SGD pack

Caravaggio, Devo, & Ahsoka working on some skills at the park.

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.

Trainer Tips--What do your dogs really want to do?

As a trainer, I am familiar with all kinds of dog questions.  One of my favorites is, "what does my dog want to do?"  As in, if my dog could do anything, what would it be?

Your dog wants to run and play, but also wants to be with you.  Dogs enjoy the experience of traveling with the pack.  The best form of exercise for your dog is a well-balanced pack hike.  Notice the way I worded that sentence.  There is a very large difference between a hike where your dog runs wild, and a well-balanced/ organized hike.  You want to be organized, but not overly-so.  Basically, a dog should earn everything from you as the owner, including the right to be let off leash while on a hike.  If you do not trust your dog or cannot control your dog, they have NOT earned the right to be off leash.  In that case, your dog should be secured to a long line (a 20-30 foot leash).  Do NOT use an extend-leash.  The extend-leash always has tension on the line, and encourages the dog to pull.  While on a hike and lone line, your dog should NOT be pulling you.  The purpose of using a long line is to teach a dog how to be off-leash but stay within a certain distance of you.  If you allow your dog to pull on a long line, this lesson will never be learned.

A great pack hike is also fun (and good exercise) for the humans.  You get to see and explore some of the amazing sites Maui has to offer that are right in your backyard.

One of the amazing views from the Village Trails in Kapalua.

Athena with Toby, Nekita, & Caravaggio at Kapalua Coastal Trails.

Important things to remember when going on a pack hike...

Make them wait and calm down.

Before the dogs even get out of your car, they should be made to sit and wait.  My dogs are required to do this EVERY TIME.  The reason for this (and it's important) is because whatever the mind-set your dog is in when he is let out of the car, that is what he will take into that environment.  So if you let your dog out while they are crazy and bouncing all over the car, they will take that crazy into the outside environment.  This is a very difficult mind to control or even be heard by at all.  But, if you take the extra few minutes to make your dog sit and wait to be released until they have calmed down, they will go into the new environment much more relaxed and not be as apt to run off or offer other poor behaviors.

Make sure the pack gets along.

Go with someone (dogs) that your dog already knows and gets along with, or someone you know you can trust.  My dogs are well trained and familiar with how many dogs behave, good or bad, and know how to properly react.  I often use my own dogs to help train others.  The pack hike is one of my favorite activities to bring new dogs into, especially if they have issues dealing with other dogs or running away from the owner.  Using the Such Good Dogs pack is great because my dogs (and other dogs I have trained in the past I also use) know how the hike works and are obedient.  They will run through the field or woods or whatever, but come back to me and check in often.  They are not allowed and have learned to never wander too far away.  I will usually use a long-line (20-30 foot leash) for dogs that are new to the pack hike or particular area.  This ensures that this dog will follow the rules, because he is secured with a leash.  This keeps the new dog from straying too far from the pack.  Dogs who are off-leash have earned the right to be so.  Remember...Safety First!  If you don't trust your dog, have them secured to a long line.  If you don't trust someone else's dog, don't hike with them.


Good Exercise.
There is a difference between just plain physical exercise and mental activity.  Both of these things are very important for your dog.  Many times people like to just let their dogs run around crazy in their backyard or at the dog park.  Yes, your dog is getting some physical exercise, which is important, but they are doing so in a chaotic, undisciplined way.  It is much more important for your dog to engage in mental activity than just plain physical exercise.  Your dog will actually be more tired, and more satisfied with more mental challenges.  Furthermore, a dog who is more mentally focused is less likely to ignore their owner, and get into bad situations with other dogs.  The best way to protect your dog is to TRAIN HIM!

Below are some of the many pictures I have from various pack hikes.  You will see my dogs many times, as they are always a part of this type of dog training.

I love this picture.

Notice that the two further back are on leash,

they had not yet earned the right to be off leash.

Hiking near West Maui Kennels.

Lipoa Point.

We came across these two dogs while hiking the gulch. 

Lipoa Point.

The Village Trails.

The pond at the top of the Village Trails.

Amazing Maui and my dog(s).

One of my favorite things about some of these hikes is posing with my pack for some amazing Maui pictures.  This is a great goal for you to have and work towards.  Then you can proudly display some amazing pictures of you and your pet and show all your friends on the mainland how much fun you have together.  Below are some of my favorite amazing pictures with dogs.

Nekita at Honolua Bay.

Irie, Caravaggio, & Nekita

Beck at sunset.  Honolua Bay.

Athena with Toby at Kapalua Coastal Trail.

Athena with Nekita & Caravaggio near Honolua Bay.

I have a lot of these pictures (me and my 2 dogs).

This is my new favorite.

Pack Walk

Many times in training dogs, one of the best things you can do to help curb many behavior problems or dog issues is take your dogs on a real pack walk.  It is important to use balanced dogs to create your pack.  I am very happy to be able to use my own two dogs, Caravaggio & Nekita, in the pack walk.  They help get dogs motivated, but also help teach them manners.  Many times most dogs newly introduced into a balanced pack will automatically follow and mimic their new pack members.  Such Good Dogs recently has had several adventures at Honolua Bay, following the trails through the pineapple fields.  Caravaggio & Nekita enjoy teaching new pack members what fun it is to run through the fields, but also teach them to listen to the pack leader (myself) in common commands.  The biggest obedience cue I practice on pack walks with new dogs is "Come" when called.  Of course we always go with safety first and new dogs are placed on a long line leash so there is no chance of an accidental escape.  Using a long line is a great way to introduce your dog to a bit more freedom, but be able to still always be in control.  Using the long line is a precursor to being allowed off leash.

Below are some pictures from our many recent pack walk trips to Honolua Bay.

Toby with Caravaggio.

Chloe, Caravaggio, & Dora

Dora & Chloe became fast friends.

They are about the same size and only 6 months apart in age.

This is an excellent example of what a good pack walk looks like.

Chloe having fun with the ears up.

Caravaggio, Dora, & Chloe

Both Chloe & Dora loved following SGDs into the tall grass.

This is Lena with Caravaggio on her first pack walk.

Lena was a little nervous the first half of the walk.

You can see her nervous energy in the way she is holding herself here.

As the walk progressed Lena became more and more calm.

Dora decided Nekita was her buddy for this pack walk.

Lena's dad got to practice some basic obedience with Dora also.

Lena calmed down even more and made friends.

Dora & Lena playing.

Look at Lena's body language now...

much more relaxed.

There is even a smile on her face.

Lena & Dora taking time out to enjoy the view :)

Near the end of the walk, Lena became much more comfortable and joined the pack.

Success!!  Pack walk!

Lena finally enjoying the fields, relaxed and happy, running with the pack.