Grateful K9 Training

Directing dogs to go outside one at a time after the meal routine. Otis makes a mistake (he hasn’t done this with me in a long time so he’s rusty) and I love how Floki hears his name but then hesitates to make sure of the directions. I can also tell them as a group, “Dogs, outside!” But they understand when I give names that I’m giving individual instructions. I don’t say “Break” (release to freedom) in this scenario because I want a specific behavior- go directly outside. *** Each dog learns this individually. I have a leash/line on in the teaching process so I can guide where needed.

Feeding 5 dogs (2 are visitors). For me mealtime is a training opportunity- Place, Down, attention on me, Break (release) and lots of impulse control. Each dog returns to their cot after eating (sometimes for more fun work) and then released one at a time to go outside. Teaching a structured mealtime is a wonderful training opportunity 😊

Challenge Time! Using Place for structured mealtime is a wonderful daily opportunity to condition; Place (cot/target), Down, holding position (stay), Break (release), and impulse control (all those yummy bowls). I teach all the behaviors individually, use a leash or line, only advance to the group one they are doing it all nicely. 14 week old Floki has mastered this by 12 weeks old. Are you teaching a structured mealtime?!?! If you have a great Sit but a shabby Down, Place, or lack a clear release command this is a great place to start! #structuredmealtime #dogtraining #yourealwaystraining

Hanging out in the sunshine with my girls throwing in random stuff. Haven’t done “Bang” with Kitty in ages. It took the longest time for her tounderstand that her tail had to still for the completion (umm, your tail can’t be doing the happy slap with bang)! #dogtrainerlife #bordercollie #miniaussie

WAIT is cute at the lake when I’m grabbing pics…but at thresholds like the gate on garbage day (and the front door), it can be a life saver! Teach it, practice it…A LOT! #dogtraining #wait #thresholdtraining

The current crew! #vizsla #bordercollie #miniaussie #germanshorthairedpointer

If they can’t hold position & remain relatively neutral when they hear your ridiculous high pitched yummy talk in your own yard then they certainly won’t be able to handle it in public at the coffee shop where it’s sure to happen from well meaning people! Good girls! Lots of progress in 3 days with Miss Maple! #austrailianlabradoodle #dogtraining #sqeakyvoicetest

Working through Nacho’s fear of gloves. Predictability is the friend of fear. So in this clip I’m taking a known predictable pleasurable event (post meal Place routine) and using it to to continue the glove counter conditioning with Nacho. We had already worked on Nacho looking at gloves and being reward for a brave response, choosing to seek out interaction from me while I was wearing the gloves, and taking reward from the gloves. So in this session I added the pressure of me coming to him with gloves on. The predictability of the event, the calm setting, and the other dog’s responses helped build his confidence & resulted in a great glove session. Learning to trust his handler and be brave with the gloves will impact the other areas where he struggles to cope with new & strange things. #dogtraining #bebrave #glovesbringgoodthings

Simon Says! Here’s a clip of practicing send to Place with the current crew. While doing this a whole bunch of other things are being conditioned & promoted; come, down, sit, hold position, eye contact, name, markers, & impulse control. #dogtraining #place #miniaussie #bordercollie #bernedoodle #labradoodle

So delighted with how well Penny did at Folsom Farmers market last Saturday! Our Torvi did hold a Down even when a dog approached to sniff her butt (👿, people please don’t allow this without permission) but that wheelie zoomie thing was a bit of a surprise to her. Folsom Farmers Market is dog friendly with a lot of activity going on - but be ready for surprises like wandering giant pigs, wheelie things, strange noises, people in costumes, lots of dogs (with varied obedience 🙄), and crowded spaces. #dogtraining #puppytraining #farmersmarket #labrador #miniaussie #bordercollie

The full breakfast routine clip! B&T 9 month old Daisy on day 4 of board & train. When we started this she was on a line and needing a lot of direction and reinforcement for each step. At this point the pattern is there and she is now off of the line and following verbal instructions nicely. Structured mealtime is a great way to build: Place, Down, holding position, eye contact with you (not the bowl), impulse control (she’d really like to run to the bowls the instant they are sat down) and release word (Break). Happy with the progress this awesome little girl is making. #beagle #beaglepuppy #structuredmealtime #mealroutine #dogtraining #puppytraining

My meal routine helps build: Place, Down, impulse control, and release word. Daisy was on a line for the first 3 days as we worked on this and now that pattern is well established, so the line has come off. #mealroutine #structuredfeeding #dogtraining #puppytraining #beagle #beaglepuppy