Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County presents
Pawsitively Amazing
Month, Year - Vol 1, Issue 1
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| Dear, Pet Enthusiast |
Welcome to this edition of our electronic newsletter designed for dog lovers who might want some helpful tips on training. This is also to help keep our Palm Beach clients informed on what's happening in our local area. To manage your subscription to this newsletter just scroll over to the sign up section. If you feel that your friends could use some information, or our services, then forward this to them. Bob Burnell Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County 561-543-5583 RobertBurnell@sitmeanssit.com
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Sit Means Sit Spotlight- Video from Creator/CEO of Sit Means Sit.
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Here is a video of Fred Hassen demonstrating some task oriented concepts in training.
Fred & Nash
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The Art Of Attention
By Fred Hassen & Toni Drugmand
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A Good Foundation
Whether you are working with a puppy, an adolescent or mature dog,
everything you teach your dog STARTS with attention! Attention to your
command is the best foundation. There is a bit of an art to teaching
attention however.
Training Aids
Using a long line that is attached to the pups collar both helps in
leash training and acts as a guide to direct the puppy's attention from
the wrong things he may choose to do. The long line gives the handler
the ability to reach out and interrupt an incorrect behavior such as
chewing, jumping etc. Be sure to give the pup something he can do such
as chew on a safe bone or toy to help manage his idle time.
Motivation & Balance
Finding something that motivates your dog to focus on your command
in the face of distractions can be challenging! A leash and collar
might be one way to do this; another might involve an enticing food
reward or toy. Try Teaching your dog to do something you want before he
gets something he wants, such as sit before a meal, or heel correctly
for several paces and reward with a ball toss. Training should be both
motivational and balanced in order for your dog to learn. Our system
can include all or any of the mentioned aids along with the cue of a
remote training collar. This tool gives us the ability to clearly
communicate to our dog and enhances reliability. If faced with a strong
distraction such as a cat running, we want immediate response to our
command ;enough to call our dog back from the cat temptation!
Supervision
Usually, When we bring a puppy home we have enough sense to
recognize the need for supervision. Attention starts at this early age,
both your attention to supervise and recognize the need for a safe
containment area is important. Teaching your dog or pup from day one should
start with easy attention exercises or games. An example is the "come"
game. One person calls the pup and the long line helps guide the puppy
if needed while a lot of praise is given and maybe a treat or toy.
Using a helper take turns rotating who is calling the puppy.
Age doesn't matter
Many clients that call us fail to realize an adult dog still abides
by the same training consistencies a puppy does. If an adult isn't
house broken, OR has learned to dig and be destructive for instance, we
need to be fair by giving clear boundaries, no different than with a
puppy. A safe containment and management system is important so
positive learning happens. Over see all of your dogs free time to be
sure your dog or pup doesn't learn the wrong things, such as digging up
moms garden!
Attention
Because it all comes down to attention, you need to decide what
training techniques make the most sense for your needs. A clicker gives
the dog the ability to have a reward when he does the right behavior.
This can be helpful to mark the correct behavior, however it may not be
a strong enough motivation if your dog really wants to chase that cat!
A leash and training collar can be effective for getting attention,
some dogs might even respond well to a toy or food lure. A remote
collar is another safe humane technique that works like an adjustable
tap on the shoulder to get your dogs attention. It has adjustable
settings that can be changed to meet the environmental stimulation.
A remote training collar helps us keep our dog's attention.
Don't Change The Rules!
If you are working with your dog at home and your dog just needs
clear boundaries, then don't change the rules! Be consistent every time
you ask for a behavior or supervise every step until it is a reliably
set pattern. Your dog may amaze you at how smart he really is. If
however you have a difficult problem with your dog, especially
aggressive tendencies, you may want to seek a professional trainer to
help you gain the control necessary to help keep your dog a happy and
safe pet. Teaching attention is the art of presenting your dog with
choices and letting him compare them. The old saying which states you
can't know short without knowing tall applies.
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HOW TO BRUSH YOUR DOG'S TEETH
Dr. William Rosenblad
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Dentistry & Oral Medicine
BRUSHING TEETH
Dental
disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in
our canine companions. It is also one of the most preventable and
treatable diseases. Fortunately, we can reduce or even prevent dental
disease by feeding a crunchy diet, appropriate chew treats and toys and
daily tooth brushing. The following are steps to guide you on how to
brush your dog's teeth:
· The
first step is to start with a clean, healthy mouth. Good dental hygiene
should start with a young pet with healthy new teeth and gums, or after
your pet has had a professional dental cleaning.
· You will need a soft-bristled tooth brush and veterinary toothpaste. Human toothpastes and baking soda may cause problems.
