Learn to Earn

Dogs and humans are both social animals that are well adapted to living in packs. This is one of the main reasons we get along together so well. In human society, as in dog or wolf packs, a pecking order exists. This enables each individual to know where they stand in relation to other members of their society and avoids unnecessary conflicts. The same is true when humans and dogs live together.

Many problems experienced by pet owners are related to rank. This is usually due to a lack of understanding on the owners part of doggy rules and etiquette and a tendency to treat dogs as if they are human. Additionally, dogs do not instinctively understand human rules, many of which are so fundamental to us that we sometimes forget that they are not to our dogs. In order to have a good relationship between our dogs and ourselves it is necessary for us to teach our dogs what we expect. By doing this we also establish our dogs respect and the right to lead, making training easy and fun for dog and owner alike.

To help develop a good relationship with your dog you should consider what is important to him:

• Food & water – a vital part of his life and the most valuable resource to any animal
• Warmth & comfort – again essential and favourite areas are often the source of competition
• Possessions – toys, bones, his food bowls, your smelly socks. All may be equally valuable to your dog
• Company & attention – from you and your family but also from other humans and animals.
• Freedom – dogs are inquisitive animals who enjoy the freedom to investigate their surroundings
• Security – dogs are pre-programmed to guard themselves and their environment, unless they perceive someone else is already doing this

You may think that if you give your dog all of these things then he will be content and therefore the perfect pet. This would be true if all that you require of your dog is to live in your home and behave as a normal dog. Unfortunately very few people want this of a pet dog.

A normal dog hunts to eat (unless of course food is readily available without doing so), he sleeps wherever he chooses (usually the most comfy place like your sofa or bed), he comes and goes whenever he pleases (not when you call him), he chews whatever looks interesting or tasty (his toys, your TV remote, the chair leg etc), he guards his possessions and his territory from anyone who threatens them (could be you or your kids), he toilets anywhere which is not close to his sleeping and feeding areas (this may still be in the house) and scent marks to make others aware of his territory.

This is all normal dog behaviour, however most of it would be quite unacceptable for a pet dog living in a home. Hopefully this does help you to realise how much we are asking of our dogs when we expect them to live in our homes and follow our rules and why problems so frequently arise.

Because we need our dogs to follow our rules and do as we ask we need to consider the best way to achieve this. The answer is training, but you do have to establish the right, in your dog's eyes, to do this. The control of resources (food, toys, attention etc) is the easiest way to say to your dog 'I'm in charge here, this is my stuff but you can have some if you do things my way'.

Living with dogs in this way is often referred to as 'learn to earn'. It is not difficult and is very flexible but most importantly it is easy for dogs to understand. The basic concept is – you want it, earn it. The best things in life are free, so they say but most people know that if they want something in life they have to earn it. That's why we go to work, perhaps because we love it but mostly because we are paid for it. Dogs are no different. They do things because they know that something is in it for them.

A good example of how this can work against us is pulling on the lead. When do dogs usually pull on the lead? When they are going for a walk. What usually happens when they get to their destination, for example the park? They get let off the lead to go play with all their doggy friends. So, why does the dog pull on the lead? Because he knows that if he does he will get quickly to the park and have lots of fun. He has been rewarded for the pulling behaviour.

So, if from day one of walking your puppy to the park you stop dead or turn towards home each time he pulls on his lead, what will he learn? There is nothing in it for me if I pull on the lead. If you also give him a small treat, ideally part of his daily food ration, when the lead is slack he will quickly learn that walking on a slack lead is rewarding.

This training example shows clearly how simple it can be to use the things that your dog wants to teach him what you expect. However, training your dog is not separate from living with your dog and one very much affects the other.

If you tried to above method with a dog who had just had his dinner and had already been rewarded several times previously for pulling to the park, it would probably not be very effective. There is a higher reward at the park than you are able to offer. Equally, if your dog knows that he is always guaranteed all the food he needs, regardless of his behaviour, there is no motivation for him to do as you ask, if it is not what suits him.

This does not mean it is necessary for you to starve your dog in order to train him, it is just an example designed to make you aware of why your dog may or may not learn what you are trying to teach him or why, having learned it, he may or may not do it when you ask him.

By asking your dog to earn the valuable things in his life you automatically put yourself in control. He needs you to feed him, walk him, keep him warm and comfy and provide company for him. If he does not need you to do this then he is likely to please himself. And why not, if you didn't need money from your boss, would you work to please him? Perhaps, but that is one difference between humans and dogs!

Dogs who do not consider that their owner is above them in pecking order commonly shows some or all of the following:

• He knows the meaning of certain commands such as 'come', 'sit' and 'stay' but will only obey them if it is to his advantage or if he has nothing better to do.
• He instigates games. In other words he brings you a toy and demands to be played with and when he's had enough he walks off with the toy and ignores you.
• He will only allow you to groom him if he feels like it. Otherwise he will walk away or if you are restraining him he will bite the brush, towel, your hands, roll over and generally misbehave.
• He gets on furniture and resists your attempts to remove him.
• He pushes past you to go through a door.
• He is over zealous in the protection of his territory.
• He lies in doorways, at the bottom or top of the stairs or in through routes.
• He does not eat his food straight away when it is put down or worse still, guards his food bowl.

