When our dogs are traveling with us, it's of utmost importance that we keep them safe. Exiting a vehicle safely is critical. In this video, you will see how Skipper has been taught to exit.
What are some of the trained skills you observe? How many times do I say, "stay"?
Des Moines, Iowa!
Skipper fetches his leash in front of the State Capitol Building. Where is everybody? It's a gorgeous park, yet we are the only ones here.
Skippy continues to express his happiness about our long journey. We surpassed 3,000 miles yesterday!
Heading out! Destination: Des Moines, more or less (😅 if you speak French).
"Ogallala", not whatever I said.... 😅
Here's Skipper's travel setup. Sweet!
This. Dog. ❤️
After a day of driving and arriving in a new, strange place at night (Ogallala, NE), this is how Skipper behaves when he is let out of "Minnow," our minivan. This is typical Skipper. He's remarkable. Truly.
What behaviors do you see? What does his body language express? Do you notice any default skills (trained skills, not cued by me)?
In Virginia!
We were lucky to find this short trail where we were able to let Skipper off leash yesterday. As always, I wanted to warm up his recall skills and get him some exercise after being cooped up in his crate for hours.
Drew and I practiced calling him back and forth on the trail, and each time he got to us, he enjoyed a lengthy (5 second or more) party in his honor in the form of many treats delivered, one at a time.
Good boy!
He's a superb traveler, this one. Very grateful!
Boulder, Colorado, here we come!!!
The 3 Logans (Diana, Drew and The Skipper, too) just embarked on a road trip to Boulder where we'll be attending a reunion of The Antarctican Society. We figured we'd drive - why not?? We have 8 days to get there, which will allow some sightseeing along the way. We're planning to do a more southern route on the way and northern on the way back.
This will be my first big road trip but Skipper's second and Drew's third. We are so happy to have finally departed!
Guest dog Izzy tests out the Puppy Power Hour setup to be sure it's ready for puppies! This dynamo doodle doesn't know the meaning of "take it slow!"
Everything has been carefully and intentionally constructed and configured to help build resilience, confidence and body awareness in young puppies - safely.
Socialization is waaay more than playing with other dogs and meeting people.
Puppy Power Hour is the best "puppy playgroup" around!
PUPPY POWER HOUR!
Every Sunday, 10:30 and noon at the PupStart campus in North Yarmouth. Multiple indoor and outdoor spaces mean that pups can be separated into small, appropriately-matched groups.
It's not just about play! In fact, the focus of Puppy Power Hour is careful socialization to novel objects, surfaces, sounds and experiences. Pups learn about their bodies, gain confidence, build resilience, and more. It's all packaged into fun and games: the best way to socialize!
Puppies up to 6 months and 40 lbs are welcome!
Brule wears a metal helmet!
Share pics and vids of your homemade, creative food puzzles!
Brulé is a guest dog very familiar with having to figure out how to access his kibble. This is what I came up with for a breakfast one day.
I love to watch dogs apply problem-solving and physical skills as they experiment with different ways to solve problems.
Vid 2.2x normal speed... (he's fast, but not that fast!)
Extra credit: why do you think Brulé was tethered?
Puppy Essentials Class!
Team "Wild Girl" NAILS it. Yes, "Wild Girl" is her name. This wee Dachshund and her VERY TALL human excelled at all the exercises tonight. What fun classes! Lots of learning through fun and games.
Note the private space provided for each team so pups can be off-leash. It's important to ensure pups feel safe and distractions are kept to a minimum. As skills start to take hold, we gradually "unveil."
Good work, everybody!
Happy Halloween!!
I had the perfect storm of inspirational ingredients:
1) Izzy, a 15 lb visiting adult dog who loves to model
2) a closet full of puppy Halloween costumes (e.g., many her size)
3) my little "photo studio" was still set up
4) joy of working with dogs in a collaborative way
I recently had a conversation with a dog owner who expressed her disdain for dressing dogs up, saying it's not right to "humanize" them [def: "give (something) a human character."]* Long ago I would have agreed, but I have been converted.
Anything we put on our dogs could be considered a costume.
Important questions to ask if you are unsure:
1) Is the dog a happy participant in the process? An emphatic "yes!" here, even with occasional wardrobe malfunctions.
2) Is anyone being harmed? "heck no!"
3) Is it fun for everyone? "YES!!" Hopefully for viewers, too. Izzy's owner is ecstatic.
*Did you know that many breeds with flat faces and short muzzles (brachycephalic) were selectively bred to look more human? The size and placement of their "large, doting" eyes makes them attractive to many people. Unfortunately, this version of humanizing dogs comes with many serious health issues.
But I digress...
Bottom line: have fun with your dog!
Enjoy!
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#pupstart #halloweendog #dogsincostume #happydog #positivereinforcement
I can't believe it's been 6 months since our fabulous trip to NYC. I had carefully prepared Skipper for the experience and it was fun to see how amazing he was in so many new situations. Awesome dog!
Puppy Power Hour is about building confidence, resilience and skills in young puppies.
Rule #1: start with JOY and a strong sense of safety.
Then...
Make it easy for the puppy to figure it out.
The first impression MUST be positive.
Reward generously, like REALLY generously. Get him hooked!
It's noisy
It bounces and rattles
It's up high
It moves
It's slippery
Here's Juniper the Mini Aussie working one of the Puppy Power Hour games. There was a mat covering the "bridge" in the beginning, but we were able to graduate this athletic pup to a higher level of difficulty very quickly.
When we raise young puppies, we HAVE to intentionally, strategically, carefully set up experiences to help them learn how to adapt, to expect the unexpected, but to always feel safe.
Good work, Juniper! You are clearly ready for bigger challenges!
"Captain" Gumbo went boating at Puppy Power Hour!
Careful socialization to novel experiences like this helps build confidence, joy and resilience in our puppies. The most important thing we can do for them is help them feel safe in whatever environments they find themselves in. First impressions are powerful: make sure they are good ones! Be intentional.
If you have a puppy under 6 months and 40lb, join us for a Sunday Puppy Power Hour! It's a veritable puppy amusement park!
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#puppiesofmaine #puppyboating #positivefirstimpressions #positivereinforcement #puppypowerhour #pupstart
Station Break at PupStart!
Is one of these pups yours?
A fun flashback to a puppy station break at my dayschool for puppies (2014-22). Puppies learned SO MUCH while they were with us. Just look at them!
#puppycrate #dogtrainer #pupstart #puppiesofmaine #cpdtkacertified #dogtrainersofinstagram #certifiedprofessionaldogtrainer #puppydayschool #puppiesofinstagram #skillbuilding
