Media Release:
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers States Marley & Me Highlights the Positive Impact of Training

Professional dog trainers agree that upcoming movie is a wonderful opportunity to promote the benefits of positive, science-based dog training. Working with a professional trainer and learning about your dog’s physical and mental needs can eliminate potential behavior problems in the home.

Greenville, SC (PRWeb) – December 19, 2008 –The Association of Pet Dog Trainers, the largest educational and professional association for dog trainers in the world, believes the movie Marley & Me is a great opportunity to promote reward based training for all dogs. The movie, based on the bestselling book by John Grogan, opens Christmas Day and depicts an exuberant Labrador Retriever who’s behavior creates turmoil in his owners’ lives.

Dogs with the size, energy level and behavior issues of Marley often end up in shelters because their owners do not know how to work with them. Labrador Retrievers are one of the top five breeds that are relinquished to shelters. This belies their image as a favorite family dog. Working with a trainer and understanding your dog’s physical and mental needs can go a long way toward keeping dogs in their homes. Some members of the APDT have provided tips for living with “unruly” dogs on the APDT’s Web site, www.apdt.com. Some highlights include:

1. Crate Training – Teach puppies to love their crate. Crates prevent dogs from engaging in destructive behaviors around the house when owners are not at home or unable to supervise them with their complete attention.

2. Reinforce for Calm, Quiet Behavior – Trainer Tayrn Hodge recommends reinforcing your dog for calm, quiet behavior and to have them “sit or lie down to get everything – sit at doorways, sit or lie-down for meals, sit for petting, sit for getting his leash on, sit before tossing his ball.”

3. Use Proper Equipment for Walks - There are a large variety of new products on the market that can assist with making your walks with large or unruly dogs more pleasant. Some of the new products you can try are head halters and front clip harnesses which prevent pulling without choking your dog or causing discomfort.

4. Understand Your Dog’s Breed Tendencies – Learn about the type of dog you’re bringing into your home before you do so. Paul Owens, author and trainer jokes, “…in my 35 years of training, I’ve met maybe two Labs who aren’t constantly self-employed as gardeners, home decorators and official bull-in-a-china shop court jesters.” You can find breed information through breed clubs, breed rescue web sites, and from trainers and shelter workers.

5. Provide Appropriate Exercise and Outlets for Play – Kellyann Conway, President of the APDT, says, “Exercising your dog is important but making time to *play* with your dog is vital to developing and maintaining a great relationship with him. Actively playing with your dog will keep him fit both physically and mentally.”

6. Environmental Enrichment –Trainer Teoti Anderson says, “Dogs need outlets for their energy. Some dogs would be just as happy munching on your sofa as chasing a tennis ball! It’s up to us to teach them what’s appropriate.” There are many toys today that are designed to stimulate your dog’s mind and keep them occupied for.

7. Recognize Behavior Problems –It isn’t always an obedience problem—unwanted behaviors are sometimes brought on as a result of fear or anxiety. These behavioral problems can only be solved through a behavior modification plan under the guidance of a professional that takes these issues into account. Visit the APDT’s Trainer Search to find a professional in your area.

8. Try Fun Outlets for Your Dog’s Energy such as Dog Sports –Many destructive behaviors stem from a lack of a “role” for the dog to perform. Finding things to engage your dog’s mind and physical energies can provide a positive outlet. Trainer Laurie Williams suggests looking at dog sports such as agility, Rally, Frisbee, and flyball. Laurie adds that teaching your dog a sport “…will definitely be much more productive than rearranging your landscaping!”

9. Make Training a Part of Your Life –Trainer and author Nicole Wilde recommends, "Incorporate training skills into your everyday life. For example, practice down-stays during television commercials and while you're eating dinner, and have your dog sit to greet visitors."

10. Work with a Qualified Trainer – A professional trainer can help you communicate effectively with your dog to create a harmonious relationship. Whether through a group class, or sessions in your home, working with a qualified trainer can make life with any dog go smoother. Visit the APDT’s Trainer Search to find a trainer in your area.

Incorporate training skills into your everyday life. For example, practice down-stays during television commercials and while you're eating dinner, and have your dog sit to greet visitors."
Nicole Wilde
Santa Clarita, CA
Phantom Publishing

One thing I would stress to a family with a dog like Marley is that the book/movie may be cute and funny but not so in real life. Seek professional help sooner rather than later makes for less time practicing bad dog manners. Visit each trainer. If you wouldn't hand over your most valuable item you own, don't hand them your cash. Keep looking for someone else.

