Trainer Tip Video: Walk no matter the weather

Today's Trainer Tip:
Get out and walk your dog, no matter the weather.

It is very important for your dog to get good daily exercise.  This does not change just because the weather may not be favorable.  So grab your rain coat or snow suit and get out there and walk!


Related Blog articles:
Video:  How to walk on a leash.
Indoor dog games
National walk your dog day
The Shade Walk

Video Adventure: Hiking the L in Lahaina

Join us on our adventure hike to the giant L in Lahaina.



Related Blog Articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  How to walk your dog on a leash.
Trainer Tip Video:  Having your dog off leash.
Trainer Tips:  What does your dog really want to do?
Trainer Tips:  Dog Backpacks
Trainer Tips:  Grass eating dogs

Trainer Tip Video: Getting your dog used to Touch

Today's Trainer Tip:
Getting your dog used being touched/ Dog Exam.

It is very important to be able to touch your dog on any part of their body.  If your dog becomes injured you and/or your vet will need to be able to exam your dog and also potentially apply medicine to an area.  This also includes getting your dog used to being groomed or brushed.


Related Blog articles:
Trainer Tips:  Dog Exam
Trainer Tips:  Dog Care Essentials
Trainer Tips:  Lavender Oil
Trainer Tips:  Shedding
Trainer Tips:  Puppy Nipping
Trainer Tips:  Avoiding Injury

Trainer Tip Video: Socialization

Today's Trainer Tip:
Socialization

Proper Socialization:  Is teaching a dog to not react to stimuli by desensitizing him to every day things. 


Related Blog Articles from Such Good Dogs:
Proper Dog Socialization
Socialization
Dog Birthday Party
Wilma Cat
Pack Walk
Dog Friends
Island Dogs
Caravaggio Loves Cats
Dog Parks
Adding a second dog to your pack
Introducing your dog to the cat

Trainer Tip Video: How to Claim an Object

Today's Trainer Tip:

How to Claim an Object from your dog.

Trainer Tip Video: Is Human food okay for your dog?

Today's Trainer Tip:
Is Human food okay for your dog.


Related Links:
Trainer Tips:  Picking a good dog food.
Trainer Tips:  Begging.

Trainer Tip Video: How to Walk your Dog on a Leash

Today's Trainer Tip:

How to properly walk your dog on a Leash.

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.

It is best to try and do option #1 as much as possible.  Be sure that when you stop and wait, you do not move in a way that is releasing the tension on the leash…the dog must do it.

REMEMBER:  Patience!  Patience!  Patience!

Trainer Tip Video: Dogs who like to Dig.

Today's Trainer Tip:

Dogs who like to dig.

If you have a dog who likes to dig, find an outlet for that digging.  The best place you can do that is at the beach.

Trainer Tip Video: Beach Fetch

Today's Trainer Tip:
Enjoy a game of fetch at the beach with your dog.

Fetch:

Fetch is very helpful game that every owner should teach their dog.  It is an excellent  way to exercise your dog without wearing yourself out. 

Rules of Fetch:

1. Dog must Sit.
2. Dog must Look.
3. Fetch.
4. Dog returns toy.
5. Dog drops toy.
6. Repeat.

To start, we must have a toy that the dog likes.  Get the dog interested in the toy, then throw it a 2-4 feet away.  Say “Fetch” as you throw the toy in a very energetic, excited voice.  When the dog reaches the toy, praise if he touches it with his mouth.  Encourage the dog to pick up the toy.  When he does, say your “Good!”  Use Come when Called to encourage the dog to return to you with the toy.  If the dog drops the toy along the way, give your “Uh-oh,” return to the toy and encourage the dog to pick it up again.  When the dog returns with the toy, DO NOT REACH OUT TO GRAB IT.  The dog must learn to bring it to you.  Once the dog is within one foot of you, grab the toy and encourage the dog to drop using your “Drop It” command.  When he does, give your “Good!”  Have the dog Sit.  Good!  Wait a few second; use the toy to practice “Look.”  Once the dog looks in your eyes, throw the toy and say “Fetch.”

Trainer Tip Video: Having your dog Off Leash

Today's Trainer Tip:
Having your dog Off Leash.

Trainer Tip Video: Adventures near home

Today's Trainer Tip:
find an adventure near home...

A whole new video world...

