https://www.auseezdogtraining.com/

Auseez Dog Training LLC, Albany, OR (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.

01/23/2025

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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 see 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!

01/07/2025

DOGS ON FURNITURE

I see lots of posts about troublesome dog behavior that start with..."he was on the couch."

Being on the furniture is a privilege. Dogs don't understand what that means, but it helps us humans to keep it in perspective. If your dog is hesitant to leave furniture when told or is growling at you or another dog while on the furniture, he does not belong there.

Some dogs feel possessive about furniture and might challenge you if told to get off. They may also feel possessive if another dog trys to get on the same piece of furniture. They may also just feel uncomfortable/conflicted and not know what to do when they are on a couch/chair.

In these cases I do not allow the dog on furniture at all (including the bed). I suggest getting a nice dog bed for them to have on the floor or a crate (with a bed) for the bedroom. Also, in the meantime, I will be training/addressing these behaviors. I may decide to allow the dog back on furniture, but only with permission to do so. So, they can get on the couch, etc. upon invitation and not otherwise.

Something to consider if you are having behavior struggles while your dog is on the furniture.

12/18/2024

I said goodbye to Ava last Thursday. She was 16 years old. It's very sad around here.

She is the dog who sent me in search of alternate training and behavior information. She led me to finding new ways to communicate and listen to dogs and for that I will be forever grateful!

Our house is very empty without her. Godsp*ed, Ava.❤

12/09/2024

DO YOU EXPECT YOUR DOG TO INTERACT WITH OR GREET STRANGERS?

I don't let people approach my dogs or client dogs and I don't allow the dogs to approach people. I use certain words to assure them they will not have to greet and we will be moving on. I also have a specific, kind phrase I use for anyone who tries to approach. I generally don't allow dogs to greet anyone they won't be seeing again. Being neutral is my goal for all dogs- friendly dogs and dogs that might worry about other people.

I find that taking away the expectation of greeting often solves a lot of greeting problems - over friendly or worried dogs. It seems to take away the conflict over knowing what to do when greeting.

Advocating for our dogs is also teaching the public about how to behave when they see a dog in public!

It's good to think of socialization as exposure to the world, not meeting all the people and dogs!

Pic of Joe looking at people (but not trying to get to them).

12/02/2024

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Consider how your dog does with visitors in your home. They are not required to mingle and be friendly if they are uncomfortable with this.

Dogs are often happier in a separate room with a nice dog bed and quiet music. Other options are a crate or a baby gate. A quiet safe place is often preferred to the hustle and bustle of people in your home.

I often encourage people to give their dogs an enrichment activity like a food stuffed toy or lickimat to keep them busy when people are in your home for the holidays.

If dogs are going to greet guests, it's best to have them on a leash to ensure good behavior. Reward each time they disengage from a guest and look back to you. I often just do this exercise and never let my dog actually greet. This is so he learns to be neutral with strangers.

There are many ways to help your dog be successful during the holidays!

10/23/2024

Avoid going in a dog park at all costs! There is a dog park in Albany that is useful only if you are on the outside of it. There are many areas around this park where you can add distance and keep your dog comfortable as he is learning to disengage with all the activity inside the dog park.

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10/19/2024

Coming Soon: PUPPY DAY TRAINING (for puppies 8-16 weeks)

What is Day Training?

Day Training is when we come to your house and do the training for you! We work with your puppy 2 times a week and at the end of the week we meet with you to transfer the skills the puppy has learned. This program is designed for convenience and to jumpstart your puppy’s training. Perfect for people who are working from home.

10/11/2024

GREETINGS REVISITED

I was in a sports dog class the other day and saw an adult dog I haven't seen since it was a puppy. I remember it being very excited to greet as a puppy and it's owner trying to get it to calm down so it could greet. The owner always let the puppy greet people even though the puppy was never truly calm or greeting well (think leaping and overexcited).

This dog is now an adult who takes any opportunity to leap on people! All of the people in class were way more interesting to the dog than it's owner. The dog also does not check in with the owner for information about greeting (i.e. getting permission to greet).

This just solidifies how I feel about training puppies/dogs to be neutral to people/other dogs unless given permission to greet. It takes the pressure off of them and takes away the expectation of greeting. Then they can just go about their business without worrying about other people/dogs. They can also focus on the task at hand- in a class or being out in the world.

In addition, other people will really appreciate your dog keeping four on the floor!

09/30/2024

Do you have a new puppy?

