Ella & Rusty have been in my Fast Pass to Success program and they and their mom have learned so much over just a short 3 weeks, with only 1 week left!
We have been building the foundation for
- polite greeting at the door (not jumping)
- baby gate manners ( not jumping over)
- loose leash walking
- settling in their respective beds
- taking turns getting loved on by mom
- learning how to be calm when things are happening outside
Progress can happen with dedication and effort put in by the human and the Ella & Rusty team are proof of just that!
#standardpoodle #goldendoodle #positivereinforcement #rewardyourdog #forcefreedogtraining #dogtraining #basicmanners #looseleashwalking #choosecalm #politegreeting #dogtrainerofrockwall #inquiringnosesrockwall
Enrichment doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Take things you already have in your house or go through your recycling bin. There are plenty of ways you can fulfill your dog's needs without going into debt.
A flirt pole is basically a giant cat toy for dogs!
Benefits of a flirt pole:
✔Can help with teaching impulse control around moving objects
✔Safe way for kids & dogs to play together
✔Provides physical and mental exercise
✔Gives an outlet to chase and grab a moving object
✔Super fun for dogs and humans!
Think your dog would enjoy this toy? Click this link to purchase!
https://amzn.to/3AljUMR
#amazonafiliate #flirtpoles #canineenrichment #inquiringnosesllc #dogtrainerofrockwall
Spud ASMR
Spud ASMR anyone? 😂
#dogasmr #nummynoises #grossdognoises #lickimat #inquiringnosesllc #dogtrainerofrockwall
This is a common misconception. A happy, friendly dog is loose and wiggly, while a nervous dog is more stiff. The more you learn how to read your dog's body language, the better you can advocate for them!
#dogbodylanguage #waggingtail #mythbusted #inquiringnosellc #dogtrainerofrockwall
Quick tip to keep your dog out of the kitchen while you're cooking: reward them where you want them to be!
Personally, I don't mind my dogs being in the kitchen. They don't counter-surf and don't get in the way, however I know there are many dog parents out there who don't have the same luck I have!
Step one: Use management to prevent your dog from entering the kitchen. This can include baby gates, play pen, or crate. You can also tether your pup to a person or heavy piece of furniture.
Step two: Figure out where you want your dog to hang out. This can be a spot on the couch, their bed, crate, or playpen. Having a specific place that your dog can easily discern from other places is helpful.
Step three: Practice reinforcing your dog for hanging out in their place when you don't actually need them to be there. This will help create a strong reinforcement history and make it easy for them to succeed when the real need happens.
Step four: Practice reinforcing your dog for hanging out in their place while you're putting together a snack that holds very low to no value to your dog. You can also do a mock prep session where you're just in the kitchen but not actually making anything. Frequently walk over to your dog and place a piece of food on the floor between their front paws.
Step five: Keep management in place for those bigger, more exciting meals but continue to walk over frequently to place a piece of food on the floor between their front paws.
Step six: Remove management as your dog starts to choose to be in their place. Continue frequent reinforcement! Over time you'll be able to decrease the amount of rewards but you always want to be very generous in the beginning.
The reward you use can be a medium or high-value dog treat, or a little something from what you're making, as long as it's dog friendly. If you continuously reward your dog for being where you want them to be, they will start to choose that spot over being in the kitchen.
Teaching your dog to
We got Charlie some buttons that will help build his communication skills. I started off simple with one button to ask for food. As expected, he caught on quickly! I haven't decided what I want the other 3 buttons to say but I'll post when I do.
Charlie also got bully sticks from his grandma & grandpa! We actually didn't know what it was at first but I know that Charlie is more gentle when ripping things open. As soon as he realized what was wrapped inside, he went upstairs to his spot where he always chews bully sticks!
Spud got some bully sticks from his grandma & grandpa! Knowing how he would probably try to eat the packaging or grab more than one out of the package, I opened his present first, took out one bull stick, and wrapped it again.
We bought him a hoodie to wear at night because he gets cold.. It hasn't arrived yet but I'll definitely post a picture once it does!
Dogs jumping up on people is one of the most common complaints I hear from dog parents. I understand! It's frustrating, chaotic, and even potentially dangerous, even unintentionally.
What do you do? The very first step to any training is preventing the unwanted behavior by managing the environment. Your dog can't jump on you if you have a baby gate around the door, or if they are briefly put outside or in another room. Management is crucial because, like any behavior, practice makes perfect.
Now how do you want them to greet people? Stand? Sit? Grab a toy? Go to their place? All are possible but I like to keep it simple with just a stand. Make it easy for your dog by practicing with the people who already live in the home.
🟩Start by remaining calm and kind of nonchalant and just drop some treats in front of you before your dog is able to get close enough to jump. Keep dropping food as they finish the first round. You'll want to repeat this several times. Only when your dog is calm can you greet them. Make sure to do this every time you enter through the door. You'll begin to notice your dog pausing in anticipation for those treats.
