Every dog is different. Every owner is different. Every training plan is different.
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WHY DOG PARKS ARE THE ENEMY
Dog parks are home to diseases, poorly socialized dogs, and worst of all dog fights. It's a breeding ground for reactivity and just isn't worth the risk of your dog getting sick, getting injured in a fight, or developing long last behavior issues. There are simply much safer and better ways to socialize your pup. I promise your dog can have an absolutely GREAT life without going to a dog park.
The benefits of a structured walk:
ENGAGEMENT: The ability to get your dog to switch between paying attention to you and interacting with the environment will not only allow you to control your dog when you need to, but it will also allow your dog to have more freedom when it’s safe to do so.
MENTAL STIMULATION: Being able to keep your dogs attention while on a walk isn’t only physically tiring, but it will add an aspect of mental stimulation. Now your pup has to focus on you which will make the walk a little more tiring resulting in a more efficient walk!
BONDING TIME: Walks aren't just about physical exercise; they're also a fantastic opportunity for quality bonding with your pup. With a structured walk, you can deepen the connection and trust between you and your dog as you work together towards common goals. It's a time to reinforce obedience, have some fun, and strengthen the emotional bond you share.
Find it is an absolutely amazing game to play with your dog.
For starters it’s simply just really fun, you get to watch your pup sniff around to look for his toy and when they finally find the toy it basically starts a party. Not to mention that it will burn so much of your dog's energy, not only is it a physical game since they have to move around to find the toy but it’s also a really good mental workout for them. You can play this game with smelly treats or a toy and even better this game is PERFECT to play indoors on a rainy day. Best of all, teaching this game is pretty easy.
Stay tuned for the tutorial!
MARKER WORDS :)
A marker word is one of my favorite things to teach any dog. It's super simple to teach and can benefit practically every dog. I use it for a multitude of things for example, it can double as a form of recall, helps POSITIVELY interrupt any reactive behavior, helps keep your dog engaged in distracting environments, etc., the list goes on. This is how to teach it.
1. Start IN YOUR HOME. You want to start in the least distracting environment possible.
2. Get your dogs kibble and or treats and simply say the word "yes" then feed AFTER you finished saying the marker word. Key word is AFTER make sure to have a slight pause between saying the word and actually feeding your pup.
3. As you notice your dog starts understanding that "yes" means food is coming slowly add in small distractions. You can start practicing at the door, then just a few steps outside, then out on a walk, then in new environments. I really want to emphasize adding distractions SLOWLY.
4. Avoid saying your marker word when you aren't able to pay your pup. Every time you say your marker word your pup should think that they are about to get paid.
Finally, even after your dog has got the hang of it, continue to practice it here and there to keep the skill sharp.
DOG BREED DOESN'T DETERMINE PERSONALITY.
Very often I see people and other trainers talk about dog breeds in a very generalized fashion. I think that we can all easily fall into the rabbit hole that is dog breeds. Although that is an important aspect of owning a dog, we tend to forget to look at the dog right in front of us.
Each dog is an individual and we should treat them that way. For example not every golden retriever is going to be super happy go lucky and not every german shepard is cut out for protection work. Understanding your dog has it's own temperament and personality is crucial to your relationship.
Finally, make sure to just enjoy the dog you got comparing them to other dogs will only make it harder. One of the best things we can do for them is understand them as an individual and continue to help them be the best versions of themselves.
NOT EVERY DOG IS FRIENDLY. A friendly reminder that all dogs are different and just like us humans some dogs may not like other people or other dogs in their personal space. So what does that mean for us owners?
1) Keep your dog on a leash in public spaces. While your 25 pound Doodle might be best friends with everyone he meets the 120 pound Cane Corso across the street might not a social butterfly.
2) Before going to say hi to a strangers dog ALWAYS ask the owner first. You never know which dog might be having a bad day. Also as owners we should be comfortable telling other people "sorry we are in training" or "my dog isn't friendly".
3) As owners pay attention to your dog and it's cues. If your pup is starting to show stress signals remove yourself from whatever the situation might be.
A constant concern I come across while dog training is what dog training tool should I be using and more often than not the answer comes out to IT DEPENDS. While every tool has a place in the industry not all tools are equal. Some may be better suited for big dogs or small dogs. Some may be easier for an elderly person to use and some may be better for a child to use. When making this decision it is important to take into account the capabilities of the owner as well as the rights of the dog. Many times you will actually be using a multitude of tools for example a long leash, a short leash, head halter, harness, flat collar, treats, etc. At the end of the day it all boils down to what are you and your dog comfortable using so taking the time to learn how different tools work would be to your advantage. If all the information seems to overwhelm you and you are having a hard time making a decision, hire a trusted professional that will customize your training plan for you and your pup.
Kyle's Customized Dog Training, led by the experienced and compassionate trainer, Kyle, is a premier destination for dog owners seeking personalized training solutions. With an innate understanding of dogs and their emotions, Kyle is driven by a deep passion for treating animals with fairness and kindness. Recognizing that every dog, human, and situation is unique, Kyle firmly believes in tailoring training plans to address individual needs effectively. Having dedicated his adult life to training dogs, Kyle has honed his skills by learning from and working alongside some of the most esteemed trainers in Virginia. His expertise extends beyond basic obedience training, as he has successfully rehabilitated a diverse range of breeds under various ownership circumstances. Eager to stay ahead of the curve, Kyle consistently immerses himself in learning new and improved dog training techniques through extensive reading and attending workshops. With a proven track record of addressing issues like dog and human reactivity, Kyle's Customized Dog Training offers a comprehensive and compassionate approach to help dogs and their owners achieve a harmonious bond.
