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DogWorkz - Training and Behavior Solutions

Private, in-home training in the Bethlehem, NY area for dogs and their people.

Dog training and behavior modification in Winter Garden and the surrounding areas.

31/12/2024

12/31 – New Year Resolutions
Before setting up your dog’s “safe space” for the evening's events, take some time to look back on the past year and think about how things are going. What did you like? What would you like to improve?

Imagine the life you’ve always wanted with your dog, then create a plan to work toward creating that life. Think about what you need in terms of time, opportunities, and assistance, then set your goals and start working together with your dog to make 2025 an amazing year for both of you!

Even just playing simple training games like we’ve done here a few times a week is enough to make a huge change in your dog’s life and build a beautiful relationship with them!

Now get ready for tonight's festivities and be prepared to help your dog stay calm and happy. Play some games if your dog prefers that, or just relax and cuddle while watching a movie.

Happy New Year!

30/12/2024

12/30 – Dance Party
Put on some of your favorite music and for at least the entire length of one song, make life ALL about fun with your dog! No rules, no pressure--just be present and play, release some energy, laugh, and enjoy the moment with your dog.

Bounce around, let them chase you, you chase them, play tug, wrestle, toss a ball, whatever makes you both happy!

If your dog isn’t the busy, bouncy type, you can have a more relaxed party for them. Grab some of their food or treats and present them with a novel object—maybe pull out a cardboard box again! Reward them for anything and everything they do with the object. Take a step toward it? Yay! Here’s a treat! Put a paw inside it? Wow, another treat! Pick it up and play with it? Oh, what a smart dog, here’s another treat! Reward them for every single choice they make and watch their confidence and adventurous choices grow!

29/12/2024

12/29 - No Place Like Home
Here’s another quick game to test and build your dog’s recall! Some dogs will figure this out quickly and not want to leave your side, while others will be content to play the game and build up their speed in running to you. It all depends on your dog’s personality!

Grab two kinds of food—one low in value to your dog (kibble) and one high in value (boiled chicken). Get a handful of each and remember which hand has which food—let’s say you’ve got kibble in your left hand and chicken in your right. Get your dog’s attention for the kibble and toss a piece a few feet away. Let them chase it and get it, then call them back and give them a piece of chicken when they get back to you. Toss a piece of kibble away again and repeat.

The idea is to show your dog that coming back to you is ALWAYS a better deal than moving away from you!

28/12/2024

12/28 - Run, Rudolph, Run
Time to shake off the holiday lazies with some fun and adventure in your own living room or yard!

Build a “course” for your dog to go under, through, over, around, and on top of some obstacles! This can be as simple as building a “fort” out of couch cushions for them to run through or setting up a whole maze with planks, tunnels, tables, boxes, broomsticks…anything you can find! Use a treat or toy to lure your dog and have some fun! Go over a short jump, walk across a plank, duck under a table or chair, climb a log, balance on a sofa cushion, charge under or run across a tarp—just have FUN!

27/12/2024

12/27 – Snowball Fight
Okay, it’s not so much a snowball fight as a game of catch, but that’s still fun, right??

Catching is a skill that can be difficult for some dogs to learn, but you can help them develop the skill using some tasty treats! Once your dog knows how to catch, you can easily reward them from a distance by tossing a treat to them (think about them staying on place while company is over and you’re sitting across the room) or play ball more safely by throwing a ball to them instead of sending them into a wild chase.

Make it easy for them at first by playing inside with no distractions and choose a treat that stands out from the environment. (If your room is predominately light in color, use a dark colored treat and vice versa. Soft bits of food are also easier to catch than big crunchy biscuits!) Toss a treat gently to your dog and see if they’ll try to catch. (Tossing underhand will create an easier arc for them to follow.) Even an attempt followed by a miss is fine! Keep your tosses easy and gentle until your dog starts to figure it out.

If your dog just lets the treat bounce off them or waits until the treat hits the floor, try teasing them a bit with it by rolling it along the ground and catching it, showing it to them and covering it—really make them WANT that treat and think it’s fun to play with!

