Impulse control work
Earlier, I shared a post about how and why to train impulse control, so I figured I’d add this video to show what it looks like in action! Ranger and I headed to the lake to work on his impulse control and (to run a scent track) —because when you have a 110-pound, prey driven dog, perfect impulse control isn’t optional. If he loses focus, it’s like releasing a tornado into a crowd. To help him get into the right mindset, I put on his training vest and brought his favorite reward—a ball. Despite people hiking nearby and other dogs passing through, he stayed locked in. I was hoping to catch a mid-run stop and sit, but let’s just say I missed the moment because my camera skills are about as good as a dog’s at knitting. What I did catch is Ranger nailing a moving down command like a pro and holding it with total focus until I released him to chase his ball (which, naturally, I also forgot to film the throw ).This is just a small example of training impulse control and also an example of why I won’t be moonlighting as a videographer anytime soon!
Ranger’s recovery requires nothing less than the world’s most dedicated cuddles—and yes, I took the day off to deliver. Fire candle flickering, birds chirping, and this big guy blissfully snoozing away… until he startles himself awake with a snore loud enough to shake the couch! Rest assured, he’ll be thoroughly spoiled.
Sometimes they just find us….
Ranger didnt even need his sniffer for this one!!
A stray dog showed up on our Ring cam, so I went out to try and help him home. He wasn’t a fan of people, and I couldn’t grab him, but he *was* a fan of dogs! Enter Ranger, my lure dog. A lure dog helps guide or attract another dog when they’re scared or unapproachable. I dropped Ranger’s leash so they could meet and play on neutral ground, and the stray followed Ranger all the way back to his home at the top of our neighborhood—no leash needed. Thanks to a helpful neighbor who knew where he lived, we reunited him with his mom, who had been out searching for him. He’s now home safe and sound!
I did not have my phone nor did I have shoes on. I was out there for 20 minutes before deciding to bring Ranger out. Pretty sure he rolled his eyes at me when I went in the house to grab him. So I walked him back home shoeless and humbled by my own dog.
YOLO
Ranger is out here living his best life today. Doggy on Vacation!!!
"Today's training took an unexpected twist when the cat decided to school the dogs on impulse control. Gave him a gentle reminder to 'sit,' and of course, he nailed it! 😸🐾 Cats always think they're the pros, even in dog training! #CatVsDogTraining"
Next thing you know I’ll have to change my business name 😂. Not even sure they would deem me good enough. Cats you know how they are.
Teach the kids …. The pup already gets it.
Teach the children !! Tyson is making remarkable progress with his leash training, so we decided to involve my 8-year-old son in a training session. Since Tyson lives with young boys, it's crucial that they also learn to handle him properly. In the video, you'll notice me correcting my son, not Tyson. Brooks was unintentionally pulling and maintaining tension on the leash, which isn't ideal. He was not giving Tyson the chance to do his auto sit , with the leash pull he was actually correcting him before Tyson had a chance to even perform the task.
A key principle in leash training is that a loose leash indicates good behavior from the dog, while a tight leash means the dog is experiencing negative pressure, suggesting they need to adjust their actions. Tyson’s performance, especially considering it's only his third day with us, was outstanding. He’s here primarily for confidence building and some fine-tuning of his skills. He has done a board and train program in the past. We're providing him with lots of enthusiastic praise and very gentle corrections.
In contrast, our other dog, Ranger, requires a firmer approach. This highlights an important aspect of dog training: each dog is different, and the training method should be customized to fit the individual dog rather than sticking to a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. By understanding and adapting to each dog's unique needs, we can achieve better and more effective training outcomes.
A little scent tin work
If you're into scent work, here's a video of Ranger doing his thing. Fair warning: it's long, I talk a lot, and I got stung ( in the video I thought it was fire ants 💯 not fire ants ) by something that was clearly having a bad day and decided to take it out on me. It nailed me a couple of times before leaving its stinger behind like a tiny, vengeful ninja. If anyone knows what nasty critter does that, please enlighten me. It burns like the pit of hell!
For the first time, I set the scent line with hamburger grease instead of our usual essential oils or items from clients' dogs. Usually, we keep these scent items in a plastic bag to prevent contact. So, if you have any old doggy blankets that have been well-loved, send them my way!
I was out of breath because I hiked to set the line and then had to run back to get Ranger. Didn’t start filming until we were already in action. Of course, he took less than 10 minutes, including a potty break, to make a mockery of my setup.
Unlike some search dogs, Ranger seems to need more scent resets, but he's great about coming back to ask for a sniff of the bag. Rotties and their ADD! He got distracted by the hamburger grease trail. Note to self: probably won't use that scent again—way too easy.