Furthermore, veterinary toothpastes have flavors that are appealing to
dogs. Anything other than a bristled tooth brush will not get below the
gum line, which is the most important area to brush.
· There
are several important facts about our pets' mouths that tell us when,
where and how to brush. Periodontal disease usually affects the upper,
back teeth first and worst. Plaque builds up on the tooth surface
daily, especially just under the gum line. It takes less than 36 hours
for this plaque to become mineralized and harden into "tartar"
(calculus) that cannot be removed with a brush. Because of this
progression, brushing should be done daily, with a brush to remove the
plaque from under the gum line.
· Pick
a time of day that will become a convenient part of your pet's daily
routine. Just before a walk or before a daily treat can help your pet
actually look forward to brushing time. Take a few days to let both of
you get use to the process. Follow with praise and a walk or treat each
time.
· Start
by offering your dog a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next
time, let him taste the toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums
of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the tooth brush. Get the
bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and
angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from
back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. It should take
you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do not try to brush
the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the
outside of the upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important
area of periodontal disease - prevention. If your pet eventually allows
you to brush most of his teeth, so much the better.
· Even
with the best tooth brushing, some dogs may still need an occasional
professional cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet's teeth
daily and curtailing the amount of periodontal disease, you may reduce
the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and provide your pet
with a healthier, sweeter smile.
- Simmons Veterinary Hospital
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Videos
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Here are some videos of your trainer (Bob Burnell) and Kody having fun and showing what real obedience looks like.
New Videos
Kacey-Pool Dog
Our new dog Kacey
Videos
8th Annual Walk For The Animals
Palm Beach Home Show
2009 West Palm Beach Home Show
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Dealing with Behavioral Issues
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Continuing our series on dealing with behavioral issues
Dealing with Begging
Owners have inadvertently created the problem of begging at the table by feeding them while at the table.
Some dominant dogs may be demanding food from the owner or other persons. This is a serious situation that needs to be addressed first by establishing the proper relationship with the dog.
Positive Reinforcement of Alternate Behaviors
Start with developing/utilizing a "place" command in a location that will be used during normal meal times.
Begin during non-meal times.
Go to dog and praise when he stays in position.
If he breaks, put him back- each and every time.
Work toward actually having a meal with dog in the "place" position.
Gradually decrease the number of times you go over to reward him. Only feed the dog (his own food) after you have finished eating.
Management of the Problem and Setting the Dog up to Succeed
The simplest way to manage this problem is not to put the dog in a situation where begging is possible, until he has learned an alternate behavior (i.e. Place).
Crate, tether, keep from area until that time.
NEVER AGAIN FEED THE DOG WHILE YOU ARE EATING. Even a morsel of food will encourage the dog to try harder. Dogs do not engage in unrewarding behavior.
Consequences for the Inappropriate Behavior
If you crate the dog and he whines or barks- move crate out of sight. Cover the crate with a sheet until he is quiet.
You want to interrupt and correct the unwanted behavior.
Utilize remote training collar with a "quiet" command.
Consistency in Dealing with the Problem Behavior
Consistency is critical when working to curtail or eliminate begging.
Your dog will be as consistent in offering the correct behavior as you are in treating the incorrect behavior.
Next Edition: Stealing Food From Counters
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About Your Trainer
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Bob grew up in Long Island, New York
and upon graduation from High School spent four years serving this country in
the U.S. Army. Bob graduated from
Hofstra University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Business and
earned several academic achievement awards.
Bob spent several years as an Operations Executive for a major retailer
until he joined the N.Y.P.D. Bob
graduated #1 in his class from the police academy, earning the highest academic
achievement award. Bob is currently a
full time Police K9 officer. Bob has
certifications in dog training through The Animal Behavior College and The No
Limitations School for Remote Collar Training.
Bob has worked with some of the most influential dog trainers. Bob has studied under Brian Kilcommons (noted
trainer and author) and Fred Hassen (founder and creator of Sit Means Sit). Bob has over 6 years of experience in training dogs and receives a real sense of accomplishment when he witnesses the success his clients have with our program.
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Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your family. We appreciate everyone of our clients and value the relationship that we have with you. The highest compliment that you can give us, is the referral of your family and friends. Remember, we are never too busy for your referrals. If you know someone that would benefit from our services or that might enjoy what we do, please forward this newsletter to them. We are always looking to improve our service. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to us. We are always looking for testimonials from our clients so that we can show others how our training has helped you. Please feel free to visit my Palm Beach Training Blog to obtain additional information and view some more great videos. Missed an earlier edition of this newsletter? Go to my blog and view past editions that are archived at this location.
Sincerely,
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