Doak Dog Training

01/15/2025

01/15/2025

Being stern with your dog won’t interfere with how much they love you or trust you. In fact, being clear might actually be the thing that strengthens your bond, because you’ll finally be providing them both positive feedback as well as believable boundaries.

The reality of only offering softness is that it eventually interferes with how willing they are to listen, which then creates confusion because your dog isn’t used to seeing that “side” of you. But providing both softness and appropriate firmness offers the full spectrum of healthy nurturing. It’s also the best way to avoid having to micromanage 👍

01/15/2025

Toxic Food for Dogs. Make sure to tell new dog owners so they are aware of the dangers.

01/13/2025

I didn't think an animal welfare courtesy post would attract so many nasty bunyaky. WARNING: troublemakers will be Blocked. Period. I am not obligated to free speech doctrine, and nastiness is not protected, anyway.

Lots of comments, "Why is this allowed?"
1. Because is market for it.
2. Because xylitol is used by companies that do cruel animal testing.

Ingredients are forced into animals until half of test population di*s. Then data for human safety is extrapolated. THEY DO NOT CARE IF THEY HURT YOUR PET. They torture and k(ll animals daily, to limit their legal liability when their toxins give YOU cancer. I studied and witnessed animal testing in Animal Sciences. Look up "LD50 tests." They have no conscience, and only want your money. IF you could afford to take corporation to court, and IF you won, they would only be liable for the cost of replacing your pet.

01/12/2025

Let's get real for a second.

The world often paints a picture that dogs who live together are best friends and do everything together.

This is just not true. Many many many multidog household utilize management in different situations to allow dogs personal space to enjoy things such as:

- feeding time
- chew time
- play time
- attention time

This. Is. Normal.

Just because someone utilizes management, doesn't mean their dogs don't enjoy each other's company or have fun together. It just means that there are certain activities that they prefer to do on their own.

And I will tell you firsthand that implementing safe space zones and time apart can be so beneficial to the relationship between two dogs.

Think about it-- do you enjoy doing every single activity that you do at home with your spouse, family, or sibling RIGHT there? I don't think so.

So let's normalize management between dogs who live together!!

Do you want to work on your dogs' relationship and/or interactions? Go to my website here to schedule a private consult: perkedears.com/private-training-sessions

01/12/2025

01/12/2025

And being a "dog trainer" does not give you the right to bring your dogs or client dogs in public as fake service dogs. Trust me, we know they're fake 🤣

01/11/2025

01/11/2025

Let's talk 'owner training':

MANY young/ new handlers think owner training is the cheaper option to obtain a service dog or they think it's 'not that hard'. They don't know what makes a good service dog prospect, they choose a breed or dog not suited for the work or choose a bad breeder to purchase from. They don't understand crucial foundational skills needed to be successful and ultimately the dogs fail out by 3yrs old or sooner. There are ways to still owner train that will set you up for success! Service dogs are not cheap, nor is the training and do you really want to gamble with your medical equipment?
1. Pick a breed suitable, with a history of success in service work and NO, I DO NOT RECOMMEND DOBERMANS AS SERVICE DOGS.
2. Choose the right breeder! Who is performing all health testing recommended by the breed parent club, titling their dogs in various sports like obedience, rally, confo and scentwork and has a history of producing successful service dogs.
3. HIRE A TRAINER! Attending classes, private lessons or even doing occasional board & train programs doesn't mean you didn't owner train and trust me, having a professional help you during the puppy and adolescence stages will help you be significantly more successful than trying to wade through blindly on your own.

01/08/2025

Fixation 👀‼️
Not as simple as just a locked gaze, and in many ways fixation is ALREADY a reaction.
It just isn't a verbal reaction.
Fixation never leads to anything good for a reactive dog, it is an escalation of emotions and needs to be recognised and acted on.
There are lots of ways to help this, one in particular is a U turn (video in the comments).
This dog training handout is available abcdogsnz.com