Dog Training/Kid Training

I'm beyond exhausted right now. I've stayed up too late two nights in a row and have woken up early both of the next mornings. I have a lot on my mind (I want to plan a tea the day before Mother's Day for ladies to do crafty things to give to their mom--that's one thing...And organizing projects, and the garden, and the puppy, and--lots of stuff).

Sometimes if I write what is on my mind it helps me--so after I write this, I'm going to take a nap! The puppy's in her crate, Ruby's in her crib, the boys are laying down with a book...NICE!

Here are my thoughts about Dog Training/Kid Training~~

We've been watching the Dog Whisperer episodes on dvd, and also we learned some things from Tyleen, who gave us the dog.  I keep thinking, "this isn't much different from kid training!"  Read the following tips & see what I mean:

~~Stay calm.

~~Be firm.

~~Keep the dog close to you when it is young so that it doesn't get into trouble.

~~Occasional treats can help with training.

~~Don't give treats every time your dog obeys, or they will learn to expect it.

~~Praise every little good thing she does.

~~Give words to the things she is doing so that you can say "no ___" or "good ___" the next time. (I taught her "drop it" today when she grabbed the kid's toys (or crayons!!)--and then "good drop!" when she did it right)

~~Do not let the dog lead when you are walking. If she starts to walk in front of you, turn around so that she is behind you. Teach her to walk next to you or beside you. (For little kids, this is great for *safety*, also. And I keep thinking, so much of this is like what we learned from Noah's counselor for RAD. Going into new places, he was supposed to hold my hand--he was never supposed to walk in front of me).

~~Do not give a treat unless the dog has made eye contact. (Same as what Noah's counselor told us--make him look me in the eye, and then he gets the treat--or then I listen to what he's saying--still, if he doesn't look in my eyes when he's talking, I say "oh, I can't hear you," and then he looks in my eyes :).

~~Don't look the dog in the eye if she's disobeying. Don't pet her then, either.

~~Give her clear boundaries, and be consistent *every time* she does great or poorly with those boundaries. The boundaries we're teaching: no getting in the garden beds (my veggies!), no jumping on the couch (our cheapo Ikea leather couches scratch soo easily!), no going upstairs unless we lead her there. She's learning well!

~~Don't pass the training off to other people. If there are 2 people telling her a command at the same time, it can get really confusing.  (we have taught the kids that when we say "training" that means they stay quiet while we work with Kizzie...they're learning!!)

~~If you've got a really hyper, crazy, naughty, biting dog, etc., stay calm and hold them down firmly. Do not look in their eyes until they are calm. Same with Reactive Attachment Disorder!!  This is "Holding Time"! With Noah this used to last an HOUR and he'd be kicking, screaming, etc., and I was taught to just say "good thing God gave you a strong Mommy," and then I'd hold him and not look him in the eye...Then when he calmed down it was bonding time. We haven't had to do this in quite a while.

~~Give her an at least semi-consistent schedule. When to eat, when to go potty, when to nap and sleep...she'll learn to go along with the routine, and will not fight it or whine about it (or at least that is the goal, when it comes to kids--but a routine *certainly does help*). 

~~Practice obedience!  We did the Obedience Game that I mentioned with the kids and they had fun with it! We said things like "Kaleb, go run around the dining room table and come back & give me a high-five!" We taught them to say "yes m'am, I'd be happy to," or "yes sir, I'd be happy to." They did that, and then got lots of clapping and a big "yay!!!" from us.  Today Kaleb has been using that line. Kizzie chewed up a napkin on the floor, so there was icky, wet napkin on the floor. Whenever I have told Kaleb to clean up stuff off the kitchen floor before, he has *freaked* out over the 1/2 a banana that Ruby dropped--or the cheese--or whatever there was that might be the slightest bit dirty or wet.  So I tested him today. I was getting Kizzie in her crate, and Ruby ready for nap, and I said "Kaleb, I'd like you to pick up the napkin that Kizzie chewed up," and he said, with a smile "yes m'am, I'd be happy to!"  Woo hooo!!!!! :) :)

I think that's all!  Time for my nap now!!