Communication with our pets is important whether we speak to them directly or they read our body language. Training methods using harsh, bossy commands will likely produce different results from using cues said in a jolly voice which will come with rewards.
A command does not consider your dog’s emotional state or their understanding of the training. By asking for a behavior with a cue rather than a command, we are allowing your dog to be a participant in the learning. This minimizes frustration, fear, and aggression. A dog taught with cues may learn faster and enjoy the learning process.
A command is an order which must be done and carries an implied threat of a consequence or may create a fear of punishment for not completing the task. You might repeat the command, not allow him to refuse, and then push his hips down when teaching sit. Some reasons to consider why your dog might not sit:
Their hips hurt.
There are many distractions around.
The ground was hot, rough, or slippery.
They feel unsafe or afraid in the current environment.
They do not understand what you are asking.
Sit photo
Photo Courtesy of Christine Calder, DVM, DACVB
Ordering or forcing your dog into a sit will increase their fear and make them less likely to perform the behavior when commanded the next time. They may show avoidance or stress behaviors like looking or walking away, licking their lips, or yawning. They may shut down and avoid interacting with you.
A cue supplies an opportunity to earn a reward. A cue may be a word, scent, sound, gesture, or touch and gives an identification to the behavior. First, the desired behavior must be taught before introducing the cue. This makes sure your dog understands what behavior is expected. Use a marker and reward to communicate to your dog that they have done what you asked and chosen the correct behavior. The cue then identifies when the behavior should reoccur. The reward will motivate your dog to repeat the cued behavior. For example, when teaching your dog to sit initially, a lure may be used to guide your dog into position by moving the treat above and over their head. Their hind end should naturally drop to the floor. Make sure to mark and reward when it does. As an alternative, capturing can be used to teach the same behavior by marking and rewarding your dog when they choose to sit on their own. When this behavior is offered at least 75% of the time, it is time to introduce the cue.
Although a sit might look the same whether cued or commanded, a cued dog is a willing participant and should not appear stressed or afraid. Most importantly, you are addressing their emotional and physical needs while supporting a training relationship built on communication and trust.
A: Your dog is not stubborn. Either they do not understand what you are asking, or they are not motivated.
If you are unclear or inconsistent in training, your dog may be confused. If your dog is jumping on you and you respond each time differently by saying sit, down, or off, they may not know which behavior you want. They may do all those actions or may not do any.
Reinforcing a behavior, good or bad, increases the likelihood of it happening again. Food, play, and affection are positive reinforcements for your dog. If you do not reinforce good behaviors often, or at all, they may stop offering the behavior since you are not paying them. Even when your dog offers the behavior reliably, they should be paid periodically. Sometimes you may need to increase the value of the reinforcement and offer chicken, cheese, or a game of fetch. This will help keep them motivated.
Distractions, pain, or fear may prevent your dog from doing what is asked. If they have a solid history of successfully doing the behavior and they stop, something has changed, and it is your responsibility to figure out the cause. If your dog is in pain, he may avoid doing a task that may cause or aggravate pain or discomfort. Fear can cause your dog to avoid performing a cue, either from fear of punishment, fear of performing the behavior, or the environment.
If pain does not seem to be a factor, move to an area with fewer distractions or practice at home. Begin with the last step they did successfully and reinforce well. Gradually reintroduce distractions and watch if your dog avoids doing the behaviors.
Training should be fun for you and your dog. By meeting your dog’s needs, you are more likely to have compliance.
By Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
Teaching “shake a paw” is a fun trick and can be helpful for nail trims. When your dog offers a paw, this signals to you that your dog is ready to start the nail trim. If they try to pull their paw away, stop the session and begin again when the paw is offered. Offering a paw is a quick motion trick. In the “shake hands” version, your dog offers a paw and removes it after contact. With “shake a paw”, the goal is to have your dog hold the paw out for longer durations.
Your dog learns which behavior is rewarded by taking a “picture” of the desired behavior using a clicker or verbal marker “yes” followed by a treat. This is mark and reward training.
Items needed to teach “shake a paw” include:
Treats.
Clicker or verbal marker “yes”.
Target, such as a clear food container or lid your dog can see the treats through.
Non-slip surface for the dog to sit on.
Over several sessions, hold the paw as you would if you are preparing to trim the nails. Building duration is important for this behavior.
Dogs who are gentle with their paws can be taught this behavior by following these steps with a treat in your closed fist instead of using a food container target. However, some dogs will mouth your hand, which can be uncomfortable.
Once your dog places their paw in your hand consistently, build the time you hold their paw before marking and treating by increasing up to ten seconds over several sessions.
Placing your hand flat in front of your dog is the visual cue for this behavior. Once your dog displays “shake a paw” consistently with a 5-10 second duration, you can teach consent for nail trims using this behavior.
