Lucky Dog Training

12/22/2021

No more words needed. Feel free to share dog photos, especially those hugs and kisses!

11/27/2021

“Dogs trained with positive reinforcement responded to the trained cues faster and with fewer repetitions.”

Do you have clients who believe electronic collars are more effective? A recent study finds that positive reinforcement works more quickly.

09/29/2021

Yes! Millan uses outdated methods, debunked by science. If you are using these methods, consider setting up a consultation with me or another trainer, well versed in current methods backed by science and research. Positive reinforcement training will change your dog’s life for the better and help strengthen your bond.🐾💕

https://slate.com/technology/2021/09/cesar-millan-dominance-theory-dog-training.html

The enduring appeal of showing your Chihuahua who is boss.

09/29/2021

Yes! Millan uses outdated methods, debunked by science. If you are using these methods, consider finding a new trainer well versed in current methods backed by science and research. Positive reinforcement training will change your dog’s life for the better and help strengthen your bond.🐾💕

https://slate.com/technology/2021/09/cesar-millan-dominance-theory-dog-training.html

The enduring appeal of showing your Chihuahua who is boss.

08/15/2021

A good reminder to all puppy parents out there. Puppies explore their world through their mouths. If you are struggling with a biting puppy, call me

THIS IS A PSA

Puppies bite. They bite a lot. They bite hard. Their teeth are sharp. You might bleed. It might seem relentless.

Scaring the pants off them by yelling, pinning, shoving or shouting will not only do precisely zero, it will potentially create a fearful adult dog.

Puppies bite more when;
They are tired
They are hungry
They are bored
They are overstimulated
They are teething

Read that again. They bite MORE when they are the above. They will also bite when they are absolutely fine. They are dogs not dolls.

Be compassionate not scary. They will grow out of it but only if you teach them a good alternative. Trade for toys. Use a pen or a crate. Teach calmness. Reward gentle interactions. Grit your own teeth and ride it out while reinforcing good stuff and proactively managing bad stuff.

Be proactive when you know biting happens like after some play, when excitement goes up, when they are overtired (7-9pm witching hour anyone?) and give them a good chew or help them settle, or channel that energy into some training.

It does get better basically. Don’t panic. Most puppy biting isn’t aggression. Be CONSISTENT and PROACTIVE and expect more than a few bites along the way.

Signed,
Aalto the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (aka the ginger shark)

08/11/2021

Shelters went from being emptied in 2020 due to the pandemic (which was SO BEAUTIFUL and touching) to being overcrowded in 2021. Many of these dogs will be killed. If you need help with your dog’s behavior, call me or text me 916-213-4666. If you are to the point where you are considering relinquishing your dog, please call me and I will do everything I can to help you find a good home.

If you want to help dogs in need consider donating money, food, toys, bedding, or contact your local rescues/shelters to see what they are in need of.

From a fellow dog lover and rescuer:
“For those of you who know me, you know that I am generally a steadfast cheerleader of positivity and good.

I write this with tears in my eyes and admitted shame in my heart to be aware that I feel stuck within this vibe of such massive disappointment and judgment of the human race. I feel so perplexed how people didn’t learn the importance of love and connection the past year!

The shelters are over flowing with a zillion discarded loving, healthy, loyal, pets who literally saved their humans lives this past year during their humans loneliest times. As a reward for their loyalty and unconditional love, they are being rewarded this weekend by being killed alone and as a forgotten, discarded nothing because their “parents” now want to go be social and don’t feel like boarding or bringing them.

I rarely go on FB tirades and let my sadness with the state of the human race override my faith that goodness exists and is prevailing, but today I can’t handle it. 😔

For anyone compassionate who wants to help be part of the solution, I am BEGGING you to please help. Please offer to short term foster to help the rescues save them. Please go adopt. If you can’t adopt or foster, please donate money to any animal rescue you can support so they can buy food and supplies for fosters. Even $5 or $10 truly helps! Please share this and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to help. Please take a moment to realize that these beautiful little loving souls have meaning, feelings and that they matter.

For anyone who can please share anything joyful or happy today - please do! 🙏🏻 I’m begging for some joyful news about compassion.

For those who are considering discarding, thinking your animals will be okay thru the weekend, please reconsider. They won’t. Owner surrenders are the first killed for space and the shelters are all full.

For anyone who has already discarded, I hope you feel the magnitude of the sadness your decision is causing your beloved pet and those empathic beings who lose sleep knowing your pet is being killed, scared and alone while you enjoy your beach day and stupid holiday barbecue.”

08/07/2021

Learn your dog’s silent language so you can understand what he is trying to communicate.

Be open to listening. Let go of human expectations.

Gently, without coercion, try to teach skills (not obedience training) to help your dog navigate the human world.

Try to remain flexible although some things might not make sense from the human perspective. Trust the dog's perspective is valid and very real to that individual dog.

You will make mistakes along the way, get frustrated, and lose your cool at times, but you will learn so much from your dog’s point of view and, in turn, learn about yourself as well.

05/05/2021

Double coated dogs do not need to be shaved in the summer! Talk to your groomer about what type of grooming requirements are appropriate for your dog 🐶🐾✂️ 🎀