SMART DOGS Dog Training

08/12/2024

Posse & I having so much fun with our summer training! 😊🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐈 Yesterday little Teddy earned his 2nd beginner freestyle title from Kristine Hammar's Poised for Success Freestyle! 🎉 Go Beginner, Go Littles, Go Seniors (age 14), Go Teddy! 🎉💗.

Look forward to helping you and your dog learn. It's never too late and you're never too old! 🐕💗😊

08/10/2024

Hooray for Starry, too!! 🎉 she earned Etude Bunny Hop title, a beginner title from Poised for Success Freestyle! this in turn completed her Trifecta requirements, she also earned the RDT title! Starry Night is a Renaissance Dog! 🎉💗🌟🐕

This is "Starry PFS Freestyle Bunny Hop Etude title!" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/10/2024

another HOORAY! 🎉 little Teddy, a beginner and a senior at age 14, now has Bunny Hop Etude and Trifecta titles! 💗. Teddy is having big fun learning new skills, we're continuing onward in Poised for Success Freestyle (Laude class for seniors)! Go Littles! Go Seniors! 💗🐕 https://vimeo.com/990334862

For those who don't know, Teddy was my Father's dog, they were best buddies. Teddy joined the Plumwood Posse a few years ago when Dad passed away.

This is "Teddy PFS Freestyle Bunny Hop Etude title!" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

08/06/2024

Kit’s intro to Dog Sports the past few months has been so much fun for us! 😻 in addition, he now has 5 titles: (1) All Dogs Parkour Foundation Skills Level 1, (2) Poised for Success Freestyle Etude Bunny Hop, (3-4) Cyber Rally-O Foundation Rally Skills Levels 1 & 2, and (5) the Renaissance Dog Trifecta title from this summer’s special event! 🎉💗🐈 we’re now working toward title #6.

ADP, CRO and PFS are wonderfully inclusive, supportive and fun venues. Each welcomes all types of animals, yes, including dogs 😹, all skill levels from brand new beginner to advanced.

As the proud owner of Cyber Rally-O, I hope to see entries from you and your animal partners in CRO Rally, Games, or Foundation Rally Skills!

Also there’s still time to earn a 2024 Trifecta title, entries are open through Aug 31st. Each venue offers 1Q titles.

07/06/2024

another Congrats & New Title, this one to Starry! 🎉 we entered the CRO Game "1-2-3 Ping Pong" which has a time element, combining precision & speed. She earned a 100 / perfect score(!) and the "Fastest" time category with time 43 seconds. I opted to showcase her stays, straight hind ends, and prompt position changes. see comments below for our List of Stations. Try this CRO Game, the time element makes it super fun!

This is "Starry CRO 1-2-3 Ping Pong L1T title" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

06/19/2024

"I'll just hang out here in case you want to do some more training in a little bit". Kit CRO-FS1 ADP-FS1 and I are working on his CRO FS Level 2 entry. past two pms after we finished training (in this very space) he did this 😹 and no, this is not one of his usual rest areas 💗🐈

06/18/2024

CONGRATS to Andrea & Max on their 1st Q in Level 4 Performance Division Cyber Rally-O! 🎉 L4 courses are long, challenging, and yes, very fun. This course includes Stand in Motion, Side-Pass/Step, Reverse Heeling, Double Leg Circles, Pivots, 3 Transitions between Heel and Side, and leg weaves, etc. Enjoy their performance, one of their best!

This is "Andrea Max Q1 CRO Level 4 Course 03P" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/18/2024

🎉🐈🐎🐑🐐🎉 On May 1, with the launch of Cyber Rally-O's Foundation Rally Skills Titling Program, in addition to dogs CRO now welcomes ALL ANIMALS (cats, horses, sheep, goats, etc.) to participate and enjoy CRO!

Here is Kit earning his CRO-FS1 Title! He is the first cat and non-dog CRO title holder! https://vimeo.com/940023367?share=copy

Hope Kit inspires you to enjoy CRO FS and prepare entries with YOUR cats, horses, sheep, goats, etc., and, of course, your dogs, too!

FMI on CRO FS titling program visit www.cyberrally-o.com and /or join the CRO facebook group

This is "Kit CRO FS Level 1 Title!" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

05/18/2024

🎉 On May 1, Cyber Rally-O launched a Foundation Rally Skills titling program! 🎉 The CRO FS program is open to dogs and handlers of all skill levels! The program is an optional adjunct to the CRO titling tracks and may be done at any time before, during, or after a dog has earned other CRO titles.

The skills demonstrated in this program pertain to rally but also serve as a foundation for other dog sports, boosting confidence and enhancing the relationship between dog and handler. The program is a structured and easy way to introduce an inexperienced handler and/or dog (whether puppy or adult) to the fun of training. It is also a way to enjoy low-stress training with an older dog.

