ROOT Dog Training

01/27/2025

This little 14 week old baby arrived this weekend and has been totally vetted. Niles is now ready to go to a foster/adopter. If interested applications are available online at www.chicagolandlabrescue.org. Thanks

01/27/2025

"Yeah....I tried training, it didn't work"❗
"She does what I don't want and wants a treat"❗
It is so easy to fall into a loop ➰and a bit trickier getting out of it.
If you are frustrated and nothing seems to be working.....Have you (inadvertently) caused a pattern of unwanted behaviour.
No judgement, it happens to everyone.
Break down what you want into smaller chunks.
Reward those wins.....but be VERY clear with your timing.
Smaller and more frequent sessions are far easier for everyone than longer sessions where those mixed messages can creep in again.
This dog training graphic and many other dog training handouts are available from
https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-avoiding-loops-of-unwanted-behaviour?srsltid=AfmBOoog0XFwdbZtiPRp0INl4s15shfWYrZ17xLjMCqk79awK0vgqG3m

01/23/2025

01/22/2025

Can you REALLY help a dog to relax ❓
Absolutely ✅
There are a few ways we can do this...but number one is by following the golden rule 🙌What is rewarded is repeated🙌.
Teach them place/mat work.
Teach them HOW to settle.
Start using enrichment and for some dogs lessening the ball and frisbee.
If you have an over stimulated/hyper dog there are lots of ways to help.
Two videos will be in the comments.
One is specifically on how to calm hyper dogs, the other is a relatively new one on mat/place work.
If you are struggling with this... you are NOT alone.

This dog training handout is available through https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-how-to-increase-calm?srsltid=AfmBOooInSBw9XxTMPgWj-D5DJnECqLJhmnmWXlb9flSBkLulArlgytm

01/22/2025

NOVA - Available for Adoption!

Fast Facts
* Age: Puppy (DOB: 5/22/24)
* S*x: Female
* Energy: Medium-High
* Weight: 30 pounds
* Good with kids? Yes
* Good with cats? Yes
* Playful
* Sweet
* Mischievous
* Good with other dogs
* Almost housetrained
* Comfortable in restricted area

Bio:
Like a supernova in the night sky, I shine brightly! The difference is I won’t fade – I will be your personal bright star if you’ll have me! I’m also a bit of a social butterfly. I love to play – with other dogs, humans of all ages and even cats.

As you’ll note from my photos, I’m rather petite for a 7-month-old golden. Initially I had trouble gaining weight. Testing revealed no reason for that, and my vet recommended special food that’s easier to digest. Once I started that, did I grow! My previous owner gave me up because I was born with an ectopic ureter, which causes me to leak urine. I’ve had surgery for that and have improved about 80 percent.

One of my favorite things to do is run and wrestle with the other young golden in my foster home. Once we’ve tired ourselves out, we collapse in a heap of golden fur and snuggle together during our naps. I also love meeting people and will jump on them so that they know that! My foster parents are working on curbing this behavior; even so, foster mom says I melt the hearts of everyone who meets me and that I’ll make someone a wonderful companion.

Will that be you? Do you need your own super Nova to light the way?

Adoption fee: $200

Medical concerns: Nova had surgery for an ectopic ureter and still has some urine leakage. She could still leak urine and have increased chances for urinary tract infections. She doesn’t leak when she is going about her day but will leak a little when she is resting. She takes a medication called Proin to help. She is pretty dry overall and hasn’t needed to wear diapers. However, should she need them in the future, they make the cutest washable doggie diapers that can be purchased on Amazon or Chewy. She will need to be spayed when she’s more mature; AGaG will pay for the procedure if done at one of our partner vet clinics or reimburse adopters up to $450 if they opt to have their vet do the surgery. Nova came to us extremely small; only 10 pounds at 3 months old and had trouble growing. Our vets did tests to determine the cause but couldn’t find one. However, they started her on hydrolyzed Royal Canin puppy food and cooked ground turkey, and she is now thriving and gaining weight. She may need to be on specialized food for life.

Requirements: Fenced yard (she bolts out any open door); needs someone home most of the day; positive reinforcement training.

