Happy Tails Dog Training Center

11/22/2024

Factual Friday

There is so much more to learning than most owners realize. Learning should not be scary or painful. Modern dog training is based on science and takes the learner’s emotions into account.

Aversive dog training methods rely on force and intimidation, both negatively impact a dog's brain chemistry and welfare.

This treatment of dogs causes stress, leading to the release of cortisol and adrenaline, which can result in anxiety and fear. Over time, chronic stress may impair the dog's ability to learn, develop trust, and form healthy bonds with their guardian.

Increased stress also suppresses serotonin production, a neurotransmitter crucial for mood regulation, ultimately diminishing the dog's overall well-being and happiness.

Become a force free dog trainer with The ISCP https://www.theiscp.com/challenge-page/online-dog-trainingcourse

11/19/2024

Training Tip Tuesday

Dog training is an unregulated industry. We encourage continuing education and certifications for our training team!

When researching for a trainer, ask what organizations they are members of. Ask if they have any certifications. Ask about education.

🚩 If they say they are “AKC certified”. There’s no such thing, as the American Kennel Club does not certify trainers. They only allow people to evaluate their various programs, such as Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and fetch.

🚩 if they are selling “trained” dogs as both service dogs and protection dogs. Service dogs should not be trained in protection work.

🚩 If they will “certify” your pet dog as a service dog. Service dogs are task trained to assist someone with disabilities. Your dog for “emotional support” is NOT a service dog. There are no certifications for service dogs though they often have 2+ years of training for both their task and public access work.

Our training team is happy to answer any questions!

11/18/2024

Meme Monday

Pretty sure we've all been there.

Meme Monday

11/17/2024

We just added a Basic Manners Level One class that starts on 11/25 at 4:30 pm.

https://www.happytailsdogtraining.biz/service-page/basic-manners-level-1-11-25-4-30-pm?referral=service_list_widget

11/16/2024

Congratulations to Brenda and Kanan. Kanan passed his NACSW Odor Recognition Test for birch, anise, and close today in Wisconsin!

Don’t forget! Our Odor Recognition Test is December 7th! Registration closes on November 29th and we are more than 1/2 full! $25.00 per odor tested.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/621d558ae9a71e162e58b331/t/66fed7ce0799a217b78e1f91/1727977422287/ORT+Premium+12-7-24.pdf

11/14/2024

NEW CLASS ALERT!

Our first class of 2025 is on the website. We have scheduled our "Beyond the Basics" class for Thursday mornings beginning January 2nd.

This class takes you and your dog to the next level of training. Basic Manners Levels One and Two are prerequisite classes for this class.

Enrollment is open!

https://www.happytailsdogtraining.biz/service-page/beyond-the-basics-real-world-skills?referral=service_list_widget

11/12/2024

Training Tip Tuesday

Remember the “3 second rule” when your dog is greeting other dogs!

WHEN SECONDS COUNT

This post is not advocating that dogs meet every other dog, but about how to go about it, if and when it does happen, in a safer way.

The 3 second rule for dogs meeting each other is used as a guideline to help foster positive introductions, prevent either dog from feeling overwhelmed or trapped and prevent any potential reactivity and stress.

A short 3 second introduction is enough time to provide important information to both dogs.

Enough information for dogs to know – “are you a threat?”, “do I like you?”, “do I want to learn more about you?”, “do I really dislike you?”, “do I need you to go away?” etc. Both dogs may not feel the same way – one may not be happy to engage while the other may want to.

All interactions should ideally happen like this, not just initially. Just like us, dogs can have off days – things like pain, trigger stacking, lack of sleep or a host of other reasons can influence whether a dog wants to interact or not.

There are countless times I have witnessed meetings or introductions between dogs that have gone on just a few seconds too long and have not ended well. This can have long lasting effects on future behaviour when meeting other dogs.

Understanding body language is critically important. If we are going to share our lives with another species, protect them, advocate for them and help them feel safe, then we need to understand and respect their language.

The examples in this post of red and green flags are just a few general ones to look out for – there are many more and these will differ depending on the individual dog, context and circumstances.

Here are some resources and links to learn more about body language -
On Talking Terms With Dogs - Calming Signals, 2nd Edition by Turid Rugaas
https://www.dogwise.com/on-talking-terms-with-dogs-calming-signals-2nd-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoqj8ruQJx5bCP7qWb03TqCyAGfmAvCj988UuWk_L1_UHbYcZsES

The Veterinary Behaviour Centre
https://www.heska.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/TVBC-Canine-Dog-Body-Language-handout.pdf

Make sure those first 3 seconds count – they can make all the difference.

11/12/2024

We have a new class launching soon that will be a “ball” for your dog!

Stay tuned for more information!

11/11/2024

It’s Monday! Let’s share pictures of your dog doing what they love!

Scent work, Agility, Fast Cat, Dock Diving, Barn Hunt, hunting, swimming, hiking or just being your best friend at home.

Happy dogs are a MUST!

11/09/2024

The Agility and Scent Work classes are posted to the website for the remainder of the year. Here are the start dates.

Sunday Scent Work 1:00 pm - Next session starts 11/17

Monday Agility 6:30 pm - Next session starts 11/18

Tuesday Agility 4:30 and 5:30 pm - Next session starts 11/26

Tuesday Scent Work 6:30 pm - Next session starts 11/19

Wednesday Scent Work 4:00 pm - Next session starts 11/13

Please make sure to register for your class at

https://www.happytailsdogtraining.biz/book-online

11/08/2024

Time is running out! Don't miss our last Puppy Preschool class of the year! Pups under 4 months of age are welcome to attend. Puppy classes are critical for proper social growth into adulthood. The final session begins Friday November 15th at 5:30 pm.

https://www.happytailsdogtraining.biz/service-page/puppy-preschool-11-15-at-5-30-pm-1?referral=service_list_widget

11/07/2024

Rally Students! Heather has added virtual submission drop ins that run through the end of the year. Here is the schedule:

Nov 13 - Novice
Nov 20 - Advanced
Dec 4 - Intermediate
Dec 11 - Excellent
Dec 18 - virtual obedience Novice (CD)

All drop in sessions begin at 7:30 pm.

11/06/2024

Whatever Wednesday

While we don’t recommend dog parks we do recommend off leash exploration for dogs. But how to do it safely?

Enter “Sniff Spots!” These are private spaces that you can book to allow your dog to explore off leash, work on your recall, and let your dog enrich their lives!

11/05/2024

Team Member Training Tip

Our first installment comes from our Puppy Preschool and Tricks trainer, Kathy. It answers the question “How much time should be dedicated to training?”

Kathy coaches clients to make training a part of their daily routine. “Instead of trying to fit training into your schedule, make training a part of your daily routine, even if it’s just five minutes.”

It is important to remember that your dog is learning whether you are actively “training” or not.

Kathy is also the owner of Dogzausted LLC, offering in home training, puppy play groups and more!

11/04/2024

Congratulations to everyone that competed in Gillette at the Icelandic Sheepdog Club of America’s scent work trial.

Share your brags and let’s celebrate!

11/02/2024

We want to be the BEST we can be!

We are launching a quarterly newsletter but you will need to subscribe to receive it! Please visit the home page on our website to subscribe. Just scroll down past "Our Philosophy" and you'll find the form.

We will be adding some new classes in 2025 and upgrading curriculum in others. Got a suggestion? Email us at [email protected].