Tampilkan postingan dengan label trainers. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label trainers. Tampilkan semua postingan

Sabtu, 11 Juni 2016

Dog Trainers Need to Practice Too

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Even though Im a professional certified pet dog trainer, doesnt mean I:
  1. Have the perfect dog (sorry Poncho, but hey Im not perfect either)
  2. Know everything there is to know about dog training
  3. Never have to practice...UGH!
You may have known from previous posts of mine, or from Ponchos posts, that weve been going to agility classes taught by our friend Margie Hanlon of the Seaside Scramblers... Margie is a real saint, I have to say, especially after reviewing my last bit of video. Wow, do I need practice. Just to prove that Im not perfect, I am posting a little bit of our latest session. 
Fortunately I did get better after warming up, and of course my hubby did a great job of running Poncho. But I thought this time around Id share a few laughs by showing the not-so-great footage. Good to remind myself that training of any sort is a mechanical skill. (Thank you Bob Bailey). 

Just like I tell my own dog training students, in both my Ventura College Community Education Canine College class, my manners classes at The Inquisitive Canine studio, and private clients, "If you practice, even 3 minutes a couple times a day, you get better, your dog gets better, and you get the behaviors you want!!! Its that simple...Hopefully, next week will be better - for me anyway, Poncho already knows what hes doing!  

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Senin, 06 Juni 2016

Dog Trainers Dream Team!

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What a great day! Michelle, Lorrie, Anne, Amber, & Nathan...thanks to you all for heading south on a Sunday afternoon to "play" at the inquisitive canine. And thank you to family and friends for hanging out too! I know this dog trainer had a great time! My DREAM TEAM came for a visit! Who you ask? Well, Ill tell you. The folks that make up the team that is going to send my business soaring to new heights!

There was the wonderful and talented Michelle Shapiro of Ipso Facto Creative Group - owner, founder, website designer extraordinaire. She has been taking care of me since I opened the studio last year - so patient, so caring, and oh so skillful! The ever so fabulous Lorrie Thomas (who actually organized the whole dream team road trip) of Lorrie Thomas Website Marketing was there with her hubby Will...kind, considerate, and a great supportive hubby (like mine!) Lorrie has taken the inquisitive canine on an adventurous trip through the world of web marketing... She doesnt call herself a business coach, but to me she is that too... Watching out for me, guiding this dog trainer down the right path, and on the road to success! --- The gracious and cheerful Anne Ofilia, who works with Lorrie, was there as well - Anne took to the idea of clicker training immediately! She "got it" and is all ready to try it on her own family...hey, it works with all animals right? Not just dogs... Between playing with the clicker, Anne is going to help me get some of the surveys and evaluations out - teaching me to use specific website marketing tools...Maybe if I play my cards right, Anne will give me a "click-treat" --- Amber Wallace of Dowitcher Designs and her friend Jill (also of Dowitcher Designs) were also at the puppy party! Amber is another fantastic website designer and builder! (all that confusing html stuff is so easy for her...) Plus, Amber is a great tutor...very patient, and a great communicator...I know because I was one of her students :-) She is going to take charge of building some additional elements to my great site! Nathan, Michelles son was there working today - he is a fabulous videographer - on the road to being a director - and will soon get some great dog play video up on You Tube for me! (how exciting!)

Then of course there was the Puppy Social itself! Lots of wonderful visitors - canine and human alike. There was Nancy with Kona- a lovely owner, and darling blonde lab pup! Then some new folks stopped in...Brenda and her daughter Maureen, with their newly adopted pooch Lulu! Lulu was a bit shy at first, but she warmed up pretty quickly, and within a few minutes into play both were romping about...So much fun to watch...learning how to socialize, communicate in their own doggy language and play style, teaching each other how to "just be dogs" in our crazy human world...all while building self-confidence! Plus, for the rest of the day theyll nap because theyre so tired! And you know, a tired dog is a happy dog...and happy owner :-)

My friends the Lopianos stopped in as well - mom and dad (Bridgette and Phil) brought their kids Sophia and Charles - they all love puppies, but arent able to have one themselves at this time - so they get their "puppy fix" here at the inquisitive canine studio - how great for everyone! Kids get puppy time, plus the puppies learn how to be well-mannered around the little ones...a win-win for all!


