Does your dog have trouble settling in public? Reinforce STAYING down instead of LAYING down:
Instead of giving your dog a treat each time he lays back down after standing up, wait a moment for him to remain in a down for a few seconds, then treat. This is how you build duration for settling.
Also consider your environment: is he having trouble settling because the environment is too much? Too busy? Too exciting? To worrisome or stressful? Practice settling in quieter spaces first!
Video: short clip of a light colored golden retriever laying on a shiny brown floor. He is given a treat.
#SDIT #ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDog #DogTraining #DogsOfBend #CentralOregon #BendOregon #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFreeTrainer
TRAINING TIP!
Does your dog fly out of the car as soon as you open the door?
Hereโs how to have a more polite (and WAY safer!) vehicle exit:
- If your dog travels in a crate, scatter a small handful of treats outside the crate so as soon as the door opens, your dog goes for them.
- If your dog travels loose (I recommend you at least use a Y-front car harness and seatbelt for safety), open the car door just wide enough to stick your hand in and toss a small handful of treats in. Once heโs eating the treats, then open the door all the way.
- Give your dog a few more treats then give him your release word so he knows he can exit the vehicle.
- Immediately toss another handful of treats on the ground right next to the car so as soon as your dog jumps out, he starts to eat the treats.
This will help your dog build a habit of remaining calm when the door is opened and wait for his release word, AND stay nearby as soon as he is released to jump out instead of immediately pulling excitedly.
Video: female presenting person with green puffy coat and jeans stands in front of blue car with the back hatch open. She releases a light colored golden retriever in a red service dog in training vest out of a car crate. She scatters treats for the dog both in the car and on the ground outside of the car.
#TrainingTip #ImpulseControl #SDiT #ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDogTraining #TrainingTipTuesday #DogManners #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFree
Looking for low cost, step-by-step service dog training? Soon we will have a virtual Service Dog Training Library complete with step-by-step training videos, handouts and downloadable materials, training tips and tricks, troubleshooting, and more.
The Service Dog Training Library will be available soon so stay tuned if you want to be one of the first to get it!
Aaaaand...just for fun, the first few to join will get some really cool BONUS training materials as well. So keep an eye out for more updates and a release date!
#ServiceDogTraining #ServiceDogTrainer #LowCostDogTraining #LowCostServiceDogTraining #SDiT #ServiceDogInTraining #Accessibility #TrainingResources #PositiveReinforcement #TrainingLibrary #ServiceDogTrainingLibrary
Want to not be yanked out the door every time you take your dog for a walk? Want to prevent your dog from bolting as soon as the door is opened? Here are some quick tips to get started with better door manners!
- Keep treats on you or in a (dog-proof!) jar by the door so as soon as someone walks through you can give your dog treats! This will create the expectation that he gets treats when the door is opened and resets the impulse to bolt out the door!
- Scatter treats on the floor just as you open the door to keep your dog busy and calm while you exit
- Put your dogโs leash on before you open the door, but try not to use it to prevent your dog from bolting. Instead, use it as an emergency brake on the off chance he accidentally gets out while you are teaching him a new (and better!) habit!
Need more door manners help? DM or visit Pawsitivechance.com to connect with me!
Video: a red golden retriever puppy in a pink service dog in training vest goes in and out through a display sliding glass door in a hardware store
#DogTraining #GoldenRetriever #TimberPineGoldens #ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDog #MedicalAlert #PositiveReinforcementServiceDogTraining #ForceFree #DoorManners #ServiceDogSkills
What are the keys to training loose leash walking?
- Set your criteria from the start! If you can, make sure you start as soon as you get your pup so you are consistent and not changing the leash rules on them as they get older.
- Start easy! Try starting in the house where there arenโt other things competing for your pupโs attention or in areas where there are little to no distractions (including interesting smells!)
- Reward often! When learning something new, make sure you are rewarding often to let your dog know they are doing something right. This keeps both of you from getting frustrated. Try starting with one or two treats per sidewalk square.
- Keep sessions short! As with anything new, continuing for too long can lead to jello brain in your dog where they are too mentally exhausted to think clearly. This can also lead to frustration for both of you. Keeping sessions short ensures it is still fun and engaging for all!
Follow for more dog training tips! ๐โ๐ฆบ
#ServiceDog #ServiceDogInTraining #GoldenRetriever #ServiceDogTrainer #DogTraining #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFree #PuppyTraining
Video: a very young golden retriever puppy in a red service dog in training harness walks on loose leash on the sidewalk
Retrieving dropped items can be an extremely useful task, but did you know your service dog can retrieve his own leash? For people with dexterity issues, tremors, or other mobility or neurological conditions this can be immensely helpful!
#TaskTraining #ServiceDog #ServiceDogTrainer #PositiveReinforcement #ItemRetrieval
Why is it important to do a warm-up with your young service dog in training before entering non-pet friendly places?
Playing focus games with your SDiT mentally prepares them for work. You are setting the groundwork for focus. Just like any human getting ready for work, you likely wouldnโt (or shouldnโt!) just get up and go - you want to set yourself, and in this case your pup, up for success by mentally preparing yourself for the day.
Most non-pet friendly places have lots of distractions like food on the ground, lots of people, interesting smells, loud noises, things that could be startling, etc. Building engagement in a less distracting environment like a parking lot until your dog is attentive and ready for a higher level of distraction will help them be successful inside.
And of course, you donโt want your SDiT to be disruptive or problematic inside. Setting them up for success will help you maintain a calmer, more well-behaved dog that is likely to be complimented for their behavior and welcomed back to the establishment!
#ServiceDogInTraining #ServiceDog #ServiceDogTrainer #SDiT #BuildingEngagement #PositiveReinforcement #ForceFree #DogTraining
We should all strive to have this kind of relationship with our dogs - Padme LOVES training! PD: golden retriever with a red guide harness and happily wagging tail stands in a small yellow target in a store. Her handler clicks for her head facing forward. At the end, the have a break off where Padme turns toward her handler and they celebrate an awesome training session. #servicedogtraining #PositiveReinforcement #servicedogtrainer #assistancedog #clickertraining #forcefreetraining
Hope everyone is enjoying the snow and staying safe!
#dogtraining #servicedogtraining #snowday #positivereinforcement #bend #bendoregon #centraloregon
More ring stack fun! Even the old man black lab is enjoying this process!
VD: black lab nose targeting a white ring stack tower. I am kneeling in front of him in my living room.
๐ฆฎ Service & therapy dog trainer, ๐ Central Oregon & beyond, ๐ถ Force free & ethical; DM for consult
