For most owners, the task of training and raising a proper canine citizen can be a daunting task - and they don't always want to live up to the same standards as working, performance, or trainers' dogs. Not everyone wants a pup with a perfect show-heel, police dog level protection training, or flawless competition-level obedience - but is there a standard by which a pet dog should stack up? We submit to you our opinion on how the flawlessly trained high end dogs should be, and then how the average pet dog should be.
Please note, this list is geared for puppies and new pets - but you can adapt it for a rescue or adopted/foster pet by using the age list as a time period. Example: a 2 month old puppy should know sit - an untrained 2 year old foster dog should master sit within 2 months. Enjoy!
6 Weeks to 2 Months
Perfect Puppy
By two months, the perfect puppy should know his or her name, come when called within the home, and understand the basics of engagement (focus driving skills mixed with vocal commands instead of clicker training). They should also know Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Come, and a mixture of these from all positions within a few feet of the trainer at least half of the time. They should also begin to understand No Bark/Quiet and Speak. By 2 months, your pet should completely understand that the rewards are for the specified behaviour and won't always get a reward and won't always get a small piece/short play session.
Average Pet Puppy
By two months, the average pet puppy should understand his or her name, come when called at least half the time, understand the basics of engagement, and should understand mostly sit and down.
Below Average Puppy
If your pup by two months only understands his name, and doesn't fully grasp obedience equals treats, he is behind schedule.
2 Months to 6 Months
Perfect Puppy
By 6 months, your puppy should understand all basic commands (Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Wait, Come, Fetch, ect) with a 90% accuracy and fast response; you should be able by now to introduce more complex skills like a forced retrieve, forced recall, and higher level obedience training. Your pet by 6 months should be able to listen with a mix of rewards and no rewards without resisting obedience. By now, they should also have mastered tug play and it's respectful rules (if they enjoy the game). This game should be replacing food treats at least half the time.
Average Pet Puppy
By 6 months, the average pet puppy should respond all the time to his or her name, know that their name means come here and pay attention, and be able to use all common home commands, like Sit, Down, Stay, Come, No Bark/Quiet, Speak, and come when called outside within 75% of the time. They should be comfortable transitioning from all-treats to sometimes treats or playtime.
Below Average Puppy
If your pup by 6 months only understands his name, and sit/down and an unreliable stay, your pup is lagging behind. This type of pup will not obey unless they physically see a treat.
6 Months to 1 Year
Perfect Puppy
By 1 year, the perfect puppy should know all commands flawlessly, have perfect drive and focus, should almost never deviate from a command or make mistakes, should have 100% perfect obedience and personality, be able to completely ignore all other dogs and safely be off leash with a 100% perfect recall, emergency down, stop command, leave it command, and be able to perform all obedience skills and tricks in all areas, situations, and distraction levels. By 8 months, the pup should understand it's role in the pack, his job, duties, and should have no unfamiliar situations or odd responses to the strange. Your pet should obey with OR without rewards such as toys or treats for all practiced and learned behaviour. Play time/Tug time should be the reward 70% of the time, and the other 30% should be mostly no rewards at all.
Average Pet Puppy
By 1 year, the average pet should understand all used commands in most situations, have a fairly steady personality and obedience 75% of the time, and should be safe off leash as long as there aren't too many distractions. They should understand their place in the pack, and have a general idea of what their job is. They should understand the basics of tug and should be comfortable getting this reward instead of treats at least half the time.
Below Average Puppy
By 1 year, if your pup hasn't learned all their commands and can't be trusted off leash or won't listen 75% of the time and or doesn't have a recall, emergency down, or stop command, and doesn't listen without a treat being present, your dog is a little behind.
