This week we learn some new steps to our "dance" together. If we look a bit out of sync that's because we added some new moves. So as we make this new transition it's up to me to lead the way.
Some of the confusion comes from everything we've been doing. Boisterous luring to learn body positions leads Mamba to bring good energy, focus intently, & react swiftly when the lure hand is presented.
This means I need to be calm, still, and precise. The more he focuses on me here the more difficult it'll be to problem solve. The simple goal is to get him in a neutral position, then apply a small amount of directional pressure to the leash & collar. If I gesture too much with my hands, arms, or body Mamba will follow the cue or lure and the escape avoidance lesson we are dedicated to goes out the window & is not absorbed or processed. In a neutral state I want him to experience slight collar pressure, naturally most dogs will fight, resist, or oppose this, with the ability to problem solve & work through this he will at some point make the appropriate decision. This is when I release collar pressure /leash tension, marks & reward.
I will spend a bit more time layering directional pressure over basic commands & place work.
While most would assume pressure is added only when your dogs acts out, this is only half true. Rather than learning to match correction level with your dogs reactivity level it is best to layer pressure over already trained behaviors. Your dog should learn the "dance, " then the rules.
Mischief's second session of "roll over, " & she's absolutely crushing it. We began this session with hopes I could get her to confidently commit to laying on her back belly up. I've experienced some dogs be unsure & hesitant when introducing this trick. Not her, after "marking" this body position she became more committed & allowed me to manipulate her to the full roll over with no issues. Next session we should be able to start adding a verbal cue as the full behavior becomes more dependable. From there it'll be working on fading the lure. While we have more important things to focus on, we're both enjoying some trick training for now. I can't wait to see this behavior at completion. #packmaster2019 #packmastertraining #germanshepherdofinstagram #workingdogs #k9sofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #dogtrainers #germanshepherd #aco4life #rollover #clickertraining #markertraining #bagoftricks #puppytraining
Over my career I've enjoyed the opportunity & privelage to learn from many experiences working dogs along their child counterpart. I never looked forward to being hired as a babysitter for two. Often I could gage the level of success we'd accomplish as client & trainer by the commitment or lack there of from each individual parent(s). When parents would insist that the child was there to learn how to take care of "their" dog, or train the dog "they" wanted, or were there to learn some "responsibility," I knew we were starting on faulty ground. Of course I expect people to reach out to professionals for this kind of help. The problem lies within adults assuming that a young child let alone a young dog have any idea what the word responsible is or what training good behavior looks like. Training good behavior can be simplified as controlling interactions. It absolutely breaks my heart& disappointments me that people out there leave these interactions to occur by happenstance. Then when the dog makes a mistake he pays all hell for it. Sometimes with his life. Look to the news & your local shelter relinquishments! Everything my pack does around "Littles" is closely monitored,& I work my pack daily. Being a PackMaster means advocating for your human Littles as much as your Pack. Boundaries & controlled interactions are the daily tools us trainers use to create a safe harmonious home. One day I hope my daughter asks to catch much larger working dogs but for now we'll use our terrier to teach her some of the fundamentals of how to engage a dog to tug with body language, movement, & tension. It doesn't end here. Daily reminders to not leave her snacks in reach, to stay back as dad feeds the pack dinner, & when you want dogs to move how using your body is more productive than pushing with your hands. Dogs don't just go unloved because humans can't or don't attempt to control them. The worst case scenario isn't a lonely backyard dog. I've seen the worst case scenario many ti
At 6:30am this morning I worked my pack before heading to my Humane Officer shift. Their breakfast came in the form of obedience training, my chance to practice my skills. Gracie was by far the most excited as she watched me prepare for our routine. As soon as I put the coffee on about 5:45am then put on my shoes she knew it was almost game time. Her eagerness to work so early made me work her last knowing she'd be even more eager to work as well as learn something new today. As I prepare for my next course one thing I must improve on is our touch pads, then transitioning them to send aways. We kept it simple, short (3 mins), & mixed in some fun (spins & jumps). Happy training this weekend fellow dog lovers! #getsome #packmaster2019 #trainwithyourpack #dogtrainingislife #livingthedream #dogsofinstagram #terriersofinstagram #packmastertraining #husksyofinstagram #obedience #littledogsrulesometimes
