Play Versus Stay: Making Training Fun

How can training be a fun experience for an under-exercised dog? That was the big question for me recently, and one I'll explore in this post. While working at different rescues around the country, I was frequently facing the issue of working with dogs who hadn't gotten a lick of exercise before I took them out to attempt teaching sits, stays, and other Fun and Exciting Lessons of the Day. It only makes sense that kenneled dogs will have pent-up energy that must be released before they can focus on training. But what about our own pups, who hang by our side and snooze on the living room rug? How much exercise do they really need, before you can get to the down and dirty act of obedience training?

The answer depends, of course, on the type, condition, and age of your pooch. A six-month-old pit bull puppy should ideally have an opportunity to run, play fetch, and do a little quality (controlled) wrestling with his people before being expected to learn those boring tricks we humans like so much - things like heel, stay, and down. And since younger dogs are typically the ones with the most intensive training needs within the home, it falls on the human guardian to come up with a regiment that makes the transition from play time to class time seem natural and fun. So, what does that mean for you? Here are a couple of tips to make training more effective and less frustrating for both you and the pup.

(1) Pee first, learn later. Start your training time by getting elimination out of the way first. When you have a full bladder, you're not much of a math wizard, right? Well, the same is true for your pooch. Let him water the tulips and fertilize the daffodils before you attempt a focused training session.

(2) Play, play, play. When I'm walking my own dogs, I begin by taking them out back for potty, then a somewhat frenzied walk to the park where I can let them run and wrestle. While they're playing, we work on things like recall, fetch, stop, and sit - all of which can be done on the fly, with lots of treats and plenty of fun. Just because you're dog is playing doesn't mean learning stops; on the contrary, dogs are much more inclined to enjoy training and retain lessons when there's a game involved.

(3) Tired dogs make the best students. Once you've gotten that initial frenzy out and your pup's tongue is lolling near the pavement, you can work on issues that require a little more concentration. Heeling, extended sit- and down-stays, and recall with added distractions are all lessons that work best with a less stimulated dog. Keep them motivated with treats and lots of praise, and remember to keep that final phase of daily training relatively short for the best results.

Training your dog should never seem like work to the dog. Ideally, it shouldn't seem like work to you, either, but there will invariably be those cloudy days when you'd rather sit at home and watch the world go by. Your pooch, on the other hand, should not only perk up when the leash comes 'round, but should be excited about every aspect of training. If you can work with your pup's natural rhythms rather than fighting against his energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm, than you are well on your way to a well-trained, happy, and healthy canine companion.

Dock Dogs! A Weekend by the Sea

This weekend, the assignment for my all-time favorite paper out there - Downeast Dog News - was to hang by the ocean in Rockland, Maine, while dogs of all shape and size dive (or don't) into an above-ground pool provided by the internationally known Dock Dogs. The Rockland Chamber of Commerce and several area merchants organized the event they called Rock Dogs in less than six weeks, according to event coordinator Mary Bumiller. Walking into the gated area in Buoy Park on Friday morning, however, it was hard to tell just how much they'd been lacking in lead time. Though vendors were few - Loyal Biscuit, Tim Horton's, and the Humane Society of Knox County were up front, with a couple of other vendors selling food at the back of the park - turnout for the event was good, things seemed to flow smoothly, and everyone was having a great time.

Including me. I checked in at the front gate and received a weekend pass for my trouble, then promptly headed for the pool. Dogs in every direction, kids laughing, sun shining. A soaking wet golden retriever sat on my foot for the better part of one of Saturday's games, I fell madly in love with a brindle bullmastiff with the sweetest smile this side of heaven, and got to chat up Bob DeWire, the events manager who was alternately mocked and revered by the jesting emcee under the Dock Dogs tent.

Competitors came from as far away as Virginia, in the case of world competitor Dan Stallings and his amazing Weimeraners, all rescues from Mid-Atlantic Weimeraner Rescue. Steve Sozio and Twister, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, drove up from Baltimore and were also working on getting to the world championships in Oregon this fall. Pics, you say? Why, yes, it turns out I do have some pics: And just in case you thought every pup who entered just flew into the pool, no questions asked, here's evidence to the contrary: And, finally, a video tidbit featuring Holly Merrow and her sweet yellow lab Bear, who was sooo not going in that water: