Auseez Dog Training LLC

03/29/2025

ARE WE USING MARKER WORDS TOO MUCH?

A marker word is a verbal cue that you use to mark the exact moment your dog performs a desired behavior, letting them know they've done something right. The word, "yes," is often used for this.

If we use a marker word every time our dog does something we ask, it can lose it's power and significance. I feel the same way about a clicker. A clicker is also a marker- it uses sound instead of a word.

I use both marker words and clicker words sparingly. I think we use too many words in dog training. I do acknowledge when a dog does something I ask, but it usually a quiet word of praise. I use "gooood" to indicate the dog is doing the right thing and to keep going.

A good place to use a marker word/click is when you are shaping a behavior. This way you can "mark" each small behavior that will lead to the final behavior. For example, if teaching roll over, you would mark the dog putting his shoulder down, then laying on his side, then starting to roll, etc. Does that make sense?

Something to consider.

Pic of Jeb doing "oh, no" which was a shaped behavior.

03/27/2025

What is your biggest challenge with your dog when the weather is rainy? Exercise? Mental enrichment?

03/26/2025

https://youtube.com/shorts/lvSJFqaE580

A fun game to play to make putting a collar on more fun! This dog didn't originally like having anything put over his head. So, we turned it into a game!

03/13/2025

DO DOGS NEED TO PLAY WITH OTHER DOGS?

I keep seeing people posting ads looking for a playmate for their dogs. This is not the best way to find a friend for your dog.

A better option would be to find a like minded person who would like to walk and train dogs together. This way the dogs can be around each other without the expectation of interacting. It is a slow way to provide exposure to another dog. Think of of it as parallel training- so the dogs see each other, but do not meet and play. This way they get used to being around each other with no pressure or conflict about interacting. This also gives the people a chance to be around each other and see if they are on the same page about dog behavior/interaction.

Dogs do not NEED to play with other dogs to be happy and fulfilled. In fact, many dogs would prefer to not ever play with other dogs. My dogs generally only interact with the dogs they live with or very trusted friends' dogs whose owner and I are on the same page.

It might sound picky, but it is the best way to set your dog up for success and appropriate interactions with other dogs. Having dogs be repeatedly rushed or forced to interact can cause reactivity.

Be your dogs advocate so they trust you won't put them in uncomfortable situations with other dogs.

03/12/2025

Thought it was time for some branded clothing.😊😊

03/11/2025

I am still surprised about how people interpret positive reinforcement training. I heard someone say recently, "I know positive training is set up so dogs never make a mistake." Wrong!

Mistakes are part of learning. It's how the mistakes are handled that makes the difference. Punishing mistakes will never make for a confident learner - person or dog.

In addition, it is very possible to use reward based training and still have good boundaries and expectations for behavior. It is ok to say, "no!" However, it is much easier to train/show your dog what to do instead of what not to do- there will be a lot less saying "no!"

02/20/2025

The other day my dog was having an eye exam at the Vet’s office. When the Vet came in I was not asked if my dog was friendly, minded being handled or what might be the best approach for him. I was not asked how he might feel about her approaching his face in a dark room.

After a short time the Vet turned out the lights, took a hold of my dogs face and shined a light in his eyes for the exam. I was not asked if it would be best if I held his head/face. The Vet talked to me during this exam, but I only heard part of what she said as I was assuring my dog that all was well and he should continue holding still.

The Vet did give my dog treats before the exam, but a dog can take treats and still bite - then or later. Being close to a dog’s face in a dark room, could be a set up for disaster. Many dogs will not tolerate this and might lash out in fear - at very close range to the Vet’s face. I’m sure this whole visit would have been different if my dog had come in with a muzzle on.

This wasn’t a long exam, but there was no discussion about how my dog was doing, does he need a break, etc. Nothing said about the importance of reassuring him. These things might take a little more time, but would be so worthwhile.

We expect a lot of our dogs - this type of exam included. I try to prepare my dogs for being handled by a Vet and teach them that I will handle the situation and help them. However, when is it going to be common practice to check in with the owner about all these things? I know there are fear free Vets, but when will it be normalized to consider a dog's needs and feelings and not have to be considered “fear free” to do this?

I told my Mom about this and she told me an endearing story. When I was a little kiddo, I had a test which required me to lay on a board and go through a machine. My Mom said that she stayed right up by my head/face and kept telling me, “you’re brave, you’re so brave.” I was able to handle the test because of her doing this. Oh, my heart! But, she said the medical staff just looked at her like she was weird. This was so far from weird! She has always been ahead of her time, just like her Mother.

All this said, don’t, for one minute, be afraid to stand up and advocate for your dog! When I have done this, I have often felt like the only weirdo in the room because no one else seems to be doing this. Be the weirdo in the room/arena/pasture/ring/vet's office/training class- stand up for your dog!

Note: The Vet was not unkind and was trying to be efficient, I’m sure. No one was harmed during this procedure. 😁

02/14/2025

BOREDOM BUSTER

I've used a lot of enrichment toys for my dogs- lickimats, kongs, toppls, etc. But, I've found these frozen slow feeder bowls to work best. I put kibble and cooked dog food (meat, rice, veggies) in the bowls and covered with some water - then put in the freezer overnight.

It took my dogs between 35-40 minutes to get through these. I feed them half their normal breakfast or dinner and the other half gets consumed from these bowls. I like to feed them part of their meal so they aren't super hungry when working on these bowls. I think it helps prevent frustration if they aren't ravenous!

Super easy and dogs seem to love it! There are lots of different foods you could use in these bowls depending on what your dog likes.

Caveat: These may not be good for super power chewers or dogs that get frustrated easily.

02/13/2025

I have a "fast is slow and slow is fast" philosophy. Small, slow steps stick!

I have been teaching my own young dog all the things I am teaching clients and their dogs. This includes being in close proximity to another dog without wanting to greet or interact.

Today I was at a private lesson and the instructor had a training dog with her. I was happy that my dog could walk and stand next to another dog without trying to engage. He was definitely interested in the other dog but was able to remain neutral.

He can only do this because I have slowly taught him that he will not be greeting other dogs in this setting (or most settings, really). It is good to see it becoming so concrete.

It may seem like a small thing, but it is very important for dogs to be able to do this. I think teaching dogs to be neutral, unless otherwise instructed, is very important in most all settings.

Slow and steady wins the race! Keep going!

02/04/2025

01/30/2025

VET VISITS

Here is a rack card I've been leaving at local Vet's offices. I've been offering sessions to help prepare dogs for Vet visits. It makes it easier for everyone if your dog is prepared and ready for what will happen there- from the parking lot to the exam room.

Today, Joe had a Vet visit to check his eyes. I have prepared him for handling, but he is not often handled by other people as it hasn't been necessary. They stained his eye, so had to put a paper right on his cornea. He was so cooperative and still while they did this. I helped a little, but they held him and I mostly talked and reassured him. I wondered if he would ever be able to do this as he is such a wiggly guy.

While waiting in the exam rooms we played games - getting on and off the scale, holding his face, looking in his eye, light body squeezes. I did this just as a reminder and preparation of what might happen during the exam.

This just cements my thoughts of preparing our dogs for everything they will experience in life. Being cooperative and able to be handled will make everyone happy at the Vet's office!! It is SO worth the effort.

01/16/2025

FIX IT?

There is still the belief out there that you can just correct a behavior in a dog and that will “fix it.” Often this will momentarily change a behavior, but there will be no lasting change. Correction often supresses a behavior, but that behavior will come back (often with a vengeance) because the dog has not really learned anything or been taught an alternate way to feel/behave.

So, rather than trying to correct a behavior out of a dog, it is wise to determine why the dog is displaying that behavior. We need to understand the “why” to determine a good training plan. A good training plan will be kind and will take the dog's emotional state into consideration. Yes, dogs have emotional responses to things and you can’t correct an emotional response. If you’re interested in learning more about this and the science behind it, check out this article:
https://www.caninescholars.com/learning-principles/classical-conditioning/ #:~:text=If%20your%20dog%20enjoys%20walks,dog's%20reaction%20to%20the%20vet.

Dogs often need to learn a new emotional response to something that upsets them. They might also need to learn an alternate behavior. This will lead to lasting behavioral changes, a dog who understands what to do in specific situations and a dog who trusts his handler.

Good training takes time and mileage. Quick changes make for good TV, but we really don’t know what happens when then cameras are off.

Take your time and build a thorough understanding of your dog, his behaviors and his training needs. He will thank you for it!

01/13/2025

TEACH YOUR DOG WHAT TO DO

Teach your dog what to do rather than telling him what not to do. For example, teach your dog how to keep his feet off of people rather that telling him, "off, off, off" when he jumps on people.

You can teach this thoroughly as a default behavior (keeping feet on the floor) and as an expectation of behavior. This way it becomes the dogs job and not our job to remind them what to do all the time.

Dogs really understand this concept and are happy to have clear guidelines for behavior. And, you can teach things like this through fun training games!