You and Your Dog: A Lifetime Relationship

YOU AND YOUR DOG
A lifetime relationship

COURSE OVERVIEW
Why does your dog do what he wants
to do, and not what you are asking him
to do? How can you get him to do
what you want him to do? If you are
willing to modify your behavior, you can
expect your dog to modify his behavior.
This course is designed for the human
who struggles with understanding the
canine mind. It is for the human who
wants to bond in a great canine-human
relationship with their dog.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
During the four weeks of this course, students will be able
to:
• Describe the mind of the puppy
• Explain the mind of the adult dog
• Recognize fears, anxieties, and phobias (in the dog, not
the human)
• Create a behavioral plan for the dog

RECOMMENDED READING AND SOURCES USED IN THIS
COURSE
• Brown, A. (2004). Scaredy dog! Understanding and rehabilitating your
reactive dog. Allentown, PA: Tanacacia Press.
• Donaldson, J. (2005). The culture clash. Berkeley, CA: James and
Kenneth Publishers.
• Fogle, B. (1990). The dog’s mind: understanding your dog’s behavior.
New York, NY: Howell Book House.
• McDevitt, L. (2007). Control unleashed. South Hadley, MA: Clean Run
Productions, LLC.
• Parsons, E. (2005). Click to calm: healing the aggressive dog.
Waltham, MA: Sunshine Books.
• Wilde, N. (2006). Help for your fearful dog. Santa Clarita, CA:
Phantom Publishing.

COURSEOUTLINE
Week 1
Topic: The Puppy Mind
Lesson level objectives:
• Identify how the puppy learns
• Review important training tips
• Determine if a puppy is the best fit for you
Sub Topics Readings Activity
1. A sweet little puppy or a furry
monster?
2. Why is he ignoring me?
3. Teaching the basics.
4. Is our household ready for a puppy?
Chapter 6 (The Dog’s Mind)
Chapter 6 (The Culture Clash)
1. Take “check for understanding”
quiz. (10 points)
2. 2. Plan #1: (40 points)
3. 3. Create training journal. (0 points)
Week 2
Topic: The Adult Dog
• Explain how the adult dog learns
• Understand the behaviors of the adult dog
• Review training techniques and tips
1. Is it too late to learn?
2. How to train.
3. Is he just being stubborn?
Chapters 3 and 7 (The Dog’s Mind)
Chapters 5 and 6 (The Culture Clash)
1. Take “check for understanding” quiz.
(10 points)
2. Plan #2: (40 points)
3. Create training journal. (0 points)

COURSEOUTLINE(cont.)
Week 3
Topic: Fears, Anxieties, and Phobias
Recognize when your dog is fearful or anxious
Identify techniques to help the dog to relax
Identify behaviors correctly
1. What are fears, anxieties, and
phobias?
2. How can you help your dog with these
issues?
3. Let’s talk about “dominance”
Chapter 4 (Help for Your Fearful Dog)
Chapters 2- 6 (Control Unleashed)
1. Take “check for understanding” quiz.
(10 points)
2. Plan #3: (40 points)
3. Create training journal. (0 points)
Week 4
Topic: Behavioral Plan
Create a plan for you and your dog
Implement and discuss your plan
Revise and submit your plan
1. Create a plan for you and your dog
2. Implement your plan
3. Talk to your classmates
4. Improve your plan
5. Conclusion
None 1. Take “check for understanding”
quiz. (10 points)
2. Create Behavioral Plan (100 points)

WEEK 1:THE PUPPY MIND
"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." -- Ben Williams
A sweet little puppy or a furry monster?
Who doesn’t love a puppy? They are small and soft, warm and sweet. They are cute and cuddly
and are simply little angels. How can something so adorable turn into such a monster?
My first dog (as an adult) was a Golden Retriever named Levi. I brought him home when he was
a little over two months old. I cradled him in my arms and watched him sleep on a little pillow.
Then the trouble started. I was providing food, love, and a warm home for him. Why wasn’t that
enough? I couldn’t sleep at night because that’s when he wanted to play. When I called him, he
ignored me.
I took him to the vet for his first visit and told her I was concerned that he had a hearing problem.
She just looked at me and said, “You need a class in dog training.” The puppy wasn’t the
problem. I was the problem.
Puppies need to be taught proper behavior. They aren’t being stubborn or mischievous. They are
just being animals.

