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What Is Walking With Manners?

Let’s start by defining what walking with manners really means. When you take your dog for a walk, what are your expectations? Everyone is different, so you need to decide what an enjoyable walk with your dog looks like. Once you have a clear idea of what you want, then it will be much easier to decide on a training course that will get you there.

When going for walks with your dog, you want to make sure it is enjoyable for BOTH you and your dog. A walk is not just exercise. It is a time to bond with your dog and to enjoy each other’s company. Once you know what you want in your walks, also consider what your dog wants (within reason). Each dog has their own set of favorite behaviors. Some love to sniff and sniff and sniff. Others like to mark. Some love to run back and forth, zig-zag, jump, and others want to just chill and enjoy the fresh air. The ones who love to chase, pull, lunge, or bark at things will need to learn to replace those favorite behaviors with ones that are more appropriate.

So get a clea picture in your mind of what you want your walks to look like, and then find the path you need to take to get there.

This online training course address the many aspects of walking with manners. It is divided into sections so that you clearly know where to go to reach your target for what you want in a walk with your dog. So, check out each section and see what amazing and fun training lessons and games will help you to reach your goals with your dog so that walks truly are a wonderful walk in the park.

Notes on Reactivity

Reactivity is good, though sometimes it may not be convenient for us as owners. But, for your dog, sometimes it is necessary.

A Reactive Dog - Why It Is Good

Reactivity means the ability to respond to stimulus. This is necessary. The trick comes with HOW your dog reacts and WHAT your dog react to. We want a reactive dog in the sense that we want our dog to react to our cues: our body movement, our voice. We need our dogs to respond to us so that they follow our lead and our choices. Ignoring us is not an acceptable option.

A Reactive Dog - When It Is Not Convenient or Appropriate

Reactivity has become synonymous with negative behaviors - barking, lunging, charging, growling, chasing… and the list goes on. But this is also a dog being a dog, and your dog is doing what they feel is necessary to feel safe. It is communication. Your dog is letting you know they are not comfortable with a situation, or they don’t know how to handle a situation. Reactivity can also be positive behaviors like excitement. So basically, your dog is off balance, and it is up to you to help your dog find the right balance to handle a variety of situations well. A reactive dog finds it necessary to engage, not ignore. Whatever it is they see, smell, or hear, that “thing” is important, triggers a physiological and emotional reaction, which then manifests into a behavioral reaction.

A Reactive Dog - Why It Is Normal and Acceptable

It is unrealistic and unfair for owners to expect a dog to not react when they feel threatened. Dogs will read other dogs and assess the situation very quickly: Does what I see matter? In the eyes of your dog, understandably that means yes in some instances. Another dog an show threateneing body language. Another dog can show negative energy to your dog. Dogs are intelligent, instinctive beings who read and process information faster than humans. Your dog will see things you don’t. Dogs are influenced and will react behavioral to the enrgy of others. Yes, as a dog owner you will put tie and effort into haveing a level of control over your dog, but also understand that some reactions are valid. It is up to you as the dog owner to then respond appropraitely to keep your dog safe and to know know what that means for your dog.

Your dog’s emotions and well being is your top priority. Be realistic in your expectations. Be your dogs advocate. Be fair. Know that sometimes your dog is justified in reacting when other dogs are threatening them, their pack, or you. There are many out of control dogs out there, and many clueless owners. So cut your dog some slack. Provide yourself with all the necessary tools to handle a variety of situations. Also know that there will be situations that are beyond your control, and the control of your dog. In these instances, know how to escape and recover. The busier the location the higher the risk. Choose where you go wisely. And always remember to cut yourself and your dog some slack - the environment can be unpredictable and unforgiving. If you have “reactive” dog, do yourself and your dog a favor and avoid busy locations. Set yourself and your dog up for success!

THE BEGINNING STEP - INSIDE FIRST!

MINIMIZE DISTRACTION, OPTIMIZE CORRECT CHOICES

The key to building a solid foundation is to establish the mindset that there is only one choice - to come to you.

Pick Me Game

CONFIDENCE, FOCUS, DISENGAGEMENT, ENGAGEMENT (RECALL, WALKING WITH MANNERS, RELATIONSHIP)

Games do not involve cuing. This style of training requires waiting for your puppy to do the behavior you want or make the right decision. It can be tough to wait and not say anything, but this is important. Your dog should learn to manage his behavior so that you don't have to cue it all the time. That is where the games come in.

