Trickmas Day Twenty-Two: Question?
Featuring Nova & Ripley’s favorite questions - Are You Shy? and Is It Yummy?
These types of tricks are SO fun to train. They can be a challenge and a struggle to help your dog understand what you’re looking for, but I love that lightbulb moment. There’s always a few reps of “is this a fluke or do you actually understand?!” Mulder got two in that made me think he was figuring it out!
I’m excited to see everyone’s interpretation of this one! Make sure to tag Lela (@fitnacity.dogs) and I and #FMMTrickmas23! We’re almost there!
Trickmas Day Nineteen: Hold
We got a hold!!! It’s not very long but he did it!! Although he started to get irritated with me and tried to run away with the stick 😂
Please enjoy the group hold at the end, I’m also shocked that happened.
We’re in the home stretch now! #FMMTrickmas23
Trickmas Day 6: Retrieve
Some of my favorite tricks are based around this skill! Mulder is just getting started - his “drop” is great so I’m gonna work on his retrieve to hand next (shown off by Ripley)
Also, I just need to brag on Nova for a minute - we haven’t done the ring toss or mailbox trick in so long and she was a little messy at first, but got both of them after warming up!
Let’s see what your dog can retrieve! Make sure to tag Lela (@fitnacity.dogs) and I and use our tag #FMMTrickmas23 so we don’t miss your videos
Trickmas Day Four: Spin/Twirl
Pretty straight forward - Mulder is a bouncy puppy and figured this out no problem! So I decided to challenge myself, enjoy the chaos at the end 😂
Let’s see your moves! Don’t forget to tag Lela (@fitnacity.dogs) and I and tag your videos with #FMMTrickmas23 so we can follow along
Trickmas Day One: Target
This is a trick with a TON of options! Teaching a nose target (“touch”) is a foundation skill I introduce to every dog and can be used for so many practical life skills, from recall to greetings. For tricks, you can use a nose target to help guide your dog into position - there are several tricks on our list that would benefit from a “touch” cue, so look ahead!
You can also teach a location specific target to work on cues from a distance! Nova is showing off her “mark” behavior which she’s used for a few modeling gigs. A great way to get some flashier tricks without your dog needing to be close.
So excited to see everyone’s tricks over the next few weeks! Don’t forget to tag Lela (@fitnacity.dogs) and myself and use the hashtag #FMMTrickmas23 so we can follow along ❤️💚
Are you all ready for another year of Trickmas?! 🎉🎉🎉 Lela (Fitnacity Dog Training) and I are back for our fourth year of Trickmas! We’re bringing you a “traditional” Trickmas this time - 24 days of tricks that can be adapted to your skill level or creative interpretation. I am super excited this year as I haven’t had a blank slate puppy who knows almost zero tricks in so long! Follow along while I challenge my training skills with teaching an adolescent puppy a whole bunch of new things 😂More details to come on November 30th! #FMMTRICKMAS23
MERRY TRICKMAS!!
Well, I did it…here’s the final installment of this year’s Trickmas! Since I missed the 4th prompt, I sort of combined the last two…
I am a bit bummed that I dropped the ball on Trickmas this year - I had more videos and tricks planned to share, but getting back to back COVID and flu was NOT on the to do list. I spent almost the entire month of December really sick, and I’m still not feeling back to 100% energy wise.
Thank you to everyone who checked in and asked how I was feeling, and for those who have been patient while I catch up on emails/messages. If you’re still waiting to hear from me, I promise I’ll be in touch soon! It’s been a rough few weeks but I’m glad to be feeling better.
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate - I hope everyone has had a happy (and healthy!!) holiday season and have a wonderful New Year 💚💜
Let’s pretend I didn’t forget what day it was and miss posting this - Happy 3rd round of Trickmas! This theme is “Let’s Get Physical” 💪🏻
Lela loves fitness and I love tricks that ask my dogs to throw their bodies at me, so we figured this was the perfect theme for us!
Keep sharing and tagging Fitnacity Dog Training and I! #fmmtrickmas2022
It’s time for our second Trickmas theme, “Just Dance”!
Here are some of our favorite tricks that get us moving 💃🏻🕺
Keep tagging Lela (Fitnacity Dog Training) and I in your videos, I love seeing what everyone has come up with so far!
Trickmas 2022: Happy Feet
Well, I did it! Covid is kicking my butt and I’m still not feeling 100% but I managed to find enough energy to put some tricks together for our first theme, “Happy Feet”!
THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
It’s that time of year again - Trickmas! This year, we’re doing things a little differently with a “Choose Your Own Adventure” format. Every five days, you’ll have a theme to build your tricks around - choose from our suggested list or get creative!
Use our hashtag #FMMTrickmas2022 and make sure to tag me and Lela (Fitnacity Dog Training) so we can see and share your videos.
More details to come on the 30th, so stay tuned!
Hey! Nova wants to know if you voted today?! Follow the links (in comments) to help us reach the Top 5 for “Best Trainer” AND “Best Shop Dogs”!
I saw someone post a video of their dog shredding a head of lettuce and knew I had to give it a try for my girls! Ripley LOVES to shred things and can get fixated on sticks (and rocks 😬) outdoors. She thought this was the best enrichment game ever! Plus, it was under $2 - cheap, easy, and safe. Enjoy the cronchy sounds 🥬
While introducing Ace to the “Superbowls” pattern game, he decided that creating his own enrichment was way more fun. And you know what - instead of interrupting him or taking the bowl away, we let him shred it to pieces! He was letting the humans know he needed a break and after this, he successfully redirected from TWO barking dogs. Sometimes a little enrichment break can do wonders!
Frankie got to show off her speed while working on restrained recalls 💨
This is one of my favorite ways to teach a super fast and exciting recall, and it’s even better when the dog LOVES chase and tug! Want your dog to come every time you call them? Well, it needs to be more fun than whatever they’re doing!
VD: A small, red-colored dog with a fluffy tail faces away from the camera. She is wearing a blue harness and attached to a long line. A person in black leggings and pink/teal sneakers is standing in front of her, waving a long toy on the ground. Frankie’s mom is getting her excited with the toy and then starts running - a second later, Frankie is released to chase her mom and when she catches up in the distance, you can see them playing tug.
January is National Train Your Dog Month, so I wanted to share something I’ve been focusing on this week!
Ripley has a lot of anxiety at the vet and has to be sedated for vaccines/blood draws. I decided this would be the year of Cooperative Injections!
Cooperative Care focuses on reducing fear and anxiety during necessary medical or grooming care such as nail trims or vet exams. These experiences are a necessary part of our pet’s life, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try to reduce their discomfort, build their confidence and trust and create a more positive association! Practicing these skills at home helps fill their “emotional piggy bank” and prepares them for the real deal.
In this video, I am using a chin rest as our “start button” behavior. When Ripley places her head on the platform, this is my signal she is ready to proceed. If she lifts her head at any point, I stop what I am doing, and also make sure she has the ability to opt out and take a break. I am simulating a vaccine by tenting her skin and applying light pressure with a pen. She also knows the sound of a needle cap being removed, so I am using the pen cap to mimic this.
How do your pups do with being handled for vet care or grooming? If you’re looking to improve their experience, I highly recommend checking out Fear Free Pets and finding a groomer, vet clinic, or trainer who can help. I am a Fear Free Certified Trainer, so always happy to answer questions!