It wrapped up with my own hubby and pooch Poncho stopping in to say "hello"... So supportive and caring...both real troopers! Thanks to everyone for making this dog trainers day! 


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Selasa, 24 Mei 2016

Dog Training Tips Really Not In This Dog Trainers Opinion

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There are a lot of great dog training tips out there - really. I provide many myself, as you probably already know, on this dog training ventura blog as well as the Noozhawk dog behavior advice column Poncho and I write for. Although Im a certified dog trainer, and one that prefers practicing more of a science-based methodology, I ask you, please, be a critical thinker when it comes to adhering to some of these "tips". Mine included! 

Some of the ones Ive seen out there just amaze me! Do people really believe some of this stuff? These are just a few that I came across:
  • "Do not tell your dog “it’s okay” or “don’t worry” while they are acting fearful or aggressive. Showing affection to your dog in those states will reinforce the behavior you do not want. The dog reads your affection as praise and believes that’s the behavior you want."

  • "Grabbing the scruff of your dog can help him calm down. That is how mothers carry their puppies after they are born. However, you cannot be angry when you do it or your dog will pick up on your energy and fight it."
  • "Dog training classes aren’t necessary. Classes only benefit the dog in the aspect of socialization and very basic obedience. You don’t need to pay money for this. The time is better spent out on a walk."
  • "Be the first to walk out the door. Pack leaders are ALWAYS the first through passageways."

OH MY GOODNESS! Really??? Yikes! Just like the "Lose 10 pounds in one day." It sounds like its time for a "dog-training-bust-a-myth" moment...at least in my opinion. 

First off, when Im scared, if my husband consoles me Im certainly not going to want to perform that scared behavior more. If anything, itll help me relax, and may even help build my confidence, which would come in handy if I were ever in that situation again. 

For example, when it comes to flying Im not real keen on the take-off and landing part. He knows this. So whenever we fly together he takes my hand during both these times and talks to me in soothing voice - he doesnt yell at me or ignore me. Geez, if he did that Id hate take-off and landing even more! Nope, he does show affection - and ya know what? This makes me love him even more! 

As for the other examples of "tips" that I mention above, let me just say:
  1. Im pretty darn sure our dogs know were not dogs or wolves, and that grabbing their scruff doesnt make them think we are, nor do I believe my own dog Poncho, or any dog would "feel calm" if I were to grab him by his scruff. If anything, I would think Poncho would be reacting out of fear from me grabbing him in such a manner - which I would never do. 
  2. Dog training classes "arent necessary"??? Its all about finding the right class. One that is educational, fun and rewarding for both the dog and their humans. Even if youre not taking one of my manners classes at the inquisitive canine studio, or at Ventura College Community Education, there are still plenty of fun dog training classes out there! It sounds to me this person found classes very punishing...too bad, maybe they will want to attend one of mine. 
  3. I dont care who goes through the doorway or "passages" first. I do like to set boundaries, but Im not a complete control freak. Ill ask for a sit, or four-on-the-floor before giving the release cue to "go on". Shoot, sometimes life is really exciting and our dogs want to get there first! Just like us humans and getting in line at the movies, or concert, or roller-coaster! Its called "impulse control" - dogs dont have much, which is why its important to teach them such exercises....Hmm, maybe those dog training classes are important. I teach many of these behaviors in my own dog training classes
As Ive said before, dogs (like all animals) do what works! They perform whichever behaviors gets them more of what they want, to keep themselves safe, and to prevent from getting hurt, or avoiding anything that would cause them fear, pain, or death. Duh. 

So before you start listening to tons of advice out there, please, be a critical thinker. If you dont feel comfortable doing something, dont. Or at least ask questions. Education is good! Knowledge is even better! 

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Jumat, 22 April 2016

Dog Trainers Bible

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All types of dogs respond to training in the same way. Once you get a better understanding of how a dog thinks, you will be more efficient in training yours. If someone doesnt understand this mindset, he or she can gain some knowledge by reading this article.

Keeping your dog outdoors when you are not home is a good way to prevent chewing. If it is too cold out, or you cant leave the puppy outdoors for some other reason, you will just have to do your best to make his favorite objects out of reach. Leave him in one room with the door closed, and leave him some toys that are okay to chew on.



