The Smart Dog U Blog

Crowd Control: Talos Takes on the Business Expo (Video)

Talos and I went to our local Business Expo and had a fantastic time meeting new people, catching up with colleagues, and visiting with friends.

There's no better place to socialize a service dog in training than a crowded, noisy, bustling public venue.

With food. On low tables.

And candy for the taking.

And giant stuffed Aflac ducks.

Talos did fine, actually. No ducks were attacked and no food was stolen from the tables (or the attendees)!

 

Nail Trims: The Beginning (Video)

Those ridiculously large feet belong to Talos. Those things that look like talons? They're nails. They need to be trimmed.

But you can't just rush in, hold the dog down, trim the nails, and get out. Well, you can, but you'll be paying for it the rest of the dog's life. Do that and you're setting yourself (and your dog) up for a battle at nail-trim-time.

There isn't any reason a dog needs to be muzzled, sedated, or restrained for nail trimming. Especially if you've got a young dog and you can teach the dog to tolerate nail trims.

How do you teach that, you ask?

It's pretty easy, really. You'll need some really fantastic treats. This works regardless of the age of the dog. You can teach an old dog new tricks. (Note: If your dog growls at you when you work on this, stop immediately. Call a professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement - call me if you need a referral to a trainer in your area.)

Not dog food, Pupperoni's, or dog biscuits. Get the good stuff: steak, chicken, ham, salmon -- real meat! You want your dog to look forward to your handling his feet, so make it worth his while by getting the best of the best treats.

You won't trim nails right away either. This is all about getting the dog comfortable with you handling his feet.

I'm working with Talos right now on this very thing. When he was a small pup, he accepted nail trims very easily. Sometime over the last three weeks (the last time I handled his feet) he's decided he's not a fan of it.

Not a problem.

We'll take a few steps back, remind him how much fun it is to have me handle his feet, then we'll move forward to nail trims again. Watch this video for the first step:

Training Organized

I prefer organization to disarray any day.

But preferring it doesn't make it so. It actually takes work to become organized. I'm a better trainer when I'm organized. When I have a plan. When I can measure my progress. When I know what to work on during each session.

So I took a little time last night to write down my goals for each of my dogs. Talos is easy: his goals are given to me by Service Dogs of Virginia. Here they are:

Handling -  Paws and nails (clipping and grinding with Dremel)
Loose Leash Walking
Back - Away from me and with me
Recall
Name Game - look at me when I say his name
Go to Mat
Go In - go under a table, into an aisle, etc.
Pivot
Shaping
Down

There will be more things on this list for sure, but for now, I need to focus. It's easy to get a few behaviors that look good, but then never actually finish them. Basically, you wind up with a whole lot of nothing useful when you don't train a behavior from beginning all the way to the end. What's "The End," you ask?

In a nutshell, The End is when the behavior happens when you ask for it and only when you ask for it, and the dog can do it anywhere, for any lenth of time, and no matter what's going on around him.

That's a lot to ask for!

After I wrote each of the behaviors, I then broke each of those behaviors down into small, manageable steps. I'll work on one step at a time, recording my progress at each training session so I can make adjustments to the training plan if necessary.

If you have a dog at home that could use some new, better behaviors, you can get organized, too! Just write down what you want your dog to learn. For instance, if your dog jumps on visitors, you want your dog to sit when visitors come in. That's an achievable goal. Start with just sitting - no visitors. Can your dog sit when you ask (And when you ask only once)? If the answer is yes, you're ready to add small distractions. If your dog can't sit with only one request, you won't move to the next step until you've taught your dog to sit with one request.

Add distractions by simply moving around. Wave your hand as you say "Sit." If your dog sits, click and treat. If he can't sit while you wave your hand, try just wiggling your fingers instead. If he can sit while you wiggle your fingers, click and treat. If not, can he sit if your hand is open, but no fingers are wiggling? Your dog gets to set the pace here, not you! You can only move forward as quickly as your dog is learning.

