West Wind Dog Training

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West Wind Dog Training

Low-stress training, behavior modification, dog/child safety, preparing dog for new child No dog needs a prong, choke, electric shock, etc., in order to learn.

If we do not give dogs what they need physically and mentally, then we open the door for trouble. My goal is to find the best and most positive way to encourage you and your canine to learn together. Not all dogs will motivate for food, not all will motivate for play, but all dogs have a motivator that, when used properly, means training can be fun, non-intimidating and a bonding moment. No breed

needs force or to be bullied in order to learn. How do I know this? Through my own growth the past 30 years and observation, experience and the drive to find better ways I realized how wrong I was so long ago. Sadly, many trainers still hold to the old ways and refuse to evolve.

18/02/2024

15/02/2024

Another light webinar tomorrow night. "Defining Aggression: Views from Biology, Psychology, and the Neurosciences"

12/02/2024

Read this. Read it again and then pay attention to your dog. She’s trying so hard to communicate and tell you how she’s feeling.

Thanks for this great advice.

11/02/2024

This was the Dogs 101 episode that had many parents contact me to help them make their pet dog a cure for their child's autism like Foster "cured" Connor. There is no cure for Autism. Every child with Autism is influenced differently by the genetics involved. Early intervention is needed and not denying there is a concern when it is brought up to you as a parent. Next is the right dog. Foster ended up being that right dog. He was carefully chosen and supposed to be MY next show dog. Well life had a different idea and he ended up being Connor's Junior's dog and we used Agility to help teach Connor communication and observation. It was WORK. There is no magic pill or magic dog. In fact the wrong dog in the situation can end up being dangerous to dog and child.

09/02/2024

Local people, it is going to get loud again. Quantico training.

MCBQ Training Advisory February 9 – February 23, 2024

*Please note overnight training operations

February 9, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Non-Frag)

February 12, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag)

February 13, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag)

February 14, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag)

February 15, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag)

February 16, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag)

*February 20, 8:00 a.m. – Midnight
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag), 5.56 and Below

February 21, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag), 81/60MM Mortars,
5.56 and Below

February 22, 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag), 81/60MM Mortars

February 23, 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Live Fire Demo 50Lbs and below (Frag), 81/60MM Mortars

For rare updates to the range training schedule that would impact the surrounding areas during the week, please follow us on facebook.com/marinecorpsbasequantico

Marine Corps Base Quantico operates 43 live-fire ranges that support training from small arms to explosive demolitions to artillery fire to the delivery of live-aerial munitions. As a regional facility, MCBQ is a critical asset for weapons proficiency training for Marines, the Department of Defense, federal agencies, and law enforcement organizations.

The impact of noise, vibrations, and/or illuminations experienced across the area can vary greatly depending on the residential location, atmospheric conditions, time of day and reductions to naturally occurring sound barriers.

Because training on Quantico is continuous, residents can expect to always hear some noise or feel vibrations. Although we strive to provide accurate daily live-fire operations, please know schedules/live-fire activities can change due to operational conditions.

If you would like to learn more, or comment on the impact of training, please visit
https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Info/Noise-Advisories/

For additional information about MCBQ, please visit our official website at https://www.quantico.marines.mil

08/02/2024

All I can do is hope I can reach the humans and that they will listen and someday, learn. Not all people are ready to change from old ways. Not all people are ready to understand what they really need to do for work. Sometimes all we can do as trainers is hope we can plant a seed.

22/01/2024

We love muzzles at Dogs in the Park! Muzzles prevent dogs from eating dangerous objects, can help with wound recovery, and can keep both dogs and people safe. Does your dog have a muzzle? We'd love to see a picture of them wearing it!

11/01/2024

When you hire a dog walker, I strongly recommend one who will not do "pack walks." They are not as fun for your dog as you may think. Even if your dog is one who truly enjoys them, the other dogs walked may not.

07/01/2024

There is a difference between behavior modification and obedience work. Yes in BMod we may use behaviors often taught in obedience classes, but obedience training is not the same as behavior modification. I cannot train things like fears away in a general training class.

30/12/2023

Thanks Ching and MVMSC for a great Fast CAT. And Lilith (aka Lidiot, Hooligan, and a bunch of things I would get banned from Facebook for using) got her DCAT. And to Sarah who has to catch the nut case.

30/12/2023

Management is something every trainer I know talks about - it’s one of the first conversations I have with clients. Baby gates, x-pens, leash tethers, the list goes on…

I’ve always thought I was good at finding adaptive solutions but today I walked into a lesson and was blown away by the genius of my client! Their dog is a big boy who loves to counter surf, but also struggles with being confined.

Look at this beautiful AND creative solution they came up with! This is a portable ping pong net 🤯 I am so in love with this and was so impressed with their ingenious idea.

You can find them on Amazon - get one while you can because I think this is gonna be a new trend 😂

26/12/2023

Merry Christmas (or whatever winter holiday you celebrate) to all - and to all a good night.

See all my clients in the New Year.

