I absolutely LOVE my Puppy class curriculum because it focuses solely on relationship, engagement, and socialization. These are the foundational pillars we’ll build all further training on so it’s important to me that my graduates are eager to work for their humans and see the value of engaging with them over other distractions. Check out these skills my most recent class worked on for their graduation celebration! We tested for AKC STAR Puppy certifications and Trick Dog Novice titles, too!
#akcstarpuppy #puppyclass #dogtrainer #coloradodog #coloradosprings #akctrickdog #puppy
Just a peek in to a few of the dogs I had the pleasure of working with this week! Ranging from day trains in their neighborhood to daycare trials and puppy class, the wide array of things I get to do with dogs on a weekly basis keeps me busy and passionate about what I’m doing.
#dogtrainer #coloradodog #creatingandbreakingecollarboundaries #daytrainingforyourdog #reactivedog #puppyclass
Oliver has some car anxiety which meant his humans were having to pick him up to get him into their car and while that worked fine while he was a puppy it’s no longer manageable for them. They added a day train with me to his daycare stay at Under the Sun yesterday and we were able to work through the fear of the car and get him consistently ‘Loading Up’ on command.
Now, everyone in the family can enjoy their car rides more and hopefully that means more adventures together!
#coloradodogs #dogtraining #dogtrainingtips #man’sbestfriend #dogcare #dayttrain
Now that Brutus is gaining his confidence and feeling comfortable in new environments, we’re adding some food luring in to our normal engagement work. He’s the perfect model of a socially neutral puppy that enjoys working for his person!
Curious how I raise puppies?
It’s quite simple, really! Brutus just arrived from his lovely breeder this week and I get the privilege of helping his dad to raise him while he completes the grueling fire academy. While he settles in, I’ve got little to no expectations on our outings—my goal is for him to get comfortable, eager to eat food and engage with me, and build good positive experiences. As his confidence builds, we’ll play more with food luring and engagement and before you know it he’ll be eagerly working with me around any and all distractions!
We’ll track Brutus’ growth and training here, and if you want more hands on experience my Puppy class offers a comprehensive look at how I raise puppies to be happy, biddable, engaged partners to their handlers!
River’s mom sent over this Pup-date after our leash work together. They’re on a big road trip together and little man is walking like a professional, sitting on busy patios, and just livin the life! #puppytraining #leashmanners #coloradodog
Tilly is 3 years old and if I’m completely honest, has very minimal training on her. I did some food luring when she was a puppy and we started in agility but the wheels quickly came off as soon as she had to start working away from me on the course. We paused in Agility so that we could get back to basics and form a solid way for us to reconnect when I’ve lost her.
Notice my panic when she looked to have completely taken off on me?? That was me flashing back to her doing a complete and total walk-about around the arena in the middle of class. 😂 We clearly have more work to do, but I wanted to share some proof for when I say “trust me, I understand” what it’s like to be in your shoes!
#jagdterrier #agilitydog #honestdogtrainer
Puppy Raising Series
Ever wonder what a trainer does when they’re raising their own puppy? I’m starting the new year off with a new addition to my pack and thought I’d bring you along and address common questions and concerns about puppies and adolescent dogs around training, general life skills, and behavior concerns.
Today we’re talking about teaching a food lure. Getting your puppy accustomed to following food in your hand is the very first foundation towards working on any obedience skill or trick and it will aid in many things as they continue to grow older including weaning away from treats, getting your puppy to think outside the box and problem solve, and building engagement for when you start adding in distractions and getting out in the world together.
And yes…it really is as simple as it looks! Hold a cookie in your hand, guard it from puppy snagging it away when you’re not ready for them to get it, and start getting them to move their body around to earn the cookie. No need to label the movements just yet—that’ll come soon, just get your puppy used to moving their body in all different directions and postures. A 3-5 minute session a couple times a day will give plenty of mental stimulation and experience and you’ll be ready for the next level in no time!
Socializing your puppy is so much more complex than meeting as many people and dogs as possible.
Textures, noises, cars, bicycles, indoor spaces, busy streets, the list goes on and on. Each time your puppy encounters a new experience they are building coping mechanisms that they’ll carry through the rest of their life.
