OkcPets Magazine January 2022

January/February 2022 • OKC Pets 29 ther is wrong. If you take a positive-only approach to train your dog and you are struggling with the training, it is because you have chosen a bribery-only approach. What that means is that the treat you are offering has to outweigh the value of whatever object causes the dog to ignore you in the first place. A better approach is to teach the dog to look to you for guidance because he respects you so much, he will happily and gladly respond to you. That means you will have a working and leading relationship with your dog. It means the dog is not returning out of fear but rather an eagerness to please. That type of relationship will per- mit you to train your pup with or without rewards and comes from a place of love, not fear. When you start to train your pup for recall or any other issues, you should always do so in a low-distraction environ- ment such as a backyard. Hold the treat between your finger and thumb and touch the treat to your dog’s nose to get his attention. Walk away from your pup slowly, and let him explore a little. When he is a few feet away, slap your thigh excitedly to get his attention. The pup should step toward you, and when he does, use your return word, such as “Come.” As he returns, give him lots of praise. You can also use feeding times to teach that behavior. Reinforce the behavior through games such as recall tag, which uses a second person, and recalling from a sit/stay position. As your fur baby begins to master this behavior, start to increase the distance between you and him. Do not allow the dog to leave the sit position before you call him. If he does, reduce the distance and begin the training again. Once your pup appears to have mastered that behavior, try to train him in a distractive environment such as a fenced-in area that isn’t necessarily a dog park. If that is not available, use a training area in a dog park or go to the park during less crowded times. Training in a distractive environment will take practice, practice, and more practice. If your dog struggles, go back to an environment where he responds properly and reinforce that behavior. Be Observant and Responsible Responsible owners will always provide a safe environment for their fur babies. Dog parks are not meant as a training area for dogs but rather a socialization spot. Make sure you are paying attention to your dog’s behavior when you enter a dog park. If your dog is uncomfortable, it will probably not be a suitable place to reinforce his newly learned behavior. If you do enter, don’t forget about your other responsibilities in observing and picking up after the dog. A visit to a dog park can be a great time shared by all if everyone observes the same type of training requirements. As Oklahoma City works to become nationally recognized as a pet-friendly city, pet owners must train their dogs to behave appropriately in a variety of settings. Remember to spay or neuter your pets. Look for future articles on training tips regarding aggressive sniffing, humping, and toy stealing. If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to me at Michael.Okcpetsmag@gmail.com, an d as always, have yourself a pawsome day. Experience. Expertise. Teamwork. For More Information Call 405.659.7336 or Email gayla@2pawsup.net Just You, Me and Your Dog! Basic Manners • CGC Reactive Class • Behavior Modification Private & Group Classes TRAINING — BEHAVIOR BY GAYLA SESHER 1721 S. Morgan Oklahoma City, OK 73128 (405) 256-6161 135 Cedar Branch Way Mustang, OK 73064 (405) 630-4080 www.thepawspaoklahoma.com Grooming Your Pets Since 2000 When you hire us you get a quality groom that comes from years of experience Mobile Grooming Now Available