Keep an extra leash hooked over the door knob. Leashed dogs already are under greater control than unleashed ones when visitors come to the door.

Focus on a rock solid sit in all locations. Pick a spot by every exit and teach the dog to sit and stay at some distance. Many people teach the dog to sit by the door but it is often actually in the door swing zone so the dog must get up before the door can be opened. It also gives you more time to react if the dog gets up.

Throw a party and have guests arrive every 15 minutes. Before they can join the party in progress, they have to practice entering the house and greeting the dog correctly. Signs explaining the procedure, what and when to treat as well as a bowl of treats will help make the practices a success. And, it helps to have the same party again in a week to really practice it for the dog (and the owners).

Teach a few tricks. Play dead will actually let you know how aroused the dog is by how far off the ground the head is. Completely relaxed is only when the dog's head is on the ground. (a tip from Dr. Lore Haug). Hug me- taught on cue just like sit or come- will allow you to control those people who will invite your dog to jump on them. Don't give the command those times when it is inappropriate.
Abby Harrison CPDT
Houston TX
http://sitdogstay.net/

I've been reading the book, Marley and Me, and the book details have given a lot of insight into Marley's behavior. Here is a quote from the book that really stood out: "He was coming along, but that's not to say he was mellowing into a calm, well-behaved dog. If I towered over him and barked stern orders, he would obey, sometimes even eagerly. But his default setting was stuck on eternal incorrigibility."

The key word is "default setting" Marley had quickly learned to get everything through pushy, obnoxious behavior.

If I had met with this couple (hopefully soon after they acquired Marley!) I would have encouraged reinforcing calm, quiet behavior. Marley got tons of attention for rowdy, wild behavior. However, I would have recommended that Marley's owners taught Marley to sit or to lie-down to get everything- sit at doorways, sit or lie-down for meals, sit for petting, sit for getting his leash put on, sit before tossing his ball.

Lastly, I would have recommended that this dog wear a head halter early on. The owner described using a choke collar, but Marley never *really* responded to the leash corrections. I feel that a head halter would have assisted the owners with leash pulling as well as other out-of-control behaviors.
Taryn Hodge, CPDT
A Pawsitive Puppy Solution
Holts Summit, MO
www.apawsitivepuppysolution.com

What Level of Training is Really Necessary? I got me an idea. I’m going to get me one of them thar big Labrador dogs, put him in a house, and give him all the freedom he wants. I’m gonna love him and feed him and we’ll be best of buds, growing old together until old St. Pete calls us home. What can go wrong?

Well, first of all he’s a Labrador. Now I’m not a breed-specific kind of trainer, but in my 35 years of training, I’ve met maybe two labs who aren’t constantly self-employed as gardeners, home decorators and official bull-in-a-china shop court jesters. They stay their goofy selves until they reach about four years of age and poof! It seems as if they suddenly realize that being a nice family dog is what living with humans is really all about. Of course this is all anecdotal and unscientific, I’m just sayin’…

So for all of the Marley folks out there, those who wonder whether their rambunctious but loveable clown will ever chill out, I say, who cares. As a professional trainer, and don’t tell anyone this, I have two dogs who aren’t trained. That’s right, if they saw a squirrel and went running after it, they wouldn’t come when called. And they wouldn’t stay when asked if a cat appeared. About the only thing I requested of them is that they refrain from fighting, peeing and pooping in the house, chewing things of mine and that they be quiet when asked. That being said, my demo dog Grady is a sophomore in college and he will do almost anything I ask wherever and whenever. Molly, my Portuguese Water dog who recently passed away at the age of 17 was a PhD. She’d stop on a dime while at full throttle chasing a squirrel.

Certainly setting boundaries for a dog is required for safety, financial liabilities and to avoid losing friends because your dog stole a sandwich from your friend Pete’s hand or knocked your friend Susie over when she came in the door. And, every dog person has, of course, basic responsibilities in caring for their own Marleys. It’s critically important to provide your dog with a healthy diet, lots of exercise and mentally stimulating games. And it’s equally important to provide sufficient periods of time for rest and ensure good health with regular vet check ups.

All that being said, I subscribe to the school of training where you decide the level of dog training and reliability that makes you feel good. For me, everyone should at least take their dog to an 8th grade level of social graces. That’s about where two of my three dogs are and we’re all safe, healthy and happier than pigs in slop.
Paul Owens
Glendale, CA
www.raisewithpraise.com