Oh, and Ranger has to touch the tin to get his reward. The first time, I didn't reward him because he just seemed to find it and then circled the tree like he was debating whether it was worth the effort. Finally, he touched it, and it was like, "Alright, fine, here's your treat."
Anyone up for hiding in the woods?
Asking once
Once a command is set in, we do not repeat ourselves. Trust me, unless your dog has a medical issue preventing it, they can hear you. They are just choosing not to comply. Here’s a video of Ranger earning his treat this morning. If you notice on one command, “speak,” he does not do it. I give a very light correction; I do not repeat the command. In order to reinforce this, make sure your dog has a clear understanding of what you’re asking. I am saying the commands very softly. I can whisper them and he will do them. If you notice at the end he gave me a stress yawn. He was over working for that one treat. So I chose to end it on a good note. Know your dogs body language.
Why It’s Important
1. **Clarity and Consistency**:
Repeating commands can confuse your dog. They might start to think they only need to respond after hearing the command several times, which can delay their reaction.
2. **Effective Training**:
Asking a command only once ensures that your dog learns to respond promptly. This reinforces the behavior you want and helps the dog understand that immediate obedience is expected.
3. **Authority and Leadership**:
Dogs look for confident and consistent leadership. Repeating commands can make you seem less authoritative, which can weaken your dogs confidence in you.
4. **Behavior Reinforcement**:
Consistently asking a command once helps reinforce the desired behavior more effectively. Your dog learns that they must perform the command when asked the first time to receive a reward or avoid a correction.
How to Implement This in Your Training
1. **Start Simple**:
Begin with basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come.” Ensure you have your dog’s attention before giving the command.
2. **Use Clear Commands**:
Say the command in a clear, firm, and calm voice. Make sure your dog is looking at you or is otherwise focused on you.
3. **Be Consistent**:
Stick to using the same word or phrase for each command. Con
Some days it’s just cute
Ranger's journey with this command started with a basic touch command, nose to our palm. From there, we started evolving it to opening doors, turning off lights, and indicating items. Teaching Ranger to earn rewards like food and treats has become a natural part of his routine, satisfying his drive to work on days he is not out with mom. Besides look how happy the guy is. And yes he is as squish-able he looks.
Potty bells
Ruby is already a pro at the doorbell to go outside which I love. Her mom, dad and big brothers can do without it at times 😂
Bell training is a great tool for potty training , sometimes it can backfire and you get a pup that just loves to go outside. But isn’t it adorable!! She’s so proud of herself.
If your dog rings the bell just to go out for fun, only take them out when they ring it to go potty, not for play. This helps them understand the bell is for potty breaks only. Also, ensure they get enough playtime to prevent boredom and unnecessary bell ringing. Distinguishing between a genuine need to go potty and a desire for attention or play can be tricky. One way is to observe your dog's behavior before ringing the bell. If they've just eaten, woken up, or been active, they're more likely to need to go potty. Also, pay attention to their body language when they ring the bell; if they seem urgent or anxious, it's likely a potty request. With time and consistency, you'll learn to differentiate between the signals. Also if they are ringing it for a party sometimes it a sign that they need more mental stimulation. Rubys parents are excellent and she gets plenty of mental engagement. She just likes the attention 😂 so we are working on that.
What is a snuffle mat and how does it help ?? A snuffle mat is a fantastic tool for engaging your dog's sense of smell and providing mental stimulation. Here's how it helps:
1. **Encourages Natural Foraging Behavior**: Dogs have a natural instinct to forage for food. A snuffle mat mimics this behavior by hiding treats or kibble within its fabric, encouraging dogs to use their noses to search for their food.
2. **Mental Stimulation**: Snuffle mats engage your dog's brain as they sniff and search for hidden treats. This mental stimulation can help alleviate boredom and reduce destructive behaviors caused by lack of mental stimulation.
3. **Slows Down Eating**: For dogs who tend to gulp down their food quickly, a snuffle mat can help slow down their eating pace. The act of sniffing out each piece of food makes mealtime more enjoyable and prevents digestive issues associated with eating too quickly.
4. **Great for Anxiety Relief**: The repetitive sniffing action required to find treats in a snuffle mat can have a calming effect on anxious dogs. It provides them with a productive outlet for their energy and helps them relax.
5. **Suitable for All Ages and Breeds**: Whether you have a young, energetic puppy or a senior dog, a snuffle mat can be enjoyed by dogs of all ages and breeds. It's also a great way to provide mental stimulation for dogs with limited mobility or those recovering from surgery.
In summary, a snuffle mat is not just a fun accessory for dogs; it's also a valuable tool for mental enrichment, stress relief, and promoting healthy eating habits.
