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Lucky Dog Sports Club in Jupiter
Positive, rewards-based
dog training
December 2010 |
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| Inside Your Dog's Brain
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Do You Know What Your Dog is Thinking?
(CNN) By Randi Kaye, AC360 Correspondent --
Sit! Shake! Quit barking! Get off the couch! Go find your toy!
Ever wonder what your dog is thinking as it gazes at you while you are barking commands?
Duke University's Canine Cognition Center in Durham, North Carolina, is one of the few labs in the country focused on how dogs think.
"We're excited about describing the psychology of our dogs," says professor Brian Hare, the lab's director. "Different dogs solve different problems differently. And what we want to understand is: What is it that either makes dogs remarkable as a species or what is it that constrains the ability of dogs to solve problems?"
To test the dogs' ability, Hare and a team of graduate students put dogs through a variety of games similar to those you might play with young children.
"We don't want to look at cute pet tricks. What we want to know is, what 
does the dog understand about its world?" Hare said.
Hare has been analyzing our four-legged friends for about 15 years. He says dogs have figured out how to read human behavior and human gestures better than any other species has, even chimpanzees.
"The way they think about their world is that people are superimportant and they can solve almost any problem if they rely on people," says Hare.
Children start relying on adults' gestures when they're about a year old. That's about the same age that dogs start to recognize and rely on humans, too, Hare says.
When both I and Hare tried to direct Hare's dog Tazzie to a cup that had a treat in it, Tazzie took his master's cue and went toward the cup. I was a stranger to Tazzie, so the dog didn't rely on my information.
"He's grown up with me," says Hare. "We do lots of stuff together. He's never met you before, so he's saying, look, if they're both telling me where to go, I'm going to trust the guy who I'm with all the time."
According to Hare, this proves dogs are complex social animals who understand they have different relationships with different people.
"They really narrow in and pay attention to you and they want to know what it is about the world that you can help them with," he says.
Researchers at Duke are studying dogs to better understand their limitations. If they can identify why dogs make mistakes, they believe they can help them improve. That could mean making dogs better at working with people with disabilities or better at working with the military.
"They are a very different species and they think about the world differently than we do. And we need to figure out what are the constraints on how they solve problems, how is it that they think differently from us. And I think that we're going to be able to have a much, even richer relationship with dogs than we already do if we figure all that out," says Hare.
The professor says even though domestication has made dogs smarter, they are not perfect. Still, they're so smart, he says, that they can understand the principle of connectivity.
"They know they're connected on a leash and [dogs reason] 'Well, now I have to listen, because if I don't do what you say you can stop me. Where if I'm ... not on a leash, well, yeah, I know the command but I don't have to listen to you now,'" explains Hare. And just like children, dogs also understand that if you turn your back, they can misbehave, especially after their owners have told them not to do something.
"Your dog takes the food you just told it not to take, and you're really upset because your dog disobeyed you, and you think that your dog is not obedient. Well, no, no, no, your dog was obedient but it realized that it could get away with it," says Hare.
At the end of the day, dogs may rely on humans, but they also use their skills to manipulate their owners and the world they live in. And even though dog owners like to think they're in command, the professor says it may actually be Fido who is really in charge.
More...
Interested in training articles and videos? Check them out on our website. |
Pet Obesity-- a Growing Problem!
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How Fat is That Doggie In the Window?
Calabash, North Carolina - August 2, 2010 - Vets concerned about the growing pet obesity epidemic want people to know that a 12 pound Yorkie is the same as an average female weighing 218 pounds and a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man. The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP) has created an online pet weight translator and tables of the most common breeds that compare those extra pounds on our pets in terms of love handles we can all relate to.
APOP Founder and President Dr. Ernie Ward remarks on why the group created these tools. "As a veterinarian I'm always looking for ways to demonstrate how serious even a few extra pounds on a pet can be. These tables and calculations put pet weights in human terms, making it easier to understand. For example, if I tell a client their female Lab is 20 pounds overweight, that doesn't sound too bad. Owners think 'It's a big dog.' If I tell them it's the same as them weighing almost 190 pounds, suddenly the light bulb goes on. 'My dog is fat.'"
 More important than light bulbs flashing, Ward hopes to educate pet lovers about the dangers of pet obesity and poor nutrition.
"Over half the nation's dogs and cats are now overweight making obesity the leading health threat of our pets. Largely preventable diseases such as arthritis and diabetes are being seen in record numbers costing pets their life and owners millions in medical bills. The reality most of these cases could be avoided simply by preventing weight gain and shedding excess pounds."
