What Does a Finished(trained) Dog Look Like?
Hey everyone!
Context: Oregon Tails is a very unique dog daycare service. Run by a couple on a ranch outside Portland, OR. They don’t use food, no tools (other than leashes), no stern corrections, and yet they’re able to run huge groups of dogs, in an off-leash setting, in a beautifully harmonious way using a system called The Jentle Method, it stresses the importance of communication through the leash and I now teach it to every daycare dog(and any owners that want to learn).
Oregon Tails owner Jonathan Czinder has a video(sorry, I can’t share it here, it’s a subscription service, 23/mo if you’re interested) where he describes some of the traits and qualities that a finished or polished dog has. He admits that a finished dog is a rare thing, but with guidance and communication, a dog will move in this direction. It’s a target to work towards with your dog. Here’s the list:
1. They do not need to bark. Maybe once to alert their people or guide, but not repeatedly.
2. They do not whine.
3. They have complete respect for other beings(human, animal); no intention to harm other living beings.
4. They don’t pull on leash.
5. There’s no need for a crate(although they’re content in one).
6. They can be brought to a heighten state of arousal, but will happily return back to zero when asked, without jumping back into that state.
7. They have impeccable recall.
8. They’re not fearful of loud noises or strange objects.
9. They’ll listen to strangers to the same degree as they do their guide
10. They don’t have prey drive.
11 They’re comfortable with swimming and heights.
12. They’re comfortable having their entire day structured, as well as having it unstructured.
13. They’re socially savvy. They’re aware of other being’s insecurities and anxieties and act appropriately to those beings, respectful.
14. They don’t charge the delivery person at the home.
15. They’re comfortable traveling for long distances. They don’t have the zoomies when they finally get out, they’re calm.
16. They don’t beg for food or eat things that aren’t given to it, even on a trail or at home when unattended.
17. They’ll allow handling, bathing, nail clipping, teeth brushing, handle every part of the body.
18. They accept the elements, to the degree their physiology allows; rain, heat, snow, cold…
19. They’re comfortable around strange people and dogs.
20. They’re capable of retrieval.
21. They’re comfortable being picked up.
22. They stay in a place if you ask them to stay there.
23. They move through life with a neutral energy(vs overly excited or fearful) and have the ability to adapt to nearly all situations in life.
*Check out Oregon Tails on Instagram (for cool pics and informative lives) and/or their website.
Thanks for reading everybody, happy adventuring!
Citation:
Czinder, Jonathan(nd). A Polished Dog. Oregon Tails website. Retrieved 8.11.21 from https://www.ortails.com/philosophy-lifestyle-philosophy.