing rather than merely requesting (? hoping) he will choose to comply.  Drop the tone of your voice and give a command in a firm tone that lets the pup know you expect him to comply.  This does not mean that you should shout at your pup or issue harsh corrections.  A loud voice accomplishes nothing and often results when a command is repeated several times.  Often a loud voice indicates frustration and a loss of patience on the part of the owner.  Emotions should not enter into the equation of molding acceptable behaviors.  Getting upset with a pup interferes with the learning process.  Your anger or frustration can confuse the pup and/or cause him stress.  Some puppies may even learn to “tune out” a nagging voice. 

  If proper behaviors and manners have not been established in the first weeks and months of your pups life, it is time to “up the ante”.  A command should be given only once.  If the pup does not comply; you need to ensure that he does what you have told him to do.  If you constantly tell your pup to “Sit….Sit…..Sit….SIT”, he learns nothing.  He may think the command needs to be repeated three times before he cooperates.  Or, he may think he does not need to obey until you raise the level of your voice.  Rather, if you tell your pup to Sit and he does not, then you must place him in a Sit.  (As you physically place the pup in a sit, quietly but firmly repeat the Sit command as his bottom touches the floor.)  It is important that you not push on the hips, particularly in a young dog.  Placing undue pressure on bones, muscles or ligaments could have a negative impact.  If your pup needs to learn to respond appropriately to the Sit command, it

  PLACING YOUR DOG IN A SIT

1.      Place your right hand through the dog’s collar with your palm up and fingers pointing towards the tail. 

2.      Run your left hand down the dog’s back, towards his tail.  Continue to move your hand around the hindquarters to the back of the legs.  Then apply slight pressure with your hand to FOLD the legs into a sitting position.   (I.e. You fold the dog like an accordion.)

3.      Simultaneously pull the collar up and back, giving the command “Sit” as the dog begins to sit.

If you are in a teaching phase where the pup does not truly understand the command, then quietly issue a “Good Sit” when the pup places his bottom on the floor.  Keep your praise mild. An exuberant pup that has not learned manners early on is likely become excited and bounce back up if you use animation in your praise.  If your pup does indeed understand the command and is choosing to ignore you, then praise need not accompany the sitting action.  In this manner, you convey to the pup “I told you to Sit and I mean it.”. 

  In addition, if you want to begin the fist elements of teaching your pup to stay, once the pup is sitting, keep your hand in his collar and quietly rest your left hand on his rear.  This helps him relax and accept the position without moving, asking to be petted, or licking your face.  (Keeping your right hand in the collar also allows you to replace the dog in the sit if he chooses to get up before you release him.  (You are the authority figure, the one in control.  YOU are the one who chooses when the exercise will end.)

I do not stroke or pet my dog when teaching this first stage of the Stay.  Petting the dog can serve as a distraction and some dogs may even become dependent on stoking and choose to bounce up when the petting ceases.  Rather, quietly rest your hand on the pup’s hind quarters.

1.  At first have the pup maintain the sit for only a few seconds.

2.  Gradually increase the time the pup will be expected to sit quietly without getting up. 

3.  Once he begins to cooperate and show he understands that he is to remain sitting, you can add a verbal “Stay” command.

4.  When the pup can hold the position for 30 seconds with your right hand in the collar and your left resting on his rear, then gradually remove your hand from his bottom.

5.  Increase the time he remains sitting with just your hand in the collar.  When the pup can hold the position for 30 seconds, then and only then are you ready to remove your hand from the collar.  

6.  Be sure to choose a release word to signal your dog that the exercise is over.  It does not matter what word you choose as a release word, but be certain that you choose a word you do not use frequently in everyday conversation.  Since many people use the word “OK” often in every day speech, I have chosen the word “Free” to signal the end of an exercise to my dogs. 

Remember:  It is important to praise your dog for successful behaviors.  However, also keep in mind that verbal praise given at an incorrect time teaches nothing to your dog.  If your dog has been sitting quietly for 10 seconds, then decides to get up, you may think he has given good effort and you may inappropriately give him praise.  However, you teach the dog that HE is the one in control!!!!  He has chosen to end the exercise and you have condoned the behavior.  Praise only when you have ended the exercise!

  Be sure you do not attempt to progress too quickly.  Keep the time you expect the dog to remain sitting short initially so that you can praise successful behavior.  Your praise for a behavior done properly will promote more learning than a correction.  Yoru dog will attempt to repeat the behavior that elicited your praise.   If your dog does choose to get up before you release him, quietly tell him “No, Sit” and place him in the sit once again.

Another suggestion for establishing your authority is to make the pup earn rewards, including your attention. (The seeking attention aspect of this will be discussed next month.) Do not give a treat until his bottom is firmly planted on the floor.  (If you are planning to show your dog in the conformation ring, then you can have the pup self-stack for you.)  Take the time to teach your pup that cookies don’t just drop from heaven because he wants a goodie.  He must earn that cookie.  And, if you think about it, if you go to the treat jar, get a cookie and your pup jumps up on you or the counter in the process and you dispense that treat anyway, what have your really taught the pup?  In essence you reward the behavior that is now causing you frustration.  Rather, teach the pup he must be mannerly and do as you say in order to earn that treat.  Have him sit before you give him that cookie!

 Meal time is another perfect situation to teach some manners.  If the pup jumps up (or sticks his head in the food container) as you fix his meals, then insist he sit until you place his bowl on the floor.   This will take patience and consistency (and may take several days).  You may well need to stop several times and replace your pup in the sit before you can continue fixing his meal.

But, it teaches your pup that you are in control, that you are the authority figure.  The pup will soon figure out that he must remain sitting until you place his bowl on the floor so he can eat.  He will learn that that bowl will hit the floor sooner if he cooperates.  Put some effort into this and you will be that much closer to molding a mannerly canine citizen.

Also insist that your pup follow you through a doorway.  Do not allow him to charge out in front of you or to pull you through a door when he is on lead.  If you have worked consistently on your sit command, you can tell the pup to sit before you open the door.  Insist he remain sitting (and not charge out that doorway) until you release him.  Again, if the pup gets up, you may initially need to replace him several times until he learns what is expected.

  Rome was not built in a day.  And, our pups do not learn inappropriate behaviors overnight.

We are the ones who have allowed these behaviors to erupt, and we are the ones who must now take the time to be patient and consistent as we teach more acceptable behaviors.  The process of molding a mannerly canine citizen will take some time and effort on your part.  A Golden Retriever wants to please.  Most will cooperate when you make expectations clear. 

  Several common issues and negative behaviors that frequently develop in pups remain.  Next month I will continue with some re-training ideas that will hopefully help your pup become a well behaved golden.

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