R+C+R+C = R : the formula for a good dog

The secret to creating a good dog is a simple formula; R+C+R+C=R. And what, might you ask, does this formula stand for? Is it scientific? Is it math? Does it make the magic powder that, when applied, creates a well behaved dog?

Unfortunately, it is a formula that requires work as, to my knowledge, there are no magic powders that have been developed (yet). The formula requires dedication, and diligence, but when applied, can help to achieve the dog that you’ve always wanted.

So what do the letters stand for? Well, they stand for four of the most important components to canine ownership.

I will go over them in order, and expand upon their meaning, so that you can start to implement the formula in your daily life with your dogs.

R – Relationship

You need to build a relationship with your dog, but this doesn’t mean constantly showering them with affection and attention. This means doing things with your dog, spending time with them in meaningful, constructive ways. Take your dog for a walk, or a hike, play fetch or tug with your dog, incorporate training in all aspects of their life, regardless of how you train or what methods that you use.  Work on engagement and focus skills, make yourself interesting and important for your dog. Teach your dog tricks, teach your dog to fetch you a beer or a bottle of wine. Spend time just being with your dog, even if it’s a lazy Sunday, and you’re watching a movie, or you just want to hang out on the park bench for a while and watch the seagulls fight amongst each other. Teach your dog that the relationship matters. If you don’t have a relationship, you will never move forward with training. With certain dogs, and certain temperaments, it may take a longer period to build that relationship. With other dogs, it takes all of 10 minutes to put the first blocks of the relationship together. What ever type of dog you have, keep at it, and keep at it for the rest of your dog’s life. Trust me, your dog will thank you.

C – Consistency

Consistency is something I tend to force feed my clients. If you are not consistent, your dog will not understand what is expected of him/her. This goes for both obedience training (or what ever type of training that you do with your dog) and every day life rules.

This first example is in regards to simple, every day life rules. If you allow your dog to jump on you when you’re wearing a shirt that you used to change the oil in your car, but then get mad at him/her for jumping on you while you’re wearing your fancy duds on the way out for dinner, and then go back to allowing jumping when you’re lounging around in your sweat suit after a hard day at work, you are being unclear and inconsistent. The dog doesn’t know the difference between your outfits, nor do they care if you are on your way out to impress your new lady or man friend. You are setting them up for failure and confusion by your inconsistency. If you do not want your dog to jump, do not allow it period, regardless of what you decide with be your outfit for the day.

This second example is in regards to obedience training. If you are working on the stay, for instance, and you are strict with your rules on Tuesday and require that your dog must wait for your release in order to get up, but for some reason, you are lax in your requirements on Wednesday, and allow the dog to decide when they will move from the stay, you are sending the wrong, unclear, inconsistent message. If you want your dog to have a solid stay, you must be consistent in the rules for your training, not wishy washy just because you don’t have the patience on a certain day, or the kids are demanding dinner while you practice, or your dog fetched you too many beers the night before. Be consistent and clear, that is the only way to be fair and ensure your dog will understand what is being asked of him/her.

R – Rules

Ah yes, the word that some shy away from and even revolt against. The word that “requires”. The word that creates order and clarity of behaviour. Rules for your dog are VERY important for them to become acceptable members of society. Sure, we can let dogs be dogs, but we can’t let them be dogs without some clear lines that they shouldn’t cross. If you make a rule, stick to it if you want your dog to follow it (remember, consistency). If you decide that you’d prefer your dog not be on the sofa, then make it a clear rule. If you’d prefer that your dog did not jump on guests (which is preferred), then be ready to enforce it. If you’ve decided that you’d rather your dog not fly out the front door every time it opens, make sure you make it very clear to your dog. If you want to teach the dog that it’s actually your house, and not theirs (no matter how much they try and convince you that they make the mortgage payments), require that your dog work for you. There is lot’s of other fair and clear rules that you can set in place to help your dog become the best they can be. Dogs like to know where they stand, and what they can and can not get away with, so help them understand by implementing rules that suit your lifestyle. Without rules, chaos ensues, and chaos breeds stress, fear, frustration and anxiety.

C – Consequences

Now, some will look at the above word and automatically think something negative. This is definitely not the case here. A consequence can be either negative or positive, depending on what you are trying to achieve. A positive consequence can be an addition of a reward, or removal of pressure. A negative consequence can be an addition of a correction or a removal of a reward. When teaching and working with your dog, there should be a balance of consequences, though not all dogs are alike or require the same type of consequences. Some dogs work better with addition of reward, others work better with removal of pressure, and others still will do great with both. There should be a consequence to your dogs behaviour, positive to increase the good things, and negative to decrease the not so good things. Some sort of consequence should be in place in order to clearly let the dog know that they are doing a great job, or that they are breaking one of your rules. If you have clear, consistent consequences your dogs will learn faster and achieve more understanding during their training and every day life.

R+C+R+C does equal something very important. It equals …

Respect

Now, respect must run both ways, dog to human, and human to dog, but if you apply the above, you will most certainly earn your dogs respect, and respect is what keeps a relationship healthy and thriving. Respect is also what keeps your dog following the rules and helps to maintain any training that you put in.

Simple stuff. And keep it simple. Don’t over complicate, be clear, be fair, be consistent and be present. I hope this helps you to enjoy your dog in a more meaningful, healthy way.

*Please note: this article should in no way replace proper training of your dog, and if you are experiencing any behavioural issues, please consult a professional in your area.

© Smart Dogs Canine Training 2015 – no part of this article can be reproduced without written permission