Doggy Life Skills

25/04/2023

Dramatic poses

25/06/2022

Blondes do have more fun!!

17/04/2022

Happy Easter!

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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signals

11/02/2022

Happy Valentine’s Day!



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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10/02/2022

If you talk to the animals, they will talk to you, and you will know each other.
If you do not talk to them, you will not know them, and what you do not know, you will fear.
What one fears, one destroys.
-Chief Dan George

signals

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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08/02/2022

We have a curriculum!

29/01/2022

My Aussies loved trying something new last night. I’ve always wanted to do agility with them and the pandemic took hold right as I was going to start… so here’s to an early start for Snickers and a late start for Baxter!

24/01/2022

“The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts today.”
— Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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21/01/2022

Happy Friday!

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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20/01/2022

What are calming signals for dogs?

The patterns of behavior used by dogs when interacting with each other in environments that cause heightened stress and when conveying their desires or intentions
These behaviors can save lives. - Turid Rugaas

If your dog is aggressive sometimes, make sure that you are rewarding calming signals. It won’t take long before they learn to de-escalate situations as opposed to being aggressive!

Here are some examples

* Turning away
* Softening of the eyes
* licking the nose
* freezing
* Walking slowly
* wagging the tail
* play Bow
* Sitting down
* lying down
* yawning
* sniffing
* curving away

signals

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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12/01/2022

Are you unintentionally teaching your dog to bark?

You may be surprised by what a dog takes for a reward when barking. Don't give the behavior that you don't want, any attention.

Here are some examples

* Talking to a dog
* Touching and petting a dog
* Giving a dog a command
* Taking the dog into another room
* Getting a reward when the barking stops
* Looking at the dog



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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10/01/2022

What should you do when your dog is afraid?

* Remove the thing they fear (walk away from it or take it out of their sight)
* Don't yell at them or lock them in a room for barking out of fear, the fear could turn into a larger, life-long issue
* Place yourself as a barrier between you and the object it fears.
* Start using hand signals to show that "you've got this" (think of barking at strangers coming to the door)
* Hand signals can be used for separation anxiety to show that you will return. The training process takes several steps, time, and patience.



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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10/01/2022

My happy puppy Snickers is doing great with his training😀. He is working on “staying” on the “down” and he learned to jump over a small jump today! He’s been able to sit and spin ans down for a while. I’m lengthening the time he can do these things and trying them out with distractions in new places. Little by little, I think the little guy is getting it!

08/01/2022

What are the classifications of barking?

Barking is a problem for some owners.
What people don't remember is that barking is the language of dogs and it involves sound. Here are the common types of barking:

* Excitement Barking
* Warning Barking
* Fear Barking
* Frustration Barking
* Learned Barking
* Guard Barking



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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05/01/2022

“Everybody needs a passion. That’s what keeps life interesting. If you live without passion, you can go through life without leaving any footprints.”
-Betty white

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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03/01/2022

What are the 3 P's of Dog Training?
Practice, persistence, and Patience!

It's important for your dog use obedience skills at class, home, and in public. Many stores allow dogs in their establishments. When your dog is ready, practice often! In these pictures, my dogs, Baxter and Snickers are practicing at Home Depot!



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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01/01/2022

Happy New Year!

31/12/2021

Here’s to 2022!



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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28/12/2021

Humans have 6 million scent receptors versus
Dogs who have 300 million scent receptors
Remember that when you are training your Dog
Let them show off their sense of smell!
Try out scent work classes!



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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23/12/2021

Kind words from a client!

We were very lucky to find Erica! She has been amazing to work with and we are excited to continue taking our dog to her. We went through multiple boarders trying to find someone to help with our dog since he struggles with anxiety and is difficult to work with. Erica has helped make significant progress in improving our dog’s behavior, and her vast knowledge of how to work with different types of dogs is unmatched.

Erica Merrill
Doggy Life Skills
617- 821-5565

22/12/2021

Happy Wednesday!

Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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21/12/2021

Tips for walking a puppy on a leash for the first time.

The collar and leash do not feel natural for a puppy. Don't pull at all the first few times. They may be shy or Adventurous.You can get a "no-Pull" harness if they tend to pull.



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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19/12/2021

It’s safe to say that he’s Dog Tired!

16/12/2021

13/12/2021

What are the harmful effects of under-socializing a puppy?

* Inability to greet or play with other dogs
* Extreme shyness or fear in social situations
* Separation Anxiety
* Inability to self-calm
* Excitable, attention-seeking behavior



Erica Merrill
617-821-5565
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10/12/2021

What has to happen for dogs to become pets?

* You give them food consistently
* You keep them safe
* You protect them from diseases by vaccinating
* You spay or neuter them and diminish their reproductive drive
* You train them to fit into society
* You love them



Erica Merrill
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