Dog Training By SAS

07/27/2024

Fern came down the basement stairs!!! OMG!

So, for those of you who are completely confused by this, Fern has been with me since October 2022 and has never walked down the basement stairs before. It was just too scary for her!

She has come into the basement through the outer door and then gone UP the stairs a few times, but never down. Today, she was super brave. I'm SO proud of her!

When you have a shy rescue dog, you celebrate every win!

07/25/2024

This may have been a mistake.
I often advocate for my clients to allow their dogs to "just be dogs" by doing things like letting them play in mud, swim in a creek or run through a field, but this time may have been a mistake.
The reason is this, the creek was not moving fast enough to make it safe to drink for my dogs. Zeker, seen in the video splashing about in the muddy water, usually has a really good gut. He rarely ever suffers with diarrhea or vomiting. But, three days after this video, he had very loose stools! Looking back, this muddy water could be the cause. I guess we will be avoiding the creek until we get a good rain!

07/20/2024

Being able to let my dogs play off leash is one of the simple joys in my life. I have no fencing at the moment, so they are never out there by themselves, but even if I did have a fenced yard, I wouldn't leave them out alone. I always supervise their play to make sure it doesn't get too rough.

07/19/2024

This is one of the many reasons I like to teach dogs to back up, not just "leave it". This is a harmless corn snake and I don't really mind them sniffing, but I do want to know that I can get them to back away from a snake since we do have several venomous species around here.

07/18/2024

Scatter feeding is a great way to give your dog some enrichment, without having to do a lot of work! Dogs naturally enjoy hunting for their food and "picky eaters" are often just dogs that would rather work for their food than get it for free (in a bowl).

If you have multiple dogs, just be sure that they are okay eating and hunting together before trying this. If they're not, or any of them have some resource related behaviors, just give them a scatter feed separately, in different rooms of your house, one at a time outside, etc.

One of these dogs had some extreme resource related behaviors when I got him, from growling to lunging and snapping at other dogs. Bet you can't guess which one!

07/16/2024

With the current excessive heat in our area, I thought it might be good to post the current dog law information regarding tethering dogs outside.

"(1) Tethering an unattended dog out of doors for LESS than nine hours within a 24-hour period when all of the following conditions are present shall create a rebuttable presumption that a dog has not been the subject of neglect within the meaning of section 5532 (relating to neglect of animal):

(i) The tether is of a type commonly used for the size and breed of dog and is at least three times the length of the dog as measured from the tip of its nose to the base of its tail or 10 feet, whichever is longer.

(ii) The tether is secured to a well-fitted collar or harness by means of a swivel anchor, swivel latch or other mechanism designed to prevent the dog from becoming entangled.

(iii) The tethered dog has access to potable water and an area of shade that permits the dog to escape the direct rays of the sun.

(iv) The dog has NOT been tethered for LONGER than 30 minutes in temperatures above 90 or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit."

The important thing to remember is that dogs can and do die of heat stoke all the time and that it is cruelty to leave them outside in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. Please be kind to your pets. Leave them in a cool house today!

07/15/2024

Adolescent Dogs Driving You Crazy?

07/08/2024

I'm doing a thing!
It's in September!
You want to come and see me?

This page is currently under construction, it will be the home for a new division of our rescue called The Greynose Society, please check back often as our new division takes shape

07/08/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoBMtp5WfRk

This young squirrel is driving my dogs crazy, but I just love him/her! I've raised and released six squirrels over the years and it's always such fun. But, t...

07/08/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k9BoWSaLO8

Oh, this baby. Too cute. Keep in mind that my three dogs are just across the driveway behind a freestanding wire dog pen. They are watching me getting close ...

07/05/2024

Just want to thank Dr Ramirez @ MSAH (Main Street Animal Hospital) for recommending me to my newest dog training client!

I appreciate your support and trust in my training skills. Can't wait to get started with Lindsay and Ollie!

Picture of my handsome boy, Zeker, just because I love him.

07/02/2024

Just my girls, playing with the Pacifier Puppy.

I keep a close eye on all play between dogs because high arousal can lead to fights. Thankfully, my dogs have never fought and I intend to keep it that way.

This was such fun, since Fern is usually the one who claims the Pacifier Puppy, but Eywa got to him first and threw herself down on top of him. As you can see in the end, Eywa is happy to give him up.

07/02/2024

Look at the difference in body language here!
This is Monty, who is a very shy, fearful rescue dog that I am working with.
When I first met Monty in April, there was a high chance of him biting. That's how scared he was. (That's the first photo.)

Yesterday, as we were finishing up our session, he went and got his toys out, brought them right in front of me to play (the second photo), then came over to me to take a treat and lick my hand (for the first time).

He has also let his owners' adult son pet him (which had never happened in the two years they've had him) and allowed strangers into the house without barking or trying to bite.

I'm so proud of this adorable guy and his pet parents. They are doing so well!!

If you are struggling with a shy, reactive dog and want to help them in a fun, gentle way, please reach out to me. I LOVE working with dogs like these! (I have three of my own.)

dogtrainingbysas.com

06/27/2024

What are your fur-babies eating?

I truly believe that what we feed our critters (and ourselves) matters so much more than people think.

My Pinda, a Lab/Rotty mix that was 82 pounds (and not fat), lived to be 16 years old! I believe feeding a varied diet that included "The Honest Kitchen", kept her healthy and active until the day she died.

You can find amazing foods, supplements and much more at Dogs & Cats Rule in Doylestown! I was just there picking up food for my 17 year old cat and my three rescue dogs. I love the selection and quality of products that I find in this store!
https://www.facebook.com/dogsandcatsrule.pet/
&catsrule

06/27/2024

New training video! Teach your dog how to disengage!

This is a simple introduction to a type of disengagement game that you can play with your dogs. When you work on this type of game, it has far reaching effec...

05/26/2024

https://peterdobias.com/blogs/blog/rethinking-dog-sterilization-pax-s-story-and-the-case-for-hormone-sparing-methods?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024%20-%2034%20-%20EMAIL%203%20Pax%27s%20story%20mobility%2C%20HRT%2C%20injury&_kx=-mJ1DUxLjEGtMtepvLzdULpnCqw4A_srIExQxwVBzGU.TjBumR

Discover the overlooked consequences of traditional spaying and neutering on dogs. Follow Pax’s journey as we explore hormone-sparing sterilization methods and hormone replacement therapy to enhance canine health and well-being.

05/10/2024

Playing the Whip/Get It! game with Fern. She LOVES this game!

05/07/2024

Teaching my dogs to close the cabinet doors, just for fun!
Zeker is a shy boy, so lots of praise and treats. He did it!

04/20/2024

Dog Behavior Conference day Two!!
So much great information!

04/12/2024

I recommend this to pretty much all of my dog training clients. It's an amazing product.

04/03/2024

Sometimes all our dogs really need is some rest!
One of my past clients contacted me when his normally dog-friendly dog started reacting to the other dogs in his house by snapping at them and even pushing them to the floor. He was worried that his big boy was going to escalate and hurt one of the other dogs.
After asking some questions, I found out that there had been some changes in the past year that might have filled this pup's stress bucket to overflowing. I recommended at least one week of rest and decompression. Here's the message I just got back;

"Hi Sherri,

I just wanted to touch base with you and provide an update on T.

He was quite anxious the first two days in the crate, but as of late he loves being in his crate, he seems so much better after chilling out for a week. I am going to continue this with him. We are camping on the farm the end of this week and beginning of next so that will give him some nice down time as well.

The calming treats that you suggested were delivered today, I am excited to start using them.

I really appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule to listen and provide advice. It has really made a difference and probably prevented many issues down the road if we would have continued as we were.

Thank you again!!"

I'm so happy to have been able to help with a simple phone call!

Remember friends, dogs need about 16-20 hours of rest per day! Naps in a crate or quiet room are not punishing. They are necessary for good health and good behaviors.

