A hot day is cause for a cool off.
Rena likes the pool I have set up for a quick cool off when training. She heads for it a little more than I would like but it’s all good!
Today’s training consisted of teaching Philly “Place”. He is a 14 week old Bernadoodle, though I kept saying he was 16 weeks. That makes his progress even more remarkable. He can be a typical energetic puppy and sometimes resembles a small pony out in the yard, jumping and hopping around. He has a wonderful ability to focus when walking or asking him to sit and down in Place. Today it was a matter of teaching him he has to stay in Place when asked. Starting with short periods of time and then releasing him to do another activity will gradually turn into longer time periods. The command of Place can be a game changer for owners. It teaches a dog to relax when asked. To be in a safe spot when a repairman comes in the house. A large dog can especially benefit from knowing Place. They can be part of activities without being in the way.
Philly is truly a delight to work with🐾
Draco learns the basics
Little Draco is a ball of fire. A pet store pup, he is all over the place. Running from place to place never stopping. He knows nothing about a leash or manners of any sort.
That’s okay he will be fine as we begin the basics. Today it was learning to sit and down. I also taught him about leash pressure as we begin the back and forth motion of movement on a leash. Not something he was at all familiar with. It is not necessarily to carry these little dogs around. Instead they need to learn about walking and how to follow along.
Many things to learn for this peanut. How to settle, how to ask nicely to be picked up and put on a lap. How to see but ignore sounds in the world.
Littles need manners too!🐾
Snow Day!
Now that the snow has slowed down Harper is out to check it out! Probably have about 5 inches.
A year in review
So many wonderful pups and owners I have had the privilege of working with. Thank you everyone for giving me the opportunity to help you in your journey.
It’s a long one but some beautiful dogs.
Sweet calm puppy
Friday is a sweet Golden Retriever that is coming for training. Learning to walk, beginning Place, waiting at door ways are just a few of his skills.
What is unique about Friday is, he is a relatively calm puppy. Trust me they aren’t all like this. Just as two children in a family can be very different, so can puppies in a litter.
The important part is he learns very quickly because he can focus better. He is a joy to train! Lucky owners with this happy sweet boy💕
Stay in training
Lola likes to bolt through doorways to get outside. We may have a need to go outside for groceries or mail. There is no need for our dog to go out too. Lola has to learn that an open door is not an open invitation.
She is back tied and we practice my going out of the door and out of sight. She needs to stay inside unless she is released to go out.
This can be a dangerous situation for any dog but small dogs in particular escape unnoticed.
She is still working on this issue and definitely isn’t perfect. She make mistakes and we continue to practice.
Lola waits and comes when called with distractions
Lola is an escape artist and likes to dash through open doors. Each and every time we come to the doorway she must pause and wait for instructions.
She struggles with come when called as well. If there is a ball in sight she is particularly conflicted. Her desire to play ball sometimes overrides her interest in listening. She is being conditioned to the tone on her remote that I am talking to her. It cuts through the distractions. She was conflicted at first but a quick prompt and she complied. We are making progress!!
Lola is working on her come command. She has been known to escape and treat everyone to a game of chase me! What a fun game for the dog!
Today is the first day of using a remote to signal to Lola I want you to return . She hears a tone on her remote as I call her. I have taken her to a field where there are lots of new smells to distract her. A long line is on her as a backup should she decide to ignore me.
Overall she’s doing well with returning and getting rewarded. There will be lots of repetition in this exercise . She must learn this is her only choice.
Dogs that struggle with come do so because with out a means of making them come they have an out. Therefore they choose not to come until THEY want to.
🐾
A short video of Lola doing her first night of place during dinner time . Remember it isn’t whether your dog is good or bad when you eat. It’s about asking for calmness in a location I say. It’s a predictable pattern I am creating .Your dog loves patterns and predictability. .
We practiced during the day and I now want to apply it to a time it is useful . She is back tied in case she decides to leave so she cannot get far. That happened 1 time when my dog moved . I just say No and repeat Place as I put her back where I want her.
She will improve each day as we continue to practice. Well done Lola!
When we give to much without expecting something in return we get, what we get.
Dogs take what you give them and will take even more if there are no rules.
A dog may bark and bark if not made to stop.
A dog may steal any food item accessible if not prevented.
A dog will claim the furniture if not told otherwise.
Owners live with this everyday and wonder why their dog would do this when the dog is given so much! How ungrateful!!
Let’s face it, dogs are opportunists
Buster is a good example of a dog needing rules. Teaching Place, getting him off the furniture he was taking control of. Walking nicely and coming when told to.
Here I am practicing moving him from Place to Place to relax. He can be a bit anxious at times. The leash is there for guidance if needed but I now point to the place I want him.
