Come join the fun! This single session class is just $35, takes place outdoors at a local sniffspot, and introduces new games to play with your dog that go beyond your typical game of fetch. These games encourage your dog to practice natural behaviors while increasing teamwork and engagement. Check out the 'Enrichment Games' under Embarking All Ages on our website www.embarkingdogs.com
Q3 Teams Rio, Tallie, Josie, and Nova aced their recall practice at Zuanich Point Park this morning! What you can't see are the kids on the playground, dogs hanging out next to it, and goose poop all over the grass. Great job, Teams!
Wait = stop and pay attention
Providing clear definitions of cues for your dog is important. Josie was really struggling to understand that wait still meant attention on handler even when her attention was somewhere else to begin with. So, we adjusted our reinforcement strategy to help her understand. Food scatters are very valuable to Josie. In less than 2 minutes, she was able to stop and turn her attention to her handler even when her best friend was in view (last clip). Josie will not need a food scatter reinforcement for waiting for the rest of her life, but in these early learning stages during adolescence when she's also learning how much the world has to offer the food scatters are her golden ticket to success.
Off-leash training tips:
1) Use training wheels; having your pup drag a long line gives you the opportunity to implement an emergency break system when needed. Even if they have graduated away from a long line in your regular walking environment, we suggest bringing it back out when walking during higher traffic times or visiting somewhere new.
2) Acknowledge the check-ins; when your dog offers their attention to you, notice it and pay it! We suggest using a low level food, something your dog likes that will keep them interested in checking in again, but save the wow factor food for your technical recall practice. Some dogs may love the low-level food so much that they become velcro, hoping to get more. So after paying your pup, be sure to give them your "go be a dog" cue and ignore them until they return to exploring the environment. *If they check in after something in the environment changes, maybe a helicopter flies overhead or another person appears in the distance, I would pay them with a medium-high level food. Doing this consistently can turn that environmental cue into a recall cue.
3) Redirect > technical recall. Overusing your technical recall can wear out its value and, in many cases, can turn the recall into nagging vs. keeping it a fun, high paying game. We suggest redirecting your pup to move the way you are moving. Practice by calling out "this way" and suddenly changing directions. When they come running be sure to praise them, you can offer a low level food if they check in but checking in is not required, more often than not the ability to continue free movement in the environment is reinforcing enough.
4) Choose your moment wisely; don't use your technical recall unless you know the chances of success are above 90%. Look for moments when your pup is already looking at you from a distance; their nose is NOT glued to the ground, or their is a general lull in their activity. You can gradually work up to more challenging situations as your succ
Today's Puppy Quest at the Park played leap frog! This game allowed them to take turns practicing their leash skills and maintaining a position with distractions. Great job, Team's Rio, Josie, and Howie!
Welcome to Puppy Adventure Camp Rudy! Blondie and Darwin did an excellent job helping Rudy learn to adjust his play style to meet that of his playmates. Blondie was especially tolerant when baby shark Rudy would latch onto her scruff. She would stop all movement and patiently wait for us to back her up by removing Rudy. By the end of their 20-minute play session, Rudy easily called away when he latched on and even made the decision to give space instead of latching on a few times!
Meanwhile, Darwin loved having a friend who enjoyed all the body slam, bitey face wrestle games. He even made us proud by demonstrating taking breaks during intense play, something Darwin is still working on when playing within his own age group.
In addition to our @sniffspots visit, we also worked on trail walking manners on the interurban trail, and all 3 did a fantastic job!
Check out the focus on these Quest 1 puppies! Fantastic job today Teams Rudy, Saba, Flint Lockwood, and Nova 🤩
Over the next 24 hours, I will be making my way back home. After a day of adjusting to the time change and snuggling with my pups, I will be addressing emails that have not yet been addressed. I thank you all for your patience, and I hope everyone enjoyed their holidays!
Please enjoy this clip from my adventure, truffle hunting with a Lagotto Romagnolo in Verona, Italy. It was lovely to spend a day hiking in the hills, watching Aika work a job she clearly loves so much and talking dog training with another professional trainer, Michelle, on the other side of the world. There are so many differences in dog culture between the USA and France, Italy, and Switzerland. In my opinion, we have a thing or two to learn and improve upon not only for our dogs but for ourselves and our communities. More on that later.
-Amber
Registration opens tomorrow, class starts January 1st!
Brainy Day Games is back! New 5-week session starting Tuesday November 15th at 5:30 pm, visit www.embarkingdogs.com to register!
This all ages class will cover different tricks and games you can use to work your dog's brain and body when the weather is limiting your ability to get outside. Bonus: we will offer an AKC Novice Trick Dog evaluation during the final class session at no additional cost!
First class at @citydogsgrooming was so much fun! Our Q2 puppies focused on settling while waiting their turn to work on leash skills and body handling. Great jobs teams Josie, Goose, Tika, Gemma, and Skulu!
Here's an example of the group training exercises we do when our Puppy Adventure Camp visits @sniffspots
All of the teenage boys have been learning where it is and isn't appropriate to pee when visiting public spaces this week. So far Gus is getting an A+ (as long as you catch him easily enough 😆)
The pups discovered something amazing on their Adventure today #letthemroll
The pups discovered something amazing on their Adventure today #letthemroll
Group wait at the gate first @sniffspots visit vs the second visit. Wait is an important safety cue that means stop and focus until further instruction is provided. We tend to use this the most at doorways, gates, crosswalks and getting out if the car. But, as the puppies understanding of the cue gets stronger, we move on to practicing it in less predictable contexts. I think these pups are just about ready for the next step 😉
Btw, the larger field at this sniffspot is also gated and entirely fenced making this the perfect place to practice a group wait and release to freedom.
Wednesday's campers pairing off for group play after returning from their adventure! Tuco, Blondie, and Rio were so happy to have Wanda back in camp ❤️
Monday's campers had a lovely adventure out in the wild to work on their off-leash skills. The video shows each puppy practicing their formal recall "touch." We only practiced this thermal recall once with each puppy during our entire hour-long adventure. By limiting the use of this special cue AND increasing the reinforcement used, we will maintain its value. Here are some other skills the pups worked on during this outing:
🟢 Moving as a group
🟢 "This way" (informal recall)
🟢 "Okay-go!" (run free)
🟢 Name response
🟢 Pull over while others pass by
🟢 Group sits
🟢 Wait (stop & focus)
🟢 Scatter (forage treats on the ground)
🟢 Auto check-ins
On Tuesday, we put the camper's off-leash skills to the test by practicing two different recall skills.
1) if I suddenly stop moving, do you notice and come running?
2) if I call out "this way," do you turn around and move in my direction?
How well do you think these girls did?
Restrained recall practice at the beach with the camp puppies. I love how Blondie announced that it's her turn 🤣
