Problem Dog Training - Part 4
Author: M.O.N.S. 15. Resolve to stop yelling at your dog and instead speak in a low tone of voice. If you yell, the dog will learn to wait for you to yell. Change your tonality, not your volume. Most problem dogs are yelled and screamed at. Most have tuned their owners out and learn to wait for louder and louder yelling until they finally don't hear their owners at all. If you've been tuned out, don't yell, change your tonality. You'll probably find you have to couple a physical correction with your lowered tone of voice to get the dog to tune back to your station on the dial—radio station Alpha. So don't hesitate to use a shake, a swat under the chin or a leash correction if necessary. But stop yelling.
16. If your dog knows the down command—really knows it—pull a surprise down on this problem dog once a week. For instance, you're in the kitchen doing dishes and you hear Rover waltz in. Wheel on him, give both the hand and vocal signal and command for down! Recalcitrant Rover will probably look shocked, and then do it. If not, you'll have to enforce it. The surprise element is the key. Remember, just once a week. Each down is a notch on your Alpha belt, and combined with your daily long downs you'll look like Evita Peron—which is how your dog needs to see you right now.
17. If your dog is aggressive, immediately employ a private trainer to work with you in your home. Please don't wait. One session can work wonders. The situation could get out of control. It certainly won't get better without training. Your dog is just growling, you say? You're in trouble—big trouble. A growl is a bite that just hasn't connected yet. Don't delude yourself. Call a trainer—yesterday! In stitute RRRR immediately, even before the trainer gets there to tell you what to do specifically for the aggression. You'll make his or her task easier if the RRRR is on a roll. Read over my "open letter" later in this book in "Aggressive Advice."
18. If you have a shy or aggressive dog, neuter the dog right away. Male or female. Right away. Don't even think of breeding the dog. The problem could be partially genetic. The spay or neuter operation could help calm the dog and, in my experience, is a card you should play regardless of the age of the dog. The only exception is a very old dog who cannot risk the surgery. Otherwise, in my opinion, this step is merited and could be of great help.
19. Whatever the problem is, be sure you understand the specific correc tions for it outlined by your trainer or in this book. Apply these techniques as well as the RRRR. You'll find that instituting the RRRR rarely interferes with specific corrective techniques and al most always aids their effect. I've had many clients who did nothing about specific problems such as chewing or aggression (usually because they were too busy, too tired or too scared to act on the problem itself) but did begin the RRRR program, and the problem.
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