I'll have some video up soon of this very step - adding distractions. Nemo's not very reliable if there are distractions around, so it's my job to help him. I've written a training plan and started working on it today. I'll share my progress shortly.

What are you waiting for? Make a plan, then get to work. You can follow along with me and my dogs here. Now that I have a plan, I'll be working with my dogs on a regular schedule. Come join us! Your dog will love the experience of learning something new and of working with you!

Be Nice to the Kitty (Video)

It surprises many people when they find out a cat also inhabits our house along with the four dogs. I don't know if it's surprising because they can't imagine the mess that five animals must bring or if it's because they can't imagine a cat surviving in a four-dog-household.

Oh, Autumn does just fine, thankyouverymuch. She's a kitty to be reckoned with. She's senior to all these dogs -- been here longer than any of them and doesn't take a whole lot from any of them.

She can go from lover (curling around their feet, head butting them, and wrapping herself against a sleeping dog's tummy), to playmate (chasing the dogs or wanting to be chased by them), to enemy (back off buster, now!). She's an ideal cat for a dog-dominated household.

Anyway, here's what a normal day is like in the life of Autumn. That loud smacking sound you hear toward the end of the video is Nemo's tail. He is enthralled by the kitty. He's more in love with the kitty that I am, for goodness sake. He can't control the tail whenever he gets near her.

THIS is How Talos Should Settle! (Video)

My last post talked about how to train Talos to settle quietly. Here's a video I took last week of Talos sleeping.

He's not sleeping quietly, mind you. But he IS sleeping.

If he'd do this in meetings, instead of moaning, groaning, singing, and speaking, I think we'd all be a lot happier.

Now, maybe I'll revise my training plan to involve snoring...

Training Plan for Settle (Quietly!)

Based on two experiences with Talos, who has a difficult time lying quietly, it's become clear that I need to create a training plan to help him learn how to settle quietly. 

There are several steps involved when creating a training plan. No matter what behavior you want your dog to learn, you can use this template to help you develop your own training plan.

Step One: Define precisely what the finished behavior look like.

What does the finished behavior look like? Talos is able to lie quietly (preferably sleep) on his mat for 45 minutes in a crowded room regardless of the noise level (or the lack of noise), foot traffic, or other distractions. 

Step Two: Determine the skills your dog needs to be able to accomplish the behavior.

What does Talos need to learn? He already knows to go to his mat and lie down on cue: when I say "mat" he goes to his mat and lays down. So the skill is there, but we need to improve two things: this behavior in public settings and we also need to improve duration (how long can he do this behavior). 

Step Three: Teach your dog the skills (the components of the behavior) he needs to accomplish the behavior.

What skills does Talos already have? Talos doesn't need to learn any additional skills - he can already go to his mat and lay down. We need to work on two variables: distractions and duration. 

Step Four: Create a training plan.

A good training plan breaks the behavior(s) into very small, easily accomplished steps, and should include distractions, duration, and distance. The settle training plan for Talos looks like this:

• Confirm Talos knows "mat" and will go to the mat when asked. Duration (how long he will stay): 2 seconds; Distance (how far away from the mat we are): no distance at this point; Distractions (what's going on in the background and our location): no distractions at this point. How will I know if Talos is ready for the next step? He's able to go to his mat when I say "mat" (and only when I say it), when I'm standing (or sitting) directly in front of the mat, and in a quiet house.
  
• Add Duration: I want Talos to stay on the mat longer before he gets his click and treat. Without changing Distance or Distractions, I will simply delay my click for two seconds. It looks like this: I say "Talos, mat." Talos goes to his mat. Talos lies down. I wait two seconds. I click and treat (throwing the treat off the mat so he gets off the mat). I want at least ten successes at the two-second level before I ask for more time. My goal would be fifteen seconds for now.
  
• Add Distractions. Once I achieve fifteen seconds on the mat, I'm ready to work with distractions. When we change criteria (move from duration to distractions), we have to relax our standards on the "old" criterion (in this case, duration). So I don't expect him to stay on the mat for any length of time now; I simply want him to be able to go to the mat no matter what's going on around him.
  
