 |
FAQs(frequently asked questions) |
 |
|
|
FAQs(frequently asked questions) |
|
|
|
The following list provides answers to our most frequently asked questions. Simply click on the question to see your answer.
Q. What kind of training methods do you use? Q. What is meant by positive, dog-friendly, or force-free training?
Q. My dog isn't interested in treats. Does this mean I can't clicker train him? Q. Isn't this type of training simply bribing my dog with food? Q.This type of training sounds complicated. Does it take a long time to learn? Q. Why use force-free training methods when the old-fashioned methods work? Q. How often should we train each day and for how long? Q. What should I do to prepare for my new puppy/dog? Q. Why should I crate train my puppy/dog? Isn't that cruel? Q. Can you help me with housetraining? Q. What is socialization and why do I need to do this with my new puppy? Q. What dog foods do you recommend? Q. I've heard not to get my puppy from a puppy mill. What is a puppy mill? Q. If they are so bad, why would anyone buy a puppy from these places? Q. Then, how do I know if I'm getting a puppy from a puppy mill? Getting Your New Dog from a Shelter or Breeder Q. Why should I get my dog from a shelter? Aren't they usually abandoned because of bad behavior? Q. What is a "reputable" breeder? Q. My dog has diarrhea. Can he still come to class? Q. What is a typical class size? Q. May I bring my children to class? Q. I don't want to drive that far for group classes, can you recommend other trainers in my area? Q. What are the answers for the Common Dog Ownership Myths?
AnswersQ. What kind of training methods do you use? A. Using the principles of operant conditioning, training is conducted with predominantly positive reinforcement. Clicker training is used for teaching most behaviors. Back to Top Q. What is meant by positive or force-free training? A. Positive training is a phrase that has been used to mean different things depending on the trainer. Ask questions! Positive training at Puppy Adept, Inc. means that humane, gentle methods are used with the principles of operant conditioning in mind. Operant conditioning is a term used to describe, in very simple terms, the type of learning that occurs when a dog is allowed to make choices in order to get a desired reward. We teach you how to use these methods to accomplish the training goals you set. Back to Top A. A simple, hand-held device known as a clicker is used in this type of training. The device, when pressed, makes a clicking noise which we use to tell our dogs when they've done something that we want them to do. The significance of the clicker is established before training begins by matching the sound of the clicker with rewards such as food treats. In the beginning stages of teaching a behavior, the clicker and treats are used to reward the dog for the appropriate behaviors. As the dog begins to understand the cues and perform the behaviors reliably, the clicker and rewards are used less and less (faded) until they are no longer required. For lots more information on clicker training, go to www.clickertraining.com. Back to Top Q. My dog isn't interested in treats. Does this mean I can't clicker train him? A. First, take a look at the treats you're using. While you can likely motivate your dog with his own kibble or crunchy dog biscuits in your home, in a more distracting environment, like a park or your training class, you'll have to find something more interesting than the many new smells and sights your dog is bombarded with. You'll be given a list of treat suggestions in class. In the meantime, just remember--the smellier and slimier it is,the more likely your dog will work for it! Occasionally, we come across a dog who cannot be motivated by even steak or fish. Often, these dogs can be motivated by other things. Does he have a favorite toy (a ball or frisbee, for instance)? Does he like to play tug? The reward does not have to be food. It's just that food usually works for most dogs, and it's fast and easy to reward him with a tiny treat and move on to the next thing. It is important to remember that the reward you are using must be rewarding to your dog. Just as managers in the corporate world struggle to find things to motivate some of their employees, you may have to work a little harder at finding the right rewards for your dog. Q. Isn't this type of training simply bribing my dog with food? A. Well, define bribing. Does your employer bribe you with a paycheck? We use the food as a reward for a behavior done well. Let's face it--you may really like your boss, but you would not likely work for free just because you want to please her. The food and clicker are used only to teach new behaviors. Both are faded once the dog has learned to match the appropriate behavior with the cue you've given. Back to Top Q.This type of training sounds complicated. Does it take a long time to learn? A. Just as you would after getting a new job or learning a new sport, you will have a learning curve to get around. You will be using your clicker to train your dog in your first lesson; most people find this method to be easier than they originally anticipated. It is also exciting and very motivating to you when your dog "gets it!" If you practice daily with your dog, you will become proficient in no time! Back to Top Q. Why use force-free training methods when the old-fashioned methods work? A. Many of us who used the old ways to train, never quite felt comfortable with those methods, but didn't know of another way. Then along came Bob and Marian Bailey to show us that animals could be trained to do phenomenal things when provided with consistent positive reinforcement for doing what was "asked" of them. Do the more painful training methods work? Yes, they do. They do nothing, however, to enrich the relationships we have with our dogs or to build their trust in us. The forcefully trained dogs will respond to their owners' commands out of fear--not a desire to work with their owners. We no longer have to hurt our dogs to train them! So, if, in order to have a well-behaved dog, you have a