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Using a crate for a timeout – It’s positive, not punishment!
Puppy getting overly aroused and biting? Just like children, some puppies don’t always know when to take a break. Although they may protest being in their crate a bit at first, you’ll likely find that they will be napping soon after you send them there. Dog pawing or barking at you for attention? You can send a very clear message to the dog that unwanted behaviors result in a timeout. They have a chance to make better choices each time they come out of the crate. Puppy fascinated by outside sights and smells and not focusing on “get busy” outings? …
March 26, 2024
Leash Lessons
When working with a dog on leash, it is important that they respect the boundary and connection to the handler while maintaining slack in the leash (loose leash). If a dog adds tension to the leash, they must learn how to respond and focus back on the handler as well as return to a loose leash. There are different ways to achieve this behavior. When first starting to work on loose-leash walking, it is best to start with a shorter leash, as that way, they can get a solid framework of what is expected: loose leash with no tension, focus …
April 2, 2024
Loose-Leash Walking Resources
In the videos below, you can watch our program staff working on loose-leash walking with dogs of a variety of ages. As you will see, loose-leash walking requires a great deal of focus from the dog, but it also requires the handler to be equally focused on the dog. Nice walking is a team sport! Walking With A Puppy Walking With a Tween Dog Walking With a Teen/Adult Dog These are examples of normal training situations. If you are experiencing any barking, lunging, fixating, etc., please reach out to Puppy Program staff for guidance on how to address those situations. …
April 9, 2024
Transitions and Runways
Transitions and Runways Transitions and runways can be found inside your home (think: flooring changes, doorways, stairways & hallways) as well as outside in the bigger world (think: surface changes, sidewalks ending, store aisles, automatic doors). Seek them out and work on keeping the dog focused on you! Looking for even more transition training? Our Greetings and Door Manners webinar covers teaching and maintaining door and greeting etiquette – which can easily be practiced at home. Take your training up a notch and work on knocking or ringing the doorbell, or enlist others living in your home to arrive as “guests.”
April 30, 2024
Training Plans
We always recommend taking the first week to get to know the dog before starting outing training. However, that first week is the perfect time to begin the self-assessments. Start with the Level One Assessment no matter how old the dog is. Keep the assessment at hand to check off items or make notes regarding the key behaviors around the home. Otherwise, spend a little time each day working through the Common Cues. Be sure to note your appraisals of the cues, too; notes will help guide your training plan. When working through the assessments, ask yourself these questions to help determine …
May 21, 2024
Tone Of Voice When Training
Like humans, dogs respond to intonation and stress patterns when spoken to and will respond to not only what is said, but how it is said. With this knowledge in hand, we can utilize our tone of voice to maximize our training. We all know that very young puppies respond quickly and happily to an upbeat call of “Puppy, Puppy, Puppy!” We also know that even older dogs prefer to walk next to someone who leads with a breezy “Let’s Go!” Here is a brief review of intonation patterns (tone) 1) Upward Intonation – Questions Example: “Are you ready?” “Who’s a good boy?” 2) …
May 28, 2024
Common Cue Series, Part 1
Cue: Fix It If the leash becomes tangled between the dog’s feet, the dog will lift the trapped leg and step over the leash in order to remove the tangle. The dog does not need the handler to move the leash. Impact on the dog’s future work: For some clients, particularly those with mobility limitations, reaching down to untangle a leash from their dog’s feet might not be physically possible. The “fix it” cue provides an alternative means of addressing this issue without requiring physical exertion from the handler. Cue: Go Mat The dog sends to a stationary target on verbal cue …
June 4, 2024
Common Cue Series, Part 2
Cue: Settle The dog will lay down, flip onto a hip, and rest on their side (lateral recumbent), with their head and shoulder lying on the ground. The dog should allow an exam, grooming, and petting while in this position. “Stay” is implied; requires release or next cue. Impact on the dog’s future work: The “settle” cue is not a cue for the dog to relax or do nothing but a way for clients to examine their dogs easily. Some dogs may need to learn to settle on a raised surface to allow the client easier access to them. Cue: Shake The dog …
June 11, 2024
Common Cue Series, Part 3
Cue: Dog’s name The dog’s name equals eye contact and sustained attention within 1-2 seconds of the cue. It’s not a recall, but it’s okay if the dog moves towards the handler. Impact on the dog’s future work: When clients are out working with their service dogs, they often use their dog’s names to redirect the dog’s attention towards them, especially when the dog becomes distracted by external stimuli. This helps them refocus the dog quickly and ensures the dog remains attentive to cues and the client’s needs. Cue: Up The dog jumps onto a surface (such as a grooming table or …
June 18, 2024
Common Cue Series, Part 4
Cue: Sit From a “stand,” the dog tucks their back feet in to meet their front feet; front feet do not move. From a “down,” the dog’s shoulders rise up and their back feet move to meet their front feet; the front feet do not move. Can be completed at a distance, in motion and at handlers sides. “Stay” is implied; requires release or next cue. Impact on the dog’s future work: We teach our dogs to sit, stand, and lie down so the dog keeps their feet in the same spot when changing positions. This is helpful so the dog doesn’t …
June 25, 2024
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