Pawsitive Change Dog Training

29/08/2024

Yes it’s a dog food add and I don’t have any experience using this brand. BUT the enrichment activity is a fun idea, especially with the forecasted week of high temps coming up.

27/08/2024

Tuesday Tips: Camping Safety

Do you have a camping trip planned for the long holiday weekend? Here is a reminder of some things to think about so that you all have a fun and safe trip.

Did you know there are certain skills you can teach your dog to make camping more enjoyable? Settle on their bed, automatic leave it, and coming when called are just a few. I can help! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

25/08/2024

I don't know about you but summers are always jam packed full of activities, trips and odd schedules. This means my dog training plans and usual activities are out of whack. The fall brings with it a more consistent schedule and structure and is a great time to get back into more structured training. If it's the same for you, NOW is the time to sign up for private lessons to work on goals like leash walking, recall or behavior modification programs.

At Pawsitive Change Dog Training we believe training should be effective AND fun for both you and your dog.

24/08/2024

It’s time for another Guess the Breed challenge!

I’ve known Tracker since his Mom adopted him many years ago. What breeds do you think makeup this handsome fellow? Post in comments and I’ll share his DNA test results next Saturday.

If you have had a DNA test done and are willing to let me use it for this game please email me at [email protected]

22/08/2024

Hopefully this is information you will never need. But if you do this article includes great tips for reclaiming a lost dog.

https://wellbeingintl.org/lost-dog-syndrome/?fbclid=IwY2xjawErRYpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeixQugA4Cs2xkkq1N2lxSD6aIZkKMaT659gjvfJ-PHu-K370Y1q1DWXRA_aem_sSqMaAZLZltzTvCP0zyZtw

One of my special projects is catching uncatchable dogs! These are dogs that have been lost after a car accident, on a mountain hike, or as a new adoptee that did not know the adopter intended to provide them a forever home. After such dogs...

20/08/2024

Tuesday Tips: Trade

Trade prevents many issues like resource guarding and 'keep away' and also helps lay the ground work for teaching a reliable "drop" behavior.

If your dog is already showing signs of resource guarding (stiffening over their item, growling, showing teeth, etc.) it's best to get a personalized plan with an experienced fear free trainer. I can help! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

18/08/2024

Teaching Arry that she could start or stop nail trims by changing position was a total game changer. We worked on desensitization for about a year and I could still only get her to willingly allow one or two nails at a time. She still had a very stressed look despite many baby steps and tons of treats. Once I added a specific posture she assumes to start trims, and can get out of to stop them, her body language relaxed and the number of nails I could do in one sitting increased dramatically.

Trick Woofs comparison really hits home!

It’s much easier to get through difficult procedures if we feel we have some kind of control.

Sometimes we need to go ahead with things our dogs find uncomfortable because it’s a case of welfare. And we shouldn’t feel guilty about that. Dogs are amazingly forgiving and if we put enough good stuff in, the bad stuff has less of an impact.

But providing more choice and control for our dogs in as many areas we can. Can make getting things done much less traumatic for both of us.

A few of you asked to know more about consent handling and start/stop buttons after I shared it in my story. If you would like to watch my free video explanation, comment CONSENT and I’ll DM you the link.

17/08/2024

I’d like to highlight “The practice of forcefully removing a resource to prevent “dominance” or show a dog who’s “alpha” is incorrect/outdated/encourages resource guarding”. AND it’s downright dangerous! I can’t tell you the number of clients who were bit when they followed the bad advice to pin their resource guarding dog before they reached out to me. Trade, don’t take! On Tuesday I’ll share my tip for trade.

Thanks to Dogs Disclosed for this important information.

15/08/2024

An important reminder from SpiritDog Training.

It’s so important to start to provide appropriate socialization experiences as soon as your puppy comes home! Then you need to repeat, and adjust per their behavior, as they mature through the older puppy and teenage months.

Need help with your new puppy? www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

13/08/2024

Tuesday Tips: Naps

11/08/2024

Does your dog bark and lunge on leash? Are walks no longer fun, or something you skip entirely, due to your dog's reactive behavior? You are not alone!

