With a master’s degree in canine psychology, Christina Potter of North Bergen has been training all breeds of dogs for over 25 years. The resident’s second book, “Insider Training: Chester Gigolo’s Dog Training Secrets Revealed,” was published in February by Aperture Press and is available for purchase on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
Chester Gigolo is Potter’s dog. She said he is a Berger Picard, an ancient breed. Written from Gigolo’s point of view, “Insider Training” follows Potter’s previous book “Chester Gigolo: Diary of a Dog Star” that recounts Gigolo’s rise to “stardom.”
“The book ‘Inside Training’ shows the basics, like how to start training, how to bond and train with interactive games, and how to get them to pay attention,” Potter said.
“I’m not saying there’s not a time to say ‘no’ to a dog, but ‘no’ should be used sparingly.” – Christina Potter
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The new book reveals the secrets to gaining obedience. Dog owners can learn the basics of training, like calling your dog’s name, teaching it to sit, come, or stay, and more. It explains why positive reinforcement is the perfect way to train puppies or older dogs, whether loyal or stubborn.
“Destructive behavior comes from boredom in dogs,” Potter said.“We’ll teach you witty information using hand signals, easy tricks, the basic sit, come, and stay, how to stay in their kennel, and all that stuff.”
Positive reinforcement works by motivating dogs to perform as the owner wishes, and includes giving treats or petting the dog.
“I find that dogs desire to please their owners, and it makes them unhappy if they feel they’re not pleasing you,” Potter said. “So if you use positive reinforcement, they’ll be happier to not do things you don’t want.
“If I ask you to do something, you make a mistake, and I yell at you, the next time you’ll be less willing to work with me, but if I guide you through it and praise you, then the next time I ask you to do it, you’ll be more excited to do it and learn,” she said.
Don’t say ‘bad dog’
Negative reinforcement includes yelling, hitting, or punishing in any way, according to Potter. She’s against the practice.
“Negative reinforcement defeats the purpose of training and bonding. Correcting them by yelling, scolding, saying ‘bad dog’, spanking them, or drawing attention is negative to a dog,” Potter said. “Lack of attention is punishment also. I’m not saying there’s not a time to say ‘no’ to a dog, but ‘no’ should be used sparingly.”
Potter used the example of a dog running into a street. Of course you can yell “no,” when the dog is running towards the street, Potter said, but if you teach the dog to come when its name is called, then you might not have to yell “no.”
Potter said separation anxiety happens because the dog doesn’t know what’s right or wrong, or could also be bored. Interactive games in the book are used for bonding, training, and keeping the dogs entertained. “That way when you’re gone, they don’t have boredom behaviors like eating shoes,” she said.
“Positive reinforcement ensures attention,” Gigolo and Potter say in Insider Training. “Positive reinforcement consists of treats, praise, and play. Make yourself the most exciting thing in our environment and we will be only too happy to pay attention.”
On Sunday, Oct. 23, Potter and more than 40 other authors will be in Stockton, N.J. for a book signing at the River Roads Book Festival. Crepes, waffles, and wine will be served during the festival, which starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. The festival is on 33 Risler Street in Stockton.