To learn about our adoption process, click here: https://www.asgoodasgold.org/adopt-a-golden-retriever/

OR

Contact us: [email protected]

01/22/2025

01/22/2025

"Awwww they're having SUCH a good time"✅
Nope, only one dog is.❌

Play is one of the MOST misread of all dog to dog interactions.
ALL dogs have their unique play style.
The difficulties with this though, is we may not recognise when another dog is "playing" inappropriately...simply because it can be completely different to our dogs play style.
We may know our own dogs play style and ways they may show they need a break, are frustrated, tired...or are indeed having a great time.
Do we really have an understanding of the other dog?

This dog training handout (and many more) are available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-playing-or-pushy?srsltid=AfmBOordk0WFsSjaHQK0bMGbKxTbuAhzehRWOeNgXFYfoC-ERjB37aNG

01/21/2025

Whoa there ❗
All of this is habit forming (for you and your dog).
How should dogs actually meet each other ?
Are they dragging you towards another dog? Are they staring, panting and digging in to drag you closer and closer.....finally getting there and something suddenly changes 💥
Let's take that tension off the lead.
There will be some videos in the comments which can help.
Number one.
Lower the excitement before the walk even begins !
Number two.
Look at a better way for dogs to meet each other !

This dog training handout is available https://www.abcdogsnz.com/product-page/abc-dogs-nz-remove-the-tension-to-remove-the-tension?srsltid=AfmBOoqw2gitjxroSoyFC6S99o2G-64oBgtifLO_BOv4blFSLQ-7azXW

01/19/2025

Why is this the FIRST thing we teach dogs and puppies❓
More focus✅
Listening improves✅
Your bond together improves!
If you have never added in eye work you may be quite shocked at how useful it can be and just where and when it works....BUT... it does need practiced first.
We have put a brand new video up about this and the details will be in the comments.
Well worth it if you want to see exactly how to do this.
This dog training handout is available through abcdogsnz.com

01/18/2025

Levi is beautiful 2 1/2 neutered male goldendoodle he would be best as the only pet. He is housebroken. he is good with older children. He barks to go out. He would enjoy a more active family. Hoping to be adopted soon. He is at the TLC animal shoulder Homer Glen IL

01/17/2025

Oakley - AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!

FAST FACTS
* Age: 2 years
* S*x: Female
* Energy: Low-medium
* Weight: 55 pounds
* Good with kids? Best in a home without kids because she will push aside people and dogs to get to “her” person.
* Good with cats? Unknown

Description: If your idea of the perfect golden is one who loves to cuddle and follow you around, Oakley is the girl for you. Her foster mom says Oakley is a sweet and affectionate girl who thrives on being with her person. She definitely prefers people to dogs and should be an only dog in her forever home because she guards toys and food with other dogs (she willingly trades coveted items for treats with people). Oakley does have mild mobility issues due to a broken leg that was not treated and healed incorrectly. Read more about Oakley on our website here.

Requirements: Needs to be only dog, fenced yard, someone home most of the day and a quieter home.

Adoption fee: $550

Ready for adoption after Jan. 31, when she will be spayed.

To learn about our adoption process, go here: https://www.asgoodasgold.org/adopt-a-golden-retriever/

OR

Contact us: [email protected]

01/16/2025

Not sure there would be many dog trainers that would disagree with this list.
The longer a behaviour is practiced, the sooner it becomes a habit and that is for both unwanted and wanted behaviours.
Please don't delay.
They very, very rarely "grow out" of unwanted behaviours and if left they can certainly escalate.
In saying that, when they DO show us the behaviour we want, it NEEDS rewarded.

Dog training handouts available through abcdogsnz.com

01/16/2025

That sound isn't the wind 🙄❗
It is the collective sigh of dog trainers when it's windy.
Windy days can be really problematic for dogs.
It can make an "ordinary" pleasurable walk turn into an anxious or stressed one for you and your dog.
Many dogs don't like the wind, it's confronting for them.
They may no longer be able to tell the direction of where those scents are coming from and they swirl and churn around them.
It can be disorientating for dogs as they know the usual smells and scents in an area they are familiar with, but on a windy day they are whirling around. and mixed. That dog they dislike that lives in the house on the corner, now that dogs scent can be circling them or just confronting them head on.
You are not imagining it, some dogs really do dislike windy days.
This dog training handout is available abcdogsnz.com

01/14/2025