Joy Dog Training

10/17/2022

Good morning Austin!
The weather is finally getting colder, and what better time to get in some quality autumn walks with Fido? After a summer of staying inside from the heat, your dog is probably just as excited as mine to frolick in this awesome weather. We've got open availability (including new evening appointment times) for clients here at Joy Dog training, so if your furry bff needs some help with their leash manners (or just manners in general, gotta get ready for thanksgiving guests!) please visit our website joydogtraining.net to get your dog ready for pumpkin spice season!

In the meantime, here's my favorite tips for walking your dog in the colder weather:

-Treats! always have a treat pouch on walks. reward your dog for engaging with you on your walk. There's a lot of exciting stuff outside, so let them know you appreciate their attention.

-practice your zen: Spend a few minutes before the walk putting your dog on place or practicing obedience training, this will calm them down so the two of you are set up for a successful walk.

-let them sniff: If you aren't practicing a heel on your walk, let your dog stop and sniff more. Dogs use 1/3 of their brains just on sniffing, so letting them smell exercises their brain as well as their body.

-structure part of your walk: Have your dog heel (or work on teaching them) for part of your walk. This brings structure and mental stimulation to the walk.

Remember, this is your dog's favorite part of the day, so enjoy your time together! They've been waiting all summer to take long walks with you. I can't wait to help you train your dog to go on awesome walks with you, so be sure to reach out if Fido needs some help with leash manners. Have a great day Austin, tell you dog I said hi! (pictured below is my dog crunching on a pumpkin!)

03/09/2022

Good Morning Austin!
It's a chilly one outside today, so let's talk about a few things you can do in the house or yard to keep Fido occupied! Dogs usually get a lot more energy when it's cold out because it's more comfortable weather for them, so burning off that excess energy is key, especially if it's too chilly for a walk.
1. Training- Now is a great time to brush up on Fido's obedience, practice heeling around the house, or teach doggo a new trick! Short, 5-10 minute sessions a few time a day are a sure fix for doggy cabin fever. (If you need any help with this you are, of course, welcome to fill out a form on our website, joydogtraining.net )
2. Treat Scatter- Use that nose! Hide your dog's favorite treats (the stinkier the better) all around the yard or the house, and let them put that nose to work. Sniffing lowers a dog's heart rate and tires them out- 1/8 of a dog's brain is devoted solely to smell!
3. Enrichment toys- Engaging your dog's brain is one of the easiest ways to keep them happy and healthy. Puzzle toys, Licki mats, or home made enrichment activities can provide tons of fun for your dog. Fill a Kong with Peanut butter of Greek yogurt and freeze it, put wet food on a licki mat, or make a puzzle toy. My favorite is to stuff a cardboard box with newspaper and treats so that Fido has to dig, shred, and sniff to get his/her reward.
Remember to have fun and hang out with your dog today, and tell them I said hi!

02/17/2022

Good morning Austin! It's a beautiful day for a walk, so here are a few tips for a successful stroll through the neighborhood with Fido:

-Chill out! If your dog completely freaks out when you say "walk", chances are they won't be super calm on your walk, which can lead to pulling and a very frustrated dog parent. Try waiting until your dog is calm before each step of your walk (putting on the leash, getting the treat pouch, opening the front door). I even recommend that clients who have taught a "place" or "settle" command have their dog chill out in the front yard for a bit to acclimate to the environment change and put them in a calmer state of mind. (pictured below is my dog, Vulcan, sitting on his place bed and enjoying the sights and smells of our yard before a walk).

-Pay that dog! Bring a treat pouch on your walk so you can reward your dog for good behavior. checking in with you, walking loose leash next to you, and ignoring distraction like cars, people, or other dogs are all great reasons to give your dog a treat.

-Teach a heel! Dogs aren't born knowing how to walk on a leash, so we have to teach them what we like to see. Heeling for part or most of your walk is a great way to add structure and mental exercise to your daily routine. You may find that a dog is more tired after walking in a heel because they had to use that big dog brain of theirs!

And of course, if you need help with any of these things, you're more than welcome to visit joydogtraining.net and sign up for a few private lessons to turn Fido into a walking champ and impress all the neighbors! I'm more than happy to help with leash pulling, teaching a heel, and helping your dog not freak out when they see another dog or person.
It's another beautiful day, so get out there and walk your dogs!

(I've also included a picture of Vulcan after his walk, happy as a clam!)

02/07/2022

Hello Austin! I'm Erin, and this post means that Joy Dog Training is officialy open for business!
about me:
I'm a recent graduate of Starmark Academy for dog trainers, where I learned how dogs learn, how to advocate for them, and how to stregthen the bond between dogs and their people. I adopted my dog, Vulcan, there. Together we unlocked the secrets of a truly special handler-dog bond, and now you can to!

how I can help you:
if your dog has behavior problems, anxiety, or you just want to help your dog live a better life, I'm here for you! I want to help create even tempered, obedient dogs that are a JOY to be around! each training plan is tailor made for you after an in-home consultation, and then I'll help you teach your dog in the environment where they learn best-at home with you.

for more information or to book an appointment, please visit:

joydogtraining.net

I look forward to hearing from you!

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