1 Year to 2 Years and On
Perfect Dog
By the two year mark, the perfect pup should be completely and flawlessly trained with an obedience rate of 99% with excellent drive, perfect response time, and should have a vast skill set to handle life with. They should fully understand their place and job, and execute it without fault at all times; they should be completely unphased by new sensations, areas, people, or dogs. The perfect puppy should by now no longer need training or behaviour management of any kind, and the owner should be working on things like party tricks, complicated behaviours, and refining skills to make them ever faster, sharper, and better, including some high-end tricks like Frisbee back-flipping and the like. By now, your pet should be 50% playtime and 50% nothing at all for a reward system. There should be zero need for treats at this stage.
Average Pet Dog
By the two year mark, the average pet dog should mostly understand their place and job, and be able to obey at least 75% of the time. They should by now be safe off leash with perfect recall, emergency down, and stop command obedience, and should also be able to learn new skills. By now, your pet should be mostly playtime or praise rewarded, and only need treats on new skills or skills that are brand new.
Below Average Dog
If by this point your pet doesn't know all commands, won't listen at least 75% of the time, has some form of unwanted, frustrating, or irritating behavioural issues, and doesn't obey unless there is some kind of reward, your pet needs some stricter training.
So tell us; how does your pup stack up? Hopefully this list has made you feel a little better about your training, and if not, sets some basic goals for you to achieve! We can all achieve our ideal companion if we simply understand how dogs work.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
How do I know when my dog's behaviour is going too far? Blog Eighteen
Since we have been a little silent lately, I thought I would put out not one, but TWO blogs this week!
Today on another group I am a personal fan of, someone asked a very important question that I thought everyone would appreciate an answer to! "How do I know when my dog's behaviour is going to go too far?" Well, there's two way to answer this - immediately, or in the scheme of life. I will answer first the initial possibility; the signs your dog is about to cross a line right now.
Immediate Behaviour Warnings
Silence
-Your dog is about to bite if they are silent, and their eyes widen. A dog that has been growling or barking in an aggressive manner is just faking you out, most of the time. A dog that is making noise will not usually strike, unless their level of fear has overridden their typical warning signs. While a dog rarely bites while they are making sounds, if they have suddenly stopped making sounds and their pupils are wide with ears pulled back, they are always preparing to strike.
Shivering
-A dog that is shaking is not usually cold - but is in a high level of anxiety, or fear. There are rare cases where a dog shivers because they are cold - If you peel off your coat or jacket, and you are cold, they are cold. Dogs might have their own fur, but it can lose heat very fast. With exception to Huskies, most dogs get cold below 10 degrees Celsius. However, if cold is not the issue, and your dog is shaking, you need to act quickly - chances are your dog is overloading from whichever stimulation is triggering the action, and your dog is likely to mess on your floor, or bite. Keep note that dogs can also shiver because of excitement, psychological problems, or an allergy reaction. If you have ruled these out, and you notice your dog shivering around certain people, objects, sounds, or stimulation, your dog is afraid. Shivering from cold or medical issues also looks different - it is more vibrant, convulsing looking, as if they can't control it, with waves of it being stronger, or softer. Anxiety or fear shaking is more steady, likely to resemble an off kilter washing machine, or a low grade earthquake.
Total Stoppage of Movement
-If your dog completely stops, sometimes staring, sometimes not, it is a communication that your dog has suddenly overloaded and can't process the stimulation. It can be coupled with silence, or whining. You could toss a steak by and nothing would happen. This is indicative of a dog that has hit rock bottom fear - and you need to call a behaviourist immediately. This is a situation where the average owner or even trainer should not handle.
Lifted Paw
-If a dog stands with one front paw lifted slightly off the ground, it's a sign your dog is unsure. It needs either a little encouragement, or a few moments to collect themselves. It's important to note that you don't move forward or reward the dog with it's paw in the air - this will tell your dog that you want it to feel unsure, which can lead to low level fear or aversion. After time, it can become a serious issue.
