Puppy Learning Center

25/05/2022

Image description: A brown GSP dog with a collar and lead staring intently behind the camera.

Text reads: Adolescence is a time for patience, not push. The frontal cortex is still developing during adolescence and so a young dog’s ability to control its own behaviour is not yet fully developed. This can be mistaken for naughtiness.

14/05/2022

Remi is ready and waiting patiently for her lesson!

05/05/2022

Wonderful time today again visiting Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School! Lady accompanied me this time and showed off some Nosework skills, a few tricks, some obedience and most of all her happy and friendly demeanor. I’ve been invited to demonstrate positive reinforcement training techniques and it’s results, lecturing and working with Piper, a lab pup owned by Elise West, a fantastic instructor there. The students are so great, great questions and participation. Both Lady and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there today. Thank you, Elise!

27/02/2022

Choose carefully!! We can't remove instinct from your dog and fighting it builds frustration on both ends of the leash. Choose a breed that fits your lifestyle

07/02/2022

How many moments do you say "Yes!" in your dog's day?

You gotta give positive feedback! You create an enthusiastic learner by doing so.

16/12/2021

06/11/2021

There are times when just spending quiet time with your dog is what both need. Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Fall

21/07/2021

I had a feeling these two clients would become fast friends…and they did. Perfect socialization experience for the two of them. Although Puppy Learning Center is not offering group lessons, we certainly do provide opportunities for safe socialization with other dogs, people and environments. Thank you Finn and Ellie for a fun session!

21/07/2021

Part of successful training is realizing that goals need to be adjusted realistically in order to achieve success. One bad day doesn't make a failure.

11/06/2021

Tackling Reactivity Overview Curriculum Instructor   Barking, growling and lunging dog? We know how stressful reactivity is. And we know how to stop it. A proven, effective way to stop reactivity – tried and tested by thousands of dog owners. Addressing reactivity with in-person trainers can be a...

16/05/2021

I know I have mentioned to most, if not all, of my clients about the importance of finding things to do with your dog that are fun for both of you, as well as age appropriate mentally and sometimes physically challenging for your pup or dog. The sport of Nosework is just that...it is something that most all dogs already know how to do (find things with their nose that smell good or result in a great consequence), it gives you a jaw dropping sense of pride as you watch your dog work, and you make friendships with like minded dog owners. Today was just that...Lady and I participated in PACE Games...a nosework venue created by Michele Ellertson of The Dog's Pace. We had so much fun on a beautiful day, the searches were challenging and creative. Please check out www.thedogspace.net - courses can be online or in person. I promise you, and I especially promise your dog, that you will not be disappointed! (Photo from prior Nosework trial).

15/05/2021

So important that your pup begin to realize that YOU are the best thing around, even around friendly strangers!

Why You Shouldn't Let Strangers Feed Your Pup:

Staying with this week's topic on socialization, it's important to note why letting strangers feed your dog treats and food is not a solution to your socialization problem. First, it starts with the actual definition of socialization, not what we perceive socialization to mean. Socialization is your dog's ability to handle new stress and stimuli in a way that we deem acceptable i.e. going to new places without getting overly excited, meeting new people without jumping up on them, and even meeting/seeing new dogs without become aggressive or reactive, etc.

So when it comes to introducing your dog to new people it seems logical to want that person to feed your dog some treats to show the dog that the new person isn't bad and that they should like them. In all actuality, this can be quite counter-productive.

First, this teaches the dog that new people are treat machines which can lead to your dog becoming even more excited when they meet new people instead of remaining calm.

Secondly, this teaches your dog that they don't have to engage with you and keep their focus on you. It teaches them that outside stimulus is more important that whatever you say or do.

So what is the right way to deal with this? The correct way to act when around someone’s new puppy is to ignore the pup. Don’t invade its space; don’t look at it; don’t talk to it, and don’t try to pet it.

The correct way to handle strangers is to always be prepared with a bait bag full of high value food treats. If you see that you pup is a little concerned about someone then get the pup engaged with you. It’s your job to become more interesting than the stranger and if the food rewards are high enough the pup will look at strangers as the trigger for their owner to play with them and give them really cool treats.

To learn more about socialization check out our article on How to Socialize Your New Puppy: https://leerburg.com/socializepuppies.htm

12/05/2021