WEEK 1:THEPUPPYMIND
Why is he ignoring me?
When I thought my puppy had a hearing problem, I was concerned. When I found out his
hearing was fine, I started to get annoyed. He was just ignoring me! Or was he? Levi had to be
shown how to behave. Dogs don’t just come hard-wired to sleep when we want them to sleep or
to come when we call their name. They have to learn it. And we have to teach them. Unless the
behavior is embedded in the dog, it has to be taught.
For example, when you are trying to teach your puppy to come when called, become an
opportunist. Jean Donaldson in The Culture Clash explains (p. 181) how to take advantage of
the times when your puppy comes to you and use that time to teach and reward. Crouch down,
clap, get excited, and when he comes to you, reward like crazy. The puppy learns very soon that
good things happen when you start calling his name.
Can you Relate?
What has been your experience? Have you adopted a
puppy or a dog who didn’t seem to know what you’re trying
to say? If so, you’re not alone. If only they could
understand your language. Oh wait…we can make them
understand! Read on!

WEEK 1:THEPUPPYMIND
Teaching the basics
Seeking or hunting food is embedded in the dog. She will always do something for food. That’s what
she’s all about. Food drives her behavior.
The following behaviors are all hard-wired into the dog, because they result in food acquisition.
(Donaldson, p. 23):
• Searching
• Stalking
• Rushing
• Chasing
• Biting/Holding/Shaking/Killing
• Dissecting/Eating
So when you are training your dog, creating activities that encourage her to search, stalk, rush, chase,
etc. will capitalize on her natural food-driving behavior.
For example, if you want to teach your dog to sit, forcing her behind down on the floor is not capitalizing
on this natural behavior. Holding a treat in your hand and moving it back behind her head encourages
her to sniff and search for that treat. And you’re probably going to get a “sit” out of it. If she cranes her
neck back and jumps back without sitting, be patient and start over. Dogs will always try new ways of
getting treats. If something doesn’t work, they stop doing it. When something does work, they will
continue doing it. Teaching your dog to lay is using the same concept.

WEEK 1:THEPUPPYMIND
Is our household ready for a puppy?
Puppy-proofing a home can be compared to baby-proofing a home. Only babies don’t rip into
pillows, socks, rugs, and lots of other things with their sharp little teeth. So, how do you prepare
for a puppy? There are many who swear by crate-training. If you plan on crate-training your dog,
you can’t just keep her in a little cage for 8-10 hours while you’re at work. There are guidelines
and best practices for crate-training. Be sure to read up on these. Crate-training does not take
the place of training behaviors, though. You still need to train the pup.
Puppies can’t tell the difference between your shoes and a chew toy. So, don’t blame the dog
when you leave your shoes out and he chews them up.
Do you have a yard or do you plan on taking your dog out every day, several times a day?
Puppies especially need to be taken out quite often. Not only to urinate and defecate, but to get
their exercise and play. They also love to sniff around. Remember, it’s part of the hard-wiring.
Of course, you’ll need to ask the question, is a puppy right for you? Or should you consider an
older dog who has been through these stages? Next week, we will talk about adult dogs.
What’s the Plan?
Go to the Week 1 Discussion Assignment and talk
about your plan with your classmates.

WEEK 1KNOWLEDGE CHECK #1
Puppies are born with the following
behavior(s) (check all that apply):
1. Sitting
2. Eating
3. Playing
4. Coming when called
Correct answer: eating and playing. Both
of these come naturally to dogs.

When training your puppy, food is a
preferred reward.
1. True
2. False
Correct answer: True. A dog is hard-wired
into seeking out food.

WEEK 1DISCUSSION
After reading about the challenges of a puppy, have you still decided
to get one? If so, what’s your plan for training and house-proofing?
What about the other members of the family? Will they be on board?
If you already have the puppy in your home, is there something you
plan on doing differently with training?
Based on what you have read, how would you teach your dog to sit?
To stay? To come when called?
Write up your plan and share it with your classmates.

WEEK 2:THE ADULT DOG
“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the
role model for being alive.” -- Gilda Radner
Is it too late to learn?
Whether you decided to adopt a puppy or an adult dog, either way it’s important to know how to
train an adult dog.
The adult dog has developed into a strong, amazing creature. A dog’s sense of smell is powerful.
His eyesight is remarkable. And his hearing is excellent. Stories exist of dogs who can predict
earthquakes or read minds. I could swear that my border collie, Cassidy, knows when a thought
crosses my mind such as, “It’s time for a walk.” (Of course, being a border collie, he is very much
in tune to the slightest facial expressions or movements.) Dogs are unquestionably awesome.
As highly evolved as your adult dog is, you still need to train him. According to Bruce Fogle, in
The Dog’s Mind, “Dog training is constantly going on whether or not people are actually involved
in it” (p. 98). So the training is happening. You can be a part of it. The experts have terms for the
training and learning. Now would be a good time to learn a few of these.

