I love so many things about my job…but one of my favorite things to do is treadmill train dogs.
A treadmill is a great tool for some dogs, it helps them focus and settle down as their brain has to coordinate the body’s constant movement. It’s also a great tool for dogs with anxiety or sensitive dogs as it helps to build their confidence, once they get used to the tool.
In this case, Sage the bulldog, was in charge of the house, including bossing her humans around and picking fights with the pack.
I’ve been working with this family for a year now, and Sage has learned that she is a “kid” in their family and not a “parent”…and she was able to learn this lesson because the humans have changed their behavior so they now get different behavior from their dog.
Sage is overweight as she doesn’t enjoy going for walks with her family, so they got a dog treadmill, which will also help out this summer when it’s too hot outside for exercise.
Bulldogs can suffer from spine and nerve problems, so we are taking it slow with Sage. Her first few times on the treadmill she did 2 mins and now she can do 5 mins per session. For her body right now, it’s best to do short sessions as we help to build up her muscle and joint strength and she loses weight. Eventually (several months down the line) she’ll be able to do 15 - 30 mins per session depending on how she feels that day.
Sage has a Frenchie brother (Jackson) and a young Rottweiler brother (Guinness) who I also treadmill trained…I’ll post those videos soon.
One of the best compliments I’ve received from a client was when she said to me “this isn’t just a job for you, you truly love what you do and people can see and feel that”. I’m such a lucky girl!!
#dog #dogsontreadmills #dogpsychology #sandiego #sandiegodogtraining #lovemyjob #luckygirl
When your client is running a few mins late and you realize you get to watch the birds for a while longer before starting your session at a beautiful lake in San Diego…life is good!
#dogtraining #grateful #luckygirl #lovemyjob
I get the pleasure of walking this handsome dude on occasion!
Zeke was a good boy on our walk, so he got some lovins when we got home.
I hadn’t been to his house in a few months, so when I unlocked the door, he charged the door barking…and if you’ve ever heard a Great Dane bark, it can be intimidating.
Since a dog’s memory is in their nose, I cracked the door open a few inches and gave Zeke time to smell me, without making eye contact with him. Within a few seconds, he stopped barking and was happy to see me.
The pit in his chest has always amazed me, but never guessed my entire fist would (gently) fit in there!
A Dane’s ear is the size of my entire hand…yet a small Chihuahua could fit entirely in my hand. Aren’t dogs absolutely amazing?!?!?
#dogs #greatdane #dogwalkinglife #sandiego #livingmybestlife
I taught Koa how to walk on a treadmill today and he did really well!
Before I turned it on, I used a leash to guide him on and off of the machine several times. Part of the lesson was him learning that I control when he gets on, and when he gets off the machine.
When I turned it on for the first time he was hesitant to walk, but his mom encouraged him from the front of the treadmill until he got comfortable.
Part of the challenge for dogs is their instincts tell them that when the ground is moving, it’s likely an earth quake and they better run to safety.
In order for you to override a dog’s instinct to run away (flight), you have to be calm & confident AND work to gain their trust. I took Koa to one of Cesar Millan’s training classes, so he trusts me and we have an amazing bond!
He jumped off a few times trying to get away from the exercise (avoidance), but every time he jumped off, I stopped the machine, guided him back on, and we started again. The lesson being that we end the exercise on my terms, not on his terms.
He’s a very smart dog and it’s common for him to test the boundaries of anything new, but with consistency, he was able to do several short sessions, with breaks in between.
During his breaks, he got praise from his mom and myself, and you could see how proud he was of himself!!
For the last round, I waited for him to be in a calm state of mind, then ended the exercise on a good note so he’ll have a positive memory of the new machine.
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️
What do you do when you don’t have any food in the house…you go to dinner with a client’s dog!
Paris is wearing her black out goggles, which helps her relax in busy places like downtown Coronado.
Without her goggles, she would be worried about her environment, but when she can’t see, she is much more relaxed. People can even walk a few feet from her and it doesn’t scare her.
She’s come a long way and that’s largely thanks to Cesar and his team who taught me ways to help Paris gain confidence so she can enjoy the world!
