Guest post by Tom Shelby

What’s almost always the key to a dog’s reaction to other dogs it sees? Answer: socialization in combination with training. Training without socialization is not nearly as effective. Imagine yourself walking (no dog) down 5th Ave, NYC on the afternoon of Christmas Eve with the sidewalk literally crowded with hundreds of people. You would hardly take notice of the other pedestrians. Then you turn into a dark alley with nobody in sight.  All of a sudden a person appears, seemingly out of nowhere, and heads towards you. Boy, are you going to be focused on that person?! Well, that’s going to be your dog’s response after walking through the quiet suburban streets and then suddenly seeing another dog. “Holy cow!  Another dog!” Talk about focus.  He’ll see nothing else but that approaching dog. 

      How does your dog react when he sees another dog approaching with a leashed owner in tow? Probably one of four ways:

• Shows some interest but is polite and doesn’t pull, and will ignore if told to do so.
• Fearful, and as the other dog gets closer, panics and tries to get away.
• Barks and pulls like crazy to get to the other 4 legged to sniff the proverbials and play.
• Rears up, barks, growls and pulls like crazy with intent to maim, and rid the world of the interloper.

Rural and suburban dogs invariably present the strongest reaction to other dogs having the audacity to be walking in their neighborhood. City dogs take it for granted that they will encounter any number of four leggeds, directly or indirectly, as they go about their daily business.  However, the countless suburban dogs with their doggy door, fenced backyard, and occasional neighborhood walk, are usually the most impacted at the sight of other dogs.

I can’t emphasize enough that training without socialization is not nearly as effective.  In terms of training, for a successful encounter with lots of other dogs and distractions, your dog should have the “Heel” and “Leave It” commands down pat.  These are two commands that, more often than not, are better learned with the help of a pro.  Socialization is accomplished by exposing your dog, on a positive basis, to everything you can think of and manage. Get out there with your dog and help him realize that the world doesn’t bite.

So what I’d suggest, from a practical standpoint, if your dog is skittish or simply not accustomed to meeting a lot of dogs, is to use either an Easy Walk Harness or a Gentle Leader as you enter the crowd of 4 leggeds. The Easy Walk attaches at the chest and will reduce 50 to 60% of the pulling. The Gentle Leader will reduce closer to 90% of the pulling, BUT, Bowser will likely need 20 minutes to be acclimated to it. When you put sunglasses on your face you want them there. When you put something on a dog’s face, the common reaction is “get this crap off my face.” Size it snugly behind the ears, but not tight around the snout. Have him stick his nose through it for a treat and as soon as it’s on, take Bowser for a walk offering people food every few steps as long as he’s not protesting it.  Tell him “Uh Uh” if he paws at it, but keep on walking. Once he’s acclimated you’ll really enjoy and appreciate the harmonious, slack leash walks with Bowser. And stay positive.  More likely than not, after the initial startlement of being immersed into a crowd of dogs, Bowser’s response is going to be more like yours on busy 5th Ave than an empty, dark alley. 

Tom Shelby is an expert dog trainer with a specialty in search and rescue dogs and is the author of Dog Training Diaries -Proven Expert Tips & Tricks to Live in Harmony with Your Dog.  Follow Tom on Instagram @DogTrainerDiaries and Twitter @DogTrainerDiary

© Tom Shelby 2018

Guest post from Tom Shelby

When I adopted my Standard Poodle Paula Jean at age 2, she was a bit “sketchy” and not well socialized. Over the summer, I took her to the Agricultural Fair on Martha’s Vineyard, a huge and very popular outdoor event. Just as we were passing a small stage, a band exploded into a Rock song. Paula Jean yelped, leaped 4 ft. in the air, and hit the ground in a dead run, giving me quite a jerk on the leash. Here’s where the “fine line” has to be walked.  I didn’t want to reward and nourish her fear and panic response with hugs, kisses and pity, nor ignore or dismiss her fear and discomfort.  What I needed to do in that moment is acknowledge her terror and give her the support she needed to help her overcome her distress. So I talked to her– not dripping with sympathy, but rather in positive tones. “That was a rather interesting experience.  We love music, yes we do Paula!” I said as we walked purposely slowly away from the music, with me giving her supportive pets while offering her treats, which she refused. When we were about 75 yards from the music, with me still talking, she finally started taking treats, which told me she felt ok at that distance. Then I did a couple of “sit-down-stays” to redirect her attention, getting her to feel good about earning the treats.  I kept playing obedience games with her, but started moving back towards the music. By the time the band was ready for the next break, we were in the front row with PJ not giving a hoot about the music. During their break, I asked each of the band members to give PJ a treat, which she gracefully accepted.

