Dog training shopping list

Blog post about dog training tips wish-list.
By Laure-Anne Viselé, July 2010
Right, I’ll stop being lazy and put a training plan together for my dog again, as we’re slacking.

Here is my shopping list:

• Vet’s desensitisation
• Sep-anx maintenance in case I have to work from the office more often again
• Desensitise him to tooth brushing
• Desensitise him to getting wet
• Desensitise him to more kids
• Desensitise him to strange dogs
• Improving the ‘watch me’
• Improving the ‘wait’
• No more begging
• Retrieve
• Bring my car keys (not just find them)

We’ve already achieved loads:

• Getting off the couch on demand (compliance could improve, but hey, I find it kind of cute)
• Sitting and waiting for permission before going out of the house (i.e. no longer bolting out)
• Waiting just outside the door, rather than bolting out of the house, after I give permission to go out
• A rock solid recall, even under intense conflicting motivation
• Finding my car keys!!!
• Desensitisation to grooming
• Desensitisation to nail clipping (he just calmly lies himself on his side and waits for the kibble)
• Default sit before crossing the street, then wait for permission
• Offleash walking every day now, even in traffic situation.
• Desensitisation to my husband working on his computer in the dark (that funny glow on his face used to freak Roger out)
• Waiting for permission before lunging for his food.
• Absolutely no resource guarding.

And wouldn’t you know it, we’re busy with the least important one: shaping the retrieve…

Further reading

About Roger

• The ultimate social integration prop: dog or kid? – Article comparing Thom (child) and Roger (dog) as my social facilitators
• Dog trip down memory lane – List of all the dogs I have owned, with snippets about issues, personalities, etc.
• Jogging with your dog. He doesn’t feel like it… – Article about the dismal experience of jogging with Roger…
• I hate leaving my dog in a pension! – Article about Roger’s pension stay
• Adopting a dog from a shelter – Roger’s story

Dogs and society

• Dogs, my philosophical position – Canis bonus position statement on debated dog issues
• Thinking of getting a dog? Reality check – Article about responsibilities and chores of dog ownership
• Hot dogs – Take a quick poll about today’s hotly debated dog issues

Dog training

• Dog training, traditional vs. modern theories – An academic review of the field
• Dogs, the art of intelligent punishment – Insight into effective and non-cruel punishment
• Stop your dog from scavenging while walking – Training tips to help reduce the risk of poisoning

Dog behaviour

• Blimey, my dog’s barmy – Interview with canine behaviourist Nick Jones
• Dog separation anxiety, a treatment protocol – Separation anxiety treatment steps explained
• Getting your dog through the Dutch New Year’s Eve – A guide to fireworks anxiety
• From veterinary nurse to ground-breaking behaviour specialist – Review of Angela Stockdale seminar
• Dog-dog aggression, a self-help guide – Some advice to put you in the right track in seeking treatment
• The D-word, on dogs and dominance – Revision of the dominance dogma

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