choice between the inhumane, old-fashioned ways to train and the more modern, humane, empowering, fun, and force-free training methods, which would you choose? Back to Top Q. How often should we train each day and for how long? A. Your training sessions should be short and intense. Training for 5-15 minutes each session will be enough. Your training shouldn't only be an organized format. Work it into your life, practicing when opportunities present themselves; you can work on a behavior for a minute during the commercial part of a program you are watching or just request that your dog sit or down before giving him something he wants. Back to Top Q. What should I do to prepare for my new puppy/dog? A. Entire books have been written on this subject! Our recommended reading section lists some wonderful book titles and videos that can help you in great detail. One of the more important training tools to buy before bringing your puppy home is his crate. You'll want to purchase one for the size you expect him to grow into, and which includes a divider to reduce the space to your puppy's size. You will need to interview vets and trainers in your area so that you will already have one picked out when your puppy or new dog arrives. You will also want to develop a socializing plan for your new puppy so you can implement it immediately. If you're getting a puppy, it's a good idea to arrange for friends, with and without dogs, to visit so that your pup learns to make positive associations with people and other dogs (and other pets). Any dog you introduce to your new puppy should be well-behaved. You want to ensure that his first impressions are good ones! Back to Top Q. Why should I crate train my puppy/dog? Isn't that cruel? A. On the contrary! If introduced and used properly, crates can be your dog's favorite place. Dogs have denning instincts that usually cause them to feel more secure when in a closed-in area. Many dogs choose to sleep in their crates even when allowed to roam your house. Crates are valuable training tools, especially for housetraining. They take advantage of a dog's natural instinct not to soil her sleeping area. A dog or puppy should never be left in her crate for extended periods of time. Use manufacturer guidelines to ensure that your dog's crate is the proper size. Many brands now include divider panels so that you can buy a size that will fit a growing puppy as well as her full adult stature. Back to Top Q. I need help with housetraining! Now! A. Please go to Housetraining Tips for a printable handout. Q. What is socialization and why do I need to do this with my new puppy? A. Please go to Socializing Basics for a printable handout. Q. What dog foods do you recommend? A. The bottom line is that you should choose a food you feel good about feeding your dog. I strongly recommend you carefully read the label of any food or treats you're thinking of buying your dog or puppy. Beware of chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT, or ethyoxiquin. Many popular brands such as Iams, Eukanuba, Purina and Science Diet have so many fillers and questionable ingredients and preservatives that I do not recommend them. Be an informed consumer and a responsible pet owner! Here are a few websites which discuss the pros and cons of many pet foods: knowbetterdogfoods.com, sagekeep.com, shirleyswellnesscafe.com, simplyschnauzer.com, Totallyrawdogfood.com, holisticanimalmedicines.com, netpets.com, Natural Paws News, Recommended Reading: The Whole Dog Journal - monthly periodical HOLISTIC GUIDE FOR A HEALTHY DOG Q. I've heard not to get my puppy from a puppy mill. What is a puppy mill? A. A puppy mill is typically a facility, often run from someone's home or a warehouse, where puppies are raised exclusively for financial gain of the owners. There will be an unusually large number of breeding females who are often kept in small cages with their litters until the puppies are sent away. They usually receive minimal care and the puppies often suffer from both physical ailments and behavioral issues in their adulthood. One woman who was arrested for running a puppy mill actually had the cages holding the dogs and puppies suspended from the ceiling and the ground beneath them was covered in excrement. The puppies born in puppy mills are viewed as products, and their parents as the resources or machinery which produce them. These puppies have received little or no human contact, let alone any form of socialization. Please visit www.stoppuppymills.com. Q. Why would anyone buy a puppy from these places? A. Often people do not know they are buying from a puppy mill. For instance, you can almost be certain that pet stores who sell puppies are supporting this inhumane industry. You may be told that the pups come from reputable breeders, but rest assured that no reputable breeder who cares about her puppies and the success of her breed would sell her puppies through a pet store. Very few reputable breeders sell their puppies through the classified ads in your newspaper, either. Reputable breeders will most likely put you on a waiting list for their litters. Thoroughly research your breed before buying a puppy from anyone. Back to Top Q. Then, how do I know if I'm getting a puppy from a puppy mill? A. If you are not allowed to see where the puppies are kept, you're not allowed to see the dam (mother), or the breeder cannot produce a legitimate pedigree for the puppies, you should look elsewhere. A breeder who has puppies available all year long is suspect; don't risk it. Watch out for breeders who allow you to pick your own puppy, also. It's rare that a responsible breeder will allow this. Small dogs seem to be a favorite of puppy mills, probably because their small size requires less space and food. You can almost guarantee that puppies sold at flea markets and the like come from puppy mills. Don't forget about the number of puppies and adult dogs available through local shelters and rescue groups. Dogs with wonderful temperament and health are put to sleep every day. If you have small children, it's best to choose an adult dog for your family anyway, as