Diamond A Sport Dogs

29/11/2020

Another 10 weeks in the books. Always striving to learn new concepts. In my opinion a good trainer is one that is always learning.

18/09/2020

Always working to better myself and learn new things. Took advantage of covid lockdown to take a few classes. Today I passed the Absolute Dogs Pro Dog Trainer Course learning how to be a games based dog trainer. Fun new things to come.

18/09/2020

Willow and her Mom working on some Iron dog training. Just because events are going virtual this year doesn't mean we don't train and condition for them.

21/08/2020

Proud of this team. Willow and her Mom are on Week 5 of nosework class. Today was their first day doing a vehicle search using the scent anise. It's a great feeling watching a dog use their natural abilities.

24/07/2020

Dogs love the experience of their meals more than the actual meal. My dogs worked for their breakfast this morning. Dinner is their kibble with canned food mixed with water and frozen. Why pot a pot of value (their food) in a bowl where whole experience is over within a short time. By making meals an enriching experience you create a willing partner, promote calmness and a good mental state. Ditch the bowl and ditch the routine and many behavior struggles will lessen over time.

30/06/2020

Training for the moment NOT in the moment.

Training any new skill should be done in a known environment and one that the dog is comfortable in. Once they are successful, then and only then do you start your training out and about. This pertains to everything from a sit or down to things such as tent training. Always set your dog up for success.

This is Fonzies first time seeing a tent. I am taking skills he already knows well (crate training, thresholds, down and place work) and using them to help transition him to the tent. He needs to understand:
1. he is not to rush which means his brain is in arousal. I want the tent to mean all things calm.
2. enter calmly, lay down, no whining or barking (low arousal state)
3. no leaving the boundary without permission
By setting the picture that I want right from the start he is clear on the expectations that come with the tent. This will prepare us for stress free and safe camping adventures.

26/06/2020

Why is a place command important? For me, it allows for structured outdoor time while I get other things done. For my dogs, it teaches them how to be calm and relaxed outside. Today I got my workout in and they had a training session. Win win right?! They stayed on their beds for 30 minutes while the goats were in their pasture 20 feet away. These two are both high drive working dogs that have learned to have an off switch.

01/04/2020

Does your dog know how to be calm and relaxed outside? Humans tend to create an unhealthy routine for dogs. Everytime we put a leash on, grab our shoes or car keys many dogs become super charged with the expectation of an adventure. How many times do you leash up your dog and go no where. How many times do you take your dog outside to just relax?

Fonzie and Layla were certainly super charged when I brought them to their play yard. They spent 2 hours relaxing on place while I did yard work. Yes it was "hard" for them. Yes they wanted to play. Boundaries need to be enforced in various situations.The play yard does not need to mean chaos and no boundaries everytime they are out there. A well rounded dog is one that looks for guidance, is it a play day or work day out here.

22/03/2020

Virtual walk

21/03/2020

Hope everyone is doing well!! In the spirit of this social distance I will be holding a virtual walk tomorrow. I will be heading out at 10:30am. We will attempt to go live. You all can join in with your dogs at 10:30 or a convenient time for you. Let's get out and get moving. Let's share some positive vibes tomorrow with our photos and stories from our walk. 🌳👣🐕🐾

20/03/2020

I am so picky and serious about dogs having a solid "stay" because it keeps them safe. When working long distances and around potentially dangerous distractions I need to trust my dog will do his job. Fonzie is a goofy boy that still has a lot of puppy in him. When I need him to be serious about his work he has learned to focus and follow through. Play time always happens, but it happens when it is safe.

18/03/2020

Emergency preparedness. I travel a lot with my dogs in the car. You never know what will happen. My emergency info tube will contain a picture and description, rabies certificate, vaccine record and dog license info. In light of everything going on it is safe to say you can never be too prepared.

18/03/2020

Get out and enjoy the nice weather with your dogs. Fresh air is good for all. Want to work on your walking skills? Remember it's not about the distance of your walk, it's about the quality of your walk. Today's goal was a shorter walk with an emphasis on focus.

16/03/2020

Working on some agility skills today. Teachimg them how to read my body. We played 4,3,2,1 with Layla and 3,2,1 for Fonzie as he is still a baby dog and learning foundations (run to the 4 the jump, then 3rd jump and so on).

28/02/2020

This is Layla's first time learning about closing the door. How many times do you tell your kids to close the door behind them😂. Layla already knows to ring bells on the door as her potty alert to go outside. Now I am adding one more behavior layer so when she comes in she can eventually close the door. I am rewarding Layla (with her dinner) away from the door so I can create drive towards the door. You can see how "at the ready" she is to turn back to do the behavior. When training any behavior whether it's a sit, down, closing of a door or giving a paw, the most important thing is about keeping your sessions short and fun.

24/02/2020

Fonzie working on his independent heel work. He is wearing a hands free leash for safety. It's not about teaching a dog to walk on a loose leash, it's about teaching them to stay with us. Here Fonzie is working for his breakfast during his daily walk I did not give any information to him from the leash, heck I didn't even give a heel command. It's all about teaching him to be with me. Also notice, I am NOT having a conversation with him. I am keeping my information clear. Tell him what he needs with no extra words. I think his expression says it all. That is one happy dog.

23/02/2020

Look who graduated today!! Miss Violet completed 6 weeks of in-home private obedience training. The look on their faces says it all!! We had so much fun and pushed these two out of their comfort zone. When we started Violets mom was over the moon that she would sit on command. That was just the beginning. Violet now has a beautiful recall, a killer place command, she calmly enters and exits the car and we have broken the umbilical cord she had to her human. We created a calm state of mind so she can confidently navigate this world. Proud of these two for doing the nitty gritty work between sessions.

30/12/2019

30/12/2019