Keep a positive attitude – Halloween is a great opportunity to train good behavior when the door bell rings.
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Dogs and Memorial Day – On Trail and At Trial
1 Comment | Posted by Diane in Dinner with ODC, Dog Training Tips, Holidays
With a busy weekend of fun activities with our dogs, we decided not to get together for dinner. Here is an update on how our dogs did on the camping trail and at agility trial!
Maggie will continue training in dog agility
Diane takes Hunter and Maggie to Compete in Agility
Hunter had a 40% success rate. My goal is always 50%. He and I are just not connected right now. I think lack of practice is our problem.
Maggie had one perfect Jumpers run, but in all other runs, she shut down. Still the lack of confidence rears its ugly head. Practice, again, at home and in other locales.
The good news is that my arena is now open for classes and personal practice. Today I included my own training with my dogs in my weekly schedule. If you don’t schedule it, it doesn’t happen.
Brianna and Aaron Take Rankine Camping
With training and practice, our dog will come when called
Although we did not trial this weekend, we had a wonderful time in Estes Park. Rankine was excellent all weekend, he was a pleasure to take camping (ok RVing) because we have invested the upfront training time for reliability off-leash even withstanding the urge to chase after wildlife.
Rankine managed to get pet by several dozen small children, most of whom asked permission before approaching him. Interesting side note, he’s still a little skittish around 3 to 10 year olds. He has grown used to the younger ones and will take an untold amount of abuse. I suppose this will change as our baby gets a little older. We also discovered that our baby knows what the phrase “give Rankine a hug” means. Very cute!
Suzy and Kalee Stay Home
Please follow the rules so we can keep playing!
While I did go on a hike, Kalee stayed home since her old body can’t handle the heat any longer. Instead, we went for a walk around the neighborhood once the sun went down and the temperature dropped.
On both walks, I noticed many people out enjoying the holiday with their dogs. Unfortunately, some were breaking leash laws – consequently scaring off the wildlife in the state park – and failing to pick up after their pets – making the walk a bit hazardous. While out enjoying your dog in public spaces, please remember to keep your dog on leash and pick up so that we may keep the privilege of taking our dogs along on hikes, camping, and to the local parks. At parks where off-leash dogs are allowed, make sure your dog has a really reliable recall – like Rankine above – before unclipping that leash.
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Easy Walk™ harness review and testimonial
0 Comments | Posted by Diane in Products, Supplies and Equipment
For the past three years I have been recommending the Easy Walk™ harness, a product of Gentle Leader, manufactured by Premier to all my puppy and obedience classes. I started using the harness when I got my youngest Australian Shepherd three years ago. Walking both my Aussies was challenging, but with the harnesses they are both under control. Those of my students who have purchased it have been very pleased and now enjoy walking their dog.
The Easy Walk™ harness is different from other harnesses in that the clip to the leash is on the chest area instead of on the shoulder area. Think of this, the dog’s power and strength is in the shoulders. With the clip on the chest when the dog pulls it puts pressure on the chest which stops the pulling. So when they pull out in front of the handler and they reach the end of the leash the tension on the leash turns the dog back to be face to face with the handler. At that moment the handler acknowledges the dog and shows the dog the correct place to walk is next to his leg.
As associate of mine is a professional dog walker and recently sent me this testimonial – (more…)
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Puppy as a Holiday Present????
0 Comments | Posted by Diane in Holidays, Kids and Dogs, Puppies
I know you think how great it would be to get the kids a puppy for the holidays. Yes, it would be, but wait until the craziness has settled down. Also, consider the fact that a puppy or other pet is not a toy, an object to get tired of — it’s a lifelong commitment. Make it an important event that involves the entire family when getting a puppy.
When you bring home a puppy, who has been with his mom and litter mates, into a new home with all the chaos of a holiday, it can be so unsettling and scary for the baby. Please consider waiting to take your puppy home. You can give the family a picture of a puppy, or put together a basket of accessories for the pup.
Also, training should begin right away with your puppy — not necessarily the obedience commands, but you need to start housebreaking, desensitizing, crate training, among other considerations of bringing home baby.
After the holiday hub-bub has subsided, then go and pick up your puppy.
