Juno has some discomfort around people in his home - even if it’s people he’s generally familiar with. During his August Level Up session, we worked on his relaxation and transitions, especially in tight spaces, and looked for where his body language indicates increased conflict and where he demonstrated comfort.
We also worked on his muzzle conditioning to provide an extra layer of security and safety as his family continues to build his confidence.
Wanting to build your dogs comfort with guests? Board and Trains and Private Session packages both are available beginning in September! Visit the link 🔗 in the profile for more info!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
“Handful Sessions” can make daily training possible for the anyone by leveraging small moments during the day for BIG training wins.
“Handful Sessions”:
🤚 Encourage enthusiastic engagement from your dog
🖐️ Make consistent training possible
🖐️ Provide mental enrichment
🖐️ Keep training sessions from getting too long or boring
🖐️ Create opportunities for sustainable progress
How do you make time for training duringg the day?
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Nosework can be a great tool for your dog to work their body and brain!
Seeking scent:
🧠 encourages your dog to use their natural skillset to engage with the environment
🧠 provides mental stimulation and burns energy - indoors and outdoors!
🧠 builds confidence by reinforcing your dog’s independent exploration of an environment
🧠 rewards them for focusing on their own task around distractions
🧠 calms them physically by promoting deep, even breathing in order to properly track odor
🧠 is a great way to build better communication and bond with your dog!
Looking for new ways to enrich your dog? Level Up Subscription Service has a few open spots - reach out about building your dog’s training and enrichment plan today!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #levelup #decompression #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #nosework #scentwork #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Reactivity can stem from many emotions - but whether your dog is frustrated, anxious, scared, angry, or just excited to throw down - there are skills for you and your pup to learn together to help them cope better with dogs nearby! Let me know how Like Magic can help you and your reactive dog!
#dogtrainer #dogtraining #boardandtrain #positivereinforcement #canineenrichment #reactivitytraining #trainingclass #ellicottcitymd #supportsmallbusiness #columbiamd
Penny and Leila had their joint day training sessions working on polite greetings at the playground and polite patio behaviors at @experiencesavagemill
#levelup #dogtraining #politegreetings #positivereinforcement #positivereinforcementtraining #dogtrainer #dogsofinstagram
Lexi enjoyed a water-focused decompression hike out with Fig today for her #levelup July hike!
#reinforcementlearning #dogtraining #canineenrichment #sniffwalk #decompressionwalk #reactivity #reactivedogtraining #reactivedog
Snoop had a different kind of decompression/fun outing - with the heat we’ve had, swims were in order! #decompression #dogtraining #positivereinforcement #dogtrainer #levelup #dogsofinstagram
Bailey had a blast doing exactly as she pleased this morning on her Level Up Decompression Hike! Decompression hikes can vary between individuals but also between breeds - with my own German Shepherd, we stay on the marked paths and I’ll invite her to choose between two directions. Order in and of itself is calming and reassuring for her. For Bailey the Beagle, she’s following her nose, and off-roading is expected, necessary, and spontaneous! 👃 🐕 🌳 #beaglesofinstagram #dogtraining #levelup #positivereinforcement #decompressionwalk #reactivity #sniffari
One and one services mean more time and flexibility to explore new things! Snoop’s decompression hike included checking out a trail and exploring the river alongside it, and swimming- something brand new for Snoop! Level Up Training Club is already giving me the chance to impact dogs I’ve worked with for years in brand new ways as they continue their training journey.
There is ONE spot remaining in the Training Club, which gives monthly subscription access to group sessions, online resources, and one on one services. Is that spot yours?
It’s a tough weekend outside 🥵 Temps have shot up quickly from the mild early summer we’d been having. It can be difficult to get out with your dog to burn that extra energy when you and your dog haven’t acclimated to the summer temperatures. Instead of braving the heat, you can try:
❄️ Training in the cooler hours of the day. If you need light, consider lit parking lots for working your pup!
❄️ Taking to the water! Even walking next to a creek will be cooler than not, and the opportunity for your and your dog to take a dip will be appreciated.
❄️ Play brain games in the AC! Whether your pup would enjoy sniffing out treats, shaping a new trick, or practicing their indoor manners, there’s plenty of exercise for the mind to be had inside.
❄️ Sneak in extra snuggles 🩷 A little extra rest time is never a bad thing - if you and your dog are happy with it, take advantage of the indoor time to just… chill 😉
What are your dogs up to this weekend?
Lots of reasons reactive B&T Bruce might have chosen to roll in the grass instead of the more structured relaxation I’d intended. Maybe he was blowing off some nervous energy, maybe he was inviting Korra to interact, maybe he was just itchy and hot and the grass looked inviting! Reactive work should always include flexibility on the part of the handler - as long as the dogs are safe and being reinforced for desirable behaviors, following the dogs lead might be totally fine!
Just a couple pups absolutely crushing it 💅
The Who’s Who of the Holiday Weekend at Like Magic!
So how DO you take an excitable young shepherd and turn them into the perfect demo dog for a training event? No surprise, it starts off well before the event begins. Fig has learned to settle and has really good crating behaviors already. She is environmentally sound and nothing much phases her, and she can work and be attentive to me around other people and distractions. Today I made sure her physical and mental needs were met before we set foot in the office, and we got there plenty early so she could acclimate to the place. She took breaks in her crate with her beef cheek when things were too exciting to be with me, and we went on walks to the other vendors so she didn’t get bored. I’m *very* proud of my girl and happily feel that she was set up to be as successful as she was! #dogsoftiktok #dogs #dogtrainer #reinforcementlearning #dogtraining #enrichment #canineenrichment
Video partially inspired by @hungrydogtraining ‘s wonderful post yesterday on Frankie’s session where “a lot is happening when nothing looks like it’s happening!” Mo is here to build confidence as well as working on some specific cooperative care and life skill behaviors. As one of his exercises, we are exploring the outdoors every day. As of yet, I haven’t asked him for much outside because he can be nervous in a new place and my first goal is to build independent curiosity before asking for anything from him. In these walks he gets to lead - he chooses the path (as long as I can fit!), he chooses the length of the walk, he chooses when to stop and sniff, and when to turn back. Through this video you can see him exploring new terrain, air scenting and sniffing around for new smells, and choosing to head towards the house as well as (big win for confidence!) choosing to continue the walk towards the court. While there were no cues, no treats, and no specific behaviors during this session, Mo absolutely came away with a strengthened skillset 🥰
Lots of featured pups today playing brain games! #dogsofinstagram #dogtraining #enrichment #tricktraining
Charzi is a nervous boy who can have some big feelings about handling that isn’t on his terms. While he’s being very sweet here I’m also aware he’s not in what he would consider a familiar, secure environment. How many “consent tests” for pets can you spot in the video?
Charzi is a nervous boy who can have some big feelings about handling that isn’t on his terms. While he’s being very sweet here I’m also aware he’s not in what he would consider a familiar, secure environment. How many “consent tests” for pets can you spot in the video?
