The Canine Link

Laser pointer guided retrieves Cooper has learnt to retrieve the item indicated by the laser pointer. This can be a great mobility help. While we may name specific items for a dog to retrieve (e.g. "Phone", "Medication") we cannot name every single item. So having another way of specifying which item to get is super helpful.

Cooper practising some assistance dog skills while out and about. #assistancedogs #adit #boardandtrain #mobilitysupportdog #goldenretrieversofinstagram

Play skills For dogs that like to play tug, the game is often one of the first things I work on during a Board & Train stay. It helps develop a strong relationship, fulfils the dog's instinctual needs and is a great reward for learning new skills. Rhubarb the Border Collie is showing a few of the things I focus on when assessing play skills. Think there isn't much to learn about playing with your dog? You'd be surprised just how much there is to it when you delve into it a little more.

Good heelwork and the ability to pivot is particularly important for assistance dogs working next to a wheelchair. Shops and other public places can be tight and being able to pivot and back up help navigate those areas. Young Cooper the Golden Retriever is learning how to stay aligned with the wheelchair to make it easier ♿🐾

Cooper the assistance dog in training loves his daily swims and leaps in with a big jump. I still expect him to show impulse control and not rush the gate, even when he can't wait to get in.

More fun with flowers 💐 Cooper the Golden Retriever showing that learning and practising skills can and should be fun. Dog training is also about being creative and showing your dog lots of different 'pictures' of behaviours and skills to make them successful in different scenarios. #becreative #havefun #assistancedogtraining #dogtraining #goldenretrieverpuppy #adit

Cooper the 11 months old Golden Retriever is an assistance dog in training and is learning the basics of a few different tasks. At this age what I'm looking for is not for a polished skill but that the dog develops an understanding of different skill concepts (e.g. use mouth to push or pull, nudge or pick up items). And most importantly to enjoy learning! #assistancedogtraining #golderetrieversofinstagram #adit #retriever

Recall practice with Mabel the 18 week old Border Collie pup

Puppy socialisation - It's a big world for a little pup Little Mabel gets nervous in new situations and I can support her through it. This was Mabel's first time at the shopping centre and she was a bit intimidated at first but got better and better. We play the "Look At That" Game and I mark her for looking at things or for looking back at me (once she is comfortable enough to offer this). What is important is that I don't distract her from the environment by continuously having food in front of her nose. I don't want her to be oblivious to what is going on around her but rather look around and choose to watch calmly and look back at me in the presence of potentially scary things.

Fun with enrichment toys Training and spending time with them is often the best enrichment we can give our dogs. But figuring out enrichment and activity toys is good for their brains too and fun for us to watch :)

Look at this amazing progress 🤩 During his first lesson Patrick was straining at the end of the leash, unable to take a single step without pulling. Reactivity to all things moving meant Patrick had plenty of extra reasons to throw himself into the leash. But Patrick is blessed with very dedicated owners keen to learn. And all the effort and time put into practising is showing. Leash walking is a fine art that can take time to perfect. But it's a wonderful feeling when it's coming together and you feel like you and your dog are a team moving as one 💞 Well done Judi and Patrick, keep up the fantastic work!

Cooper the Golden Retriever puppy is learning to place items into a container and to pass items back to me. Such a clever boy 💕🐾

See what Cooper, the super handsome & clever Golden Retriever puppy has been up to over the last weeks while staying with us for a Board & Train. The video shows some of the skills that he is learning as well as some happy snaps from his socialisation and exposure outings 🐾

When it is Sunday and you feel like training the dogs while barely moving a muscle 😁 The Treat & Train machine is definitely a favourite around here. All my dogs love it and get excited whenever they hear the beep. That is the power of a conditioned response to a marker 💪

Building confidence and resilience around moving objects (here a trolley) with 20 week old Cooper.

The grounds for group class were still a bit wet but Board & Train puppy Cooper loved it!

Day train dog "Flynn" is enjoying his personal spa pool 🐾💦🐾

🐾 Place training & impulse control work with Board & Train dog "Lindt" 🐾 Play is a great way to set up practice scenarios that will teach your dog important life skills!

Three's a crowd

Logan the Shepherd not using his full strength when playing with Lindt the mini Groodle.