Crate training practice with River. This was last night when we were getting ready for bed. River chose to go into her crate and fell asleep with the door wide open.
The crate should be a safe, comfortable and relaxing place for a dog and somewhere they choose to go for rest. As River is a timid dog she is looking for safety and the crate appeals to her. I have fed her in the crate a couple of times and that has been enough for her to seek it out.
When crate training, I always recommend you build up a calm and relaxed association with the crate first before you progress to overnight.
Our new home came with 4 alpacas which are animals that our city dogs have not seen before.
We have been exposing the dogs to the alpacas (and vice versa) regularly and at distance either while walking or stopping to watch. We are aiming for neutrality where the dogs can observe without action. I do not want the dogs to approach the alpacas or bark at them.
Jett is not phased much by the alpacas but Benny is as curious about them as they are of him!
Training tip: how to start structured rest time for your dog.
Dogs need structured down time every day to rest, relax and recharge. I find particularly with puppies, working dog breeds, high energy or anxious dogs that they don’t get the structured rest they need. These dogs often only lay down for very short periods, pace, lack focus, ignore commands and in the case of puppies, bite and mouth with more voracity.
Structured rest time can be done in a number of ways and if your dog struggles with this, start by having them lay on their dog beds right next to you and reward them for staying on the bed. Be calm and quiet and reflect this to your dog.
When the “retrieval” doesn’t quite go as planned but the automatic recall still works 😂
Jett enjoying some one-on-one time with Tony at Marley and Bears while Benny was at the vet last week.
I’m visiting my sister for a few days and one of my favourite activities is going on walks with her dog Kea 🥰
A part of her normal walking routine is some long lead time at the local park. Kea loves to sniff the trees and bushes and stalk the local bird life if she can get away with it!
Although Kea has a very good recall, the park is open and surrounded by some busy roads and the long lead provides that extra bit of safety and security.
Dog walking workshop activity.
Does your dog become overly excited when they see another dog? Does your dog pull on the lead? Does your dog completely ignore you when on a walk?
If you answered “yes!” to any of these questions then the dog walking workshop could help you. The next course starts on Sunday 4 February in Warnbro. Follow this link to register: https://leaderofthepack.com.au/dog-walking-workshop/
This is Chelsea choosing to walk in the heel position next to me on our walk this morning. We practice short bursts of heel throughout our walk and the rest of the time she practices loose lead walking with the full length of the lead to sniff and explore. Walking in the heel position is rewarding for Chelsea and when she chooses this herself it lets me know she wants to engage and earn.
An early crate training session with our foster puppy Bruno. We needed to provide Bruno a safe place to rest and to eat his meals while he was building up his strength after coming to us malnourished. Crate training is a great option for puppies and particularly in Bruno’s situation. He was only in for very short amounts of time (minutes only) and we taught him to relax before exiting.
This is Stella practicing her version of “place” in the intermediate class 😂. The aim of this activity was to stay on the place with the distraction of me walking and talking around her. It didn’t matter what position she was in on the place just that she stayed there and didn’t leave it. Great job Stella 😊
Senior dog walk
Each morning my husband and I take our dogs Ruby (14) and Jett (9) for a short walk in our neighbourhood.
We don’t get far and frequently stop so Ruby can sit and rest before continuing on. These walks are slow going but are so important for all of us as a family but for Ruby especially.
Every morning she perks up and “rushes” to head out. She is so happy to go for a walk even if it’s tiring for her.
Regular walks are so important for a dogs health and wellbeing and we will keep going together as long as she is willing and able to go.
These group walks have also had a positive impact on Jett who has slowed down and waits patiently for Ruby. Plus we take Jett out again for a more vigorous walk afterwards 🤩
Each morning my husband and I take our dogs Ruby (14) and Jett (9) for a short walk in our neighbourhood. We don’t get far and frequently stop so Ruby can sit and rest before continuing on. These walks are slow going but are so important for all of us as a family but for Ruby especially. Every morning she she perks up and “rushes” to head out. She is so happy to go for a walk even if it’s tiring for her. Regular walks are so important for a dogs health and wellbeing and we will keep going together as long as she is willing and able to go. These group walks have also had a positive impact on Jett who has slowed down and waits patiently for Ruby. Plus we take Jett out again for a more vigorous walk afterwards 🤩
Introducing a foster puppy to our dog Jett
How we safely introduced our foster puppy Bruno to our older dog Jett. We used the crate so they could safely sniff each other and reduced the risk of inappropriate greeting or behaviour.
Older dogs don’t always like meeting puppies (they can be a lot to deal with) and puppies also haven’t yet learned how to greet other dogs politely.
Before we did this I introduced Bruno to the crate first.
It’s also important if you have an older dog and a puppy, that you give the dogs time away from each other, especially for the older dog.
#trainingtip #trainingtiptuesday #puppytrainingtip
