Zak George's Guide to a Well-Behaved Dog

by Zak George

  Too often people get dogs and they hold them to unrealistic, rigid standards immediately. I get it! You want your dog to listen right from the beginning—and that’s fine. However, you’ve really got to choose your battles with a new dog. The beginning is such a crucial time to establish trust and love, and this should take precedence over everything else.

  See, it’s easy to get into a trap of constantly correcting a dog, particularly a brand-new puppy or a dog straight out of a shelter. However, at first, I just want you to mostly work on your bond with your dog. That’s because effective training requires you to have mutually earned trust between the two of you. That takes time. So be tolerant and focus on really connecting with your dog over those first few weeks (regardless of her age). The relationship you build will be the cornerstone for everything.

  The most epic dog I’ve ever known was my dog Venus. Yes, I am biased, but really…she was incredible. She was the first dog who, as an adult, I committed to teaching at a high level. At first, I got her because I wanted a Frisbee dog and a companion. Well, I certainly got those two things and so much more. Venus completely changed my life. She showed me that not only are dogs capable of much more than I had ever thought possible, but they also have the immense capacity to love and enrich our lives in ways that are difficult to put into words. Surely anyone who has ever loved a dog will relate. Yes, Venus excelled at training, and she was an incredible pupil. But looking back at her life in its totality now, I understand that the bond we had and the love we had for one another means far more than all of her accomplishments combined.

  What if you feel that you’ve already been too hard on your dog? Is it too late to establish a better relationship? The good news is that dogs are great at appreciating life in the moment. They don’t hold grudges. If you take your time and remain tolerant and understanding from now on, you can still develop a strong relationship.

  So how do you go about bonding with your dog? First, know that this is such a personal thing—it really depends on the dog. However, in my experience, I’ve found that if you can get your dog playing with you, you will be on the right track toward building a tight bond.

  Researchers have discovered that dogs enjoy exercise in a way that’s similar to humans. For example, a study in the Journal of Experimental Biology found that dogs can actually experience a “runner’s high.”1 So, pair that with the fact that dogs historically love working with and just being with humans, and you’ll find that some playtime together can do wonders for your relationship.

  Maybe your dog is more mellow. Maybe she’s more reserved and just not into vigorous play. That’s okay too! Find what does make your dog happy and focus on that. Some dogs love being petted affectionately. Others enjoy going for a stroll around the block and taking in all of the great smells, sounds, and sights. Others just love snuggling next to you on the couch. What’s critical is that you take advantage of every opportunity to make sure that your dog knows she can count on you to make her happy.

  Of course, to bond with your dog and to teach her that she can trust you, you also have to be a good pet parent in other ways. For instance, feeding your dog healthy food, making sure she gets plenty of water, taking her for regular vet visits, and giving her basic affection are critical. The same goes for learning your dog’s body language and understanding when she’s happy, sad, scared, or in pain. I think you’ll find that these things become somewhat intuitive as you get to know your dog!

  Every person and every dog is different, and building a relationship with your dog is a unique process. However, remember that just as you easily fell in love with your dog, she can easily fall in love with you, too: a study published in Science found that when humans and their dogs simply look into one another’s eyes, they experience the same boost in oxytocin—the feel-good hormone—as mothers and infants do.2 In other words, with a little bit of effort on your part, you can have a strong bond with your pet that lasts for years to come.

  2. FOCUS ON ENERGY LEVEL, NOT BREED

  Many people think that the best way to describe a dog’s personality is by breed. However, there is so much more to dogs than their breeds. Sure, it makes sense to consider or rule out specific breeds because of physical characteristics such as size and shedding. However, when it comes to training a dog (and choosing one, for that matter), the dog’s breed is one of the last things I tell people to consider.

  People often focus so much on breed stereotypes that they’re then upset when their pet doesn’t live up to those expectations. Yet, if you looked at ten dogs from the same breed, you might notice they have ten very different personalities. Trust me—I lived with three Border Collies at one point, and while they did share some similarities like their love for playing Frisbee, they couldn’t have been more different from one another. For instance, Venus was a little standoffish to other people and dogs and not a big snuggler. But Supernova? That dog would have literally attached himself to me 24/7 if he could.

  So, what should you focus on instead of breed when developing your training strategy? Focus on your dog’s energy level and individual personality (all of her quirks included!). Understanding your dog’s energy level can also help you get to the root of why she might be having behavioral issues. For example, if a dog doesn’t have an outlet for releasing all of her energy, then she just might use that energy to chew up your shoes or dig up your yard. So, let’s go over the three basic categories of energy levels and what they mean.

  Energy Level 1: Low

  Level one dogs are typically calm, laid-back couch potatoes. They’re happy just to take a few short walks with you, and then they’ll basically chill out for the rest of the day. Don’t expect a level one dog to play vigorously for long periods of time (or at all in some cases). Most level one dogs won’t be super-motivated to learn very advanced or athletic tasks. This doesn’t mean they are less intelligent; they are just more relaxed. They also tend to be naturally well behaved—for instance, they don’t typically have the energy to, say, chew up everything in your house or pull you down the street on walks. They’d rather just take it easy.