Reacting to distractions whether they be dogs, people, bikes or anything else is one of the most common issues I address with clients. Schedule an initial consultation and we'll develop a plan to help you be able to enjoy walks with your dog again!

At Pawsitive Change Dog Training we believe training should be effective AND fun for both you and your dog.

10/08/2024

When asked, most clients know that socializing their puppy is important. But when asked to define it, they usually focus on 'introducing puppy to many people and dogs'. This is just a small slice of the pie!

Thanks to Kristi Phillips for the great image.

Need help? We can develop a personalized socialization plan to help your puppy grow up to be comfortable AND focused on you around distractions. www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

08/08/2024

There are 3 important components to house training a puppy. These are the 3 Rs - Routine, Restrictions and Rewards.

Routine - Get your puppy on a schedule! Here is an example from the AKC. I'd include a potty break between each of those activities and after any additional meals/water, training sessions, rousing play sessions and hourly (at least the first week) if puppy hasn't been out.

Restrictions - Puppies should NOT have complete freedom in your home. That gives them too many opportunities to make mistakes and get into things that could be harmful. Use ex-pens, baby gates, crates, etc. to restrict puppy to the immediate area where you can supervise for signs it's time to go out for a potty break.

Rewards - Puppy should get a treat or eliminating outside as soon as they finish! Do not wait until you return inside. Then they think the treat is for going inside instead of for going to the bathroom outside.

If you have a new puppy let's help them to start off on the right paw through training! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

06/08/2024

Tuesday Tips: Situational Awareness

Important for driving your car and walking your dog! I was recently reminded just how important it is to keep your head on a swivel and prepare for the worst. I had my own dog on leash and my baby in a carrier. I saw 2 young girls enter the park being practically drug by their dog. I watched where they went in the park and then sort of forgot about them. That is until the dog aggressively charged us dragging his leash with a small child chasing! Luckily my yell and stomp in the direction of the dog got him to back off long enough that I could pick up Arry. And my baby thought the entire experience was hilarious. A good reminder that I should have kept track of where that dog was at all times as I didn't realize he was charging us until he was only a few feet away!

04/08/2024

I know I've shared these before, but recent experiences have reminded me how much I LOVE them!

A high value reward that can stay in your bag until you need it! I use them for recall on hikes, luring past challenging distractions, the vet and muzzle training.

https://amzn.to/4d7ofpo

This post contains affiliate

Fussie Cat’s secret to a purr-fect purée is that we always use carefully sourced, simple, and wholesome ingredients. Add it as a topper to make mealtime exciting and flavorful, or serve it straight out of the tube as a delicious paw-some snack. And for your convenience, this pet food bundle also ...

03/08/2024

This past Tuesday I shared a tip on creating a treat value scale from your dog's point of view. Alas, I failed to share my example! This is a treat value scale from Arry's point of view.

I use kibble (low value) around the house for enrichment and trick training.
I use jerky and freeze dried treats (mid value) on walks where distractions merit a higher value reward.
I use meat and cheese (high value) for harder skills (recall) and harder environments (agility trials).
I use these gross dried fish she LOVES for nail trims.

What is your dog's highest value treat? Post in comments!

30/07/2024

Tuesday Tips: Treat Value Scale

While I love to see clients ready for a lesson with a big bag of cooked chicken to use as treats for their dog, I encourage you to save the good stuff for specific situations and training. Develop a treat value scale from your dog's point of view. Then use the lowest value treats for easy repetitions in low distraction environments to build understanding, mid value treats for more distracting environments, and save the best treats for the hardest environments, skills or stressful things. This is an example of Arry's treat value scale, not things you must use. I use kibble for trick training around the house, freeze dried meat and high value jerky for walks and smelly dried fish for nail trims.

