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Speaking of Dogs: Chaos at the door
Note from Doni: I’ve known about Cari Bowe and Carla Jackson for many years through local newspaper stories about dog behavior issues. But it wasn’t until my sister needed help with dog training, and later, a place to board her dogs, that I heard first hand about Cari as the “dog whisperer.”
Although my old dog Emma died almost one year ago, there were many times I wished I had someone to ask questions that would make me a better pet owner. If Emma were still alive, the question I would have asked Cari and Carla is exactly the topic these dog training experts addressed for us today: How dog owners can eliminate chaos at the door when company arrives.
Your future questions regarding dog training and behavior may be e-mailed to Cari and Carla in the comments section below.
Q. How can I teach my dog to stop going crazy when people come to visit?
When treating a “greeting disorder” there are two issues to address:
1. Practice calm, polite greetings with your dog on a daily basis.
2. Eliminate rehearsal of the wild behavior by getting your dog under control before guests arrive.
First, take an honest look at your own greeting behavior. If you are reinforcing full throttle greetings with a high-pitched voice, lots of petting, and allowing jumping or barking – then stop! It’s not fair to engage your dog in daily sky-high greetings and then expect him to be calm with visitors.
Second, get him under control before letting guests in. The doorway is an emotionally charged place where we talk excitedly and are usually so focused on acknowledging visitors; our dogs have carte blanche to misbehave. Additionally, well-meaning friends often make matters worse with, “Oh, it’s OK. I LOVE dogs.” Pat, pat, pat.
Instead, attach a 6-foot leash to your dog’s collar and stand on it with one foot. Make sure the length of leash from your foot to the dog’s collar is short enough to prevent doggies from jumping up and engaging in crazy behavior. Hold the other end of the leash and make sure you are steady on your feet. Do not put both feet on the leash, as it is possible that a large, exuberant dog could pull your feet out from under you.
Wild behavior is very rewarding to the dog as he instantly becomes the center of attention. With your foot on the leash you can greet your visitor while keeping the dog under control and out of the limelight.
The foot-on-the-leash technique transfers nicely to the seated position, allowing you to comfortably visit with guests while waiting for the dog to settle. Once the novelty of an arrival wears off and he is calm, you can subtly remove your foot from the leash to give him a little freedom. Leave the leash attached so you can regain control if he lapses into unruly behavior.
The key to getting the dog to settle quickly is to keep your foot on the leash, while keeping your hands and your focus off the dog. Petting and vocalization never has and never will calm an excited dog.
Here’s another option: Practice sending him to a back room or crate several times a day for rewards. The next time you have visitors, you can put him in his safe place where he’ll happily enjoy a special toy or treat until the coast is clear.
Cari Bowe is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who owns and operates Shasta Dog Training & Behavior Services. She is the founder and instructor of Haven Humane Society ’s Family Dog Obedience Classes. Cari also raises champion Scottish Deerhounds.
Carla Jackson is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer who owns and operates Jackson Ranch for Dogs – Boarding & Training.
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Cari Bowe has helped me numerous times with training my dogs. Carla is great too. They made a terrific dog training video which I still refer to from time to time. I often board my dog Zia at Carla’s Jackson Ranch for dogs because it is so unlike many kennels. The dogs have open spaces to run in and sleep in crates at night. She is wonderful about putting dogs together that can get along. Zia is being boarded there now as I write this from out rental cabin on Orcas Island. It gives me great piece of mind knowing that my dog is safe and happy.
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I can confirm that Cari is a kind, gentle trainer. Her approach works wonders and has helped me train two dogs through her classes.
You can see the schedule of upcoming classes for Haven Humane on Doni’s forums under ‘PETS’.
As a side note, our new puppy has “excessive greeting disorder” and Cari’s technique was worked like a charm. Thanks Carrie for a great and very timely article; it has already helped in our household.
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I met Carla while she was going through the use permit process with the County. She is an amazingly astute and bright woman, friendly and very knowledgeable about dogs. The boarding facility that she operates is safe and provides a unique and open place for your dogs to “vacation”.
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My 3 year old fox terrier (whom we have had since a puppy) bit my 9 year old daughter. My daughter simply walked near our dog as she was by the garbage. Normally you can approach or even take food from the dog without incident; so what happened this time?
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Cari & Carla are an awesome resource for this community! I am signed up for their class at Haven starting tomorrow with our rescued Doxie pup. Don’t forget Chere McMillan who is an incredible trainer who also works closely with Cari & Carla. I highly recommend these three to help with any of your doggie issues.
Cari is also one of the founders of Prescription: Pets a local pet visiting group in Redding who volunteer hundreds of hours a year to visit with their certified pets at hospitals, nursing homes and the Women’s Refuge in our community. She serves many hours volunteering as an instructor, evaluator and board member for this non-profit. It is always a pleasure to work with Cari!
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Ah, Cari Bowe is indeed a dog whisperer. When she speaks with dogs, she uses a quiet voice, barely above a whisper and always has a positive, happy tone in her voice. My little pet therapy dog, Dillan loves her and when she is within site, he cannot stop his wiggles. He spots her as soon as she enters a room, even though he may not have seen her for over a year.
She is a wonderful person, an insightful dog trainer and a very sweet lady.
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Help - I have a wonderful 1 1/2 year ols Shih Tsu female rescue dog - its been 5 days. She will not poop outside, but will inside when I am not watching her. Help - I walk her and go outside 6 times a day - she will not poop. Where do I start? I cannot have a forever open doggy door where I live.
Thank you
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Thanks for your good suggestions Carla. I’m a Realtor included reference to you in my blog: http://saratogavoice.com/wordpress/2010/02/23/inviting-prospective-buyers-into-your-home-for-sale/
I have a client with two cute doggies like yours.
Rick
tweet me @SaratogaVoice
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