Monday, November 12, 2012
The importance of calm greetings - Part 1
Getting your new puppy or newly adopted dog involved in a training program can prevent assist in opening the lines of communication between you and your dog.
When your dog arrives in your home, they speak a different language. They need to be coached on what the ground rules are in your home and reinforced positively for making good decisions.
Sure maintaining a sense of structure like asking your dog to get on their bed when people arrive is a good thing.
How one goes about it is important. When asking your pup to do something specific when an event happens, (i.e: someone entering your home) is a great idea in theory. The goal that may be desired is to prevent any jumping up on your visitors. Something that I come across is guarded behavior from the dog that is 'man handled' when the dog fails to do the task requested. What I mean by 'man-handled' is frequently yelled at to get back on their bed or physically made to.
What this creates for the dog is when someone comes over, tension rises in the home and visiting people are a time of stress. Your dog may see this as you get stressed, and they feel that too.
How this impacts your dog long term? Greetings become stressful. Greetings with anyone that comes in your home and anywhere near it potentially.
Depending on your Dog's current state at the time of greetings with people and other dogs, this may need some behaviour shifts from you and your dog.
Tip #1- Allow your dog to say hello with a sit first and releasing them to greet someone.
Tip #2- If your dog is on leash during greetings with dogs or people, ideally maintain a slack leash during the interaction. This prevents any unnecessary stress being fed through the leash and collar/harness your dog has attached to them.
Tip #3- If your dog is not wearing a collar when greetings are challenging at the home level, simply placing a leash and collar/ harness on them during visitors arrival and departure for two weeks can help restructure the excitement or stress that shows up during this time.
Training your dog to happily welcome and accept house guests inside the home is an important step in having greetings outside the home, become welcoming and calmer as well.
If you or someone you know requires some assistance with their dog - please forward this article to them or have them contact georgina@dogstars.ca for a free phone consultation.
Happy Training!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
The importance of Puppy training. PART 1
The importance of Puppy school. PART 1
Getting your new puppy involved in a puppy class where there is some social time with other dogs and a structured agenda for each class is encouraged for many reasons...
First - puppies need to be socialized with other dogs, big and small! They need to be able to stand up for themselves within a safe environment with trained professionals standing by - to help break it up and calm the pack down before more play is allowed - yes there should be someone refereeing these animals. If things get too out of control - a simple time out is put into play for all and when they have all calmed to a suitable level the play is resumed. Amazingly enough the play is much more subdued than before, thus the puppies have learned to play only to a certain level of excitement, if they go over this level - the fun police step in and break the party up.
After the play has calmed to a reasonable level your trainer will ask for the pups to be leashed up and now the lessons about how to communicate begin. Dog language to human, and human language to dog. Our DogStars certified trainers are versed in how the dog perceives you and how you may be perceiving your dog. Coaching and guiding you both into getting to the same page with time, consistency and practice.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
My Dog's Take on life
Basil the border collie: 'There are so many things to smell outside on my daily walks'
Owner of Basil is amazed at how many things there are to smell too! Takes a
When I take the time to look at the world around me - the 'rat' race seems to disappear. Taking time to smell the roses or whatever you heart or nose desires - is taking time for yourself and a reminder to stay present!
This take on life was inspired by Basil the 11 yr old Border Collie / part social butterfly.
Owner of Basil is amazed at how many things there are to smell too! Takes a
When I take the time to look at the world around me - the 'rat' race seems to disappear. Taking time to smell the roses or whatever you heart or nose desires - is taking time for yourself and a reminder to stay present!
This take on life was inspired by Basil the 11 yr old Border Collie / part social butterfly.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Resource Guarding Behavior in Dogs - Prevention
Getting a new puppy is an exciting and fun time in any home. Taking precautions in any new relationship is appropriate - especially when your new addition speaks a different language than you - DOG Language!
One area of our focus towards new puppies and dogs of all ages too - is preventing unwanted behaviors from taking place.
When dog resource guard they are guarding what they consider to be a valuable resource. Such as toys, food, people, areas, cars, chew toys.
How we can prevent this behavior from becoming a problem is teaching your dog that you are not a threat around these items. How we do that is easy - with each resource there will be formula to adhere to - here is an example of food bowl exercises....
Moving the food bowl
While your puppy / dog eats - hold the bowl with your hand. Keeping the bowl on the floor
Place a tasty treat next to the bowl with the other hand - something yummy like a small piece of cheese or hot dog. When your puppy or dog goes for the tasty treat - pick the bowl up and return the bowl back to them once the treat is gone.
Repeat this 5 - 10 times without much time delay before returning the bowl.
Progress to picking up the bowl prior to offering a treat distraction.
After a few sessions of this game. Your dog will understand that their bowl moving away means that a tasty treat is on its way!
Treats in the food bowl
As a puppy is eating dry kibble from their bowl, quickly put your hand in the bowl and drop in a tasty treat. Chicken, cheese, hot dog... etc.
Allow your dog to enjoy what you have just given them and to return to re-investigate the dry kibble to check for more treats, and to start eating again.
Repeat by dropping a treat quickly in their food bowl.
Repeat several times.
Your dog with soon love to see movement and hands around their food bowl!
