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Lucky Dog Sports Club in Jupiter
Positive, rewards-based
dog training
August 2010 |
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Learn ways to calm your fearful dog
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Does your dog quake and tremble during a thunderstorm or with other loud noises? We can help! But you'll need to hurry; this seminar and class are coming up this week.
Fearful Fido:
Help For Your Noise Phobic DogIs your dog afraid of thunderstorms and other loud noises? Then we have the class for you! You will learn how to manage your dog's fearful behavior using behavior modification techniques such as counter conditioning and desensitization. You will learn how to teach your dog the skill of relaxation. We will discuss what works and doesn't work with fearful dogs, including pheromone therapy, wraps, sound therapy, creating a safe place, and much more. And you will find out if what you do and how you act can make the behavior better or worse. This 4-week class begins Friday, August 6th in the evening. The first night is a comprehensive seminar for humans only, and the last three nights are for you and your dog to attend together to work on his or her noise phobias. You can attend the seminar only if you choose. Instructor: Dr. Lisa Radosta, board-certified veterinary
behaviorist. Click here for more info about Fearful Fido.Register Is comforting your frightened dog the correct thing to do? Find out!
 | ............................................. If your dog is fearful of thunderstorms, Dr. Radosta has a few suggestions to help your dog handle the storm more calmly. 1. Get your dog to a soundproof place before the storm. 2. Get happy and excited and your dog will follow. Try to occupy your dog with something wonderful like a bone or chewy. 3. Call your veterinarian to discuss all of the supplement and medication options. There are many. 5. The Thunder Hut, Thunderstorm Cape and Thunder shirt may help your
pet. While they may not cure the problem, together with environmental
management, they will help. 6. If you need more help, go to DACVB.org to find a veterinary behaviorist near you [like Dr. Lisa Radosta!]. And...sign up for the seminar and/or class! |
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Contact Information:
Mindy Cox, Training Director
Phone: 561-427-6700
Fax: 561-748-3699
Any suggestions or comments? Please email. I value your feedback.
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Training Tips
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What you should know to be a better trainer
I always look forward to training my dog and helping others train theirs. I enjoy the different experiences and the surprises. I don't view the training of my own dog as having an end point because I think the relationship between my dog and me continues to flourish when tended with care, especially with an extra dollop of fun thrown in. I enjoy the challenges, successes, and the evolving communication and trust. Dogs can be an absolute joy to hang out with!
For professional dog trainers and serious hobbyists, there are specific training methods that work. For many pet owners, the process can be frustrating and confusing. Here are a few "secrets" from the trenches that will help you improve. To better understand how to relate to your dog you need to be more conscious of your responses and reactions.
1. Every time you interact with your dog he or she is learning something about you (and you thought it was only the other way around, didn't you!). Dogs are keen observers, even when you don't think you are interacting with them. Your dog sees your behavior when you are upset, angry, impatient, calm, etc. It can affect their trust in you. Your dog wants you to be predictable. Training is occurring all the time even when you don't think it is.
2. Reward good behavior as soon as it occurs. Remove the reward immediately when bad behavior occurs. The two of these together work powerfully.
3. Be aware of what you may be doing to inadvertently reward inappropriate behavior, even when you are not "training". An example is
the dog that is pawing or barking at you for attention. If you pet your dog at that
moment, you are in effect telling your dog that his behavior was
acceptable. Even yelling at your dog is giving them the attention they may crave. Perhaps you have a dog that jumps on you for attention. If you remove the
reward by turning your back and ignoring your dog, it sends a
clear message that the behavior is inappropriate and won't work. No need for harsh
punishment.
4. Most pet owners talk too much when they train or are interacting with their dog. Pay attention to what you do, act with intention, and speak less. Dogs don't understand human language well but they are excellent at reading our body language and voice so don't send mixed signals. For example, if you want your shy dog to come to you, don't lean in toward him, stare, and say "come" in a gruff voice. Those are all distancing signals. So then when he does not come and you get angry, imagine how confused and scared he is going to be.
5. Lead like a dance partner not a boss. Give clear signals and be very consistent. If you ask for a sit, you should expect a sit every time. Don't get frustrated and give up. This tells your dog that he can sit only when he feels like it so maintain your rules consistently to be clear. Also, use the same cues and body language signals every time you want that same response. For example, if "down" means lie down, don't say "get down" when you want your dog to get off the couch; use a different cue such as "off". And be sure to use your cues for good and not for evil! Don't say, "come" and then do something unpleasant to your dog. Why should he come to you in the future if he can't trust you?!
Here's a very important parting suggestion: Both of you should be having fun! The relationship will grow and prosper, and learning will take place if you are both enjoying the interactions!
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Class Schedule - Obedience, Puppy, and Agility Classes. Plus Reactive Dog class.
| SUMMARY OF UPCOMING CLASSES: Obedience, Agility, and Puppy Classes
For detailed info, descriptions, fees, instructors, and to register, click on the More Info link or go to our Schedule Page. Interested in a class you do not see listed? Please let us know. If there is enough interest we will organize one. Know you want to take a class? Sign up early before your are closed out of a filled class!
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Focus Foundation
Obedience, Attention, Focus, and Impulse Control-- everything you've
always wanted for your dog! (see more info above.)
Focus Foundation is also the prerequisite for Intro to Agility.
