How Much Training Do Dogs Need?

Dear Jubilee:
My dog had basic training but I cannot trust her with the children, especially the toddler. What can I do?

How Much Training


Dear How Much,

Dogs, in my opinion, need continual training. It is not enough to take them to a basic class and consider them trained. Our Neisha, who works as an AKC Canine Ambassador teaching children how to be safe around dogs, has had three years of regular obedience training. We went every week to a novice class that had no beginning and no end: it was meant to refine the novice obedience requirements for competition, and it always had between 25 and 40 people. The neat thing about this class was that most of the students were experienced competitors, and it was like having many teachers. If someone saw someone else having a problem, they would stop and help you figure out the best way to remedy the problem. Most obedience trainers have what they call a novice class that you can go into after doing the basic class. It is well worth doing the novice class over and over and over.

Training has to be continually reinforced: we train in the kitchen, in the yard, on walks, etc. And we go to classes throughout the dog’s life. Whatever you do, the dog needs to know that obedience is always expected.

We have 11 grandchildren, but we never let a dog be loose with a toddler learning to walk unless the dog was totally dependable. Even then, it is iffy because a dog can get excited and accidentally knock the toddler down.

The best thing I learned to do to ensure dependability was to train: "Leave it!" I used paper plates with treats on them to start the training with the dog on a leash. The dog and I walked by all the plates, first at a significant distance, then closer and closer until just about on top of them. Every time the dog started to go for a plate, I said "Leave it" and kept walking. I did not move closer in until the dog could walk quietly by all the plates at a distance. Then I moved in a bit, and when the dog did it at that distance, closer still. Leave it is a wonderful command: there are so many times, including when small children are around, that you see your dog get interested, say Leave it! and the dog walks on by. It works with small children in your home because as the dog starts toward the child, all you need to do is say Leave it! and the dog will stop.

The second best thing is a reliable down/stay and sit/stay. No matter what the distraction, the dog trained to a reliable stay will not budge. Likewise, a reliable come: so that when you say Fido, come! the dog can think of nothing more exciting that s/he would want to do than to come and sit in front of you. And once this is trained, be sure to reinforce it with regular training at home and about.

I think you will find that a conscious focus on all the things she learned in obedience can be easily reinforced and used when your grandchild is in your home.

Then there's "eh-eh" which should mean stop what you are doing immediately. I think it works because the noise gets their attention, and once you have their attention, you can praise the attention on you.

Jubilee