IC Dog Training

20/04/2025

SUNDAY FUNDAY!

Image credit to offthemark.com

19/04/2025

Busy Easter weekend with Herbie, Tex and Oreo. Love them to bits🐾💕🐾💕 .

14/04/2025

Another very busy day at Maroubra Beach promoting positive reinforcement training as well as safety with dogs and babies. Thank you to everybody who visited our stall and came to us with training questions! It was a pleasure to help you with your dog!
🐶🐶 🐶

07/02/2025

Have you ever looked at an Xray and wished you understood what you were looking at? Unless there’s a clear broken bone or an obvious dark or white spot, many times it’s hard to know whether there’s a problem or not, because your eyes are not trained to do so. Supervision works in a similar way. An adult present in the same room as dog and baby is not enough when you don’t know what you are looking at. Being able to detect lip licks, yawns, head turns, whale eyes, ears pinned back, etc. is key when it comes to active and effective supervision of dog and baby. These subtle signs of dog communication will tell you when your dog starts feeling uncomfortable or conflicted around your baby or toddler so you can intervene in a timely manner to solve the problem. Ignoring such signs may lead to your dog having to escalate their message through teeth bearing, growling, air snapping and even biting.
Train your eye to understand your dog’s polite language, and keep your baby safe and your dog comfortable.

18/12/2024

'Middle' can be a great recall alternative as well as a safe place for your dog to come to when out in the park. It can be used as a starting position in advanced training or as part of a game. Most importantly, it's fun, so give it a go!
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14/12/2024

When long-lasting chews fail to entertain your dog for as long as you would like, start placing them inside cardboard items like boxes, empty paper towel tubes, egg cartons or toilet rolls. Use cellotape to keep boxes and egg cartons closed if needed. Making your dog 'work' to get the chew will keep them busy for a while longer, will allow them to engage in natural behaviours like dissecting and chewing, will encourage your dog to sniff to keep on target, and to use their brain to figure out how to reach the chew. Isaac was entertained for 40 minutes, then took a nap for 30 minutes. Cleaning took 2 minutes, literally. Try it, it's worth it!

13/12/2024

11/12/2024

Are you the last thing in your dog's mind when you take them for a walk? This game teaches your dog to focus on you. How to: toss a treat to your right and let your dog get it. When they turn around towards you or look at you, say 'yes' (or use your marker word) and toss another treat to your left. As your dog gets the hang of it, increase the distance you toss the treat.

09/12/2024

Amelia learning to play 'Funder'. This game encourages dogs to focus on their guardians. It's ideal for dogs that get too distracted by other dogs, birds, bicycles, people, etc. when they are taken for a walk.
The game encourages the dog to go through your legs to get a treat and they get reinforced when they look back at you. Try it out and have fun while you teach your dog to focus on you.
How to: with your dog in front of you and a treat in hand, lure your dog through your legs and toss the treat behind you. While they get it, turn around (mind the lead!) and mark (say 'yes', or your 'marker word') when your dog turns around and look at you. Toss another treat between your legs. Make sure to go slowly at first.

05/12/2024

Dogs who love their crates don’t need persuasion to get inside. They choose to go there because it’s a positive place for them to be in. Start by keeping that door open. Provide a comfy bed and plenty of space for your dog to be able to stand up and turn around. Playing background music or white noise will muffle any noise that might disturb your dog. Make it a rule in your home that when your dog is inside their crate, nobody disturbs them.

01/11/2024

The number of LOST DOGS posted on social media is staggering. When dogs get lost, a simple name tag with your mobile number can save them from undergoing the stressful experience of being dropped at a vet’s clinic, in the lucky event someone picked them up. Moreover, if there’s no microchip with your updated details to contact you, the vet will arrange your dog to be transferred to a shelter. I wouldn't want my dog going through this ordeal, would you?
* Make sure your dog always has a name tag with your mobile number on their collar or harness.
*Make sure your dog is microchipped, and your contact details are up-to-date
*Make sure the local vets’ scanning system can read your dog’s microchip
*Make sure your back yard is secured and check for this regularly
*Use a baby gate or playpen to prevent your dog from running out the door.
*Make sure your dog has a reliable recall but be aware that no recall is 100% reliable. The fact that your dog's recall is good with you doesn’t mean they’ll come back to a dog-sitter with the same reliability.
*Consider investing on an AirTag or similar
*Take extra care in crowded places, with loud noises, during festivities or weather events. If in doubt, put your dog on the lead.