Dog Savvy

24/10/2024

Okay, so this is a word that gets an awful lot of play in the training world, and it’s definition has come to mean an awful lot of things. Many of which, are incredibly counter-productive, if not downright dangerous.

So let’s see if we can’t clarify a few things.

Socialization isn’t:
-About letting your dog freely interact with dogs at the dog park, day care, or with friends dogs.
-About allowing your dog to meet other dogs on-leash.
-About allowing all manner of people, in all manner of mental/emotional states interact/pet/pressure your dog.
-About exposing your dog to the sights and sounds of cars, buses, motorcycles, bikes, skateboards, joggers...and allowing them to freak out, panic, aggress, hide, bark etc.
-About exposing your dog to the sights and sounds of dogs, cats, and other animals, and allowing them to freak out, aggress, lunge, bark, growl etc.

Socialization is:
-About teaching your dog the proper responses to dogs. What is and isn’t appropriate behavior, and correcting the unwanted when it appears.
-About teaching your dog to walk by the barking, lunging dog(s) on walks and ignore them, completely. Correcting if necessary to achieve this result.
-About advocating for your dog and ensuring people aren’t allowed to pressure your dog, by touching, crouching down, attempting “kisses” etc. That means being a big boy or girl, and stopping others from engaging in unwanted, uninvited interactions.
-About exposing your dog to all manner of daily life “things” and ensuring a proper response. If aggression/arousal is present, it’s corrected, if fear/arousal is present (and causes an overreaction/fleeing etc.) it’s corrected. Ask your dog to learn to ignore and not care about these “life” distractions/concerns/temptations. Teach them to listen to the training, not the world around them.
-About teaching your dog to leave other creatures alone. The cat, the bird, the cow, the goat, the other dog, is simply none of their business. If they decide those things are their business, it’s your job to correct and clarify what is and isn’t their business for them.

Socialization has become a ridiculously simplified, dumbed down, all-encompassing idea. Free interaction and exposure have been presented as a panacea, the magic gateway to a balanced dog. That’s a whole lot of B.S. you’ve been sold, by a lot of people full of B.S. 🙂

Socialization is all about teaching your dog how to behave and exist in the world...properly. People have a belief that only interactions create a well socialized dog. They don’t understand that existence is almost always preferable, and more valuable than actual interaction. Yes exposure is critical, but exposure without 100% clear guidance, and corrections for poor choices, isn’t socialization, it’s chaos, and it’s not teaching your dog what’s right, what’s wrong, and that you’ll keep them safe, so they don’t have to.

A well socialized dog isn’t fazed by the world around them. And that doesn’t come from simple exposure and interactions without guidance. Ironically, that’s precisely how you create anti-social dogs.

Think on that for a minute.

19/10/2024

BASSENDEAN 10 AM CLASS REMINDER:

Can everyone in the 10am class bring a mat with them big enough for their dog to lie on. You will be learning 'on the mat'. This is a great exercise to master especially with the holidays and Christmas just around the corner.

Anyone from the 9am class who hasnt done 'on the mat' or would like to revisit it can stay on and join in the exercise.

09/10/2024

RECALL AND GOOD MANNER WORKSHOPS FOR 2024

These workshops are exclusively available to all past and current members who have done either classes or private lessons with Kaz at Good Dog Behavioural Training (0410 460 083) or June at Dog Savvy (0407 472 994).

There are a variety of dates available and we will run either a recall or good manners workshop on the days depending on demand. If you are interested in attending please contact us and let us know which date/s you are wanting and which workshop you are looking to do.

We only take a maximum of four dogs per workshop. The workshops are held at my home in Greenmount so we can do real life training especially with good manners in the home. There is a large fully enclosed back yard for recalls. See the attached brochure for further details.

09/10/2024

A couple of weeks ago we went up to Toodyay to have a walk and see the wildflowers which was lovely although a bit hilly for an 'easy' walk. Afterwards we went into the main street for some lunch at a cafe. It was a very busy day with lots of people and dogs going by and cars, trucks etc on the road next to us. The dogs did so well. It was Trevor's first visit to a cafe and he aced it.

Im always amazed when people see us with four dogs they are amazed we can handle them. Most common comment 'You've certainly got your hands full!. I just raise my hands and say 'hands free' and continue eating our lunch.

A visit to a cafe with your dogs shouldnt be a stressful time. It is relatively simple to train your dogs to be calm and self-controlled. They lie in a drop watching the world go by or asleep. We dont have outbursts, our dogs arent trying to get to people and dogs passing by. Its always a pleasure to have calm, well mannered dogs out and about.

28/09/2024

REMINDER: IMPORTANT TIME CHANGE FOR BASSENDEAN CLASSES:
As from TODAY, SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER all classes will move to our summer training times as the weather begins to heat up.