Backing Away With Tucked Tail, Crouched-If your dog has started this action, specifically at a physical object, person, or sound, this is a fear based fleeing response, where your dog completely mistrusts whatever it is moving away from. It is a higher level than the total stoppage of movement, and indicates the handler went too far in trying to overcome the fear reaction, or the dog is totally rock bottom terrified of whatever it is. This is another situation where you need to call a behaviourist.
Full Body Wiggle
-A dog that has reached an unhealthy and dangerous level of excitement resembles this. They are typically bouncy, and wagging their tail so hard that they are literally shaking their whole body. This is a sign your dog has gone way too far over the "healthy" line of excitement. While most people assume happiness and excitement are the same thing with dogs, its not. Excitement is a state of hyper-charged energy, while a happy dog is relaxed and calm. Excitement might look really cute, but it is really unhealthy to their whole selves that it really shouldn't be encouraged - namely because it not only can cause a number of physical injuries, it is about as mentally healthy as a highly aggressive or highly fearful dog. You should ignore this behaviour or correct it before it gets worse.
Stiff, Rigid Tail In Any Position
-A stiff tail, whether it is in a submissive or dominant position, indicates a high level of tension, or anxiety. It can be moving in any speed, but if it is not loose, it is a warning sign. Whatever your dog is focused on should cease, or be properly removed and reintroduced when the dog is in a calmer state.
Fast-moving Tail
-While most people associate a fast-moving tail with happiness, it is actually a symptom of intensity. The faster a tail is moving, the more intense a dog is feeling whichever emotion is attached to it - excitement, aggression, and even fear. It should always be a goal of a trainer to make sure their dog's tail is slowly swaying, not moving like a room fan.
Behaviour Warnings In The Scheme Of Life
Behaviours Become Resisted
-If your dog used to perform various behaviours just fine, and has become resistant or feigns ignorance of them, you dog is losing respect for you, usually because of inconsistent treatment, or unintentional mistreatment. If this is the case, you will need to work on rebuilding the damaged relationship before issuing another command.
Unexpected Destruction
-If your usually well behaved dog has chewed up something, your dog is not trying to get back at you. They are not trying to make you mad. Your dog is bored. While walking does drain physical energy, that is about 20% of a dog's needs. Your dog, like your children, need to use their minds, too! You can't expect a dog to burn their own mental energy - when they do, things like this happen. They need you to directly burn their mental energy! Teach it something new, play tug, introduce a new toy with brand new rules, make them work hard before a walk - and never leave a dog in an excited or anxious state of mind. Almost any dog can be successfully left alone (Except for a few breeds) as long as you do it properly.
Possessiveness
-Before a dog becomes aggressive over toys, food, or other pack members, the warning signs appear. Sometimes they happen in a matter of hours or days before escalation, sometimes seconds. When low-level possessiveness appears, it needs to be corrected before it gets worse. If in any case your dog isn't allowing you to do something with their things, that is possessiveness.
Territoriality
-Being territorial is more than just barking at passersby. While this is common for most dogs with territorial issues, there are other, less obvious symptoms that would suggest to you that your dog is going too far in protecting his space. While some level of territorial behaviour is normal and healthy, it can quickly cross a line. For instance, a dog barking a couple times at a passerby is normal (inside the car, too!) However, if that one or two barks turns in to a fast, rapid multiple level bark, like a machine gun burst, that is a warning sign. If your dog is charging to the fence, door, or other threshold, that is a red light warning. However, while every dog pees, a normal pee takes a couple seconds, and is usually a larger amount. A dog that pees little spurts on every bush, pole, stick, or monument, that is a warning sign. If your dog scratches the ground after, that is a red light warning. If your dog barks a warning once at other dogs, this is normal. If your dog pulls on the leash, moves in front or behind you, and growls, this is a warning, and if your dog charges, pulls hard, machine-gun barks, or runs behind you quickly, this is a red light warning. If your dog has hit red light warnings, you need to contact a behaviourist.
