GM News - April 2024

Welcome to the April edition of GM-News!

Thanks for being a reader of GM-News. Give your pup a pat from us :-)

Amanda, David, & Ruth
Gentle Modern School of Dog Training

Body Language Greeting Rituals

Why Do Dogs Sniff Bums? Vet Products Direct Blog tackled this topic recently. As you know, dogs' sense of smell is a major and essential way they process the world and each other.

" Dogs allocate a whopping 30% of their brain power to sorting out smells, whereas we humans dedicate a mere 5% to olfactory processing."

The anal glands of a dog communicate mood, diet, health and social status, so the backside is the place for a dog to read the social profile of another dog.

For a deeper dive into canine greeting rituals, check out Like a Handshake, but with Noses and Butts by Sara Reusche.

Top Tip 1 Winter Grooming

Remember to brush AND comb! According to dog groomer Jackie Aarons in Australian Dog Lover article Winter Coat Care: Grooming Tips brushing often only tackles the top of the coat whereas combing gets right to the skin. Jackie suggests you brush, then comb and comb again. Quality medium coarse combs are the way to go. And what about dog-clothes?

"Coats can hide matting, rub against the fur, and contribute to further matting, irritation and skin rashes and inflammation.
If you choose to dress your dog in winter clothing, ensure the garments fit properly and do not restrict movement. Check your dog regularly for knots and tangles, and always comb and brush after removing coats to prevent matting."

Check out the article link for more tips.

Banyule City Council is reviewing its rules/policies regarding dogs (and cats) in public places. Many of you live within Banyule and/or you take advantage of fabulous parklands and dog parks in Banyule. You may wish to contribute your ideas via Banyule's online community consultation survey.

The final date for survey responses is 12 May.

Top Tip 2 What to do if your dog only does 'it' (sit, stay, etc.) when you have food

Consider what role your behaviour might have had in this situation of no food<->no work.

You tried getting rid of having food in your hand, but when your dog didn't do the behaviour without the lure, you put food back in your hand again.
Your dog hesitates after you give her a cue, and you touch your treat pouch, show her the food, or even give her some.
You 'do training' in training sessions after getting treats and putting them in your pocket or pouch. You rarely use food outside of training-time.

Eileen Anderson always has good advice, and her article What If My Dog Responds Only When I Have Treats? has a three-step process. Check out the article for more but here's the executive summary:

Consciously control/change the way you ask for behaviours. Don’t reach for the food until the dog has done the behaviour. Videoing your training will keep you honest!
Disconnect the food guarantee - the treat pouch, going to the treat cupboard, ziplock bag in your pocket - from training. Wear the pouch, go to the cupboard, carry the bag and don't do any training.
Next, ask for a behaviour (or just notice them doing a sit) and surprise them with a food reward from a high shelf, jar or drawer.

When you next teach a behaviour using a lure - get rid of the food in your hand the instant your dog has the idea of what the behaviour is. Consider whether you even need a lure at all. If, for example, your dog puts both paws up when you approach and you want to put "hi -10" on cue, simply name and reward the behaviour as she spontaneously puts both paws up.

Your reward for reading to the end . . .

Ravenn Bang is a great US dog trainer with free resources (no sign-up required) that we think you'll love:

Fun, puzzle/snuffle mat pattern and instructions
A Training Tracker template - keep your training on track by recording your goals, sessions and results
Enrichment Cards - pre-printed ideas for you to do for/with your dog and a blank sheet to make your own cards. Shuffle the deck and pick the day's fun!