Teaching Tips: Training your dog to come from distractions

People often tell me their dogs won't come when called or if they do, it is only when there are no great distractions. Living in the country we have lots of bunnies, deer, and other wildlife ever tempting our dog friends to chase and leading to potentially dangerous outcomes. Here is an excerpt of an email I sent to the adopter of one of my recent foster rescue dogs (his name is not really Spot):

A bunny or deer running is tough for any dog to resist. It takes lots of practice - practicing correctly - to train a reliable recall with the competing attraction of chasing prey. The best thing to do is to practice lots of happy recalls every day. When you are walking you can back up and call him - "Spot come" - in a pleasant voice. Make it sound inviting and fun and when he comes give him a treat and some affection and then go back to walking. Do that both during the structured training walk time and during the free walk time. Do it in the house any time. Go to a different room or just back up a few steps where you are. Always use the same cue "Spot come" and always make it a rewarding experience. As you practice increase your standards. Expect Spot to respond quicker and come faster. The finish should be that you put your hand on his collar as you praise, pet and give a treat. That teaches that he has to come all the way to you and be touched. As you increase your standards save the best treats for the best responses. For lesser responses still praise him, but make it clear to him that it is better when he responds quickly and/or moves faster to you. Dogs can only learn if the communication is clear. [This is a very important point for all training. It won't work to always say "good dog" for any feeble attempt and job well done. You must make it clear to your dog when one "answer" is better than another or he will never learn to do it better.] Never call Spot to punish him or he will learn that coming is bad. If he does not come when you call, go get him and make him come to you either by guiding by the collar or with the leash. Be nice, but make it happen. Try to have lots of repetitions of happy recalls that end with you touching his collar, then giving him a hug and/or treat, telling him he is wonderful and going on about having fun. Before you go for a walk call Spot to put on his leash. It's another chance for him to come, have his collar touched and then be rewarded with something he loves. Anytime you are going to do anything fun that you know Spot enjoys - sit on the couch, go to bed, eat a meal, go for a ride in the car - call him "Spot come", touch his collar, then invite him to the activity. All of these repetitions will teach him that coming when called is a fun and rewarding exercise and it will also create a habit. Habits help dogs respond automatically, without question - the brain doesn't think about it first. It takes lots of practice doing it right, lots of repetitions. That is how you get a dog that you can call off a deer.

Today's photo is of one of my old rescue dogs, Winston. He definitely needed LOTS of training when he came and seeing him come when called always brings me joy. He is living with good friends now and I'm sure they appreciate the training he received while he was here. Rescue dogs my need more time to "unlearn" past bad habits, but it is well worth the time to teach them!

Yellow Lab Dog Portrait Painting - "Mr. Big"

This is my latest Labrador Retriever portrait painting and it is one of my own much loved dogs. He was born in 1988 in my first litter, the biggest puppy of 8 and he would plow through the other puppies pushing them off Mom's nipples like a big brut, hence naming himself Brutus at a very young age. It did not take long for him to accumulate over 20 nicknames (yes, I counted them all once), including Mr. Big. Shortened to "Big" it fit his personality as well as his size. Big became The Big Ig, Ig, and Iggy, among others, he answered to all of them. Big Brutus had a big ego and a great sense of humor. He was definitely the comedian of the family and he had funny quirks that we still refer to today. He made a particular noise - which I have never figured out how to spell - and it had a particular meaning that my husband and I still imitate to convey that message to each other. The most unlikely of Brutus's nicknames was Muffy, but that fit him too. Under his tough-guy comedian facade he was a sweet softie and if he got upset about anything he turned into a big baby. He had an ear hemotoma at one point and a friend commented that it looked like he was wearing ear muffs. That lead to us calling him Muffy when he got round-headed and submissive - aka "all muffed out". His official name was OtterTail Beau Brutus, CD - son of OtterTail Leela the Hunter, CD and Am/Can Champion Davoeg Silky Beau. Brutus was a wonderful character who enriched our lives beyond measure. He left us at the age of 12, taken quickly by hemangiosarcoma cancer. I painted this portrait as a 60th birthday present for Jim. It will hang next to Dave's dog portrait - Mr. Big's "grasshopper". By the way, that line of hair that makes a ridge from eye to eye is called a cow lick. When it goes along the top of the muzzle (perpendicular to the cow lick) it is called a zipper.

