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School Questions
- What makes a student successful in our program?
Our most successful clients come properly prepared from the very beginning. They arrive with the proper equipment and with the dog properly prepared for class from the get-go. They do their homework and call with questions.
- What is the schools obligation to you?
We will teach you calm, relaxed, effective, successful communication. We will show you how to charge up the good performance of commands like a well-charged battery. We will show you how to teach your dog to WANT to perform for you. We’ll show you how to practice comfortably and gently!
- How are the Dog House programs different from other schools?
We offer complete support for the heel command with four extra heel sessions (two in week one and two in the second week) in our Building The Comfort Zone program. Heel is one of the most important attention commands and our clients need to feel empowered in teaching this command. We have seen our clients benefit greatly from this extra support.
- Why is preparation for class so important?
By arriving properly prepared, you are almost guaranteeing yourself success right from the start. You will see instructions for preparation in both our services section and after your click SUBMIT when sending an application for one of our programs.
- What does that preparation entail?
Proper preparation for the dog means that the owner knows that the dog is properly socialized (see Socialization Section). This means that the owner understands that their dog is calm and relaxed in public situations. This is important because when coaching owners on the heel command we train with real life distractions since that's where we will need the obedience to occur. A comfortable, socialized dog will be able to learn commands reliably and effectively because they are comfortable.
- What if my dog is NOT socialized; can I still attend class?
There are three potential answers to this question:
- You can call us to discuss your options or priorities.
- You could arrange a consultation to successfully address your dog's needs.
- You could attend class anyway but we could not guarantee you effective results in real-life situations - For example, you cannot expect a dog that is frightened of traffic to heel where there is traffic. It is unfair to expect a dog that is uncomfortable in public situations to focus and retain new information.
Section 2
Bathroom Questions
- Why does my dog pee excitably when company comes?
This is called submissive urination. This can be caused by a lack of socialization or over-excitement combined with a lack of confidence. It is also common to see this behaviour in puppies.
- Why does my dog pee in other buildings or homes but not mine?
This usually happens because the dog was under-socialized to these situations and locations during its socialization period (see Critical Periods section). We can help this dog.
- Why does my dog pee when I am not home?
Dogs can eliminate dues to stress, when left alone.
This may be due to some separation anxiety problems. Call us.
- Why does my dog pee right after I bring him in from outside?
Your dog is not fully bathroom trained yet.
- Why does my dog pee on my bed or sofa?
The answer to this question requires some information from you first. Call us to discuss the situation.
- Why does my dog soil his crate?
He is not bathroom trained yet and the crate is probably an inappropriate size.
Section 3
Socialization Questions
- Why is my dog only good with small dogs?
He was only exposed to small dogs during his socialization period (see Critical Periods section)
- Why is my dog only good with large dogs?
He was only exposed to large dogs during his socialization period (see Critical Periods section)
- Why does my dog bark at other dogs when he sees them outside?
He was under-exposed to dogs in public and social situations between the age of eight and sixteen weeks. We can help you with this dog. (see Critical Periods section)
- Why does my dog bark when I leave him outside a store or café?
He could have separation anxiety combined with a lack of socialization or he is simply "asking" you to come back right away. We can help.
- Why does my dog bark when I leave him loose or tied alone in the back yard?
He could be barking for a variety of reasons, all of which we can help you with. They range from social isolation and boredom to guarding the property against all intruders. Everyone walking by is considered an intruder.
- Why does my dog run to the edge of my property and bark or try to attack people going by?
He is protecting "his" property not yours and he decides who comes near his property and who doesn’t. To make matters worse, he believes he is doing his job. Call us, we can help.
- I have more than one dog. My first dog is very socialized. Why is my second dog not as socialized?
You needed to take your dog out to experience the world on his own, during his socialization period, without your other dog's presence.
- My dog is very calm and relaxed at home and in the park, but not outside my home, in other locations, public situations or properties – Why?
You did not expose your dog to these locations or situations during his socialization period. We can help.
- Can you socialize an older dog?
Absolutely, you can make improvements! To what extent? We can discuss it with you.
- What age is too old to socialize my dog?
It depends on three things:
The dogs age and history, Your lifestyle,Your commitment.
- I own a dog under three years of age. I have noticed that my dogs’ behaviour around other dogs has been getting progressively worse over the past year. – Why?
The reasons could range from what we thought was enough socialization as a puppy but wasn’t to leadership issues with the owner. It could also be a dog who has historically had friends that is played very successfully yet roughly with. Now, it is being exposed to dogs who do not like rough play and is experiencing conflict with those dogs. Section 4
Aggression Questions
- Why does my dog lunge at other dogs on the sidewalk?
He has on-leash insecurity. We can help.
- How does a dog become so aggressive that he can no longer be around other dogs?
Call us.
- Why does my dog hump other dogs, sometimes starting fights?
Dogs need feedback on their playing behaviour with other dogs. We need to learn how to give them that feedback effectively and in a way that does not leave the dog feeling like he was punished. We can teach you that.
- What constitutes good dog play?
You growl like a gremlin, you pin me down, you kill me, I’m dead, you let me up. I growl like a gremlin as I grab the fur around your neck, pin you down, kill you, you’re dead. I let you up and we take turns doing the same thing all over again. This needs to be a 50/50 deal. No one on top all the time, no one on the bottom all the time.
