Gentle Touch Dog Training

12/18/2024

What class should you attend with your dog or pup first?

That's a good question. It depends on you and your dog/pup. 1. You want it to be a good experience. Slightly challenging, not overly stressful. 2. You want it to build upon your relationship.

So: do you have a good relationship? Is your dog afraid of: car rides, other dogs, people? Are they used to wearing a collar or harness? Do they have their vaccinations?

If there are many fears, then getting those resolved or at least significantly less is a great goal. In classes we will continue to desensitize fears, but if getting to class is too traumatic...it's lots harder to learn. So think about car rides and how to make them a good thing.

STAR PUPPY is a beginning level class, so is the Novice Trick class. STAR PUPPY is likely to have younger pups. And since most of the time in these initial classes I haven't met the people or pups beforehand I can't tell if the class will be barky-noisy or not. All my classes are small, so that makes them more personal and less likely to be too overwhelming for any pup/dog. And I am very aware of dog body language, so every effort will be made to make it a good experience for you and your pup.

Looking forward to seeing you at class.

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12/18/2024

Any game you've taught past dogs? Tell me about it!

Recently I remembered a "tiger-proof" red ball we got years and years ago. Apparently not over-advertized it has some small scratch marks from prior Airedales, otherwise the same as new. Jazzie, my heeler, really liked pushing it (herding) at high speed, as did Reggie the Jack Russell. Mostly the Airedales, after deciding it was un-bite-able lost interest. But it's traveled with us from prior locations, and I pulled it out to see who might enjoy pushing it around... Token, Standard Poodle is pretty good at it. Glory, the Airedale...as all the others, pushes, then attempts to get some teeth into it to no avail, then pushes it around some more, especially if I'm competing to kick it. Next up will be the goalie zone!

12/17/2024

Are you wondering what is included in the Trick Training class (starting 6 sessions Wed. Jan. 22nd for only $120)?
It's a Novice level class and there are 21 tricks listed plus 2 handlers choice options.

Including: balance beam, speak, crawl, fetch it (ball), find it, get your ____ , get in (box), sit in (box), get on (step/platform), hand signal (sit, down or come), High five, Hold item (3 seconds), Jump (hoop or over bar), kennel up (go in/stay in crate), kiss (cheek or back of hand), 2 paws up (on low stool), push ups (sit/down/sit/down/sit/down), Shake hands, Spin, Touch it, Tunnel.

All of them will be introduced during the class sessions and by the end of the class we will aim to have you and your dog be able to do at least 10 of these well. Because its a novice class, handler's may use a food/toy lure if needed for the final 10 title/graduation.

12/14/2024

Yearly reminder: It's the time for evaluation and writing goals. Just like ourselves, our dogs are happier if they are learning new things (the positive reinforcement way) are staying fit and spending time productively. And the learning and fitness can be about anything you both are interested in, because if you're going to spend time, it should be fun!!

So what goals do you want to achieve, that your dog can enjoy being part of? Looking back, what 3 wins happened in the last 3 months...year?

What kind of routine have you set up to make accomplishments more likely?

If (barrier/obstacle), then (I will do what?) there are always going to be barriers ...consistency is better than perfection!🐕

12/12/2024

🍀4-H Rabies 🐕🐈clinic, Saturday, Jan 11th in Lublin, WI from ⏰ 8:30-10:30am. $10.

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12/12/2024

Here's a video of AKC's Trick Dog Contest winner -->

Having trouble deciding who to vote for this year? Worry no more! Chloe is here to earn your vote so she can be the next President of the United States! Less...

12/11/2024

2025 Dog Training Class January Schedule 📅
🐶***STAR PUPPY classes start Tuesdays, Jan14th ---younger pups at 6-7pm, older at 7:30-8:30pm.
🐕‍🦺***AKC CGC prep & test start Saturdays 1-2pm for 8 weeks. $200
🪅***Trick Training for Novice level title or just fun starts: Jan 22nd Wednesdays for 6 sessions at 6-7pm for $120.

Message or call 715-748-4248 to sign up and reserve your spot. Class sizes are small and often fill rapidly.

