Practice recalls where and when you would use them on a long line first! Not to mention, a long line walk is much more mentally stimulating than a regular walk on a short leash.
I forgot the word for poop bag dispenser, lol
Any whooo... supplies I use:
E-collar from @ecollartechnologies
Slip leashes from @slipleashes
Treat bag from @akracreations
We leverage positive reinforcement to teach.
We wean off of rewards slowly, once the understanding is there, to make the behavior self motivated, and not for the reward.
Otherwise, we get stuck in the "show me the money" situation. Not the best place to be in as a dog owner (or a parent)!
Taking a nature walk is the perfect way to practice recalls. Miss Athena was enjoying her #doggydayout and practicing some important life skills.
Athena is available for adoption through the @cc_humane_society
Miss Athena is available for adoption at the @cc_humane_society
She's super confident and playful! Loves to tug!
She is a hard leash puller and will need to be taught leash walking skills, but she seems to be a fast learner. She knows her name well and enjoys exploring.
#doggydayout
Dogs also have different temperments, like children, so an adaptive approach is what works best. Not a one size fits all approach.
Having young children and dogs can be difficult. Here is how we get our toddler involved:
1. Help feed the dogs at mealtime. We send our dogs to their mats at feeding time while our daughter helps us scoop the food. She carries it to them and asks them to wait until they're released to eat. We always supervise and make sure to address any signs of our dogs being uncomfortable.
2. Impulse control activities like in this video. We have her call their names and feed them individually while they are being patient and waiting. This also teaches them not to grab food out of her hands.
3. Spend lots of time outside enjoying each other. Being outside gives the dogs space to move about. In the house, they can be easily cornered while outside they can easily walk away when they wish.
Having high energy dogs and young children is possible! It just requires a lot of patience and supervised interactions.
Positive reinforcement is always where we start. But what happens when that's not enough?
You've practiced leash walking at home, in your yard or driveway, and your dog does great...now what? Start with small walks in your neighborhood or park. Keep expectations low.
Don't plan on walking a mile. A structured 5-10 minute walk will tire out your dog more than a 20-minute chaotic pull-you-around walk will. It requires focus and concentration! Keep at it and slowly increase the duration of the walk.
Practical tip: Practice leash walking in your driveway!
Do you struggle with your dog coming when called? It's a common problem for many owners.
I'm an advocate for the safe and appropriate use of e-collars to help owners and their dogs achieve off leash reliability and subsequent freedom.
An e-collar doesn't have to be a punishment tool. Think of it like a walkie-talkie.
If your dog is out of sight or can't hear you, you could still cue them to come back to you.
I teach my clients how an e-collar can create a level of clarity in their communication system with their dog that is unmatched. As a result, dogs and owners are happier, less frustrated, and can enjoy each other more than ever before.
Example shown is a single tap on an 11 out of 100 mini educator collar.
Flexi leads get a bad rep. I can see why. Lots of owners allow their dogs to drag them around and dictate the direction, pace, and distance between them on a walk. But if you teach leash pressure well, you can both enjoy walks on a flexi leash.
Interested? Contact me today to learn about my Walk the Talk program, where you'll learn all the essentials for leash walking.
🙋♀️ I did this. I spent so much time playing mindless fetch, and my dogs could never get enough.
Don't get me wrong, dogs still need exercise. Just try to be mindful and present for them. Engage in the activities with them. Teach them new things during the game that you play.
It should feel like time stops and the world melts away.
Just like family game night.
Once you become the coolest person in the world, "obedience" isn't a command. It's an ask that's respected.
Most people think of using the mill as an exercise tool, but really, in the beginning, it's a confidence tool!
Most dogs need a few sessions to get comfortable on the mill before it can be used solely as an exercise tool, but that doesn't mean the first sessions aren't beneficial.
Working your dog through moderate amounts of stress builds their self confidence. You can see Rosie's confidence grow in these few clips. By the end of the session, she did a few sprints!!
Have a teenage tyrant? Let's put some new habits in place! 🌟
One great place to start is by creating expectations around thresholds. Here, Ernie is learning that his mom wants him to wait for her permission before coming into and out of the house. All he needs is a little spatial pressure and clear communication, and eventually, this will become a habit. This is critical for ensuring Ernie does not bolt through doors!
What are some good habits you have with your dog? Comment below 👇
Is your puppy biting you? As frustrating as it may be, it's super normal puppy behavior. Be clear, consistent, and remain calm. As soon as you start to feel frustrated, put them away or walk away yourself.
Don't worry, it's just a phase!
Top 3 tips for new puppy owners!
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#1 play with your puppy! Redirect their biting and nipping into a toy and play a small game of fetch or tug of war. Make sure the game is enjoyable for them! Let them win and feel strong.
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#2 take them out and about. Wherever you expect them to be able to go as an adult, take them as a puppy. Let them meet new people, see different environments, and let them explore.
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#3 be mindful of behaviors that crop up such as barking, growling, and fear-based behaviors, and if these behaviors seem to be getting worse, contact a trainer for advice!
Slip leash vs. Head halter!
A head halter is a great option for dogs that get anxious and pull into a slip leash. Not only does it keep the pressure off the neck, but it also sits on pressure points along the nose and jaw that help the dog into a relaxed mindset. You can see this subtle difference in these two clips. See how she is a bit more frantic in the first clip and is rushing to get past me?
In the second clip, notice how much more relaxed she is. Even more so, how much less pressure I have to apply to get her back into a heel position.
Caveat...I don't expect this obedience with my dog all the time. She is given plenty of opportunity to sniff and be a dog on a leash. It is a balance between freedom and "work."
The Zen hand is a great progression from the typical engagement exercise. Once taught, this is a great communication signal that can mean "keep going" for increasing duration of behaviors.
For example, you can use the zen hand to teach a chin rest, which is handy for vet appointments.
You don't have to use a clicker. A marker word will do just fine!
Does your dog pace, pant, always look for something to do? Some dogs don't intuitively know how to relax in the home. Here are 3 easy steps:
#1 Teach them a solid "place" command to ensure they understand how to stay in one location for an extended period of time.
#2 Create a calm, relaxed environment on place. Give them time and space to settle, providing guidance as needed.
#3 Reinforce with a calm, deep massage. Use this time to check over your dogs physical health, notice and muscles that sore, check their ears, teeth and paw pads.
In the end, you should have a calmer house and your dog will get the spa treatment they deserve.