So what can pet owners do to fight excess weight in their pets?
"The single most valuable tool a pet owner has in the fight against obesity is a measuring cup. Most pet owners don't measure how much they're feeding and even fewer know how much they should be feeding." responds Ward.
To determine how many pounds on a pet equal those on a person, the group used average heights for men and women, 5 foot 9 inches and 5 feet 4 inches, respectively. They then used the normal range of the Body Mass Index (BMI), 18.5 to 24.9. These weights were then compared to a breed's normal weight range. Ward explains, "Our calculations were performed in the most conservative fashion. We used the upper range of 'normal' weights for women (145 pounds) and men (169 pounds) as well as the upper weight range for breeds as a starting point for our pet equivalents. When our charts state a 23 pound Shih tzu is equal to a 208 pound female, you can count on it."
One of the key barriers to pet weight loss is owner's denial of the problem  which Ward calls the 'fat gap.' "Many owners incorrectly believe their pet is big. The reality is very few of us are the size of an NBA or NFL professional athlete. Those guys are large. By putting their pet's weight in terms normal people can relate to, I can more easily explain why their pet is 'fat,' not 'big.'"
Click here to see the Pet-to-Human Weight Translator
Other highlights of the data include:
- 90 pound female Labrador retriever is equal to a 186 pound 5' 4" female or 217 pound 5' 9" male
- Every excess pound on a female Lab is equal to 4 to 5 pounds on a 5' 4" female or 5' 9" male
- 105 pound male Golden retriever is equal to a 203 pound 5' 4" female or 237 pound 5' 9" male
- Every excess pound on a female Golden is equal to 4 to 5 pounds on a 5' 4" female or 5' 9" male
- 12 pound Pomeranian is equal to a 249 pound 5' 4" female or 290 pound 5' 9" male
- Every excess pound on a Pomeranian is equal to 21 to 21 pounds on a 5' 4" female or 24 to 25 pounds on a 5' 9" male
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Fun with your dog
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Fun Tricks to Train!
By Sophia Yin, DVM
You know your dog is the coolest canine on the block. Want your friends and family members to know too? Whether your pooch is 7 weeks or 17 years old, he can learn flashy tricks and enjoy performing them too. Better yet, these tricks can also help train Fido to be calm.
Bang (a.k.a: Lie on your side)
Start with Fido lying down with his belly on the floor. The "trick" to this trick is training him to turn his head to the side so that he will shift his weight onto one hip without your having to physically position him since that can cause many dogs to resist. We will train this in little steps.
First, place the treat to the side of his nose just enough so Fido will turn his head a little. Once you give him the first treat, see if you can follow with several more before he moves his head back to a different location. This may require holding several treats in the treat hand. Do this 5-10 times and then next time hold the treat further to his side so that he turns his head more.
With each step, lure with the treat so that he turns his head more. Soon he'll turn his head enough so that he has to roll over onto his hip and then lie on his side. Once on his side, give a string of treats low enough so that he remains on his side. At first have the sequence of treats come frequently, then increase the interval between treats so that he learns to stay in that position for longer amounts of time for the same amount of treats. You can even have him lie on his side for extended periods of time.
When you get to the point that it's easy to present a treat and have him immediately lie on his side, where he stays, you can start pointing your finger like a toy gun if you're going to call the trick "bang." Then reward him once he's lying on his side.
Next add the cue word. Say "bang" and then immediately follow by pointing with your hand and give him the treats once he lies on his side. Once he's on his side give a sequence of treats spaced out as much as you can. You can then start expecting him to lie down for longer periods before he gets a treat.
Play Dead (Lie on Back)
With a slight revision of "bang" you can change the trick to "lie on back." Once Fido can lie on his side, lure his head using a treat until he turns it enough so that he lies on his back. Once on his back give him a string of treats. The rest of the steps are the same as "bang," except that you can use a different cue word such as "play dead," "sunbathe," or your own unique word.
By the way, when my Jack Russell wants my attention at night, he sometimes lies on his back and then growls while wagging his tail. This is a million times better than what most JRTs do, which is to bark and jump on you.
Head Down (A.K.A Rest Your Head or Go to Sleep)
As with "bang," start with Fido lying down with his body on the floor. For this trick the goal is to teach Fido to lay his head flat on the floor between his front paws. You'll do this by sitting on the floor to the side and front of Fido. The hand closer to Fido acts as a ceiling under which you will teach Fido to place his head. The hand farther away will distribute the treats. First, place your ceiling hand parallel to the ground, in front of Fido's head and close enough to the floor so that Fido has to place his head flat on the floor to get his head under. Then with the treat hand, lure Fido to place his head under your hand. Once under, give a sequential string of treats quickly enough so Fido keeps his head flat on the ground and learns that this is a great position. When you finish the string of treats, remove your ceiling and your treat hand and start again.
