Take the Lead, Inc.

03/08/2024

Whole Dog Journal‘s mission is to provide dog guardians with in-depth information on dog food, training, behavior, health, and more.

02/27/2024

🐾💛

02/12/2024

By Stateofmind dog training

02/04/2024

12/27/2023

Most dogs don’t get enough exercise. Both physical & mental exercise.
As a caregiver, think about that before you bring that cute puppy home!

12/26/2023

My Rally Coach the App for in-depth learning AKC Rally Obedience.

08/07/2023

Although most puppies are dog social, in adulthood most dogs become dog selective or dog tolerant. Some may even become dog reactive.

08/05/2023

Rally class……don’t forget to study this week’s signs!

07/26/2023

Rally Novice Class
Signs for next week -
#13 - #25 - #35 - #32 - #15 - #31

07/22/2023

These dogs really are everywhere.
They are often mislabeled as friendly by the guardian/owner as that is how they are seen by them.....They barge right in to "play" with other dogs the second the lead is taken off, before then they are straining, bursting out of their skin to get to whatever they are desiring at the time....and allowing dogs to do this is half the issue.

This behaviour has been rewarded by the "play" and fun of interacting.....Why would they behave any other way around other dogs?
They are not friendly.
Dogs do not consider these dogs friendly either.
Why?
These dogs take no time to assess the situation, their energy is off the charts and they immediately assert themselves into play, and demand interaction from other dogs.

They cannot read cues, or they completely ignore them when given by other dogs.
Reading other dogs play styles is non existent.
Focusing on you or redirecting is impossible.
There is absolutely no impulse control or emotional self regulation.

These dogs are often seen at a dog park running from dog to dog in a hyper aroused state and they often have an almost manic appearance, all of this causes fights, injury, stress and is a direct causation of reactivity occurring in either dog.

I have used the term "socialisation" but socialisation is NOT play....it never was....it is about calmly accepting other dogs exist through controlled exposure.
That calmness allows self regulation, allows reading cues from others and impulse control is practiced.
As a society we have a twisted view that socialisation means dogs play with all other dogs....and they should get on.
The reality of TRUE socialisation is the opposite.

If you do have a dog that has these issues...you can help (but if you reach out to a good behaviour modification trainer, you will save yourself years and years of issues).

Teach engagement with you in ever increasing distractions.
Practice and learn calmness....it is a skill.
Manage the environment for calm and limited exposure at a distance....and reward calm.
Praise and reward when they look away from the other dogs....that IS praise worthy.
Mental enrichment with these dogs helps everything.
Learn the body language of your dog (and others).

You are not alone in struggling with this behaviour, it is very common.
Take a chance that your dog CAN behave in a different way, they just need to be shown how by you or a great trainer.

Limit where and when they can practice this behaviour......and most important dog parks and meeting endless other dogs will do nothing but fuel all of this behaviour.

07/20/2023

Just some notes regarding last nights class. Everyone is doing a wonderful job! I feel some of you need to work more on dog attention. When rewarding with treats, reward close to your body. If your dog won’t come in close….withhold the food & find a treat of higher value. Treats are a reward…..not a bribe.
As always, make training fun for your dog.
Always end your lessons on a positive note!
Next week we’ll spend more time on loose lead walking.

03/18/2023

03/09/2023

Marketplace sent the DNA of two mixed-breed dogs, one purebred dog and one human to four different dog DNA companies. Nearly all the results were different.

02/20/2023

Pack Walk today at noon. Meet by Aiken Brewery corner of The Alley & Laurens.

09/23/2022

Thinking about Therapy Dog Work? Need to brush up on some training skills? Class at Grace United Methodist Church in N. Augusta.
Contact [email protected] for more info

06/23/2022

Socialization should be your first goal when starting out with your puppy because it can only be accomplished when a puppy is young AND it has a huge impact not only on the type of dog you will have when they mature (social versus nervous).

Puppies are in a critical period of socialization from about 4 weeks of age to about 14 weeks (this range may vary based on the breed). During this window it is important that the puppy is properly socialized because their brains are the most receptive to learning about the world. Proper socialization is the key to the friendly and social dog.

It is important to stress that socialization is not exposure. It is far more complex than simply taking your new puppy places with you. In fact, for some puppies exposure can be too overwhelming and can create more fear. Socialization is about helping your puppy build positive associations.

When setting up socialization experiences it is always important that you carefully observe your puppy’s body language. Puppies and dogs communicate active enjoyment and stress through their bodies, and it goes far beyond a tail wag. Small signals like licking lips, dropping the head, yawning, and scratching can all indicate stress. Becoming proficient at reading your puppy will help you learn when your puppy is having and good time (and building those essential positive associations) vs. when a situation could be too overwhelming, and we need to back off!

Our goal is for the puppy to have a choice to interact or to retreat and to reward that bravery and interaction with high-value reinforcers instead of being forced into situations that cause stress and assuming the puppy will “get used to it”.

Want to read more about puppy socialization? Read our blog: https://www.pawsitivefutures.com/single-post/puppy-socialization-101