In this video, I'm working towards Kaylee being able to put a toy in a basket on cue. It's a snippet from our session, and whilst it's not perfect, it highlights a few things for you to think about, with your own dog.
I get asked how long training will take, regularly. And I cannot give an accurate answer for many reasons. Things that influence how quickly a learner can learn a new behaviour include:
- The teachers skills (that's you!)
- My skills at teaching you
- The environment in which we're teaching
- How frequently the behaviour is rehearsed (practice!)
- Your learners skills up to this point
- Your learners behavioural history
- Your learners needs, have we met them first?
- Medical contributors etc
And more!
But lets just take the learners skills in this video; what does Kaylee need to know in order to put a toy in a basket?
- How to pick up an item on cue
- Move with that item in her mouth
- Orient towards the basket
- Be able to work even when food is present in a bowl
- Let go of the toy at a certain location (target a specific place!)
- Be able to work in close proximity to her teacher
And a whole lot more, right?
Not all of these skills and things will be lined up just right in order for a single training session to be the only thing a dog needs. For many dogs, who may have months (or years) of rehearsing the behaviours we are trying to change, there's going to be lots of teaching, in small steps, whilst also managing their world and meeting their needs too, in bespoke ways specific to them.
It's a lot of work, which is why we need to be in it for the journey, for the long haul.
I cannot promise you a quick fix in 20 minutes, but what I can do is be there to support you, to share ideas and expertise, to help you both build skills, to explain what might be going on and to be another person that cares about your dog.
If you want to work with us, email [email protected] and we can get started :)
#dogbehaviour #politepawsirl #dogtraining #dogsare
Clickers! Ever wanted to give clicker training a go but don't know where to begin? Here are a couple of basic starting points.
1- The click is a consistent noise that is used to tell your learner that a reward is coming. Every time you click, your learner gets a reward. That even counts if you click accidentally, so remember that!
2- The click sound must happen in isolation to the reward. This means that you ONLY reach for a reward once the click has occurred, Not at the same time! Keep your treat hand still whilst you click. Click THEN treat. Click THEN treat.
3- The timing of your click is important. Time your click to happen at the exact moment your learner does the behaviour you want. Too early or late? You might not capture what you think you're capturing! Practice without your learner present first, you can click and then treat each time someone on your favourite tv show blinks, for example.
Happy clicking! #clickertraining #clicktreat #clicker #politepawsirl #dogtraining
30 seconds of squeak for your viewing (and listening!) pleasure 😂
Dogs really love squeaky toys, but have you ever considered why?
What noise does a scared or injured prey animal make.... 😳
Predation related behaviour can make up a significant portion of our dogs behavioural repertoire, so it's fairly important we give them lots of opportunities to dissect, chew, bite, chase, track, watch etc
This means letting the repetitive squeaks go on and on and on and on and on... sometimes 🤣
Obviously it's our job to provide these opportunities in both environmentally and behaviourally safe and healthy ways. Need a hand figuring out how to meet your dogs behaviour needs?
Get in touch! #predation #squeakytoy #dogsandsqueakers #politepawsirl
Longlines are a lifetime lifeline! Say that 10 times fast... Do you use one with your dog? Tell us about your experiences below! #politepawsirl #dogtraining #longlines
Really useful idea for puppies and young dogs; anchor their chews in their food dispensing toys such as @kongcompany or @westpawus. It will also work in a @k9connectables toy (which is also an Irish company, FYI).
TOYS USED:
Kong XL
WestPaw Zogoflex Qwizl
K9 Connectables (not shown)
TREATS USED:
Beef sticks from @lidlireland
Also buy them from @one.paw__at.a.time (Irish company, FYI!)
Keep those puppy mouths busy!
#politepawsirl #doghacks #chewideas #dogtraining #behaviourpro #supportirish #dogbehaviourexpert
There's a new vet opening near my house. Kaylee finds her current vet space incredibly difficult; she hates the vet and it's going to be a long slog trying to improve her feelings about the current vet.
However, a new practice is opening shortly near our house, right next to Kaylees favourite restaurant (we've never brought her in there but she always tries to go in and gets awfully excited as we approach 😂).
I thought, why not capitalise on all those happy feelings about the restaurant, and start making the new vet place a wonderful hangout spot BEFORE it ever smells like a vet or has those connotations associated with it?
In the meantime, we are doing everything in our power to support her through her regular vet visits, including a discussion on meds for vet visits which is happening this week.
The saga continues! #politepawsirl #happyvetfeelings #happyvetvisit #cooperativecare #dogwelfare #dogbehaviourpro
Midlands let's gooooo! Email [email protected] to sign up to be notified when the class timetable is dropped ✋️
#longford #roscommon #politepawsirl #midlands #dogtrainer #behaviourpro #dogbehaviourpro
Just hanging out - how often do you just, BE, with your dog? Under what situations or contexts can your dog just watch the world go by with you?
This stuff is HARD, so don't be tough on yourself if you can't do this with your dog. It's a skill, and the great thing about skills is we can learn them with practice.
Practice just sitting with your dog in silence, together. You don't need tonnes of treats for this, it's just hanging out for a couple of minutes (or seconds, depending on where your dog is at).
If you want to read more detailed information about this skill, or progress it on, check out the #100daysofenrichment blog. Day 4 is all about starting to build this skill.
#politepawsirl #anied #aniedireland #anied100daysofenrichment #justbe #hangwithyourdog #hangingoutwithdogs #relax #beachview #cutedogs
Wondering how to quickly throw some entertainment together for your dog on miserable days? This is for you:
Cardboard box + paper + kibble = dog heaven!
#enrichment #dogfun #entertainyourdog #canineenrichment #quickandeasy #politepawsirl
I like to support other pet businesses where I can, so I thought I'd give @madraworld a shout-out. They are NOT paying me to say this, I am not affiliated with them in any way, I bought this leash after I had to throw a few of my old generic pet store ones out as they had degraded.
This leash is immediately one of my favourites! You know I love a long leash; they're great for giving dogs room to sniff, and can be shortened with good handling. However, the Madraworld leash is fully adjustable, the clip is screw-tight secure and they feel strong and good quality.
10/10, would recommend to a good boy or girl. Oh, and they're Irish!! 🇮🇪🐾 What's not to love ❤️😍 #madraworld #leash #supportirish #supportlocal #politepawsirl
Exclusive dog adventures and private training services to clients all over Dublin and surrounds.