I have officially decided to start doing more videos with Such Good Dogs.  
Working several jobs has made it difficult for me to make videos on a regular basis in the past.  After a great talk with my husband, we have decided it is time to start having some fun.

I will be doing videos as close to daily as possible.  The goal is to give out little bits of dog training knowledge each day while also showing you some of the fun we are having on Maui on a regular basis.

I absolutely love my dogs.  Walking my dogs every morning is my favorite part of the day.  Many of my videos will include my own dogs, but we will also be filming with all kinds of other dogs as well.  If you have any ideas or things you would like to see covered in one of these videos, please let us know.

Visit our Such Good Dogs Facebook and like our Page.

Remembering Nekita

When a family pet passes away, it is important to do some things for yourself to help remember and honor them.  When I had to say Goodbye to Nekita, it was the most difficult time of my life.  It has now been almost a month, and I am finally getting to the point where I am not continually filled with sorrow.  It is important to find ways to help yourself heal after such a loss.  

For me, I have chosen to remember Nekita by getting her portrait tattooed on my arm.  Furthermore, her paw print will remain part of my Such Good Dogs logo, and her picture will remain on our Such Good Dogs car, even when we re-do it.

We also finally received her ashes back last week.  We took the other two dogs hiking in one of Nekita's favorite spots and spread her ashes from the rocks into the ocean.  It was hard and sad and I cried, but it was also very helpful to get a little bit of closure.  Nekita's favorite thing was the ocean, and it brings me comfort and joy knowing that she will forever be part of the ocean.

The spot where we spread Nekita's ashes at sunset.

Nekita's is the middle paw print in my Such Good Dogs logo.

Such Good Dogs car.

Nekita & Caravaggio with the car after a hike.

Nekita memorial tattoo by Monica Painter.

The picture the tattoo portrait was based off.

This is also the picture of Nekita currently on the SGDs car.

Devo, Nekita, & Caravaggio at Kapalua Bay (not long before she passed).

Athena with Nekita, Devo, & Caravaggio.

Trainer Tips--Dog Care Essentials

Dog Care Essentials

1.  Identify your dog

External Identification:  Be sure to place an ID tag on your dog's collar that includes your dog's name and phone number.  It is often helpful to add your address and/or other household member's phone numbers as well.  This is the easiest way to quickly identify your pet.  

Microchip Identification:  Take the extra step and have your dog microchipped by your vet.  Many shelters and human societies will automatically do this before adoption or when you spay/neuter your pet.  Take advantage of this.  The microchip is an extra easy way to identify your pet when lost.  Although only a professional with the proper equipment will be able to scan your pet's chip, its a great way to be sure your pup comes back to you if they are turned into animal control or your local shelter.

2.  Follow your local dog licensing laws

Check with your local humane society or shelter for information on how to license your pet.  This is required by law.  Don't worry though, it's usually not that expensive.

3.  When you are out, keep your dog on leash

Respect your community and the people around you by keeping your dog on-leash when not in your own yard.  Not only will this help keep your dog safe, but your neighbors will appreciate you controlling your dog.

4.  Take your dog to the Vet for regular check-ups

This is SO important.  Many people don't realize the many vaccinations your dog should receive, not to mention monthly things such as Heartworm pills and flea prevention.  Regular vet trips will keep your dog in top health and actually save you money down the line.

Read about Monthly Reminders and giving a self Dog Exam.

5.  Spay or neuter your dog

I can not stress this enough!  Please, please, PLEASE spay or neuter your pet!  The pet over-population problem across the United States grows worse each year.  On average, there are around 1-2 million dogs that are euthanized each year.  By spaying or neutering your pet, you are doing your part to help control the pet population by not adding to the problem.  Your local shelter may offer Spay/Neuter clinics at low or no-cost to the owner. Maui Humane Society has such offers several times each year. 

Read Why Spay or Neuter your pet

6.  Feed your dog a quality food

Many owners try and save money by feeding cheap foods that seem "okay" for their dog.  This is a mistake.  Many times feeding poor-quality pet food can actually cause your dog to have problems, forcing owners to take them to the vet and pay costly vet bills.  By feeding a good quality food, your pet will be healthy and happy and live a much longer life loving you.

Read How to Pick a Dog Food.

7.  Enroll your dog in training

Positive reinforcement training will allow you to train your pal in a way that is pleasant for both owner and pet.  Training will also help you maintain balance, set proper rules and boundaries for your pet, and build an even stronger bond.  I can stress enough how important it is to train your dog!