Step 1: Begin by cueing your dog to sit on the mat or chosen station. Mark and treat for the sit behavior. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
Step 2
Step 2: Place the treat under the container and hold the target in your hand in front of the dog’s paw. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 3: Any paw movement toward the container will earn a mark and treat. Repeat as many times as needed until the dog contacts the container. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 4: Mark and treat for a paw on the target and repeat 3-5 times before moving on to the next step. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 5: Present your hand while holding the target slightly higher each time, always keeping the target at a comfortable height. When the dog’s paw contacts the target, mark and treat. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 6: Continue slowly raising your hand to the desired “shake a paw” height, usually in line with the dog’s elbow, then mark and treat. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 7: Remove the container from your hand and place a treat in your closed fist. Mark and treat when your dog places their paw on your closed fist. Repeat 3-5 times. If your dog seems confused, go back to step 6. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 8: Open your fist slightly and loosely hold the treat inside. Mark and treat when your dog places their paw on your open hand. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
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Step 9: Next, remove the treat from your hand and slowly open your hand without the treat, so the dog begins to place their paw on your open hand. Photo Courtesy Jessica Benoit RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA CTP, CPDT-KA, EFFCP
A marker is a word, sound or gesture that signals the exact moment your pet has offered a behavior you like and want repeated. It is a language bridge between species and communicates to your pet they have earned a reinforcement for something they just did. A marker is a camera snapshot, marking the split second of an act. Marking and reinforcing that moment increases the likelihood of your pet repeating that desired behavior. The marker predicts the reinforcement is coming and is a promise of a paycheck. The reward always comes immediately after the marker.
A marker should be clear, concise, and consistent. It should be repeatable with minimal variation.
A verbal marker should be the same word each time and used by everyone involved in your pet’s training. The word “yes” is short and positive sounding and more easily repeated than “good girl” or “good boy”. Verbal markers carry tone however which can influence your dog’s response, making them hesitant if they perceive your bad mood.
Hand signals and gestures can be used as alternative markers for hearing-impaired animals, animals working at a far distance or underwater.
A clicker is most often used as an audible marker. It is a preferred marker by most trainers and comes in many styles. The sound produced is consistent regardless of who is using it, without inflection or conveying tone. It will make the identical sound regardless of who is using it. A clicker can mark subtle movements, making training precise.
Begin teaching the meaning of the marker by clicking, verbalizing, or gesturing then quickly giving the reinforcement. Repeat this five times. Then begin using the marker for training other behaviors.
CattleDog Publishing, VIN and the VIN Foundation Partner to Honor Dr. Sophia Yin’s Legacy
The Low Stress Handling® Movement: How Sophia and Her CattleDog Started It All!
Davis, CA: As the 8th anniversary of Dr. Sophia Yin’s death approaches, CattleDog Publishing, Veterinary Information Network, and the VIN Foundation, honor her memory by highlighting her life achievements and contributions. Her passion, science-based teachings and experiences transformed the veterinary and pet professional community. Without knowing their origin, many continue to use her techniques daily.
“With good handling, the patient should get better and not worse.” Sophia Yin
In the early 2000’s Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, made it her lifelong passion to educate veterinarians and pet professionals about animal behavior, which led her to create the innovative and industry-standard Low Stress Handling® method for dogs and cats. Sophia developed the “Ten General Principles of Handling,” which are now the core concepts for other certification programs, including AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practices®, and Fear Free® Pets.
Sophia’s contributions to veterinary behavior did not stop at implementing low stress veterinary care. She also introduced pet professionals to the scientific method and learning theory. She provided hands-on training in the fundamentals of animal behavior, emphasizing the specific causes and effects of behavior and how a learner will only repeat what has been reinforced, both desired and undesired. In her lectures, she used visual examples from her extensive video and photographic library and cited scientific studies showing how positive punishment often increases fear and anxiety.
Before her untimely passing, Sophia had many long-term goals for her company, CattleDog Publishing. She was actively creating additional Low Stress Handling® Certification programs and various material targeting pet owners, shelter workers, and dog trainers. So much has come from Sophia’s legacy, including the body language posters hanging on many veterinary hospital walls, The Perfect Puppy in 7 days book, bite prevention posters, books, and videos for children, and the How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves book for pet owners. These publications and tools are still relevant and popular today. Sophia’s company, CattleDog Publishing, continues to thrive and expand upon the foundation she built.
About CattleDog Publishing
After Dr. Sophia Yin’s untimely death in 2014, her mother, Jackie, chose the Veterinary Information Network to archive and protect Sophia’s materials. Now an integral part of the VIN family, CattleDog Publishing is revitalizing Sophia’s vision while continuing her original goals of educating others and improving animal welfare. To learn more, visit https://cattledogpublishing.com.
About VIN Foundation
The VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides resources to help the veterinary community thrive so they can help our animals and those who care for them. The Foundation was created by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 94,000 members worldwide. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its resources at https://VINFoundation.org. The VIN Foundation is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants; all gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax deductible.
Dr. Sophia Yin presenting. Photo courtesy of CattleDog Publishing.
