Atlas, Hunter, and Kingsley graduated from class after learning Loose Leash Walking. A wonderful group of puppies and handlers.
![]() TIP #1: FINDING TIME TO TRAIN YOUR DOG You don't have the time to train your dog? Whether you realize it or not, you already are spending a lot of time training your dog. Every minute you are with your dog you are training him. Your everyday interactions with him are the most powerful training tools you have. Remember these two concepts: 1. If you do things for your dog without asking him to do something for you, you have trained him to not work to get what he wants. You have trained him that he is free to ignore you until you signal that you will be gratifying one of his desires. 2. If you ask him for a behavior in exchange for doing things for him, you have trained him to work for you to get what he wants. You have trained him that he had better pay attention to you because you never know when a reinforcement opportunity might arise. Once you have taught the basic foundation behaviors, you never need to have a formal training session with your dog again; just being with your dog will shape him into a model citizen. -excerpted from the book "When Pigs Fly" by Jane Killon TIP #2: PET FOOD MARKETING Living in today's world, it is inevitable that our choices are influenced by marketing tricks and ploys. This influence is especially insidious when it pertains to things that are important to us, such as our dogs' health and welfare. We tell ourselves that we pay attention to ads and promotions for dog foods because we want to learn more about the nutrition and health benefits of the food and to determine if it meets the criteria that we determine to be essential for our dog's activity level and life stage. And pet food companies make it easy for us because advertisements are, well, everywhere. While you may need to work a bit to find a book or nutrition research article or an article in a dog magazine, you don't have to do anything at all except turn on your computer and open a browser to be inundated with advertisements for dog foods. Walking through your local pet supply store includes multiple display panels and sales campaigns promoting different (and new) brands and product lines. We read, we digest and we often act. Shop with your head, not your heart. If you need help deciphering the marketing mumbo jumbo please visit www.dogfoodadvisor.com for unbiased and informed opinions about dog foods and treats. - excerpted from Dog Food Logic, by Linda P. Case, M.S. Sadie is a gorgeous, 7-month old Rottweiler who has typical puppy issues, so over the next several weeks we will be teaching her the basics. Can't wait!
Like many dogs, Duke and Jax get excited when people come to the door. Duke barks and Jax barks and jumps a little. Today we began the process to change that by teaching them to Go To A Spot. Duke picked it up very quickly, while Jax needs a little more work.
![]() "Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." - Dalai Lama Oliver is a 7-month old Labrador Retriever/Box mix looking for some basic manners training. His owners have done a great job so far by teaching him a pretty reliable sit, so we will be reinforcing that as well as teaching him Down, Wait, Stay, Leave It, Come When
Called, and Loose Leash Walking. Tonight we worked on Tyson's jumping when he gets excited. He responds really well by sitting when you ignore his behavior, but he still needs help learning not to jump in the first place. For the first session he did really well.
Kingsley was very excited to learn Come When Called in this week 5 class. Atlas? Not so much. He looked like he wished he was playing hookie like his buddy Hunter.
![]() TIP #1: TRAINING REGRESSIONS People are terribly mystified by any change in their dog's behavior and go on a lot with the "why, WHY?" as though there should never be any variability whatsoever in this living organism's behavior. Training regressions are a frequent occurrence and no big deal. It is so important to remember that behavior is always in flux, constantly subjected to whatever contingencies there are in the environment as well as being influenced by unknown internal events. In the case of behavior problems, there are three main reasons for behavior that had seemed to be "fixed" to break down again: 1. Undertraining: the behavior was never that strong in the first place 2. Contingency change: the behavior extinguished or another one was trained by the owner or environment 3. Failure to generalize: the behavior falls apart in a new location or context - Excerpted from the book Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson TIP #2: STRIVE FOR PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION We are not perfect, so why do we expect our dogs to be? When it comes to training or behavior modification set your dog up for success by striving for progress, not perfection. Kyle and Stanley have done well learning the Touch game, yet they have shown only minimal progress with their fear of strangers. We recommended a management plan of a safe haven (a crate in another room) and stuffed Kongs to keep them occupied. We will follow up in a few weeks for a progress report.
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AuthorJeff Dentler, CPDT-KA, IAABC-ADT, FFCP, CTDI Archives
February 2025
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