The holiday season has me feeling extra sentimental.
I have so many things in my life that bring joy and happiness. I know how truly lucky I am.
👇Share in the comments what activities bring you joy with your pups!
Hiking my dogs off leash in a safe area (THANK YOU @sniffspot) and watching them light up being able sniff, sprint, and explore is my ideal day❤️
#dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #michigan #westmichigan #holland #muskegon #twinlakes #sniffspot #enricheddogsarehappydogs #enrichment #sniff #twopawsforward
Did you have an idea what it is?🤔
Many people feel obligated to take their pup for a “walk” when they are first learning leash skills but find themselves struggling😅 It’s much more efficient and effective to build those skills in a familiar area FIRST!
Once your pup is understanding the concept of what the expectation is when on leash THEN graduate to practicing in new or more distracting environments.
#leashtraining #startsmall #basics #foundationsfirst #dogtraining #michigan #holland #grandrapids #puppylove #dogtrainer #dogsofinstagram
🤔Did you notice I never said “Wait” or “Stay”?
Adding cues before your puppy understands what the behavior looks like can lead them to feel confusion about what the expectations are. Here are the steps I use to help this communication be clear and effective.
1) start in a low distraction space
2) only cue positions that the puppy is familiar with- here I use both “sit” and “down”.
3) use marker signal in a clear manner and deliver the reward AFTER the marker signal once they get in position
4) reward for DURATION of holding position. I periodically mark and reward in position to reinforce holding that behavior multiple times. If the puppy happens to get up, I’d reset them and try again and reward more quickly next time.
5) use a release cue to encourage them that they can move out of position to reset and continue practice with more seconds between rewards.
I then start adding the verbal cue once the puppy is holding position for about 10-15 seconds reliably!
#puppy #puppytraining #puppylove #puppylife #puppiesofinstagram #puppyoftheday #puppiesofig #puppytrainingadvice #puppytrainingtips #australianlabradoodle #australianlabradoodlepuppy #ald #dogtrainer #puppyprogram #socialization #dogtraining
Sometimes you just need a good cuddle🥹💙
Teaching handling and cooperative care skills is so beneficial for vet care and grooming but selfishly I just love the snuggles. I mean… come on… this can’t get any cuter!
#puppy #puppylove #puppygram #puppylife #puppyoftheday #puppydog #puppiesofinstagram #puppysnuggles #puppysleeping #sleepingpuppy #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #australianlabradoodle #australianlabradoodlesofinstagram #australianlabradoodlepuppy #puppyprogram #cooperativecare #grooming #vetcare #cuddle
Bow🎀 stole the show!
Congratulations to Nicole and Cole! I’m so glad I could help with having Bow be apart of your special day💒
#dog #dogsofgrandrapids #dogsofinstagram #dogsofholland #port393 #wedding #weddingday #weddingpup #mansbestfriend #pupofhonor #bow #puppy #frenchie #frenchbulldog #iloveweddings #dogtrainer #michigan
Get started today,
to be well on your way,
to a solid STAY!
That rhymed and we LOVE it🤪
1️⃣ Start in a low distraction environment. Have valuable rewards ready and your pupils should already have a sit or down cue, a marker, and a release cue.
2️⃣ Ask for sit or down, once pup is in position, cue STAY, add some duration, then use marker signal, reward in position, and then release. Build duration for at least 10 seconds before moving to the next step.
3️⃣ Once pup has some duration we can add distance. Cue sit or down, once pup is in position cue STAY, slowly start to move away (only a little at a time), use marker, return to dog, reward in position, and then release. Continue building distance and duration until you feel confident in practicing in new environments with more distractions present!
🎁 BONUS: if your pup pops out of position or consistently breaks their stay move back to an easier step and lure them back into position before rewarding and releasing!
#puppy #puppytraining #puppylove #puppiesofinstagram #goldenretrieverpuppy #goldenretrievers #puppyclass #learning
A nap disruption… oh no!
Throwback Thursday of Loki and Evie snuggled up💗
#puppy #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #puppytraining #puppylove #puppylife #puppyprogram #puppydevelopment #dogtrainer #doglover #naps #australianlabradoodle #havenese #michigan #holland #foryou
🛁Groom. Clean. Repeat🔁 #doublecoateddog
I will gladly deal with the aftermath of bath and blowout days because I love these dogs SO MUCH and their coat health/maintenance is important❤️
It should be a TOP PRIORITY to get dogs/puppies positively socialized to handling and grooming ASAP to make the experience as pleasant as possible.
Check out our page for puppy exposure training and introduction to grooming tools and handling!
Also, follow Emma from @canadacornerspets for more great grooming content🤩
#dog #dogbath #positive #reward #handling #doggrooming #dogtrainer #michigan #puppy #starttoday #grandrapids #holland
✨Here is Part 2 of Teaching Scratch!✨
Learning to file nails with a scratchboard has been critical in helping Maverick with cooperative care nail maintenance.
#dog #dogtraining #cooperative #care #nailtrim #aussie #australianshepherd #rewards
Sam is so goofy!😜
Coming in from outside playtime involved a quick brush out and paws getting wiped. Sam wanted to flop over instead! The little teefs took me out🥹♥️
#puppy #puppies #puppylove #puppyface #puppybreath #puppieslearning #socialization #puppyprogram #puppyheadstart #australianlabradoodle #dogtrainer #puppytrainingtips #puppytraining101 #westmichigan
Part Two of Leave-it with Annie🩷
We have been able to progress quite quickly and have now extended this same concept to Kleenex, shoes, and fabric!
Anything else you’d like to see demos of?
#dog #dogs #puppy #puppylove #puppylife #puppyoftheday #puppylover #puppytraining #puppytrainingtips #puppytricks #puppyfun #socialization #positiveexperiences #buildingengagement #reward #learning #teaching #puppyprogram #animal #perfect #australianlabradoodle #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingisfun #westmichigan #michigan #dogsofwestmichigan
Tara Atkinson, CPDT-KA aims to empower, educate, and collaborate with pet lovers everywhere🐾
