Do stuff with your dog at Lucky Dog! Plus training articles & tips!

Early and adequate socialization and programs of positive training can go a long way to preventing behavior problems and improving bonding between you and your dog. Even though the first three months is the most important socialization period in a play bow

puppy's life, owners of puppies that have passed this milestone are strongly encouraged to continue to socialize their puppies to as many people, pets, and locations as is practical.

While play is important and even though puppies are learning while playing, we will frequently interrupt play to work on attention, focus and some basic obedience skills. It's important that your puppy learns that play is a reward for paying attention and listening to you.

Older Puppy Play & Learn class is a full and wonderful 6 sessions of learning and playtime for puppies from around 5 to 9 months of age who are very dog friendly. This class is perfect for graduates of Ideal Puppy Class (and you get a special discount!).

HURRY AND REGISTER!

Saturday, September 1st from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

(Attend anytime during those hours and stay for as long or as little as you like.)

(Ends on October 20th with no classes on Sept 22 & 29.)

You may register for all 6 sessions and save, or pay-as-you-go and attend only as many as you like.

Instructor: Robin Billings

More Info

Obedience skills with a fun twist! There is still time to register.

Rally-O

Rally-O (also know as Rally Obedience) emphasizes fun and excitement for the Rally Right Sign dog/handler team while providing an interactive approach to obedience. Rally is about the most fun you can have doing obedience exercises with your dog! The exercises involved in the course will help build your skills as a handler and increase your dog's repertoire of behaviors. You will be taught the different Rally exercises and then you will be doing a real Rally course!

If you have graduated from Focus Foundation or any other obedience class, it's time to Rally with your dog! (The skills your dog should know are come, walk on a loose leash, sit, down, and stay. If your dog has those skills, then come join the class!)

This is a 6-week classes.

Rally Novice

Saturday, September 1st from 11:30 - 12:30 p.m.

(No class on Sept. 22 & 29)

Instructor: Robin Billings

More info

Register

Sniff out a great class!

Nose Work Classes

I have not met a dog yet that didn't have fun doing Nose Work. These dogs typically run into the building all excited every week. And it's easy and fun The nose knows

for owners too! Any dog of any age, with no prior obedience background (even dog-reactive dogs) can take Nose Work Games.

In Nose Work Games the dog searches for a specific scent (beginning with a favorite treat or toy). And any dog can do it! No "formal obedience" needed! Big or little, rowdy or sedate, active or lazy - your dog will like Nose Work Games! It is a great class for dogs of all ages (12 weeks to senior), and all physical abilities.

Nose Work: Intro to Odor ups the challenges and fun for your dog. In this class your dog will eventually learn to locate a special and new odor, Birch.

This is a great outlet for dog-reactive dogs. As long as the dog isn't aggressive toward humans (and not a resource guarder), he's probably a good candidate for Nose Work.

Here's what a graduate had to say about the class:

"OMG my two dogs and I loved it!!A lot of my friends are doing it in CA and it sounded fun, but it was dazzling. Will definitely be getting into the next Odor class when it comes up."

Important: Dogs are crated between turns so it's important that your dog is used to a crate and that you can bring one to class every week. This class is not for dogs aggressive toward people.

Nose Work Games (Level 1)

The next 6-week class begins:

Monday, September 10th at 7:30 p.m.

Nose Work: Intro to Odor (Level 2)

Begins Wednesday, September 26th at 7:30 p.m.

Instructor: Cheryl Vanvoorhies

Check out a class in action in the video below. This video demonstrates two of the many types of searches that are done in class.

Nose Work Games.m4v

Want to read more about Nose Work? Check out the article from

Bark Magazine.

More info

Register

Embarrassed by Your Dog When Out on Walks?

Reactive Dog Class: Help for Your Feisty Fido

reactive

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. You will be able to deal with your dog; we will be with you every step of the way and we will teach you how!

This class is taught by expert Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist, with assistance from Mindy Cox, CPDT-KA and Cheryl Vanvoorhies.

Here is what a recent graduate said about the class:

"What a great experience it has been for Titus and I to participate in this course-- actually life-changing! I feel so much more confident in dealing with situations that used to petrify me!!"

Register now while there is space. This class is taught only 3 times per year. It can totally change the relationship you have with your dog.

We have two upcoming 6-week classes:

--Tuesday, October 2nd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

--Tuesday, October 2nd from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Note: The listed class times will be different for the first and last sessions. Both classes will meet at around 7 p.m. on those days. (This time may change slightly.)

Check out a video taken on the graduating night of Reactive Dog class. Remember that when these dogs started they all had a history of lunging, barking, or growling at other dogs.

Last night of Reactive Dog Class

More Info
Register

Hurry! Register Now!

