Positive Reinforcement Dog Training. Serving Solano County, Woodland and Davis
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Just a few of the awesome kiddos I've been spending 2023 with.
Blueprints is still in operation, just not too active on social media.
I'm still accepting Solano County clients but no longer able to serve Woodland and Davis. I'm now teaching group classes at Napa Humane!
Looking for a reason to get out on Wednesday night? Check out this yummy fundraiser option at Hank and Hazels to support Solano County Animal Care!
This week!
Need an excuse to not cook dinner? Look no further!! Stop by on March 1st from 4pm-7pm and order some of the BEST food Vacaville has to offer! Come out and support the animals of Solano County!
Great info for anybody who fosters! Especially as we head into kitten season!
Calling all shelter staff, volunteers, and foster parents! Join Tabitha Kucera, CCBC, RVT, KPA-CTP, VTS (Behavior), as she discusses how to support foster parents and provide a Fear Free medical fostering experience for animals in need. It’s happening Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.
Register: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/283/pyqnptz8
Happy National Family Day from my family to yours! 💙💜🐴🐒🐄🦎🦎
Recommended treat sizes! Think kibble-sized!
One of my go to treats are hot dogs. They're convenient, affordable and store well.
I typically go for chicken or turkey or other single protein types.
(Pro tip: Beef hot dogs can be a lil greasy and that makes holding clickers and leashes a challenge)
I'm always sure to dice up my hot dogs and usually cut them into quarters before chopping them. Some people use veggie choppers to cut them as well.
We often try to give dogs huge pieces. Most dogs would opt for many small pieces over one large piece. Smaller treats won't fill your dog up too quickly and should be easier on the stomach.
🌞Summertime tip! Dice your hotdogs and then freeze them. They'll help keep your pup cool as little meatsicles but will still be easy to digest! ❄️🌭
✨️🐾Simple, yet effective enrichment. 🐾✨️
My boy likes a good crunch. Juice cartons and large plastic bottles are his favorite! For my more average sized girls, simple watter bottles are their jam. My xl boy loves to help me recycle ♻️ ❤️
⚠️Be sure to remove lids and watch your dog's while they play.
💡Many people add kibble inside of the bottle for a fun twist. My guy gets a little *too* aroused by that game. Simply chewing on the empty bottle and tossing it around by himself usually leads to naptime. If I fill it with food he typically spends the next 30-40 minutes panting and searching for the pieces, then proceeds to annoy his siblings. Not all enrichment is created equal!
Simple but effective enrichment! Enrichment means providing your pet opportunities to practice behaviors that are normal to their species. For dogs, that looks like sniffing, foraging, chewing, licking, diffing, chasing, shredding, and more.
Toys that can be stuffed can be a wonderful way to keep your dog enriched but also provide them with a way to soothe themselves. Licking and chewing are great stress relievers.
We often overthink enrichment, focusing on making food toys harder or last longer as a way to provide enrichment. We typically forget the most important part - our dogs get to decide what's enriching! Try out different games or toys and see what your dog engages with. Then watch their behavior after. Are they less stressed, more relaxed, hyper aroused? Keep tabs on what enrichment helps your dog the most. Find a balance. It's not all about exhausting and frustrating them. Especially for a dog already under stress, activities that are soothing can help them decompress and self regulate. They spend enough time stressed, frustrated and aroused, help them find some peace. This is especially true for reactive or anxious dogs or for dogs whom recently have been quite stressed. For example, after a vet visit or a long morning romp at the park.
So here's a simple recipe: kibble and canned food.
Canned dog food can be a healthy way to fill food toys. While peanut butter is affordable and easy, you have plenty of options for fillings! Too much peanut butter can give your dog an upset tummy and peanut butter can have unhealthy ingredientsin it.
Today my kids just got a simple filling of kibble and canned food. I like to use up a whole can and fill as many toys as I can. This way I won't need to store the can and I have a few toys prepared.
If your dog is a pro at food toys, they may enjoy a frozen one. Not all dogs have the patience for a frozen kong. If your dog is easily frustrated or anxious, you may have more luck if you give it to them fresh and not frozen. There are thousands of ways to fill these toys. A few of my favorites are canned food, baby food purees, Greek yogurt, rice and mashed potatoes.
