Short breaths, elevated heart rate, wide commissure grin. Just a few signs of separation distress. It's why my dogs come everywhere they possibly can with me. It's why consistency with training and polite manners in public allow them to stay at Airbnbs. Even though they eat with me at the table (or I have a bowl of cereal with them on the floor) and sleep on the couch/bed they are easy to send to their own bed. They can be reminded to mind their business so as not to join in when a young dog or child is tempting them with a sprint around the living area. It's also why I work even harder to teach them to be relaxed when I'm away. I don't want them to feel the distress I feel when I'm away from them. I train them so they can be part of my family ❤️
The sweetest sight a German Shepherd and Cotton Candy Sunset
When I looked out the window and saw the hues of the sky, I threw on my boots with no socks and grabbed the most willing participant.
It was so beautiful, I walked for 7km and now have blisters starting 🤣 Worth it? ALWAYS!
Camping with dogs. First thing you should do!
Number one tip to camping with dogs.
Walk the dogs immediately.
1. What are the leash Laws in the area?
2. If the area is off leash. Keep the dogs on the trail to limit disturbance of wildlife.
3. Do not let your dog approach anyone off leash unless they ask you specifically to interact with your dog.
On your walk.
🍗 Remind them to check in and reinforce your training cues with rewards or a leash/longline.
🙋♂️ Investigating scents helps them reduce barking at every smell or sound they hear.
😴 Helps them to chill at camp, like they would at home.
It's worth it to put in the training.
Some days they remind you that "you know nothing dog trainer!" Today was Not one of those days!
Today a Jack rabbit bolted 5 feet in front of the lead dog.
First word "Off"
Second word "Pippa"
Third word.... Wohoooo!!! And all 5 dogs and I were playing an amazing game of food and frisbee chase while the bunny disappeared behind the neighbours house.
Why put in all that time training, then maintaining? When it matters, you'll be glad you slaved over those skills.
Training fun with Beretta.
For some of you that think the early stages of the bowl game are lame or not worth it to play.
Here is a version of a more advanced version from Beretta.
Advancing the bowl game.
Exposing the dogs to an overwhelming environment on a walk is going to happen. Some days will suck and you will feel like they know nothing ( I always feel like I know nothing 😂). Make sure you take your dog to new areas for play and or training rather than only going for walks in overwhelming environments. Training and walks will eventually match up as your dog gets older and the walks will be a lot more enjoyable.
We took Charlie to the barn this week because my yard in the city is way too distracting for him and the house is too quiet.
Dog Training
Lovely Demo by Misty!
Leash on or off shouldn't release the dog. Door open or closed, our dogs should hold a position that keeps them safe. Remember to use your release word to tell your dog it is safe to go. (which is also a marker to indicate the correct behaviour) The release shouldn't be the change of environment, equipment, context until they are really reliable, even then, it can be pretty unsafe for them to make those decisions.
(sorry for the swear word)
🌶️When you think your pet is being "spicy" or "naughty" check your environment very carefully. I didn't have to look far to see Willy's reason for pinning his ears.
This time of year, alot of hormonal changes happen in wild and domesticated animals. Be patient with them and try to provide more clear communication, fair and consistent rules and add some extra motivation for listening under fall distractions.
Sometimes we spend so much time trying to convince the dog to do what we need, we forget to stop and ask them about their needs.
Rain or shine, check in and ask them what their needs are.
Also remember that our needs (like walking politely), lead to their needs (getting to the swimming hole)
I gotta ask though, what do you think was more fun for all of us? Marching along in the rain and ignoring other dogs on the path or getting to experience Tex's first swim!?
We all voted swim! 😂
The perfect gentleman waiting for me to set up his training Lab. He loses patience when he is actually in a stay or crate and has to watch me set up 😂
Happy 4th Birthday @brrretta
We will have a special day for her later this month but I was able to include her in a few of her favourite things today.
Some days I just want to go kayaking with my mom and my dog. @christieheuston
Outdoors with dog lovers!
A day of education, adventure with Pest 2 Pet Inc. And K9 Muscleworks to enhance you and your dog’s trail savvy and knowledge of canine mobility and fitness health. Included in this stunning hike is a relaxing lunch by the river with socially distanced and like minded dog lovers. Registration now open. www.pest2pet.com/classes then click Adventure Skills
Drop! (No crushing of @gopro here!)
Sharing Part 2 of 3.
It's all in the foundations.
🛑Those signals we use to help our dogs to share, often don't have a strong foundation that proves to the dog how sharing can benefit them. When we first get a puppy or dog the way we start "teaching" is by chance. Lack of management (✋guilty) means before the dog has had much real experience with us or any reliability in training, we follow them around trying to save them from their curiosity.
Below is what I see most commonly happening because they, we are primates and are grabby AF:
👏 Leave It" usually taught by blocking or withholding the item.
🔊"Get Out" is paired with spatial pressure and waiving hands or loud noises.
🔥"Drop It" is us digging our hands into the jaws of of a predator to retrieve an expensive pair of eyeglasses.
🤬 Name is paired with exasperated sighs or startling tones.
I can't even remember yelling at my horse to "leave" it when I first got him. He is managed by a fence. As a flight animal, he doesn't think dangerous things are hilarious to grab and shake (well actually he kind of does, he is an off track Thoroughbred 😂 #vetbills )
My point is. We may have to re-teach some of the "move away" and "don't touch" signals that we thought our dog knew so well!
⭐Create anticipation of sharing⭐
🍖 Use reward placement, high value rewards and repetition to create the new version of "leave it". Pay away from the item rather than racing to cover it. Practice that they don't touch the item rather than staring intently the snatching it when you say "take it"
🍗"Drop it" Should routinely predict feelings that something better is coming.
✋Try to avoid relying soley on body language when teaching "out" of a room but complement the direction you point with the toss of a treat.
💪Super Charge their name by pairing it with fun games, chasing treats or coming to you for super snuggles.
Reach outside your current habits of wh