Ideal Puppy Training & Socialization

There is still time to get into this class! Register Now!

This is an important socialization and training class for puppies

8 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 class is a full and wonderful 7 weeks of learning and play. We will help you start your puppy off right.

UPCOMING CLASSES:

Choose one 7-week session

Ideal Puppy class begins Thursday, August 30, 2012

from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

FULL (filled while I was writing this newsletter!)

(Ends October 11th)

Ideal Puppy class begins Thursday, September 20, 2012

from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m.

(Ends Nov 1st.)

Instructor: Stacey Curcio

More Info

Want a better behaved dog? We are here to help.

Focus Foundation

Obedience, Attention, Focus, Manners, and Impulse Control

-- everything you've always wanted for your dog!

Focus Foundation is also the class before 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 6-week class begins

--Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:00 p.m.
(Ends Nov. 14. No class October 17th)

Sign Up

More Info

For the serious agility handler...

Advanced/Masters Agility

Improve your agility and handling skills and have fun!

The class will include complex sequences found in Excellent and/or World Team weaving level courses designed to build the skills necessary to successfully compete at the highest levels. In this class you will continue to perfect skills that are needed to be successful and get the most out of a performance. You will also learn how to understand the course to develop your handling strategy.

UPCOMING CLASSES:

Wednesday, October 10th.

Choose either the 6 p.m. class or the 7:30 p.m. class.

This class ends on Nov 21st and there is no class on Oct. 17th.

Instructor: Cynthia Kean

Want to drop in to the class on a week-to-week basis? You can if there's room. Just call or email the instructor to find out.

More Info

Sign Up

Expect to be licked!

Recipe: Tuna Fudge

By Elizabeth Pask and Laura Scott

Add protein, vitamins, minerals and omega-3's to your dog's diet with this recipe. If your dog loves it, bring some to class for extra attention!

INGREDIENTS

2 six oz. cans tuna. Do not drain. (Alternatively, use canned salmon)
1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp garlic powder
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 handful grated parmesan cheese, about ¼ cup

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients together using a mixer or food processor.
Spread on to a greased 9×9" pan and bake in 350° oven for 20 minutes.
Store in the refrigerator for up to three days or cut into little squares and freeze for tasty little training treats.

Recipe from Modern Dog magazine

Go fetch a class for your pooch. Good human!

Go to Class!

By Dr. Lisa Radosta

When I told my mother that Maverick was enrolled in a puppy class, she responded with, "Don't you already know how to train a dog?" This reminds me of the time that she was at my house and asked, "Do you want me to pass the vacuum?" To which I responded, "YES!" As for the dog class question, of course I know how to train a dog.

However, there is value in hearing the way that others phrase ideas, even if the ideas are familiar to you. Also (GASP!), I may not know everything about training dogs. Hearing pup- lab

new ideas is beneficial. I think that the most valuable thing about classes is the exposure that your puppy gets to the sights and sounds outside of the home. How many of us complain that our dogs are perfect at home, but embarrass us outside of the home? If you only take your puppy out occasionally for training outside of the home, he will certainly not be able to behave outside of the home.

When I encounter clients whose puppies need basic training, I suggest that they go to a class taught by a positive reinforcement dog trainer instead of scheduling private lessons. Tips for finding a good trainer can be found in my post, How to Find the Right Trainer for Your Pup (and you can find a ready to print version here).

For puppies especially, it is incredibly important for them to attend classes because they need socialization and exposure. In addition, the puppy needs to learn to have impulse control and obedience in the presence of stimuli outside of his normal environment.

While the first puppy class is really important, it can't stop there. You have to keep working with your puppy. I recommend that puppies continue in classes until they are 3 years old. This recommendation comes from the developmental stages that the puppy goes through from 4 months (when he generally graduates from puppy class) to 3 years. There is a second fear period at 6-8 months of age. It is imperative that the puppy continues his positive exposure during this period.

This article, reprinted with permission, is from Purely Puppy and is the perfect blog for puppy parents. It is written by Dr. Lisa Radosta, a board certified veterinary behaviorist in southeastern Florida, who has a great love of dogs, and a special fondness for Rottweilers (though she currently owns a young, comical yellow lab, Maverick).

Woof! Arf! Ruff Ruff!

The Meaning of Dog Barks

By Susan K. Lewis/Posted 10.28.10/NOVA

Can you tell the difference between a dog bark that says "I'm lonely, don't leave me!" and one that warns "Don't get close, I might bite!"? Researchers in Hungary have found that we humans have a remarkable ability to categorize various types of dog vocalizations and understand their emotional content-in effect, to "speak canine." Try it yourself, and learn what this inter-species communication might mean about the evolution of dogs.