“With good handling, the patient should get better and not worse.” Sophia Yin
From the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral conditions to the reduction of fear, anxiety, and stress in veterinary patients, the past 20 years have seen numerous advances in veterinary behavior. In the early 2000’s Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, emerged on the scene to lead this transformation. Motivated by the realization that more pets were euthanized for behavioral reasons than medical issues, she made it her lifelong passion to educate veterinarians and animal professionals about animal behavior and the benefits of Low Stress Handling for dogs and cats.
In 2009, Sophia published her first textbook Low Stress Handling®, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats. This ground-breaking book was the product of hundreds of hours spent objectively observing veterinary team members handling both dogs and cats. Using a photo journal style, Sophia illustrated her techniques for efficiently and safely restraining patients while minimizing stress levels of the patient, client, and veterinary team. The Low Stress Handling Silver Individual and Practice Certification was born from this book in 2014.
“If we provide an environment where the animal feels comfortable and safe, while also providing clear guidance regarding what we want the animal to do, the pet will be less fearful and more cooperative, which in turn will help us get through the procedure more quickly both now and on future visits.”Sophia Yin
Sophia developed the “Ten General Principles of Handling,” which she shared in numerous publications and lectures. These Principles have since become the core for other certification programs such as AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practices®, and Fear Free® Pets.
The low stress concepts promoted in each of these programs, such as how to approach patients in a less threatening way and the importance of starting with a comfortable environment, all began with Sophia’s work.
“When animals are sensitive to being touched, avoid patting the animal or touching her quickly and repeatedly. Each touch will cause the dog to startle. Instead place your hands on the animal more proximally and keep it there until the dog relaxes.” Sophia Yin
Sophia taught how to keep patients feeling secure by placing hands and body to control movement in all six directions when restraining. She also taught towel wrapping techniques for cats. An advocate for sedation before pets become distressed, she created the two and three second rule of restraint to avoid prolonged struggling and introduced the veterinary world to the use of food as distractors and rewards during the exam and other procedures.
Sophia’s contributions to veterinary behavior did not stop at implementing low stress/fear veterinary care. She also introduced pet professionals to the scientific method and learning theory. She provided hands-on training in the fundamentals of animal behavior, emphasizing the specific causes and effects of behavior and how a learner will only repeat what has been reinforced. In her lectures, she used visual examples from her extensive video and photographic library and cited scientific studies showing how positive punishment often increases fear and anxiety. As her career progressed, she traveled to Europe and Australia to share her doctrine of behavior teachings.
Always the consummate scientist, Sophia led the way in debunking dominance theory and the misuse of “alpha” methods in behavior training. She supplemented her science-based teachings with engaging personal stories, including how her first attempt to use punishment-based training on her beloved dog Max changed her perspective on dog training and inspired her to become a behaviorist. After attending Bob Bailey’s, Animal Behavior Enterprise (ABE) Chicken Training Camp, she expanded her interests beyond companion animals to other species and unique training opportunities. At camp, she learned important mechanical training skills and the “process of training the trainers to train the animals.” Later, it was through Bob, that she met Simon Prins. A pioneer himself, Simon introduced the novel concepts of positive reinforcement training to the canine police and military dog training world. Together, Sophia and Simon created a device for teaching targeting exercises to police and military working dogs. These exercises were then later used in top secret operations.
In addition to her humane handling techniques, Sophia strove to help pet owners become skilled trainers increasing the accessibility of behavior treatment options for them and their pets. She developed an algorithm and coding program to streamline the training and behavior modification process for veterinarians and their clients. With pet owners in mind, she invented the Manners Minder (later renamed the Treat & Train®), an automatic, remote-controlled treat dispenser to address problem behaviors such as door dashing, jumping up, and even car ride anxiety. Later she utilized this device in the treatment of fear-related aggression towards other dogs as part of a complete behavior modification plan.
Before her untimely passing, Sophia had many long-term goals for her company, CattleDog Publishing. She was actively creating additional Low Stress Handling® Certification programs and various material targeting pet owners, shelter workers, and dog trainers. She was creating an app for her coding program and educational material to support veterinarians in treating behavior patients in their own practice. From 2011-2014, Sophia authored several textbook chapters and was instrumental in the development of American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) Position Statements, the 2011 AAFP Feline Friendly Handling Position Statement, and 2015 AAHA Behavior Guidelines for Veterinarians.
So much has come from Sophia’s legacy, including the body language posters hanging on many veterinary hospital walls, The Perfect Puppy in 7 Days book inspired by her father and his new puppy, bite prevention posters, books, and videos for children, and the How to Behave so Your Dog Behaves book for pet owners. These publications and tools are still relevant and popular today.
In early 2020, Sophia’s mother Jackie chose the Veterinary Information Network® (VIN) to archive and protect Sophia’s materials. Now an integral part of the VIN family, CattleDog Publishing is revitalizing Sophia’s vision while continuing her original goals of educating others and improving animal welfare.