A pro tip: by putting the kibble at the base, you'll have an easier time cleaning as will your dog. You don't have to push the sticky stuff all the way to the bottom. Oh and one more thing, canned food and baby food are WAY easier to clean up after 😉
Blueprints Dog Training has been in business for officially ONE year! I am incredibly thankful to all of my clients as well as all who have referred or shared my posts. I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to work with so many amazing families and their pets.
For anyone who has worked with me in the past year, I'd love your feedback! https://forms.gle/nGFGHXAKGQymRX9K8
Living with multiple, reactive dogs, can be a challenge. At times it can be easy to feel disheartened and overwhelmed. If you're struggling with reactivity, you're not alone. Know that there can be progress and there is support for you!
I wanted to share this moment of pure joy with my girls yesterday. They're both reactive. But with a perfectly empty park, long lines, a pouch full of chicken and a LOT of training below threshold, we got 20 minutes of joy. All of their practice and hard work allowed them some freedom to smell, run and roll out in the world, without all of stress, anxiety and frustration that their walks used to hold. While it was short, it was sweet, successful and absolutely what we all needed to fill up our emotional cups.
Training doesn't have to be hard all the time. In fact, it shouldn't be hard at all! If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, reach out to a certified trainer! You don't have to do it on your own!
To those of you avoiding all the neighborhood dogs, managing your dog's environment and advocating for your dog's needs - we see you! You're doing awesome. Savor your moments of success, no matter how little, a win is still a win!
Rocco was a little bummed about the weather on our last training adventure. Many dogs (mine included) don't want to get out in the rain. Unfortunately, for many people, rainy walks are a requirement. For some of us, we have the luxury of skipping these adventures. If you're looking for some alternative ways to get outdoors, here are some adjustments you could make that might help your dog loosen up and enjoy the experience:
Find an overhang to play under
*Play games or practice tricks then enjoy
*Take breaks to warm up and catch a reprieve from the rain, either indoors or in the car. You can even work on skills inside of the car, like sit, down and even shake!
*Keep your sessions short and sweet, it's all about stretching their legs and enjoying some quality time with you, outdoors.
Thank you to the many wonderful clients that made 2021 our best year yet!
A little tardy to the Christmas party, but just in case you haven't celebrated yet, here are a few last minute celebration tips to keep you and your pup sane!
1. Prep your space
2. Set your dog up for success with a plan and activities
A little management can go a long way!
Happy Holidays!
Your dog's walk is about your dog, not about you. You can walk anywhere you want, whenever you want. Be sure to prioritize them during the activity. In about 15 minutes, Cardi and I covered only about 10% of this amazing park. She sniffed to her heart's content, then headed back for home. Her walk, her choice. Of course I allow her to make choices within reason, her health and safety come first, but I let her tell me what she needs and coach her along the way.
We like to recycle and we love to keep it simple! Dinner in the bottles. Fun time in separate rooms to maximize comfort and fun. Supervision to keep it safe. Get creative and have some fun!
Recall is arguably one of the most important skills!
Here are a few of the many ways I recall my pups. There are some many awesome variations to use. I protect each cue by always reinforcing and keeping the fun moving. I never want returning to mama to be a bad thing! Kylo LOVED checking out our new neighborhood park. We are really loving our new neighborhood in Dixon! Now get out there and have some fun!!!
-------------------------🪢PS. That's a biothane longline. it's one of the absolute best purchases ive ever made. This orange one is 6+ years only and it's easy to grab, store, see and doesn't hurt your hands!
If you don't have a KONG or stuff-able rubber toy, I strongly recommend you do some shopping! Not only do they provide an outlet for natural behaviors like licking, chewing and foraging, but they can help your dog relieve stress. Chewing and licking are self-soothing behaviors, so they can be useful for dogs that are feeling stressed. By providing appropriate toys, your dog is far less likely to seek out your furniture as a chew object.
Are you feeling the chaos today? Remember that when we're feeling frustrated with our dogs, they're likely feeling frustrated with us. Maybe we haven't met their doggy needs and provided enough exercise, enrichment or engagement today. Take a breath and reconnect with your dog. If you only have 0.3 seconds, take it to toss a toy or scratch in their favorite spot, but later make a point to spend some time focusing on addressing their needs. You will reap the benefit of a calm and content pup serving far less chaos.
