Puppy Party: SGDs socialization

Video of the Day:
Puppy Party at Lucy's house.

Join SGDs Caravaggio & Devo, and their friends Lucy, Nalu, & Moana.
They are having a lot of fun today.



Related Blog Articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
Proper Dog Socialization

Riley plays with tree park: Video of the Day

Video of the Day:
Riley plays with tree bark.

Join SGDs friend Riley at Flemmings Beach Park in Kapalua.  He has found a fantastic piece of a tree to rip apart and have fun with.

Video of the Day: Socialization with Ripley

Video of the Day:
Socialization with Ripley

Featuring Caravaggio, Devo, Riley, & Moana.


Ripley is about 8 months old and has poor social skills.  Her family came to Such Good Dogs for help.  Today is the second time we have done some socialization with Ripley.  But today we brought a few extra friends along to help.  Ripley lunges and barks at people and other dogs.  We are teaching her how to react to new things in a better way.  It is important to mark when your dog is behaving in a positive way.  This will communicate to your dog that you like this behavior, and encourage them to act the same way in future situations.

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

This means the more experiences your dog has in a good, positive way, they less they will react to things that are unfamiliar with them.  All of these experiences should be introduced at a pace the dog is comfortable with.  Do not force a scared dog, let him take his time and become comfortable with the situation at his own pace.  A dog (and especially a puppy) should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization.
Another way of thinking about proper socialization is to literally desensitize your dog to regular sounds and occurrences.  Things like cars, skate boards, and bikes.  Also people who are different:  short, tall, wearing a hat or glasses, etc.
Improperly socialized dogs tend to be over-reactive or shy.  They withdraw from people and sometimes flinch or freeze.  Many improperly socialized dogs suffer from anxiety.  Poor socialization can also lead to aggression. 

Related Blog Articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
Proper Socialization

Video of the Day: Socialization with Olivia Day 3: Puppy Party

Today's Video:
Socialization with Olivia Day 3:  Puppy Party.

Olivia has been working with Such Good Dogs and getting some much needed socialization around other dogs.  She is doing very well.  Although she is still a little unsure around new dogs, she is much more calm and does not react nearly as strongly as she first did.  I am very happy with her progress.

Today we have a full pack including my dogs Caravaggio & Devo, and our friends Nalu, Moana, and Phinney.

Socialization

This term tends to be thrown in your face a lot if you're a dog owner.  Everyone from breeders, rescue personnel, and veterinarians will tell you to socialize your dog.  This is very true, proper socialization is vitally important to raising a well balanced, well mannered dog.  The problem is that many people are confused by the term. 

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

This means the more experiences your dog has in a good, positive way, they less they will react to things that are unfamiliar with them.  All of these experiences should be introduced at a pace the dog is comfortable with.  Do not force a scared dog, let him take his time and become comfortable with the situation at his own pace.  A dog (and especially a puppy) should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization.
Another way of thinking about proper socialization is to literally desensitize your dog to regular sounds and occurrences.  Things like cars, skate boards, and bikes.  Also people who are different:  short, tall, wearing a hat or glasses, etc.
Improperly socialized dogs tend to be over-reactive or shy.  They withdraw from people and sometimes flinch or freeze.  Many improperly socialized dogs suffer from anxiety.  Poor socialization can also lead to aggression. 


Related Blog Articles:
Video of the Day:  Socialization with Olivia (first day).
Video of the Day:  Socialization with Olivia Day Two.
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization.
Proper Socialization.
Socialization.
Adding a second dog to your pack.
Introducing your dog to the cat.

Video of the Day: Socialization with Olivia

Video of the Day:  
Socialization with Olivia.


Olivia is a small Yorkie mix that tends to bark and lunge at other dogs.  Her owner came to Such Good Dogs to help socialize her.  After the initial appointment, we set up a some socialization.  I always start by using my own dogs.  I use them often in training and socialization.  They have been trained how to react, or not react, when other dogs present bad behaviors to them.  They are excellent for some beginning socialization.  Once I see how the client's dog reacts to my dogs, I know whether or not they are ready to socialize with other dogs.

Olivia reacted strongly at first, barking and lunging, as she has done for some time.  But was able to calm down quickly around my dogs and under my supervision.  Olivia ended the lesson in a very calm and happy manner.  She did very well.

Socialization

This term tends to be thrown in your face a lot if you're a dog owner.  Everyone from breeders, rescue personnel, and veterinarians will tell you to socialize your dog.  This is very true, proper socialization is vitally important to raising a well balanced, well mannered dog.  The problem is that many people are confused by the term. 


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


This means the more experiences your dog has in a good, positive way, they less they will react to things that are unfamiliar with them.  All of these experiences should be introduced at a pace the dog is comfortable with.  Do not force a scared dog, let him take his time and become comfortable with the situation at his own pace.  A dog (and especially a puppy) should always appear happy and relaxed during socialization.
Another way of thinking about proper socialization is to literally desensitize your dog to regular sounds and occurrences.  Things like cars, skate boards, and bikes.  Also people who are different:  short, tall, wearing a hat or glasses, etc.
Improperly socialized dogs tend to be over-reactive or shy.  They withdraw from people and sometimes flinch or freeze.  Many improperly socialized dogs suffer from anxiety.  Poor socialization can also lead to aggression. 

Related Blog Articles:

Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
Wilma Cat
Pack Walk
Trainer Tips:  Dog Friends
Island Dogs
Dog Parks
Caravaggio Loves Cats
Trainer Tips:  Island Dogs & Socialization
Adding a second dog to your pack
Introducing your dog to the cat

Video of the Day: Min Pin attacks Great Dane

Just a little fun flash back of our Miniature Pinscher mix, Devo, attacking his brother, Caravaggio the Great Dane mix.  Just having some fun.

Related Blog Articles:
Trainer Tip Video:  Socialization
Proper Dog Socialization
Dog Friends
Dog Parks

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: 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: 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.