Other Signs The Dog Behaviour Is Going Too Far:
-If your dog moves away from you with a toy or treat when you approach or give it to them, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog turns to watch you or something else as he eats his food, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog has his head mostly over the food or water bowl, consuming from the far side instead of the middle or back, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog won't get off his bed or out of her kennel when asked, or delays, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog won't allow you to be out of eye or earshot without protesting, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog walks in front of you and pushes through doors or gates first, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog incessantly barks at you for something of theirs, or something they want, that is a warning sign.
-If you cannot enter a room your dog is in without him swarming your feet or walking circles around you, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog is an adult and whines frequently, that is a warning sign.
There are so many more warning signs that we could mention, but then this blog would be way too long to ask people to read, so we've included the most common. Hopefully this information has answered a question or two of your own!
Today on another group I am a personal fan of, someone asked a very important question that I thought everyone would appreciate an answer to! "How do I know when my dog's behaviour is going to go too far?" Well, there's two way to answer this - immediately, or in the scheme of life. I will answer first the initial possibility; the signs your dog is about to cross a line right now.
Immediate Behaviour Warnings
Silence
-Your dog is about to bite if they are silent, and their eyes widen. A dog that has been growling or barking in an aggressive manner is just faking you out, most of the time. A dog that is making noise will not usually strike, unless their level of fear has overridden their typical warning signs. While a dog rarely bites while they are making sounds, if they have suddenly stopped making sounds and their pupils are wide with ears pulled back, they are always preparing to strike.
Shivering
-A dog that is shaking is not usually cold - but is in a high level of anxiety, or fear. There are rare cases where a dog shivers because they are cold - If you peel off your coat or jacket, and you are cold, they are cold. Dogs might have their own fur, but it can lose heat very fast. With exception to Huskies, most dogs get cold below 10 degrees Celsius. However, if cold is not the issue, and your dog is shaking, you need to act quickly - chances are your dog is overloading from whichever stimulation is triggering the action, and your dog is likely to mess on your floor, or bite. Keep note that dogs can also shiver because of excitement, psychological problems, or an allergy reaction. If you have ruled these out, and you notice your dog shivering around certain people, objects, sounds, or stimulation, your dog is afraid. Shivering from cold or medical issues also looks different - it is more vibrant, convulsing looking, as if they can't control it, with waves of it being stronger, or softer. Anxiety or fear shaking is more steady, likely to resemble an off kilter washing machine, or a low grade earthquake.
Total Stoppage of Movement
-If your dog completely stops, sometimes staring, sometimes not, it is a communication that your dog has suddenly overloaded and can't process the stimulation. It can be coupled with silence, or whining. You could toss a steak by and nothing would happen. This is indicative of a dog that has hit rock bottom fear - and you need to call a behaviourist immediately. This is a situation where the average owner or even trainer should not handle.
Lifted Paw
-If a dog stands with one front paw lifted slightly off the ground, it's a sign your dog is unsure. It needs either a little encouragement, or a few moments to collect themselves. It's important to note that you don't move forward or reward the dog with it's paw in the air - this will tell your dog that you want it to feel unsure, which can lead to low level fear or aversion. After time, it can become a serious issue.
Backing Away With Tucked Tail, Crouched-If your dog has started this action, specifically at a physical object, person, or sound, this is a fear based fleeing response, where your dog completely mistrusts whatever it is moving away from. It is a higher level than the total stoppage of movement, and indicates the handler went too far in trying to overcome the fear reaction, or the dog is totally rock bottom terrified of whatever it is. This is another situation where you need to call a behaviourist.
Full Body Wiggle
-A dog that has reached an unhealthy and dangerous level of excitement resembles this. They are typically bouncy, and wagging their tail so hard that they are literally shaking their whole body. This is a sign your dog has gone way too far over the "healthy" line of excitement. While most people assume happiness and excitement are the same thing with dogs, its not. Excitement is a state of hyper-charged energy, while a happy dog is relaxed and calm. Excitement might look really cute, but it is really unhealthy to their whole selves that it really shouldn't be encouraged - namely because it not only can cause a number of physical injuries, it is about as mentally healthy as a highly aggressive or highly fearful dog. You should ignore this behaviour or correct it before it gets worse.
