[nagdu] Any tips for us?

Wed Aug 26 22:35:53 UTC 2015

I'm not sure exactly how to put my thoughts into words, but I think it
is important for puppy raisers to always remember to consider how the
behavior of the puppy will effect it's working life. I know puppy
raisers are given a lot of information on what to teach the pups and
how to teach it, but I'm not sure they always understand why it is so
important.

When used properly, crate training should not create an impulsive dog.
Yes, the puppy should be put in the crate when it isn't supervised
while it's young, especially before it is house broken, but the puppy
should spend less and less time in the crate as it gets older. I have
a dog who doesn't have the best house behavior, but I really don't
think crate training as a puppy made much difference. It's just the
kind of dog he is, curious, a little impulsive, persistent, energetic,
and intelligent all combining to make him a hand full at times. Many
of those qualities though make him a good worker, so I deal with it.

Danielle and Thai

On 8/26/15, Tracy Carcione via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I totally agree with Julie J.
> Under self-control, I would add that the dog should be able to be in
> another room, unconfined and unsupervised, without getting into mischief.
> I wouldn't expect that of a young puppy, but, by the time the dog is ready
> to go back to the school, I should be able to be in the kitchen while the
> dog is in the living room without worrying about what he's up to.
>
> I think this may be being lost with "crate training", which seems to be
> translated to "If I can't watch the puppy, I'll just put him in the
> crate."  And so the puppy doesn't learn how to control himself when not
> confined or supervised.
> I've had Krokus for about 10 months, and it's only the last 2 or 3 that I
> feel comfortable leaving him unsupervised when I go out in the yard or
> whatever.  He's had a lot more trouble with self-control than any dog I've
> ever had, and I'm not too pleased about it.
> Tracy
>
>
>> I think there are two goals that puppies need to achieve in order to be
>> successful guides:
>> 1. self control
>> 2. the ability to cope with boredom
>>
>> If a dog understands that good things come to those who wait, then I can
>> teach or reinforce most any behavior.   If the dog understands that some
>> things are off limits, always, and accepts that, then it won't become a
>> power struggle.  If a dog can pass up tempting opportunities, then we
>> will
>> both be happier.  If a dog doesn't have to be entertained every moment of
>> every day, then I can more freely live my life, doing the things I need
>> to
>> do.   Or if the dog will play with toys or watch the cat or engage in
>> whatever amusement he likes, without needing me to facilitate it, then
>> life
>> is good.
>>
>> I think everything else is a product of these two core traits.  It sets
>> the
>> foundation for all future success.  I simply don't care about a perfect
>> sit.
>> If my dog chooses to lie down instead, fine.  what I want is for him to
>> mind
>> his own business and be unobtrusive, however he chooses to achieve that
>> is
>> acceptable to me.
>>
>> Julie
>> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
>> available! Get the book here:
>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Raven Tolliver via nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 7:41 AM
>> To: nagdu
>> Cc: Raven Tolliver
>> Subject: [nagdu] Any tips for us?
>>
>> I get this question a lot from puppy-raisers, especially those who are
>> about to raise their first dog, and the ones who haven't had a dog
>> graduate.
>> Obviously, there's a handful of tips in the huge packet of paperwork I
>> have to go over with the raisers. Remember that your puppy is on the
>> ground and will go after objects on the floor. Watch your pup outside
>> to prevent him from picking up rocks and sticks. Patience, practice,
>> praise. And so on.
>> And of course, their puppy counselors and raiser groups will be there
>> for them whenever they need.
>> But I think the raisers still look for some overarching, comprehensive
>> advice to keep in mind at all times.
>>
>> So off the record, this is the advice I give them.
>> Be strict. More specifically, have an expectation for your dog at all
>> times. When young dogs are not sleeping or eating, they're looking for
>> something to do, so give them something to do or somewhere to be.
>> Reward the dog for performing that behavior or being in that place if
>> it is not self-rewarding.
>>
>> An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Avoid problem
>> behaviors by preventing them. Once a behavior is a problem, it is
>> harder to eliminate since the dog finds it rewarding, and you now have
>> to make an alternative behavior more rewarding than the problem
>> behavior. Problem behaviors include alert barking, pulling on leash,
>> inappropriate chewing, counter-surfing, scavenging in the garbage,
>> scavenging in public, etc.
>>
>> What do you guys think of this advice? Furthermore, what other advice
>> would be valuable to share?
>> Thanks.
>> --
>> Raven
>> Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
>> www.1am-editing.com
>>
>> You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you
>> have or what you do.
>>
>> Naturally-reared guide dogs
>> https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs
>>
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