Hannah's B.E.S.T (Behavior, Education, Support & Training)

Pet Parent Education: Because statistics show that dogs live shorter and more miserable lives due to unresolved behavior issues, Hannah Membership includes unlimited behavior support and dog training classes. 

When dogs learn good habits, they live happier, healthier, longer lives. Well-behaved dogs become life-long indoor members of a family. 

Because all behavior and training services are included in Hannah Membership, members who participate in Behavior Consultations (for cats, dogs, bunnies and guinea pigs), early puppy socialization, dog training and certification classes, say, "If you calculate the value of the included training, it's like your health care is free." Do your own calculations on what you save on behavior consultations and training with Hannah and take full advantage of Hannah’s B.E.S.T. to enjoy the BEST relationship possible with your Pet. 

Vocabulary:  Dogs adjust better to new people and places when hearing their name and words they know.  Use the same words to mean the same thing with your Pets. Great relationships are built on a common language. 

Potty Training: Reward dogs with praise and treats within 3 seconds of the dog going potty in the place you choose. Start all play sessions and walks after the dog goes potty in your selected spot. The dog will learn that all great things happen after I go potty here, and will go more quickly for you (helpful in rain or snow). Ignore the dog until the deed is done.Think work (go potty here) before pleasure (playtime and walks).

Trade up:  Instead of taking away a toy, trade the toy for something else your dog wants like another toy or treat. Do not take away the dog's prized possession. Some dogs will stop bringing you the ball during a good game of fetch if you take the ball. Instead, crouch next to the dog and give the dog a check or side rub and chant praises for the dog returning to you with the ball. Then show the dog a second ball or treat to help the dog decide to drop the retrieved ball. Replay!

Predictable Routines:  Most dogs like most children can relax when they can count on a predictable routine for getting all their needs met. For a dog, that routine may be:  1) morning out to potty, 2) walk and/or play session, 3) breakfast (great time for Hannah's training games), 4) nap in the kennel. Repeat. At night or when you are home during the day, keep the same routine. Make sure that lap time is alternated with independent time to prevent the development of separation distress. 

Kennel Acceptance: Keep the kennel door open and the kennel near by when the dog is not confined with the kennel door closed. At mealtime, play toss kibble and treat tosses into the kennel. Say, "Kennel" as the dog goes inside and praise the dog. As the dog come out, say, "Come" and praise. Throughout the day, start games with a toy tossed first into the kennel. Hide treats inside the kennel and place toys there for the dog to find. When the dog will be confined, place a Kong frozen with a smear of cheese or peanut butter inside. Take the dog in the kennel inside the car to fun places. Continue having the dog sleep at least some nights in the kennel to prevent the loss of kennel acceptance. Exercise the dog and be sure the dog has gone potty before confining the dog. Then ignore fussing. Teach the dog to wait and to receive a treat for being quiet before you open the kennel door.

Hannah's "Invisible Dog" Training Method

A dog who is adored by his Pet parents may quickly learn to get his needs met in some unwanted way such as jumping up, excessively whining, barking or pawing at us. The dog is just doing what works.  Help dogs out by teaching them how to show you the behaviors you want before you give them what they want. Only look at and talk to a dog that is not mouthing or pawing at you and that is quiet with all feet on the ground. Then consider giving the dog a simple instruction that you can praise and reward with whatever your dog wants or needs from you.  If the dog has been taught the instruction in many places and at many times and ignores you this time, just turn your back and walk away. Try again in about five minutes.

Gentle training.  Gentle training keeps learning fun for the dog and helps the dog understand how to get needs met by showing us desirable behaviors and by following simple instructions. Scolding confuses dogs and usually makes them anxious which brings out unwanted behaviors like mouthing, jumping and vocalizing.  Our attention becomes more valuable when it isn't always given freely. Be a little strategic. Give your attention when your dog is showing your their best self.  

