Liberty Dogs San Antonio

06/24/2025

06/18/2025

"𝗪𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐓𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫"⁣
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John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, once said, "Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character." This statement is as applicable to dog training as it is to basketball. Here, "talent" refers to the dog's natural instincts and abilities, while "character" signifies the good habits developed by the dog through consistent and patient training.

Just as a successful basketball team requires more than just raw talent, a well-behaved dog is not only about natural ability. The development of strong character through good habits is equally important. This emphasizes the importance of instilling good habits in dogs and underscores the critical role of consistency, patience, and understanding in the training process.

Teaching good habits helps Scruffy become a well-behaved, balanced, and sociable companion. Training requires an understanding and appreciation of a dog's natural instincts and behaviors. Knowing your dog's inherent qualities allows you to encourage desirable behaviors and gently discourage those that are not.
Training is not just crucial for building a harmonious relationship between you and your dog. It also boosts the dog's well-being and happiness, making it an integral part of responsible pet ownership. Regular, biologically suitable exercise and mental stimulation are equally essential to prevent behavioral issues caused by boredom or excess energy.

Effective methods of teaching dogs good habits are rooted in the principle of conditioned learning, where the dog learns to associate certain actions with specific outcomes. Treats, praise, and touch are common rewards used to encourage good habits. For example, rewarding a dog when it sits on command reinforces this behavior, making the dog more likely to sit in the future.

Consistency is essential when training your dog. Regular and structured training promotes good habits and discourages bad ones. Keep in mind that habit formation takes time, patience, and persistence. A main aim in dog training is to create a predictable environment. Make sure to weave the skills learned during training into Scruffy's daily routine. This not only reinforces these skills but also prepares him to be a reliable, confident companion.

Training dogs in good habits involves more than obedience training. It includes socialization to make them comfortable around other dogs and people, and to ensure they behave appropriately in various situations. Don't limit your training to your yard! Practicing in real-life scenarios is also necessary for Scruffy, particularly if you wish to include him in your everyday activities.

Teaching your dog good habits is not just about enforcing behavior, but also promoting happiness and balance. The process requires consistency, patience, and understanding as dogs learn best through repetition and reinforcement. Although it may challenge your commitment, the result is a well-behaved pet that creates a less stressful and more peaceful home environment. This also strengthens your bond with your dog, enhancing the quality of life for both of you. It's certainly a significant commitment, but it's undoubtedly worthwhile.

06/16/2025

06/12/2025

Wow, that was a bunch of rain!

Things look a little damp here at the park, but I think we can train some dogs this morning.

Classes are still on for today!

06/11/2025

Many dog owners make the mistake of negotiating with their dogs instead of giving clear commands. You've probably seen this at dog parks - owners begging their dogs to come back or offering treats before the dog has listened. This creates confusion and weakens your relationship with your dog. When you present commands as suggestions (asking your dog to sit multiple times while it ignores you, bribing with treats before they've obeyed, or explaining things in long sentences), you confuse your dog.

According to dog expert Stanley Coren, dogs need clear and direct communication. Using firm commands helps build successful training and a strong bond with your pet. Clear instructions eliminate uncertainty and help your dog understand exactly what behavior is expected, leading to more reliable responses and a happier relationship overall.

Dogs don't understand human language the way we do. They only learn words through consistent training. In her book "The Other End of the Leash," Patricia McConnell explains that dogs mainly respond to your tone of voice, short commands, and consistency - not the actual words themselves. Dogs evolved to work with humans and respond best to clear leadership. Studies show that dogs actually feel less anxious when given clear boundaries, while unclear communication leads to confusion and behavior problems.

Good commands have three main features: they are short (single words like "sit," "stay," or "come"), said with confidence, and always enforced. Jan Fennell writes in "The Dog Listener" that your body language - standing tall, making eye contact, and using clear hand signals - helps your dog understand what you want. To start using better commands, first identify the commands you use most often and make sure everyone in your family uses the same words and rules. This prevents your dog from getting confused.

There are common mistakes that can ruin your training. One error is treating dogs like humans - thinking they understand complex explanations or should "know better." As John Bradshaw explains in his book "Dog Sense," dogs don't think morally like humans do; they simply respond to patterns and results. Another mistake is being inconsistent, where commands sometimes matter and sometimes don't. This confuses your dog about what you really want.

Clear communication does more than just make your dog obey. Jean Donaldson's book "Culture Clash" explains that dogs who understand what's expected of them feel less stressed in new places. Clear communication also creates safer situations because your dog will listen to you when there's danger. Most importantly, it builds trust between you and your dog.

Using clear, non-negotiable commands doesn't mean being mean to your dog. It means being consistent, direct, and fair when you communicate. Dogs are happier when they understand the rules, just like kids do better with consistent boundaries. By giving clear directions instead of negotiating, you're speaking in a way your dog can actually understand.

Next time you catch yourself begging your dog or trying to negotiate, stop and change your approach. Use short, clear commands instead of long requests. Your dog will appreciate knowing exactly what you want, and you'll both enjoy better communication and a stronger bond.

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06/04/2025

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬:⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞⁣
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For decades, we misunderstood dog behavior by assuming they followed strict hierarchies similar to captive wolves. Modern research reveals that dogs actually thrive in flexible, family-like groups—a discovery that has transformed how we train and connect with them. Studies of captive wolves in the 1940s led to widespread misconceptions when their unnatural hierarchies in confinement were incorrectly applied to dogs, resulting in flawed dominance-based training methods.

We now understand that dogs form adaptable, family-style groups. In natural settings, dogs work together with fluid grace and coordination. Think of it like an elegant ballroom dance, where partners seamlessly trade the lead based on the situation - sometimes one leads, sometimes the other, but both contribute to the performance. While we still call them ‘packs,’ these groups act more like families than military units, with relationships shifting based on context, resources, and personalities—a flexibility key to dogs’ coexistence with humans.

This fluid, dance-like partnership transforms how we train and live with dogs, emphasizing trust and mutual respect over dominance. Dogs learn most effectively through natural consequences: positive behaviors are rewarded, while undesirable behaviors lead to the loss of rewards or gentle corrections, such as a verbal "no" to stop the unwanted behavior followed by a cue for an acceptable alternative. For example, when teaching loose-leash walking, a dog who walks politely earns a treat. If they pull, they lose the opportunity for the reward and we start over. Dog owners are like dance instructors, teaching the steps while giving dogs room to express themselves within clear boundaries.

Like skilled dancers balancing choreography with artistic expression, dogs flourish when given choices within established boundaries. This approach builds dogs’ confidence and reliability as partners. Modern dog training creates environments where good behavior emerges naturally by working with dogs' instincts rather than using force to control them. When dogs feel secure and understand expectations, they're more likely to make positive choices independently.

We now view dogs as true partners, with owners leading through mutual respect and understanding. This shift in our understanding goes beyond training methods—it fundamentally changes how we connect with our pets. By abandoning outdated dominance myths and embracing this science-based approach, we foster stronger, more joyful bonds with our dogs, built on trust and mutual respect. The result is not only better behavior but also more joyful and trusting relationships between people and their canine companions.

liberty dogs liberty dogs san antonio training group class obedience sports assistance companion akc canine good citizen

06/03/2025