We wish we did, we swear but when it comes to dog training the things that work (a lil bit) of magic are
✨consistency
✨clarity
✨confidence
Consistency of patterns, expectations, & language
Clarity of your communication & understanding
Confidence in yourself and your dog 😉
You and your dog have patterns to create (or change) and those patterns take repetition to recognize & learn.
So no matter where you are on your training journey, stay consistent, create clarity, & build you and your dogs confidence - and, if you need help to create some 🪄✨ or your own, reach out ✌️
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #montcopa #dogtraininghumancoaching #berkscounty #dogtraining #
This weekend has really gone to the labs!
Chance our training foster
Saylor & Luna are here for a graduate sleepover
and Augie is here for a weekend warrior training stay
Yes we've got a couple other non-lab kids here too but this video was too good to pass up 😉
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #boardandtrain #labradors #blacklab #silverlab #dogfriends
It was an out and about kinda day at TDS 😉
Our day camp kids took a trip to lowe's to work on their leash skills in public, neutrality to people & dogs, and confidence building in a new space.
AND
Indie (who's in our Puppy Glow Up Program) took a trainer field trip to tractor supply. This little girl worked on remembering that a human is on the other end of the leash, played some tug in a scary aisle, and politely greeted some shoppers.
We love love love training in you and your dogs comfort zone BUTTTTTT we're also going to push you to try training in new (pet friendly) places.
You can do hard things, and your dog can too! Doing hard things together builds your communication and, simultaneously, your bond - so get out there and try it 😉 and, if you need someone to coach you through it, reach out, we'd love to help ✌️
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #montcopa #phillyburbs #dogtraininghumancoaching
Just a quick snippet of a 1-on-1 lesson with a family working on their dogs over the top reactions at the sight of other dogs.
Clark here lives in a complex with TONS of other dogs, which is making walks less than enjoyable for everyone. Usually the sight of other dogs results in barking, whining, leash biting and lunging towards them.
Tonight we started to reinforce a new pattern for when he sees dogs:
See a dog = look to my humans to get paid 💰
Initially we cued Clark (saying his name or "catch") to get him to turn to us, but within the session he started to look to us all on his own (yay!)
A couple things to note:
👉 we're working at a significant distance away
👉 our leash is short but slack
👉 we're giving him 3-5 seconds before cueing him
👉 we're tossing treats to him or on the ground
all of these minor details lend themselves to long term success! Want to see more videos form later in this session? Check out our stories 😉
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #phillyburbs
Drop it (or "out") can be a super conflicting command for dogs.... 😱
Imagine having the coolest/yummiest treat you've ever had annnnnnd your friend/parent tells you to give it to them immediately & then you never get it back! You'd probably have a moment of
"mmmmmm I don't wannnnnaaaa"
So, using play, & inviting our dogs back to the fun item, creates a new expectation around the command - if I drop it, I may get to immediately get to play with it again!
Andddd the more that becomes the expectation the more money in the bank we have to rely on that positive thought when it's something we won't be giving back (hello trash on the sidewalk)
This is an easy way to change our dog from a pessimist to an optimist about everyday interactions!
You can see in this video that the second Chance gives up possession of the ball, we immediately say yes and start the game again (tossing or swinging the ball)! The more we practice this immediate "yes" the faster he'll give up possession so we can start playing again 😉
Want help teaching a drop it, or using play for training? Reach out, we'd love to help ✌️
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #montcopa #dogtraining #phillyburbs
Making the Christmakuh special for our holiday guests ❤️
Wishing you and yours a happy holiday from our 4-legged family to yours 🕎🎄🎁❤️🖤💚
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #phillyburbs
Life with our dogs can be isolating, overwhelming and down right lonely - especially when we've got some behavioral issues going on 🙈
BUT
A supportive community whether it's friends, family or like minded strangers can make all the difference in the 🌎
The "right" trainer can coach you but the right community can cheer you on, support your wins and womps, and be an ear to vent to as well.
The right community won't judge your choices but will be honest, helpful, supportive and encourage you to do MORE together.
So find your people, they're out there, we promise!
