It's important to take the time to make each interaction a learning experience for your pup. To keep polite behaviours top of mind, pair them with activities your dog enjoys!
My Aussie LOVES to race beside me when I ride my bike in the woods. I have taught him a cue to let him know where he needs to be as I get my bike out of the car and prepare for our fun out on the trails.
If it were up to him, he'd LOVE to bark and pace and bust out of the car in a frenzy being excited to start our adventure. It would be a nightmare and very unsafe to reward that behaviour.
Instead we worked on calm behaviour and targeting a place before he comes out of the car. Now as you can see, he understand that calm and targeting his place means he gets to join me as I bike on the trails!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
The Pink Elephant
Last week was a National Bite Prevention Week across North America.
I had a brainstorm and with the help of others trying to train their dogs, created a couple of videos to provide awareness.
Something so simple as WAITing for the OKAY from another person BEFORE greeting or having your dog greet another dog can make a huge impact on the progress that they make in their training efforts.
I'm hoping to spread awareness about the simple thing people can do about this PINK ELEPHANT running rampant on the streets and through out the trails of Squamish.
Please WAIT for the OKAY to greet.
If you'd like to learn more about Trail Etiquette, here's a link to one of my favourite articles.
http://thebark.com/content/proper-trail-etiquette-hiking-your-dog
If you'd like to brush up on the Dog Bylaws in Squamish, please contact Animal Control.
http://squamish.ca/residents/bylaw-enforcement-and-animal-control/animal-control
BTW...if your dog can't recall off another dog, bike, jogger, child...please feel free to join one of my classes!
cheers,
Kate
I had a brainstorm and with the help of others trying to train their dogs, created a couple of videos to provide awareness.
Something so simple as WAITing for the OKAY from another person BEFORE greeting or having your dog greet another dog can make a huge impact on the progress that they make in their training efforts.
I'm hoping to spread awareness about the simple thing people can do about this PINK ELEPHANT running rampant on the streets and through out the trails of Squamish.
Please WAIT for the OKAY to greet.
If you'd like to learn more about Trail Etiquette, here's a link to one of my favourite articles.
http://thebark.com/content/proper-trail-etiquette-hiking-your-dog
If you'd like to brush up on the Dog Bylaws in Squamish, please contact Animal Control.
http://squamish.ca/residents/bylaw-enforcement-and-animal-control/animal-control
BTW...if your dog can't recall off another dog, bike, jogger, child...please feel free to join one of my classes!
cheers,
Kate
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Laying a solid foundation
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE teaching people how to use positive means of capturing and reinforcing polite social behaviours in the name of "training' their puppies or dogs.
I'm very lucky to be part of Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital's Puppy Socialization Program where I cover the importance of appropriate play, puppy socialization and how to jump start foundation skills. Dr. Honey and Dr. Dattolico go over pertinent health, injury prevention, handling, toe nail trims, ear cleaning information.
Over the past year, I've witnessed some really inappropriate behaviour from people who had been misinformed about what 'training" their dogs should consist of.
Inappropriate use of food and toys, resulting in puppies and dogs only performing behaviours in presence of lures, or become obsessed w/toys and or food, so much so can't concentrate on what their owners were asking them to do.
On the flip side, I've watched some owners yell "no', or lean into their dogs faces grab them, leash jerk, pin their dogs, throw things at them... to intimidate the dogs into offering up a behaviour to diffuse their owners aggression.
People need to know there is an alternative, more peaceful, fun way to communicate your wishes.
Shaping behaviour is an art. Using positive reinforcement methods (not the kind where one "chooses" when to be positive) work especially well with "stubborn", "reactive", "aggressive", "hyper" dogs. I find they are most relieved to find out that their owners are capable of using positive means to get their message across rather than creating an adversarial relationship.
Each and every day I am thankful for my dogs enthusiasm to engage with me. From working on social skills like being patient before zipping off to "Say Hello" with four on the floor;
to interrupting play to sneak in a RECALL...
It did take a lot of thought, learning and effort on my part, but well worth it in the long run as we are set for years to come!
*Notice in none of these videos did you see me use food...although we did at first!
Being the gatekeeper to all they enjoy in life, means they keep a very close eye on me, to ensure they don't miss out.
It's that simple.
cheers,
Kate
I'm very lucky to be part of Garibaldi Veterinary Hospital's Puppy Socialization Program where I cover the importance of appropriate play, puppy socialization and how to jump start foundation skills. Dr. Honey and Dr. Dattolico go over pertinent health, injury prevention, handling, toe nail trims, ear cleaning information.
Over the past year, I've witnessed some really inappropriate behaviour from people who had been misinformed about what 'training" their dogs should consist of.
Inappropriate use of food and toys, resulting in puppies and dogs only performing behaviours in presence of lures, or become obsessed w/toys and or food, so much so can't concentrate on what their owners were asking them to do.
On the flip side, I've watched some owners yell "no', or lean into their dogs faces grab them, leash jerk, pin their dogs, throw things at them... to intimidate the dogs into offering up a behaviour to diffuse their owners aggression.
People need to know there is an alternative, more peaceful, fun way to communicate your wishes.
Shaping behaviour is an art. Using positive reinforcement methods (not the kind where one "chooses" when to be positive) work especially well with "stubborn", "reactive", "aggressive", "hyper" dogs. I find they are most relieved to find out that their owners are capable of using positive means to get their message across rather than creating an adversarial relationship.
Each and every day I am thankful for my dogs enthusiasm to engage with me. From working on social skills like being patient before zipping off to "Say Hello" with four on the floor;
to interrupting play to sneak in a RECALL...
It did take a lot of thought, learning and effort on my part, but well worth it in the long run as we are set for years to come!
*Notice in none of these videos did you see me use food...although we did at first!
Being the gatekeeper to all they enjoy in life, means they keep a very close eye on me, to ensure they don't miss out.
It's that simple.
cheers,
Kate
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