Bob Gutierrez: A Better Way Dog Training, Training Tips

A Better Way Dog Training

Better Dogs Through Better Training

Tips, Quotes and Articles
by Bob Gutierrez

Quick Quotes:
Adopting a Second Pet
Chewing
Begging
Importance of Training
Barking

Discussions & Articles:
More on Chewing
More on Barking

Adopting A Second Pet

If you are thinking of buying or adopting a second dog to keep the first one company, be aware that it will not solve such problems as barking or digging. According to an article by dog trainer Bob Gutierrez in "Dog Fancy," the first dog will just teach the second one its bad habits. You should get a second dog only if you want it as much as the first one and will enjoy watching them play together. Correct the first dog's behavior before getting the second! Quoted on the Roswell Public Library Site, August 10, 1999

Chewing
"Chewing knows few bounds. It's a popular pastime among all kinds of animals," says Bob Gutierrez. Here are some tips.
Make the good better. Particularly when they're young, pets can't always figure out why it's okay to chew rawhide but wrong to feast on the Corinthian leather couch. To help him figure it out, it helps to make his toys really appealing.
Bob recommends dragging a chew toy on a string until your pet gets interested. Or try coating the toy with peanut butter, soaking it in chicken or beef broth or even rubbing it between your hands to get your scent all over it. "When he starts chewing, get all excited and tell him ' Good, chew! Chew, chew, chew!' After a while, you'll just have to say ' Chew!' and your pet will know what to do," says Gutierrez.
Spice up his life. Putting a dash of hot pepper sauce on whatever your pet is chewing will quickly quell his desire to come back for more, says Gutierrez, who sometimes uses Tabasco sauce. "It wipes off furniture, walls and lots of other chewables almost as easily as it wipes on -- and it works," he says. But he adds a caution: Try a test spot first to make sure it won't permanently stain your belongings orange.
Have bad scents. Most pets dislike the smell of perfumes and colognes, so Gutierrez recommends mixing one part perfume with ten parts water and spraying the solution on whatever your pet shouldn't be chewing. "The cheaper the perfume, the better -- they won't even come near it," he says. "Then again, it may not exactly be a sensory joyride for you, either," he adds.
Quoted in a Rodale Press article on the web. Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.

Begging
Cats can be incorrigible beggars, even jumping on tables and stealing food when you don't hand over a handout. And dogs aren't above trying some pretty pushy maneuvers themselves.
To discourage such brazen behavior, surprise your pet with a spray from a spray bottle. The plastic bottle you use to spray plants will do nicely. Just aim for whatever part of your pet is handy, says Gutierrez.
Another tip: Try a sticky solution. If your pet's begging repertoire includes jumping up on kitchen counters, try putting strips of double-sided tape in strategic spots. Then stand back and watch, says Gutierrez. "They hate the sensation of their paws getting a little stuck," he says. "They're unlikely to return, but just in case, buy an extra-big roll." Quoted in a Rodale Press article on the web. Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.

Importance of Training
While some people successfully train their pets at home, a formal obedience class can be very helpful, says Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Not only will your pet learn his ABCs, but you'll get some training, too. Plus you'll both get practice in meeting unfamiliar people and pets in a friendly setting. Quoted in the Rodale Press Article on Home Remedies and Basic Training for Dogs and Cats Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.

Barking
A shake can has an effect on dogs that is the canine equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Put some coins in an empty soda can and tape the opening shut. When your barking pooch doesn't respond to your command to be quiet, shake the can a few times, suggest Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) They don't like the sound, so they often stop what they're doing when they hear it, he says. Quoted in the web article on Home Remedies for Pets

Article: More on Chewing
Chewing is a very normal and necessary part of every dog's life. Puppies between the ages of two and six months chew to relieve the pain of teething. Dogs, in particular young dogs, are very oral when investigating new items. Some will start chewing all of a sudden because of dental problems. A trip to the veterinarian will take care of dental chewing. What starts out as a dental problem or investigatory chewing can soon become a habit.

There are a variety of other reasons why dogs chew, from the dog being bored to having fun to relieving stress. The problem is not a dog that chews but what a dog chews. The problem occurs when the dog chooses to chew our couch instead of his rawhide.

Until the dog proves he will chew only acceptable items, he should not be given the free run of the house. The dog should be confined to limit the damage to your items. Confinement is not the cure to inappropriate chewing, but breaking the habit is essential. Confinement is also not forever, it should only be used until the dog is trained to chew acceptable items only. To help speed up the process, a healthy supply of chew toys should be left in the confinement area. Rotate his toys weekly so he does not get bored ftom the same toys week after week.

Some dogs are very particular about the items they chew on. Instead of buying tons of rawhides only to discover your dog prefers nylabones or hooves, buy one of each different type of chew toy. Offer each type to your dog and see which type he prefers. Once you see what your dog prefers, go buy lots of that type. Put chew toys in every room of the house, especially the room in which your dog has chewed on inappropriate items.