WEEK 2:THEADULTDOG
Important Terms to Learn this Week!
Operant Conditioning – strengthening a behavior by reinforcing it. For example, whenever your
dog lies down, if you reward him you are strengthening this behavior.
Classical Conditioning – a reaction to a stimulus. For example, every time I open the yogurt
container, Cassidy starts to drool. Since I give him a little dollop of yogurt in the morning, he is
conditioned to drool at the sound of the lid coming off the container.

WEEK 2:THEADULTDOG
How to Train
Dogs are always seeking out the reward. The rewards can be more
than food. Cassidy loves his food, but he also loves his walks. Some
dogs are driven by toys. Some dogs love to tug and chase. Whatever
reward you decide to use, just remember you are strengthening a
behavior by reinforcing it! The dog doesn’t just do something out of
the goodness of his heart. He is seeking that reward. As wonderful
and good-hearted these guys are, they still want that reward. People
who think that the dog should just want to sit, stay, come, etc. are not
in touch with the reality of how dogs learn. Remember, this is operant
conditioning.
So begin with that reward. And don’t forget to make it fun. If the dog is not being joyful or acting
eager to please, ask yourself why. I’ve seen people walking their dogs, and although the dog is
very well-behaved, they don’t look like they’re enjoying themselves. I have to wonder if the owner
is using punishing techniques. These techniques can backfire. Use positive reinforcement, not
punishment!
In The Culture Clash, Chapter 6 will give you all the help you need on training basic commands.

WEEK 2:THEADULT DOG
Is He Just Being Stubborn?
So, you’ve trained your dog to come to you when called. One day, you call him and he
acts like he never learned this command. He looks at you like, “who me?” You think to
yourself, “he’s being stubborn.” A more likely explanation is that maybe the behavior
wasn’t reinforced steadily and consistently. People just love to try to explain the behavior
of animals by making them sound like children. They are not children. They are tenacious
and persistent; but they’re not trying to “get back at you” for something.
I would highly recommend reading more about how dogs learn in The Culture Clash.
Can you Relate?
How many times have you seen or heard someone try
to teach their dog something by treating them like a
human child? Are there any comparisons you can
make between training a dog and teaching a child?
Are there any contrasts you can make?

WEEK 2:THE ADULT DOG
Here are some old, outdated ways of thinking about a dog’s behavior.
Please don’t fall into these old ways of thinking:
Outdated
“He’s just trying to be dominant.”
“She wants to be the leader of the pack.”
“She’s trying to get back at me.”
“He’s in a really bad mood.”
Here’s what really might be going on with your dog:
Current Thinking
“He hasn’t really learned this, yet.”
“Her owner is not taking control of the situation, so she (the dog) has to.”
“She doesn’t understand the string of words you are putting together.”
“He’s bored.”
What’s the Plan?
Go to the Week 2 Discussion Assignment
and talk about your plan with your
classmates.

The following are true of the adult dog (check all that
apply):
1. A dog can get bored.
2. A favorite toy may be a good reward for some dogs.
3. A dog can get moody.
4. A highly-evolved, smart dog needs less training.
Correct answer: #1 and #2. If a dog
appears to be in a bad mood, there may
be something else going on, such as
boredom. And, even smart dogs have to
be shown how to behave.)

Classical conditioning is defined as an automatic
response to a stimulus:
1. True
2. False
Correct answer: true.

WEEK 2DISCUSSION
Review your training plan. Are there behaviors you would like your dog
to have, but you’re having a difficult time training him? If so, what
could be going on? Is he enjoying himself during the training
sessions? What’s your dog’s favorite reward?
If you still are thinking about adoption, what will you train your dog to
do? How will you make it fun?

WEEK 2TRAINING JOURNAL
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered this week? Did
your dog surprise you and do something you weren’t expecting? What
went well? What didn’t go so well?
If you’re still thinking about adoption, write your reactions to the
material this week.

