32 — Sunday, Aprit 4, 1999 — North Shore News Getting your fi ONE of the most fre- quently asked training questions I get asked is: “Hlow do I teach my dog to stop pulling on the leash?” ; “Qh boy,” is my response, then I say, “You have to train it like every other good behaviour you want your dog to do.” Easy for me to say, huh? I’m not the onc at the end of the leash being pulled around by an Iditarod sled dog. We unwittingly teach our dogs to pull on the feash when they are puppies. When Fido was little we put on the collar, attached the leash and started walking. When fido got tired or stopped we would inadvertently give a little tug on the Ieash to get the pup walking again. We taught Fido that the sensa- tion of pulling on the leash is synonymous with going on a walk. We now have an cdult dog who would rather choke him/herself to death than stop walking. © correct this, we have to change the dog's percep- tion of what going for a walk means, We have to teach Fido that in order to go fora walk, there can be no tension on the leash. The following, training technique involves no harsh corrections, only positive learning though praise and rewards. Remember this is 2 training exercise, and as with every training exercise it should be practised consis- tently over time. The first thing we have to do is recognize thar the reward for a dog when going for a walk, is the actual walk itself. In positive reinforce- ment training the reward is added only when the task is performed correctly. Ifit is not done correctly the reward is not given (Do not confuse this with negative reinforcement which is the removal of an unpleasant stimuli, such as a yank on a choke collar). Thus, we use the act of walking as a posi- tive reward, no treats needed for this one! So, now you begin your waik with your dog. The moment he/she begins to pull ... stop walking — remove the reward. Most dogs will stop, turn around and look at you as if they are saying “Hey, what the heck are you doing, ’'m trying to walk here!” When they do this the leash will go slack (no ten- sion), add the reward by praising and begin to walk. Your dog will begin to pull again, so stop walking. Your dog will stop and look, the leash will go slack, so praise and begin to walk. Every time your dog begins to pull, you will remove the reward by not waiking. When the leash has no tension you add the reward and walk again. Do you sce what's going on? You are teaching the dog that in order to continue the walk there can be no tension on the leash. Now, you realize that if TAYE RMIOTIV COLLISION SPECIAL STS | “B.CAA, - ARA, Awe 2 CENTRE ‘ALL MAKE COLUSION REPAIRS ” “UPFETIME GUARANTEE” Alternative transportation erranged a TALKIN ING * Estimates %* la Consultation 7iaisis.. 985-7455 |] - civil Litigation - matrimonial - commercial & estate litigation - wrongful dismissal > personal injury BALDWIN Famiiy Law © Wills & Estates .© Conveyancing OMPANY Law Office LYNN VALLEY, CENTRE 985-8000 north sho re news PETS you train this during your entire walk it will take you one hour to get down your driveway! What you want to do is give yourself an out so you can go on your walk. This means when you have had enough training — no pulling or the leash, give your dog a command to pull, such as “Fido pull!” and jet your dog pull. Now you are teaching your dog that it is OK to pull, but only when it hears the command to do so. Tt comes in very handy when you are hiking up a steep ail. You are probably saying, “How do I get my dog to stop, now that I gave a com- mand to pull?” You are going to give a release command, such as “all done” then stop walking and begin the train- ing as I described. If this sound confusing, put the paper down, have a walk around the house, then *¢ Diamond, Gemstone, 3 eabic zirconia jewellery Excludes valve. | eedlachon & birthsions ‘'s Sportewecr HOUSEWARES DEPT. * ALL cogtwore sets aver $2750 & matching open stock + ALL GT Cotloction” sto‘ntess see cookware 16, Homewares CHINA * ALL teawore eau a & AUL Royal Atbe ey totes ‘open stock, * Al Joao Broa. oss mn An i poten gloss tervewore . Sep plated & pewter Sn ots Exchides Seagull Pewter. : at the Bay. . In selected stores only. 19 fo Cul yo read it again later. This form of training goes against your normal train of thought, but it works. A pup or a young dog will pick this up rather quickly. Adult dogs who have had the pulling on the leash thing some Si reinforced over time will take longer to train. If you do not have the patience to train but don’t want your dog to pull on the leash, I suggest you purchase a Halti or Gentle leader and have your veterinarian or jack professional canine trainer teach you how to use it correctly. - ~— Joan Klucha ts a certi- fied trainer on the North Shore. You can reach her via the North Shore News or email at . Going to the dog seminar? THE chief trainer at North Van’s Northwest Boarding Kennels, Dennis Brunton, will be at the Vancouver Public Library next week, sharing tips on living with dogs. Brunton, who developed the Companion Concept Program of training dogs, will present a seminar at the downtown branch of the Vancouver Public Library on Sunday, April 11. He will present such top- ics as: @ your dog’s health; @ stress and the pet; i dangerous dogs; & choosing a puppy; @ when your dog bites some- one; @ sharing the perks; @ learning to identify and solve problems. Brunton has lived in Vancouver since 1976 — familiar with our changing STORE CANABAS STORE SINCE 1670 ———— © Men's regular-pricad dress shits Excludes Tormey Hafigar. 11, Men's Clothing CRYSTAL/SILVER/GIFTS © ALE crysol & gloss gifts * ALL Royal Doulton figurines © Waterford stems & gifts Excledes John Rocha ot Waterford. Enchodes candles & Claire or items. seve 25% WOMEN’S FASHIONS + ALL Principles® Cotlections co-ordinates 02, Worwen's Career JEV/RLLERY © Selected fothion jewallary, watches & clocks 06, Jewaltery MONSWEAR * Pyjamas & robes Excludes Tormey Hilfiger, Calvin Kiain, & Pole, © Regulor.pricec: Kes Excludes Tommy Hilfiger. © ALL ragulor-priced spring kent & woven shirts, * ALL spring swectars * Regulor-priced spring/summer outerwear Excludes. 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