🟩Jumping on guests is a bit more challenging simply because the guests must follow your instructions to a T. In this case, your guests are dropping the treats so make sure you provide them with more than enough high value treats! Have your guest remain behind the baby gate and continuously drop food on the other side. If your dog is in another room, allow your guest to come in and sit down before letting your dog out. Your guest will do the same method as the dog approaches. Your guest should only calmly greet your dog when they are calm.
Pro tip: If your dog doesn't need to know the new person in your home, such as a repair person, just keep your dog in a separate area altogether, or on a leash attached and engaged with you. Better yet, take them out for a walk if there is someone else home to handle whatever business.
Pro t
One of the easiest (and free) ways you can provide your dog enrichment is just tossing food into the grass.
✔️ Sniffing lowers the heart rate making it perfect for reducing stress and anxiety
✔️ Activates the seeking system, which is driven by dopamine, which enables learning, motivation, and pleasure
✔️ Encourages slower eating
Beginner tips:
👉 Start with some extra stinky food to help motivate your dog to sniff the ground.
👉 Start in a smaller area so the food isn't too scattered.
👉 Start off in short grass to make it easier for your pup to find.
As your dog gets really good at finding the food, you can start to use their regular kibble, expand the area, and increase difficulty in longer grass.
#sniffing #foraging #seekingsystem #dogenrichment #inquiringnosesllc #dogtrainerofrockwall
The chin rest is such a simple behavior that has so many uses!
To teach chin rest in your hand, simply present your hand, palm up, under your dog's chin. When they make contact with your hand, click or "yes" and give them a piece of food. After a few successful repetitions, you can add in the cue "chin" right before they perform the behavior. Add duration by marking and rewarding every few seconds, then add distractions, such as moving your hand slowly toward the side of their face.
Would you like your dog to learn how to be cooperative at the vet and groomer? Schedule a FREE Virtual Discovery Call to get started.
www.inquiringnosesrockwall.com
#dogchinrest #coopertivecare #fearfree #inquiringnosesllc #dogtrainerofrockwall
Does your dog dart out the door as soon as it's open?
This behavior is potentially dangerous. Sure, sometimes your dog might come back to you, but what if they don't? What if there is a squirrel across the street and an oncoming car?
What about when you're getting ready to walk your dog? They are dressed and ready to go and the moment you open the door, they are dragging you down the street, barely giving you time to close the door behind you.
#shoutoutwednesday to Jude who has learned to wait patiently while the door opens so she could walk outside WITH her mom, which has given them the ability to have more enjoyable walks from the start.
If your dog darts out the door, I can help! Schedule a FREE Virtual Discovery Call with me today to discuss your dog's behaviors and your goals.
https://bit.ly/3HZfu1o
www.inquiringnosesrockwall.com
#greatdane #doordashing #positivereinforcement #premackprinciple #inquiringnosesllc #dogtrainerofrockwall
Birthday boy gets to lick the whisk!
Cody Leash Manners clip
#wednesdayshoutout Cody has been learning how to walk on a loose leash as part of my Leash Manners package and he's nailing it!
We started off inside the house with no equipment to establish the base behavior of walking with me at my side. We added in his Blue-9 Pet Products Balance harness before moving on to the backyard. By week 3 (current week), we were able to transition to the side of the house and limited front yard.
By starting off inside and working our way outside to the real world, Cody is set up for success each step of the way. Soon enough he'll be walking like a good boy around the neighborhood!
Someone likes the snow all of a sudden! By giving him choice (and cheese) he braved his way out and ended up loving it!
#snowdog #giveyourdogachoice #cheesycharlie #dogtrainerofrockwall #inquiringnosesdogtrainingllc
Pill time does not have to be a struggle. Charlie and I have created a game of catch out of it and I can help you do the same with your dogs!
I have a Fear Free certification which means I can help your dog feel better about scary situations that happen at the vet & groomer, whether it's nail trims, getting vaccinated, or at home care.
Have questions? Let's chat! https://pocketsuite.io/chat/inquiringnosesllc
#cooperativecare #positivedogtraining #fearfreepets #dogtrainerofrockwall #inquiringnosesdogtrainingllc
Playing tug with your dog has so many benefits! Walter is learning to "drop it" and had so much fun in the process!
🐾 provides mental and physical exercise
🐾 promotes a wonderful bond between human and dog
🐾 teaches dog to drop things willingly
🐾 teaches bite inhibition
🐾 teaches impulse control
🐾 satisfies natural instincts
🐾 builds a dogs confidence (let him win!)
What playing tug does NOT do is create aggression.
#trainwithoutpain #learningshouldbefun #playtug #positivedogtraining #rockwalldogtrainer #inquiringnosesdogtrainingllc
