Ross 1

Malerie Ross

Prof. Kiewitz

Eng 1201

3 April 2020

The Best Way to Train Your Dog

Dogs are humans' best friend, but can we really read their mind? My research

question is what is the best way to train a dog? I am trying to find out the greater ways

to train dogs who have not had as much experience with tricks and the basic

fundamentals. Many owners need help controlling their dogs with things such as potty

training, understanding service dog concepts, and leash training etc.

For my intended audience, I think that this topic would be for owners of a dog or

puppy currently or someone that intends to get a dog or puppy in the future. I want to

help struggling dog owners in any presence to understand their dog and give better tips

and tricks to help train their dogs better. Tricks for training are very hard to help dogs

learn because many dogs have their own minds and do not think the same. People can

struggle with training their dog. Some dogs may have used the bathroom in their

houses. Some could beg if they really want something, especially food. Dogs are very

picky about going in kennels or crates because they feel like they might be trapped

there. Dogs maybe would not understand the concept of a trick, since they have never

learned it before.

In my experience, my family just got a dog. Her name is Stella. She is part Corgi

and Carolina Dog. Stella was from Tennessee when she came to Indiana to be in foster

care. She was about one and a half years old. She was a stray wandering on the
 Ross 2

streets looking for food to survive. We think she got food from people because

everytime she eats, she always brings her food to eat in another room so she can hide

it. Stella was very nervous when we picked her up in Indiana. We went to a pet shop

and met with her foster parents, and she instantly jumped right to us. Once all the

paperwork was filled out, it was time to take her to the car. She was very hesitant to get

in the car because on her trip to Indiana from Tennessee was probably scary for her.

She was so nervous we had to carry her to the car, and she was shaking very badly.

After a couple weeks of having her, she started puppy biting, since she had never been

taught that it was wrong. We gave her peanut butter and it distracted her from the biting.

She can be very stubborn when she wants belly rubs and peanut butter. She is needy

when she does not get the amount of attention she wants. Usually when she wants

something, we have her do a trick before she has a treat to show dominance over her.

After a couple weeks of having her, she started puppy biting, since she had never been

taught that it was wrong. We gave her peanut butter and it distracted her from the biting.

She has definitely gotten better over the past two months, but we are still working with

her to show her the right ways.

One of the first things that my dog Stella needed help with was potty training.

Potty training can be hard for some dogs especially at a young age. Dogs do not usually

understand the words yes and no. (Erb). Puppies need time to get adjusted to their new

environment so they could have accidents at the beginning. Dogs have accidents in

places where they have gone before or areas around them. If it is not cleaned up

properly there are some products you can use to clean them up so it does not happen

again. Pet Life Today says: “ ...selected TriNova Natural Pet Stain and Odor Remover
 Ross 3

Eliminator… It's clear this pet stain and odor removes what it says on the bottle”

(Corona). This stain remover helps clean up accidents and make sure the dog does not

go there again.

In Figure 1, A dog on a potty pad is shown. This is one of the most important training methods.

(“3 Steps to Potty Pad Training Your Dog.”)

There are certain signals that dogs give when they need to go outside like

nodding their nose or whining. They could also bark and walk in circles to show they

need to go to the bathroom. These are all signs your dog needs to go to the bathroom.

Most puppy owners use potty pads to help train dogs to do their business in a specific

place. Potty pads can be learned by puppies who are not used to their bladder. As seen

in Figure 1, many dogs use potty pads to maturely use the bathroom for outside. For

example, you could show your dog where to go potty on the potty pads by pointing your

finger or putting them in a confined area to keep them in a contained safe area so that it

is easier to learn. Handling your dogs accidents calmly is the best way to show your dog

you are not mad (Gibeault). Lots of owners have to be patient with these kinds of major

training because it depends how fast the dog can learn things. Dogs really just depend

on their obedience level and how they were raised. You have to be patient with dogs
 Ross 4

during potty training because if you are stern with them they will not do what you want

them to. Keeping a positive attitude with your dog can help them train easier. (Erb). If

you do not have a very good positive attitude with your dog, they can definitely sense it.