  Energy Level 2: Moderate

  Level two dogs have more physical and mental stamina than level one dogs. A level two dog might get really excited when you walk in the door, but after a few minutes she calms down without much encouragement from you. These dogs can have substantial bursts of energy, and they generally require fairly significant exercise to realize their true potential. They are great for people who want to have a hands-on role in teaching their dogs but don’t want exercising their dogs to completely take over their lives. Level two dogs can learn a variety of advanced tasks, but they are not likely to excel at really extreme athletic endeavors.

  Energy Level 3: High

  Now, let’s talk about those super–high-energy dogs—you know, the ones that can play all day and night! The dogs who jump like crazy or constantly bring you toys to play fetch or tug with are classic level three dogs. Let me let you in on a big secret: in general, the more energy a dog has, the more teachable she is. However, these dogs are not for the casual pet parent as they tend to be high maintenance—very high maintenance!

  You have to dedicate a lot of time to making sure these dogs get plenty of mental and physical exercise. If you don’t, all that pent-up energy will almost certainly lead to excessive hyperactivity and destructive behaviors. These dogs virtually always require very significant exercise before each training lesson. It seems that they can’t focus until they release that excess energy. Also, the kind of exercise matters. Roaming in your yard, going for a walk, or playing with other dogs usually isn’t good enough. As I mentioned earlier in this chapter, dogs are most satisfied when they exercise by interacting directly with you.

  Yes, I’m making a lot of generalizations here, and there are no doubt exceptions out there. In all likelihood, your dog is somewhere between these categories. For example, your dog could be a level 1.3 or
a 2.5. It’s a spectrum. Bottom line: Understanding your dog’s energy level is a great way to get a general idea of how much time and effort she’s going to require from you. It’s the most important factor to consider when you approach training her.

  Remember, the majority of dogs with “behavior problems” are higher-energy dogs because people have greatly underestimated the level of regular training and activity these dogs require. Also, keep in mind that a dog maintains her energy level for a good portion of her life. So, if you have a rambunctious puppy, chances are she’s going to stay rambunctious for most of her life. Don’t expect her to settle down after a couple of years.

  3. UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE IN TRAINING

  Structured exercise is, by far, the number one piece of advice I give as a dog trainer. In fact, 90 percent of unwanted behaviors are due to the fact that your dog is bored and not getting the physical and mental stimulation she needs (especially those moderate- to high-energy dogs!). If your dog tends to jump on people often or behave frantically when excited, then regular exercise, usually early in the day, is the single most important thing that is likely to make a difference.

  Exercise is also a tremendous way to get traction on improving lots of behavioral issues, including those relating to anxiety and aggression. A study in Finland found that the daily amount of exercise was the largest factor affecting whether or not a dog had separation anxiety or noise sensitivity.3 Also, dogs who took shorter walks were more likely to be fearful than those who took longer walks. Another survey by researchers from Bristol University in the United Kingdom found that the more that people play with their dogs, the fewer behavioral issues (such as whining, jumping up, and not coming when called) their pets have.4

  Let’s also examine why exercise is so critical from a training perspective. Dogs were selectively bred over thousands of years for one common purpose: to work with, cooperate with, and take direction from people. The relationship between people and dogs is a symbiotic one, and we have a rich history of working together in many ways. A common trait selected for many of these dogs was energy—and lots of it! The more stamina and endurance dogs had for those long work days, the more valuable they were to us.

  Something has changed though. The very nature of the way we work very seldom requires a dog’s assistance these days. Many of us go to work during the day, and our dogs are left home with little to do. Dogs’ genetics haven’t changed that much, so many of them still have a natural desire to work with and play with people.

  Fortunately, there is something relatively easy we can do to satisfy the mental and physical needs for those dogs: make sure your dog gets enough exercise with you. The fastest, easiest way to do that is to teach your dog fetch. I cover how to teach fetch on this page, chapter 17, but for now, understand that fetch, as I define it, is where your dog chases a toy, picks it up immediately, promptly returns the toy in a straight line, drops it promptly when asked, and eagerly awaits the next throw.

  The thrill of chasing an item, coupled with working directly with a human, satisfies many of those traits we selected for in the past, such as traits used in hunting. Also, the beautiful thing about fetch is that it allows your dog to get tons of energy out without requiring a lot of your time or physical exertion. A proper game of fetch does takes time to teach though: it’s normal for it to take a few months to really perfect. However, it’s definitely worth the effort.

  Of course, there are some dogs who are just not into fetch. Usually, these are the level one dogs as well as some level two dogs. For these dogs, hikes or long walks may suffice. I’d also encourage you to be creative about providing exercise to your dog—for instance, you might want to look into various dog sports and other activities that she may enjoy. I will remind you throughout this book that vigorous, age-appropriate exercise may be required with many dogs just prior to training them. In order for your dog to retain new concepts and behaviors, you must be fair to her and give her an outlet for her natural energy first. And remember, if a dog is exhibiting rambunctious, destructive, or anxious behaviors, my first suggestion is usually to make sure she’s getting enough exercise. There’s more about that in the next chapter.