This popular 6-week class fills quickly so sign up today!
Begins Monday, September 13th at 6:15 p.m. Ends October 18th.
Sign UpMore Info...............................................................................................
Focus Skills 2 Calling all Focus Foundation graduates! You've discovered how much fun it is to train and work
with your
dog, and you want to continue. Whether you want to
strengthen
what you've learned, or maybe you just enjoy the interaction
with your dog, taking the next level class is a great
idea! We will learn lots of new skills and add additional distractions in this follow up to Focus Foundation (must know sit, down, stay, and loose leash walking, and be calm around other dogs). We
will also cover many of the exercises to pass the
Canine Good
Citizen test. We will teach new skills such as heel,
front,
and go to mat. We will work on off leash exercises. This is a brand new class and it's sure to be fun. We hope you will join us. Begins Tuesday, August 31st at 6:15 p.m. Ends September 28th. Instructor: Mindy Cox More InfoSign Up
Ideal Puppy I & Ideal Puppy II
This is an important socialization and training class for puppies 9 to 20 weeks of age. Don't miss out on these important behavioral milestones that will help your pup grow into a more confident, well-adjusted dog. Your dog will only be a puppy once!
Ideal Puppy I and II are each 4 weeks long for a full and wonderful
8 weeks of learning and play. 
UPCOMING CLASS: Session A from 7:15 to 8:15 pm
Ideal Puppy I
begins Thursday, September 2nd.
Ideal Puppy II begins Thursday, September
30th.
Instructor: Stacey Perry
Sign Up
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 Reactive Dog Class
Got a
feisty Fido when it comes to certain interactions? Do you feel lost when your
dog barks, growls, lunges or generally becomes difficult to control around other
dogs or people? This class is about your dog learning relaxation and trust and
overcoming fear and anxiety.
Begins Wednesday, September 29th. This class will be held mostly indoors.
Instructor: Dr. Lisa Radosta
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Introduction to Agility In Introduction to Agility dogs will be introduced to many of the obstacles in agility such as jumps, tunnel, chute, and open weaves, in a safe and controlled manner. The skills needed to successfully negotiate the obstacles and the handling skills will be worked on weekly. Attention, focus and motivation will be practiced as the team builds confidence in an atmosphere that centers on learning skills while having fun. Begins Tuesday, August 31st at 7:30 p.m. Ends September 28th. Instructor: Mindy Cox More InfoSign Up
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THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS DATES AND TIMES. |
Upcoming Seminar. Don't Miss It!
| The Mind of the Dog: Understanding How Dogs Learn.
This seminar on Canine Behavior and Learning includes topics on early learning
and socialization, dog behavior, body language, problem behaviors, training and
management, behavior causes and fixes, fear, anxiety and aggression, resources
and much more! We will discuss common behavioral misconceptions and compare
punishment and reinforcement methods of training. We will talk about the
prevention of bad behaviors and how to use tools such as counter conditioning to
get your dog to happily do things he now resists. By the end of the seminar we
hope you will
have a greater insight into the mind of your dog!
Date: September 24th
Seminar Time: 7 p.m. to 8:30
p.m.
Location: Lucky Dog
Sports Club
Instructor: Mindy
Cox, B.S., CPDT-KA
Fee: $35
(Ask about discounts for veterinary staff)
CEU credits: CCPDT and IAABC 1.5 hours
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FAQs | |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do you have an at-a-glance way to see classes and events?
A: You betcha! Our class calendar will give you the schedule at a glance. If you are a Lucky Dog member organizing your practice times, you can now tell if a class is inside or outside. It is color coded by type of class (such as agility, obedience, puppy). The first class will have START to indicate the beginning.
Q: How do I register for a class or event?
A: Find the class you want on the Schedule page. For events, go to the Events page.
Click the Register button or link and fill out the secure online registration form. Or you can call 561-427-6700 and I will sign you up over the phone.
Payment can be cash, check, or credit card.
The fastest way to sign up, especially if you want to secure your spot in a popular class is to use the secure online registration form. You can also mail your form (very slow!), drop it off in our secure drop box to the left of our front door, fax it to 561-748-3699, or you can sign up by phone. Go to our Contact page to find all this info (or find the info in this newsletter in the above right column.
Q: What training philosophy do you use?
A: We only use positive, reward-based, dog-friendly training methods at Lucky Dog. No jerking, pulling, ear pinching or other aversive methods are used. We introduce the training clicker into many of the classes so your dog has a quicker and clearer understanding of what you are teaching.
Q: Do I need a club membership to take a class?
A: No. Becoming a club member and taking a class are two separate things. But as a member you have access to Lucky Dog and can practice whenever you want (when there is no class scheduled).
Q: What are Lucky Dog's hours?
A: At this time there are no regular hours when you can drop by, but if you'd like a tour just give us a call and we are happy to accommodate you. Someone is always there when a class or event is scheduled.
Q: Do you only do group classes or can I schedule a private lesson?
A: We are happy to schedule a private lesson at Lucky Dog. We offer obedience and agility private lessons. |
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My goal is to make this monthly newsletter as useful and interesting to you as possible. Which sections do you like the best? Articles? Class info? News of local events? Human interest information? What else would you like to see covered? And if you like it, please pass it along to a friend.
Sincerely,
Mindy | |
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