You could pet your dog or kiss your dog to show you have a positive attitude. Dogs can

be very new to training so it could be harder for them to learn. Mostly puppies have

trouble at the beginning and grow from there. They will probably not understand what

you are saying because it is all new to them.

Watching your dog's pattern is very important because they could only go to the

bathroom in the right spot once and forget it the next time. Owners have to keep a close

eye on what habits their dog picks up on. Sometimes in potty training, dogs claim a spot

after then go potty somewhere and if they smell their scent they automatically go there

again. Even if your dog is struggling to go to the bathroom on the potty pads, when

he/she does for the first time, it is still major progress. The CIA states: “ A small change

is a big moment. By watching your dog closely for new reactions to commands, you can

reward them appropriately and direct” (Central Agency). The smallest moments are

always the biggest moments. Dogs also need breaks just like humans. If they do not

seem like they are liking the potty pad, you can always take a break. Taking a walk

outside with your dog or playing catch outside with them is a great way to distract and

have a break from the training. The CIA said: “Everyone gets tired once in a while, and

training is hard work! Remember to take it easy when needed, for you and your dog’s

sake” (Central Agency). Dogs work very hard sometimes over their limits. It is good to

get fresh air after hard training especially for puppies since they are younger.
 Ross 5

Another important training besides potty training is leash training. Leash training

is major in trick knowledge for dogs. Dogs need to learn this because it helps them be

more controlled outside while going to the bathroom. Johnny Lemen, a retired Ohio

State Patrol Officer who was in charge of the K-9 unit, says that he recommends the

Herm Sprenger Dog Training Collar. “The Choke Chain” helps prevent your dog from

going far from your sight. The choke collar is a chain that you put around your dog's

neck and attach your leash to it. Your dog should not be in front of you while you are

walking. The choke collar usually is recommended for walking dogs, not running.You

have the dominance over your dog (Lemen). Lemen explains how the collar works for

the owner to have more dominance because it tightens more around the dog’s

neck/ears so it does not hurt the dog as bad. He also states that having a leash with a

non retractable is better for the dog while taking it outside. This provides the dog to

learn how to control their own boundaries when being outside. Dogs have to be under

control to be going outside for their safety.

Some people believe the choke collar can be very harmful to dogs. According to

the article “Dog Collars”: “ It can also cause other problems, too, such as injuries to the

trachea and esophagus, injuries to blood vessels in the eyes, neck sprains, nerve

damage, fainting, transient paralysis and even death” Dogs could potentially be choked

so hard to death. Many people disagree that the choke collar is very dangerous and

should not be used.

Harnesses work for training dogs as well. He stated that harnesses help secure

the dog when they are running, and it is an easier way of running with your dog. The

harness wraps around part of the dog's body and you usually put it on starting from the
 Ross 6

neck. There are two clips that you strap behind the dog’s front legs and connect them at

the top. Sometimes there are even pockets in the sides of the harness to put things in

like fece disposable bags into. The harness does not choke the dog; it stays safe and is

probably quite comfortable for the dog to run in, considering the outside circumstances

like wind, heat, rain, and snow. Dogs have a mind of their own and can be sometimes

very overpowering. Slowing them down with their leash is always a safe way of teaching

them to go at their owner’s tempo (Lemen). Dogs can go on walks usually once they

have mastered the leash training. Dogs maybe could not like harnesses. The article “6

Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Their Harness” addresses: “For some dogs,

the idea of having a foreign object slipped over their head or around their neck sends

them into panic” (King). Some dogs have a fear of something going near their faces and

do not like it. Another thing the article “ 6 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Their

Harness” mentions is “ Dogs can be allergic to a long list of materials used to make

harnesses including nylon, certain types of metal, and the chemicals used in dye”

(King). Dogs can have very sensitive skin, and some people are worried about their

dogs having an allergic reaction to this harness. Some dogs have dry, irritated skin that

limits them from wearing certain things even like clothes.

If the dog breed is very more of a nature type getting them a dog zipline is a

great idea. Instead of having to hold a leash while playing with your dog who might not

be as trustworthy running outside alone you can put the dog on a zipline. It’s a basic

way to keep up with your dog's exercise as well as with the leash on the zipline

(Lemen). Your dog should have the same level of energy as their training needs.