Is your dog hard to motivate despite offering the best treats? Then there is more going on that just picking the right food. I can help! www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

28/07/2024

If you recreate with your dog on public lands in Montana, you want to familiarize yourself with what traps look like and how to disable them. Sadly, many pet dogs are caught in them every year. Footloose Montana is a great resource as they offer workshops to learn to release traps and share known trap locations. https://www.footloosemontana.org/trap-release/

27/07/2024

Such important information from Dogs Disclosed. Never punish a growl!

If your dog is growling, there are things you can do to help them. www.PawstiveChangeMT.com

25/07/2024

Watch out for cheatgrass!

23/07/2024

Tuesday Tips: Enrichment Plan for your Petsitter

Do you have a holiday plan coming up? Will your beloved dog (or dogs) be in the care of your trusted pet sitter? Even with the best pet sitter being apart from you and a change in routine can be stressful. Setup enrichment activities that encourage calming and stress relief (licking, chewing, sniffing) ahead of time for your petsitter to provide your dog. This is also a great way to provide more activities in place of things your pet sitter may not do that you usually do (hikes, walks, river visits, etc.).

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

21/07/2024

It is crucial to rule out medical issues when your dog develops a behavior problem or a new quirk. Far too often a medical need is overlooked because the behavior is attributed to the dog being 'stubborn' or simply not recognized as a sign of a medical concern. Only your veterinarian can evaluate for and diagnose a medical issue. No amount of training is going to fix the issue if it's rooted in a medical problem. Thanks to ABC Behavior and Training for the great information.

20/07/2024

When we know better we do better. Our understanding of dog behavior and best practices for dog training have changed over time. The dog training industry is not regulated. If you find yourself speaking with a trainer who mentions that you must be 'alpha' or talks about 'dominance' I strongly encourage you to seek a different trainer who is better acquainted with more modern training techniques. A good way (but not the only way) is to look for certification.

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

18/07/2024

One thing that makes me a bit sad is when I see a dog on a walk who is being required to walk in a heel without any opportunity to explore or sniff. While there is absolutely a time and a place for a more strict heel, the majority of your dog's walk should give them a chance to sniff and explore! Sniffing is such a crucial behavior for a dog's health.

Now just because you should let your dog sniff, doesn't mean you need to be drug around while they do so. You can teach loose leash walking and freedom to sniff! I can help: www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

Thanks to Dogs Disclosed for the great information!

16/07/2024

Tuesday Tips: Reward Marker

On Sunday I shared a very useful training tool, the longline. Another tool I use every time I train my dog is a reward marker! This might be a physical tool like a clicker but it may be as simple as a word. Develop a reward marker for clear communication with your dog when teaching a new skill.

Want to learn more about fun and effective dog training? www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

14/07/2024

One of my core training tools is a long line leash. A 'long line' is a longer leash of fixed length (NOT a retractable leash). I personally use a 15' long line for sniffy walks and a dragline for a dog who is still working on perfecting recall. I use a 20' long line for recall practice in public places or to let a dog get in the water while staying on leash. They make even longer ones, personally I find more than 20' a bit too cumbersome for my purposes. If you don't yet own a longline I highly recommend adding it to your toolbox! Here's a great one available on amazon.

https://amzn.to/3zOQ72B

This post contains affiliate links.

Material Nylo Color Black Swivel Snap Hook 7.5 cm Metal Hook which rotates 360 degrees Padded Handle 36 cm long Neoprene Handle Pack includes 1× recall training lead for dogs Loutep long dog training lead is made of premium nylon material. which does not deform like other long line training dog l.....

13/07/2024

This video from Dog Communication highlights appropriate play between dogs of different sizes. In fact these are good signs to look for to evaluate play between any dogs!

11/07/2024

Information you hope to never need but are grateful to have if you do....

Pssst... I can help you with your recall to reduce the chances of conflict between your dog and wildlife (I say reduce because one of the only two times I've had a dog skunked it was in my own fenced yard!).

www.PawsitiveChangeMT.com

Original source of the image unknown.

11/07/2024

Important tips! Are afternoon walks have become morning walks around here.

There's going to be record breaking heat in many parts of today.