Zen Acres Dog Training

25/08/2024

24/08/2024

Pack pictures are not easy to get! Had a 5 berner (+ 3 other breed friends) pack on Thursday!

We don’t pose pristinely, but we have fun!

30/07/2024

Happy Birthday Boomer!!!

06/07/2024

It’s hot out!

For those of us with active dogs, coated dogs, or like my pack, active but super coated dogs, it’s time to practice enrichment over activity to get our dogs happy and tired.

I personally have been doing short stints outside from about 11 am til 6 pm, enough to potty, but heavily supervised and no more than 10-15 minutes outside… unless I have a dog who’s obsessed with the puppy pools I have available. I do not play chase/catch/fetch during these hours, and do not encourage packs to play by themselves in this way. Then, we come inside and play training games like go to place or stay work. The dogs get frozen kongs or lickmats, and we utilize some of the puzzle toys I have. Interactive without enticing heat issues, as we play these games in the air conditioned house.

Though right now 7 am and 7 pm are still pretty hot and humid, the angle of the sun makes cement/concrete/stone/my wood deck not so hot against delicate paws, so we try to enjoy more outside time then, even if the temperature and humidity are still uncomfortable. These hours are good times to take walks (in the shaded woods around here) or to play a bit more high energy games such as fetch… still with lots of breaks and keeping track of the dog’s panting, and other signs of discomfort. It’s better, but still hot…

Keep clean, fresh water available to your dog, especially this time of year, but discourage your dog from drinking a ton right after coming inside. A bit at a time is safer for potentially overheated, over exerted systems. Place cooling mats on beds for them to rest on, if they’ll use them…. And for those of you with water loving dogs, plan trips to the lake/pond/dock pool/ or sprinkler system of your choice.

I frequently will wear a hoodie when I walk coated dogs with a goal in mind or some sort of distraction, so I don’t forget how much harder it is to deal with the heat and humidity when you have a fur coat. Do whatever you need to do to keep your pups safe, but please note, a mentally tired dog who has worked with a bit of training and was granted a soothing frozen Kong is often just as if not more contentedly tired as a dog who’s chasing a thrown toy for a half hour. This time of year, it’s really important that we don’t give our dogs excuses to overheat.:: because many of our loyal friends will continue to race after the toy as long as you’re willing to throw it.

30/06/2024

26/06/2024

📅 We're thrilled to announce UPDATED dates for our Rabies Vaccination Clinics! Please take a moment to view the attached flyer for all the latest details.

🐾 Pre-registration IS REQUIRED, so please do not forget to secure your spot. Remember, kindly refrain from arriving more than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to ensure a smooth process for everyone.

🐾 Thank you for your patience and helping us keep our community and our pets safe and healthy! You may register at: www.health.ny.gov/gotoclinic

23/06/2024

So I shot this video to show someone how Zen Acres’ newest resident (Guillermo del Capra) was doing cute little snorts when the dogs were loud or too close. I was with Guillermo, and Lugger was FOMO barking from the main dog yard, maybe 50 feet away.

When I reviewed this video, Guillermo’s snorts weren’t all that impressive, but Lugger’s quiet command “that’s enough!” Was beautifully responded to from 50 feet away. I’m used to my dog and didn’t see this in the moment, but THIS is what training can do…

20/06/2024

Love this. And shepherds have a very prominent communication type… the foster shepherd Daisy is nearly ready for acclimations to other animals, but I know Lugger gets nervous about, Kassie gets her back up at such pushy, albeit natural for them introductions.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/6KziT5Sy8QMG3bAi/?mibextid=0VwfS7

09/06/2024

Why yes, that IS a chicken in a tutu.

Happy Pride!

27/05/2024

I kinda like the tough dogs.

Not the dogs that think they’re tough as much as the dogs who have been through hell and back and are legitimately “tough.”

Fierce. “Aggressive.” “Dominating/Defensive.”