Labrador Dog Show Trophy - Wood Peg Rack

We were honored to be chosen to create the trophies for the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac Bare Bones Specialty dog show again this year (LRCP). Here is an example of one of our wooden peg racks with dog designs cut through in silhouette. We call this pattern "Pheasant in the Corn" and it is one of six designs that we currently offer. We can also provide custom design services, in fact I have done this design with a German Shorthaired Pointer in the past. Our other wood items include picture frames, corkboards, and shelves. They all make great gifts for dog friends as well as treasured trophies and awards that contribute to a memorable doggie day. I also customize products that I sell in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop. Here is an example of another Lab show trophy created for LRCP. This is a lovely tile topped box. It is always a pleasure to work with the folks at LRCP (and to go to their shows!) and we wish them great weather and another wonderful event.

Chocolate Lab Wins Rally Classes at Wine Country

I am proud to say my young chocolate Lab, Nissa, won her first 2 Rally classes at the Wine Country circuit dog shows yesterday and today. Both classes had 21 dogs entered, but not the same dogs both days. While I could definitely see room for improvement on both exercises I was also happy that she won and did as well as she did (98 and 99 points out of 100). Nissa turned 19 months old a few days ago, and she still has some of that teenager attitude. I think she worked harder when she was 9 months old. But, I also expect her to grow back into that good work ethic as she matures - they usually do. The best part as far as Nissa was concerned (aside from spending a couple of days out with Mom and getting extra special attention), was that she won 3 bags of gourmet treats today and a cool football toy yesterday that makes a crazy noise. Come Sunday we will all be ready for some football!! Thanks for the nice prizes Onondaga and Kanadasaga Kennel clubs. And thanks for being my sweetie-pie and doing a good job my "Chocolate Muffin", Lobuff OtterTail Noble Nissa.

Black Lab Mix Foster Rescue Dog Gets Adopted

I didn't even get a chance to write about Rowdy and he is gone! Such a sweet soul - rescued from death-row at one kill-shelter in KY by another, but the 2nd could give him more time plus they (Bowling Green Humane Society) have a great arrangement with rescue groups around the east coast. Through that system Rowdy got to come to Rudy's Rescue for Labrador Retrievers in NY and to foster care with us. A sweet, gentle soul who had clearly been someone's dog before, who knows how he came to such misfortune as to be on death-row, but thank goodness he was given another chance.

Rowdy (or, "not the Rowdy" as he became known among friends) is probably 6-8 yrs old and loves affection with people more than anything. Well-behaved in the house except for a few minor marking incidents, he is probably the easiest foster dog I have ever had -- and the shortest! Why is it it works that way?? He is moving in with a gentle woman, a cat that adopted her, and her 95-yr-old father who has always loved dogs. Rowdy will get to keep him company when his new mom is away and he will get to cuddle on the couch with her and sleep in bed. For a dog who lives for affection I think this is a very good match.

Still, fostering is hard. You can't help but get attached and protective for the dogs who share your home and your life, if even for a short time. You want to find the best home for every one of them. And then when you do and they leave - well, even though you are happy for them it is almost like a death in the family. You feel the missing energy. There is a quietness. A loss. I love them all in one way or another and they all affect my life. I hope I affect their lives in a positive way. Good luck on your final voyage Rowdy, my friend. One more home - the last home - to live happily ever after.

Clicker Training Labradors - Fun free-shaping

I just had the most fun clicker training 4 of my dogs. Nissa, my youngest, has energy to burn so she came to me looking to play while the others were sleeping off our walk and the heat of the day. I was on my way out to the garden with my basket to collect vegetables, so I decided to train Nissa to pick up the basket. I had dropped my snips into it, but otherwise it was empty. Nissa looked at it, I clicked and treated (c/t). She touched the handle - c/t. She was progressing well. By the time she got about 5 c/t's the other 3 dogs were there wanting to get in on the action. Two of them are 12 yrs old and 95% deaf at this point, but they have been clicker trained since they were 3 or 4 weeks old. Both of them LOVE training and can still hear a click. As I suspected, after watching 2 c/t's old Eponine dove in and started manipulating the basket like mad. We very quickly progressed to c/t for touching only the handle, then putting mouth on it, then lifting it. All the while 3 other dogs were close to the action. Just as I was laughing at how clever and quick Eponine is still, her brother Marius pushed in and picked up the basket by the handle and handed it to me. LOL! This is not the first time that I have seen one dog learn by watching the others. In fact, the roles were reversed when Marius was clicker trained to bring me all of the dog bowls after meals (beginning when he was 4 weeks old and picked up his bowl). It didn't take long watching him get treats for Eponine and their 9 yr old grandmother, Tegan, to instantly begin picking up bowls and bringing them to me. Neither of them had any training by me at all for that task. Tegan did it daily the rest of her life and Eponine and Marius still bring me bowls everyday. Tallulah has started doing it too.

