About Erin Goddard Expertise {Erin is accepting a limited number of questions per day through the AllExperts site. She will answer these dog training questions for FREE. If Erin is not available to take any more questions, and/or if you want to be in contact with her more regularly, please contact her at Training.Inquiry@gmail.com}
Erin can answer your dog training questions regarding any of the following:
+ Reducing your dog's anxiety, aggression, fear, hyper-activity, etc.
+ Encouraging your dog's confidence, desire to please, tolerance, and other positive behaviors
+ Understanding your dog's behaviors and feelings
**EXAMPLE of WHAT YOU CAN ASK: "My dog runs around like crazy when I take him out of his kennel. What do I do?"
- Health-related questions will be referred to veterinarian professionals.
- Questions regarding a dog who behaves dangerously may be referred to a local animal behaviorist/professional, to ensure the safety of all of those involved.
- Non-dog-training questions will not be answered.
**EXAMPLE of WHAT NOT TO ASK: "My dog is throwing up a lot. What do I do?"
Experience Trained dogs to competitive and working dog levels: Schutzhund BH, Schutzhund II Obedience, Schutzhund I Track, NNDDA Narcotics Detection, AKC CGC, AKC Novice Obedience, AKC Open Obedience, and AKC Novice Agility.
Worked with dog owners and their dogs with various problem-behaviors: aggression, anxiety, dominance, fear, leash walking, basic obedience, puppy training, potty training, behaviors when groomed, and competition-level training.
Organizations Schutzhund USA
Education/Credentials Graduated as a Professional Dog Trainer from the Tom Rose School for Professional Dog Trainers.
Graduated from John Brown University with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology, minor in English.
Awards and Honors Honors from John Brown University: Psi Chi, Sigma Tau Delta, and Cum Laude
Awards from Tom Rose School for Professional Dog Trainers: First in Class to Complete the Novice Agility Test, Received V Rating for Novice Agility, Received V Rating for Dog House Test
Past/Present Clients Erin is located in the suburbian area of Philadelphia, also known as the "Main Line."
Read more about the dog training services Erin provides, by checking out www.erinsdogtraining.com
Question My family recently rescued a 4 year old West Highland Ranch terrier, Bella. Bella is reluctant to come inside after being let out in both the front yard and back yard. The only way I can get her to come in is to crouch down and call her while holding the door open, and even then she sometimes tries to turn around and run back outside when she's halfway in the door. She even runs away from the door to open the fence! However, she doesn't seem to be afraid of bathroom doors. How can I get Bella to come inside without hesitation and fear?
Answer Merry,
The following are some suggestions that might help you teach Bella that coming indoors is not as scary as she thinks it is.
1. Keep a leash on Bella. You sit on the inside of the doorway, and let her sit on the outside. Do not place her too far away from the door. You want her semi-close to the doorway, so that it will not take too much effort for her to go through the doorway. Once you are situated, call her to you. If she decides to run away, simply hold the leash still, until she decides that it's not worth pulling against herself anymore. As soon as she stops pulling on the leash, release some of the tension as well(but still hold onto the leash), so that she feels as though you approve of her non-pulling behaviors as well.
2. Praise her AFTER she comes towards the door. You may have to wait for a long time for her to come towards the doorway. Even if it is just an inch, or even a lean of her body towards the doorway, she needs to be praised. You can praise her with a happy tone of voice and possibly some treats. You can also set up a treat or two in front of her, if she is motivated by the food, in order to get her to maybe take a step or two forward. Remember, every tiny bit of improvement is huge. Every little improvement needs to be rewarded.
3. Practice #1 and #2 several times a day. Do #4, during the sessions, as needed.
4. If she is small enough, maybe pick her up to bring her inside, rather than going through the whole training struggle every single time. Give yourself and give her a break, and just do it the easy way sometimes. Just make sure that you pick her up BEFORE she resists coming inside. Otherwise, your picking her up might communicate to her that you want her to pull on the leash.
5. Overtime, instead of sitting on the inside of the doorway, begin to kneel, then crouch, then begin to stand up, so that the change from you sitting to you standing is gradual. After all, you do not want to always have to sit or bend over in order to get her to come to you, right? Again, make this transition very gradual. Overtime, you can also begin to step backwards, and she should come in towards you.
6. If your situation does not show the slightest bit of improvement within two weeks, then consult a professional trainer near you. It is possible that something else might be going on that I do not realize, because I am not there with her.
Please let me know if you need any clarification or additional advice. You can e-mail me at Training.Inquiry@gmail.com
Thank you!
Erin Goddard
Professional Dog Trainer
www.erinsdogtraining.com
Training.Inquiry@gmail.com
#484)-238-2134