As Fido gets more comfortable sticking his head under your hand and keeping it there, spread the treats out more. That is, space the treats out by several seconds.
Practice this over 20-30 times so Fido thinks sticking his head under your hand so it's lying flat on the floor is fun. Then see if he gets the idea. Place your ceiling hand out flat but hide the treats. Wait a few seconds to see if Fido places his head under your hand on his own. If he does, quickly start giving him a string of treats. If he does not, then go back to the last step where you just lured him.
Once he's immediately responding to the visual ceiling cue by placing his head under your hand even without seeing treats yet, you can add the verbal cue. Say "head down" and then place the visual hand cue out. Reward him after he lays his head down. By saying the words before you show the visual cue, the words will come to predict to him that you will show the hand cue and want him to place his head down. Alternatively you can just tell him "head down" right before you think he's going to lay his head down on his own. Ultimately when you think he might know the behavior, test by walking away a few steps, saying just the verbal cue and then waiting to see if he places his head down.
You can also extend the amount of time he holds that position by waiting progressively longer before rewarding him with treats.
I use this trick as a way for my dog to greet little kids. They want to pet him so I give them a treat and then show them his "head down" trick. The kids get to reward him once he's performed the trick and my dog gets used to adopting a calm position when he greets kids.
General Tips and Approach to Trick Training in Dogs
1. First, use bite-sized treats or the dog's regular kibble, instead of feeding his meal in a bowl, to reward the individual training steps. That way you can reward the right behaviors a lot in a short period of time (10, 20, 30 + times in the course of just minutes). As a result your pooch will learn the steps quickly.
2. You will often need to start by rewarding or sometimes luring a behavior that may look very different from your goal behavior. Then when the dog's good at that step, you'll start rewarding behaviors that are closer and closer to the goal behavior. In other words, you'll be shaping behaviors through little steps called successive approximations. By training in mini-steps you and your dog will always experience success and even the most relaxed learner will be able to learn the steps.
3. Once the final step is learned, train the cue word so that Fido can perform the trick on cue.Avoid putting a word to the trick until the trick is actually learned. Otherwise, to your dog, the word will just sound like random babbling.
4. As an added step you can switch to other rewards besides food and you can train Fido to repeat the trick multiple times in succession without needing a reward of any kind each time.
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| NEW CLASS! | Nose Work Games
Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. The sport of K9 Nose Work is  designed to develop your dog's natural scenting abilities by using their desire to hunt and search, and their love of toys, food and exercise. It's a great way for your dog to have fun, build confidence, and burn lots of mental and physical energy. In this class we take your dog's instinctual skill and teach them to use it to play games with their noses!
This is a great class for dogs of all ages (12 weeks to adult), and all physical abilities. No special training is necessary to do Nose Work! Since each dog goes one at a time, even dog-reactive dogs can participate.
This 6-week indoor class begins:
Monday, January 24th from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Instructors: Mindy Cox, CPDT-KA and Cheryl Vanvoorhies
More Information
Register
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Jumping for Joy! Sign Up Today.
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Agility Fun Runs
This is a great opportunity to practice your agility in a different atmosphere and have some  FUN with your dog. There will be two courses to challenge all levels. Do all or part of the course and practice important handling skills, whether you are at the novice level or higher. Toys and treats are allowed. NO harsh methods will be accepted. Bring your chairs, crates and water bowl for your dog (we have a hose and water fountain). Please only flat buckle collars.
2011 DATES & TIMES
--Friday, January 14, 2011. First run at 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Running big to little.
--Friday, February 4th. First run at 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Running little to big.
--Friday, March 18th. First run at 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Running big to little.
--Friday, April 15th. First run at 6:30 p.m. (Gates open at 5:30 p.m.) Running little to big.
(These dates subject to change.)
CRATING: Indoors in climate-controlled comfort (or outdoors if you prefer).
EXPERIENCE: All levels (Novice class students and up if training at Lucky Dog) are welcome to practice this nested course (novice/open and excellent). After everyone runs the first course we will reverse it and run again after walking the new course. The lighting and footing are great. Toys and treats are welcome and encouraged to reward your dog.
FEE: $10 per dog (2nd dog $8). Please try to bring exact change or a check made payable to Lucky Dog Sports Club. Credit cards are also welcome. There is a 10% discount for members of Lucky Dog. Please try to bring exact change. You can also pay by check or credit card.