26/12/2024

12/26 – Boxing Day
Here’s a great confidence builder to help your dog get used to new sounds! You can use a cardboard box, laundry basket, empty kiddie pool, or even your bathtub.

Fill your container with objects that will make different sounds at varying volumes.
Some good options are:
• Plastic bottles
• Empty cans
• Bubble Wrap
• Crumpled paper
• Smaller boxes
• Pots & pans

Be sure to choose things that are appropriate to what your dog will tolerate right now, then over time, start to use objects that make louder or more unusual sounds. What you put in the box is only limited by your imagination and your dog's current abilities.

Now drop some yummy treats in the box for your dog to find. Give them time to explore the box on their own and hunt down the treats. If they are hesitant, make the box easier for them to navigate by removing some objects or choosing less noisy objects. Remember that this is an exercise to gradually grow confidence, not to challenge your dog!

Video link in the comments!

25/12/2024

12/25 – Holiday Feast
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!! Time for some food and fun! Let’s figure out what kind of tasty treats your dog thinks are worthy of a feast!

Different foods have different values to you dog that will cause different responses. Some foods might be SUPER tasty and make them dance for joy, while other foods are still tasty, but keep your dog’s energy a bit calmer. This is important for your training because you can choose “calm” rewards when working on something like waiting to go outside, staying in place, or settling down for the evening, and “supercharged” rewards for things that require a more energetic response like coming when called, looking away from a distraction, or dropping a stolen sock!

Think about the treats (or toys) that you’ve been rewarding your dog with and create a “hierarchy” list of what your dog values the most all the way down to what they still value, but don’t lose their mind over! Then think about which rewards are be more appropriate in different training situations.

Your list may look something like this:
Low to high value:
o Kibble
o Crunchy treats
o Raw carrots
o Dehydrated chicken chips
o Happy Howie meat rolls
o Fresh Pet roasted meals
o Boiled chicken
o BALL!!

24/12/2024

12/24 - All is Calm
Sometimes we just need our dogs to take a break and relax so WE can relax.

If you want to help your dog relax outside their crate or exercise pen, try using a long-lasting toy that will keep them busy. Once you find the right toy they enjoy, they’ll entertain themselves for a while, then be ready for a nap afterwards.

Some things you can try include:
• Stuffed toys (Kongs, West Paw, Starmark) These toys can be stuffed with regular treats or kibble, canned dog food, canned pumpkin, veggies, plain yogurt, peanut butter (xylitol-free), cooked ground meat, or just about any “recipe” your dog enjoys. For an added challenge, freeze the toy after you stuff it!
• Long-lasting chews like yak sticks, Zuke’s Z-bones, or C.E.T. dental chews
• Lick mats – textured mats that you can smear with peanut butter, canned food, etc.
• Snuffle mats – mats with long strips of fabric to hide kibble/treats
• Treat dispensing toys – puzzle toys that can be filled with kibble or small treats. These will challenge your dog to figure out how to get the treats!

23/12/2024

12/23 – I Can’t Wait!
Oh, boy! Here come some guests!!! Oh, wow! AND the UPS guy! Wow, best doggie day EVER!

If your dog is a whirling ball of joy at the door when people arrive, it’s time to help harness that energy into something more low-key.

Start by practicing with just yourself and your dog inside the door. Choose a spot for your dog to wait and reward your dog for staying there. (Use lots of treats at first to help.) Reward them for sitting while you touch the doork**b, then turn the k**b, then just barely open the door, then open the door more, then open the door all the way! If they get up at any step, close the door, put them back in their spot, and start over.

Advanced version: Once your dog is great with sitting and staying while the door is open, pretend you have a guest. (Yes, you’re going to feel silly.) Say, “Hi!” “Hello!” “Come on in!” Your dog will react like someone is there, even though that “person” is invisible at that moment. Help them stay calm and coach them through. (If this is difficult for your dog, throughout the day practice just randomly greeting someone who isn’t there until your dog thinks it’s no big deal.)