An important part of any training plan is to find out what motivates YOUR dog.
Understanding that some dogs may like treats, some may like toys, and some may enjoy praise is crucial to finding success while training. Our goal should be to find what gets them the most excited to work with us then use it to our advantage!
So mess around with different rewards, try all of them and see what works best for you and your pup during your next training session.
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WHY DOG PARKS ARE THE ENEMY Dog parks are home to diseases, poorly socialized dogs, and worst of all dog fights. It's a breeding ground for reactivity and just isn't worth the risk of your dog getting sick, getting injured in a fight, or developing long last behavior issues. There are simply much safer and better ways to socialize your pup. I promise your dog can have an absolutely GREAT life without going to a dog park. . . . . . #doglover #dog #dogpark #dogtraining #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingisfun #dogtrainingadvice #kylescustomizeddogtraining
WHY DOG PARKS ARE THE ENEMY Dog parks are home to diseases, poorly socialized dogs, and worst of all dog fights. It's a breeding ground for reactivity and just isn't worth the risk of your dog getting sick, getting injured in a fight, or developing long last behavior issues. There are simply much safer and better ways to socialize your pup. I promise your dog can have an absolutely GREAT life without going to a dog park. . . . . . #doglover #dog #dogpark #dogtraining #dogtrainerslife #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingisfun #dogtrainingadvice #kylescustomizeddogtraining
MARKER WORDS :) A marker word is one of my favorite things to teach any dog. It's super simple to teach and can benefit practically every dog. I use it for a multitude of things for example, it can double as a form of recall, helps POSITIVELY interrupt any reactive behavior, helps keep your dog engaged in distracting environments, etc., the list goes on. This is how to teach it.1. Start IN YOUR HOME. You want to start in the least distracting environment possible. 2. Get your dogs kibble and or treats and simply say the word "yes" then feed AFTER you finished saying the marker word. Key word is AFTER make sure to have a slight pause between saying the word and actually feeding your pup.3. As you notice your dog starts understanding that "yes" means food is coming slowly add in small distractions. You can start practicing at the door, then just a few steps outside, then out on a walk, then in new environments. I really want to emphasize adding distractions SLOWLY.4. Avoid saying your marker word when you aren't able to pay your pup. Every time you say your marker word your pup should think that they are about to get paid.Finally, even after your dog has got the hang of it, continue to practice it here and there to keep the skill sharp.
The benefits of a structured walk: ENGAGEMENT: The ability to get your dog to switch between paying attention to you and interacting with the environment will not only allow you to control your dog when you need to, but it will also allow your dog to have more freedom when it’s safe to do so. MENTAL STIMULATION: Being able to keep your dogs attention while on a walk isn’t only physically tiring, but it will add an aspect of mental stimulation. Now your pup has to focus on you which will make the walk a little more tiring resulting in a more efficient walk! BONDING TIME: Walks aren't just about physical exercise; they're also a fantastic opportunity for quality bonding with your pup. With a structured walk, you can deepen the connection and trust between you and your dog as you work together towards common goals. It's a time to reinforce obedience, have some fun, and strengthen the emotional bond you share. #tipoftheday #kylescustomizeddogtraining #doglover #doglife #dogtrainer #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainingadvice #canecorso
Find it is an absolutely amazing game to play with your dog. For starters it’s simply just really fun, you get to watch your pup sniff around to look for his toy and when they finally find the toy it basically starts a party. Not to mention that it will burn so much of your dog's energy, not only is it a physical game since they have to move around to find the toy but it’s also a really good mental workout for them. You can play this game with smelly treats or a toy and even better this game is PERFECT to play indoors on a rainy day. Best of all, teaching this game is pretty easy. Stay tuned for the tutorial! #tipoftheday #kylescustomizeddogtraining
MARKER WORDS :) A marker word is one of my favorite things to teach any dog. It's super simple to teach and can benefit practically every dog. I use it for a multitude of things for example, it can double as a form of recall, helps POSITIVELY interrupt any reactive behavior, helps keep your dog engaged in distracting environments, etc., the list goes on. This is how to teach it. 1. Start IN YOUR HOME. You want to start in the least distracting environment possible. 2. Get your dogs kibble and or treats and simply say the word "yes" then feed AFTER you finished saying the marker word. Key word is AFTER make sure to have a slight pause between saying the word and actually feeding your pup. 3. As you notice your dog starts understanding that "yes" means food is coming slowly add in small distractions. You can start practicing at the door, then just a few steps outside, then out on a walk, then in new environments. I really want to emphasize adding distractions SLOWLY. 4. Avoid saying your marker word when you aren't able to pay your pup. Every time you say your marker word your pup should think that they are about to get paid. Finally, even after your dog has got the hang of it, continue to practice it here and there to keep the skill sharp.
