Working outside the store before attempting to head in allows the dog to start to gain control in a more wide open space.
As we begin to move inside, we will use a retreat outside if is necessary to support the dog.
This retreat may include a sniff, a little freedom, or a potty. All to help the dog have a little stress decompression.
Going back to the car and kenneling can also be an option.
We did in fact make it inside and used several retreats back outside to allow some decompression.
As he gets more comfortable in the space he settled in to the expectation of staying with me with less and less guidance and began offering it more readily, staying there for longer periods of time.
What I am looking for when I am working a dog, especially in public or on leash where they may be over threshold, is a change in mental state. A reduction in erratic behavior and more attention to us working together.
A stress shake may come up as a sign of settling in, the dog literally shaking off their tension and moving into regulation.
A change in panting, a change in searching behavior, a change in pace, a relaxation of the ears, or the tail are all body language signs I am looking for that the dog has shifted into a new state of mind.
We go on field trips to work on exposure to the public, to learn what it means to CALMLY, NEUTRALLY, and RESPECTFULLY be in the space we have entered. We are not there to be pet, say hi, or cause a ruckus. I want people to not even know my dog is there. We also go out to address behaviors we won’t see in familiar environments and to support the dog in building confidence in new spaces.
If your dog needs help being in spaces outside of the home, contact us!
Happy Training!
Love, Kait
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Lacie enjoying a walk alone without her housemate, so she could be the focus. We worked on several things in this walk, all of which were engagement based. In this example, I simply marked and rewarded for her independent choice to come sit with me.
Making a training deposit in her bank of value. Through this pattern you will create a dog who values coming to check in with you and offers it readily.
We want to believe that the puppy phase is the fun phase.
I challenge you to reassess. You are building an adult dog, teaching them everything they need to know to live rich, full, well mannered lives with you.
The puppy phase is the hard work phase.
Don’t get me wrong, the cuteness, the cuddles, the antics of puppies trying to figure out their bodies is worthy of every awe, oh my goodness, and heart melt.
That doesn’t stop me from understanding that puppyhood is an investment in the adult dog I want to live with.
So I get to work setting the foundation. Building engagement.
Building understanding of how to be together, what is allowed & what is not.
I build their confidence,
reinforce what I like,
redirect from that which I don’t,
and start building my expectations that will eventually turn into commands through all of the above.
Puppies eventually turn in to adult dogs.
So why not build a strong training foundation as soon as you bring that incredibly sweet, puppy breath toting bundle of joy home? Why wait to set expectations until you first have to back track and unpack all of the bad behaviors you have started?
That isn’t to say a dog is lost if you are starting training on your 6,7,8 year old rescue dog. Nope, they can be amazingly successful too.
Simply put that if you decide to bring a puppy home, decide to start training state of mind and how to live in life beyond positional commands immediately.
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“Clarity is the goal, clear communication is the way.”
💭Markers help create clear communication of what we like and don’t like. They help direct the dog.
📸Capture a behavior and announce what will be coming next. This may be food, freedom, or an announcement to try again.
👏🏻Markers create a communication feedback loop that supports the dog during training
Markers we use during training
Yes - You did the right behavior, food/toy Is available, & you may leave command, break position, come towards me and get the reward being offered
Get It - you did the right behavior go chase down what I threw for you
Good - keep doing what you are doing, don’t stop, food will come to you, or reward will be available soon
Ah-Ah/NO - Wrong choice Is being made, try again, Consequence may follow
Free - behavior Is complete, dog Is released to freedom of choice
Enough - A fun activity is finished such as play, marker training, or another high energy activity. Do not pester me to try and reactivate. Everything gets put away. Completely done!
When delivering a marker, just like our commands, there is a gap between the word coming out of our mouth and an action. This allows the dog to build an understanding of what the word means and what to expect next. Rather than only taking in the action and that becoming the cue.
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Artemis started lessons for several reasons, the one that was of highest concern for me was her reactivity and several successful bites on other dogs.
This behavior is a problem regardless, however with her being so young, only 8 months old, it was cause for concern.
Her owners have been incredibly dedicated throughout the process.
As with all of my training clients, my focus is not just what the body is doing, my bigger focus is what is the mind doing. Where is the dog mentally and what is their goal in behavior. If we can pinpoint that we strike gold.
For Artemis, it became apparent that her issue stemmed from “not knowing” what are you going to do dog, and what am I supposed to do in response.
In this video we are introducing a change of pattern, creating a new “game” for her to play that doesn’t include peacocking and attempting to bite as a way to escape that which is uncomfortable for her.
We have already addressed that lunging, growling, and access to them is off limits and won’t be tolerated. So here, we allow her to look in a calm body and mark her neutral interest. If she gets stuck or unsure we support her with her e-collar which she is very familiar with. Breaking any stray thought that leads towards old behaviors and pulls her away from engaging with mom. While adding a chase game with the food to increase interest and attention.
She did outstanding and as mom got more clear on the game, so too, did Artemis.
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Just over here celebrating how well she did during her lesson.
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We work hard and we play hard.
Through one you get the other.
The greatest reinforcer of relationship, play & training.
To some it may look like nothing. But to me I see a dog enjoying a favorite activity with his owner. Decompressing after a mentally taxing training session.
I see joy.
I see shared time and two individuals building relationship outside of just do what I say.
I see my favorite part of working with clients.
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Miss. Ellie,
To say I am proud of her and her owners is an understatement. I was asked to assist with Ellie’s leash reactivity in the presence of dogs.
She was struggling to make good choices and her humans were at a loss.
Ellie, like all reactive dogs was hyper focused on everything but her owners. They didn’t have clear communication and didn’t know where they were missing the mark.
Through our training we worked to correct these missteps.
Her confidence has grown tremendously in her owners. Their confidence continues to grow in their handling as well. Learning her cues, how to mark and capture behaviors, as well as interrupt loading.
What Ellie needs is the same thing all dogs need. Clear communication and structure. When you give a dog with behavior issues, no matter the reason they are struggling, too many choices, they will surely make the wrong one.
Structure isn’t your enemy, it’s your best friend. Your dog will thank you.
Job well done to Ellie and her owners for committing to their training journey together. The work they have invested shows.
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A visit with family while on the road lent itself to a patio visit.
Carlos decided the loud crowd, and dancing child near him was the perfect melody for sleep.
This was his first big patio experience as it’s been a life of limited crowds due to the pandemic.
All of our work was put to the test and on this night he passed with flying colors. Proud of this win for him.
Training is a lot of little moments that sometimes can take time to see the benefit of.
Remember to celebrate the big and little wins. They are all valuable and are your source of revitalization in the process.
Wherever you are in your process, you are doing great work. Stick with it!
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#k9 #puppylove #doggy #trickdog #ilovemydog #dogwalker #dogtrainer #dogtrainersofinstagram #dogoftheday #mydog #dogboarding #dogs #trainyourdog #dogstagram #positivedogtraining #dog #doglife #dogsofinstagram #boardandtrain #dogobedience #dogsoninstagram #doglovers #doggo #workingdog #doggie #puppy #dogphotography #doggrooming #doglover #puppytraining