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️#tcw #trainingcesarsway #goldendoodles
BB is a very nervous dog, and was likely born that way. I’ve tried things like blackout goggles and weighted vests, but he still reacts to the slightest noise while walking, and will even get scared of things like a golf cart in a driveway. I’ve had good results with blackout goggles and weighted vests with the other dogs in my rehab program, but BB needs a different approach.
Since he struggles with being scared while outside, I am working on teaching him the Look command. Given his fear, I wasn’t sure if he would respond to treats, but it was worth a try. I am luring him with the treats right now until he gets used to the command, then I will alternate between a verbal cue and a hand signal before treating him.
Luring is important, but if you continue to lead with the treat, your dog could become dependent on the bribe and won’t do the command unless they see the reward.
It’s important to use high value treats to help encourage your dog to participate. I have great success using treats from Fig & Tyler. I use a variety of their treats to keep dogs interested in training and every dog I’ve worked with loves the treats.
I’m working on building BB’s confidence while being outside, so getting him into a happy go lucky state of mind while being outside is a great step in his rehab. We worked in an alley to minimize the distractions and he did really well!!
When I dropped him off and told his parents about our session, they commented on how happy both BB and I looked. I was very proud of him and apparently it showed on my face!
.
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #figandtyler #ilovemyjob❤️
Paris and I are riding into the new year and wishing everyone a very Happy New Year!!
She LOVES to run, so I rent a tricycle and we cruise around Coronado Island. Because she can be nervous at times (loud sounds or quick movements) , she can pull, so having the tricycle helps ensure we don’t bite the dust during our adventures. I have to find a way to record her as we are riding, her smile goes from ear to ear!!
Every time I work with Paris (she’s not my dog, but I love her just as much!), I learn something new from her. She has taught me so much about how to relate to nervous dogs and how to calm my own energy and movements when around nervous dogs.
I am thankful for so much and can’t wait to make 2022 the best year ever!!
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️ #doodles #doodlesoftheworld #goldendoodle #goldendoodles #dogsrule
I added the XDog weighted vest to Pluto’s rehab today (no weight yet). Pluto uses his eyes first, instead of his nose first, and it causes him to over react to things in his neighborhood. With the blackout goggles and vest, Pluto actually enjoyed his walk for the first time today!!!! So proud of this guy!! Every walk gets better and better!!
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️# #xdog #xdogvest
I love spending time with these little cuties!! We go to the dog park so Gia can work on learning doggy social cues and Lola can stretch her little legs. You’ll know it if Gia likes you...her tongue doesn’t stop trying to give you kisses!!!
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #yorkie #yorkielife #yorkies #yorkielove #yorkieloversworldwide #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️
We did it!!!!!!! Pluto let me give him a bath, and we even used soap!! When I met Pluto, he would run from the sight of a hose/water, and if you put him on a leash, he would choke himself out trying to get away from the water. Fast forward a few weeks and he now trusts me enough to face his fears. Working with dogs is very rewarding and I’m so blessed to work with such amazing dogs!!!
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtraining #dogtrainer #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainersandiego #sandiego #sandiegodog #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #entrepreneur #ilovemyjob❤️#mixedbreed #mixedbreeds #mixedbreeddog #mixedbreeddogs #mixedbreedsarethebest
Kona is a beautiful Malamute who has always tried to pull me down the sidewalk. Before I attended Cesar Milan’s training, I had to use a leash that wrapped around my body as Kona would pull our entire walk. After attending Cesar’s training...I can walk Kona without ANY tension on the leash (no more body leash!!!). His little brother is a toy Poodle named Teddy. So proud of these boys!!!
.
.
#dog #dogs #dogsofsandiego #dogtrainingsandiego #dogtrainingtips #dogtrainers #dogtrainerslife #malamute #malamutesofinstagram #malamutes #malamutelife #toypoodle #toypoodles #cesarsway #sandiego #sandiegodogs #sandiegodogtraining #sandiegodogtrainer #sandiegosmallbusiness #sandiegosmallbusinessowners #entrepreneurlife #ilovemyjob❤️