Questions with the Ferntree Gully dog whisperer

There’s not many dog training experts who can teach a dog to sit still while a stunt driver is hooning towards him at 140km an hour.

But, for trainer Wesley Laird, that’s exactly what he was asked to do on set for a commercial for the Transport Accident Commission. The dog didn’t move a muscle, just looked at Wesley with complete trust and confidence. 

“If you own a dog it’s all about respecting the pack leader,” Wesley told the Eastern Melburnian.

“If you’re not training your dog, your dog is training you.”

Wesley has been a leading dog trainer for over 40 years, with a background studying child psychology in California before noticing many elements between the two that cross over. Twenty-eight years ago, he moved his dog training business to Ferntree Gully and works with service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, animal actors, and law enforcement dogs. His highly-trained dogs have appeared in a range of Australian and international movies and TV commercials.

“Teaching you, as the owners, to be good consistent pack leaders, demanding more from your dogs, and incorporating consistent approval and disapproval, we can both build up confidence and respect,” he said. 

“We can then use that respect for behavioural modifications and teach the dog to do or not do almost anything.”

We sat down for a quick Q&A with Wesley and asked for the best tips and tricks for any dog owners in the eastern suburbs.

The Eastern Melburnian: What’s the best thing people can do for their dogs?

Wesley: Train them!

What should dog owners do when they first bring a puppy home?

The first two weeks are all about bonding. Avoid saying the word NO (that is used later as a very powerful training word), focus on toys and cuddling.

What’s the first step you teach and why?

We’ll set up a boundary using their territorial instinct. 

How do you toilet train a puppy?

Crate training uses their territorial instinct at night so they learn to hold it. Then take them outside first thing in the morning and praise highly with a high tone of voice. If you keep them in a small environment, their denning instinct tells them not to sleep where they toilet. 

How do you cure car sickness in a dog?

Most car sickness is psychological. The first few times in a car is being taken away from mother, siblings and to the vet for shots. Short fun rides usually break the pattern – especially to a park or a drive around block before dinner.

Should you use food rewards?

You don’t need to. I consider it bribery. Tone of voice, a high pitch tone,  “Good boy” and pats also works.

What happens if your dog doesn’t like a particular person?

I’d take a second look at that person and wonder what it’s picking up on. It can be they remind them of someone. Or check the person’s posture – they may be afraid and the dog smells the fear.

How do you train a dog to prepare for a new baby after being the only baby.

Include the dog. Continue training while holding the baby.

If you have two dogs, who do you feed first?

Always the oldest. You need to maintain a pecking order within the pack. The youngest is always the lowest in the pecking order.

What are some of your toilet training tips?

As soon as you get home or puppy wakes up pick them up and take them outside. As they relieve themselves in a high pitched happy tone say “toilet” when finished praise highly with a cuddle or treat.

What are some other key pillars of your approach to dog training?

It’s important to be consistent when training your dog. What you do once you need to do every time! When your dog demonstrates good behaviour and responds positively to your commands, reward them. This reinforces the association between good and bad behaviour

It’s also important to not inadvertently reward bad behaviour. For example if your dog barks at you to play or jumps up to say hello ignore them and wait until they’re calmer before giving attention!

Some dogs are food motivated while others are pickier. A quick play session with a favourite toy can be as good as a treat!

All family members need to be on the same page. Always use the same word or intonation when asking them to do something. Equally important is for everyone in your family to be on the same page. Dogs need consistency to learn new habits. If your partner lets the puppy on the couch but you don’t, they will get very confused!

Train little and often: short training sessions repeated throughout the day is much more effective than longer ones.

Image Credit: Sally Dusting-Laird