(Central Agency). The training needs of your dog should involve some kind of activity,
 Ross 7

as well as fitting your dog’s level of tiredness. On the zipline you could work on come

and stay commands. Running to the end of the zipline while the dog stays on the start

of the zipline is a good training idea.

Once you potty train your dog and once your dog is walking and/or running

obediently on a leash, you may want to take your training to the next level. If your dog is

responding well to training and overall enjoying the challenge, you may want to consider

having your dog become a service dog. Service animals can emotionally support

people, protect them, and even save people's lives. Teaching service dogs is not easy,

since training should start when dogs are young.

There are so many people in this world with anxiety and lots of people need them

for emotional support.. 500,000 people are in need of these animals so why not protect

them and keep everyone happy? (Trainer). Some people need to have an emotional

support animal beside them because they need moral support to get through what they

are afraid of. The animals can sense when their owners are scared or anxious about

something. Usually owners start shaking or their heart rate grows faster. Most animals

go into their owners lap to show they have love and support.

Support animals are looked over as something that is not needed as much.

According to Stockman, a New York Times author said: “ His filing was one of more

than a thousand similar complaints the agency has received nationwide so far this year”

More and more people are filing complaints how they can not live with their support

animal because it is too dangerous or just because animals are not allowed on the

premises. Court hearings are being brought upon and being handled on the owner of

the support animal’s side. Some people are not even allowed to have animals in their
 Ross 8

houses. Support dogs are now being questioned whether or not they are allowed on

airlines. Resnick, a contributor to Vox newspaper says: “Some passengers may very

well be exploiting the law to bring pets on planes. ”Some people think bringing animals

like snakes, mouses, and peacocks can be dangerous on the plane. They want to set

out a law where no support or service animals are on planes.” Some people also

believe that there should be a doctor's note showing that the owner needs this pet on

the plane at all times. There have been many incidents of feces left behind or another

passenger being scratched by the animal. (Resnick).

Starting out training for emotional support animals may be a very long process.

To teach your dog ways to emotionally support, it is better to follow three rules:

Duration, Distance, and Distraction. Duration can teach your support animal to stay still

for a long period of time. These times start off as three seconds and grow to longer

periods of time. The Distance training is teaching your support animal to respond to

their owner from far away. The owner slowly backs away and holds the command. Once

the owner releases the command, the animal can move towards their owner. Distraction

training is teaching your animal to listen to a command while things are happening

around them like other animals, people talking, little children running near them. While

training, some people include other animals to see if their dog falls for the tricks. The

animal should not be listening to anything else other than its owner (“How To Train An

Emotional Support Dog: The Basics”).

Not only can dogs emotionally support, but they can also protect their owners

from danger. If a dog senses one of the problems their owner has, they usually give off

a signal to warn them. The Share American says: “ A person with diabetes is distracted
 Ross 9

by work and hasn’t tested her blood-sugar level, and now it’s trending dangerously low.

She has a companion close by who has been trained to use his highly developed sense

of smell to detect just this situation — her dog. With a nudge on the leg, he gives her a

signal” (Trainer). Signals help alert people around the owner or people known to the

owner what is happening and how they can help them feel better. Being protective to

their owners may help show that their owners can trust them and support each other.

Support animals can also help people who have seizures. “Personal Story of a

Seizure Dog: Spencer and Lucia” said: “Seizure response dogs are trained to remain

next to a person with epilepsy during the course of a seizure and summon help.” Some

dogs can detect seizures forty-five minutes before they happen, which is very

impressive. The people who suffer from seizures put their sweat and saliva in these

cans, and the animals go sniff around and see if they can find the right ones. If they get

all of them right, they get a treat to know they got everything right. The animals respond

to the seizures by propping their owners head up to make sure they do not get a

concussion. The dog can signal for help as well to get their owner in a safer position.

Support animals for seizures can also learn how to turn on alarms to help their owner. If

they are very smart, the dogs can be taught to dial 911 on an emergency phone call.

Many of the animals are trained to keep their owner alive and healthy.