9.30 classes will move to 9.00
10.30 classes will move to 10.00

28/09/2024

25/09/2024

FREE INFORMATION / BEGINNERS CLASS STARTS THIS SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER AT 10AM AT BASSENDEAN

Santa's little Elvies are gearing up for Christmas which is just around the corner. If you are wanting to gain control of your out of control puppy, have some peace and calm over the holidays now is the time to get training. Dogs dont magically start behaving as they get older, in fact it can get worse. Dog training is an ongoing process not a quick fix. Would you send your child out into the world to fend for himself when he finished kindergarten?

We can help you with obedience - sit, drop, stay, loose lead walking and recall. However, this is just the beginning. Most people are wanting good manners from their dog. Something the dog should do on its own not the owner having to constantly remind and correct the dog to get what they want. We deal with barking, jumping, mouthing, on the mat, coffee table etiquette and boundaries such as doors, kitchen, bedrooms, couch, gates, car and others. Wouldnt it be nice not to have to maintain these but your dog do it on their own - eventually even when you arent there.

If you are interested in achieving these exercises we have our next free information / beginners class on THIS SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER AT 10.00 in Bassendean. We train at Anzac Reserve, Cnr Anzac Terrace and Ivanhoe Street, Bassendean.

We do have some vacancies for this class so if you are interested in attending please phone June (Dog Savvy) 0407 472 994 or Kaz (Good Dog Training) 0410 460 083.

25/09/2024

IMPORTANT TIME CHANGE FOR BASSENDEAN CLASSES:

As from THIS SUNDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER all classes will move to our summer training times as the weather begins to heat up.

9.30 classes will move to 9.00
10.30 classes will move to 10.00

23/09/2024

22/09/2024

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ANYONE WAITING FOR AN EMAIL FROM DOG SAVVY - WE HAVE BEEN HACKED

Unfortunately my computer has been out of commission (hacked) and is away at the hospital getting fixed. I can receive emails but cant send them. Some of you who have contacted me will receive an email from Kaz with details of the free information / beginners class next Sunday 29 September at 10am.

If you havent heard from anyone or you would like some information please phone June at Dog Savvy 0407 472 994 or Kaz at Good Dog Training 0410 460 083. As a last resort just turn at on Sunday at 9.50 am so we can get you to complete an enrolment form prior to the class starting, we do have some vacancies. We train at Anzac Reserve, Cnr Anzac Terrace and Ivanhoe Street, Bassendean.

Apologies for the inconvenience. We are not ignoring you we just cant reply to your emails at the moment.

19/09/2024

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL PAST AND PRESENT MEMBERS:
WALK AT WHITEMAN PARK THIS SUNDAY AT 9AM

This Sunday, 22 September is a long weekend and therefore no training in Bassendean. We will be doing a walk at Whiteman Park with coffee/breakfast at the cafe afterwards.

We will meet at the usual place. Current members should have received a message from Kaz with details. We will meet next to Carpark 7 on the grass area opposite the cafe. The walk is at 9am. If you wish to attend just make sure you are there by 8.50. Walk will go for approximately 30 minutes. We will try and set up at the cafe but if it is too busy we will set out on the grass so please bring a chair and water for your dog.

Hope to see everyone there. Apologies for late notice but my computer was hacked and Ive just got it back.

19/09/2024

06/09/2024

ATTENTION 9.30 AM BASSENDEAN CLASS - ON THE MAT:

A reminder to bring a mat with you to training on Sunday. You will be covering 'on the mat'. Make sure the mat is big enough for your dog to lie on comfortably but not too big.

On the mat is an extremely useful command. Ultimately your dog learns self-control, how to relax and also listen and pay attention to you for a long period of time. You can contain your dog on their mat when guests arrive, while your kids are playing, keeping them out of the kitchen or away from the table or if you are wanting to do something but keep them out the way but not have to put them outside.

03/09/2024

These two legends want to remind all our teams to get stuck into some practice this week!

Happy homework everyone 🔥🔥

GOOD DOG 🏆🐾

03/09/2024

NEXT FREE INFO / BEGINNERS CLASS ON SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER AT 10.00 AM

This is a very popular class and fills very quickly.

If you are wanting to get your training started this is an ideal class for you. From the first lesson we start with good manners of no jumping or barking. These are possibly the top two problems owners have. We can show you how to stop these behaviours quickly.

Wouldnt it be lovely to be able to easily leave your dog in a drop and walk away and know they are going to stay there, waiting calmly for your return.

We also cover obedience to a high level under high distractions so your dog learns to listen to you no matter what. This also helps you form a bond with your dog and learn how to effectively communicate with each other. We then use that bond and communication to develop great manners and deal with any behavioural issues.

We focus strongly on good manners, setting boundaries such as gates, doors, couch, car. Once you achieve these your life becomes so much easier as your dog is thinking for itself and knows what it should be doing.

We take dogs from 5 mths and over. We also will do in home lessons for dogs under 5 mths who are waiting to join the classes.

Please note we do not use food. We dont want to have to rely on food to get your dog to do what you want. We want your dog to WANT to please you and listen to you. You will become a team however you will always be the team leader.

If you would like to enrol in this intake please email ([email protected]) or ring me on 0407 472 994 for information and an enrolment form.