The walk-by
When your pup is eating at their food bowl - ask friends or family members to walk by - as they do - you place a scoop of canned tasty food into their kibble.
Repeat a few times so every time someone comes near their eating area - a tasty spoonful of canned food is added to their dish.
Your pup will love to see approaching people - their attention will be waiting for the tasty spoonful to show up.
At the next mealtime - have a friend or family member walk up to your pups bowl and serve up a treat into their food bowl!
The slow service counter for dogs
Place your dog's meal allotment kibble in a bowl on the counter and give your dog 1 kibble into their bowl on the floor.
Leave the dog to wonder where the rest of their food is - ignore them for a few moments - then return to offer them their next order.
Proceed to pick up their food bowl and add one more kibble. Ask the dog to do something for this - like sit and then give them their bowl back.
Repeat until they have had their entire meal - teaches patience and to chew their food too!
Any questions or concerns regarding your dog's behavoir around their food or any guarding behavior - please contact a professional for an assessment immediately!
One area of our focus towards new puppies and dogs of all ages too - is preventing unwanted behaviors from taking place.
When dog resource guard they are guarding what they consider to be a valuable resource. Such as toys, food, people, areas, cars, chew toys.
How we can prevent this behavior from becoming a problem is teaching your dog that you are not a threat around these items. How we do that is easy - with each resource there will be formula to adhere to - here is an example of food bowl exercises....
Moving the food bowl
While your puppy / dog eats - hold the bowl with your hand. Keeping the bowl on the floor
Place a tasty treat next to the bowl with the other hand - something yummy like a small piece of cheese or hot dog. When your puppy or dog goes for the tasty treat - pick the bowl up and return the bowl back to them once the treat is gone.
Repeat this 5 - 10 times without much time delay before returning the bowl.
Progress to picking up the bowl prior to offering a treat distraction.
After a few sessions of this game. Your dog will understand that their bowl moving away means that a tasty treat is on its way!
Treats in the food bowl
As a puppy is eating dry kibble from their bowl, quickly put your hand in the bowl and drop in a tasty treat. Chicken, cheese, hot dog... etc.
Allow your dog to enjoy what you have just given them and to return to re-investigate the dry kibble to check for more treats, and to start eating again.
Repeat by dropping a treat quickly in their food bowl.
Repeat several times.
Your dog with soon love to see movement and hands around their food bowl!
The walk-by
When your pup is eating at their food bowl - ask friends or family members to walk by - as they do - you place a scoop of canned tasty food into their kibble.
Repeat a few times so every time someone comes near their eating area - a tasty spoonful of canned food is added to their dish.
Your pup will love to see approaching people - their attention will be waiting for the tasty spoonful to show up.
At the next mealtime - have a friend or family member walk up to your pups bowl and serve up a treat into their food bowl!
The slow service counter for dogs
Place your dog's meal allotment kibble in a bowl on the counter and give your dog 1 kibble into their bowl on the floor.
Leave the dog to wonder where the rest of their food is - ignore them for a few moments - then return to offer them their next order.
Proceed to pick up their food bowl and add one more kibble. Ask the dog to do something for this - like sit and then give them their bowl back.
Repeat until they have had their entire meal - teaches patience and to chew their food too!
Any questions or concerns regarding your dog's behavoir around their food or any guarding behavior - please contact a professional for an assessment immediately!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Become a Dog Trainer
DogStars 9 week program registered with the Private Career Training Institute is accepting registrations for 2011 fall program. Prices are going up though! Register before March 1 and receive last years pricing.
http://dogstars.ca/registration_professionaltrainer.htm
Fall 2011 pricing will increase by 10% - cost includes textbooks and workshops.
Our program has the most hands on learning with dogs in Canada. We promote positive training techniques and clicker training. Our specialty is working animals for film and television - you can learn to do the same!
For more information - contact our office @ 604-8780-7827
http://dogstars.ca/registration_professionaltrainer.htm
Fall 2011 pricing will increase by 10% - cost includes textbooks and workshops.
Our program has the most hands on learning with dogs in Canada. We promote positive training techniques and clicker training. Our specialty is working animals for film and television - you can learn to do the same!
For more information - contact our office @ 604-8780-7827
Monday, May 31, 2010
Dog Training Basics
Watch this clip to learn about teaching a basic sit command to a puppy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92SFQgM15aM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92SFQgM15aM
Monday, March 16, 2009
Marketing Blog !
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Easy and affordable professional brand marketing services for small businesses
In today’s tough economy, it’s more important than ever to stand out from your competitors. As a small company, you may think you don’t have the time, budget or expertise needed to promote your products and services or to create the professional image you want to portray. Further, when it comes to choosing the right marketing tools to deliver your messages, you may not know where to start or who to turn to for help. That’s why we created MarketSplash by HP (link to http://www.marketsplash.com): A one-stop, web-based shop that brings professional brand marketing services – usually reserved for the big guys – into the reach of small businesses.
MarketSplash by HP (link to http://www.marketsplash.com) is offering totally FREE business cards. No hidden charges. 100% free! You don’t even pay the shipping and handling! You’ll receive 100 full color, professionally printed business cards delivered to your door in 7 business days or less. Click here (link to http://www.marketsplash.com) to order your business cards today!
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