Super smart (and SUPER adorable) Sunny is here to show you that youāre never too young to learn new skills! In particular, Sunny needed some help learning that human hands donāt actually fall under the category of puppy chew toys. Not only did Sunny learn this fun new game involving a more appropriate way to engage with hands in our session but he also learned a āleave itā cue, which results in disengagement from the object of his focus, such as hands, shoelaces or food items not meant for him. These skills will help his parents better navigate what they describe as the āShark š¦ Weekā phase of his puppyhood š Who else has been there before? šš»āāļø
Wondering what your dog might learn in our Foundations package?
Wondering what your dog might learn in our Foundations package? Helping you and your pup learn how to build a reliable recall is one thing we focus on! This is such an important cue for dogs to know for safety reasons, especially as we get deeper into camping season. Penne clearly loves this game, and her parents have done a fantastic job of making it a fun and positive experience so that she doesnāt hesitate to run to them!
I give you the Westside Good Manners Class of May 2024!
It was an absolute pleasure getting to work with each of these pups and their dedicated parents. Oh, the places theyāll go š¶š
This time of year is full of graduations, weddings, and travel- it can be hard to find time to walk your dog or provide them with mental stimulation! Weād love to help with that- we provide what we call āsniffaris,ā walks on a long leash designed to allow your dog to sniff to their heartās content, and can also provide indoor mental enrichment sessions when itās too hot for a walk (or when that monsoon season rain hits!) Book on our website, HeartDogBehaviorAndTraining.com on the āIn Home Servicesā page!
Danās Positive Reinforcement Journey
Dan and his family started training with us in the fall to decrease his barking at other dogs while out on walks, and we love getting these progress videos! Through positive reinforcement training, Dan has learned that ignoring other dogs- even those that are barking at him- is far more rewarding than barking at them. Danās family knew that changing his behavior would take practice, patience, and persistence, and this video shows just how wonderfully those things pay off! Weāre cheering for you, Team Dan š
Our foundations package is designed to teach you a variety of skills to not only make life easier with your pup, but also to strengthen your relationship with them through the power of positive reinforcement training! These are a few of the official skills that you can learn through this package, BUT the best part is we customize the package to meet each clientās specific needs. This means the skills you have by the end of the package really depend on the individual needs of you and your canine companion!
Lily and her mom are working so hard to help change her feelings about strangers! Some caveats- Lily is off leash because her yard is completely fenced in and after working together for 2 previous sessions, we were comfortable with her being off leash for this session. However, I always recommend starting this exercise with your dog on their leash and harness! We also strongly advise starting this exercise with a qualified trainer who can help you to find the best starting point for you and your dog. There is hope for reactive dogs, and we are here to help you and your dog on your journey!
One of our favorite things about dogs is how full of love they are, but, we admit, that isnāt always shown in our favorite ways. This is most often true during greetings, where our dogsā excitement can lead to jumping and, as an unintended result, injuries such as scratching, bruising or getting knocked off balance. Fortunately, there are better ways that we can show our dogs to greet people that meets everyoneās needs: they get to say hi and show us all of their beautiful love and we get to enjoy safe, injury-free greetings with our beloved pups!
This gorgeous girl is Shyla, an 11 month old lab mix currently awaiting her forever home at Bernalillo County. Maria and her family had the privilege of hosting her for the weekend through the shelter's Doggie Day Out program and were instantly in love with just how friendly and happy she is, despite all she has been through. Please help spread the word to get this short (peep the adorable low-rider legs š) and sweet girl into the loving home she deserves!
Don't have the capacity for another dog in the home? We feel the pain! Luckily, there are lots of other ways to help, including fostering, volunteering, donating or just spreading the word about all of these lovely pups in search of a family!
We had so much fun in Nose Games class with Storm, Porter, Emma, and Rosie! Giving our dogs an outlet for using their noses is great for mental stimulation, reducing stress, and even boosting their optimism. Itās great for building confidence as well! It was especially fun to see the different ways that each pup in class chose to search and problem solve. Weāll be offering more Nose Games classes in the Northeast Heights and on the Westside- keep an eye out for posts here announcing the next start dates š¶
Communication is key in all relationships - even with your pup! While they may not actually talk to you, there is a lot that they do say through their body language. Each observable behavior is a deliberate expression of how they are feeling. There are, of course, rules to the translation of what theyāre āsayingā, but it is also important to get a feel for your dogās individual style of communication through careful observation. Are they more shy? Confident? Excitable? Fearful?
How would you describe the reaction of my dogs? For context, I had just gotten home from work and set up one-by-one greetings filmed by my husband in my kitchen, whereas I usually wait to greet them all at once in the living room after a settling period.
If I had to put labels on each of their emotional states, I would describe Arkose (the Aussie) as āexcitedā, knowing that he views the world through a sensitive lens. Cardi (the chihuahua), I would maybe describe as a little āoverwhelmedā as she tends to have big feelings, especially around excitement. And I would say my apprehensive girl Juniper (the hound) is āconflictedā, excited to see me, but a little unsure about this unusual greeting.
They say the way to the heart is through the stomach, and we definitely believe thatās true for dogs and humans alike! Make your dog your Valentine this month by stimulating their brain with a puzzle toy, or letting them try a new dog-safe fruit or vegetable. You can also give them a foraging activity like the Muffin Tin game using items you already have in your home- you just need a muffin tin, some kibble or treats to put in each cup, and tennis balls or toys to place over the food. Your dog might need a little help to learn that they can pick up the toy to get the food underneath, or they might dive right in! Food-based enrichment is a great way to show your dog some love š
Helping you build a better relationship with your dog through positive reinforcement training š¾
