Nova's FIRST introduction to a muzzle and first muzzle training session!
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Usually I encourage muzzle training to start in a controlled environment, like your home, to keep the dog relaxed and set them up for success. Nova's muzzle just arrived in the mail before our training outing, so I just had to give it a shot and, let me tell you, she ROCKED it! Y'all, we were near a busy road by a Lowe's parking lot and Nova didn't miss a beat! 😎
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Proper muzzle conditioning is so important. Nova's owners will be taking great care in continuing her muzzle journey to be sure she feels safe, comfortable and happy in her new muzzle. Slow and steady wins the race 🐢
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Nova is wearing a size 2 JAFCO clear vinyl muzzle with a treat hole. She is wearing a muzzle while in training because she is fearfully reactive and is a bite risk.
Pre-weekend vibes Cooper ☀️
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#cattledog #australiancattledog #dogtraining #petsitting #dogtrainersofinstagram #ccpdt #cpdtka #fearfreepets #domorewithyourdog
Stopped by Half Price Books today with Link and found a few of my favorite science-based dog training books on their shelves for great prices! These trainers and their books helped shape who I am as a trainer (and helped me pass my exam with flying colors 👩🏫). Finding credible sources for dog training and behavior is so important! Don't believe everything you see 👀
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#dogtraining #dogtrainersofinstagram #positivereinforcementtraining #fearfree #fearfreetraining #ccpdt #cpdtka #patriciamcconnell #karenpryor #jeandonaldson #barbarawoodhouse
Staying hydrated- Bodie's way 😌💦
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#greatdane #greatdanesofinstagram #greatdanelove #dogtraining #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogboarding #dogsitting #ccpdt #cpdtka #fearfree #fearfreepets
First Hand Targeting Lesson with Skye!
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A hand target behavior (usually paired with the cue "touch") is a very simple and versatile behavior. Hand targeting is simply asking your dog to touch their nose to the palm of your hand. You can use a hand target to refocus or check in with your dog for training purposes, to build confidence while at the vet, to teach them to close doors and other fun tricks, or, in Skye's case, to help her excel when practicing recall. Pretty cool!
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This is Skye's first lesson trying "touch" so she does not have a verbal cue yet. I'm simply allowing her to problem solve and get comfortable with the behavior, reinforcing her as we go. You should only add your cue once the behavior is preformed consistently and reliably. 🙂 I'm excited to see how this helps her when we start recall training in a couple weeks!
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(Keep in mind that she is already conditioned to the clicker, that is always step #1)
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I have plenty of other training videos and information in Instagram 👩🏫!
Instagram.com/caninequestky
Tatertot is fearfully reactive to strangers, dogs and other startling stimuli. We situated ourselves close to the walking trail to work on desensitization and counter conditioning by rewarding Tot for disengaging with stimuli without reacting while also focusing on building up her engagement with me. When we're working somewhere as exciting and interesting as the UK Arboretum, it's important to make her engagement with me more rewarding than the environment around her is, especially for Tot who can be a little hard to motivate. I keep my rate of reinforcement pretty high to reinforce her focus. She did an excellent job!
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There's one moment near the middle where we're caught off guard by a small dog approaching us and I start to lose Tatertot's focus as she hyperfixates, preparing to react at the dog. To set her up for success, I crouch down to her level to hold her attention better and rapidly reward (with teeny tiny bites of food) in return for her focus on me without a reaction. From there, I'm able to regain control and Tot remains relaxed and engaged. Again, this is what training a reactive dog should look like- boring, calm, quiet. 😇
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Excuse my poor camera set up skills, it's hard to when your hands are covered in dog slobber and treats 😂
🎶 When you're the best of friends... 🎶
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#ccpdt #cpdtka #fearfree #dogboarding #dogtraining #canecorso #domorewithyourdog