Teach your puppy how wonderful and valuable it is to be near you! We start now while your puppy wants to be near you. You will portion out some of your puppy's kibble from a meal to play the game.

Play to build that bond between you and your puppy, depositing into the relationship bank account! Build trust, confidence, and focus. Build value in turning to you (orientation). Build value in wanting to be close to you (proximity). Build value in coming back to you. All in one simple game!

This game is a must throughout your dog's life with you!!! You will also find that there will be more like this later - to help you keep your value as your pup grows through different developmental stages. I still play this game with my adult dogs every time we go outside.

The fun of the game is the bouncing of your puppy to and from you. Your pup will need to learn to focus on tracking a tossed piece of food, and the fun in chasing after it. You want it to be fun, but not out of control, so use a calm, but happy voice.

Stack your rewards. Use praise, always! Add in petting and affection, if your puppy loves that, when he/she comes to you, as well as the higher value treat. If your puppy stays at your side and doesn't follow the tossed food, your puppy picked you, so reward that. Then, switch out the high-value treat and use the same value so you can create some fun sending your puppy out and bringing him back in. Most importantly, play and have fun!

This game will be so useful for other concept games, cues, and behaviors in the future! It's so amazing how something so simple can do so much!

Collar Grab/Hold

CONFIDENCE, OPTIMISM, CALMNESS, AROUSAL DOWN, DISENGAGEMENT, PROXIMITY, THINKING IN AROUSAL (RELATIONSHIP)

It is a hold on the collar, and does not involve any pulling or yanking. Practice positive associations when you hold the collar or harness. If you start now, you will be able to have a simple and positive way of gaining control of your dog.

Many dogs develop a negative association with this because something the dog does not like (punishment) follows. That then causes problems down the road with off-leash scenarios and with recall (come cue).So be proactive and conscientious about how you handle your pup and make sure it all has good associations.

Collar grabs come in handy for very nippy/mouthy pups who like to grab on to clothes and not let go. Use a collar grab to eliminate the ability to pull by applying gentle pressure towards you. When your pup lets go, you can mark and reward and then redirect your puppy on to something more appropriate.

Collar grabs, when they have positive associations, can also help in calming a dog down a little.

It can also be a tactic when a dog is playing tug with a toy and does not know to let go on cue yet.

Orientation Game Basics

CONFIDENCE, FOCUS, AROUSAL UP, DISENAGAGEMENT, ENGAGEMENT, PROXIMITY (RECALL, WALKING WITH MANNERS, RELATIONSHIP)

Orientation games are outstanding to play with your dog throughout their life. It promotes a healthy relationship and builds skills with loose leash walking, recall, focus, and so much more! Play the games inside first. Build fun and drive for the game and quick auto-orientation.

You want this to be a strong automatic behavior, so play often. You will continue to build on this throughout the training.

Throw a piece of kibbledown a hall or room - you can toss in one direction away from you to start, similar to the PickMe Game. Variations on this game to build focus are in the future. One is below.

This game differs from the Pick Me! Game in that your puppy does not need to return to you, just orient (turn), and focus back on you, which may or may not be direct eye-contact. You shouldn't be too picky, especially in the beginning stages of the game. Nose off the ground would be an excellent addition after the orientation is consistent. The difference between these two games is where you say your Reward Marker - when your dog turns around to you (orientation), or when your dog returns to you (proximity).

Play this game with food, but also incorporate playing with toys - this can be a great final reward for the end of the game as well.

The basic orientation game is excellent to play first thing in the morning when a puppy's battery is full, but yours is not. And when your puppy has a bunch of energy and is a bit mouthy, you can play this game to work through that initial bit of energy before working through more focused games and cues. Or in the evening, when you are tired from work but you need to get some energy out of your puppy. 

It is exercise - physical exercise but with structure. Your puppy gets to move, run, and chase, but it is not a free-for-all. Your puppy is learning to redirect attention back to you. It also keeps four paws on the floor and helps build your relationship!  

Orientation is a prerequisite for recall and off-leash control. It also is critical for dealing with distractions. So, you want your pup to be super good atorientation. The Side to Side game below is a rendition on the original game that ramps it up and brings more drive and more fun in orientation.

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