Training Dogs and Their Humans

Every dog could benefit from some basic training. And every dog owner could benefit from some basic training. The Behavior Team at Yavapai Humane Society not only works with our dogs helping them with any behavior issues they may be having but, they also provide Behavior Training Classes to YHS (Yavapai Humane Society) Alumni dogs and the public (even if you did not adopt from us). This six-week course is an important tool for all dog owners as it teaches the owner how to train their dogs.  Our Behavior Team is actually training you, so you have the techniques to better the situation at home and for the whole life of your dog by continuing what you’ve learned while working with your dog on a daily basis.

Carly Carothers, Behavior Supervisor, explains “We use the dog’s meals as rewards during training which trains the dog to value the owner as a resource. We focus on valuable lessons in basic obedience that will help dogs with impulse control, walking on a loose leash, and building a stronger bond between owner and dog.”

Week one starts off with clicker training, loose leash walking, focus, and recall. By using a clicker, it’s training the dog to know when they hear the click a treat will be involved which then makes it easier to train them in the behaviors/actions you want them to learn. You’ll also learn how to correctly communicate with your dog utilizing the transitional leash which is a K9 Lifeline product (a.k.a The Sidekick) offered through YHS. (And will be supplied to you through the training course). Another remarkable thing they do is training your dog to focus on you. This is done by having your dog sit in front of you while you put treats in both hands and hold your arms slightly out to the side and wait for your dog to give you direct eye contact. Clicker training is particularly important in this process and by following through with what the team shows you, you will have a very attentive dog. The other thing you will learn in week one is a come command, focusing on a structured recall.

Week two will have you learning sit, down, and place. Using the clicker, leash pressure and food you will learn how to teach these important commands. You will also learn how to be consistent in the process so your dog will retain what they learn. These commands can also help with behaviors like high anxiety and low impulse control dogs when practiced regularly.

Week three revisits your first 2 weeks and goes over what you have learned so far by having you demonstrate how you work with your dog in the home. The behavior team can offer insight on how to maximize your efforts through proper strategy and structure with your physical and vocal cues. Then you will start working on distance and duration for place commands and sit/down/stay. Also adding a release command to help with these topics and let your dog understand when the given command is through.

Week four you will learn things like leave it/drop it to help with playing games like tug and fetch with your dog and to stop many unwanted behaviors in your home. These lessons help with training your dog not to go after things on walks as well as further your ability to communicate with your dog.

Week five is also a review week to have you demonstrate your communication effectiveness. The behavior team will watch how your dog responds and how you respond with your dog, offering up any tips to help with advancing any communication barriers

Week six is a final test of simply going for a walk. You will take everything you have learned and apply these techniques in a real-world setting. A full understanding of how to apply these commands will give you better control in more public places and on walks with your dog as well as situations in the home.

Life for a shelter dog is stressful and taking home a dog that has been with us for an extended period of time can be a challenge. YHS is now offering this six-week training course to adopters of our long-term dogs (over 90 days in the shelter) at no cost. This allows you to learn all of the things it will take to make your dogs transition back into a home, a successful one.

This 6-week course will help all dog owners with some of the frustrations that come with the basic training of your dog. If you are interested in learning more about the training program, please contact us at 928-445-2666 and ask for the Behavior Department. QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.