Back to our session: Eponine and Marius were both involved with the basket now with Nissa and Tallulah still within nose reach. Marius put it down to accept his jackpot reward and Eponine picked it up. So Marius reached in and delivered my clippers to me. That's not really new because sometimes he carries them for me when I'm working outside. Still, c/t for a good deed. Basket back on floor, Marius puts his head under the handle and takes hold of the opposite side so he's wearing it on his head. It looks so cute and funny I have to c/t - even though it's not what I was planning. This is a "trap" I often fall into when training - especially group training. It's so much fun I go with the flow and I love to see what they make up. I got the idea from Karen Pryor's story about teaching the dolphins to be creative when I read "Lads Before the Wind" in 1996 and I have played this with my dogs ever since. Please do not do this if you are looking for efficient, tidy training sessions. But if you don't mind going off track and enjoy creativity it IS lots of fun! I don't want them to destroy my nice basket with their enthusiasm, so I get Marius back on only taking the handle and sure enough, Eponine now puts her head through and picks it up by the other side - just as she had seen him do and earn rewards. Eponine and Marius are now stealing the show and being very silly. I love to see them get so animated at this age, so it's hard to discourage them, but time to let someone else try again. Meanwhile, rescue dog Butch has heard the clicks and joined the pack (all 5 dogs now). He doesn't have a clue, but he does know click means treat and I actually taught him to put his paw in my hand with very casual training over our post-dinner carrots this week. I am impressed with how far he has come and I think he is primed for more but not ready for the group circus yet. I take the basket from my old sillies and put it by Nissa and Tallulah. Tallulah is clever and takes her first chance by touching the handle - c/t. She was paying attention. She looks at me out of the corner of her eye clearly asking "Is this right?" Within 5 c/t's she has picked up the basket by the handle and brought it to me across the kitchen. Good Dog! Nissa - well, I will have to give her a chance by herself again. She has not had as much free-shaping as the others. In fact, Eponine and Marius had the most free-shaping when they were kids. Tallulah is 3 yrs old and has had some, but not as much as they had and Nissa is 17 months and has had less. I know better - free-shaping any behaviors, no matter how silly, makes for a clever willing worker. I have done enough with my younger dogs to make them anxious to participate whenever I offer the opportunity, but more is better!

I did free-shape Nissa to shake her head "no" on cue. Since Nissa has not had a lot of free-shaping she tends to offer that when in doubt. I don't worry about it - if I don't give the cue she doesn't get the c/t and if she is doing it really well I go ahead and give the cue with c/t to reinforce the quality. I am a very casual trainer. I love teaching this way and keeping it fun. I teach all of my dogs to heel by free-shaping and other obedience exercises as well. They are great heelers. Free-shaping and clicker training is not just for tricks. For me and my dogs I treat all exercises the same whether it's precision heeling or carrying my veggie basket. If you make it fun, they do it willingly, with enthusiasm, and they don't forget!

Now the kids are sleeping - having some latent learning - and I will finally go out to collect my veggies from the garden. I used to do group free-shaping clicker session with up to 10 dogs years ago. It was always tons of fun. Think it's time I got back into it. Try it. It's wonderful!

I didn't get a photo of our game today, so the photo I chose is of Tallulah as a 5-month old pup when I quickly taught her to hold the wooden spoon for a book cover commission. The hat and scarf are added digitally. You can buy this cute black Labrador Kiss the Chef photo on apparel, aprons, magnets, posters and other products in my OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop.

Labs Love to Relax on Porch Deck

My Labrador Retrievers love to relax on the porch deck when we sit outside at lunch or in the evening. Here is a pretty photograph of a black Lab and a chocolate Lab enjoying the view on a summer night. The sun was low making the colors vivid and the lighting sharp. My two youngest Labs are Tallulah and Nissa, shown here keeping watch over their territory (as old Lab Eponine sleeps nearby). They are best buddies and almost always do everything together -- sometimes being called "Ike and Mike".

We just spent the weekend doing lots of earth work and had the top edge of our pond reshaped. It is so much nicer now and the tall weeds are gone, so the view is even prettier. We are overlooking Seneca Lake and OtterTail Pond where the Labradors play everyday. This is the heart of the NY Finger Lakes region and is popular wine country. You can shop for t-shirts, greeting cards, posters, mugs and other products with beautiful scenic wine country lake views at my Natural Views Shop. To buy fine art giclee prints of scenic view photography visit my Nature Gallery at Imagekind.com.

