Guide to Hand Feeding Part 2

This program is called the positive reinforcement program because we do try to keep all activities positive for our pets. Dogs are very cause and effect animals. They respond to both stimuli, sometimes equally. Therefore, it is very easy to positively reinforce a behavior that you do not want simply by drawing attention to that behavior in the form of a correction. Rather than always correcting a puppy with a NO for an unwanted behavior we suggest using a distraction. Give the puppy something to do that you can praise it for. For example, if your puppy is getting into your favorite plant, rather than saying “DOG NO”, call him to you and then praise him for coming. Or if he comes running out of the bedroom with a sock, do not punish him or say “NO”, simply trade him a chew toy for the sock and then put the socks away.

During the program, there are games you should avoid. These are games are sometimes confusing for the puppy because they contradict the message we are sending with the positive reinforcement program. We try to avoid gamed of TUG-OF-WAR. Tug of war or tug and pull can be confusing for several reasons. First if you watch the behavior of the puppy while playing this game you will see the puppy growling and acting aggressive. Second, by playing this game you are telling the puppy that you like this behavior and are in fact encouraging the behavior. Third, the puppy does not understand “I quit” or “I don’t want to play anymore.” If he ends up with the toy, he thinks he has won this dominance battle with you. These are fights we don’t want to lose.

We will also try to avoid wrestling games ­ the down on the floor pushing and shoving the dog away from you. This game also encourages aggression and replaces our hands in the form of toys. If the puppy perceives our hands as toys, we could be encouraging hand biting which is already a common problem for most puppies. Puppies are very motion sensitive animals. Instinctively that works to their advantage in the wild. But as pets it can cause a problem. Puppies cannot process fast hand and body movements and their first reaction is to put that object into their mouth. That is where we can get some of the hand biting and chasing games. We recommend that you try to keep hand movements especially around young dogs, as slow as you can and try to avoid puppies chasing small children around. They will grow out of this stage but if it is now stopped or hindered it can continue into adulthood.

Dogs are wonderful companions and friends and we feel that this program maximizes that relationship by establishing a firm leadership and respect between you and your pet.

END

web design by Shane Anderson