AmeriCanine - Behavior • Training • Boarding

06/24/2023

Not sure if they ever went back to carrying their heavier duty crates, but Pet Supplies Plus was my go-to for stronger wire crates at the best price. If you need one, take advantage of this sale. Remember, crating calmly is what I consider a 'Canine Life Skill'. You don't have to use it all the time, but when a dog is injured, sick, traveling, boarding, at the groomer, in the midst of a weather emergency.. being able to be crated calmly is extremely important.

Find discounted products that are on sale at Pet Supplies Plus.

06/01/2023

Nash, Zeke & Charlie wrapping up evening playtime.

02/15/2023

My suggested times to do Place command work are:
- When you're cooking
- When you're watching TV
- When you're eating
All of these are easy to stop briefly to reward and reinforce your dog.

Do it these 3 times each day for the first 30 days, and you're going to have a solid command and valuable tool for you and your dog.

02/07/2023

Howie snoozin' next to me while I catch up on calls, emails and invoices. Such a good boy!

02/05/2023

First full day of Faye's Board & Train. She'll spend most of the day working on calm crating reinforcement, with some routine low-energy, on-leash potty breaks. This is key for me, with any dog that comes in.. but especially for those who are newer to the crate or it's been a place of excitement or stress to them. This sets the tone.

Reasoning: If Day 1, everything outside of the crate is Disneyland or even lots of training with food/toy motivation.. it makes them want out of the crate more. So calmness, treats, a Benebone to gnaw on and my own dogs modeling calm behavior as they pass by, makes them realize that the crate is a good place to be.

This concept applies to adult rescue/rehomed dogs in a foster home as well. Don't make it such a stark difference of totally awesome out of the crate and a bummer inside. Level it out. 👍

02/05/2023

Faye, welcome to AmeriCanine!

01/29/2023

Reminder: Well behaved and trained dogs get to do all the fun stuff! Put in the work and then go enjoy the benefits. 👍

01/22/2023

Loki is a big hit with the girls here. Waiting for some calmness from my my two, before releasing them for play. Just like a walk.. the state of mind at your starting point determines a lot of what you're going to get.

01/20/2023

That first pic is Lucy about 90 days after she got here. Note how she's looking at Easton. She was still decompressing, learning, building trust in other dogs and in the midst of her journey to becoming her best self.

The other pics are various ones over the next few years. Over time, and with lots of VERY consistent work, she developed complete trust in her environment, dogs and people. She became a phenomenal dog and the easiest to care for in my pack. She was such a sweet and amazing dog, I couldn't imagine her going anywhere else, so I adopted her myself.

When I described her routine to a client recently (lay in the sun, lay by me, lay with the other dogs and some healthy play), they called her a 'dream dog'. And I'd agree. But her tough journey began from a shelter, where she had multiple fights with other dogs, and two pretty bad bites to people. Most dogs in that situation don't get the chance she got. And for fair reason.. because not many trainers can truly help a dog like that. Though almost all will say they can.

So when people tell me that they "tried training already" and that their dog won't change.. realize that it could take significant time and effort. But having the *right* trainer and protocols is absolutely essential to that plan. We all do things differently and we all bring different experience and skillsets to our training.

Dog training is a craft. It's much like comparing one artist to another, each with their own techniques, background, style and skills. Anyone can paint a picture. But none of those paintings will look the same. And anyone can say they can help your dog. But can they? Ask for referrals, talk to their clients, see their results. If they won't offer those things up.. walk away. If you have a Lucy of your own who needs help, even if you've "tried training".. reach out. If I can't help you, I'll help you find someone who can.

01/18/2023

Zeke & Bella trying to get Chibz into some playtime. Bella (top), lol

01/18/2023

What a ham!

01/18/2023

Brody girl, Brodog, Ms. B, BroBro, Brodini. Yall may have your own nicknames for your dog, but I've likely added some of my own over the years. 😅

01/18/2023

Boxers, lol.

01/18/2023

Happy dogs playing. Nash & Zeke

01/17/2023

Loki boy waiting patiently for a release cue to eat his raw meal.

01/17/2023

The high energy playgroup today.. Nash & Pebblez. Zeke was in both groups, but take a peek at that second pic and see how he fared. 😂

01/17/2023

The chill playgroup today.. Zeke, Brody and Easton.

01/16/2023

Pebz living her best life right here. Nash and Zeke in hot pursuit.. 🤩

01/15/2023

Them boys!

01/14/2023

Loki boy is here for a couple weeks! It's been 3 1/2 years since I've seen him and I just can't wrap my head around that.

01/14/2023

Chibz with his eye on the prize. ❤️

01/13/2023

*Sometimes* a free standing (no leash), yet secure, introduction is the best option. For me, it gives me a chance to see body language clearly, it allows the dog to add distance if they choose, and I get to see what choices are made without my direct influence by leash or proximity. Charlie and Judd know each other and have played well freely before. It would have worked out fine. But some initial growls in the house and too much excitement outside are why I opted for this reintroduction method first.

I also needed Judd focused more on his crate training than playtime. Simply put.. if you are in the initial phase of crate training and every time they are out of the crate is like Disneyland, you're making it harder on yourself and the dog. While tiring a dog out can help them in the crate, challenging yet rewarding obedience work is a better option than playtime when starting crate training.

Easton supervising from the opposite site of the action. ❤️

01/07/2023

Buddy joined Easton and Zeke today for some open field socializing. This is what content, well socialized dogs look like when you put them back on leash. Relaxed, not focused on one another. There's more of this coming in the future for my clients. Good times ahead! 👍

01/04/2023

Potential client called me about problems with their border collie mix they got thru a craigslist ad during their New Years Eve party. Don't drink and adopt! .This could be fiction..😉

01/04/2023

Love that play pounce! ❤️

01/04/2023

Are "Tongues out Tuesdays" a thing?? Well they are now. Nash & Zeke were blissfully content from field running today. Easton came out with us, but did more field walking than running.

01/03/2023

Easton could care less that he bit his tongue. Cuz nothing gets in the way of playtime!

🗡

01/02/2023

Happy New Year everyone! This is a throw back pic of Mack 7 years ago, I think, when I was running Paradise 4 Paws.

Also heads up!.. Got some fun changes coming to my training offerings. Stay tuned!!

12/26/2022

"Dog tinsel", courtesy of Roo. 😳😅

12/13/2022

It's behind me, isn't it?