Although they are often challenging, your person can be trained.  In this series, we will be looking at key elements to any good training process for your people

Let’s take a look at communication.  As I’m sure you have discovered, people are not as adept at reading body language as we are.  For the most part, they just make a bunch of nonsensical noise, but occasionally, they will put something together that makes sense.  When this happens, you must react.  Make them feel good about their accomplishment.  My suggestion is to dance around.  They seem to like it and will often join in.  Positive reinforcement goes a long way with people.  For those times that you have to get your point across, there are a few techniques I can share.  One favorite of mine, especially if your person has food you want, is the “stare down”.  While they are eating, get within two to three feet of them, and stare at them.  Most people can’t handle the pressure and will give you their food.  By the way, if they are eating green food, don’t bother.  You won’t like it.  For those of you who are smaller in stature, you may want to incorporate a jump or paw move along with the stare.  People get focused on their food and may not see you if you are not at eye level.

If you need to “excuse yourself” outside, I suggest a brief stare followed by walking to the door.  Again, the stare is to get their attention.  If they are making a bunch of noise with another person or watching the people in the box, then this may prove difficult.  Once you have their attention, go to the door.  If you can, try not to bark.  If you do, your person may think there is another person outside.  This can lead to them trying to keep you in, instead of letting you out.

If they still won’t get up, then there is one technique that you should only use as a LAST resort.  You can poop by the door.  In most cases, the people will be mad at first but eventually will understand that it was their fault for not listening to you.  Again, this is just as a last resort and if this doesn’t work after one or two times, then your person just isn’t going to get it.

If you find yourself restless during the night, you may have to wake up your person.  For some, the stare technique works in this situation, but it takes extreme concentration and patience.  I like to get things moving with a wet nose to their face.  My people usually pop right up when you do that.  Sure, they are a little disoriented at first, but they figure things out soon enough.  Again, if you are vertically challenged and can’t reach them when they are on their beds, you can try a jump, whine or bark next to their bed.  For example, my brother from another mother, Eli the Westie, is short.  Most days around 2:00 am, he stands next to my people’s bed and whines to get a drink of water.  His technique works every time.

Hopefully, you will find some of these techniques useful in training your person.  Next time, we will take about positive reinforcement for your people.