you can usually see the dog's temperament and size before deciding to bring her home. If you're set on a purebred dog, there are lots of breeds available through purebred rescue groups, as well. Go to Petfinder.com or The Humane Society of Hall Countyto see many wonderful canines available for adoption. The best way to put puppy mills permanently out of business is to stop buying from them. Back to Top Q. Why should I get my dog from a shelter? Aren't they usually abandoned because of bad behavior? A. You would be amazed at the reasons people abandon their pups at shelters. The dog jumped on people, dug, chewed or barked too much ; she got too big, she's too dirty or too energetic; someone in the family became allergic to her, the kids stopped taking care of her, the family had to move, or the new spouse said either she goes or I do. Sadly, owners do sometimes die and leave wonderful orphan pups behind who now need homes. Some dogs you'll find at the shelter have been found tied to a tree or caged in the backyard of a house from which the family has apparently moved. Very heartbreaking. Especially since many of the unwanted behaviors are easily controlled through training, and a little foresight or research would have eliminated most of the other problems. Back to Top Q. "Reputable" breeders seem to charge way more for their puppies than stores and newspapers charge for their puppies. Why would I pay that much more? A. Reputable breeders socialize their puppies. Good socialization starts soon after the puppies are born, and continues until they go home with you (where you continue your pup's socialization). These breeders make certain that the puppies are raised in clean, healthy and safe environments. The sire and dam were likely expensive too if they came from reputable breeders. Good breeders will have done much research before deciding who will be bred and for what reason. They will offer a warranty of some sort, typically for the first 2 years of the puppy's life. They will require that you return your puppy to them if you ever decide to give her away. They will also require that "pet-quality" pups be spayed or neutered. These pups are "pet-quality" because they do not have all of the traits desired in the breed, and should, therefore, not be allowed to breed themselves. Often it may be as simple as the size, ears, or coat color--things that should make no difference to the average dog owner. Puppy mill puppies usually have not been handled by humans until they are ready to go to homes. Puppies sold in the newspapers may still be coming from a puppy mill. If not, the owners likely won't have spent the time and expense required to significantly increase the probability that the litter will be a healthy and temperamentally sound one. These puppies usually come from people who just won't spay their dogs (the Humane Society of Hall County offers low-cost spay/neuter clinics regularly), families who want their children to see the "miracle of birth" (consequently, with no regard to the "miracle" of responsibility for the lives they've just created), or people who've heard the old wives tale that females should have a litter before being spayed. The bottom line? Purebred puppies from pet stores and newspapers can cost less because less is spent on their health and well-being. Back to Top Q. What is a "reputable" breeder? A. Reputable breeders have a great deal of experience with and knowledge about their breeds. They are generally not in the breeding business to get wealthy. These people breed to improve or maintain the health, temperament and look of their breed. Reputable breeders will be the first to tell you that their breeds are not problem-free. Expect them to tell you the potential problems associated with their breeds--both health- and behavior-related. There will be some! These breeders understand the importance of proper socialization and spend a great deal of time administering it. They want to make certain you want one of their pups for the right reasons and are able to care for them, so they will ask you many personal questions. You should prepare a detailed list of questions to ask them, as well. Take the time to find a reputable breeder, once you've decided to buy a purebred puppy. The benefits seriously outweigh the time, patience and money you've invested. Back to Top Q. My dog has diarrhea. Can he still come to class? A. Because diarrhea is a symptom of so many different ailments, it's best that you take your dog to his vet and, then, leave him at home to recuperate. If you are ever in doubt as to whether your pup should attend class based on a change in behavior, health or appearance, please keep him home and contact your vet for a diagnosis. If you must leave your pup at home due to illness, you, yourself, may and should still attend class. You will be able to practice what you learned on your pup when you return home. Back to Top Q. What is a typical class size? A. A typical class size consists of 4 dogs and handlers. The minimum size is 2 and the maximum size is 6. Back to Top Q. May I bring my children to class? A. The entire family is welcome and encouraged to come to class. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult other than the dog handler, however, and must remain seated through the training session. Back to Top A. We are 2 miles north of Hwy 53 on Hwy 211 (Tanners Mill Rd.) on the Braselton side of Gainesville. Please click here for directions. Back to Top Q. I don't want to drive that far for group classes, can you recommend other trainers in my area? A. Yes, please go to the Recommended Trainers section of our Links page by clicking here.
Q. What do you think of the Dog Whisperer? (We've heard this question so often, it simply had to be added!) A. I can't say it better than the big names in training, so I'll let them do the talking:
Many of you have asked us about Cesar Millan.We do not support his techniques. Read news reports about lawsuits against him for breach of contract and for cruelty to animals [broken link] "
|
|
| home | classes | FAQs | getting a dog? | about us | contact us | gallery | links |