WEEK 3:FEARS,ANXIETIES,AND PHOBIAS
"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to
open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." -- Edward Hoagland
What are fears, anxieties, and phobias?
One very important skill you will need with your dog is how to read her body language. In Help for Your
Fearful Dog, Nicole Wilde devotes a chapter to recognizing fear in your dog (pp. 17-34, 2006). Wilde
describes what the ears, tail, mouth, and eyes may look like in a fearful dog. Review this chapter
carefully. Recognizing these signs is crucial to intervention.
Your dog may be fearful of certain things, such as another dog lunging at him or loud noises. Past
experiences can create fears. Once this experience has happened to your dog, certain things can
trigger a reaction. If your dog had a bad experience with a certain breed of dog, then the sight of that
breed can trigger a reaction. However, if the dog begins fearful in a situation where his “trigger” isn’t
even present, then he may be suffering from anxiety. “Anxiety deals with what could happen, not
what is happening at the time” (Wilde, p. 5, 2006).
A phobia may develop when a dog is extremely fearful of something. And the reaction to the fear is
severe. For example, if a dog develops a phobia about being left alone, he may destroy the house while
the owner is away. If your dog has phobias, you may need to first try to manage the situation by
preventing the dog from encountering those triggers. Nicole Wilde in Help for Your Fearful Dog also
indicates that behavior modification and complementary therapies, (even pharmaceuticals) may be
necessary.

WEEK 3:FEARS,ANXIETIES,ANDPHOBIAS
How can you help your dog with these issues?
If your dog is anxious, your main goals are:
• Teach your dog relaxation skills
• Provide a stable environment where your dog feels secure
• Build your dog’s confidence
How do you teach relaxation skills? How do you ensure stability
and security? How do you build your dog’s confidence? There are
some fantastic resources available to you. In particular:
 Help for Your Fearful Dog (Nicole Wilde)
 Control Unleashed (Leslie McDevitt)
 Click to Calm (Emma Parsons)
 Scaredy Dog (Ali Brown)
Let’s talk about some of the common techniques from these
books.
What’s the Plan?
Go to the Week 3 Discussion
Assignment and talk about your plan
with your classmates on how you are
dealing with any fears, anxieties or
phobias, or how you will deal with these
if they arise.

Clicker Training
Teaching your dog to relax can be challenging. My border collie won’t relax
until every squirrel has been evicted from the back yard and every cat has
been chased away. The clicker can be used, of course, for command
training; it’s also useful for getting your dog to relax. In Leslie McDevitt’s
book, Control Unleashed, she talks about rewarding relaxing behaviors.
Remember when we talked about reading your dog’s body language for
cues that she’s stressed? You can also read body language for cues that
she’s relaxed. And when she starts exhibiting these cues, you can click and
reward them.
Now, the dog is also picking up on every cue you are giving her. So, if there
are some stressful cues such as the tone of your voice or the tightening of
the leash, your dog may be learning to react when this happens. What if
you trained your dog to relax when these cues are given? Read Emma
Parson’s book, Click to Calm, pages 85 through 95 for some advice on how
to train your dog to relax, even though some cues you are giving her are
stressful.

Fun and Games
Have you ever been stressed out and you start working on a crossword puzzle, or read a good
fiction book, and before you know it, you’ve forgotten what you were stressed about and you’re
much calmer? Games such as a stuffed Kong, hide and seek, tug-o-war, puzzle toys, and of
course, fetch, are all important for a dog’s well-being on a daily basis! He needs activities where
he can use his senses, instincts, and abilities.

Exercise
This one’s a no-brainer. Anyone who doesn’t understand how relaxing exercise can be for
humans and dogs alike probably shouldn’t own a dog. Dogs need to get out of the house and
sniff. They need to move. Taking a dog for a walk is not only great for them physically, it’s great
for them emotionally. They get to use those amazing senses and instincts, again on the walk.
This is what you want your dog to look like after some beneficial exercise. And what human
can’t use some exercise, too?

Let’s talk about “dominance”
How many times have you heard someone say their dog has a dominant personality? Or how
many times have you been told by someone that you need to be the dominant member of the
household, so that your dog knows where he falls in the hierarchy? When the dog is not listening
to you, even though you are calling him repeatedly, people will tell you, “Oh, he’s just being
dominant. You need to show him who’s boss.”
Now there’s a difference between showing him who’s boss and showing him who’s got his
back. In other words, you don’t have to provide an environment where you’re always going to be
top dog in the pack. But you do have to provide an environment where you’ll be there to take
care of him, and he doesn’t have to take care of you.
If your dog is exhibiting what people may refer to as dominance, take some time to examine if
he’s maybe not feeling secure. Maybe he doesn’t think you’re in control of a situation. Or, maybe
he’s just being a dog and hasn’t been shown specific behaviors are not acceptable. If he jumps
up on people when they come in the door, maybe he’s never been completely trained not to do
that. Dogs will always want to get close to someone’s face. You have to show them through
proper training techniques that this is not acceptable behavior.
Jean Donaldson writes about the “dominance theory” in The Culture Clash. Read pages 17-20
for a thorough explanation of the fallacy of “dominance.”