He has made definite improvements.🐾
If you struggle with issues concerning your dog. Do not hesitate to contact me for assistance. Make your life and the life of your dog better today.
Big dogs often use their weight and power to control situations. Kyzur a Bernese Mt. Dog has bullied his female owner sometimes dragging her on walks.
The goal today was to teach him to stay with me in an approximate heel on a loose leash. He was dragging a long line and I am giving him verbal instructions as I change directions.
Sometimes large dogs fight being held at heel but will walk at heel when given a little more freedom. This is his first attempt at loose leash walking and he did quite well. Certainly in higher distractions there will be more work to do. Good job Kyzur🐾
Sometimes a dog gives an owner different behaviors than they give me. There was a question whether “Bolt” knew his name because he often ignores who is calling him. This dog absolutely knows his name! Now we have to evaluate why he is ignoring whomever is calling him.
Is he distracted in the yard?
Do you have a means of making him comply?
Is he stalling so he doesn’t have to do something, like come in?
Dogs will do what works for them. If he can ignore the person calling him with no consequences for his actions then this behavior will likely continue. Practicing calling a dog with a line on them insures compliance if they choose to ignore. If I call Bolt and he doesn’t comply I go to the leash and guide him to me. Many repetitions are required to create muscle memory. Returning automatically without weighing their options.
Bolt is a young adult shepherd and is learning what the rules are. Having rules and everyone in the house holding your dog accountable to those rules will help him to be successful?🐾
Trail walking is different than walking on a neighborhood sidewalk. After working on
the heel ( walk at my side). I like to take a dog out for a free walk, on a long line. A non structured walk that allows a dog to feel more freedom. I want the dog to learn there are some rules but they are much more relaxed. No pulling to the end of the long line and regularly are called back to me to check in. I may also call a dog back to walk at my side to allow others to pass. There is time to sniff and investigate. Most dogs truly learn to enjoy trail walking and learn to understand the rules. Dusty is working on listening and returning to me when called. 🐾
Dogs blowing through doorways is a common occurrence. Over excitement and the desire to be first out the door are reasons. Dusty definitely is a poster child for this behavior. A door opens and out he goes. He is working on this behavior though he forgets and has to be reminded. I often don’t have a leash on him to go into the yard so spacial pressure ( my body moving toward him), tells him this behavior is not allowed and back off. We have to just keep practicing and the day presents lots of opportunity!🐾
Some dogs like to play ball, or play with a frisbee. Some dog like to chew with no interest in chasing anything. Tapping into a dogs desire to play the right way can be important and fulfill a dog. It is also more enjoyable for the owner as well.
Dusty does like to chase the ball. My rules are get the ball, come back to me and drop the ball and not go after my hand. Dusty is working on the dropping it phase and waiting . Having a line on him helps to make sure he returns and gives up the ball. Practice will make this better.
Dusty is learning Place. This is a new concept for him. Yes he may lay down and relax at times but Place is when I say and where I say. Leaving is not an option.
He does try but is stopped by a leash that is tied. That helps him learn. What’s the point in leaving you can’t get anywhere.
Update:
Dusty stayed in Place all through supper.
Good boy!!!
Some dog’s train us. Meaning they do something which we react to. That leads to their continuing the behavior to get want they want. Example: A dog jumps at the outside door and we let them in. That becomes the go to behavior a dog will exhibit to say let me in.
Sadie is commonly a very anxious dog with her owners. Whining and scratching for constant attention. There is never enough you can give her unless you are carrying her around. Indulging this behavior has created a mini monster!!
Now I would ask you to take note that there is no whining going on while she is here. This behavior is strictly reserved for her owners.
This is not a happy existence. She is always anxious and wanting more. This cycle has to be broken so everyone can live peacefully.
This means owners have to be strong and not give into her . Some tough love is needed.
Sadie has it in her and hopefully her owners will turn this around .
Last week I posted about Fred. He was quite challenging with his biting and pulling ferociously on the leash. It made it impossible for his owner to take him for a walk. I experienced what she was going through when I attempted walking. He’s a very strong boy and we both were frustrated from this behavior. Fast forward a week and today we made tremendous progress. I had a bag of ideas to try but fortunately the first attempt at changing his behavior worked. FYI it’s no fun to bite on a chain leash. I took the wind out of his sails!
On too more training and learning Place. Excellent training day Fred!🐾
Mack learns a traveling touch command.
I have previously worked with Mack on touching a specific target. He is only 5 1/2 months old and I want him to begin traveling to the target and then returning to me for a reward. As you see he gets better as we continue the exercise. I continue to move a step further away each time. Pretty good for a young pup. Just a fun exercise as we move through his obedience training. 🐾