REWARDING GOOD HABITS

The single most important thing you can do to teach a dog to chew appropriate items is to reward the dog when he chews acceptable items. A lot of people believe their dog doesn't like chew toys because the dog doesn't pay much attention to them. Just buying a lot of chew toys and presenting them to your pooch is not enough. Teach the dog that playing with chew toys is fun and makes you very happy. Praise should be lavished on the dog every time he approaches and picks up the chew toy. Make the chew toy part of your play sessions - get inventive - tie a string to the chew toy and induce your dog to chase it and pick it up. To make the chew toy more appealing, you might try soaking it in chicken broth or putting a light coat of gravy on it. You may now want to teach your dog to look for chew toys. While playing with your dog, put the chew toy behind the couch or under a chair and instruct your dog to find it. When your dog retrieves the toy lavish praise and attention on him. The purpose of this exercise is to teach the dog to look for his chew toy even though one is not in immediate sight.

WHEN HE DOES WRONG

The first thing to say about a reprimand is when not to do it. Many owners come home to find that Fido has chewed something inappropriate. They angrily call the dog over to show him what he did wrong. Many times the dog will approach us head down, tail down, body close to the ground, showing all the classic signs of being guilty. We then reprimand him because he "knows" he did wrong. Dogs don't understand the concept of being guilty or doing things out of spite.

Guilt and spite are human concepts, not a dog's. So the bottom line is that if the dog is not reliable being left alone with free run of the house, he shouldn't have free run of the house.

If you catch your dog in the act of chewing an unacceptable item, then this is an excellent opportunity to correct and redirect. Your voice reprimand should be short, sharp, and immediate. "Off, find your chew toy" is enough of a reprimand. Through your tone of voice your dog knows you're upset, but also will learn how to get out of trouble. Continue to direct your dog to his chew toy. Once he picks it up, immediately lavish praise on him. Within a couple of repetitions of this exercise, the dog will start seeking out acceptable items to chew on.

If your dog has chosen a particular item to chew on that's not acceptable to you, try booby trapping that particular item with something that the dog finds distasteful. Hot sauce or a commercial product like Bitter Apple might turn the trick. But the solution still lies in teaching the dog to choose acceptable items to chew on.
Quoted from the article Adopting An Adult Dog on the Paws & Play website.
Copyright 1991 SF/SPCA; information provided by Bob Gutierrez

Article: More on Barking
Bob has been widely quoted on dog behavior. Here are some more tips excerpted from an article in the June 1996 issue of Dog Fancy Magazine.

Exercise him often. "A couple of good walks or play sessions a day can help your dog be calm," says Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Instead of barking all day, he may sleep all day."

Let him chew it over. Your dog will have a hard time barking if he's busy chewing on bones or doggie toys. "Chewing is a real stress-reducer and occupier of time," says Gutierrez. "If you're going to be gone, give your dog his very favorite chew treat just before you leave."

Give him something to think about. If your dog often get lonely--and vocal--when you're away, try rubbing your hands all over his chew treat before leaving. "The scent will remind him of your, and he may not miss you as much," Gutierrez says.

Mask outside noises. "If your dog is supersensitive to noises in the environment, try blocking some of that noise so he's not as inspired to bark," says Gutierrez. White noise machines can do the trick. So can playing your stereo at a normal level.

Catch up on your cleaning. Turning on the vacuum cleaner can also block unwanted noises--the approaching steps of the mail carrier, for example--and prevent your pet from going into a barking frenzy, says Gutierrez.

Try a homemade shake. A shake can has an effect on dogs that is the canine equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Put some coins in an empty soda can and tape the opening shut. When your barking pooch doesn't respond to your command to be quiet, shake the can a couple of times, Gutierrez says. "They don't like the sound, so they often stop what they are doing when they hear it," he says.

Dampen his enthusiasm. To remind your dog that you would appreciate some quiet time, give him a firm "No!" followed by a short blast with a squirt bottle, "If they don't like water, they will tend to stop," says Gutierrez. It's best to aim for the body and not the face, he says.

Quoted from the article Stop That Barking! published in Dog Fancy Magazine, June 1996, edited By Audrey Pavia, reprinted on on the Timpanogos Animal Hospital website.

Other Credits
Bob's Radio Interviews include: KQED Forum, Friday, February 16, 2001, 10:00 a.m.: KQED host Angie Coiro talks about the bonds people have with animals. Guests are Dr. Allen Schoen, veterinarian and author of "Kindred Spirits;" and Bob Gutierrez, professional dog trainer.

