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How to Untrain a Dog
Many smart pet owners want their pet to start off on the right foot. So, they enroll Fido in a dog training program. Ideally this is done when the dog or puppy is first acquired so that it has not had the opportunity to learn bad habits or to practice ignoring new masters.
Many of these owners later complain that their dog has "lost it". "The dog was trained but forgot it all." Why does this happen to some trained dogs, while other similar canines are capable of retaining their obedience training? Are some just more forgetful than others?
There is, in fact, a knack to maintaining a trained dog. The secret lies not in continuously practicing the doggie lessons, or by taking refresher courses, but in the day-to-day interaction between dog and owner. After dog school graduation, some owners begin immediately UNTRAINING their dogs.
The first step in untraining the dog is to speak long sentences of gibberish. Pet owners often forget their learned dog school vocabulary and lapse into a tirade of words, which the dog does not understand. Instead of "Fido, come!", they say things like "C'mon over here... you heard me ...how many times do I have to tell you... etc".
The next step in this untraining process is to repeat commands. "Sit, Sit!, Sit!!, Sit!!!, Sit!!!!" (with no correction or action taken to enforce the command). What the dog learns is "I can ignore you. I can ignore you!!".
Another step towards an untrained dog is to wait for Fido to get around to obeying. The command is given: "Sit", then several seconds elapse before the dog finally does sit, or before a correction is given, or even worse yet, another command is given. The delay gradually gets longer and longer. (The slow pooch is teaching its owner patience.) The seconds stretch into minutes and eventually the command is not obeyed at all.
Another way to untrain is to shout to "make the dog obey ." As the commands gets louder and louder, the pet becomes increasingly "deaf". The message to the dog is: if one speaks normal, I do not have to listen. However, when the crescendo of commands become deafening, Ado knows the owner is miffed and is likely to finally take action toward the dog, so he obeys. The owner often decides after this annoying scene that shouting works. Then, over time, the decibel level required to get the dog to be "obedient" grows to an ear-splitting level.
Next, forget to praise and reward the dog when it does what it is asked. If the owner says "Come!" and the dog comes and does not even get noticed or thanked, it will think: "Why did I bother doing that? It didn't seem to matter." Dogs, like people need to be shown the relevance of their actions and be rewarded for a job well done.
Finally, the most effective way to untrain your dog is to give commands to a dog which is not yet reliably obedience trained when it is loose. When the lead is off, the owner cannot clarify commands for the confused dog, and cannot enforce commands for the defiant dog. The main lesson learned by the loose dog is: When the lead is off, I have a choice, and the owner can not do anything about it.
How do you maintain a trained, obedient dog???
Be Clear. The message to the dog must be simple, clear and consistent. Be fair to the confused dog by clarifying and reviewing commands. Make certain that enough time has been spent patiently and clearly teaching the dog what is expected. It usually takes many more repetitions than you would think.
Do Not Repeat. Say a command only once, then immediately help the confused dog to do it, or give a correction to the dog which fully understands the command.
Do Not Wait. A slow response will evolve into no response at all. The dog should learn to be responsibly and respectfully prompt.
Do Not Shout. As the old proverb goes: Speak softly and carry a big (leash). Dogs can hear better than people, so there is no need to yell. If commands are effectively enforced, a hand signal or a whisper should be sufficient.
Reward. Do not forget to let the dog know in some way that it did the right thing. That its response to you was appreciated, and that it was worth the effort.
Do Not Give Off-Lead Commands. If the dog ignores a command when it is free, put the lead back on and give a refresher course. When the owner is home with the dog, it can trail around on a light two to ten foot cord, literally giving the owner a "handle" on control, so that he can clarify or enforce in a consistent, humane manner. This will enable owners to get through the difficult period of canine adolescence, when the dog continuously challenges authority. As the dog matures such techniques should no longer be necessary.
A trained dog is a pleasure to be around. This animal is also happier than its untrained counterparts, because it enjoys much more freedom and companionship.
Training is one of the nicest gifts that an owner can give to an animal. It establishes a communications system with the poor, confused pet. It is "canine liberation" for the dog that has been previously ostracized for being unruly. When done fairly, it builds a bond of love and respect between the dog and owner like nothing else can. It is too valuable of an investment to waste. Make it part of your daily routine as you interact with your dog at home each day.
Reprinted from Rocky Mountain Spotted News. A publication of the Greater Denver Dalmatian Club. May 1993.