Training Verses Conditioning

Out with old ways bring in the new way of doing things.

Devices such as the Choke collars to Gentle Leaders, “Humph”,

What is right what is wrong? 

But you ask what is conditioning if not training. It is the same but not the same. It is the frame of mind along with action between human handler and animal learning to communicate.

I am a Canine Stylist, This is the new term for my trade to date, however I have been a Dog Groomer for 28 years and I see a great cross section of pure breeds and crossbreeds. I am a second generation breeder of dogs, an exhibitor and have much experience in conditioning dogs over the years

I recognize well balanced pets to the pet that displays anxieties do to poor handling from owners, lack of socialization and poor breeding. These are all factors that play apart of a mannerly to unmannerly pet.

I will refer to Training as Conditioning from this point on.

Conditioning starts day one once that puppy is picked up and held in your arms to take home and become a member of the household.

Did you plan and envision rules and expectations of this pet regarding it daily care and household rules such as to mention a few:

·                   The puppies crate will be placed here, 

·                   Out door potty regiment strategies, 

·                   Exercise and feeding and potty schedule?

·                   When does Conditioning start but how…?

Cogitate these simply considerations. They are extremely important.

In my next posting I will expand on each.

Don't let planning slip to the wayside. Planning and carrying out the above does not need to be overwhelming.

Owner/handler must be steadfast, persistent with a dash of creativity in plans and rules. Consistency will prevail and if not you have to ask yourself why is it not working? What am I not doing right? Statistically 9 times out of 10 it is human error.

A small percentage of pets are unable to learn which is due to unknown issues in the make up of that specific pet.

You the pet owner can mold your pet into a well balanced happy fun puppy still expressing individual personality antics.

The following books I recommend are:

Cesar’s Way authored by Cesar Millan

Good Owners Great Dogs authored by Brian Kilcommons and Sarah Wilson

Stay tuned.

Cheers

Ficionado

Training Verses Conditioning Continued

You may ask what is conditioning if not training. Conditioning is a consistent action or sound such as: a sound, hand signal or a voice command or habit followed by an action resulting to the same outcome.   A repeated car ride to Tim Hortons and Fido receives a Tim Bit soon Fido love car rides.

Think of conditioning for an example using normal tone of voice for verbal command making noise from a clicker to hold Fido’s attention split second extra toward the action. Meanwhile Fido wearing a flat collar, you have a leash in one hand and a clicker in the other ready to click at the perfect split second. Fido eventually responds by performing a desired action. Praise by happy voice or treat. Repeat. Repeat until Fido responds to command instantly.

The similar outcome of conditioning is obtained by giving a command, quick tug (pop) and instant release of slip collar attached to a leash. You help show Fido by leading him thru the desired action. Praise. Repeat. Fido performs desired action then independently. Praise. Repeat until Fido responds to command instantly.

Always Praise when there has been a successful outcome and use food treat intermittently to ensure Fido conditioned response is on you. You do not want to condition Fido to be totally food oriented then zero focus on you as the handler/human companion.  

Conditioning starts day one once that puppy is picked up and held in your arms to take home and become a member of the household.

Housing your pet in crate help prevent behavior issues later on and offers a safe place for puppy to adult Fido. Crate conditioning starts day one to either transport him to his new home or where puppy is to be placed in the home to rest or when puppy can’t be supervised. Puppies are canines and they are den animals. However a new puppy kept in crate in a new environment will squeal and whimper when separated from its companion puppies or you. To condition the puppy place him where he can see you during the day and put him in his crate after play, feeding and potty. Ignore squealing and whisperings. Go about your business. Vacuuming is a great way of drown out puppy cries and often puts them to sleep. Eventually he gives up. After he has been quiet for a period of time calmly and quietly let him out of crate. Comment quietly, “Good puppy”. Instantly your next step with new puppy is for you to say, “Potty time”. Take puppy out to your yard. Place puppy on the ground. Repeat the word “Potty”. Puppy will make potty business. Praise in happy voice using a slightly higher pitch voice, “Good puppy”. This action needs to become a ritual.  For night time crating put a toy in with puppy and have radio on. Do not return to his pleas. You then would show puppy his squawking is effective. Persistence is the key.