Yankee Dog

07/24/2024

07/18/2024

Does this look like your dog? Reach out to learn about our Control Unleashed classes!

06/28/2024

A few shots from our intro to agility class where the dogs get to try the elements safely! We had lots of fun! There is one spot open in our next session starting in July!

06/23/2024

We still have an opening in our puppy class starting on July 20th!

Our regular schedule of classes updated for July. Scroll down to see our outdoor class schedule of other classes. There's plenty of fun to be had!

06/23/2024

We have some fun classes on the schedule for our outdoor ring this summer, and more plans for guest instructors in September and October. Ring Rentals for practice too! Check out BOTH schedules !

06/14/2024

Adrenaline addicts, endorphin junkies and highly conditioned athletes need to learn moderation and a variety of high/low arousal exercise should be provided.

Yesterday I saw a video from a well-known trainer on social media that discussed how there is no such thing as “too much exercise” for dogs. This discussion was accompanied by b roll of dogs fetching balls in a variety of places.
I don’t usually get involved in trainer arguments but I need to say something about this.
There ABSOLUTELY is such a thing as too much high-arousal exercise. And you probably don’t want to find out for yourself what happens next.
Activities that tend to *physically* wear dogs out the fastest are also the ones that create the highest excitement levels. Fetching balls. Playing frisbee. Racing around at the dog park. Chasing water from the garden hose. Running next to a bike.
All of these are physical exercise, but they also create intense arousal states. And if you put your dog into high-arousal states repeatedly you better know how to train around this, too.
I have a lot of students who fell into this trap. They got a high-energy dog (a GSD, a herding breed mix of some sort, a retriever etc.).
They figured out that the fastest way to make the dog physically really tired (the tongue-hanging-to-the-floor-kind-of-tired) was by playing chuck-it for half an hour. Or by taking the dog to the dog park every day for a wild romp.
The dog started to crave these arousal states (as programmed in their DNA).
But at the same time, no impulse control training happened. So now we have a dog who knows the fun of adrenaline and who seeks it, without having been taught to listen and regulate when in a state of high excitement.
This dog will start to show other problems. They might get frustrated to the point of redirecting when they cannot access fun immediately. They might be vocalizing or unable to settle and then I get messages that say “My dog just cannot be normal in public”.
If your dog gets to enjoy a high-arousal activity every time they leave the house, they will start to expect (and eventually demand) a high-arousal activity every time.
And this is not fun.
Your dog needs a balance of high-arousal and low-arousal activities. Furthermore, the more high-arousal activities your dog has, the more you have to balance these with impulse control training. It’s not fair to make our dogs crazy without teaching them the skills to un-crazy ;)
“Exercise” can have four quadrants:
- Low-arousal, not physically demanding (sniff walks)
- Low-arousal, physically demanding (hiking)
- High-arousal, not physically demanding (excited waiting while another dog works)
- High-arousal, physically demanding (fetching)

Make sure you are aware which type of exercise you are providing for your dog, and try to reach a balance that works for your dog.
If you are unhappy with your dog’s arousal level or impulse control in daily life, look at whether this is amplified by the type of exercise you are providing.

05/09/2024

We still have an opening in puppy class and one or two open spots in the 9:30 AM Manners class es starting June 1st! Summer Schedule!! Get out there and DO fun things with your dog!

03/21/2024

Ticks and Bears are out and hungry! Be aware!

02/11/2024

When dogs lunge, bark, and growl at other dogs or people, the dog is having a hard time—and so is their guardian. More awareness of this is needed.

11/30/2023

If you are concerned about the 'Mystery' canine respiratory illness going around *please* read this article. Also we are doing everything we possibly can to prevent spread of this here at Yankee Dog. https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/11/articles/animals/dogs/a-dog-owners-guide-to-navigating-respiratory-disease-concerns/?fbclid=IwAR0U9fTsE09hpf-9ILiafoc6jdRKmlRTbCWnGHOLFwoYX-jzV9tJyBZqx1o

There’s been a lot of discussion about canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) going around in dogs in the US recently. In the last week,

11/09/2023

CLOSED FOR DAY CARE TODAY. NOVEMBER 9

11/05/2023

Fence is UP! Mick and Wynn got to chase the first balls. Joss got to do the first p*e honors. :-)

10/31/2023

Spooky Halloween!!