Calm Departures and Arrivals:  To help the dog learn not to jump on everyone that enters your door, it is important that you avoid the common trap and joy of allowing your dog to jump on you for greetings when you first arrive home. Instead (this is tough love), ignore the dog until the dog is calm enough to keep all feet on the ground. Many dogs feel anxious when we lean over them and jump up in response. After your dog is calm, crouch, and if you think your dog will jump at your face, slip a thumb under the collar to prevent the loving lunge to kiss your face as you give the dog the reward of the scent of your close breath and a chest rub to help calm him.

Sit for Greeting.  Some people prefer to teach their dogs to sit politely to "earn" a greeting from people who visit the home. Here again, you need to help the dog practice this routine with you if you want them to be successful with others. It can help if you (and others) stand sideways and look away from the dog. Practicing with a treat for the sit and then giving your guests a treat as they arrive can help get this good habit started. 

Situational Learners:  Dogs need to learn instructions in many places to generalize what they mean. A dog may learn to Sit in the kitchen but not respond in the yard.

Hannah's "Learn to Earn Everything" Training Method

Life rewards:  Dogs enjoy friends but worship and bond to their protectors and providers. Learn to Earn training teaches dogs that all good things come from people in exchange for following some rules. What are all good things?  Whatever your dog needs and wants such as food, toys, treats, freedom, attention, affection, exercise and more. 

When dogs understand clearly that they are safe and how to get their needs met, they become relaxed, happy, and settled. Dog are eager to show us their best self. Dogs and the people who love them experience more love and joy together when there is no scolding or physical punishment in the relationship.

Fearful or aggressive. Sadly, dog fear and aggression often starts when we think the dog understands what we want and they feel confused and threatened by us. It is easy for us to slip into relating to our dogs as if they are children and understand us. Dogs are like us in many ways and share the same emotions so we give them too much credit for complex thinking and language. One study estimated fear as the start of 80% of aggression.

A Lifestyle:  Gentle training lasts and is a great way to keep the dog's life enriched emotionally, mentally and physically as a lifetime learner. You've heard that a good mind is a terrible thing to waste. It is never too late to start fun, learning games with your dog.

An example:  Dogs gives us instructions which may look like whining, barking, pawing, jumping, nudging, rattling the food bowl, getting the leash or placing a ball in a lap. When smile and them and respond because they are so cute and we love them. Dogs learns that one of these behaviors is working to get them what they want and need from us, so the dog uses that behavior over and over again. Sometimes we think it is cute and respond but other times we feel bothered and may even snap at the dog to stop that behavior. The dog ends up anxious and confused about how life works with us and what they need to do. We need to be predictable and consistent so that dogs can relax and rely on us to meet their needs. 

Extinction Burst. Beware! When a dog has learned a behavior that we don't appreciate now but that has worked for the dog in the past, the dog will try harder with that behavior to get what they want or need. The way we can help them is to go "cold turkey" on cutting off all eye contact, talking or touching attention in response to that behavior as we actively teach the dog new behaviors that do work to get what they want and need from us. Meal times (twice daily) are a great time to start training. Kibble is earned not freely put into a bowl. Then take the training on the road to new rooms, yards and places to help the dog learn new behaviors everywhere. 

Raise the Bar:  After the dog knows lots of instructions in many different locations, begin to vary the number of instructions before giving the dog what they want or need. ALWAYS praise a correct response to EVERY instruction. Begin to give the best rewards for the best (fastest?) responses.

Affection:  Some dogs don't like being touch that much just like some people like their personal space respected. Learn where your dog prefers to be touched. Stop affection before your dog has had enough to keep affection wanted and enjoyed. Many dogs fear hugs. Remember dogs don't hug other dogs. Tread lightly and respectfully with your canine.

Hannah's  "Close Tethering" Training Method

Teach your dog to enjoy being leashed for short periods of time and out of range from touching your. A dog that has learned to settle while leashed in a room with you but not needing your lap or constant attention will be able to go more places with you. (Do not allow other dogs to approach when your dog is tethered.)  

Leash your dog nightly indoors in the room with you. Give the dog a comfy mat or bed (a defined place) and something to chew that they don't get at any other time during the dog or night.  A long lasting rolled rawhide or bully stick chew can provide physical and mental exercise that lasts for hours and prepares your dog to settle and nap.