Enjoy your summer evenings with a nice glass of wine and thanks for stopping by to porch-sit with us!

Popular Labrador Dog T Shrits for Summer

Here are 3 more of my popular and fun Labrador Retriever T shirts to get you ready for hot summer dog days. These Lab T shirt designs are Cave Dog, Black Labrador Chef and Dog Eyes. As is true of my other Labrador art paintings and pictures, these designs are available on many more products as well, such as sweatshirts, aprons, mugs, magnets, tile boxes and Lab greeting cards. The black Labrador cooking in the kitchen wears a bandana that says "Kiss the Chef" and is a digital manipulation of a photograph of my own black Labrador, Tallulah. The cave dog design is from an original Lab painting depicting ancient Lab drawings on cave walls. The original is available for sale. It is textured acrylic on panel mounted in a rough, natural wood slab frame - very unique! Dog Eyes is an abstract painting based on a photo of my yellow Lab, Buckaroo. The 3 shirts represent a tiny sample of the styles and colors of apparel available for men, woman and children. There are plus sizes and infant and toddler clothes too. Be ready for every summer event with a colorful Labrador Tee from the OtterTail Art for Dog Lovers Shop!

Black Labrador Tallulah Earns a Rally Title

I am pleased to announce that my "Bearcat Woman" has earned her second title and my first ever Rally title. She is now officially Whitsprgs OtterTail Tallulah, CD, RN. Tallulah earned her first AKC rally obedience leg back in March with a perfect 100 point score and first place in her class. She finished this week with two 99 point scores - one for first place and one for second place. All in all I was very proud of her. Since we have done almost all of our training at home by ourselves, I am proud of myself too. The rally signs do make me nervous! There is lots of information online about Rally (or Rally-O, as it is often called) to help you get started and a nice Rally Group on Yahoo if you would like to discuss questions. You can download the official AKC regulations too. There are other clubs that offer competitions for mixed breed dogs, so everyone can play. Mostly it is another fun thing to do with your dog and leads to nice days out together when you are ready to compete. The more you teach your dogs, the smarter they become! So, happy training everyone - keep it fun and your dogs will work hard for you.

Happy Birthday Yellow & Black Labs

Happy Birthday Marius and Eponine!! They are 12 yrs old today. Named for favorite singer/characters in the celebration concert of Les Miserables, my Marius and Eponine are the last babies from my last litter. They are beautiful with soft temperaments, bidable, smart, loving and the sweetest Labs you might ever hope to meet. It has been my joy to spend the past 12 years with them and I hope for many more. Big Marius was squishing sister Eponine in the womb and he still squishes her now -- but she seems to like it and be comfortable with his big yellow body draped over hers. They have always been good friends. For a time Marius became best buddies with Obi and Eponine was very close with their mom, Gwendolyn. But with Obi and Gwen both across Rainbow Bridge, Marius and Eponine still have each other and still enjoy each other's company. Marius is a mild mannered gentleman who follows my every move. His silliest trick is one he invented - a Stevie Wonder immitation (clicker trained with the cue "Stevie"). Eponine was my first to learn to shake her head "no" on the cue "You wouldn't do that, would you?". She announces every important turn of events with a "roo roo" and has long been the head of fashion police. Every morning she comes to inspect the clothes I am putting on to see it they are "play clothes" or meant for going out and she reports to the rest of the pack. There is no fooling her with my plans for the day! Both are excellent at keeping everything off the floor that does not belong there by retrieving it to me - no matter what the humans may have intended. They have accepted many foster dogs, a few long term adoptees, a stray cat, and a couple of new puppies. They welcome everyone with their gentle spirits and help me teach the new dogs the ways of the pack. I have been blessed to know and share my life with these 2 wonderful souls - descendants of the beauties that came before them.

Now it's time for the party. We had a good dog walk and play at the pond despite the rainy, cool day. A carrot treat and a nap -- now it's time for riping open new nylabones (unpackaging can be more fun than the bone itself!), rawhides, liver with dinner and whatever else makes them happy on their special day. Happy Birthday my dears - I love you!!! XOXOX

Marius and Eponine are my Lab puppies from Gwendolyn, daughter of Birdie, daughter of Tegan, daughter of Leela - who started the love with her perfect Lab soul. Thanks again for everything "Mud".