YORKY CLUB MAGAZINE #7 -- May 2007

5 minutes with JILLI

"Wow, your DOG is smart, MY dog is dumb!" I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve heard people say that, and how sad it makes me feel. I have to admit, that sometimes I feel like saying: “Hmmmmmm, maybe the problem doesn’t lie with the dawg?” But I realize that most people are well intentioned and don’t realize the incredible potential of their canine companions, and when they DO tap that potential, they are thrilled and amazed! I’m not a certified trainer, my methods are self taught, incorporating personal experience, public information, and experience gained while visiting dogs at the local shelter as a kid. If there was one early influence on my dog training, it was an elderly pair of sisters (probably only a bit older that I am now ...) who lived in my neighbourhood. They had 2 beautiful, well behaved, very smart dogs. I noticed that they spoke to the dogs in loving and gentle tones, and they told me they “never let the grandkids roughhouse with the pups”, but encouraged them to play constructive games like ‘fetch’ and obstacle running.

Following that advice and being a devoted fan of the TV dog-star of the 50’s, Lassie, I started trick-training a little stray I adopted. Soon after I found that I could even train our 190 lb Great Dane! I was hooked.
This was just a hobby for me, until the magic of a wonderful little Yorky, named Jilli Dog, came into my life. Now, as strange as it is to me, I am asked to speak and perform with Jilli at functions and events around the country and even overseas. I wrote and perform a song called “Five Minutes a Day”, that I sing at fairs, expo’s, corporate events etc, as Jilli performs, that explains my training beliefs, i.e., just a few minutes a day, of fun and learning for both dog and person.

The expression ‘Trick-Training’ sounds so frivolous, but I’ve found that it’s a wonderful foundation for whatever you do with your dog. Whether she’s an agility or dog show champ, or just a wonderful companion, the communication built between canine and human, from trick-training, is astounding.
I’ve found that, rather than trying to train ‘bad’ behavior OUT of a dog, you train ‘good’ behavior INTO the dog. Punishing a dog for bad behavior can start a war that you can’t win. You can end up with a scared, timid pooch, or an aggressive dangerous one (even at 5 lbs). The more GOOD stuff that you put ‘into’ your pooch, the more she knows how to please you, and she knows what behaviors makes you sad. All the while, she can love you, have fun and not fear you. She also learns to respond to words and directions from you, the center of her universe!

Lesson ONE: Build a Consistant, Simple and Fun Training Program.
An early verse in the “Five Minutes a Day”song says: “Start with something simple, like Sit Down and Stay”
1. Say Dog’s Name, at the beginning of each action. (spoken tenderly with purpose)
2. Give Command (simply, same word each time. “Jilli, sit”. You can gently place your dog in sit position, if necessary).
3. Reward. (with treat, smile and praise).
This lesson isn’t only about teaching your dog to sit. It’s about human and canine developing a regular and friendly method of communication. If your dog already has a good ‘sit’, still use it as an introduction to your daily “Five Minutes a Day” training/fun program. Do this for a week or two.

Lesson 2. Socialize Your Dog:
This is fun! I suggest that once you and the pup learn a trick or maneuver very well, you get family and friends to do it with her. Rather than regarding meeting people as a possible scarey occurance, your dog can see it as fun! It also helps for an overly excited dog to ‘Sit and Stay’ as people approach.
I believe that you can teach ‘something’ to ANY dog, ANY age! Keeps em young! You can add new maneuvers over the weeks, but don’t rush. You have a lifetime. The “Five Minutes a Day” refers to ‘new’ maneuvers. We’ll discuss trick-training, pet therapy, events and more in future columns! We’d love to talk with you, too!

www.JilliDog.com

Best regards to our Yorky Loving friends!
Rick Caran