This Weekend's Webinar
Register for webinars at https://yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops/
No Time to Train? No Problem!
Saturday, April 10, 2:00 – 4:00pm ET
Dogs are always learning, whether or not you are doing a training session. At this webinar, you will see how to build good behavior in your dog during regular, everyday interactions. Whether it is front door behavior, paying attention around distractions, or loose-leash walking, by capturing and rewarding desirable behavior, you will end up with a well-mannered dog who makes good choices -- not just a dog who follows commands.
Speaker: Juliana Willems, KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA; JW Dog Training
also in April:
Advice for Adopters & Puppy Parents
Sunday, April 18, 2:00 – 4:00pm ET
presented by Lisa Arant, Small & Tall Dog Training
Attention Games – When your dog freely offers you attention, anything is possible!
Saturday, April 24, 2:00 – 4:00pm ET
presented by Marnie Montgomery, PMCT4, CPDT-KA, Joyful Dog and Susan Sanderson PMCT3, KPA-CTP, Joyful Dog
Classes
Please read our COVID policies!
Read the class descriptions and check for prerequisites before registering for class.
Online Classes - Join us from anywhere!
TTouch Methods to Calm Your Dog: THIS Fri Apr 9 - 23, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Passing Dogs on Leash: Skills for Success:
- Tues Apr 20 - May 11, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
- Tues May 18 - Jun 8, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Tricks Class
- Tues Apr 20 - May 11, 7:15 - 8:15 pm
- Tues May 18 - Jun 8, 7:15 - 8:15 pm
Resource Guarding: Help for Your Dog Who Doesn't Share: Thurs, Apr 29 - Jun 3, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Reactive Dog Class: Thurs May 6 - Jun 10, 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Intermediate Manners: Tues May 18 - Jun 8, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Check out more Basic Manners, Adolescent, Puppy Kindergarten, and Advanced Puppy Class schedules here.
In-Person Classes - Join us at our Training Center or in different locations around Rockville, MD
CGC Prep: THIS Thurs Apr 8 - 29, 8:15 - 9:00 pm
Novice Rally: Thurs May 27 - Jun 17, 7:00 - 7:45 pm
Novice Tricks Prep: Thurs May 27 - Jun 17, 8:00 - 8:45 pm
Intermediate Manners: Fri Jun 4 - Jul 8, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Puppy Party: Various days/times; pay per session. Please review all policies and register in advance.
Check out Basic Manners, Adolescent, Puppy 1st Grade, and Out & About schedules here.
Space Invaders
Posted on March 3, 2011
by Veronica Sanchez. CABC, CPDT-KA
(www.cooperativepaws.com)
Imagine if you were walking in the mall and suddenly a total stranger rushed up in front of you and stood literally inches from your face. As this person talks to you, you can smell their breath, they touch your arm, and stay in your space even as you back up to move away. What might your reaction be? Might you become afraid or angry? What if you are trapped and cannot move away? This would make most people feel very uncomfortable. And unfortunately, many pet owners routinely make dogs tolerate canine close talkers.
Most adult dogs are not happy to have an unfamiliar dog rush up into his or her face. Some dogs may react with a growl or a snap or other aggressive behavior, others might become frightened. Even those dogs that patiently tolerate the behavior may become less tolerant over time. Moreover, some dogs that rush up to an unfamiliar dog show additional pushy behavior such as jumping on top of the other dog, standing with their head over the other dog’s shoulders, and may not respond to the other dog’s signals to back off. Owners often misinterpret this greeting behavior as “friendly.” This is not friendly, it is rude! Add leashes to this situation and now you have two dogs that are trapped in this uncomfortable situation.
Recently, at a practice event for competition obedience that I attended, there were a number of dogs of various breeds in close proximity. Many of these dogs had advanced training, some titled at very high levels. None of the dogs were interacting with each other; they were paying attention to their owners. Why didn’t the owners have the dogs interact? Simply put, because most adult dogs do not necessarily enjoy interacting with unfamiliar dogs. Even adult dogs that are highly trained and extremely obedient will not always interact in a friendly way with another unfamiliar dog.
Compare this situation to a typical visit to a pet store on a weekend. Pet owners give their pets the full leash length and allow their pets to rush up to greet many of the other dogs in the store. These dogs' temperaments and vaccination status are completely unknown. Since the dogs lack training, when the dogs become too excited or even aggressive, the owners have little to no ability to stop an altercation.
Pet owners sometimes mistakenly think that they are “socializing” their dog by allowing their dog to greet every dog they see on a walk or outing. Instead, they are creating the very problem they hope to avoid; they are teaching their dog to be rude to other dogs. The dog is also learning to ignore the owner, that pulling on leash gets rewarded by the opportunity to greet a dog, and because some dogs will react aggressively, the dog is also learning that other dogs are not that friendly. Sometimes, these dogs develop aggressive behavior to dogs themselves, as they mature, after repeated negative experiences.
The nice thing is that it really isn’t that hard to prevent your dog from becoming a canine close talker. Simply respect other dogs’ space. Do not allow your dog to greet every dog you see on a walk. Reward your dog for paying attention to you when other dogs are nearby. If your dog is friendly with other dogs, you can let your dog greet another friendly dog whose temperament and vaccination status are known after giving him or her permission to do so.
Do not let your dog pull you to greet the another dog. Train your dog or work with a professional positive trainer to teach your dog to look at you when other dogs are around. Take the time and effort to prevent your dog from becoming a space invader – your dog and the other dogs you encounter will thank you for it!
Veronica Sanchez,, CABC, CPDT-KA is known for her expertise in service dogs. She developed a certificate program for professional dog trainers in service dog coaching and wrote the book, Service Dog Coaching: A Guide for Pet Dog Trainers. She is a frequent speaker and writer for professional organizations, including the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.
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