 Clickers are a great way to reinforce good behavior from your dog. If you give your dog an award when you used the clicker, it will be easier to train. Attempt to click and treat immediately and do this several times for a few days. Over time, your dog will learn that the clicking noise means he is doing something correctly.

 Your whole family should be involved with training the dog. It may be easier for one person to work with the dog until he has mastered basic commands. However, the dog should respond to the same commands when given by any member of the family.

 If you have a puppy that likes to chew on everything when you are away from home, the easiest solution is to consider an indoor or outdoor kennel to use in your absence. If you cant put him outside due to regulations or weather, use dog gates to make certain rooms inaccessible, and put valuables in high places.

 A dog will obsess about one thing until you divert its attention. With enough training, you will have your dog focusing solely on your signals.

 You need to let your dog be a dog, so give him some time to burn off that energy. Make sure your dog is properly fed, given a comfortable corner or bed to sleep and has a good place to run and be active.

 It is best to pick a phrase for potty training your dog, and use it consistently. For example, you could use the phrase, "go potty" when you take them outside to help them remember what to do when you go outside and say the command.

 When teaching your dog not to chew on things that are not toys, you should try to facilitate success. It is also important that a dog who chews is protected from danger. Keep all items which can fit in your dogs mouth, like hair accessories or office supplies, away from your dogs reach.

 In an effort to alleviate your puppys teething pain, give him plenty of chew toys. You also need to try to have other items he might chew on out of his reach. Replace the item immediately with one of the dogs own chew toys. If the puppy is suffering any pain from teething, freeze a wet washcloth for him or her to chew on.

 Social sessions with new animals should be very controlled and done slowly. Give your own pet great consideration before bringing another animal into the house. To make introductions go as smooth as possible, when you are choosing the new addition, try to find a personality that will complement that of your current pet.

 If your dog suddenly starts misbehaving out of the blue, it is best to bring him to the vet so any health problems can be ruled out. Pain or other symptoms associated with health issues can cause dogs to act differently. Because they cannot speak to let us know there is a problem, this is how they alert us to the fact that they require extra attention.

 Dogs learn quickest through repetition and positive reinforcement. You need to make sure your dog understands what the expected behavior is, be consistent in your expectations and practice the behaviors daily. This is how a dog will learn to perform a trick. Show your pet the right way through rewards and repetition.

 Try training your dog to grab a toy and keep it in his mouth. When you see him mouth a toy, give him a reward or treat and use a clicker. After a few tries you should allow the dog to pick up the toy on his own. When he does, just click and then give a reward. After this, you should only reward your dog after he holds the toy in his mouth.

 Its important to use treats that really capture your dogs full attention when training. This is one time you can use something you would not usually give them, like meat.

 If your dog suddenly starts misbehaving for no apparent reason, it is essential to take him to a veterinarian to see if an underlying health problem is the cause of the negative behavior. Inappropriate behavior is a symptom of some health conditions, as the pain associated with some conditions can cause dogs to go into attack mode. Since dogs cant communicate, this is how they let you know there is something wrong.

 Your dog will be easier to train if you are careful to avoid letting him learn bad habits to begin with. Its far easier to teach a puppy good habits than it is to deprogram bad habits. If you dont want your dog to be constantly begging for food when you are at the table, dont feed it food scraps in the first place.

 It is important to involve the entire family when it comes to training your puppy or dog. It may be easier for one person to work with the dog until he has mastered basic commands. However, the dog should respond to the same commands when given by any member of the family.

 Most dogs are eager to please and respond better to rewards than punishment. You need to demonstrate proper behavior, then work with your dog over time and reward him when he does the right thing. This is the best way to teach your dog new tricks. Show your pet the right way through rewards and repetition.

 The best time to start training a dog is when its a puppy. While it isnt essential, a young dog will be easier to train. If you start training your dog when he is young, he will be almost as well-behaved as a child.

 Always use your dogs name when you need his attention. To have some good control over your dog, a solid response is crucial. Call them to you at least ten times a day. Try to avoid punishing your dog when it comes to you after you call out its name while using this technique.

 You should be able to have a clean home and a loving dog. It is easier to love and care for an obedient, well-behaved dog, so investing some time and effort in your training process is a great idea. These hot tips will make the story of you and your dog one that ends happily ever after.

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