Made you look!  When the dog whimpers or fusses, do not look at or talk to the dog. Wait for 5 seconds or more of silence and then take the dog out to eliminate if you that's what he needs. 

Potty Training - Dogs have an instinct not to eliminate in their immediate resting area. Close tethering keeps dogs supervised indoors and helps prevent potty errors.

Calming – Close tethering calms the hyperactive dog especially when you have guests. Instead of allowing the dog to run to the front door to greet guests. Have guests approach the tethered dog once the dog is calm to toss a couple of treats for the calm behavior. A common reason behind unwanted dog behaviors is a lack of daily exercise off the property for physical and mental wellness.

Separation Distress - A close tethered dog cannot touch you or follow you from room to room. You leave to use the restroom or get something from the kitchen and return after a few minutes. The dog only gets eye contact, and talking (praise and attention) when not fussing. Leaving the area and returning for minutes helps the dog learn independence. The dog gains confidence that nothing bad happens when you are not there every second and when the dog cannot follow you. 

Destructive Tendencies - Close tethering with positive chew training teaches the dog what to chew and meets the dog’s natural desire to chew as an activity or stress release. Dogs love a new adventure and put things in their mouths like toddlers do. Avoid destructive chewing by confinement, supervision and with daily approved chewing.

Soak 1 inch of a rolled, pressed rawhide if needed to start the dog chewing it. If your dog is large or has jaw strength, you will need a larger and stronger chew like a sterilized bone for chewing not swallowing. Do not place rawhides in the kennel or give when the dog is not close tethered and supervised. Toss the rawhide when it is small enough to be swallowed. Do not give rawhides to dogs who swallow them whole or close to whole.  

Enjoy a Well-Behaved Dog!

Pain Free: Be sure your dog has no pain or discomfort. You would be cranky too if you had a toothache or other constant ache or pain.

Build Trust:  Avoid losing your temper with Pets. Dogs look guilty but that’s because they read our body language and see that we’re upset not because they know what they did wrong. Getting angry makes it harder for dogs to trust us, to want to be with us and to learn from us.

Settle on a Mat: Learn and practice Hannah recommended nightly chewing with close tether training. Praise chewing and being calm while settled on a mat indoors. Ignore fussing if you know the dog's needs have been met.

Adequate Exercise: Provide safe, daily exercise off your property to prevent or reduce most stress-related behaviors. If the dog pulls on leash, jumps up, is hyperactive or unruly, enroll in a Hannah training class and purchase a front clip harness or head halter. Caution about dog parks.  Some dogs that go to these parks are bullies.  If your dog has a bad experience with another dog, it can take ages for the dog to trust other new dogs. Be over-protective. Seek out proven, friendly dogs for social encounters. Learn to read dog body language so that you can recognize clearly a friendly dog versus a possible bully.

Training Classes:  Learn how to be the best dog instructor ever with your dog from people who have studied dog behavior and have lots of experience with positive, gentle training methods. The more you and your dog share a common vocabulary, the more enriched your lives together will be. Hannah include the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen certification and other advanced certifications at no additional fees. Set training goals for you and your dogs. Classes are designed to be fun for people and their dogs.

Praise Scale: Teach your dog to have excellent manners simply by praising and giving attention to the behaviors you want. Use a “praise scale” to shape the best behaviors. If the dog follows an easy instruction or responds slowly, use low-key praise. Increase your enthusiasm with praise for quicker responses. Give the most enthusiasm when the dog responds to a difficult instruction or in a difficult situation.

Treat Scales: Shape the best behaviors with the best rewards. Use a treat scale to give your dog feedback. Have treats handy to reward quick responses. Praise ALL correct responses but do not reward slow responses or if you give repeated instructions. ALWAYS reward coming when called. Never call your dog if she is too distracted to come. Instead, make a lot of exciting noise and run in the opposite direction. If she does not come when called, connect a 50 to100 foot clothesline to her collar. Grab the line in an emergency. Always give your dog something special indoors when outdoor fun is over. For example, walk the dog then feed the dog.