Is there anything better than a warm fluff dry at the “spaw”?! Maverick doesn’t think so.
Nail Trims Week 3
This week we're adding handling the back feet and trimming one nail.
Notice how when she gets up I just stop and let her settle again. The dog holding the down is giving us permissoin to continue with the nails. It's important that the dog make the decision to remain in the down on their own.
Troubleshooting:
If you're having trouble with weeks 1-3 try this:
1. Increase the food value! Think baked chicked or dried liver.
2. Break it up into shorter more frequent sessions. Don't move on until your dog is comfortable. You may need to spend more than a week working on it.
If you're still not successful, reach out!
Rileigh opening and closing the refridgerator. This was one of the hardest things for her to achieve when she was younger. She was afraid of the door moving toward her, did not like to tug, worried about putting her head inside the refridgerator, etc. Today she is a (mostly) confident dog who will try just about anything for a cookie!
What was one of the most difficult things your dog has achieved? Or maybe is working on achieving right now?
Week 2 of the nail trim series!
Condition the trimming behavior.
With dog in a down on the mat pick up the foot and pretend to trim one nail. Feed dog. Do this 2-3 times every day!
One of my favorite things to teach my dogs is to NOT rush the door. It's one way we keep order with the pack. Here's a video from last summer of the crew releasing on their name. What's one of your favorite things you taught your dog(s)?
Join me for a 6-week series on making nail trims easy.
Week 1: Build value for the nail trim position & condition the trimming behavior.
You will need: high value treats, a rug or mat, nail trimming tools, a happy dog!
Give dog treat for laying on mat. Pick up dogs’ paw and give treat. Make sure you only give the treat after you have picked up the paw. Not at the same time, not before you reach for the paw. Pick up paw, then feed. If dog wants to get up at any point, let them! Do this two-three times a day for one week.
Haley’s 6-year-old Aussiedoodle, Emmitt, started a group obedience class to work on basic behaviors away from home around new dogs and people. The value of group classes continues well after puppyhood!
Doodle Brushing with Charlie the Golden Doodle
A dog training video for you because we haven’t shared in awhile.
Maxie a 1.5 year old PyraDoodle in training to be a service dog.
One task she will do to help her owner is locate and retrieve her shoes. So today we practiced picking up shoes (and a few other things) and placing them in my hands.
You see Maxie get distracted by other dogs barking towards the end which is something she’s working hard on. She doesn’t like to miss out on the doggy fun but she has to be able to do her job no matter what’s happening around her.
Soon we will start to give the shoes a name so she knows exactly what to bring back to us!