CLIMB Dog Training

10/11/2024

Frustration is the number one issue we have when it comes to training. Frustration is an issue of both ends of the leash. Making the most of your training sessions means setting yourself up for success and training when is most ideal for you and your dog for a length of time that you both can be productive. A lot of times we get hung up on ending on a good note, getting it right just one more time, or hitting a specific number for each session. Sometimes it’s better to keep things short and sweet and end while you’re ahead or end before frustration sets in. Sometimes the time we do the training sessions matters. If your dog is prone to jumping up and getting excited, perhaps when you first get home from work isn’t the time to practice your sit stay, but that may be the perfect time to practice four on the floor. Keep in mind that you have the “map” so you get to choose the path. Perhaps you get intimidated when your dog reacts to strangers. After a long day of chores a walk around the neighborhood may not be the best option, try focusing on recall or retrieval behaviors in the backyard to decompress. Use your time in the way that’s best for you because it’s YOUR time!

20/10/2024

All behavior has a cost. It cost emotional energy to decide to do the behavior, it cost mental energy to think about the behavior, it cost physical energy to perform the behavior. Everytime we are asking our dogs to do something they are expending energy. The best way to maintain positive associations and behaviors is by paying for them, and not just paying any old sum, but paying what the behavior is worth. If your dog LOVES interacting with you, it may not cost all that much have them focus to you, but if you have say a terrier, who is very externally motivated and stimulus seeking it may cost a little more to get their attention. Maybe the same behavior cost more in a particular situation. Walking past another dog in the park may be a low cost behavior your dog, but if the dog lunges at you and barks as you pass, it might cost a little more to keep your dog on the task at hand.

Now there are many ways to raise the value of our reward. My favorite ways are offering a more engaging form of reward distribution. Maybe we utilize a treat toss or a “Find it” for a dog that really wants to chase something. Perhaps we offer a scatter search to the dog that needs a moment to decompress. A tried and true option is increasing the value of your reinforcement. If a friend coming over and your dog calmly saying hi is a kibble behavior maybe saying hi calmly to the new vet technician at the clinic is a jerky behavior. When raising value, a typical rule is fat and moisture content tend to raise the value of the reward. Another great option is increasing the quantity or duration of the reward. Maybe your dog is super toy motivated and every time he does a long recall he gets a tug. Perhaps this time a squirrel darts up the tree in the yard, but he still completes the behavior. We could give him a couple extra pulls on the tug before ending the reward. The key above all is to listen to your dog. Our dogs will tell us what is reinforcing to them and when a behavior cost too much for the payment being offered.

If you’d like to learn more about reward value or maybe have a training question of your own please reach out with a DM, email, or text message. Since I know reaching out and asking for help can be an expensive behavior we are offering free evaluations through 12/31/24!

25/09/2024

Have you ever wondered if your puppy knows what you’re saying to them or pointing at? This study may show just when our puppies know what they know. Very interesting study out of Duke University!

At Duke’s Puppy Kindergarten, researchers are learning when and how pups' brains develop. Understanding these cognitive milestones could help humans raise better dogs.

16/07/2024

Sometimes when we are out and about our dogs can find it hard to focus on us. In a world of fast squirrels, fun neighbors, and all the sights and smells that come along with life in the real world, it can be hard for our pups who live most of their lives at home. Practicing these skills in a low stacks, low distraction environment is a great way to give your dog a framework for what to do out in the real world. When it’s too hot to go outside here is a great training game you can do inside.

09/07/2024

Between 100°F days and a major Hurricane Season ahead of us, it can be hard to get your dog’s exercise in. With the Puppy Pushup you can exercise in any space. No matter where you are, all you need is a handful of treats and enough space for your dog to lie down to play this game! Beat the Heat with Puppy Pushups this summer.

29/06/2024

It may be the weekend before, but it’s never too early to plan for the Fourth Of July fireworks. While fun for us, fireworks can be very scary for our dogs. Be sure your furry friend is well exercised and secure before the fireworks start! Enjoy the festivities and don’t forget your gates, doors, and collars before heading out.

25/06/2024

Getting your walk in with this heat can be a challenge. You don’t have to let your dog’s leash manners take a backseat with the Moonwalking game! Easily played in a hallway or in your backyard, this game is a great, low physical demand activity to reinforce your dog’s leash manner.

20/06/2024

Enrichment is so important to your dog’s wellbeing. That said, the price tag on many of the big name enrichment toys can be intimidating. This low cost option is a great way to get some enrichment in your dog’s routine now with things you probably already have at home! Beat the heat this summer with frozen enrichment.

14/06/2024

Summer may be just around the corner, but the heat is here! Tune in the next few weeks as we usher in summer with some helpful enrichment and exercise tips that you can use inside on these hot Texas days.