Down at a distance brilliantly demonstrated. Many thanks and we'll done in today's lesson!
Bertie showing off his 'Middle on the move' while squeeking a ball and even giving a little dance at the end!
Wagtail Walks and Training, we are based at our own centre, the only one in Ipswich. The Ipswich Dog Training Academy. On Henley Road Ipswich. Open area plus enclosed for bad weather days. On site dog friendly cafe to warm you up after training.
A brilliant though soggy weekend of dog training at our academy. It is really good to see all the progress our lovely people are achieving with their dogs and pups! Contact us if you would like to join for some fun and effective training. www.wagtailwalksandtraining.com
Knock them over! Great focus game.
This last weekend Cooper showing a great example of Island hopping, staying on boundaries till cued to run over to next boundary and repeat. We'll done Cooper and Steven! Really good control.
Great dog and puppy training weekend!
Another brilliant weekend at Ipswich Dog Training academy. Well done everybody youre all stars!
Come and join our fun weekend dog training sessions! Spaces available.
Dog training should be effective and fun. If you would like your dog to behave like this in the company of other dogs. Please contact us: www.wagtailwalksandtraining.com
Confidence Building Games
Can they eat from a noisy box?
We love games like this! This is a great way for your dog to earn breakfast or dinner. This game builds the concept of being OK with noises. All you need is a box and some recycling. Scatter your dog’s food in and off they go!
It’s important to consider what level of noise your dog can cope with when you first start playing this game. You may only want to put one item in, or even no items (the box in itself makes noise as the dog reaches in) to begin with and build from there. Always think about the dog in front of you and go at their pace.
Can they climb inside something!
Using a bin or barrel on its side is great for this! This is such a great one for building confidence as there are some many stages to this one!
First of all we are looking for any interaction with the bin/barrel. Then perhaps a nose in, then a little more… and a little more and so on.
Whilst your dog is getting used to climbing inside, it’s important to keep the bin/barrel still.
Once they are leaping in like no tomorrow, move the bin/barrel slightly from side to side for an extension to this game.
Another great confidence builder – can they stand on something that moves?
If your dog has never placed their paws onto something, start with something that doesn’t move to begin with. Again, with this one, we are looking at building the steps towards the end goal which is paws on the object.
So first mark and reward for any interaction, then a step towards the object, then one paw on, then 2, then 3, then 4 (depending on side of object!).
Once you have practiced this game with one item, try with different items. For an extension exercise to movement, use something that also makes a noise, a metal baking tray for example.
Can you walk over something?
What you use is up to you, so long as your dog is physically able to walk over the objects – not jump! When doing this exercise, we are looking for individual foot placement in between
Bertie is just my favourite bubble brain
Bertie likes my jacuzzi bath and the bubbles! He is such a wonderful dog and makes me laugh so much 💗
Weekly Wag. Don’t fight your dog for their focus.
Weekly Wag.
Don’t fight your dog for their focus
Picture this; you are out and about having fun playing games with your dog, really enjoying the training session, and then all of a sudden a really interesting smell gets their attention and they go off task for a good old sniff! In these situations, it can be very easy to start nagging your dog for their attention so that you can carry on with the game you are playing. Here’s the thing, fighting your dog for their focus won’t lead to a dog who truly values engagement with you.
Wait… for their focus
If your dog does check out and goes self-employed, so long as it’s safe to do so, wait them out. Wait for them to lift their head and orientate to you and when they do, make a big deal! ‘Oh hi! You’ve been missing out! I’ve been having lots of fun over here this whole time!!! Shall we continue?!’
Is the environment too tough?
When you are out and about, if your dog checks out quite often during training sessions and playing games with you, consider whether you are setting your dog up for success. Is the environment you are working in too tough right now for your dog? It’s OK to acknowledge this and go back a couple of steps and work in an environment in which your dog is going to win.
Long Lines
Management should always be part of your training as it helps to stop, or at the very least, limit rehearsal of the behaviours you don’t want your dog to do. With this in mind, as you progress with your dog’s training and start to explore new environments with them, we highly recommend using a long line. Long lines, clipped to the back of harness (never onto a collar) are great tools to limit the choices that your dog can make. It also gives them freedom to make the right choice that you are looking for. To free up both hands, a great tip is to step on the line rather than hold it.
Want to know more or want help with your dog /puppy training go to our website and fill in a a contact form, we will be happ