  When Should I Exercise My Dog?

  When you exercise your dog matters a great deal. I highly recommend doing so early in the day. Think about it: when is a dog likely to be most charged up and energetic? After getting a good night’s sleep! By exercising your dog early in the day, you are getting lots of her energy out, which further encourages her to mellow out afterward. Many dogs will also require multiple exercise sessions throughout the day. You may need to exercise yours before work, at lunch, and just before bed, for instance.

  How Do I Determine Age-Appropriate Exercise?

  How much exercise is okay for a dog? This really depends on a variety of factors, such as your dog’s fitness level, genetics, and sometimes breed (as in the case of brachycephalic dogs—those with shortened noses and flat faces such as Pugs and Shih Tzus). One of the most important things to consider is your dog’s age. Here’s what you need to know.

  PUPPIES

  When it comes to exercise, you have to be careful with puppies because their growth plates—the areas of soft cartilage tissue found at the end of a young dog’s long bones—are still soft, open, and vulnerable to injuries. If an injury does occur, your dog’s growth can be stunted. The growth plates eventually get thinner and close between one and two years, depending on your dog. It’s important to be very conservative with exercise until this happens.

  While your vet can help you determine how much exercise is appropriate for your puppy, a general rule of thumb is five minutes of exercise at a time, up to two times a day, for every one month of age. So, if your puppy is two months old, she can exercise for ten minutes at a time, up to twice per day. And if your puppy is six months old, she can exercise for thirty minutes at a time, up to twice per day.

  What kind of exercise can you do with your puppy while you’re waiting for her to grow up? The safest type of exercise for young puppies are short walks and free play, which is basically letting them do their own thing. Puppies are pretty good at staying active and knowing their limits. So, when your puppy decides it’s time to take a break, let her!

  That being said, puppies can occasionally get a little too crazy with their play. If you notice yours doing crazy flips and somersaults, intervene and let her calm down for a bit before she resumes playing. Also, prevent her from jumping off furniture. That could really hurt her growing bones. When you’re playing with a young dog, be careful to keep her close to the ground by dragging or rolling toys instead of throwing them. And when you’re tugging, make sure to tug gently and parallel with the ground, not upward.

  OLDER DOGS

  Of course, once your dog is no longer a puppy, she can handle a lot more exercise! Knowing how much to exercise your dog, especially if she’s energetic, is an essential part of raising her.

  First, keep in mind that some breeds or types of dogs need extra consideration when it comes to exercise limits, so do your research on your dog’s breed or mix if you know it. For instance, brachycephalic dogs can struggle with breathing if overexercised. Always consult with your vet about the amount of exercise that might be appropriate for your dog based on her overall size, age, breed, and individual health.

  In general, most high-energy full-grown dogs require forty-five minutes to one hour of exercise per day, four to five days a week. And that’s if you’re playing fetch or another intense activity that involves participation from you. If you’re just walking your high-energy dog, then she might require a walk that’s two hours or longer. Moderate- to lower-energy dogs may require less than that—for them, walking twenty to thirty minutes or less and doing some basic training is a great way to exercise them.

  If you have a high-energy dog and are looking for other options, you may want to take up more formal activities like Frisbee, agili
ty, dock diving, or flyball. Dog sports are a fantastic way to fulfill a dog mentally and physically. Ask your vet and trusted friends with dogs for suggestions on where to find such activities in your area.

  4. TEACH FROM THE INSIDE OUT

  The most fundamental point to my training advice is this: teach your dog from the inside out. Inside-out training means you are teaching your dog to behave in a certain way because she wants to. Outside-in training means you are making your dog behave a certain way.

  This is where my training advice diverges from some of what you’ve likely heard about training dogs. It’s the antithesis of traditional training. Those metal training collars that restrict around your dog’s throat have long been the go-to tools of many trainers—and they are often at the center of outside-in training. The disturbing trend of electric shock collars is a continuation of this flawed approach.

  I get that there’s something intuitive about “correcting” a dog when she behaves less than ideally. If she pulls on a leash, then providing a sudden, swift pop of the collar can show your dog that things can be very unpleasant when she walks a little too fast. Or if she jumps, a quick knee to the chest will stop her from doing it. It’s not that these approaches won’t discourage unwanted behaviors, it’s just that there’s a more reliable, effective, and ethical way to teach dogs than by constantly correcting them.

  First and most important, outside-in training doesn’t help foster a strong, loving relationship with your dog (if anything, the opposite can be true). Also, keep in mind that forcing a dog to do something doesn’t help her think for herself and learn the right way to behave. In fact, when choke or shock collars are removed, the majority of dogs revert to their old behaviors, further illustrating that actual, deep learning has not occurred. Instead, the dog has simply learned to avoid pain or discomfort when those training collars are on. My job is to show you how to get your dog listening to you regardless of what collar she’s wearing.