22/12/2024

12/22 – Puppy Dog is Coming to Town
When you call your dog, do they come running like a freight train, or more like a sleepy turtle that’s easily distracted?

Here are three ways to supercharge your dog’s recall!

• Hide and Seek: Put your dog in a down/stay (or have someone hold them) in one room while you dash to another room and “hide” then call them to you. (If they need extra incentive, show them a treat or favorite toy before you leave.) When they come running, play an exciting game or heap praise and yummy treats on them!
• Distractions: Set up a “minefield” of things for your dog to run past—what you use will depend on your dog. You can use different items like sofa cushions, toys, bubble wrap, paper bags, empty soda cans—you’re only limited by your imagination. Have someone hold the dog at one end of the minefield, show your dog a toy or treat, then run to the other side of the minefield and call them through. Have a big celebration when they get to you!
• Chase Me: What better way to make recalls fun than to turn it into a party?? Find a nice open area, move away from your dog, then call them. As they start to come toward you, run in a different direction. Zig zag, duck around trees/furniture—make it hard for your dog to get to you, then have a party when they catch you! (Just don’t fall over or run into anything!!) You can also do this outside with someone holding your dog as you run away, then call them. Your movement will draw them in faster than they’ve ever come before!

The key to all of these is keeping it fun, happy, and rewarding for your dog!

21/12/2024

12/21 – Put a Bow On It
Here’s a fun little trick you can show off to your holiday guests! It’s also a great way to get your dog’s attention when they get overexcited and just need something to do with that energy!

Teach your dog to “tie a bow” by having them do a figure 8 around your legs! (If you’re short or your dog is tall, you can use two objects for them to go around instead.) Start with your dog in front of you, guide them between your legs with a treat, then around one leg, back under your legs, then around the other leg. Give treats often at the beginning, then start to wean them away as the dog understands the maneuver! Once you both get the hang of it, see if your dog can do it multiple times in a row!

20/12/2024

12/20 – All I Want for Christmas
For those celebrating Christmas, the big day is now so close you can taste it! Sometimes it takes all the willpower we can summon to keep from eating all the cookies or opening some presents early. Let’s test your dog’s willpower and see how they do!

If your dog knows “leave it” or “wait” at any skill level, it’s time to up the stakes and see how they rise to the challenge! If they can leave something in your closed hand, try opening your hand. If they can leave something in an open hand, try putting something on the ground and cover/uncover it with your hand.

Other ideas:
• Walk them on-leash past a tasty treat on the ground
• Put a treat on their paw as they lay down
• Line treats up on their legs or on top of their head!
• Call your dog to you past a treat on the ground

Being able to leave a temptation alone will come in very useful when you’re cooking, setting up decorations, putting presents under the tree, or trying to stop a curious puppy from picking up something that could get them in trouble!

19/12/2024

12/19 - Not-So-Silent Night
Now is the time to start preparing for the booms and chaos of New Year’s Eve! Take into consideration how your dog is affected by all the sights and sounds that will accompany that night and think about how you can set up a “safe space” for them.

You can start right now making that space a fun place for them to be. The key is to start practicing NOW so they have some time to become familiar with not only their space, but also any games, toys, equipment, or techniques that you choose to use that night.

This is also the time to pick up or order anything you might need before it’s out stock—medications (prescription or OTC calming aids), busy toys/puzzles, compression wraps, treats, chews, etc.

18/12/2024

12/18 - Search the Presents
Uh oh, puppy found the presents! This game will help your dog fulfill their need to use their nose while also building confidence!

Set up a “cardboard city” of boxes inside or outside. (5 or 6 boxes are plenty to start.) At first, leave the boxes open with the openings facing up or to the side so it’s a little easier for your dog. Take one of your dog’s meals (or some yummy treats) and start tossing them into the boxes so your dog can search them out.

If your dog takes to the game quickly, start putting boxes on top of each other, cover the openings, place food on top of or under boxes, and make it more challenging for your dog. As he hunts and pushes boxes around looking for the food, he’ll start to become bolder and more confident in his ability to handle different sounds, smells, and movements while the boxes shuffle around. Make it as challenging as your dog needs!