Test your skill

I'm gonna getcha?

Do Dogs Get Revenge on Their Owners?

By The Dog Daily Expert

If your dog has gone to the bathroom on the floor while you were away from ho bad dog me, you're probably wondering if it did this deliberately.

Humans are not the only animals who plot conscious revenge on others. As Stephen Beckerman, a Penn State anthropologist, points out: "Widespread in the animal kingdom is the behavior of returning injury for injury. Animals as varied and as far from us as blue-footed boobies, elephant seals, side-striped jackals and European moorhens are called punishers. They regularly respond to injuries by attacking the culprit who has injured them."

You might think that mental injuries could be included. Your dog gets depressed because it is lonely and restless. It therefore acts out by doing something you hate.

However, this is not the case.

Although dogs have good memories, they live more in the moment. When you come home and find the mess, your body language before you even say something to your dog may reveal your anger and cause your dog to react. Your dog, however, is not necessarily waiting for some sort of mental satisfaction that it got a reaction out of you. That behavior is tied to a phenomenon known as "theory of mind," which requires a complex ability to understand and possibly even to predict the thoughts of others.

Revenge is also more complicated than you might think. "Revenge is a desire to not just punish the culprit, but to change his mind, to make him see -- if only in his death throws -- that he was wrong," says Beckerman. Do you think your dog is plotting and planning all of this in regard to its bowel movements? I strongly doubt it.

The more simple answer is that your dog is either stressed out or has no appropriate place to go to the bathroom without your guidance. Some owners crate their dogs during the day, but I view that as more of a last-resort solution. Try to reinforce bathroom training. If your dog is not very big, you might install some baby gates to prevent access to certain areas of your home. Dog bathroom mats can also help. They often have the look and feel of grass, but keep the waste contained for easy disposal.

If possible, you should also consider getting a dog walker, pet sitter or someone else to look in on your pet during the day. Boredom can lead to anxiety and then to bathroom issues in dogs. If your dog stays active and social, those problems are less likely to surface. Health issues could also be at work, so you might additionally schedule a veterinary visit to rule those out.

From: Do Dogs Get Revenge on Their Owners?

Bringing the Best Our Of Your Wallflower

Helping a Shy Dog

By Jaime Van Wye, CMDT

Shy dogs can present challenges for their guardians, many of whom are completely mystified as to how to react to their canine wallflower. The good news is that there are steps you can take to help your dog with his shyness.

It's hard to own a dog that is terrified of traffic, men with beards, the lawnmower, strangers, Shy dog cats, the universe, you name it. Luckily, behavior modification can have lasting and dramatic effects on shy dogs, and all you have to do is invest in some delicious treats.

Shyness is caused primarily by two things: genetics and socialization (or rather, the lack thereof). Studies show that shyness is an inherited trait, and so dogs whose parents are shy are far more likely to exhibit the same behaviors. In addition, a lack of socialization during the critical period of puppy development (before sixteen weeks) can contribute to shyness. During this time, puppies should meet all kinds of people and have lots of different experiences with new places, loud noises, strange dogs and gentle handling. If puppies are isolated during this time, some will grow up to be fearful adults.

Usually, some combination of genetics and socialization will cause shyness in adults. With adopted dogs with unknown histories in particular, it's sometimes difficult to ascertain whether the cause is genetic or social.

Regardless of the cause, the "cure" for shyness is a multipronged approach, which requires patience, understanding and a lot of delicious cookies. Realize at the outset that if your dog's shyness is caused by genetics, you will be able to improve it, but probably never completely fix it (if your dog is having a particularly rough time, you should consult your vet about medication that can help). Rather, the goal should be to help your dog feel better and more secure in stressful situations, so that you both can enjoy experiences together.

Since dogs with shyness issues are particularly prone to developing aggression problems, it's important to work with your shy dog sooner rather than later. Shy dogs, though sweet, may become so fearful of new situations that they end up snapping, barking aggressively, or lunging on leash - all of which can escalate to bites.

The first thing you'll want to do is cut out the corrections. If you are using any type of aversive collar (choke chain, prong collar, etc.), switch to a flat buckle collar or head halter. Leash corrections can inadvertently create a painful association with new things. For example, if your dog darts forward out of fear when a strange dog approaches, a leash correction coupled with an already terrifying situation only reinforces the negative feelings your dog has and makes the situation much worse.

Instead, what you'll want to do is begin to associate scary things (whatever your dog is nervous of) with tons of delicious goodies. This is called "counter-conditioning." It's not enough to simply expose your dog to frightening things over and over again; instead, you are also going to couple these experiences with positive things your dog likes, such as chicken, liver snaps or string cheese.