Puppies are nosy! 😂
They’re learning about the world and it’s their job to explore everything they can on a daily basis.
It’s only natural for a lot of them to discover the kitchen counter where (if your house is anything like mine) they might find some food to eat, maybe a dish towel to play with, maybe some pieces of mail to shred, maybe some kids toys to chew - the possibilities are almost endless 😳
It’s also natural to get frustrated when you find a mess afterwards 😑
So what do we do about it??
Let’s teach your dog a default settle!
Just imagine your dog choosing to lie down nicely and just hang out with you in the kitchen while you’re working in there. Doesn’t that sound nice??
We can make this dream a reality!
Have questions? Ready to get started? Send us a DM to get on the waitlist and get ready to enjoy kitchen counters that aren’t covered in paw prints 🐾 😉
#countersurfing #goldenretrieversofinstagram #puppymanners #positivereinforcementtraining #ocdogtraining #puppytrainingtips
Small dogs deserve the same amount of time, energy, respect and dedication in their training programs as bigger dogs get!
It’s not funny or cute to watch a little dog bark and lunge at something.
They don’t have a “Napoleon Complex” and they’re usually not trying to act tough just to compensate for their smaller stature.
Sometimes it’s easy to ignore these behaviors because an Italian Greyhound growling at you feels less threatening than a Rottweiler growling at you.
Or, it’s easy to manage the situation by picking the small dog up when you don’t have that luxury with a bigger dog.
But, the truth is that barking, growling, and lunging are indicators that your dog is overwhelmed, anxious, or afraid regardless of his size.
Let’s take those warnings seriously and take action to help our littles feel more comfortable interacting with the world around them ❤️
#dogbehaviormodification #dogbodylanguage #behaviormodification #dogreactivity #reactivedogsunite #smalldogproblems #ocdogtrainer
Overcoming reactivity doesn’t happen overnight for most dogs. It’s a process and it’s really easy to get frustrated if your only goal is to have a ✨perfect✨ calm, peaceful walk with your dog every time you step outside.
To help you stay motivated and to reassure you that you’re on the right track, here are some smaller goals to keep in mind and CELEBRATE along the way:
🐶 Fewer reactions overall
🐶 Reactions are becoming less intense with fewer barks or lunges
🐶 Recovery times are quicker after a reaction
🐶 Your dog can consistently eat food in the presence of most or all triggers
🐶 Your dog chooses to look away from triggers he would previously fixate on
🐶 Your dog can respond to known cues more easily than before
🐶 You feel more confident in your ability to read your dog’s body language and in your ability to predict what he will do next
🐶 You feel less anxious on a walk because you have a plan for what to do when you encounter a trigger
🐶 You’ve practiced your management games enough that you feel confident in your ability to use them to prevent a reaction
All of these are signs that you’re headed in the right direction, and all of them are just as worthy of celebration as that ✨perfect✨ walk.
Need help? Have questions? Reach out! We’re here for you!
#reactivitytraining #behaviormodification #leashreactivity #positivereinforcementtraining #rottweiler #progressnotperfection
The Dot Walk is my favorite beginner level Loose Leash Walking game!
It’s easy for dogs and humans, and you will see BIG improvements in your dog’s engagement with you and ability to keep her leash loose really quickly!
1️⃣ Start by placing a treat on the ground. While your dog is eating it, take 2 steps forward and then place another one. Feeding your dog on the ground helps keep their focus down and forward, so you’re competing with fewer distractions in the beginning.
🐶 Try not to let the treats bounce everywhere or dog will be bouncing everywhere too trying to chase them!
2️⃣ When your dog is doing well with Step 1, switch it up and start handing them the treat vs putting it on the ground. Give your dog a starter treat, and then take two steps forward, stop and reward again. Having their head up lets them see more stuff so that they can start learning how to walk nicely with some distractions
🐶 Be realistic and gradual about adding distractions. Don’t add too many at once!
🐶 Use the seam of your pants as a guide for where to deliver the treat if you want your dog to stay super close to your side!
3️⃣ Start increasing the number of steps you take between treats. I always take treats with me just in case, but that doesn’t mean I’m a pez dispenser for my dogs the entire walk.
If you try the Dot Walk, tag us and let us know how it went!
#dogtrainingtips #looseleashwalking #basicobediencetraining #clickertraining #leashmanners #frenchbulldog #frenchiesofinstagram
My students learn a lot of management strategies to help their dogs feel less threatened by a trigger, which is great!
But remember to practice your skills BEFORE you need to use them in real life!
