Dragon's Den Dog Training

02/06/2024

Check out Dragon's Den Dog Training in the Virginia Beach Schools newsletter!
https://www.smore.com/ms9f6

01/10/2024

Our phones are working again, thanks for your patience!

01/06/2024

We are having issues with our phones right now receiving calls. We can get text messages still. I will post here when the issue has been resolved. We thank you for your patience.

12/13/2023

Come see us on Dec 23 at We Rock the Spectrum - Chesapeake from 11 am to 1 pm for pictures with Santa and the therapy dogs! Sign up on their app or in person!

11/09/2023

Are you a parent of a special needs child? Are you thinking about getting a service dog for you or your child? Come and meet two trained service dogs at "Touch a Pup" and learn all about Service Dog Training at We Rock the Spectrum - Chesapeake on Friday, November 10th, 2023. Contact We Rock the Spectrum gym to sign up! Spots still available! "Touch a Pup" is provided by Dragon's Den Dog Training.

02/20/2023

Hello training enthusiasts! I am sorry I haven't posted in a while. We have had a very busy holiday season and I have finally caught up on everything so I can take some time to start posting weekly. Today, I want to talk about nervous or fearful dogs. Sometimes, to an untrained eye, fearful dogs can come across as aggressive. But there are some key differences to watch for with your or other pups to help you understand if the dog is acting out of anger/aggression or out of fear. Here are some of the most common signs of fear.

Tail tucking.
Ears down and back.
Crouching.
Pacing.
Panting.
Shaking/trembling.
Inability to settle.
Attempting to hide.
Lack of appetite (including being unable to take a treat).
Being too distracted for you to get their attention.
Salivation.
Yawning.
Licking lips.
Lip blowing.
Whale eye (showing whites of eyes).
Lifting a paw.
Lowered body language.
Backing away instead of lunging.
Hyperactivity.
Goofy behaviour (getting the zoomies, scratching etc).
Loss of toilet training.
Reactivity(usually mixed with other of these signs).
Growling(usually mixed with other of these signs).
Aggression(usually mixed with other of these signs).

Even if a dog is barking aggressively, if you see any of these other signs, this usually means your pup if experiencing some major fear or anxiety. You want to stay calm during this. Try to redirect your dog's attention on you while removing your dog from whatever has triggered this response. Such as turning around and walking away from the person/dog that has triggered the fear, moving to a different room in your home that is a "comfort spot"(will discuss next week) if it was a loud sound that triggered them, or rubbing your dog's ears and chest if they won't move. You cannot "reinforce" fearful behavior by doing this. You are your dog's most valuable resource. They look to you for comfort, assurance, and safety. By acknowledging your dog's fear and taking steps to comfort them, you not only help your dog calm itself, but you reinforce your relationship with them and show them they can count on you to keep them safe and happy. I have added a picture of some common body language possitions in fearful dogs. I am not the original producer of this document. Next week, we will discuss relationship building and helping your dog feel safe at home! Have a great week everyone!

07/11/2022

Hey guys! We added a bunch of suggested items to help you and your pup get to training and have a better life! Click on the desired category to get to the corresponding page with the items! Check it out here: https://dragonsdendogtraining.godaddysites.com/item-suggestion-list

Some of our favorite items to help you and your pup on your training journey. Including training collars and harnesses, training treats and much more!

05/26/2022

05/26/2022

05/26/2022

Click book now for available services and to schedule a lesson!

04/08/2022

11/14/2020

EARLY BLACK FRIDAY SALE! 50% off all services booked online in the next two weeks. Paid services must be booked by the end of the day Friday November 27th, 2020. Private services do not have to be scheduled for that time span. Only valid for the current group class schedule.

11/05/2020

We still have spots available for our first set of group obedience classes this weekend! Go to our website to book your spot now before they are all gone! www.dragonsdendogtraining.com/book-services

10/28/2020

Why is PROPER socialization so important?

Most dog owners think that just taking their puppy or dog out in public every once and a while equals proper socialization. While this may work for some dogs; they may never bite or behave aggressively; these owners are actually incredibly lucky. They have a dog whose breed, temperament, and genetics allow them to go without a specific socialization program. Many dogs, because of several factors such as, but not limited to, breed, genetics, upbringing, personal temperament, and history with other dogs or humans, need a specific program made just for socialization. Some breeds can be harder to socialize than others. Such as dogs that are bred to be naturally suspicious such as guarding breeds (e.g., “Akita, Chow Chow, Shar-Pei, German Shepherd…) or breeds developed for independent working, such as some Terrier and Shepherd breeds, rather than with humans usually need more socialization work.
While certain breeds are known to be more difficult than others to socialize, individual dogs from “easy-to-socialize” breeds like the Lab and the Golden Retriever, can also need a specialized training program. One of the common issues we see is when poor breeding practices produce more timid puppies. Puppies inherit a lot of their shyness from their mother. Breeders who place most of the stud dog often times overlook the importance of the mother, trusting that the father’s good genetics can overcome the mother’s poor or shy temperament. Where puppies are raised makes a big difference too. Puppies raised in pet store cages or large breeding farms (or puppy mills) tend to need much more socialization than others raised in a foster or home environment. A proper socialization program is as essential as obedience training when raising a dog in a family environment. It helps not only your family and dog live peacefully, but it helps your dog be confident in most situations around other people and pets. It can also allow you to participate in more activities with your dog in public, such as city events or dog parks.
Check out our website to sign up for private or group classes!

www.dragonsdendogtraining.com/

Dog training that is building relationships between you and your furry family that last.