Read about Proper Leadership.

Read Training Terms Help.

8.  Give your dog BOTH physical exercise AND mental activity

Although giving your dog plenty of regular daily physical exercise is very important, mental activity is equally if not more important for your dog.  Again, TRAIN your dog!  Engaging your dog in activities that make him use his brain will not help give your dog structure, but help wear them out as well.  Remember the old saying, "A tired dog is a happy dog."  This is still true, but make sure he's both physically AND mentally satisfied.

9.  Be patient

I can not stress this point enough.  The best thing you can bring to train your dog is a LOT of patience.  Training takes time and dog's feed off our emotions.  It is important to be calm but firm when training your dog.  When you get frustrated, take a deep breath, relax, and then try again.  Or come back to the training after you have had time to calm down.

10. Properly Socialize your dog

Proper socialization can be tricky.  Properly socializing your dog is very important, but many people do not understand what that actually means.  Proper socialization is not only exposing your dog to as many situations, people, and other dogs as possible, but more importantly, making all of these experiences positive ones so that your dog becomes comfortable no matter what happens.

Also see a VIDEO of some dog socialization (and more information).

Read:  Trainer Tips--What your dog really wants to do.

VIDEO: Impulse Control

Impulse Control:

Teaching a dog how to control his natural impulses can be very helpful in our everyday lives.  Controlling your dog’s impulses can help keep him safe.  For example, you do not want your dog to run out into the road after a rabbit or squirrel and get hit by a car.  This is pre-training for teaching the Leave-It command.

In this exercise, we ultimately want the dog to look back to us for guidance when he is unable to get to the treat.  We are looking for the dog to control his impulse to snatch something off the ground.

To begin, hold the dog’s leash short and toss a treat just out of the dog’s reach.  Make sure the dog sees you do this.  The dog will tug and pull and possible claw trying to get to the treat.  When the dog looks away from the treat, mark the behavior with your Marker Word, "Good!," and reward the dog with a different treat (from your hand).  Pick up the treat you tossed, and start again.  The goal is first to get the dog to look away from the treat, and then to look back at you.  When the dog does this, give your “Good” and reward with a different treat.  Once the dog actually turns away from the thrown treat and LOOKS at you, give a very happy “Good!” with extra treats and praise.

VIDEO: Teaching a "Look/ Watch Me" to your dog

Below is a video taken from this month's Basic Manners--Level One Class.  In this video, Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainer, Athena Angelic, explains and demonstrates how to begin teaching this Cue/Command to your dog.  We have also attached the notes for training for reference.

Look / Watch Me:

We want a dog who looks to us for direction and permission.  Having a dog that is well focused on the owner will give you control over many situations.  This is the exercise you will practice when your dog becomes distracted during training.  This is meant to help focus (or re-focus) the dog back to the owner.

To do this, we place the treat directly in the dog’s nose then raise it straight up next to our eye, while standing back up.  As you raise your hand give your command word, “Look.”  Eventually we want the dog to look directly in our eyes, but to begin with, it they look anywhere in the general area of your head, say your “Good” (Reward Marker) and give the treat.

If your dog remains in position but is not looking at you, do NOT repeat your arm movements or verbal command.  Instead, hold the treat in position next to your eye while looking at the dog and WAIT.  You will wait 30 seconds to a minute.  If the dog still has not looked, give your No Reward Marker or “Uh-oh,” move positions, take a breath, and then try again.

Marker Word:

Use your chosen marker word:  “Good” or “Yes” (or the Clicker).

This is the word (or sound) that says to a dog, “Yes! That is exactly what I wanted you to do!” and is then followed with a reward.

No Reward Marker:

This is what we do when the dog does not do what we are looking for.  Try using an “Uh-oh” or “Eh-eh.”  This will let the dog know that the behavior just performed is not what we wanted, while still encouraging the dog to continue to try.  After using the NRM, physically move places (both you and the dog should move) to help “re-set” the training, then try again.  Never repeat a command more than once.

VIDEO: Teach your dog to Play Dead

VIDEO:  Teach your dog to Play Dead.

VIDEO: Teaching the "Leave It" Cue--Step One

Here is our new video...How to start teaching your dog the "Leave It" Command.

This video is the beginning to teaching this cue.  Stay tuned for more videos.