One of the worst feelings in the world is fumbling your leash and treats or forgetting which cue you want to use when a strange dog is barreling down the side walk at you!
🐶 Practice enhances proficiency, making you more competent when the skill is required. It’s muscle memory for you and your dog so that you can just act when the time comes without stopping to overthink.
🐶 Practice is a great way to boost your confidence, and reduces anxiety when applying the skill in real-life situations.
🐶 Lastly, it allows for troubleshooting and refinement, ensuring smoother execution when the skill is put into practice. Not every management game is intuitive for every handler - some require some tweaking to make sure they are easy and comfortable to use in real life. Practicing during the quiet times on your walk lets you figure that out without the added pressure of dealing with the trigger ❤️
#reactivedogsofinstagram #reactivedogtraining #reallifetraining #positivereinforcementtraining #clickertraining #practicemakesprogress #rescuedogsofinstagram #cattledogs
Your dog is struggling with reactivity?
Your puppy can’t stop jumping on your guests?
Your dog doesn’t come when you call?
Those challenges are not likely to get better on their own.
Nothing changes if nothing changes!
Your dog needs you to step in and 1) manage the situation differently so that he’s not practicing things you don’t like, and 2) teach him what he should be doing instead.
Sometimes the easiest and most effective solution to a problem is to change something about *our* behavior.
Let’s help that reactive dog by changing up the walking route so that he doesn’t have to confront his nemesis twice a day, and then teach him how to work through his fears on a walk.
Let’s use a baby gate or a leash to prevent that puppy from launching himself into people’s arms as soon as the door opens, and then show him that bringing them a toy as a greeting can be just as gratifying.
Let’s use a long line to prevent that dog from taking off at the park, and then teach him how to focus on us even though there are super cool smells around.
If we can’t learn and adjust, how can we expect a dog to do it?
What do you think? Let me know! ⬇️
#dogtrainingtips #positivereinforcementdogtraining #clickertraining #goldenretriever #englishcreamgoldenretriever #dogtraining
Essential Puppy Thing #4
Essential puppy thing #4: Learning how to use interactive toys 🤓
The most common problem that puppy owners reach out about is puppy biting 🧛🏼♂️
What does that have to do with interactive toys? Well, one of the best ways to address mouthiness is to get ahead of it by keeping your puppy physically and mentally engaged ✅
I think we all know about playing with and walking our puppies, but sometimes the mental piece of the puzzle doesn’t get enough attention 😬
There are TONS of different options when it comes to puzzle toys, but the @westpawus Toppl is one of my favorites, and the kibble dispenser is one of Kira’s favorite ways to play with it. You’ll need a large Toppl and a small Toppl. Add your puppy’s kibble to the large one, pop the small one on top, and you are good to go! 🥳
What’s your favorite way to give your puppy’s mind a good workout? 🧠
Have questions? Need help? Check out our Puppy Program (group classes and in-home sessions are available!) for more inspiration!
#puppyclass #puppysocial #puppytraining #enrichmentfordogs #enrichment #puppybites #puppybiting #interactivetoys #dogmom #dogmomlife #furbaby #positivereinforcement #orangecounty #southoc #oc #missionviejo #certifieddogtrainer #professionaldogtrainer #puppystartright #puppygram
Essential Puppy Thing #3
Essential puppy thing #3: confinement and potty training!
When puppies can go everywhere in your house, they will probably “go” everywhere in your house 💦💩😩
Potty training gets a lot easier with a good routine and a puppy that is comfortable being confined in a smaller area of the house.
For Kira, I set up a pen in my kitchen for those times when I can’t keep an eye on her every second. To introduce her to the pen, I tossed some kibble into it and then let her jump in and eat it. She was allowed to come back out pretty quickly, and then we tried again. She’s learning that the words “Get in!” mean that a tasty bit of food will appear for her once she’s inside the pen 🎉
She’s got some toys, a comfy bed, and some things to chew on to keep her occupied while she’s in her pen. She’s having so much fun that she barely notices when I step out of sight for a moment, and her older brothers are dying to get in on the action 😂
Need help with crate or potty training? We can help! Join us in the puppy class or set up a personal coaching session to get a training plan tailored to you and your puppy 🐶
#puppytraining #puppyclass #puppysocial #orangecounty #southoc #oc #missionviejo #dogmom #furbaby #rescuepup #rescuepuppy #puppystartright #akcstarpuppy #puppylife #professionaldogtrainer #certifieddogtrainer #puppygram #positivereinforcement
Benji vs. the Doggie Door