It's very exciting and tempting to take them out to do "all the things." But, wait. Let them acclimate to their new home. They were just removed from everything they have every known and need time to decompress and get used to their new surroundings. Start getting them used to their new house and their new routine.

When they start getting comfortable, take them out to quiet places and let them observe. Puppies do not need to greet everyone (and def not every dog) they see. Let them get used to looking and not greeting. We want to build our relationship with our new puppies first, they can meet people/dogs later (maybe).

I see so many posts about new puppies that have been drug around to many new places and met lots of people within a few days of arriving at a new home. This can be so overwhelming to them and is not the way to start socializing out right.

Remember, socializing does not have to be meeting people and dogs. It is more letting the puppy get used to the world and seeing the sights in a calm manner. Consider sitting in your car with your puppy and letting them look at things. Or go to the back of a parking lot (instead of in the store) and let them observe. Work on your bonding and connection first - it will pay off!

Here is baby Jeb who is now 14 years old.

09/17/2024

Recently my friend and I took our dogs to a local swimming area for some water fun. We were in the off leash area, but kept our dogs on leash as we walked down the path to the river because we couldn't see ahead of us around the curves.

When we arrived at the river we saw some people and their dogs getting ready to leave. We stopped as we saw them and their dogs came running over as they said, "it's ok, they are friendly!" My friend was quick to remind them that just because their dogs were friendly didn't mean ours (or other dogs in general) were. Her dog was worried about the dogs approaching and my dog was interested. I could see that they were going to get to us before I could move him, so I was sure to loosen my leash so as not to give my dog signals that things were not ok.

As their dogs are getting to our dogs they note that their female is in season and "are our dogs male?" My dog is in intact male. I explained this and they said that their dog was at the end of her season and shouldn't be receptive.

If I was with a client and their dog, I likely would have stepped in front to block the dogs. But, because I had a dog with me, I handled it differently. I wanted to make sure my dog did not have a bad experience and that I didn't cue him that there was trouble by holding his leash tightly. Fortunately my friend took the lead (in handling the situation).

An off leash area means that your dog can be off leash. It does NOT mean that your off leash dog can just approach other dogs because, "he is friendly." These dogs were lucky that our dogs were not unfriendly because that could have gone bad very quickly with the lack of control they had over their dogs. They could not get ahold of one of their dogs even though they were only about two feet away from her.

I endeavour to be kind and friendly when out with my dogs. But, I will not put them in danger because someone else is making bad decisions. I usually say, "please recall your dog" or "please get your dog." People seem to get offended by this - that it is just ok for their dog to do whatever it wants because, "he is friendly." Unfortunately, these owners are going to learn the hard way when their dog is attacked by a dog who does not want to approached.

Things like this are going to get dogs banned from all parks. Please teach your dog a solid recall if you are going to let them off leash. Even better, keep them on a long line until their recall is solid. At the very least, get them on a leash if you hear someone coming.

Be the person who is out in the park actively training a recall- on a long line!

08/24/2024

LEG LIFTING

I see people letting their male dogs lift their leg and p*e on all sorts of inappropriate things - posts, fences, garbage cans, bridges, mail boxes. This leaves a pool of urine for everyone to look at and smell! This is so inconsiderate and unsanitary.

And we wonder why dogs are not welcome in public places!

DO NOT LET YOUR DOG DO THIS - IT'S DISGUSTING! It is very possible to train your dog not to do this (rather teach them what to do instead). A command of "not there" works well once thoroughly trained. There is absolutely no excuse for letting your dog do this. Please realize that it only takes one dog doing this sort of thing to ruin it for all dogs.

In a world where we are trying to build goodwill for dogs and dogs out in public this is just a disaster.

08/16/2024

IMAGINE

Imagine only living in one environment (backyard/house) and never leaving. When your humans are home they have minimal contact with you. No one teaches you how to behave in either of these places. So you bark, bark, bark and try to "protect" your environment - it's all you really have to do all day.

This is not a life for a dog. They are social creatures who crave interaction and connection. These are the dogs in my neighborhood. And while it's very annoying to hear all the barking, it's also very sad. This is desperate barking that screams, "I am bored, unfulfilled and have no idea how to behave."

Please do not get a dog if this will be their life. They are not yard ornaments!

Auseez Dog Training LLC

01/30/2025

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01/13/2025

01/07/2025

12/18/2024

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10/23/2024

10/19/2024

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09/30/2024

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08/16/2024

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