Most dog trainers I know would rather do less, not more. We use environmental setup and strategies, AKA management, to help dogs make the choices we prefer and to help keep dogs relaxed. Basically, we set things up to make the behaviors we don't like less likely to be performed, and to make the behaviors we do like more likely to be performed.
The easiest way to make a management plan is to think about 2 things: what do you want the dog to stop doing? And what do you want the dog to do instead? Now, try to figure out why the dog does what he does. Here are some common reasons:
it's species- or breed-appropriate (digging, scavenging, chasing wildlife...)
it's fun
it's an attention getter
it's been reinforced before
it's a relief - of fear, anxiety, or stress
OK, now we also need to figure out what we would like the dog to do instead, given the reason(s) we think the dog is doing the thing we don't like. (If you aren't sure why your dog is doing something, take your best guess and we can refine things later.)
Let's use some examples to see how this could work.
Let's say the dog is a counter-surfer. We want the dog to stop taking items off the counter. Why is he surfing? It's species appropriate to scavenge, it's fun to find something to play with or eat on the counter, it's an attention getter because people focus on you and what you just grabbed, and it's been reinforced every time he enjoyed the outcome. It may relieve boredom or stress if he finds something he can chew. (Dogs often relieve stress with licking, sniffing, and chewing.) Counter-surfing is a highly probable activity for a dog! Now, what do we want him to do instead? Sit, stand, or lie down in the kitchen might be an answer, or staying out of the kitchen altogether may be an answer. So what do we do?
Either:
prevent access to the kitchen (gate, door, tether station) when we can't supervise or when we are going to have items and food on the counter, like during meal prep or
keep counters super clear and clean (no crumbs, schmears, etc..) when the dog is loose in the kitchen (pro tip for families who tend to dump things on the counter: put a bin on the counter and dump things in there during the training phase.
Put lots of appropriate to eat/chew/play with fun stuff on the floor in the kitchen area (or just outside the kitchen) where you want him to be: long-lasting food puzzles, toys, and chews. Make sure he can get to his water, too.
Put a comfy bed in a convenient spot in that same space (in a small kitchen, try a get mat or bath mat with a rubber back so it's not a tripping hazard), and plant surprises there when possible.
We might add in some extra training to achieve goals, which could be teaching "go to mat" and then adding on a "relaxation protocol," or we could use half of each meal we feed as rewards, paying for sitting, standing, or lying down for a few seconds at a time. You could keep on managing instead, too.
For dogs experiencing fear, anxiety, arousal, and stress, use things like window cling and masking noise. (I like brown noise, soft rock, or reggae.) You can use them all over the house or set up a "safe haven" room for your dog. Don't forget the comfy bed and chews in the space that's most likely to be easy to relax in.
If you have a training problem you aren't sure how to approach, get in touch to set up a consultation, and I will be happy to help you make a DIY plan or set up some private coaching. Just go back to the Get Started links on the site.
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