24/12/2023

https://www.insidenova.com/lifestyles/critter-corner-success-story-ends-the-year-by-sparking-tears-of-joy/article_01cd242e-a0c1-11ee-8660-5fa2e24c0cd6.html

My work with this family started in January. The situation was difficult on several different layers.

22/12/2023

Taken from a friend.

15/12/2023

Prince William County, VA - Dec 16 at 11am - dog food giveaway.

08/12/2023

It is been a long time since I left a client and cried happy tears. I have been working with this family for 11 months. They made changes that needed to be done. They followed a protocol. They let me know if things were not working so I could re-address and tweak. They were honest if they were unable to do some work and had to go into management mode for a bit. They kept in touch with the vet behaviorist for rechecks and medication changes. They muzzle trained. They put management protocols in place. Tonight I knew they were ready to fly solo. For the last months they were able to tell me how they applied lessons to new things. As I left, tonight, I left a dog I would be honored to live with. This boy went from reactive to comfortable. His people know how to keep him below threshold and what to do if he goes above. He is more comfortable at the vet. So now we are on an "I am here if you need me and even after I move, I am there virtually." He was annoyed because we were trying to get a picture and I would not let him try to raid my treat pouch.

06/11/2023

Please note, I am having major technical issues with my main laptop computer. I am waiting for a new screen to come in. I will be working off an ancient desk top and my iPad for the time being. I spent this afternoon trying to get at least contracts on to a drive I can access with the iPad for sending contracts.

Address

Opening Hours

Monday	09:00 - 20:00
Tuesday	09:00 - 20:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 20:00
Thursday	09:00 - 20:00
Friday	09:00 - 20:00
Saturday	09:00 - 20:00
Sunday	09:00 - 20:00

Website

http://www.westwinddogtraining.com/

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Videos

Hand free but addressing human anxiety and need for hands on.

The human is terrified her dog will lunge when he sees something so she keeps a tight leash and it gets worse when she anticipates a problem. A hands free leash option is being used. However the human still grabs and pulls when she gets anxious as she learns to identify and work with the environment and herself. So I did this to meet her emotional need while giving the dog a break from her constant pulling due to the humans anxiety. Next step will be teaching the dog to allow leash changes for long line sniff walks in safer areas. He came to her hating hands near his head and neck. She leaves the leash on all the time. Baby steps.

So proud of this couple! Between recognizing the connection between pain and behavior and doing the work as they continue to address the medical, this great boy has gone from reactive and not comfortable with a muzzle to being OK with me (and others), walking nicely AND LOOK AT THIS MUZZLE JOB!

I have been working with Bennett since January. He is still scared of so many things but this time, he initiated interaction with me. We were getting ready to head outside and suddenly he showed interest in me. Not fear, but interest. Bennett was still conflicted but he laid down, I started a little of a pattern game with him. I was thrilled he did this! Note I am NOT asking him to come closer for treats. Distance is his choice and I will not try to lure him closer to get a treat. If I do and the desire for the food briefly overrides his fear, what could happen if Bennett suddenly panics? I increase the chance Bennett may feel the need to bite out of fear.

My daughter sent me this video. This is Uhura who is her service dog in training at school. Sarah is a stage manager on campus. There are so many things you cannot easily train for. This is a musical rehearsal. Uhura knows much of the cast from their fall play. Musicals are different from Drama. Lots of motion and loud singing. Even very well trained dogs still get refreshers and behaviors reinforced. When taking a break from working. Uhura hangs out with the cast and was dubbed the casts’ emotional support dog. Fall play she got a head shot and bio posted.

Cooperative care. My cat, Linus. The groomer I used to use for him has moved, and the other groomer, I like in the area no longer does cats. Linus has an insanely soft coat that mats very easily and very quickly. Add in that he likes to roll in water (showers), play with sticky things like tape on boxes, and he is a constant grooming nightmare.

Here is Enzo and his first time working on impulse control with getting his ball. We also talked about using fetch as a reinforcer for other things and giving him appropriate outlets for chasing.

Enzo is one of the most reactive dogs I have worked with in years. This was taken at my follow up session with him. He is a horrific car chaser and goes after squirrels, but not as bad as he goes after cars. Between sessions I tweaked the protocols for her and she emailed me back that she saw a huge change over the past week and a half. Today we had a really good walk where he was able to handle squirrels without going insane. He did not chase after the couple cars we encountered. I taught her how to handle the environment better and start increasing his exposure to things. And I was able to begin teaching impulse control lessons and wait to be told he can chase some thing.

Not only dogs benefit from food releasing toys. This is Weeble, our "wobble" kitten (Cerebellar Hypoplasia) and one of my dogs' treat balls. When the dogs are outside, the cats get some of their kibble in a food releasing toy. I sprinkle a little catnip inside to get them interested at first. (Not all cats respond to catnip, it is a genetic thing.)

Working on Stay with Lady the deaf dog. Since her people are using an open hand for sit (they taught her this before I came in) we are using a closed fist - similar to the ASL sign for S - for her stay signal.