Anytime you train somewhere new you have to assume that you must start a few steps back. Just because your dog will pay attention or sit in one location does not mean they can elsewhere. Even void of distractions, dogs will not associate what they did one place with another. Many owners, even myself at times, make the mistake of perceiving confusion or distraction for disobedience /defiance. Yesterday as a class we got to hit the training field. On a training field used constantly by other dogs, near a busy street, surrounded by other dogs, oh and stray fowl all over the property this proved to be challenging for all us handlers /owners. So this morning before anyone else arrived we snuck in an acclimation session. Traffic was low, dogs & people gone, chickens roaming a stone throw away. A short session lasting 2.5 mins was all we needed. It keeps her focused on me, head up, eye contact good as well as engagement. Yes we're here to make progress, but progress is slow and if rushed it'll crumble fast. We'll sneak back out on the field after some kennel time to get a play session in. We'll max out at 3 minutes, same goal applies. Build acclimation, confidence & the relationship. The obedience will come. Don't rush to make your dog perfect, it won't happen, rush to be consistent. Rush to chase down what you did yesterday and add to it. One step forward, one step back, one step forward, one step back! #packmaster2019 #santarosa #michaelellis #dogsofinstagram #germanshepherdofinstagram #workingdogs #k9sofinstagram #workingdogsofinstagram #WORK'EM #trainwithyourpack #trainwithyourdog #JustDoIt
Taking the time to break down individual pieces of individual behaviors. This was from this mornings session where I Iooked to improve sit, down and stand. I used wooden boxes to create a barrier and encourage "proper" body placement throughout each behavior while transitioning from one to another. I also worked on fading the lure. At this age she picks up new things so fast it becomes addictive working her. #packmaster2019 #packmastertraining #germanshepherdofinstagram #workingdogs #k9sofinstagram #dogsofinstagram
The days Marley is up for joining our morning #packwalks makes me very happy. After a few miles he's wiped out and he'll nap through most of the afternoon. Knowing he'll be laying for long periods of time I make sure to stretch him out very well. This morning I wanted to focus on his front legs & the areas supporting it. We used a small wooden box and foam mobility pad. He is taking a liking to his therapy/ routine & is very willing to participate in new exercises I think up. Two of my personal heroes @kobebryant & David Goggins attribute stretching as a fundamental key to their growth, health, & accomplishments. During Kobe's final year with the Lakers I heard & interviewer ask the question "what advice does old Kobe have for young Kobe?" His reply was "stretch more. " David Goggins a famous athlete, navy seal, & self admitted former obese unmotivated man, states he stretches for two hrs every night before bed. You're #packmaster leadership, dog handling skills, and even your physical health are things you must improve on every day. They are all things in life that deteriorate if ignored. #packmastertraining #packmaster2019 #marleysroadtorecoveey #siberianhusky #husksyofinstagram #huskys #dogtherapy #dogyoga #dogmassage #dogtrainingislife #positivedogtraining
One blessing I've found since opening up my story has been the community of dog trainers I've come to find. It's inspiring to see others who look just like you doing great work. It provides motivation, positive examples, & sometimes encouragement. If you love dog training & need another awesome page in your feed check out Primal Canine Dog Training. I was pumped to wake up to their challenge. The message is clear, just get out, movement is Primal, for you too. The first step in helping your pet is not finding a trainer, it's committing to the process. Challenge yourself, log your miles or not, if you do it's puts us dog people in a fantastic mood. I accept! My insta stories for this week will only feature #packwalk & #PACKRUN for my personal pack. Lets see if we can push ourselves this week for a personal best! I would proudly rep free swag! #packchallenge #primalchallenge #dogsofinstagram #packmaster2019 #leadthepack #trainwithyourpack #PACKRUN #packwalk
In any life endeavor you can do things the easy way, or the right way. Dog training is no different. The right way is not necessarily the hard way but be assured you'll find the right way by taking the long way. One of the most frustrating questions I've received over the years is, "how long will it take you to train my dog?" One of the most common themes I hear when people want to discuss dog's with me is "You gotta be the Alpha!" The first is looking for the fastest route with minimal effort, the second is looking for validation that they know something about dogs. Dog training should encompass the life of your dog, there is no end point. Many "pet" owners fail to realize "work" is something your dog lives to do. It's not a 6 week puppy course, a one month boot camp, or a magical training tool you haven't tried. Here is a video of my clients 5 month old Shepherd working her obedience somewhere other than her backyard for the first time. Notice at first a small amount of distraction from her, about thirty seconds into it she's locked in though. No firm collar, no leash in hand, & no distraction involved I can't control. All you'll see is a small snippet of our 5 min dance. A bond, a clear language, driven by repetition not language. Yes, I could force her to be a more mannered pup but I'm pushing for excellence with her. As I venture into a new world of dog training I'm excited to be new at something again. My ego or fear of failure no longer hold me back, life is just one long road, keep moving forward! #packmaster2019 #packmastertraining #germanshepherdofinstagram #workingdogsofinstagram #k9sofinstagram #workingdogradio #markertraining #obedience #dogsofinstagram #dogtrainers #trainingneverstops
