FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) My dog bit me when I tried to take a toy away from him. Is this normal? Will he grow out of it?
A) Resource guarding is a natural behavior, but it is completely unacceptable for a family pet to bite or snap at an owner. Any act of aggression must be taken seriously. Your dog will NOT grow out of it. In fact, every time he bites or snaps it is a "self reinforcing" behavior that is likely to be repeated. Often the frequency and the intensity of the behavior will increase as well. Fortunately, we have a number of highly effective training protocols which can recondition a dog to regard the approach of human contact as a positive thing, not a threat.
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Q) During housebreaking, I have heard that it is helpful to take the dog back to the accident, put his nose in it and scold him. Does that work?
A) NO! This does not work. In fact it will delay the housebreaking process and will break down the bond between you and your dog. Dogs live in the present, and will not understand why they are being taken back to an accident and scolded. If the dog “looks guilty” it’s because he’s reading your attitude, demeanor and body language, not because he knows he did something wrong. Dogs do not eliminate in the house because of mischief, boredom, spite, or anger. They do it because the owner has not properly housetrained them (and occasionally for medical reasons).
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Q) My dog only comes when called when he feels like it. I want him to come every time, even under distraction.
A) Dogs are not born with this ability, they must learn it. If you have not spent the time to properly train your dog to come under distraction then it is not a reasonable expectation. The recall ("come" command) that we teach, will train your dog to come under ALL circumstances. This is a life saving command! There is no command more important than the recall. Dogs should be trained so that even if they are in full chase after a rabbit, when the owner says “come” the dog should turn on a dime and shoot back to the owner like a rocket. That is the only acceptable response to the “come” command.
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Q) I have heard that group puppy training classes are a good way to train and socialize my puppy.
A) We believe that the best way for puppies to learn is in the home, under low distraction, not in group lessons. Socialization should be accomplished by controlled interaction under the right circumstances, not in group lessons. This is why our Puppy GoodStart program is done in the home, not in a group. (Go to “Puppy Training” for more information on this topic.)
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Q) I want my dog to be a good watchdog, but he barks all the time!
A) We recommend that you teach your dog an “enough” command so that they will bark to alert you, but then they will stop barking when told. It’s your house, not theirs. If you - the pack leader - have signaled that you “approve” of the presence of the landscaper on your front lawn, then the dog should stop barking when told “enough”. We teach this command as part of our basic obedience program.
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Q) What methods do you use?
A) The Canine Dimensions training system is a balanced training method, combining modern operant conditioning techniques with traditional and intuitive training methods – all of them 100% humane and natural. It is dog friendly ( no shock collars) and gimmick free (no clickers). The system is designed for busy, working people who want effective, lasting results.
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Q) My puppy thinks I’m a chew toy! Help!
A) For a puppy, mouthing and biting are as natural as breathing! Dogs take in their outside world through all of their senses, and in young puppies the center of their tactile universe is their mouth. If you observe puppies at play, mouthing and biting one another is at the heart of their play ritual. Our job is to teach the puppy that biting humans is always wrong. Gentle mouthing by young puppies is permitted, but hard biting is not. Most puppies will naturally reduce the amount of play-biting as they grow older. Meanwhile, you can help prevent playful biting by avoiding the circumstances that can trigger it, and by redirecting this natural drive into more suitable outlets. We include a specific set of steps to correct this problem as part of our Puppy GoodStart program.
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Q) My dog pulls on the leash. I have read on the Internet that you should respond to the pulling by just stopping and waiting until the pulling stops, and then continue walking. I’ve tried this and it is not working. What am I doing wrong?
A) One thing you have probably noticed about getting advice on the Internet is that there are lots of conflicting opinions when it comes to dog training. One website will say “do this” and another will say “never do this.” The method to which you are referring takes a lot of experience to get the "timing" right. Also, this method requires the owner to be very patient and to spend quite a bit of time practicing it with the dog. For these reasons, we usually do not recommend it. Instead, we use methods that address the underlying problem. The basic concept is this: on or off the leash, YOU are still the pack leader. The leader is the one who leads. The key to getting a dog to stop pulling is to teach him to focus his attention on you. You have got to be the most interesting thing out there. Our method teaches a dog to walk nicely by the owner's side without pulling, even under distraction. We do this without gadgets, gimmicks or food rewards. It is included in our basic obedience course, and many dogs can be taught to stop leash-pulling in one lesson.
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Q) I have heard that I should roll my dog over on his back and hold him down when he does something wrong - this shows him I'm the boss. Is this a good idea?
A) Absolutely not. This outdated technique is called the "Alpha Roll" and we do not recommend it under any circumstances. It is based on flawed science and it does nothing to establish leadership. To the contrary, it can break down the bond between you and your dog and can lead to aggression.
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Q) If I get my male dog neutered will he calm down?
A) No. Neutering is surgical removal of the testicles, it is not a lobotomy! It will not change your dog's personality, drive, or energy level. But we do highly recommend neutering, because it helps prevent and/or reduce territorial marking and also reduces the likelihood of the male dog leaving the property to find a female in heat. Also, there are a number of studies which have shown a lower rate of aggression in neutered male dogs vs. intact males. But your dog's basic personality will not change. (By the way, the best way to calm a very active dog is exercise, exercise, exercise!)
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Q) How much do you charge? How many sessions?
A) We design each program specifically for your dog. The program cost and number of sessions depends upon a number of factors, most importantly your training goals. Some behavior problems can be solved in just one visit. But other types of training, like our Puppy GoodStart program, will require more than one visit. Give us a call, toll-free, at 1-888-281-DOGS (3647) and select option 1. Answer a few simple questions about your dog and your training goals and a representative will be able to give you a price quote right over the phone.