Net Jump

Ahsoka and I practicing her jumps with the tennis net.

Check out our training videos on some trick training for your dog...

Hoop Jump

Selfie Trick

Spin

Paw & Wave

Anti Jump Training

In this video we discuss one helpful way to get your dog to stop jumping up.  Basically, any time a dog jumps up at you, you should turn away.  If a dog jumps on you and you pet them, you are rewarding them for jumping on you.  If, however, you turn away when a dog jumps up and only pet them when they keep all 4 paws on the ground, you are teaching them that they get attention only when they do NOT jump up.  This can be difficult for some people to put into practice at first.
Remind your guests that come over:  No touch, No talk, No eye contact.  Basically you should ignore a dog until they calm down, and if they jump on you, you should turn away. Remembering these simple rules will go a long way in helping teach your dog (and any other dogs you meet) that being jumped on is not something we like or want.


Other Helpful Blog Articles:

Video:  Impulse Control
Basic Dog Knowledge
Trainer Tips:  Socialization
Redirection:  Bad dog behaviors turned Good

Rio: Reactive Dog Training

Rio is a dog like many dogs that can sometimes be reactive or aggressive to other dogs and even people.  

The distance from a dog to the other dog, human, or object that they react to is what we call the threshold.  For this training, we are working on decreasing the distance of that threshold.  Basically, any time your dog reacts in a negative way or way you do not like, you are going to mark that behavior with a No Reward Marker...saying "Uh-oh" or "eh-eh," and move the dog away from what they are reacting to.  Once the dog calms down a bit, move back towards whatever has made them react.  Again, once the dog barks or lunges, mark the unwanted behavior and move the dog away.  Continue this exercise until you are able to get close to or pass by the other dog, person, or object without the dog reacting in a negative way.  Take your time doing this exercise and remember to stay calm and have lots of patience with your dog.  This training will take time, but does work.

As you will see in the video, to help train a reactive dog to change their behavior and react in a positive calm way, there are a few things you must do.  First, mark any unwanted or negative behavior with an "Uh-uh" or "uh-oh."  Then immediately move away from the thing that has made the dog react.  Move far enough away until the dog calms down, then move back towards the thing that made them react.  If they react again, mark it with your "uh-oh" and move away.  Do this until you can get closer to the thing without the dog reacting.  Praise the dog whenever they don't react or react in a positive way.

The use of a head collar is recommended for this type of training.  This type of dog tool will assist in reactive dog training and offer better control to the handler.

Other Helpful Blog Articles:
Trainer Tips:  Reactive dog training
Reactive Dog Training with Ripley 2
Reactive Dog Training with Ripley 3

Dog Adventures

Some pics and video from some of the dog adventures we've had this week.

Caravaggio, Ahsoka, & Lucy.

Caravaggio is tired after some beach fetch.

Ahsoka rolling in the grass at Launiupoko Beach Park.

Ahsoka & Lola (both 7 months).

Ahsoka & Lola pool party.

Ahsoka & Devo at Kapalua Bay.

Ahsoka and some training helpers at Wahikuli Park.

Need to teach your dog not to jump up?  Check out this video.

Hiking with dad.

Caravaggio, Devo, Ahsoka, & Lucy.

Stay, Step Two: Distance

After getting your dog's duration or time built up on the Stay command (you should be able to get to at least one minute with three treats or less), it is time to start working on adding Distance.  Remember, any time you are working on building up one of the three parts of the Stay cue, the other two should be as low as possible.  So when starting work on adding Distance, there should be short Duration (time), and minimal or no distractions.

3 Parts to the Stay Cue:

1.  Duration (time)

2.  Distance

3.  Distraction

Release Cue:

This means to a dog, you are now free to do what you want.  Common Release Cues include:  Break, Free, & Release.  I highly discourage owners from using “Okay” as a release cue.  This is a very commonly used phrase, and your dog may be randomly released by a passing stranger.  Use commands that are not common in every day speech.

Other helpful Blog articles:

Stay, Step One:  Duration (time).

Homemade Dog Treats--Applesauce & Carrot

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup grated carrots
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce


1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.  Mix all ingredients together.
3.  Drop medium biscuit balls onto cooking sheet.
4.  Bake until golden brown, about 20-30 minutes (depending on size).
5.  Allow to fully cool before giving to your dog.
--We recommend storing treats in the refrigerator or freezer.


Overall I think this is a good homemade dog treat, but I found it extremely messy to make.  I'd recommend the peanut butter treats from our last cooking YouTube video.


Related Blog articles:
Homemade dog treats

Sunset

Another beautiful Maui sunset at Kapalua Bay.

Heel

Above is an instructional video on how to teach your dog a proper "Heel."  Below I have included more information on how to teach this.  Remember that Heel means the dog is in a specific position.  Heel is not something that should be used constantly on your every day walks.  Your dog needs the opportunity to explore their surroundings.  For every day walking, use "Loose Leash Walking."

Heel:

The Heel position is about the dog staying close to the handler and paying close attention.  We will start with the Basic Heel position, the Stationary Heel.

To do this, we will food lure the dog into the Heel position at our left side.  Use your left hand to food lure the dog into the position.  If you need, take a step back with your left leg to encourage the dog to move.  Once the dog is in the Heel position, practice a Sit and Look. 

Moving Heel:  

1. Food lure the dog several times while backing up.
2. Food lure the dog, now turn your body so the dog is now on the left side in Heel position (use the treat in your left hand).

Always begin and end every Heel exercise with a Sit in the Heel position.

When you stop moving forward, move your baited hand UP slightly to initiate the Sit position.

As you are moving forward, the treat should be held up slightly from the dog so she is looking for it.  Gradually progress to moving your hand all the way up to the Look position.  

Loose Leash Walking:

Loose leash walking (LLW) means that a dog walks nicely, not pulling on the leash, and not completely all over the place.  LLW is not the same thing as Heel.  To teach a proper Heel, you must first teach LLW.

Consistency is very important when teaching LLW.  Doing this technique is actually very easy, but does require a LOT of patience.  Remember to stay calm.  If you are calm and consistent, your dog will be walking nicely on a leash in about a week.

To begin, go out for a walk with your regular 4-6 foot leash and buckle collar properly fitted to your dog’s neck (so they can’t slip out).  As soon as there is tension on the leash, you have two options:

When the dog pulls:  1)  Stop and wait for the DOG to move in a way that releases the tension.  When s/he does, continue walking.

2)  Say “Let’s Go!” and walk off in the opposite direction.

Related Blog articles:

Trainer Tip Video:  How to Walk on a Leash

Trainer Tip Video:  How to walk a scared or timid dog

Trainer Tip Video:  Having your dog off leash

Teaching Stay, Step One

Come when Called

Village Trails Fun

Some fun we had hiking the Village Trails in Kapalua this week.

Devo watching Ahsoka have fun with foliage.

Ahsoka is now 7 months old.  So cute.

Caravaggio & Ahsoka.

Caravaggio with Luna & Ahsoka.