The following could be signs of fear (check all that apply):
1. Excessive licking
2. Dilated pupils
3. Tail tucked
4. Weight evenly distributed
Correct answer: 1, 2, and 3. When a dog’s
weight is more distributed to the front two
legs, or more to the back two legs, he may
be showing signs of fear.

Through clicker training, you can teach your dog to relax
when given stressful cues.
1. True
2. False
Correct answer: true. If you tend to pull on
the leash[a stressful cue] when you see
another dog approaching, teaching your
dog to relax when the leash is pulled may
be helpful.)

WEEK 3DISCUSSION
Review your training plan. Has your dog exhibited fears, anxieties, or
phobias? How will you deal with these? Have you observed what you
thought were dominant behaviors in your dog? Do you think
something else was going on?
If you’re still thinking about adoption, take a walk and watch people
with their dogs. Have you seen any dogs who are exhibiting fears,
anxieties, and phobias? What do the humans look like who are
walking these dogs?

WEEK 3TRAINING JOURNAL
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered this week? Did
your dog surprise you and do something you weren’t expecting? What
went well? What didn’t go so well?
If you’re still thinking about adoption, write your reactions to the
material this week.

WEEK 4:OUR BEHAVIORAL PLAN
“Dogs are miracles with paws.” -- Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy
Create a plan for you and your dog
During the last few weeks, you have been learning about puppies and how to train them.
You’ve also learned about adult dogs, and how to deal with some issues they may have.
At this stage in the course, you will want to develop a plan. This plan will be tailored to
your situation. You may:
• Be considering adopting a puppy or dog
• Have already adopted a puppy or dog, and:
• Things are going well
• Challenges are arising
Whatever your situation, now’s the time to create your plan. Let’s see what it might look
like on the next page!

WEEK 4:OURBEHAVIORAL PLAN
Week Plan
My puppy “I’ve adopted a puppy and this week I’m going to house train him.
I’m going to take him outside every few hours and when he goes
outside, I’m going to praise him and be really enthusiastic. If I see
him start to look like he’s going to go in the house, I’m going to
take him out quickly and try to “catch” him before he goes in the
house. “
“I’ve decided I’m going to adopt an adult dog. There are many
wonderful adult dogs in shelters and I’d rather not deal with the
chewing and all the other things that go along with bringing a
puppy into the home.”
“I haven’t adopted, yet, but plan on a puppy. I’m going to puppy-
proof the house, and review how we’re going to integrate him into
the house with my family.”
My dog “I have adopted an adult dog who needs some training. I’ve
decided I’m going to teach her all the basic commands this week,
plus a few fun tricks. I’m going to reinforce desirable behavior
using the clicker.”
“My puppy will turn into an adult dog very soon, so I’m going to
start her on basic commands this week, clicker training, and fun
tricks.”
“I haven’t adopted yet, but plan on an adult dog. I’ve read the
material on clicker training, and have decided that’s what I’m
going to use. The family is all on board with the training. We are
all going to deliver the same consistent message to the dog.”

WEEK 4:OURBEHAVIORAL PLAN
Implement your plan
So, you’ve written your plan. Maybe you’ve implemented some of the
activities already. If you haven’t adopted your dog yet, you may skip this
section. If you have adopted your dog, let’s get started!
Talk to your classmates
You can learn so much from others’ experiences. Post your plan as well as
one challenge and one success. Comment constructively on another
classmate’s challenge. Give praise for a success!
Improve your plan
Based on your classmates’ comments, revise your plan. Integrate their
comments into your plan, and then indicate what you’ve decided to do. You
don’t have to take the suggestions of every person. You know your dog
better than anyone else, so if someone suggests something that you know
won’t work, just indicate that in your plan.

CONCLUSION
Congratulations! You’ve completed the course successfully! May
you and your dog enjoy a fun-filled, healthy life together!

You and Your Dog: A Lifetime Relationship

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