This is a great game to play ANY day you need to help your dog burn some extra mental energy, give them a fun game to build confidence, or keep them busy on a rainy day!

18/12/2024

12/17 - Not A Creature Was Stirring
One of the most important skills a dog can learn is how to simply be still! For some dogs it can be a huge challenge to stay in one spot, especially when guests visit, during dinner, or even when you need to bring the groceries in without tripping over an exuberant pup!

Pick a special “place” where you’d like your dog to settle. A raised pet cot or dog bed with sides will help define the target for them more easily, but you can use anything from a towel or blanket to a large rock or the back seat of the car.

Start rewarding your dog for hopping onto their spot (you can help by guiding them with a treat at first) and drop extra goodies on it to help them stay. (Use a LOT of yummies at first to build up the value of staying on their place—you can even use part of their meal!)

When you’re ready to stop the parade of rewards, use a release word (okay, free, done, release, break, etc.), stop feeding, and take a step away. When your dog chooses to go back on their place, start the rewards again. When they start to understand the game, add a cue for them to get on their place. (Go to place, bed, hop up, settle, etc.)

Very gradually build up to your dog staying on their place while different things start to happen around them. Some things you can try are:
• Take a step away
• Roll a piece of food or a toy on the ground
• Clap your hands
• Walk around the place
• Turn your back to your dog for a moment
• Have someone else walk nearby
• Have your dog change positions on place (sit, down, spin, etc.)

Use a leash if your dog needs extra help, especially if you’re working with a lot of distractions around. Keep practicing and your dog will understand how to settle down anytime and anywhere you need them to relax!

18/12/2024

Join in the fun every day until the end of the year as we share Holiday Training Games to help you and your dogs navigate the holidays and prepare for guests, presents, fireworks, and all the joys and chaos of the season!

A new game will be posted each day until 12/31 to help you play your way into 2025 and help your dog learn good manners, develop fun skills, and build confidence along the way!

Grab some favorite treats and toys and let's have some fun!

12/17 - Not A Creature Was Stirring
12/18 - Search the Presents
12/19 - Not-So-Silent Night
12/20 – All I Want for Christmas
12/21 – Put a Bow On It
12/22 – Puppy Dog is Coming to Town
12/23 – I Can’t Wait!
12/24 - All is Calm
12/25 – Holiday Feast
12/26 – Boxing Day
12/27 – Snowball Fight
12/28 - Run, Rudolph, Run
12/29 - No Place Like Home
12/30 – Dance Party
12/31 – New Year Resolutions

26/11/2024

Are you and your dog ready for Thanksgiving? Here are some tips to keep your pups happy, healthy, and safe during the festivities!

Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy your holiday weekend!

21/10/2024

There is nothing natural about large numbers of unfamiliar dogs partaking in high-intensity activity in a dog park, and this shouldn’t be the benchmark for a social dog. If your dog is not their best in such an environment, you are not doing anything wrong. 👏👏 There is nothing wrong with your dog. 👏👏 Your dog is normal. 👏👏

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Dog Troubles?

Does your dog ignore you? Do they drag you down the street at the end of the leash on your walks? Do they seem to go into “crazy-dog mode,” leaving you frustrated? Do you feel embarrassed or even trapped by their behavior? We can help! Our goal is to help you learn how to create the dog you’ve always wanted. Whether you have an adult dog, a puppy, a rescue dog, or a competition dog, we’re here for you. With patience, time, and consistency, you and your dog can overcome any obstacles to live a long, happy life together!

We believe that there is no cookie-cutter approach to dog training. Every dog and every owner is different, so we adjust our teaching according to the needs and capabilities of each of those dogs and owners. We teach both the owners and the dogs the skills needed to bond, build a relationship, and find success in reaching training goals.

We will always be honest in our assessment of your dog and his/her behavior and the steps you need to take to improve that behavior.

We will never judge you based on what you or your dog have or have not done in the past, but we WILL help you build a better future together.

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