- Is aggression breed related?
Absolutely not. While certain breeds have a pre-disposition to aggression, the best way to guard against future aggression is adequate socialization during the 8-16 week period. (see Critical Periods section)
- I own an aggressive dog. What is my responsibility to my neighbours and community?
Your responsibility to your community and neighbours is that your dog’s behaviour must not compromise their safety or the safety of their animal at any time. If your dog is aggressive to humans or other animals, you must either have your dog muzzled or Haltied. This means someone has shown you how to properly use a Halti with your aggressive dog. A Halti is not to be confused with a Gentle Leader. They are not the same piece of equipment.
If my dog is aggressive with other dogs, I have a responsibility to never let him off leash in any city park at any time where there could be other dogs. If I do, my dog must be muzzled every time.
- My dog is great with other dogs except when he is on leash around them. Why?
He has on-leash insecurity. Call us.
Section 5
Obedience Questions
- My dog listens to me beautifully at home and that’s the problem. My home is the only place my dog WILL listen to me – Why?
If you train at home, that is the only place your dog will ever listen to you. If you train in public, your dog will perform in public.
- I went to obedience school with my dog and he still won’t heel properly in many situations – Why?
There could be a number of reasons for this.
- You attended an ineffective program
- You didn’t practice in real-life situation
- There is not enough of a reward history in your training to give the dog a reason to want to do this for you.
- What age can I start obedience training my puppy?
Eight weeks!
- What age is too old to start obedience training my dog?
Never too old!
- What is the most commonly misunderstood belief regarding training a dog?
That it is the dog that is coming to learn instead of the owner. It is the other way around. We need the training!
Section 6
Puppy Questions
- What age can I start obedience training my puppy?
Eight weeks!
- What’s more important at this age, obedience or socialization?
Socialization is an emergency!!! Obedience can happen at any age.
- Why does my puppy nip?
A couple of reasons:
- Puppy hasn’t learned bite inhibition yet and is just playing but doesn’t understand how his teeth can hurt.
- Frustration and attention-getting behaviour
- Why is my puppy hyper?
When we bring our puppy home, they already know how to be at play when we are at play. They learn that from their litter mates. What they don’t know how to do is how to be a rest when we are at rest. We need to learn how to teach them how to do that successfully.
- Why is my puppy destructive?
Puppies can be destructive because they either don’t know better or are frustrated while unsupervised.
- My puppy appears to be getting more aggressive. Why?
Your puppy is becoming more frustrated. This is usually a reflection of the way he is being raised. The frustration is mutual! Section 7
General Questions
- Are all dogs trainable?
99.9999% of all socialized dogs are trainable. Unsocialized dogs are a challenge to train. Free fed or over fed dogs are highly unmotivated students.
- Are all people trainable?
About 95% of all people are trainable. Not everyone. We all know people who drive that probably shouldn’t. We all know people who own dogs that maybe shouldn’t also.
- Why are so many small dogs yappy or snappy?
When taking a look at the small breeds, we should maybe first take a look at the type of personality that generally seeks these breeds. If, during his socialization period, a small dog is constantly carried in public and rarely walked with four paws on the ground, he will not assimilate sufficiently to become a confident dog. His snappiness and barking will become a fear reaction later on. He will bark at everything he sees to get it away from him.
- What is my responsibility to my neighbours and my community?
My responsibility to my community is to successfully train my dog so that his presence is unobtrusive and makes me proud.
- How is a consultation different from an obedience class?
An obedience class is for purposes of learning communication, commands and how to teach your dog. Obedience is education like school is for our children. A consultation is designed to teach the owner how to change the dogs behaviour inside or outside of the home. It is also designed to change behaviour in public, social or potentially "scary" situations.
- Can you train an older dog?
Yes.
Section 8
Questions about behaviour in my home
- Why does my dog jump on visitors?
A couple of reasons – first, dogs need to be taught an appropriate way to greet. Their owners need to learn how to teach this. Secondly, the dog is expressing a sense of domain associated with the house being his territory.
- Why does my dog crotch sniff or goose visitors?
Dogs need to learn appropriate greeting skills and we need to learn how to teach them without having to say "No".
- Why does my dog steal things at home?
This behaviour is designed to get our attention, positive or negative.
- Why does my dog bark, whine or chew when I am not home?
Call us.
- Why does my dog jump up at the counter or dinner table?
Because he can. Call us.
- Why does my dog growl when I try to take a bone or cherished object away from him?
He is an object guarder.
- Why does my dog growl or try to bite me when I try to move him while he is sleeping or relaxed on a bed, sofa or other location in the house?
He is a location guarder.
- Why does my dog whine or stare at me when I am eating?
Because it works. Someone has historically fed him from the table. Question? How many does it take to teach a dog to beg and stare? Answer…One 3 second lesson.
- Why does my dog whine or bark at me for no apparent reason or while I am on the phone?
Because it works. Someone has historically given him attention for just such a behaviour.
- Why does my dog bark at every little noise he hears from inside my house?
A dog who sees the home as being his and not his owners will feel the "need" to ward off any potential intruders. The barking can also occur with an under-socialized dog who is alarmed by noises.
- Why does my dog bark at the window when people or other dogs are passing by?
The dog is guarding "their" turf and is warding off potential intruders.
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