Management...How to set yourself (and your dog!) up for Success

Management is a key component in your goal of achieving a well-mannered dog.  Management, not training, can be the difference between a chewed couch, stolen food off the counters, numerous holes in the backyard and complaints from neighbors for barking.  Good management essentially means setting you and your dog up for success.  That is to say, understand that your dog is not a furry person but an animal that possesses a set of instincts which guide her behaviors.  In order to successfully communicate with your dog, it’s important to understand what these instincts are and how you can use them to your advantage.  For example, dogs are den animals that enjoy and relax in tight, enclosed places.  Being den animals, their instincts usually tell them to keep their den clean.  Crate training uses the dog’s natural instincts to help you with destructive behavior as well as housetraining.

There are four management tools which are essential to a healthy, happy and appropriate relationship between dog and owner.  These tools include crate training, tie downs, dragging leash and exercise. 

1.     Crate Training

The crate is a safe place for your dog to be when you are gone.  The length of time a dog should spend in a crate varies depending on the dog’s age and temperament.  Most dogs that are crate trained properly love their crates.  A dog’s crate is like her own bedroom where she can go to get away from everything.  Remember that for young dogs, or dogs new to a family, more space and freedom can be a catalyst to destructive behavior.  The more space a dog has, the more anxiety they feel and anxiety is a major contributor to chewing, digging and barking.  Set the crate up in a room in the house where the dog is used to spending time and put the dog in it when you leave.  Although most dogs will sleep in their crates, it’s always a good idea to give them an appropriate chewy or activity toy to keep them busy while you are gone.  If you need help getting your dog used to the crate, refer to the crate training handout. 

2.     Tie Down

A tie-down is a leash or cable that is 2 to 3 feet long and is attached to an immovable object (like a piece of furniture, or an eyebolt that is placed in the wall) and to your dog’s buckle collar.  A tie down is to be used only when someone is home and supervising the dog.  A tie-down helps teach your dog to relax.  It keeps her out of mischief and can also be a wonderful housetraining tool.  The tie down teaches your dog that she can’t be a part of every interaction that she wants to be a part of.  It teaches her self control and reminds her that freedom of territory is a privilege in your house.

Housetraining-- If you are working on housetraining, the tie down can be a “safe zone” for you.  For instance, if you think your puppy has to potty and you take her out and she doesn’t go, bring her in and put her on her tie down.  This is not a punishment, like the crate, it just restricts her space and teaches her to hold it.  After 5-10 minutes, take her out to go.  If she goes potty outside, then she’s earned free time in the house, if she doesn’t go again, take her back to the tie down and repeat. 

Settling Exercise-Although most dogs don’t like their tie down at first, they do get used to it and realize they are just stuck there and they might as well sleep or chew quietly on their toy.  The time to use the tie down is whenever you are busy at home and need to know the puppy is safe and not getting into mischief.  For instance, put your dog on a tie down while the family sits down for dinner, or when you read to the kids at night or sit down to watch a movie.  If it’s her first time on a tie down, sit with her and help her to learn that although she is stuck there, she is safe and barking, whining and mouthing won’t help. 

Use of tie down as a consequence-  Although the tie down is not usually used as a consequence, it certainly can be.  For example, if your puppy is being extremely mouthy and you’ve asked her to stop with a specific command of your choice, like “no bite,” and she continues, then take her to her tie down, clip her up and walk away.  She just lost the privilege of being with you by using you as her chew toy.  This is a better option than just putting her outside because you want her to see that you will go about your business while she is stuck there.  You also don’t want to inadvertently reinforce the behavior if she would rather be outside or if she charges outside and starts chasing birds or barking at neighbors, etc.

3.     Dragging leash- The dragging leash as a management tool is essential for those dogs who have mastered the “catch me if you can game.”  You know the game, where your dog takes off with your new leather shoe and plays keep away around the dining room table.  Well, consider this; that is the best game going as far as your dog is concerned.  So, every time she does it, she is getting reinforced for the behavior because it is so much fun!  And, any behavior that is intrinsically reinforced will continue to build.  By attaching a 6ft light nylon puppy leash to her buckle collar and having her drag it around the house, you are ready and able to catch her when she makes a bad decision.  Punishment is not necessary because the behavior will naturally extinguish if it’s not reinforced.  So, if your dog tries to goat you into chasing him, simply say “uh-uh” and step on the drag leash.  Remove the object from his mouth and go about your business.  On the flip side, it’s very important to notice and reinforce your dog when he has an appropriate toy in his mouth.  We usually forget this part!

4.     Exercise-  Exercise is your dog’s best friend. A TIRED DOG IS A WELL-BEHAVED DOG!  The importance of exercise cannot be understated!  Most young dogs need a tremendous amount of exercise.  Although a walk around the block is better than nothing, most young athletic dogs need a minimum of 45min of hard, cardio exercise per day.  You absolutely cannot expect your young lab, for instance, to be home in the yard all day and be well-mannered when you get home if he hasn’t had any exercise.

Most owners find success by implementing all four management tools, but you need to pick and choose what combination works best for your dog and your family. 

Happy Training!