AND
if you're local to the Philly burbs, you're always welcome with us ❤️
@tridog.solutions
@yourbestfriendthedogtrainer
@handlersandhumans
@complexcaninecommunity
@greydogalliance
@dunmorebarks
@thecaninecowgirl
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #communityovercompetition #packwalk #dogfriends #dogowner #reactivedog #phillyburbs #dogtraining #montcopa #dogtraininghumancoaching #berkscounty #dogmom #puppytrainer #dogowner #mentalhealth #gooddog #baddog
Play cannot (truly) exist without a GOAL (and rules) between peers 😉
but when it comes to playing with our dogs, we often don't think about the goal and most of the time we don't think of the DOG's goal either 🤔
So in this video you can see mom & Jupiter playing chase, tug, and keep away - the goal in ALL of these games it POSSESSION of the toy. It's a competition & Jupe needed to BELIEVE his mom wanted (and could) take the toy from him.
This game took 30+ minutes for them to establish their goals, come to a mutual understanding of the rules & for him to truly believe mom was going to take the toy from him.
30 minutes is a longggggg time but it will get faster next time now that the rules of engagement have been established.
Why do we care? Wellllll play builds:
- communication
- confidence
- understanding
- resilience
- focus
AND is inherently intrinsically motivating (in a way that food often is not)
Don't we all want a confident, focused, resilient partner? Then using play is one of the fastest ways to do so 😉
So keep your eyes peeled for more videos on how to use play to build all of these skills in your dog BUT
remember to ask yourself what your goal in each game is and try to gauge what your dogs goal is and find a way to meet in the middle ❤️
#tridogsolutions #dogtraining #playistheway #dogtrainer #humancoaching #vizsla #dogplay #tugofwar #fetch #dogmom #dogowner #happydog #confidentdog #dogstagram #dogsofphilly #phillydog #conshy #kingofprussia #phoenixville #playwithyourdog #montcopa #berkscounty #boyertown #pottstown #royersford
Enrichment doesn't have to be pricey or hard work - sometimes it can be as easy as a novel food item.
Broccoli stems are a household favorite here.
Healthy table scraps (when not fed directly from the table) can be a great way to add "newness" to your dog's day.
Other favorites to try:
👉 Frozen whole carrots or celery
👉 Chicken/Beef scraps (make sure seasonings are dog safe)
👉 A dollop of cottage cheese or greek yogurt
👉 Sprinkling or cheese
👉 A bit of canned pumpkin or sweet potato
👉 Frozen bagged veggies
Treats should never make up more than 10% of your dog's diet.
You can make new foods even more enriching my hiding them, tossing them in the grass to be hunted for, frozen in/on a toy, or freezing them solid to make a great chew toy (appropriate sized only).
Which of these snacks have you tried? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #montcopa #phillyburbs #dogenrichment
It's never too early to teach polite leash walking!
We're not talking about a formal heel, we want to set our dogs up for loose leash walks!
Teaching loose leash skills come in multiple parts:
1️⃣Rewarding our dogs for where we want them to be (near our side)
2️⃣How to respond to leash pressure (when they inevitably feel it)
3️⃣Rewarding our dog for staying tuned in to us (even with distractions around)
So here's a quick exercise that takes care of 2&3!
Stand like a tree - when your dog turns to you- say GOOD & offer a reward (don't bring the treat to your dog make them come to you to get it).
Start with baby steps! Minimal distractions and a fair bit of distance from something interesting.
As your dog gets quicker to turn to you, start to wait for them to STAY near you to reward. We don't want this to turn into: I run to the end of the leash, turn around & then get a treat.
We want to reward STAYING with us instead.
If your dog gets stuck staring at something give them 3 seconds then call their name as you slowly step backwards away from them.
Your dog should take less and less time to turn towards you as you practice.
This exercise paired with others can create clarity for our dogs about how we want walks to go.
Want help with loose leash walking? Reach out, we'd love to help ✌️
#tridogsolutions #dogtrainer #dogtraining #humancoaching #puppytraining #puppytrainer #dogwalk
Morning hikes with foster Remi
Remi the foster goes on a walk 🐕🚶♀️
This lady is a bit nervous, a bit vigilant and a bit reactive when she sees people - so watch how we build trust in the handler by giving her the space to process on her own and guiding her (with the leash and our body) past some strangers.
This girl is not (yet) interested in food/treats so I didn't try using them in the moment 😉
We're still building trust and confidence but this was a great first outing!
Have questions about how to apply these techniques with your own dog? Reach out, we'd love to help ✌️
#tridogsolutions #dogtraining #miniaussie #leashtraining #reactivedog #dogtrainer #montcopa
In-Home Dog Trainer who believes coaching humans is just as important as training dogs.
