In the first of a multi-part series, Erinn Hadley, trainer and professional handler, and certified CGC evaluator, takes you through each of the CGC exercises and offers tips and guidance for practicing and for successfully passing a CGC evaluation.

Test Item 1:  Accepting a friendly stranger

This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness, and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.

Tips and Guidance:

While the Canine Good Citizen evaluator can't require that the dog sits or down, you may command your dog to do so for this exercise. You may instruct your dog by voice command only - no yanking, pulling, or harsh correction with the leash. Remember that throughout all of the CGC exercises, you may talk to your dog as much as you want -- give the initial command, repeat the command if needed, verbally praise and encourage. If your dog disobeys, verbally encourage and motivate your dog's compliance -- but do not overtly correct your dog with the leash.

Stay tuned for tips for Test Item 2 - Sitting politely for petting!

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Carol's Corner Training Q&A

Dear Carol:

Do you believe in using choke chains on dogs to teach them to obey?

Thanks for your time.

Kim B.

Hello Kim: Do I believe they can work? Absolutely. Dogs have been effectively trained for years using correction as an incentive to change their behavior. My initial background was based primarily on corrective training. However, in order for a correction to effectively change behavior, it must be consistently applied, timed correctly, and also be something the dog finds unpleasant enough that he wants to avoid it. Those criteria can be hard to meet.Do I believe corrections or choke chains are necessary? Absolutely not. I learned years ago that the most effective training involves focusing on and reinforcing desired behaviors. I feel my responsibility as an instructor is to teach my students the most effective, humane training techniques possible. However, I try never to lose sight of the fact that the student's background and personal beliefs will always have an impact on their training tendencies. My background is such that I can teach and discuss the pros and cons of each method or philosophy, enabling each student to determine which methods are right for them.

Thanks for you interest and your question,

Carol Hein-Creger
Director of Training
Canine Training Center

What is "Shaping" and Why Should You Use This Training Technique With Your Dog?

By: Dawn Pizzoferrato, ABC Certified Dog Trainer

Owner, PPATS-Pizzoferrato Pet-care And Training Services

So what is this thing called "shaping"? Some in the dog training world use the term "shaping" to describe any training that increases a response in small increments, even though they may get the response by luring, force, verbal instruction, environmental manipulation, or other external pressure. The correct term for these non-spontaneous training methods would be "successive approximation." Many animal trainers use successive approximation, gradually raising the height of jumps, the distance of a race, and the heaviness of weights, all to improve performance. The terms "free shaping" and "cold shaping" are used to identify true shaping from "successive approximation" when the dog's spontaneous behavior is the key factor in the development of the behavior.

True shaping simply means breaking down a behavior into small increments, and reinforcing the dog's voluntary (not lured or pressured in any way) incremental step until you've reached the full behavior. Shaping allows you to create behavior from scratch without physical control or corrections, but rather by drawing on your animal's natural ability to learn.

Some trainers, like me, believe that shaping is the ultimate approach to operant training (use of consequences to modify the occurrence and form of behavior). Others incorporate shaping as a valuable part of a multi-faceted training program. Wherever you find yourself of the subject, I'm sure you'll find that shaping is a Zen-like experience - it takes lots of patience and close observation and it involves breaking down a behavior into small components rather than lumping (reinforcing large chunks of behavior). In contrast to lumping, with shaping, the breakdown of behavior or "splitting" means looking for the tiniest piece of movement, clicking and reinforcing that small movement, and building towards the final behavior. Splitting and reinforcing voluntary behavior is the foundation of shaping complex behaviors.

And why should you learn to "shape" and start using this technique with your dog?

1)    Free shaping is great for encouraging a dog who is shy, anxious or fearful to offer behaviors, because he can't be wrong. This works particularly well with shelter or rescue dogs who find their lives anything but consistent. Anything he does that even remotely relates to the exercise gets clicked and treated. Once the dog is easily offering random behaviors, then you can, if you choose, switch to shaping a goal behavior.

2)    It's fast!!  When you combine shaping with a clicker, you can develop complex behaviors within a few minutes.

3)    It's fun!!  Dogs that are used to the doldrums of practicing basic obedience over and over will find this work exciting and enriching...as will their handlers.  Remember, when clicker training, it's not only about you trying to get behaviors out of your dog, but your dog is also trying to get "clicks" out of you.  You'll find this especially true when "shaping" behaviors with your dog.  Your dog will start working (and thinking) hard to discover how to make you click.

Beware, one small warning ... once you start shaping, you may become addicted and obsessed (I'm sure your dog will!) and unable to turn back to traditional training work.  This fall, join me for Doggie Do Good Beginner Clicker Training or my new Free Shaping class!

But I Let Her Out to Play! Why is She Still Acting up?

Author: Angie Falcsik

Now is the time of year when many of us let our dogs out in the back yard to play thinking they will run around and get enough exercise on their own, and then wonder why they are still acting up in the house.

Most dogs by nature need to have a job to do, whether it is a Police Dog, Search and Rescue, Therapy Dog, or a dog that does agility, fly-ball, runs with its owner, pulls its owner who is on roller blades or plays soccer with the kids.

Dogs who do not get enough exercise/mental/physical stimulation will find other ways of utilizing that built up energy they have - which may be in the form of barking, digging, jumping, chewing, etc.  It is very important to channel your dog's energy in a positive form, otherwise they will figure out a way to channel it, and chances are, you won't be happy with their choice.

There are many things that you can do to help burn your dog's energy.  First of all, do some research into what types of activities your breed of dog is capable of doing, what were they bred for.  Second, check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog is healthy, including their joints, muscles and cardiovascular.  Third, what is your time schedule and what does your family enjoy doing?  Try to involve your dog in things that you and your family enjoy - that way it is fun for everyone.  Does your daughter play soccer?  Your dog may love to practice soccer with your daughter for 30 minutes a day.  Is your son on the baseball team?  How about 30 minutes of practicing throwing a ball - it will strengthen his arm while exercising your dog.  Does anyone run for exercise in your family?  Take the dog running with you (don't forget the doggy poop bags).  Signing up for agility class or fly-ball is a wonderful way of spending time bonding with your dog building his/ her confidence level and burning his/her energy.  And of course, a good obedience class will not only strengthen the bond between you and your dog, teach him/her some manners, but may also help polish off those little lingering habits you may want to fix.

Whatever the activity you choose, remember, a dog who has his/her energy channeled properly, is a much better behaved dog and a wonderful member of your family.

For a new fun activity with your dog, come to Angie's tracking/trailing/scent classes.  You and your dog will not only learn new fun things to do together, but you may learn something about your dog you didn't know!