Goals!!! What are your GOALS for your dog? Do you have big aspirations or just want them to “behave” in your house?
One of the things I always love to ask my clients… What are their goals for their dog or as a family?
Once we have goals… whether that’s as simple as a being a well rounded family dog or a higher level of skill with specific needs… we can start helping both the owner and the dog achieve their goals together. 🦮👬
I love helping those dreams come true for my clients! I’ve been fortunate to help train dogs for service, sports, worldwide ventures, and countless other successes. Some of my fondest training memories are watching owners see their dreams for their dogs come true 💗🥹🥹🥹
Two years ago when we got our Sadie I knew I had big dreams for her… I would LOVE for her to run agility like our border collie did in her younger years but ultimately it’s up to HER to have the drive to work and desire to run. While some of that drive to work CAN be trained… it’s still up to the dog ultimately to run the course and follow the handler through a course. There are soooooo many things we did with her as a young puppy to help her be successful. Many of which were mistakes we made with our first agility dog.
It is SO much fun seeing dreams in the making 💗😍#dreams #dreamitdoit #dogsofinstagram #doggoals #traininggoals #dogtraininggoals #dogtraining #fortheloveofdogs #agilitydog #dogagilitytraining
Building confidence through exposure and exploring! 🎉🎉🎉 Even at 13 years old… Sam is learning and working toward better manners out and about. It’s been amazing watching Sam learn to RELAX and enjoy his environment on his decompression walks! 🦮🐾
Decompression walks are invaluable for dogs, especially those who need to build confidence. These walks provide a safe environment for dogs to explore and decompress from the stresses of everyday life. 🧘♀️😊 They offer mental stimulation, allowing dogs to engage their senses and investigate new surroundings at their own pace. 🐾
For dogs lacking confidence, decompression walks offer an opportunity to gradually build trust in their environment and themselves. 🐶 The varied terrain and sensory stimuli encountered during these walks challenge dogs both mentally and physically, promoting resilience and self-assurance. Through consistent exposure to new experiences in a controlled setting, dogs learn to navigate obstacles, overcome fears, and develop a sense of independence. 🐕🦺
Moreover, decompression walks foster a strong bond between dogs and their owners, as they explore together and build mutual trust. Overall, these walks are essential for nurturing a confident, well-rounded canine companion.🐾🐾🐾 #decompressionwalk #decompressiontherapy #dogtrainingatwork #mentalstimulationfordogs #barktobliss
Some puppy cuteness and kisses from 9 week old little Miss Olivia today! 🤩😍 How can this adorableness not brighten your day 😍 Welcome to training @livvywolfl you are so loved! I can’t wait to watch you GROW even more into the beautiful and confident girl you are! 🐶💕💕#goldensofinstagram #goldenretriever #puppylove #barktobliss
Who else enjoyed this beautiful day with their dog? Sadie decided she needed to take advantage of the pool today 🤣🤦♀️ #goldenpuppy #puppyproblems #canttrainoutthebreed #leftunattended
Kids and dogs 🤪🤪🤪 As a trainer and a mom I know the two can often work against each other when it comes to training a new dog in the house 🤣 Trying to get kids to understand that the puppy comes with “rules” and learning to respect the dog’s space as well as how to get them to behave appropriately around the dog to prevent unwanted behaviors like jumping, nipping, and pulling on the leash can be a challenge. Get your kids working WITH you and your new friend! Teach them how to train and what you expect of your puppy. Simple things like making the kids ask the dog to sit before petting can make a HUGE difference! Our kids have been working with our puppy since day one! Getting the entire family involved in training is helpful to also teach the puppy that expectations are with everyone not just one person in the family😉 #barktobliss #kidsanddogs #trainthekids #trainthedog
🐾🐶 Training Tip: The ‘Leave It’ Command - Empowering Your Pooch to Make Great Choices!*🐾🐶
With no instruction or commands given… If you dropped something in the kitchen would your dog even be phased? Or would they immediately go for it! The “Leave It” command is an absolute must-have in your dog’s training repertoire!! Let’s dive into the pawsitive reasons and how to teach it! 🐾❤️
**Why is ‘Leave It’ So Important?**
🚫 Safety First: ‘Leave It’ can protect your pup from picking up harmful items on walks, items dropped in the kitchen, or even from dropped pills in the bathroom
🤗 Promotes Self-Control: Encourages your dog to pause and think before acting.
🧡 Strengthens Your Bond: Builds trust and communication between you and your furry friend.
**How to Teach ‘Leave It’ with Positive Reinforcement:**
1️⃣ Start with a yummy treat in your closed hand.
2️⃣ Show the treat to your dog, but don’t give it.
3️⃣ Say “Leave it” and wait for them to lose interest in your hand.
4️⃣ The moment they turn away, reward them with a different treat and praise.
5️⃣ Practice this often, gradually making it more challenging.
**Why Your Dog Making Good Choices Matters:**
🐾 Self-control leads to better behavior.
🐾 Empowers your dog to avoid dangerous situations.
🐾 Shows your pup that obeying leads to rewards and a happy, safe life.