Bob Gutierrez
A Better Way Dog Training
San Francisco, CA 94112
Telephone: 415-648-3647
eMail: sfdogboy@earthlink.net

Images and text © 2003, Robert Gutierrez, San Francisco, CA.
All rights reserved.
Reproduction, further publication, and all commercial uses strictly prohibited without prior written consent of the copyright owner.
UNDER DEVELOPMENT AUGUST 2003

*Adopting A Second Pet*
	If you are thinking of buying or adopting a second dog to keep the first one company, be aware that it will not solve such problems as barking or digging. According to an article by dog trainer Bob Gutierrez in "Dog Fancy," the first dog will just teach the second one its bad habits. You should get a second dog only if you want it as much as the first one and will enjoy watching them play together. Correct the first dog's behavior before getting the second! Quoted on the Roswell Public Library Site, August 10, 1999
*Chewing*
	"Chewing knows few bounds. It's a popular pastime among all kinds of animals," says Bob Gutierrez. Here are some tips. Make the good better. Particularly when they're young, pets can't always figure out why it's okay to chew rawhide but wrong to feast on the Corinthian leather couch. To help him figure it out, it helps to make his toys really appealing. Bob recommends dragging a chew toy on a string until your pet gets interested. Or try coating the toy with peanut butter, soaking it in chicken or beef broth or even rubbing it between your hands to get your scent all over it. "When he starts chewing, get all excited and tell him ' Good, chew! Chew, chew, chew!' After a while, you'll just have to say ' Chew!' and your pet will know what to do," says Gutierrez. Spice up his life. Putting a dash of hot pepper sauce on whatever your pet is chewing will quickly quell his desire to come back for more, says Gutierrez, who sometimes uses Tabasco sauce. "It wipes off furniture, walls and lots of other chewables almost as easily as it wipes on -- and it works," he says. But he adds a caution: Try a test spot first to make sure it won't permanently stain your belongings orange. Have bad scents. Most pets dislike the smell of perfumes and colognes, so Gutierrez recommends mixing one part perfume with ten parts water and spraying the solution on whatever your pet shouldn't be chewing. "The cheaper the perfume, the better -- they won't even come near it," he says. "Then again, it may not exactly be a sensory joyride for you, either," he adds. Quoted in a Rodale Press article on the web. Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.
*Begging*
	Cats can be incorrigible beggars, even jumping on tables and stealing food when you don't hand over a handout. And dogs aren't above trying some pretty pushy maneuvers themselves. To discourage such brazen behavior, surprise your pet with a spray from a spray bottle. The plastic bottle you use to spray plants will do nicely. Just aim for whatever part of your pet is handy, says Gutierrez. Another tip: Try a sticky solution. If your pet's begging repertoire includes jumping up on kitchen counters, try putting strips of double-sided tape in strategic spots. Then stand back and watch, says Gutierrez. "They hate the sensation of their paws getting a little stuck," he says. "They're unlikely to return, but just in case, buy an extra-big roll." Quoted in a Rodale Press article on the web. Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.
*Importance of Training*
	While some people successfully train their pets at home, a formal obedience class can be very helpful, says Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Not only will your pet learn his ABCs, but you'll get some training, too. Plus you'll both get practice in meeting unfamiliar people and pets in a friendly setting. Quoted in the Rodale Press Article on Home Remedies and Basic Training for Dogs and Cats Copyright © 1996 by Rodale Press, Inc.
*Barking*
	A shake can has an effect on dogs that is the canine equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Put some coins in an empty soda can and tape the opening shut. When your barking pooch doesn't respond to your command to be quiet, shake the can a few times, suggest Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals (S.P.C.A.) They don't like the sound, so they often stop what they're doing when they hear it, he says. Quoted in the web article on Home Remedies for Pets
*Article: More on Chewing*
	Chewing is a very normal and necessary part of every dog's life. Puppies between the ages of two and six months chew to relieve the pain of teething. Dogs, in particular young dogs, are very oral when investigating new items. Some will start chewing all of a sudden because of dental problems. A trip to the veterinarian will take care of dental chewing. What starts out as a dental problem or investigatory chewing can soon become a habit. There are a variety of other reasons why dogs chew, from the dog being bored to having fun to relieving stress. The problem is not a dog that chews but what a dog chews. The problem occurs when the dog chooses to chew our couch instead of his rawhide. Until the dog proves he will chew only acceptable items, he should not be given the free run of the house. The dog should be confined to limit the damage to your items. Confinement is not the cure to inappropriate chewing, but breaking the habit is essential. Confinement is also not forever, it should only be used until the dog is trained to chew acceptable items only. To help speed up the process, a healthy supply of chew toys should be left in the confinement area. Rotate his toys weekly so he does not get bored ftom the same toys week after week. Some dogs are very particular about the items they chew