Every day I’m snufflin’
SSD Java loves to snuffle - your dog will too! I have several snuffle mats for sale right now - so if you want one, let me know!! $30 - (proceeds help Adopt-a-Boxer Rescue)
Isn’t she lovely? Isn’t she beautiful?!
Gracie Grace. Lovely.
Gracie Is turning out to be an outstanding babysitter. Her corrections for this bitey little girl are never overstated and she is remarkably patient and kind. SSD Culligan has some great examples for her early education.
You know what else? These dogs are training with her outside in an open space. There's no fence there!!
Why do they stay, when they could run off and chase bunnies, squirrels, or just go play together?
Because she's engaging, interesting, rewarding - fun!!
Tunnels and Hoops
Training shouldn't be a chore - you can and should be having fun with your dogs!
This girl gets the best out of both her dogs because she enjoys the process of learning, training, rewarding, and succeeding!!
Today I'm going to post some videos of THIS girl and her dogs!! She has always worked with her dogs, attended classes with them, and is a great advocate for animals - and it shows in her training abilities.
These two challenge so many stereotypes - but my favorite two are:
🐶You don't need to be "Alpha" and intimidate or punish your dogs to be a good trainer!
🐶Little dogs CAN and should be trained just like big dogs!!
Give them some well-deserved ❤️ today!!
Gracie.
Gracie is learning to give me attention on leash. She doesn't walk too terribly, but she is extremely pre-occupied with hunting bunnies and squirrels on walks, and I am rarely in her thoughts on walks... So we are working on it. In this video - I have stopped and I am waiting for Gracie to give me some attention, so I can reinforce that behavior with a treat, and to continue the walk.
She does typically check in quicker than this these days - however - some things to consider:
1) I shot this video on the way back home from our walk, which Gracie clearly knows means her walk is coming to an end. So, I can't 'reinforce' her check in with continuing to walk - because she will do everything she can to delay the walk at this point - like stop and sniff every single blade of grass....
2) I am holding my phone -and like most dogs, Gracie gets that when the human is looking at the phone - they aren't available for engagement. So it takes her longer to get that I want her to check in with me. I could say her name, and I could say 'come', and there are times we practice that too - because I do want her to come if I accidentally drop the leash, etc., but in this video, we are teaching Gracie that check ins are rewarded.
3) This area is overloaded with bunnies at this time of day. So. Many. Bunnies. They are Gracie's kryptonite.
4) Gracie is new to us - only really 2.5 months with me, so we are still working on our bond, and she comes with different walking skills than the ones I am working on with her. So this will take time, but she's getting better every day.
Working on ‘down stays’ and ‘recall’ with mild distractions on our walk this morning.
He’s coming along!!! I ❤️ Bubs
This guy has some impulsive control issues so we are working on his patience and household manners.
He’s arrived a little late to the training game, but this one took just about a week to get really good!!
Look at that control and attention to me!!
Dogs and ‘play’
Yes, the dogs at my house get exercise and interaction and play time - but is it ‘Camp Southpaw’ where all they do is play, play, play until they drop!? No.
I am not exhausting them into good behavior. There are rules and expectations - and if you want to be in here with us (and they do) you’ll abide by those rules and expectations.
They need lots of rest too, people. Calm begets calm…. Pay for the calm….
Training on a Sunday!?
Archie is going to need some wide open space with little-to-no distraction to get comfortable pulling his cart. He’s currently very concerned about why it’s following him, and wants to try to ‘outrun’ it, so Sunday and an empty parking lot is a great benefit to his training. Much more to go with this guy, but today was off to a great start.
Labs.
The bowl’s been empty 5 minutes now….
Their relationship was not always the love fest it appears to be… I❤️progress.
Got a dog that can’t control his licker?
These two cavaliers love to lick, so giving them their lickit mats help them to calm down and relax before I go to work.
Milo and Drop It.
Training Milo to be happy when he is chewing a favorite thing and a human approaches takes time, practice, and a big bank of reinforcement history. Milo goes home this weekend and we want him very happy when the human child in the house comes near him when he's chewing or eating.
Practice and Train to Prevent Resource Guarding when they're young.
Biking with Bubs
Whenever I tell people I am biking with my dog, they get nervous - but it's easier than you think and it gives the dog the opportunity to move faster than I would be able to walk with him.
Bubs and I are starting slow - he has to build up to this activity, but so far, he's enjoying himself and doing well.
If you want to learn how to do this correctly and safely with your dog - reach out to me at [email protected].
And there's Milo passing by all the other dogs to get in his crate in the evening. Milo ONLY gets a kong in the crate, nowhere else, so this is a big deal to Milo. He loves going in!!
One of two videos of Milo going to his crate at night. Milo heads right for his crate, gets in there, and waits for his treat every night. He is one of several dogs I've had here over the years that love to go to their crates - training isn't hard - start young, be consistent, and make going in and staying in great!
This dog was figuring out all my pill delivery methods and refusing everything from food to cheese.... until Cheese Balls. He's been taking his meds consistently for almost two weeks now.