This is because he does not need to do things for you in order to get the things he wants. If you feed him twice a day, let him have all the toys he wants, walk him each day, allow him freedom through the house, give him attention whenever he wants it and leave him alone whenever he doesn't then why should he do things for you? Unfortunately dogs don't do things just for love like humans do. They do not have a sense of duty. Dogs do things because there is something in it for them. Understanding this simple concept will make training and living with your dog easy and stress free for both of you.

Some useful house rules and routines to consider are:

• Don't always feed your dog from his food bowl. Use his food for training, stuff it into his toys, hide it in the garden. His food is often the easiest thing to motivate him with – don't waste it. Get your dog used to eating food away from home straight away – greedy dogs are the easiest to train!
• Keep favourite toys out of the way and bring them out on walks or for training. By keeping the toys novel they are far more likely to be a motivator for your dog. This also shows him that the toys are yours and raises your status. Don't allow him to demand games, this will reduce your ability to start a game with him when you want to play and could make it hard to use toys for rewards.
• Restrict his access to you and certain areas of the house. There may be times when you need to shut him away and he needs to get used to this straight away. It also makes it easier for him to accept you leaving him alone in the house if he does not have constant access to you when you are there.
  Guarding breeds especially may be inclined to bark at people passing the house or when in the garden and this behaviour is self rewarding as the people will usually keep on walking as they weren't visiting anyway. Your dog however doesn't know this and thinks he scared them off, thus reinforcing the behaviour. Denying your dog access to these areas or bringing him in as soon as he starts showing the behaviour easily avoids this.
• If you don't mind your dog jumping onto the furniture or your bed make sure you teach him to get off when you ask. Do this without forcing him but by making it fun and rewarding him, perhaps with a treat, when he gets off. If he resists this or becomes possessive of the furniture then he shouldn't be allowed on at all. If you don't want him to get on the furniture then make this clear from day one. Make it more desirable on the floor and if he persists on trying to get on furniture then take him out of the room so he can't. Be careful he doesn't jump on just to get your attention – even if it is just 'get off'.
• If he tries to barge past you through doors, simply shut the door and continue opening and shutting until he backs off enough for you to go through first. This is a safety exercise as much as anything – you never know when the front door will be left open.
• If you don't want him to beg at the table then never feed him from your plate and if food is likely to be dropped then don't allow him near the table. It only takes one piece of food to teach him its worth a try. Ideally give him something else to do – a favourite bone to chew perhaps.
• If you don't want your dog to chew your things then do not give him access to them. Dogs will chew whatever comes to hand until they have learned what is and isn't appropriate to chew. When he is young give him lots of praise and attention for chewing the right things and try to avoid him getting hold of the wrong things. If he does get something he shouldn't, do not chase him or tell him off. Teach him to swap for a tasty treat or something of his own and he will not only learn what he should chew but also a good retrieve.
• Get your dog used to being handled and groomed as soon as he arrives. This should be a pleasant experience for him and sessions are best kept short. Some dogs do not like being restrained, if he struggles hold him firmly until he settles and then let him go. Do not let children maul a dog, teach them how to handle him gently and considerately.
• Although dogs thrive on routine, very few of us have a regular unchanging routine from day to day. Weekdays are different to weekends; holidays different again; evening activities may vary. It can be useful to vary your dog's walk and feeding routine a little to enable him to cope with any changes that may come up. A dog who is always fed at 5.30 on the dot will be far more distressed if you have to be out at that time one day, than one who is sometimes fed at 4 and sometimes at 6. Your dog should fit around your routine from the beginning and not the other way round. Of course some concessions must be made but try not to let him rule your life (unless of course you want him to!).

It is a common misconception that physical strength and force are required to establish leadership. Although it is possible to physically force dogs to comply, this approach is very limited and also can result in making a dog nervous or aggressive and lead to many unnecessary problems.

It is also a misconception that an aggressive or problem dog is so because he is 'dominant'. This is a much-overused term and while it is true that some dogs are stronger characters than others it is more likely that the problem has been caused by communication problems between dog and owner or inappropriate training.

If you feel that your dog is challenging you, do not try to compete by physically or verbally chastising him. By doing this you may show your dog that you are his equal or are inferior, especially if you do not succeed, and as such do not have the right to train him. Pack leaders whether they are human or canine do not gain their status through aggression but through the ability to solve conflict peacefully. Step back and try to look at it from your dog's point of view and you may find problems easier to solve. A simple change of a rule or a different training approach may work but always aim to work on a problem as soon as it arises. Do not leave it until if develops into a bad habit as these are always much harder to change.

House rules inevitably vary from family to family and the type of dog you have should also be considered. Some dogs are more independent than others, some are more confident. Independent breeds often need to earn more of their resources in order to motivate them to do things for their owners rather for themselves. Jack Russells who were bred to work on their own initiative are a good example of this. Some breeds are naturally more owner orientated and therefore will be more prepared to do as they are asked for perhaps less of a reward. Labradors, bred to work with humans in the field are a good example. Some breeds are more inclined to guard food and possessions, others to run off, others to demand attention. Be aware of your dog's drives and instincts and it will make deciding on rules and training priorities much easier.

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