Out and About Dog Training

23/11/2024

Things that make me smile 😊
Love working with this boy!
Good boy, Gunner!

20/11/2024

I got to hang out with this handsome boy a lot this week. Gunner is enthusiastic and is learning to slow down. We are working to have a calmer disposition in the home.
Good boy, Gunner!

19/11/2024

We can teach our dog to understand behaviors we like and reward vs ones we don't. By establishing a clear communication system between you and your dog, you will be able to facilitate understanding of the preferred behaviors.

19/11/2024

Sweet, sweet Daisy after training ❤️
Such a smart girl!

17/11/2024

Start your Thanksgiving planning now.

* Where will your dog be when guest are entering your home?
* Will your dog has a nice quiet space to go when they need a break?
* Prepare Kongs ahead of time. Make sure to freeze some in advance.

Make it a Happy Thanksgiving for all and plan ahead!

05/11/2024

I am honored to do what I love and truly enjoy the people that I work with. Building lasting relationships through positive reinforcement!
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31/10/2024

I love Halloween! The spooky music being played outside homes. Inflatable ghosts and spiders standing tall and moving with the wind. Kids dressed in their favorite costume screaming and running with excitement to the next home to collect their candy.

I really enjoy this scene. It reminds me of being a kid with an imagination of being whatever we wanted to be which makes it fun for us, kids and adults alike. Costumes can make us look totally different. I could be a princess, a witch, or even a zombie. No one would recognize me then!

However, fun this holiday is for us, it may not be fun for our dogs. Keep in mind, dogs do not understand these changes in our appearance and can make even the best dogs uncomfortable, nervous and frightened in their surroundings. They may recognize our voice but we have changed. We may walk a bit differently, wear a mask, have a tail, wear a cape or carry a sword. This is not normal in our dog’s everyday world. Every child and every costume is a new opportunity for a different reaction from the same dog.

Be ready at the door for your treat or treaters!
And remember one piece of candy for them and two for you!

Happy Halloween!

28/10/2024

⭐️☀️Playtime Between Your Puppy and Current Dog ⭐️☀️

➡️Play should be a fun and joyful interaction between both dogs, exhibiting playful body language such as wagging tails, relaxed ears, and bouncy movements. The play should be mutual and consensual, with both dogs actively engaging and taking turns in different roles, such as chasing and being chased.

➡️Play sessions should include pauses and breaks to prevent overstimulation and allow dogs to regulate their excitement levels. Overall, dog play should be a positive and enjoyable experience for your dog and puppy.

✴️Important Note:
✅Always supervise puppy play to ensure it remains safe and appropriate.
✅Plan structured play sessions with breaks to prevent overstimulation and ensure a positive experience.
✅Know your both your dog’s and your puppy’s body language to understand their comfort and enjoyment level.

25/10/2024

23/10/2024

This is the face I saw as I looked back when leaving Daisy.
Be still my heart ❤️

22/10/2024

This could very well be my dog Parker!

21/10/2024

Scatter Feeding is an easy slow feeding enrichment activity to add to your dog’s day.

Rather than just putting kibble in your dog’s bowl.
Scatter it around in a safe place for them to sniff out.
Your dog will be able to use their natural foraging skills to find and eat their food

18/10/2024

During a training lesson, I will get asked at some point about taking dogs to the dog park. I am not a big proponent of dog parks, however I do understand that people will take there dogs there. With this in mind I have come up with the following:

🐾 Dog Parks 🐾
✨Know Before You Go ✨

What can start of as a great time can turn into a tragedy in a moment. To prevent this here are a few environmental aspects to consider prior to going to the dog park:

➡️ Are there a lot of dogs crowded together?

• Do not enter if there are a lot of dogs at the entrance as this will very overwhelming to your dog entering causing him to feel unsafe.
• Shy away from a “group” of dogs even if they seem like they are playing. Sometimes a group of dogs and get aroused very quickly and things can escalate.
Are the people there paying attention to their dogs, or are they busy talking to each other?
• The group of people that are not watching their dogs cannot ensure safe play or are able to call their dog should conflict arise. Remember, you are there to be with your dog. As much as you want them to play, sometimes they are just happy to walk around with you.

➡️ Did someone bring a ball, Frisbee, or other toy that could cause conflict?

• Some dogs love to play with their frisbee or ball and your dog may love to play, too. Keep in mind some dogs do not like to share.

✔️ Playful Play
• Play bows (front legs outstretched, hind end up)
• Relaxed, loose bodies
• More side to side than forward movement
• Mouth open when play biting
• Dogs stop and start again-
• More side to side than forward movement
• Short breaks between play

✖️Warning Interactions
• Staring at the other dog
• Stiff Body
• Stillness
• One dog standing with his head and neck over the other dog’s neck or shoulders in a “t” position
• Walking around the other dog with
• Legs stiff
• Neck arched
• Tail held high

If at any time you are having any doubts about whether your dog or other dogs are acting appropriately, the play getting too rough or your dog is not having fun, it is time to leave the park.

Make the park a safe place for your dog.

You are your dog’s advocate, ensure his fun and his safety

A better alternative would be to check out Sniffspot.com - it is like an airbnb where people rent out there yards so that your dog can enjoy the experience or running around leash free in a new environment.

Please let me know if you have any questions, [email protected]

17/10/2024

Don’t be stingy with your reinforcement. It is so important to provide feedback to your dogs that they are correct.

->We want our dogs to be correct in their choices- If they are making good decisions, we can reinforce it.

-> If we reinforce it, the more likely it will happen again!

Happy Thursday Training!

16/10/2024

Yes, that’s a great sit, Piper!
Did you know you are sitting on a table?
Yes, I know that’s a very good sit.
Good girl, Piper!

14/10/2024

⭐️Want your dog to have a better recall?

Think of those everyday moments that you can reinforce and strengthen your dog for recalling to you.

➡️Mealtime: Call your dog to you before feeding them. This helps associate the recall command with a positive experience and reinforces the behavior.

➡️Random Easy Moments: Call your dog to you while you're doing routine activities around the house, such as moving from one room to another. Reward them with praise or a small treat.

➡️Playtime: During play sessions, periodically call your dog to come to you. Reward them with a treat or a continuation of the play to make the recall enjoyable.

➡️Before Going Outside: Before opening the door to let your dog outside, call them to you and reward them for coming.

➡️When You Come Home: When entering the house call your dog to you. This helps associate the recall cue with the excitement of seeing you.