Are these the dogs I want in my household, or in yours? Maybe not… but there’s a reason for that toughness, a need that hasn’t been met, a way to help the crazies through their overabundant emotions.

Often, something is wrong physically… a chronic pain or dietary issue… some sort of parasite or infection that makes the dog feel vulnerable, and for some dogs, elicits scary behaviors… and that should always be the absolute first step- full vet check… but sometimes it’s also mental trauma.

Roaming the streets of Georgia or Tennessee for months, finding/killing your food until the dog catcher throws you in a cement and metal cage you’ve no idea how to deal with.

Living with a family, never leaving their property at all, never seeing visitors as you’re big and scary… then someone dies and they need to rehome you.

Thankfully, most dogs are fairly adaptable and never show aggressive behaviors as they go through these huge changes, but many dogs do.

Tough dogs… the healthy ones with trauma, the resource guarding, leash reactive, the crazy/difficult to control behaviors dogs… they just haven’t gotten the memo that life isn’t always something to battle, but rather, something to experience openly.

I like tough dogs… I like working with tough dogs, because they remind me to be perhaps a little less tough, less reactive, in my own world. Because I know this dog had a hard day walking past other dogs and going into a new environment today, and it wasn’t seemless, but it was far more than I could have reasonably asked from her a month ago. I was very happy in my interactions with her, even though the burns from my poor choice of leash still sting hours later. Progress is key, for her, and all the other 2 or 4 legged tough dogs out there. Next time will be easier.

It’s about dedication, loyalty, showing those tough dogs they have the right to be tough and independent as long as they don’t lash out, but also that you’ll be by their side, even knowing they could. Some neck scritches can be life altering for some of these dogs.

Daisy isn’t even my big tough dog win today, but I had a better picture of her, and no need to confirm with owners they’re okay sharing the story. Daisy has no owners, she has me. And this little tough dog is making her way, slowly, into the realm of self confidence… and it’s beautiful…

19/05/2024

This weekend we held our last class of this session for Real World Obedience. We took everyone to Green Wolf Brewing Co. And worked on arguably one of the hardest tasks we ask from our dogs, which is learning to just chill and the art of doing nothing. These guys did great and it was such a fun time. Thank you to all the wonderful handlers and dogs who made this session so enjoyable 🙂 looking forward to setting up our next training session!

14/05/2024

So dog parents… why do I love this video so? What do you see in the 3 dogs’ body language?

05/05/2024

Real world went to Stuyvesant Plaza for class this weekend. Working in a high traffic and high distraction environment this group of dogs continue to improve their skills with attention, loose leash walking, stays etc. Fun class with great dogs 🙂

28/04/2024

Went on an outing with Millie today, from the Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley… what a wonderful little girl. Didn’t take pics at Kelley Farm and Garden Agway True Value but clearly by our Green Wolf Brewing Co. visit, this little girl was happily exhausted.

Check her out at the animal shelter, she’s ready for all the snuggles and outings you can bring her on!

28/04/2024

We lucked out with some pretty nice weather for class this weekend 🌞

13/04/2024

First class of Real world obedience 🙂

09/04/2024

Class starts on Saturday, and we still have a few spaces open!

Real World Obedience is an absolutely fantastic way to get out and do with your dog! This class is open to dogs who have a general understanding of the 5 main obedience skills (sit, down, stay, come, walk on a loose leash) but we push ourselves to go into different locations which adds confidence building and focus on the owner to the repertoire of basic and advanced skill building. It’s a perfect class to take with your energetic adolescent to prepare for picnics/trips you want them to know how to behave for, right up to your certified therapy dog or competition obedience dog to simply give you some fun, safe outings that are outside their normal routines.

Sign up below, message if you have questions!