Ps Cardi's actual middle name is Chaos, because she chooses it every morning.
She hopes your Tuesday is terrific and filled with a little bit (or a lot) of training time!
Don't wait until an emergency to find out! If you're in Solano County, our favorite spot is Solano-Napa Pet Emergency in Cordelia. UC Davis also has an Emergency Clinic. It's also really important to understand that the entire Veterinary world is swamped with clients due to the rise in adoptions during Covid, so wait times are significantly longer! Be patient with them, they're doing all they can and they are AMAZING at what they do. Be sure to thank your VET, RVT and Clinic Staff whenever you can. Solano-Napa Pet Emergency Clinic
FREE RESOURCES!
Humane Dog Training Advocates and Fear Free Happy Homes have wonderful, up to date, content on their sites. Both organizations provide this free support to owners everywhere. Their goal is to help share the information that can help keep dogs in their homes. If you're wondering how to pick a training professional or would like other resources for training or understanding your dog, these two sites have the resources to get you started on the right path! Humane Dog Training Advocates also provides these resources in spanish!
The flirt pole! Looks like a giant cat toy, right? Well it basically is! This one came from but you can easily make one yourself. I prefer theirs because the rope is bungee and my kids love to thrash once they catch it.
Education time! Dogs are born with characteristics a sequences of behaviors that we don't have to train. Some of these characteristics are even selectively bred for, which is how we have created breeds specifically designed to assist with herding, hunting and retrieving tasks. Toys like the flirt pole utilize some of these skills and provide appropriate outlets for these behaviors.
The predatory sequence is as follows: orient> eye stalk> chase> grab bite> kill bite (shake)> dissect > consume
The flirt pole allows our dogs/cats or any other predatory animal to use those instincts. No, I'm not going to make him a better hunter. He already has these skills. So we're using this fun game as a way to practice his self control. Following the cue is rewarded by getting another round of play. We're still trading cookies for the toy because he is still learning, and let's be honest, tugging is super fun all on its own, so I need to provide something he finds valuable to trade and keep the game going.
We cleared out a space in the garage, but you can play this game anywhere that allows for about a 15ft circle, depending on the length of your toy. You won't need long playing this game, maybe 15minutes before your kid is ready to chill.
All size dogs dig this game, but if you have a terrier type breed, I HIGHLY recommend it as a fun enrichment and exercise game!
If you're a dessert hound like me, then you'd agree that sprinkles make everything better! Feeding the floor or a specific location can help your dog remain where they're supposed to be, whether that means keeping all four feet on the floor, or staying on their mat. Whether for enrichment games or training, keep it fun for the both of you! Sprinkle away my friends!
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Rocco was a little bummed about the weather on our last training adventure. Many dogs (mine included) don't want to get out in the rain. Unfortunately, for many people, rainy walks are a requirement. For some of us, we have the luxury of skipping these adventures. If you're looking for some alternative ways to get outdoors, here are some adjustments you could make that might help your dog loosen up and enjoy the experience: Find an overhang to play under *Play games or practice tricks then enjoy *Take breaks to warm up and catch a reprieve from the rain, either indoors or in the car. You can even work on skills inside of the car, like sit, down and even shake! *Keep your sessions short and sweet, it's all about stretching their legs and enjoying some quality time with you, outdoors.
A little tardy to the Christmas party, but just in case you haven't celebrated yet, here are a few last minute celebration tips to keep you and your pup sane! 1. Prep your space 2. Set your dog up for success with a plan and activities A little management can go a long way! Happy Holidays!
Your dog's walk is about your dog, not about you. You can walk anywhere you want, whenever you want. Be sure to prioritize them during the activity. In about 15 minutes, Cardi and I covered only about 10% of this amazing park. She sniffed to her heart's content, then headed back for home. Her walk, her choice. Of course I allow her to make choices within reason, her health and safety come first, but I let her tell me what she needs and coach her along the way.
We like to recycle and we love to keep it simple! Dinner in the bottles. Fun time in separate rooms to maximize comfort and fun. Supervision to keep it safe. Get creative and have some fun!