  My job is to make it easy enough for him that he's able to notice the distraction, but be able to get to the mat and lay down. In the beginning, I might tap my toes while I say "Talos, mat." The instant he lays on the mat, I click and toss the treat off the mat. (Remember, we're relaxing the requirement of Duration while we introduce Distractions.). Again, I'll repeat this Distraction ten times to be sure Talos has really got the concept before I increase the distraction. Next time, I'll clap my hands when I say "Talos, mat." Other distractions can include: a ringing doorbell, someone running through the house, my body position (kneeling, laying on the floor, standing facing the opposite direction, waving my hands in the air, etc.).
  
  This also includes changing locations. I would start inside the house, then move outside (at my house), then to a public indoor location, then a public outdoor location. My goal is that Talos can go to his mat in a crowded public location both outdoors and indoors.
  
• Add Distance. Because we're introducing a new criterion (Distance), we're going to relax the other two (Duration and Distraction). So we're back inside the house with no Distractions, and we're not going to require that Talos stay on the bed for any length of time.
  
  I'll start off asking "Talos, mat" from my regular position. When he does the behavior and I click and toss the treat off the mat, I'll take half a step backward while he's eating the treat. I'll again say "Talos mat." If he lays on the mat (and doesn't inch forward to try to be close to me), I'll click and treat. I'll ask for this behavior from this distance ten times in a row before taking another half step backward. My goal is that I can say "Talos, mat" from across the room and Talos can walk away from me and go to the mat and lay down.

Once I have all three pieces of the puzzle (Distraction, Duration, and Distance), I can begin putting them together. I'll choose two to work with first and I'll keep both of them at their simplest levels. For instance, if I work on Distance and Duration, I'll be one step away from the mat when I cue "Talos, mat" and I will click him after he's been on the mat for one second.

I'll start working on this later this week and will be posting video of his "school work."

Still Lots of Work to Do

If you're a regular Smart Dog Blog reader, you know how vigilant I am about socializing Talos. Take a look at this week's calendar:

• Frederick Community College for a business meeting
• Shopping at Costco
• trip to the bank to make deposits
• visit the hair salon for my hair cut
• doggie daycare (twice)
• Out and About class in downtown Frederick and
• Arlington National Cemetery

This dog gets out. I've rearranged my schedule to afford him socialization opportunities, and I can see the results. He's an even-tempered, easy going, laid-back dog.

Until.

Until you ask him to lay quietly in a very quiet room. You may remember my ill-fated library trip a few weeks ago. And the analysis of my reaction and Talos' not-so-stellar behavior. 

So the meeting we attended today started off great: I took Talos through the breakfast buffet line and he managed to keep his head off the table and out of the bacon dish. (That is no small victory!)

We found a spacious location and he immediately laid on his mat. I'm pleasantly surprised- this is going so well!No bacon off the buffet and he's going to lay down?! Fantastic.

Yeah. Right.

Until the entire room gets quiet and the emcee begins to talk. Talos begins his own speech. Except it's in dog-language and he's not even on topic.

Being the resourceful trainer I am, I took the opportunity to play the "target my hand" game and he did fine with that for three minutes. Then he went right back to talking. Or singing. Or whatever it is that he does when the room is as quiet as a tomb. 

We took a quick walk around the campus of Frederick Community College, which gave us even more socialization experiences. He'd never run across people in hoodies with backpacks. What were these strange creatures? He stood, mesmerized, for a good two minutes - keeping an eye on these new beings. He gave a couple "buuufs" - not real barks, but rather some exploratory vocalizations, I think to see if these new things would react to him. At 8:00a, these kids didn't even notice him, let alone react to him. There was also campus construction so lots of noise, dust, and machinery. He took it all in, calmly for the most part.

So while I missed some of my meeting, Talos got a lot out of the morning. Again, I am reminded that there's a lot more to socializing a service dog than just mere exposure to different things. I still need to work on his relaxing - quietly! - in a quiet room. Ah, the training never ends...