REGISTRATION: To sign up, click here and email us your name, and your pet's name, breed, jump height, and level (novice/open or excellent). You must sign up in advance.
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Class Schedule - Obedience, Puppy, Reactive, and Agility Classes.
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SUMMARY OF UPCOMING CLASSES:
Obedience, Agility, Reactive, 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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Reactive Dog Class: Help for Your Feisty Fido
Begins Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Choose either the 6-7 p.m. class or the 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. class.
Got a feisty Fido when it comes to certain interactions? Do you feel lost or embarrassed 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. We understand your problems and we are here to help! Find out more.
This class is taught by expert Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
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Focus Foundation
Obedience, Attention, Focus, and Impulse Control-- everything you've
always wanted for your dog!
Focus Foundation is also the prerequisite for Intro to Agility and it's a great class before Rally.
This popular 6-week class fills quickly so sign up today! Taught by Mindy Cox, B.S., CPDT-KA
Next Class: Tuesday, January 11th at 6:15 p.m.
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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. Sign up for 8 weeks and save.
UPCOMING CLASS:
8-week Session A from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.
Ideal Puppy I begins Thursday, December 30th.
(Ends January 20, 2011)
Ideal Puppy II begins Thursday, January 27th.
(Ends February 17th)
8-week Session B from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Ideal Puppy I begins Thursday, January 27, 2011.
(Ends Feb. 17th)
Ideal Puppy II begins Thursday, February 24, 2011.
(Ends March 17th)
Instructor: Stacey Perry
Sign Up...............................................................................................
Intro to Agility
Fun for you and your dog! Begin to learn the foundation skills of this super sport. Dog agility is an obstacle course that includes things such as jumps, weaves, and tunnels, that you and your dog have to successfully navigate within a specified time period. If you've always wanted to try this sport, now is your chance!
Prerequisite: Focus Foundation or other obedience class. For dogs over a year of age.
Instructor: Cynthia Kean
Begins Monday, January 31st at 7:30 p.m.
More Info
Sign Up
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Intermediate AgilityBegins January 13, 2011 at 7 p.m.. Ends March 3rd. (No class Jan. 20 or 27th) (Class dates may change due to delays of current class due to weather.) This class is designed to advance you and your dog's agility skills and to prepare you and your dog for competition, if desired. The class will build on jumping skills, obstacle discrimination, and distance handling skills. Sign Up ...............................................................................................
Advanced/Masters Agility
The class will include complex sequences found in Excellent and/or World Team level courses  designed to build the skills necessary to successfully compete at the highest levels. In the class you will continue to perfect skills that are needed to be successful and get the most out of a performance. This class is ideal for anyone who wants to improve their communication with their dog and increase speed and reliability.
Next classes:
Monday, January 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 11th at 7:30 p.m.
Instructor: Cynthia Kean, AKC agility judge and top agility handler More Info Sign Up ...............................................................................................
Private Instruction and Consultations
We are available to do private agility and obedience training as well as behavior consultations on a variety of issues.
Please contact us for more information.
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More classes are being scheduled. If you don't see the one you want,
THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION ABOUT CLASS DATES AND TIMES.
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Just for Fun!
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'Tis the season to have fun. Enjoy!
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| Upcoming Events | |
Around Town
Doggie Play Group
The Abacoa (Jupiter) Doggie Play Group is having another Doggie Play Group on January 30th at Every Dog Has Its Day in Abacoa from 3-4pm. For more information go to www.abacoa.com.
South Florida Pet Expo
Pet lovers in South Florida should mark their calendars for the 2011 South Florida Pet Expo, Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at the South Florida Convention Center. This free event (with free parking!) attracts thousands of pet lovers looking to enjoy a day out with their furry friend. Check it out!
Home for the Holidays Program
Are you interested in taking home a furry friend and spoiling it with extra love and attention this holiday season? The goal of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is to get all 50 to 60 of its shelter dogs fostered in homes over the holidays. For more information call 772-223-8822 or visit http://www.hstc1.org.
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MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE!
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Fleas Navidad and Happy Mew Year!
A warm and wonderful holiday from our family to yours!
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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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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.
Q: Is there certification for dog trainers?
A: Thanks for asking. Yes, trainers can be certified through the CCPDT (Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers) which is an organization respected throughout the world for maintaining high standards for certification, knowledge base, and continuing education requirements for dog trainers. Mindy Cox, Training Director at Lucky Dog is certified (CPDT-KA). Click here for more information.
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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 Cox, B.S., CPDT-KA
Training Director
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