ALL TEAMS are welcome to enjoy this program. Dogs and/or handlers with disabilities will find CRO to be flexible and accommodating. 👍

ALL ANIMALS are welcome to enjoy this program. Though “dogs” are referenced in most of our documentation, other animals (cats, horses, sheep, goats, etc.) are welcome to participate. In fact, CRO now has a feline title holder! 🐈

The CRO FS exercises can all be done at home. Most can be done in a very small space. No special equipment is needed.

The program has four levels and four titles. Dogs may complete any or all levels in any order. There are no prerequisites for any level. More than one level may be entered with the same entry form. It is suggested that inexperienced handlers and/or dogs begin with Level 1 and complete each level in order.

SMART DOGS students and also the Posse & I are having big fun working through the levels - reviewing skills, polishing skills, identifying skill gaps. Here's Starry's FS Level 2 title entry https://vimeo.com/940026290?share=copy

FMI on CRO's FS program visit www.cyberrally-o.com

This is "Starry CRO FS Level 2 Title!" by SMART DOGS on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

03/25/2024

another great wkend of training, another CONGRATULATIONS! 🎉 this one to Krysten & Winky for passing Level 3 of Canine Hoopers World! 🎉🐕💗

03/19/2024

Congratulations Krysten & Jack! Sat in class they passed Level 3 of Canine hoopers world ! 🎉🐕

03/09/2024

yet another RETRIEVE IN REAL LIFE (reenacted from a moment before) this time Plumwood Posse's sweet senior Penelope age 14 💗 the Posse & I love all sorts of retrieves whether playtime with toys, specific exercise for rally/obedience, freestyle tricks, or helping as shown here 💗 still struggling with retrieve...? it's simply a progression of "trade/give", a core foundation skill in my Life With Dogs program.

02/28/2024

thanks to Julie & Noodle (one of my Therapy Dog teams in-training who are also learning the dog sport Cyber Rally-O) for assisting in a few canine social sessions with John Leta & Lucky (one of my LWD teams). Noodle worked her charms on Lucky, he warmed up to her with ease 🐕🐕☮️💗

02/28/2024

another great session of Life With Dogs, my foundation training program, shown are Teams Molly, Rocky & Sasha. 💗 LWD teaches *you* and your dog skills for a healthy, happy relationship and home. 🐕💗☮️👍

LWD is foundation for my other training tracks/programs, e.g,, fitness, sport, therapy dog, cooperative care, out & about, canine socials, behavior modification, service dog.

Next openings late April, registration starts soon, join the waiting list or email me, FMI see MYSMARTDOGS.com

02/16/2024

CONGRATULATIONS, again, to Jeff & Duck P-CRO-III on their 1st Q in Level 4 Performance Division of Cyber Rally-O! 🎉🐕 Awarded their Q ribbon last night 💗 and had an excellent session strengthening skills toward their next entry!

02/15/2024

CONGRATULATIONS Jeff & Duck P-CRO-III! 🎉 They earned their 1st Q in Level 4 Performance Division of Cyber Rally-O / CRO! 🎉🐕. Not an easy task! L4 is challenging, only 17 teams have gone on to earn an L4 title! Their course had 19 stations and 2 transitions between heel & side. Shown here are: Figure 8 with 2 Jumps, Dog Only Serpentine 6 Cones, Long Front Dog 360, and Stop Fast. Great progress Jeff, assistant trainer / wife Tara! Duck & I are proud of you guys!! 🎉👍🐕💗

02/15/2024

Great job by new students in Life With Dogs class, a few shown here.🎉 in our 1st session with dogs we shaped a relaxed, reliable place and then easily shaped it into a down-stay. 💗👍☮️ Loved their proud and stunned faces at how smooth, pleasant and easy it was and how well their pups' did in 1st night of class! that's the power of shaping with successful approximations, and the joy of learning. 🐕💗 My next openings late April, registration starting soon...

02/15/2024

great progress by John! 👍🎉 prior to this session, when wife Leta stepped away to have her turn greeting classmate dogs, it was a struggle for him to engage Lucky & Shadow both of whom stared at and pined for Leta. ☹️ coaching and TAGteach to the rescue! I helped him adjust his responses and reminded him to do an easy preference test for desired reinforcers. (a treat is only a "treat" if the recipient defines it to be! it's only a "reinforcer" if it results in a increase in behavior!) result? these 3 had a wonderfully pleasant & peaceful double-dog place session and were happily engaged in their own bubble of focus and fun! classmates noticed, too, and were wow'd 👍🎉🐕🐕💗☮️ start of a great life skill!

02/15/2024

growing mutually enjoyable human-canine greetings involves training BOTH ends of the leash, as always, emphasis on the HUMAN end. proud of all my human students and their progress applying the Constructional Affection Interaction Guidelines (aka CAFF IGs) to help dogs greet and interact in mutually enjoyable ways. 💗☮️🐕

12/11/2023

CONSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH. SOCIAL INTERACTION. another THANKS to another canine assistant, this time Teddy of the Plumwood Posse, in another initial assessment. Horatio, 16 mos Rottie, has only met a few dogs a few times, all at a younger age.