03/14/2024

https://buckscountyherald.com/stories/half-the-day-is-dark-for-a-reason,39706?fbclid=IwAR0lx0j45Inb8lj7FJBgCRa5r_uD41zysFDifB1lofeohpqDcT_NvGxAq2k

Half the creatures on the planet are active at night. We are probably not aware of most of them, but that is how they have evolved over millions of years. They thrive in the darkness, and need the …

03/01/2024

Posting for a friend who is not on FB. Two male Sebastopol geese up for consideration. They need a place either with females or with just the two of them. Nice to people, but have been beating up the older resident gander, who is over twenty years old! They were strays that showed up on the creek several years ago and the owners have not been found. Ready to find their forever home.

02/13/2024

I've been included in the Bucks Happening List!! Please vote for my dog training business! I would love your support!

**Voters will receive an immediate automatic email confirmation notification

02/12/2024

So, I did a thing! I nominated my sister, Amanda Layre, and her Amanda Layre's Fine Art Studio, in the Bucks Happening List!

If you have taken art lessons from her, gone to her shows or loved her work, please give her your vote!

**Voters will receive an immediate automatic email confirmation notification

01/22/2024

I've been asked many times if I would use an electronic collar to train a dog. The short answer is "No". I would not. I have not. I will not. With one very important exception. I did help a family train their deaf dog using a vibration only collar & it was conditioned very carefully as a positive stimulus just to get her to look around for her people. Never as a punishment to stop an unwanted behavior.

When people ask me why I won't use them, I tell them about the research that has been done where cortisol levels (stress hormones) were measured between different training groups & how the levels were the highest in the group with e-collars. I tell them how studies have shown that many dogs become pessimistic and even show aggressive behaviors after being subjected to an e-collar. But a Big part of why I do not use them is because they are simply unethical. When we start to think that constantly punishing our dogs with physical or emotional stimuli is okay or "normal", we start to normalize that behavior in our day to day life. I know. I was an aversive trainer. I taught people to punish their dogs. I used fear and force to get dogs to do what we wanted. And it's wrong.

Besides being unethical, it's also not sustainable. Punishment only suppresses behaviors. It does NOT change them. It does not change the relationship between the behavior and the stimulus that evoked it. (If your dog is reactive towards other dogs out of fear, punishment will not make them feel less fearful. Quite the opposite.)

I have had people tell me how well trained their dogs are on e-collars and when I ask how often they use the collar they say EVERY DAY. That is not training. That is simply punishing the dog when they do something you don't want. Some people say "I don't even need to use the shock. All I have to do is pick up the remote!" Like this is an amazing accomplishment. The dog stops doing what they are doing. Sure. In the moment. That is NOT training. That is the constant threat of punishment.

I have seen a perfectly house trained dog start soiling in the house due to ONE shock of an underground electric fence.

I have seen a sweet, happy, friendly dog turn into a twitchy, fearful & aggressive dog due to an e-collar.

Electronic collars are often called by other names; "Stim", "Remote", "E-collar". It's all the same. It's a quick fix, a band-aid. If that is what you are after and you don't care about the fact that you are doing damage to your dog and your relationship with your dog, I don't want you as a client. Sorry. I can't help you.

If, on the other hand, you are willing to do the work, willing to learn and teach, willing to build an amazing bond between yourself and your dog in order to get the behaviors you want, then I would LOVE to work with you.

01/20/2024

Dang I'm good! 54 years old and I can still clear this driveway.
Yes, I am patting myself on the back. I'm proud of what I can accomplish! It may have taken me two days and hours of shoveling, but I did it!! And I didn't have a heart attack either! (yet)
I think we should all celebrate what we can do every day. Like cooking dinner! To all of you who cook nice meals for yourself or your family, congratulations! Well done you! To those who clean the house or fix the sink, Well done you! Let's celebrate together, shall we? Tell me what you did that you are proud of!

01/17/2024

Puppy classes start on January 27th!!
Does your puppy need something to do during this cold weather? Come to Pipersville and play inside a nice warm puppy class! Only 5 puppies per class.
Grab your spot today!
https://dogtrainingbysas.com/schedule

01/10/2024

Puppy 101 and Small Dog Puppy classes now forming!
Pipersville location.
Bring your baby in for the fun!
https://dogtrainingbysas.com/group-training