Not only can service dogs help detect seizures, but they can also help owners

who have diabetes. Diabetic support animals can scent how high and low their owner’s

level of sugar is. They usually go through training smelling things and nudging their

head if they believe that that is the correct answer. Diabetics have to be careful with

what they eat in case their sugar levels get too high or low. The diabetic support
 Ross 10

animals help their owner make better choices like reminding them to eat or eat less

sugar. The dog would sniff the owner's wrist and go to a mini fridge so their owner could

get sugary items.

There are so many ways to train dogs. The leash training helps dogs stay under

control while going for a walk or while they use the bathroom outside. Potty training is

very important to puppies because they are learning how to use the bathroom to

become more of an adult. Support animals help their owners who are in need of help

physically or emotionally. They can be trained easily for basic learning but most are

trained to be experts. My dog Stella has used the zipline and she enjoys it very much.

On walks we use a harness and attach it to a leash so it is safer for her. We have tried

to give her treats after she does a trick or if she doesn't bite for a whole hour since she

is still a puppy. Stella is a very active dog and we always try to go on three walks once a

day to help control her energy. Training your dog to have obedience is very important

for their future.

Works Cited
 Ross 11

“CIA's Top 10 Dog Training Tips.” Central Intelligence Agency, Central Intelligence

Agency, 7 Dec. 2017, www.cia.gov/news-information/featured-story-archive/

2015-featured-story-archive/cia-top-10-dog-training-tips.html.

Corona, Lauren. “The 25 Best Pet Carpet Cleaners of 2020.” Pet Life Today, 6

Feb. 2020, petlifetoday.com/best-pet-carpet-cleaners/.

“Dog Collars.” The Humane Society of the United States,

www.humanesociety.org/resources/dog-collars.

Erb, Hilarie. “Dog Training Tips: How to Train a Dog.” American Kennel Club, American

Kennel Club, 18 June 2018, www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/

12-useful-dog-training-tips/.

Gibeault, Stephanie. “The Ins and Outs of Potty Pad Training.” American Kennel

Club, American Kennel Club, 21 Feb. 2020, www.akc.org/expert-advice/

training/the-ins-and-outs-of-potty-pad-training/.

“How To Train An Emotional Support Dog: The Basics.” LabradorTrainingHQ, 15 Dec.

2019, www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-training/

emotional-support-dog-training/.

Kellaway, Kate. “Why Dog Trainers Will Have to Change Their Ways.” The Guardian,

Guardian News and Media, 16 July 2011, www.theguardian.com/science/

2011/jul/17/dog-training-john-bradshaw-animal-behaviour.

King, Amber. “6 Possible Reasons Why Your Dog Hates Their Harness.”

IHeartDogs.com, 23 May 2018, iheartdogs.com/

6-possible-reasons-why-your-dog-hates-their-harness/.

Lemen, Johnny. Personal Interview. 28 Feb 2020.

 Ross 12

“Personal Story of a Seizure Dog: Spencer and Lucia.” Epilepsy Foundation, 4

Apr. 2019, www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/

seizure-dogs/personal-story-seizure-dog-spencer-and-lucia.

Resnick, Brian. “The Surprisingly Weak Scientific Case for Emotional Support Animals.”

“3 Steps to Potty Pad Training Your Dog.” Chewy Pet Central. 18 Sept 2017.

https://petcentral.chewy.com/3-steps-potty-pad-training-dog/

Vox, Vox, 19 Nov. 2018, www.vox.com/science-and-health/

2018/2/23/17012116/emotional-support-animal-airplane-psych

Ology-research-dogs.

Stockman, Farah. “People Are Taking Emotional Support Animals Everywhere. States

Are Cracking Down.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 June 2019,

www.nytimes.com/2019/06/18/us/emotional-support-animal.html.

Trainer, Mark. “Service Dogs Save Lives.” ShareAmerica, 2 Oct. 2016,

share.america.gov/service-dogs-save-lives/.

Vieira, Ginger, et al. “GUIDE: Training a Diabetes Alert Dog.” Diabetes Daily, 18 Aug.

2018, www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/2013/04/guide-training-a-diabetes-alert-dog/.
Ross 13