So what’s to do if your dog gets spooked by a sound, object or animal? The solution is as easy as nine words: “been there, done that, seen that, no big deal!” or in one word “socialization.”  I tell people on the Cape and on the Vineyard with new puppies that the “first thing I want you to do is rent a place in Boston and walk Bowser 5 times a day.”  I say it quite seriously, so it takes a minute before they realize I’m being facetious. But the point is made: introduce Bowser to as much of the world as you can so that nothing surprises him. If Bowser’s life is basically the backyard and the house, he’s more likely to have a hard time learning “works and plays well with others.”  He’s more likely to be freaked out by ambulance sirens, an umbrella opening, a truck backfiring, playful kids shrieking, a statue of a stone lion, walking on a dock, or any of the myriad things we take for granted. As you go about exposing Bowser to the vicissitudes of life, the key is to avoid the inadvertent rewarding of the fear response. 

The foundation of training a dog is letting him know you like the behavior or don’t, precisely as the behavior is happening. Timing is everything.  You have about 2 seconds to connect the dog to the response you want– “the teaching moment.”  And the key is understanding that dogs read two things and two things only: body language and voice intonation. So if you’re holding Bowser back at the door, telling him “It’s ok” as you’re petting him while he’s aggressing  or jumping at the visitor at the door, it’s classic “Inadvertent Rewarding of Unwanted Behavior.” Bowser’s a lunatic at the door and you want him to stop his presentation but you are making it worse by rewarding the behavior by petting him (body language) and telling him “It’s ok” (voice intonation). So, SOCIALIZE, and when scary stuff jumps out, redirect with positive support, not pity.  

Tom Shelby is an expert dog trainer with a specialty in search and rescue dogs and is the author of Dog Training Diaries -Proven Expert Tips & Tricks to Live in Harmony with Your Dog.  Follow Tom on Instagram @DogTrainerDiaries and Twitter @DogTrainerDiary

© Tom Shelby 2018

Guest Post from Tom Shelby

In spite of the fact that Retractables are “use at your own peril” items, most people are totally unaware of the dangers.  Retractable leashes cause thousands of injuries to people and dogs– mostly rope burns, cuts and eye injuries, but even amputations. It’s easy to see the potential problems when an unpredictable dog circles the leash holder and takes off. If the 2 legged is lucky enough not to get his legs pulled out from under him, he’s still got a nasty rope burn or cut leg.  The leash wrapped around a finger while the 65 lb Lab lunges after a squirrel can easily sever the finger.

A lot of my clients have Retractables and thousands of times I’ve been asked, “What do you think of retractable leashes?” My response is to hand the dog owner the retractable and say, “I’m your dog,” holding on to the end of the leash as I walk across the room, extending it as far as it will go. Then I say, “OK, I’m Bowser, in the middle of the street and a car is bearing down on me. Reel me in! Save me!!!!!” 90% of the time I would have been smushed by the car as the dog owner was vainly trying to grab the cable and pull me in. Then I’d say, “OK, let’s see if we can save your next dog from the same fate,” and practice using it effectively.

Retractables are one hand devices. Period. Reach forward as far as your arm will go, press the lock button and pull Bowser toward you, extending your arm back as far as possible. Then, release the lock button as the retractable is reeling itself in as you are reaching forward again, locking and pulling back. Repeat this 2 or 3 times depending on the length of the leash.  Bowser will have been reeled in and safely next to you in about 3 seconds or less.

Retractables are not great devices to use on busy sidewalks or in crowds. Even if you lock it at the length of a 4 ft leash, the hand holding it is useless for anything else. It is bulky and heavy, as opposed to a leash handle which you can slip around your wrist. However, Retractables are great for the untrained dog (can’t be trusted off leash) to get more exercise on walks in uncrowded areas. I’d suggest that you attach the Retractable to an “easy walk” harness which will greatly reduce pulling and the likelihood of any injury.  Attaching it to a collar could cause a collapsed trachea if Bowser lunges the length of the leash after a squirrel, or whatever other tempting distraction catches his eye.

Tom Shelby is an expert dog trainer with a specialty in search and rescue dogs and is the author of Dog Training Diaries -Proven Expert Tips & Tricks to Live in Harmony with Your Dog.  Follow Tom on Instagram @DogTrainerDiaries and Twitter @DogTrainerDiary

©Tom Shelby 2018