12/07/2024

On Dec. 4th my best boy, Siggy, died of lymphoma. I have had a lot of well-loved pets in my life, but his loss has deeply saddened me. He was only 9 years old, he was the picture of health and then he wasn't. He was such a happy dog, and he remained that way. He liked to make me laugh, and once I knew he was dying, his efforts to make me laugh made me cry. His favorite jokes included: ducking through my legs, bunting me with his head and bouncing his butt vigorously when I laughed and petted it. He continued to try to do this until he was too weak, and could only push into my legs with his head. He would retrieve the ball, act like he was going to give it to me, duck through my legs and turn around to come back through them, and give me a smiling side-eye. Me being sad, made him worried, so I tried very hard not to grieve in his presence. Awe Siggy, I do miss you. I wanted to take the time to tell you, my followers and friends (others who are also experiencing the loss of a beloved pet) --- our feelings (yours and mine) are valid. Talk to others who knew your pet and tell stories, create rituals, memorials and/or join a group of like-minded pet people. Don't let people, who don't understand, disinfranchise your grief ... he wasn't "just" a dog. It will take, as long as it takes. On the morning he died, he was lying flat on his side on his bed, he wagged his tail, which drew my attention. Then a few moments later his legs were running, pause and another cycle of running. And that was it. It took me a little while to realize he was no longer breathing. At least, at the end he was running toward something. And now I'm crying again. Here's a YouTube from a grief counselor that might be helpful. https://youtu.be/nQyOoQthn2U?si=lwzprtNvmT2FzEb3

12/06/2024

Gigi thank you for the lovely handmade Christmas card. I'm so glad that my posts have continued to be helpful for you and Noni.

11/16/2024

What game are you playing with your dog?

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11/09/2024

Daily reminder: "What is REWARDED is REPEATED." However it is the recipient of the 'supposed' reward who judges If It WAS a reward, and WHAT exactly it rewarded. So the actions that follow are the giver-of-rewards feedback loop.

This concept is true for all interactions: human to human, human to animal, animal to human. Example 1: People often think they are rewarding with pats to a dog's head, but quite a few dogs don't like that ... so instead of a reward they are punishing...and less of whatever behavior that was liked by the person will be offered by the dog. Some people habitually pat their dog and ignore the dog's body language afterwards, and then wonder why training is so difficult.
Example 2: Person or dog did something that you liked a lot, followed by something that you didn't, but you rewarded them for the liked item. Sooo what will you get more of? With the dog, you will get more of the disliked behavior (timing & placement of rewards matters), with the person...it could go either way because of our common language, but probably more of both. (Timing and placement of rewards continues to matter in order to create clarity).

11/01/2024

Daily reminder: Can you teach your dog to walk on a loose lead and also teach them to pull? Sure! Clarity is the way. And making it clear when loose leash is the wanted versus when pulling is what you want is critical to having this work well. How? Clear cues: Words (like Heel vs Mush) or signals (like patting your leg & hand target or putting on a pulling harness...or other equipment).

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11/01/2024

Here's the video from Tuesday night :) Hope you enjoy it.

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10/30/2024

Congrats to last night's class of handlers and pups! New S.T.A.R. Puppies!!! Bonsai, Franki and Nova.

10/25/2024

Daily reminder: Ditch de-bunked dominance as a explanation for your dog's behavior(s). Instead - be a good pup-parent and teach desirable behavior (rather than focusing on stopping unwanted behaviors). Why? because upping the who's more dominant ante, doesn't help build a better relationship. But play time does. Anyway, didn't you want to have fun with your dog? So have fun and teach things at the same time.

10/22/2024

Daily reminder: dog bites don't 'come out of the blue'. Dog body language showing signs of worry/stress and growing upset...starting from the least: brow furrowing, ears back, yawning, moving away, tail tucked, lip licking, whale eye, cowering, raised hackles, hard stare, stiffening up, GROWL, TEETH BARING, AIR-SNAP, SNAP --->BITE!

Noticing the early indicators can help you understand your dog and resolve their fears or avoid triggering strong emotions like anger.

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