Real world Obedience: Locations TBD, All within the Capital Region Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM from 4/13/2024 - 5/18/2024 Contact us at (518) 322-7113 or [email protected]

07/04/2024

Daisy Mae practiced being a good girl for our camping trip. Little girl did pretty well with no muzzle (while living with a new human, along with me for a few days) and worse, traveling back north to home the day before an eclipse (northbound traffic was insane… and silly people with reactive young huskies chased us down at a rest stop).

She’s coming along well. Still working through some anxieties, but once she’s appropriately rehabbed to more of a “tolerant of different situations” lifestyle, this active little beauty will be looking for a family of her own. No young children, she’s lived with a cat and a dog, but is not what I’d call safe with either as a species currently, but working on tolerating new humans first, animals once she’s a bit more settled into herself.

Picture of her sitting and taking a treat from someone she met that day. She’s not super food motivated, so this is a big win.

Shout out to the fantastic Ej Scamander for a fantastic few days away with arguably a pair of semi broken crazies (Daisy and myself) who just needed some backwoods living away from our “normal reality”

20/03/2024

Bridget J. Anderson, shaw

14/03/2024

Unintentional, but positioning wise, what a great shot.

BEAUTIFUL day to go and do with dogs!!!

What are you all up to today?

23/02/2024

Warmer weather means… time to get out with our dogs! Our first 2024 class is scheduled, and we hope you’ll join us!

Real World Obedience is a perfect class for dogs of nearly any age and skill set to simply out and experience the world, with their human. Different locations each week means we get to push our dogs’ skills in different situations and with different stimuli… this is the perfect class for those wishing to do therapy dog work, those wishing to bring their dogs on trips or to more public or family functions, and for those who simply want to come out with their dogs alongside other dog people who won’t get offended if you praise your dog for a down-stay midway through your friend’s story (IYK,YK).

Join us for some confidence and relationship building basic obedience training out and about in the Real World!

Real world Obedience: Locations TBD, All within the Capital Region Saturdays 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM from 4/13/2024 - 5/18/2024 Contact us at (518) 322-7113 or [email protected]

21/02/2024

Daisy is here!

It took a bit of time, but we’re safely out of the muzzle and exploring the yard and house without any threats to me.

Daisy is a spayed 4 year old shepherd whose family needed to give her up due to a death of one owner, upcoming change of residence for the other owner. She’s undersocialized and had a skirmish with a raccoon a few years ago, that per her owner, caused some defensive aggression toward unknown humans. She’s been with me for about 4 hours now, and is settling in nicely.

Daisy will spend a few weeks here getting some training and behavior modification, catching up on her veterinary needs, before becoming available for adoption to an approved home. If you or anyone you know is considering adding a young, adult shepherd to your home, please feel free to share or reach out to me. I’m told she’s okay with cats and small dogs, no previous experience with bigger dogs or children (and these are not tests I do day 1 with a dog who came in with a muzzle, with me happy they were accustomed to a muzzle for my own safety.)

We’ll get there… I can already feel the great things awaiting this beauty.

14/02/2024

Happy, Happy birthday to the sweet little pibbopotamus, Shadow!

13/02/2024

Just met the incoming foster, a nearly 4 year old GSD girl who has a bit of insecurity around new humans. Is muzzle trained already and will definitely be getting some crate training and confidence building before becoming available, but I feel good about her prospects!

Keep an eye out for updates on Daisy, she should be coming in next week.

09/02/2024

Would love to see you there!

Join us in April and learn how to feed and care for your dog naturally! Info and tickets at https://www.healthydogexpo.com/

07/01/2024

Just some happy dogs enjoying some woods and snow

11/12/2023

Wonderful socialization training at a local brewery! Great company, food and drinks. Having a dog that is properly socalized opens up so many more possibilities to incorporate dogs into our lives.

If your interested in joining us on a socialization outting like this with your dog, drop a comment 👇. We would love to start offering more of these kinds of things!

01/12/2023

Real world obedience class takes on colonie center mall ! Working through this very stimulating environment can be challenging but everyone did a wonderful job!

Keep an eye out for our next class session announcements for 2024!!