Remember, patience and positive reinforcement are the keys to success! Celebrate every good choice your dog makes, no matter how small. 🎉
Tell me one thing you wish your dog would leave! Then try this out and let’s celebrate our paw-some pups and their smart choices. 🐶❤️🐾 #DogTraining #LeaveItCommand #SmartChoices #itsyourchoice #postivechoicesforpositivechange #BarktoBliss
🕒⚡ Training doesn’t take over your life! ⚡🐾
Life can be a whirlwind, and I totally get it… between sick kids and work stuff today 🤪🤪🤪 – not everyone has hours to spare for dog training. But guess what? You can have a well-behaved pup without sacrificing your precious time! 🐶💼 Work it in! This morning we took breakfast on the patio and litterally spent 10 minutes working.
✅ Bite-sized Sessions: Short, focused training sessions are your best friend. 10-15 minutes a day can work wonders.
🧠 Quality Over Quantity: It’s about the effectiveness, not the duration. Concentrate on teaching one command at a time until your furry friend masters it.
👏 Consistency is Key: Little and often beats occasional marathon sessions. Consistency reinforces learning.
🎯 Targeted Training: Focus on essential commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “recall.” These basics are the building blocks of good behavior.
🏁 Reward the Effort: Positive reinforcement with treats, praise, and play makes training fun for both of you.
🧩 Puzzle Toys: Use interactive toys that double as training tools. They engage your dog’s mind and keep them learning even during playtime.
🔗 Incorporate Training into Daily Life: Make it seamless by integrating commands into daily routines, like sitting before meals.
🐾 Patience Pays Off: Remember, every dog learns at their own pace. Be patient, and celebrate the small wins!
💬 Share your time-saving training tips with us! How do you make training a breeze in your busy life? 🕒👇 #EfficientTraining #HappyPup #TimeSaver
🐶 Vet Visits Made Pawsitively Pleasant! 🏥 How does your dog do when it's time for a vet visit? For some dogs it can be a very stressful time 🥺 We get it… We are currently visiting the vet almost every week 😳😳😳for Bindi as she’s been overcoming a Thyroid tumor and post surgery.
With a little training and lots of positive reinforcement, we can turn those stressful moments into a wagging-tail adventure!
🌟Trainer Tip 🌟
🦴 Practice Handling: Get your pup used to being touched and handled. Gently massage their paws, ears, and mouth at home to desensitize them.
🦴 Bring treats: Bring some high value rewards to the vet and do some training while you are there! Use to reward for being calm and also when the vet is examining them. This also will help them relax and focus on something else other than what they are there for. 😉
#makeitpositve #BarktoBliss #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingisfun #vetvisit
🐶🛁 Transforming Grooming Time into Bonding Time: Lick Mats and Positive Reinforcement 🐾 🛁 🐶Grooming your furry friend should be an stress-free and enjoyable experience, for both you and your dog. Today, we’re here to introduce you to the magical combination of Lick Mats and Positive Reinforcement training, showing you how they can help your dog not just tolerate but genuinely love nail trims, grooming, brushing, and baths! 🌟👅 Lick Mats are perfect for Distraction and Relaxation: 🧘♀️Lick mats are versatile tools designed to keep your dog engaged and happy during grooming sessions. By spreading a tasty treat or canned pumpkin, like we did today, on the mat, your dog is occupied with licking, and their focus is redirected from the grooming process. This can turn grooming time into an enjoyable “snack time” for your pup!🏆 Positive Reinforcement is a game-changer when it comes to making grooming a positive experience. 🏆Here’s how it can help turn scary into sensational: 💅 **Nail Trims**: Reward your dog with treats and praise after each successful nail trim. Over time, they’ll associate nail trims with positive outcomes. 🪮 **Grooming and Brushing**: Give treats and cuddles during and after brushing sessions, so your dog learns that these activities lead to love and affection. 🛁 **Baths**: Reward with treats and gentle petting throughout bath time, creating a sense of security and comfort.👂 **Listening to Your Dog**: Pay attention to your dog’s cues and comfort level. If they seem stressed, take it slow and offer more positive reinforcement to build their trust.🪴 **Gradual Exposure**: If your dog is particularly anxious about grooming, start with short, positive interactions and gradually increase the duration of grooming sessions. This helps desensitize them to the process.✅ **Consistency is Key**: By consistently combining Lick Mats and Positive Reinforcement, your dog can develop a positive association
Need some doggie FUN for your Friday? Here’s a fun enrichment idea!
🎉Use a slow feeder or puzzle toy to feed dogs their meals (if you aren’t using their food daily for training 😉)
✅This method can help slow down speed eaters to prevent ingesting extra air which can lead to bloat in larger breeds)
🧩Mental enrichment helps burn energy which can help reduce destructive behavior!
💪🏻 Need to keep your pup busy? Try smearing soft puppy safe foods (puppy safe peanut butter, yogurt, puree pumpkin) in the crevices for an added challenge and time burner!
💪🏻💪🏻 Super challenge…. Smear it and then FREEZE it for an extra long lasting puppy entertainer!
Tell me one thing you do to make life fun for your dog!
DM if you want the link to this puzzle toy!
#puppyentertainment #dogtrainingtips #barktobliss #dogtrainer #904dogs #dogsofinstagram #dogenrichment #outwardhound #goldenretriver #goldensofinstagram
