|
|
|
Dear great pack leaders,
Summer is coming even though the weather is still not up to speed on where we are on the calendar. I've never seeen so much rain. I think our park classes will start in June. How about June 6 for Monday nights in Anderson at the Otto Armleder Park(in field to right of shelter)? Level 2 is 6pm, Level 4 is 7pm and Level 3 is at 8pm. It's a date! Then how about June 7 for Tuesday nights in Colerain at the Triple Creek Park(meet in parking lot)? Level 2 at 6:30pm and Level 3 at 7:30 pm.It's a date! I can't wait to get started. Bring-water for you and your dog, poop bags, a long lead if you have one, and a chair if you wish. We will have lots of fun.
I'm sure by now you all have had a chance to meet Louisa. She has come a long way. She's learning lots of commands and even making friends both human and canine. Remember she is up for adoption. She's about a year and 1/2, a shepherd mix and needs lots of exercise and walks. If you know anyone interested, have them call me and I will connect them with the rescue she is with (Wags and Whiskers). Let's help find this cute chick a forever home. 
Lots of comments on my no shock collars rant. Good and bad. I know that I will never use one, promote its use, recommend it or even look into it further. I know dogs, love dogs, train dogs and in my opinion it's a bad training tool. But I'm one of a million trainers out there. You have to get all the facts and decide for yourself (and your dog). I still stand by no shock collars. We can agree to disagree, right?
Remember as the summer vacation time approaches (and the rains stop-I hope), book your reservations early for boarding/grooming at the Family Pet Center or Animal Ark Pet Resort. They are heading into the busy season and you want to be sure your dog (or other pets) have a great place to stay while you are vacationing. While you're there, check out their doggie day care and store too. They both offer great services and amenities for your canine companion. Call today.
On leash aggression: if your dog has it, you are both concerned and upset by it. There is help. I teach a leash aggression class that can help with practical ideas and training tips as well as park practice with your dog. We need to help both ends of the leash so you and your dog can succeed. I would like to get several classes going now that the weather is nicer. It is a 7 week course, the first 3 are classroom without the dog and the last four are in local parks. Call today to let me know you are interested so we can get a class going. It won't get better without help.
I also teach private in home training in case you didn't know. It is more costly as you are the only student and I come to your house. But sometimes it can be a great way to work on some issues that you just can't work through. I have 1, 3 and 6 visit packages with additional hours discounted. These can also be done at a local park if you prefer. I teach 23-25 group classes a week so my time is limited. But we can usually work out a day and time for everyone. I usually teach in home classes Monday-Thursday up to 5:30pm and sometimes Saturdays after 5:30pm. Let me know if you are interested.
Wow, lots of stuff this month. I just want to take this opportunity to let you know how much I appreciate your business and referrals in these tough economic times. It means a lot to me. I will continue to provide you with the most excellent training and service for you and your dog.
Keep on training,
Lydia
|
 |
Keep Your Cool | |
When you are training with your dog, it is so important to remain calm. When you get frustrated, your dog can pick that up very quickly and will not listen. If your dog does not do what you want him to do-think about 3 things. One-does he REALLY know this command? (have you practiced it enough? Really?) Second-Are the distractions right now way beyond his level? (have you practiced everywhere?) Third-Is there a physical reason my dog can't do this? (hurt, arthritis, breed, size?) Take a step back, breathe, and ask for something simple and reward that. Then try the harder task. If you are feeling very frustrated, walk away. Better to walk away and try again later than risk hurting our relationship with our best friend. Better to walk away than to take out our frustration, stress and anxiety out on our canine companion. Be kind, be fair and be calm.
|
|
Real Life Training | | |
Apply, apply, apply
It's also very important to take all the things you are learning in class and apply them in REAL LIFE. It's great if your dog knows sit, down, stay, leave it and so on. But if he has bad behavior at home, the dog park, doggie day care (coming and going) and elsewhere-all your training in class doesn't amount to much. In some cases you are just wasting your time and money. Apply, apply, apply. Be consistent and repetitive and they will get it. Sit instead of jumping on people. Down and stay while you are eating dinner. Walk nice on the leash while going in and out of doggie day care or the dog park. Use it or lose it applies in dog training too. Make every dollar you pay for training classes count by applying everything you learn there to REAL LIFE as soon as possible everyday. You will have the best dog ever in no time.
|
|
Awesome Dogs and Owners | |
Congrats
Here are some of my awesome dogs and owners!
Star Puppy: Charlie, Desi, Nanuk, Lexie, Lily, Reesie
CGC: Benji, Heidi
Therapy Dog class: Brooklyn CGC, Chopper CGC,Sampson, JC CGC
Therapy Dog Certification: Bella
Class Graduates: Chara |
|
Teaching Drop It | | |
It's easy if you trade
This command can save your dog's life. But I think it is one that can be hard to teach if you don't teach it right and right from the start as a puppy. When you take something from a dog, in most cases you are ending their fun. So until your dog masters self control (impulse control), you need to trade them. Make it look like a game. Your shoe for a treat, your kitchen towel for a ball. Then I usually get the question "Aren't you rewarding him for grabbing your stuff?" The answer is No. You are rewarding him for dropping it. The last thing a dog does before a correction or a reward is what he remembers. Will this teach him to grab your stuff and bring it to you for a reward when he drops it? Maybe. But use it to your advantage. Your dog can bring you the remote, cell phone, newspaper or a cold drink from the fridge. Sweet. |
|
The Tale of Mary and Mo | |
My two Pyrs 
Mary and Mo (aka Smokey) were wee wet pups at the bottom of a cardboard box some 10 years ago. It was the end of the flea market day and the owner of the pups was in a hurry to get "rid" of the last of the litter so she could close shop. They looked so pitiful that we thought we'd take them home, clean them up, get their shots and find them a good home.
As we soon found out after many attempts, no one wants a puppy that could grow to be over 100 lbs. People heard "Great Pyrenees" and would walk (read run) away in a hurry. So
we ended up keeping Mary and Mo. They came to many of my training classes when I first started out as a trainer. They turned out to be the best dogs ever. Friendly to people and dogs, little to no health problems. Lots and lots of hair when they blow their coats twice a year but I wouldn't trade them for anything-my Mary and Mo.
|
|
Saying "no" to your dog | | |
Sometimes we need to
There are times when we need to tell our dogs "no". Some owners say "no". Some say "eh-eh". Others say "stop". Whatever you use, it means stop what ever you are doing right now. You can over use it so that is why we teach them other commands such as leave it, drop it, etc. If you can ignore bad behavior (when it is safe or appropriate to do so) that can be pretty effective. If there is no reward for a behavior, it usually stops.
A good idea is to redirect them to something else, something they are allowed to do, chase, eat or chew. We want to get their minds on a different track. But when it's needed, and nothing else will do, just say "no". It's okay to say "no" to your dog sometimes just like it"s okay to say "no" to your kids. Just don't overuse it or like with kids, it will just become more white noise to ignore. Let your no be no (or eh-eh or stop). Use the same word or sound when you mean it and everyone in the family should use the same word or sound also. Calm but firm, not mean or harsh and your dog will be the better for it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