Chaotic Mayhem (Video)

This is what it looks like when four large dogs are playing in one small room. It's chaos. Controlled chaos, but chaos nonetheless. 

Lily rarely partakes in playtime. It's one of those once-in-a-blue-moon deals. It's so rare that I yanked the video camera out when they started this crazy play session. 

A couple things to notice: Nemo loves to play with Lily. They are play-buddies outside, but not usually inside. So when he saw her playing inside, he was ready to go! Knowing Nemo would interrupt her play with Talos, and knowing that this kind of play so rarely happens, I asked Nemo to restrain himself (which he did pretty nicely, I thought). 

Also, watch toward the end when Lily shakes off. That's a dog communication signal that often means "I'm done." Notice that even though Talos tries to re-engage her, she's pretty much done. 

There's lots of noise: growling, barking, yips. These are all normal play sounds from my group of dogs. Just like mothers can interpret their baby's different cries, I can tell immediately if a dog is no longer enjoying the play, just from the sound of the mayhem. These guys (and girl) are having nothing but fun. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ-TVVBEpEA

Fun Fundraising

Talos' appearance at the fundraiser at the Dogfish Head Ale House was a success! We stayed about three hours and met lots of nice people. I even met another Great Dane owner and we commiserated about the amount of drool that comes out of a Dane's mouth immediately after drinking. (Not a conversation for the faint of heart, let me tell you.)

Talos did a fine job meeting and greeting everyone, especially the children. He's a big kisser and I feel the need to warn every mother and her kids that if they want to pet Talos, a kiss is part of the deal! Most kids think it's funny and collapse into a fit of giggles. As you might imagine, that tickles Talos and he kisses more. It's a vicious cycle -- kisses, giggles, more kisses, more giggles.

Things we need to work on: getting Talos to go under the tables. He relaxes comfortably - in the middle of the aisle. Patrons and servers are required to step around him. And he's not even big yet! It's a skill he can learn, fitting himself into small spaces, I guess I didn't realize how important that skill will be, especially since he's going to be a big dog.

He got a bit tired toward the end of our time there and decided my foot would be a good pillow. He promptly fell asleep on my boot. Still in the aisle, now just very cute.

The event was another great socialization experience for us. We alternated between being surrounded by people and kids (one of whom found Talos' tail fascinating and made different shapes with his tail!) and being all alone at a table while I ate lunch. Outside the restaurant, there was a lot of traffic, honking horns, loud trucks and even pedestrians. It was a bonanza!

We met so many nice folks, including the servers at the Dogfish Head Ale House. It was a great day for Talos and for Service Dogs of Virginia. A big thank you to Ella for inviting us and being so kind and gracious.

Come to Falls Church Today: Meet Talos + Raise Money

Talos has skyrocketed to popularity (pupularity?) since his debut on the Blog. Because of his wicked popularity, Talos will be making an appearance at the Dogfish Head Ale House today during the lunchtime hour.

(Well, it's not really due to his popularity, but rather that he's close by and had nothing else on his calendar. But don't tell him that - he likes to think he's got a little somethin'.)

So come out and see us - we'll be there for lunch (you'll raise money for the service dog organization, too - it's a win-win!). The Dogfish Head will donate 15% of it's proceeds for the day to Service Dogs of Virginia.

Come for lunch, come for dinner. You'll be able to take advantage of (during the evening hours) great silent auction items and chance drawings for sporting event tickets, concert tickets, Knoll “Life” chair, personal tour of WJLA ABC 7, art, handyman services, hotel package, spa package, personal chef and many more!!

There may even be a few local celebrities stopping by to support SDV!! (Other than Talos, that is.)

And don’t forget about the live music from 9:00p -11:00p!

This all-day event will give everyone a chance to come by for lunch, dinner, or later…and have a chance to meet real service dogs and learn more about SDV!

Talos is looking forward to receiving your pets, accolades, and attention! (Unless he's asleep, in which case, he won't even know you were there.)