on. Instead of buying tons of rawhides only to discover your dog prefers nylabones or hooves, buy one of each different type of chew toy. Offer each type to your dog and see which type he prefers. Once you see what your dog prefers, go buy lots of that type. Put chew toys in every room of the house, especially the room in which your dog has chewed on inappropriate items. REWARDING GOOD HABITS The single most important thing you can do to teach a dog to chew appropriate items is to reward the dog when he chews acceptable items. A lot of people believe their dog doesn't like chew toys because the dog doesn't pay much attention to them. Just buying a lot of chew toys and presenting them to your pooch is not enough. Teach the dog that playing with chew toys is fun and makes you very happy. Praise should be lavished on the dog every time he approaches and picks up the chew toy. Make the chew toy part of your play sessions - get inventive - tie a string to the chew toy and induce your dog to chase it and pick it up. To make the chew toy more appealing, you might try soaking it in chicken broth or putting a light coat of gravy on it. You may now want to teach your dog to look for chew toys. While playing with your dog, put the chew toy behind the couch or under a chair and instruct your dog to find it. When your dog retrieves the toy lavish praise and attention on him. The purpose of this exercise is to teach the dog to look for his chew toy even though one is not in immediate sight. WHEN HE DOES WRONG The first thing to say about a reprimand is when not to do it. Many owners come home to find that Fido has chewed something inappropriate. They angrily call the dog over to show him what he did wrong. Many times the dog will approach us head down, tail down, body close to the ground, showing all the classic signs of being guilty. We then reprimand him because he "knows" he did wrong. Dogs don't understand the concept of being guilty or doing things out of spite. Guilt and spite are human concepts, not a dog's. So the bottom line is that if the dog is not reliable being left alone with free run of the house, he shouldn't have free run of the house. If you catch your dog in the act of chewing an unacceptable item, then this is an excellent opportunity to correct and redirect. Your voice reprimand should be short, sharp, and immediate. "Off, find your chew toy" is enough of a reprimand. Through your tone of voice your dog knows you're upset, but also will learn how to get out of trouble. Continue to direct your dog to his chew toy. Once he picks it up, immediately lavish praise on him. Within a couple of repetitions of this exercise, the dog will start seeking out acceptable items to chew on. If your dog has chosen a particular item to chew on that's not acceptable to you, try booby trapping that particular item with something that the dog finds distasteful. Hot sauce or a commercial product like Bitter Apple might turn the trick. But the solution still lies in teaching the dog to choose acceptable items to chew on. Quoted from the article Adopting An Adult Dog on the Paws & Play website. Copyright 1991 SF/SPCA; information provided by Bob Gutierrez
*Article: More on Barking*
	Bob has been widely quoted on dog behavior. Here are some more tips excerpted from an article in the June 1996 issue of Dog Fancy Magazine. Exercise him often. "A couple of good walks or play sessions a day can help your dog be calm," says Bob Gutierrez, animal behavior coordinator at the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "Instead of barking all day, he may sleep all day." Let him chew it over. Your dog will have a hard time barking if he's busy chewing on bones or doggie toys. "Chewing is a real stress-reducer and occupier of time," says Gutierrez. "If you're going to be gone, give your dog his very favorite chew treat just before you leave." Give him something to think about. If your dog often get lonely--and vocal--when you're away, try rubbing your hands all over his chew treat before leaving. "The scent will remind him of your, and he may not miss you as much," Gutierrez says. Mask outside noises. "If your dog is supersensitive to noises in the environment, try blocking some of that noise so he's not as inspired to bark," says Gutierrez. White noise machines can do the trick. So can playing your stereo at a normal level. Catch up on your cleaning. Turning on the vacuum cleaner can also block unwanted noises--the approaching steps of the mail carrier, for example--and prevent your pet from going into a barking frenzy, says Gutierrez. Try a homemade shake. A shake can has an effect on dogs that is the canine equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Put some coins in an empty soda can and tape the opening shut. When your barking pooch doesn't respond to your command to be quiet, shake the can a couple of times, Gutierrez says. "They don't like the sound, so they often stop what they are doing when they hear it," he says. Dampen his enthusiasm. To remind your dog that you would appreciate some quiet time, give him a firm "No!" followed by a short blast with a squirt bottle, "If they don't like water, they will tend to stop," says Gutierrez. It's best to aim for the body and not the face, he says. Quoted from the article Stop That Barking! published in Dog Fancy Magazine, June 1996, edited By Audrey Pavia, reprinted on on the Timpanogos Animal Hospital website.
*Other Credits*
	Bob's Radio Interviews include: KQED Forum, Friday, February 16, 2001, 10:00 a.m.: KQED host Angie Coiro talks about the bonds people have with animals. Guests are Dr. Allen Schoen, veterinarian and author of "Kindred Spirits;" and Bob Gutierrez, professional dog trainer.