Recall is arguably one of the most important skills! Here are a few of the many ways I recall my pups. There are some many awesome variations to use. I protect each cue by always reinforcing and keeping the fun moving. I never want returning to mama to be a bad thing! Kylo LOVED checking out our new neighborhood park. We are really loving our new neighborhood in Dixon! Now get out there and have some fun!!! -------------------------🪢PS. That's a biothane longline. it's one of the absolute best purchases ive ever made. This orange one is 6+ years only and it's easy to grab, store, see and doesn't hurt your hands! #recall #dogtraining #funwithdogs #trainingbutmakeitfun #positivereinforcement #cookiepusher
Kylo can be a bit of a ravenous eater (likely from his inconsistent meals in his past life) so he typically eats from a Slobowl. The egg carton is a great variation on the same task. Adding his meal allowed him to forage in the carton and the grass. I call it Puppy Mancala! Stay tuned for a twist on this game!
The flirt pole! Looks like a giant cat toy, right? Well it basically is! This one came from @squishyfacestudio but you can easily make one yourself. I prefer theirs because the rope is bungee and my kids love to thrash once they catch it. Education time! Dogs are born with characteristics a sequences of behaviors that we don't have to train. Some of these characteristics are even selectively bred for, which is how we have created breeds specifically designed to assist with herding, hunting and retrieving tasks. Toys like the flirt pole utilize some of these skills and provide appropriate outlets for these behaviors. The predatory sequence is as follows: orient> eye stalk> chase> grab bite> kill bite (shake)> dissect > consume The flirt pole allows our dogs/cats or any other predatory animal to use those instincts. No, I'm not going to make him a better hunter. He already has these skills. So we're using this fun game as a way to practice his self control. Following the cue is rewarded by getting another round of play. We're still trading cookies for the toy because he is still learning, and let's be honest, tugging is super fun all on its own, so I need to provide something he finds valuable to trade and keep the game going. We cleared out a space in the garage, but you can play this game anywhere that allows for about a 15ft circle, depending on the length of your toy. You won't need long playing this game, maybe 15minutes before your kid is ready to chill. All size dogs dig this game, but if you have a terrier type breed, I HIGHLY recommend it as a fun enrichment and exercise game!
Enrichment doesn't have to be difficult! Enrichment is all about giving our dogs opportunities to perform the behaviors they were built to do. Foraging and scavenging are natural skills that all dogs are born with and scenting is a full body workout! Remember, dogs can smell a million times better than we can, so resist the urge to help your dog find things and let them work that sniffer!
Holidays can be a dangerous time for our pets. While the fireworks are fun for us, they can be really scary for pets. Be sure to bring your kitties indoors and keep your dogs on leash!
Have you played today? We can create all the excuses that we want, but at the end of the day SOMETHING is better than nothing. Whether you have 30 seconds or 40 minutes, no yard or a big field, daylight or night time, 45° or 105°, there's always some fun to be had. Feeling frustrated or disconnected from your dog? Play helps Does going for a walk sound like torture? That's fine, walks aren't the only way to interact! No space? Try teaching a goofy trick like jumping over your outstretched legs or a rolled up towel No energy? Grab a plastic bottle out of your recycle, toss some treats inside and pass it over to your dog. No time? Well since you're going to feed dinner anyway, turn it into a puzzle or a search game. Split food into 3-4 portions and stash the bowls around the yard or home. Or spread kibble on an old towel and roll it up-that can't take more than 30 seconds! Still nothing? There are some amazing resources on enrichment but you can always reach out to set up a virtual, in person, or phone session if you're fresh out of ideas! Keep it safe and healthy but remember there's no perfect way to play, so get up and have fun!
When it's 90° before 10am, you do what you can! We found a nearby park with wet grass and played some training games. "Find it" is his cue to look for a treat and "Touch" is his cue to target his nose to my hand. A great way to practice your recalls and stick some brain 🧠 and nose 🐽 workouts in! A little morning exploration was just want Kylo needed! Now back inside for frozen KONGs! Stay cool everyone!
Recall is one of the most important behaviors we can teach our dogs. In our household we have a handful of cues that mean Come and we practice them often. For reinforcement, the kids worked for treats, play, opportunities to sniff and access to off leash exploration. Each dog has their preferred reinforcement and gets an adjustment based on their skills and preferences. #dogtraining #comewhencalled #thefutureisforcefree #forcefreetraining #forcefreerecall #vacaville #dixon #vallejo
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