Like many dogs, Horatio has been in "social isolation" due to high arousal in public settings and also in-home setting. Current private sessions to help Horatio and his humans develop the necessary skill sets, construct mutually enjoyable social interactions by applying Constructional Affection Interaction Guidelines. Sessions also include expanding their skill sets / repertoire through Constructional Leash Walking and much much more. Transition to small group setting also a goal.

As for this initial assessment, loved everything I saw in Horatio's behavior/communications - curious, friendly, a bit playful yet well below threshold🎉🐕☮️👍 Excellent data to grow on, thank you Teddy 💗.

Need help? Join my waiting list or email me.

12/11/2023

FEAR/AGGRESSION. CONSTRUCTIONAL APPROACH. BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION BIG thanks to Robbie & Mikie RN CGC 💗 small dog shown here, for assisting in a canine social skills assessment with Yuri a 2 yo dog who is "terrified" of humans other than the four he lives with and who, prior to this assessment, had not met any dogs other than the two he lives with.

Terrified is a difficult, unhealthy, limiting, often dangerous way to experience life - for any individual of any species. I'm helping Yuri and his humans expand their skills and grow his number of friends and thus improve his quality of life, welfare. Also improve the humans' lives since outings, walks and even social situations in the yard are often stressful - and loud with barking.

Delighted to now be the 5th person in this great big world with whom Yuri feels safe ☮️🙏💗 (methods included Constructional Aggression / Fear Treatment aka CAT) and to be working alongside his wonderful humans to increase that number. Private sessions at present, transition to social small group in future. As for the assessment shown, I was delighted by Yuri's responses / communications - curious, friendly - very useful starting point data.

Need help? Join my waiting list or email me.

12/11/2023

*free* issue of the Whole Dog Journal and a copy of their 2024 Approved Dry Dog Food List

When you sign up for your free trial of Whole Dog Journal, we'll also include a copy of our 2024 Approved Dry Dog Food List.

12/10/2023

last night Starry & I started this 💗🐕 great for fun, daily life, sport/ freestyle, and more 🎉🌟

12/02/2023

more UFOs in Crawford County AR 😊 Journey & Starry playing chase in the field 😻

Journey is the one leading, he's super fast & super agile, can turn on a dime. Starry giving her all, trying so hard to catch him, she's fast too but her build dictates w-i-d-e turns. She gives a frustration bark (rare), he puts on the brakes, circles back to her, they have a breather 🐕🐕💗☮️.

If you've followed Starry's posts you know she lacked life skills, had zero canine or feline friends, and zero canine play skills when she first joined the Plumwood Posse ☹️. Along with Journey, the rest of the Posse and several SD canine students, I continue helping her develop a repertoire of social skills necessary for wellness, health, quality life. 🐕💗☮️ Play = learning = wellness = life!

12/02/2023

CAT-DOG harmony 🐈🐕☮️ need help?😫 just another update on Starry Night 🌟🐕 in former home chasing, harassing, stressing the resident cat were strong skills ☹️🐈. in my home we've constructed new skills, the ones she lacked, a few shown here. I want ALL members of my family (and yours) to feel safe, happy, have healthy, mutually enjoyable interactions / relationships, & possess the skills they need to be their best selves 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐈💗☮️

11/28/2023

retrieve / bring is one of my favorite skills, the Posse & I enjoy it daily 🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕💗. yes for toy play but loads of other items & situations, too. two recent examples here, Starry helps by bringing me her items - empty Toppl & half a jumbo bully stick - after her chew sessions. NEW SKILLS NEW DOG 🌟☮️💗

11/21/2023

FEAR FREE VET VISITS & COOPERATIVE CARE. Session 2 Chin Station on Lap - I introduced a syringe for mock injections, a few reps here. also introduced a stethoscope. So proud of sweet Starry Night 🌟💗🐕 Will update again on future sessions. FYI, next Cooperative Care zoom class coming early 2024...

11/11/2023

Starry Night & I have been growing her "front cross dog" in both directions L to R and R to L, she's doing great🌟 💗🐕 we practice these skills not only for fitness & fun but also our sport training, eg, rally & freestyle.

as shown I currently use a large hand signal but my next goals include reducing that signal, and also verbal cues only.

component skills for front cross-dog and much more are taught in FunFitSport class, next openings mid Jan 2024...

11/10/2023

loads of learning and fun in FITNESS & SOCIAL class 🎉🐕💗☮️ in this unique class we spend about 30 minutes inside working on skills for fun, fitness & confidence, followed by 30 minutes off leash in the training field constructing & maintaining mutually enjoyable Social Interaction skills. Human-Dog interactions and Dog-Dog interactions.

All interactions are developed through CONSTRUCTIONAL AFFECTION (CAFF), CONSTRUCTIONAL LEASH WALKING (CLW), and, for some teams, the learning begins in private sessions with CONSTRUCTIONAL AGGRESSION TREATMENT (CAT).