Check out this video of one of my clients, Beau, learning the basics of "place" with his mom!
Check out Eris at her second training session! She is killing it at ignoring people and heeling!
From highly trained to riled up and ready to chase that fake bunny! I always recommend getting into sports with your dog as it helps them get that desire for whatever it may be out of their system, physical and mental exercise, and builds an even better bond between you and your dog!
This video is of Java, my 5 year old Labrador at a fastcat event. I don't discourage barking and lunging at this event because I want her to really go all into the chase. She loves it!
Dakota during training today!
Besides needing to mature a bit, she is doing so incredibly well in training. Hoping we can move to a more dog populated area soon to practice our focus around other dogs, but look at her go! Good job Dakota!
Check out Panda, a client I've been working with for a few weeks now, and his first time working on his human reactivity in public. He catches on so quickly with clicker training!
Clicker training with Saint today!
This handsome boy who's enjoying his time snoozing away while we hang out together in the living room. He's so excited for mom and dad to come home tomorrow!
Here is a video of Saint learning the "Place" command. The place command has many benefits, one being reactivity. It can be used to teach a dog when to be relaxed and how to separate themselves when they're feeling uncomfortable. Saint can be very reactive to hearing dogs and other animals on the TV so place is being used to teach him how to relax in the house and not react to the sounds. In the future we will likely be using this command to teach him how to relax in public places.
Teaching your dog tricks is a great way to bond with your dog and create a happy, engaged partner in training!
Check out this video of Java working on an advanced cue called "Hike"!
Do you have a dog who would rather play outside than do their business?
Put your dog's leash to good use! Something I always recommend to clients who have a dog that would rather play outside than go is to simply use that desire to play, to your advantage!
When bringing Fluffy outside, keep them leashed. Give them 5 minutes to go, while leashed, and if they don't go, bring them back inside, tethered to you. This means keeping them leashed indoors as well so they can't run off and go potty somewhere else. Once you notice signs of needing to go, such as sniffing, pacing, whining, squatting, etc, bring them back outside. Repeat the 5 minutes, leashed. This may take a few tries before they go.
As soon as they go, immediately mark them going potty with "yes!" and once they're done, you can unleash them (as long as they're in a safe, enclosed area).
When you reward them by allowing them to go play, this is called a "life reward." Life rewards are anything your dog enjoys or loves that you can connect to his or her behavior during normal, daily activities. This can be many things, but the most common life rewards are;
1. Food
2. Access to other dogs (investigation and play)
3. Access to the environment and outdoors (sniffing is a big example!)
4. Initiation of play such as chasing a ball, tug of war, or the game of chase!
There are many benefits to these rewards, but one I commonly share is that life rewards can be accessed just about anywhere. They're there for you to take advantage of!
Lucky, the 1 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever practicing heel.
Lucky, the 1 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever practicing stay.
Lucky the 1 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever, practicing heel and stay.