Stiff, Rigid Tail In Any Position
-A stiff tail, whether it is in a submissive or dominant position, indicates a high level of tension, or anxiety. It can be moving in any speed, but if it is not loose, it is a warning sign. Whatever your dog is focused on should cease, or be properly removed and reintroduced when the dog is in a calmer state.
Fast-moving Tail
-While most people associate a fast-moving tail with happiness, it is actually a symptom of intensity. The faster a tail is moving, the more intense a dog is feeling whichever emotion is attached to it - excitement, aggression, and even fear. It should always be a goal of a trainer to make sure their dog's tail is slowly swaying, not moving like a room fan.
Behaviour Warnings In The Scheme Of Life
Behaviours Become Resisted
-If your dog used to perform various behaviours just fine, and has become resistant or feigns ignorance of them, you dog is losing respect for you, usually because of inconsistent treatment, or unintentional mistreatment. If this is the case, you will need to work on rebuilding the damaged relationship before issuing another command.
Unexpected Destruction
-If your usually well behaved dog has chewed up something, your dog is not trying to get back at you. They are not trying to make you mad. Your dog is bored. While walking does drain physical energy, that is about 20% of a dog's needs. Your dog, like your children, need to use their minds, too! You can't expect a dog to burn their own mental energy - when they do, things like this happen. They need you to directly burn their mental energy! Teach it something new, play tug, introduce a new toy with brand new rules, make them work hard before a walk - and never leave a dog in an excited or anxious state of mind. Almost any dog can be successfully left alone (Except for a few breeds) as long as you do it properly.
Possessiveness
-Before a dog becomes aggressive over toys, food, or other pack members, the warning signs appear. Sometimes they happen in a matter of hours or days before escalation, sometimes seconds. When low-level possessiveness appears, it needs to be corrected before it gets worse. If in any case your dog isn't allowing you to do something with their things, that is possessiveness.
Territoriality
-Being territorial is more than just barking at passersby. While this is common for most dogs with territorial issues, there are other, less obvious symptoms that would suggest to you that your dog is going too far in protecting his space. While some level of territorial behaviour is normal and healthy, it can quickly cross a line. For instance, a dog barking a couple times at a passerby is normal (inside the car, too!) However, if that one or two barks turns in to a fast, rapid multiple level bark, like a machine gun burst, that is a warning sign. If your dog is charging to the fence, door, or other threshold, that is a red light warning. However, while every dog pees, a normal pee takes a couple seconds, and is usually a larger amount. A dog that pees little spurts on every bush, pole, stick, or monument, that is a warning sign. If your dog scratches the ground after, that is a red light warning. If your dog barks a warning once at other dogs, this is normal. If your dog pulls on the leash, moves in front or behind you, and growls, this is a warning, and if your dog charges, pulls hard, machine-gun barks, or runs behind you quickly, this is a red light warning. If your dog has hit red light warnings, you need to contact a behaviourist.
Other Signs The Dog Behaviour Is Going Too Far:
-If your dog moves away from you with a toy or treat when you approach or give it to them, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog turns to watch you or something else as he eats his food, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog has his head mostly over the food or water bowl, consuming from the far side instead of the middle or back, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog won't get off his bed or out of her kennel when asked, or delays, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog won't allow you to be out of eye or earshot without protesting, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog walks in front of you and pushes through doors or gates first, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog incessantly barks at you for something of theirs, or something they want, that is a warning sign.
-If you cannot enter a room your dog is in without him swarming your feet or walking circles around you, that is a warning sign.
-If your dog is an adult and whines frequently, that is a warning sign.
There are so many more warning signs that we could mention, but then this blog would be way too long to ask people to read, so we've included the most common. Hopefully this information has answered a question or two of your own!
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