Alyssa Yesterday's Warm Up and Stay Work a Couple Steps IN

Alyssa is a dog involved in our daycare/train program.

Testing if Alyssa is where I think she is in sits before going onto the stays. The heel (I start that warm up towards the end of the tape) that I do next is also a "semi new" directive to her. Her surgery kept us from doing this too much or off leash last year. It's always a good idea to do a warm up/refresher of previously worked commands before going onto new parts of commands or totally new commands.

So once the warm up is done (although this is the next day, so I do a shorter warm up on just basically making sure the sits remain first command, and done randomly again---meaning not in heel position), then we will go onto a couple steps into the stay command (did the very beginning the day before yesterday). A lot of verbal tips on the different steps of commands, the appropriate rewards for the dog, and the reasons why there are different parts of the sit/stay command. I should have also gone into different places to train, areas, and distractions. Next time...

Finally starting one or two steps into the stay command yesterday.

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A Bit of Daycare and Boarding Fun

Here are some previous (and one continuing) training clients who have become bored with the running and chasing games during the day.   They nap too here, do not fear.   I like to mix it up for them during the day either with some formal training or just doodling on jumps and so forth.

Leon is an old hat at jumping.   Tommy once he warms up, you can see he is quite taken with jumping as well.  Boris became scared of the noise the jump made when his foot went over it once, but you can see he is pretty much over that now.   Ollie is introduced for the first time, which is why I start walking him over the jump.  Jake is having his own fun with Boris, and Bailey is just enjoying the fact that he is outside and able to run, albeit on a long line.

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Family Beach Walk

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Training collar configuration and finger position on leash handle

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Refreshing and maintaining place work starring Leon

I was a slug this winter.   You can take a break from training sometimes, BUT then you need to go back and refresh with your dog.  It's not fair to expect that they will be at the same place, when you have been working with them for weeks and/or months.

So now that the bitter cold and the flu are all gone, it's time to get back to our daily work.  Leon loves being taken out to work, though the stationary commands are not his favorite.  Later on, I will pair this up with retrieving to jazz it up a little for him, but right now we are just focusing on the place and the send for today.

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Bailey Film Strip

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Baby Bella's Day Out

Leon, Bella, and Roxy

Bella investigates.

Tommy, Bella, Leon and Harley

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MY Philosphy On Dog Training and Sources

Recently for a certification, I needed to expand on my philosphy of dog training.   It was not easy, and I hope this communicates what my philosphy on dog training is.

My philosophy on dog training is based on the idea of providing dogs the best and most full lives available in their domesticated situation with humans. Training is a means to create a communication between two species, which do not share a common language. Communication in the form of commands, body language, and demeanor are needed to develop through teaching and learning between the canine and canine owner. It is more effective and efficient to be able to guide the dog what to do in situations, rather than have them guess what you would like them not to do.


In order for dogs to have the most freedom and exercise, commands must be able to be performed reliably in distracting real life situations in which they are likely to accompany their owners. Therefore it is important to use and design methods that teach the dog and owner in increasingly difficult distraction and situations.   For my dogs and my clients dogs; freedom, activity, fun, and mental work make their lives so much more enjoyable.  Sure dogs enjoy food, and I do sometimes use food rewards, but nothing trumps an adventure.   Being able to bring a dog to as many places as it is possible, enriches not only the dog's life but the dog owner's life as well.   It forms a relationship that is a partnership and deep friendship.  As a reward for all involved, nothing trumps that.

My philosophy has been developed through my interactions and observations of the International Association of Canine Professional members (professional association), Margot Woods (seminar presenter and training advocate), Martin Deeley (seminar presenter and previous executive director of the IACP), William Koehler (author and trainer who died many years ago. the proper use of the KMODT method using small steps practiced consistently to teach a dog gently and effectively—note you can ignore the last chapter of the book for way outdated methods) and recently Mike Ellis who stresses training under drive and motivation.  
 
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Magoo's Competing Is On Hold-Life Gets In The Way

See that boo boo toe?   It's been keeping us from going out to compete or doing any real training work for about a month.  His owners are treating it, but I have put Magoo's future competitions on hold until his toe looks all better.

This started with a split nail:( He may have struck it on a rock under the snow or something.   Anyway, it's as bad as it looks right now.   Poor guy.

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Lucy and Admirers (Boris and Tommy)

Cuddle buds Lucy and Tommy.  I like this picture because Lucy is looking straight on, which she is usually too squirmy to do.

Boris playing with and "getting" Lucy.

Lucy "Where did you go?"

Another shot of cuddle buddies Lucy and Tommy.

Contemplative Lucy with me.

Straight on, and we are a totem pole Lucy with me.

Lucy squirming as usual.

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April Fools! What a difference a day makes!!

Yesterday:

Today:

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