Canine Culture: 'Stump the Trainer' Q&A – Part 2

Greetings, and welcome back for more Q&A in our “Stump the Trainer” series!

Again, in the interest of space and time, we’re going to address several issues with similar themes collectively, and touch on specific details individually. Please note that common solutions for many problems involve managing the environment to prevent the behavior from happening and teaching incompatible behaviors.

In all situations, not only is it important that dogs get plenty of regular exercise and vet checked for any underlying health conditions, it’s also important to have some training history and foundation of basic behaviors – recall, sit, down, stay, etc. Positive reinforcement training teaches a shared language and fosters the essential connection that makes your dog WANT to respond and engage with you!

Q: I have a 3-year-old golden retriever that is very allergic to grass, but how can I get him to stop eating it?

A: His name isn’t Toro, is it? Eating grass is a common dog activity, but he obviously doesn’t realize he’s making himself sick. Regardless of his “allergic reaction,” the easiest solution is to reduce his opportunity to eat grass by not leaving him unattended in the yard. When he is in a grassy area, he should be pottying, playing, training, or otherwise engaged. If you see him eye-balling the grass and licking his chops, redirect his attention.

Q: I have a 5-year-old Border Collie named Rose who gets repeated GI obstructions. Last year she was hospitalized at ISU and caused a great deal of internal damage. Despite keeping everything in her environment picked up: rocks, mulch, sticks, bones, random pieces of plastic, Rose was hospitalized again last month. This time she had a bone chunk that'd she'd dug up stuck in her pylorus and had a 3-hour surgery. The vet said he thinks she's run out of chances. Is there a way to keep Rose from killing herself? I'm already shopping for a basket muzzle for her.

A: Whoa! Ryan’s dog thinks he’s a lawn mower and yours is a vacuum! Sorry, Bethany. A dog like this will require even more hyper-diligent management. Sounds like you are doing all you can from a prevention standpoint.

Q: Our 2-year-old Springer Spaniel NEVER has accidents in the house unless we forget to shut our bedroom door. He'll sneak out and potty during the night? WHY and how do we stop this? THANK YOU!!

A: If this pattern has been developing over a 2-year period, then he’s practiced the behavior and chances are it has become a habit. He considers your room his “den” so won’t potty there, but in his mind other areas of the house are fair game. At this point your options are to prevent it - by keeping your door shut or crating him at night - or starting the potty training process from scratch. Assuming he’s getting a final potty break before lights out, you could also remove water 1 hour before bed as an extra precaution. 

Q: I have a 13-year-old Boston terrier/German shorthair mix, neutered male that always attacks the door knob when people try to leave our house! He was rescued from ARL when he was a year old. Any help would be appreciated!

A: He doesn’t want the party to end! Whatever the reason behind his door knob fixation, this is another opportunity to teach an incompatible behavior. For example, having him lie down in a specific spot – pillow, mat, or crate – gives him a new routine to perform on command, instead of a door knob attack!

Well, that concludes today’s round of Stump the Trainer! Check back next week for more questions and answers. Until then, don’t hesitate to put your question in the comments box below if you are “stumped” by your dog’s behavior!

Ask the Trainer:  Renee Jetter, ABCTC, CPCT
* Professional dog trainer; co-owner of Canine Craze Performance Center in Urbandale – an 18,000-sq-ft. dog training, daycare, boarding and events facility. Animal Behavior College, 2006 graduate.

* Expertise: puppy development; positive reinforcement training; obedience; competition; agility; tricks; freestyle; scent detection; canine good citizen/therapy dog testing; Paws & Effect volunteer service dog trainer.