BML2--Class #6

To improve all Cues:  we will apply a Reward Grading Scale.  

This means that you must know what your dog likes best.  For this scale, we will reward with a low level treat for an okay performance of a command.  As the dog improves on each command, the training grade is higher, and therefore the reward should be greater.  A Jackpot Reward means giving the dog several treats quickly after performing a behavior exceptionally well.

Fetch:

Practice and improve on your game of fetch.

Rules of Fetch:

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

Drop It/ Give:

Practice Drop It and/or Give with your dog.

Once the dog has the toy and is engaged with it, present a treat or reward of equal or higher value than the toy, as the dog drops the toy, say “Drop.”  It is very important to give the reward to the dog AT THE SAME TIME as you pick up the dropped toy.

Take it:

To practice, start with food the dog likes, present the food and say “Take It.”  

Move up to using items to practice.

Heel:

Start with the Basic Heel position, the Stationary Heel.

Use your left hand to food lure the dog into the Heel position at your left side.  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:

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 Sit.

—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.  

Greeting a Stranger while walking in Heel:

You and your dog will walk up to another person with their dog.  To start, the dogs will be on the outside.  Begin walking in Heel towards each other; when you meet in the middle you will both stop, have your dogs sit, and then the humans will say hello.  Then you will give your “Let’s Go,” and continue walking in the Heel position.

Come When Called, adding Distance & Distractions:

Practice Come When Called with various distances & distractions.

The Steps:

1. Say the dog’s name and Come, one time only.
2. Have a party.
3. Lure (or gently lead) the dog back to you.

Stay, adding Distance & Distractions:
Practice Stay with various distances & distractions.  Stay means to a dog, wait here until I come back to you to release you.  Stay always means you are coming back to the dog to release him. 

Wait, with Recall & Long Line Leash:

This is similar to the Stay command, but different.  Wait means to a dog, stay here until I give you something else to do.  Wait is usually followed by a Come command.

Practice Wait with Recall and Wait with a Long Line Leash.

*Always remember to use positive reinforcement training methods, combined with energy balance.  Dogs want to please and are capable of learning almost anything you might want to teach.  Be patient and consistent with your dog.

BML2--Class #4

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.  

Wait with Recall:

This is similar to the Stay command, but different.  Stay means to a dog, wait here until I come back to you to release you.  Stay always means you are coming back to the dog to release him.  Wait means to a dog, stay here until I give you something else to do.  Wait is usually followed by a Come command.

We will start similar to the Stay Cue.  Start in front of the dog, give your command, “Wait” (while giving the Stay hand signal), slowly back up a few steps while putting your hand down.  Turn to face the dog.  If the dog has stayed in place, say your Good, and call the dog to Come.  Reward and praise lavishly when the dog reaches you.

Wait with a Long Line Leash:

For this we will walk with our dog on the long line leash.  Allow the dog to wonder around ahead of you a little ways.  Once the dog is about 10 feet in front of you, give your “Wait” command while stepping on the leash at the same time.  This will force the dog to stop moving forward.  Walk up the leash until you reach the dog.  Give the dog their “Good” then “Let’s Go” and continue walking.

Come When Called:

Practice Come When Called with various distances and distractions.

You may also do this by playing Puppy Ping Pong game.

The Steps:

1. Say the dog’s name and Come, one time only.
2. Have a party.
3. Lure (or gently lead) the dog back to you.

Drop It/ Give:

Practice Drop It and/or Give with your dog.

Once the dog has the toy and is engaged with it, present a treat or reward of equal or higher value than the toy, as the dog drops the toy, say “Drop.”  It is very important to give the reward to the dog AT THE SAME TIME as you pick up the dropped toy.

Take it:

Some dogs are not prone to putting their mouths on items and must be encouraged to do so using the Take It command.  To practice, start with food the dog likes, present the food and say “Take It.”  Move up to using items to practice.

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.”

BML1--Class #6

Dogs from L to R:  Hope, Koa, Boone, Maybe, Devo, & Ogi.

Basic Manners Level One:

Positive Reinforcement Training

Energy Balance

Marker Word

No Reward Marker

Food Lure

Look/ Watch Me, Basic & the T position

Come when Called, 3 Steps & 3 Rules

Loose Leash Walking

Sit & Auto-Sit

Down

Up/ Stand

(Hand Signals)

Stay with Release Cue

Impulse Control

Leave It

Drop It

Class #6 of Basic Manners Level One is a review of all things learned.  We go over each cue and play different games to improve on each command.  At the end of class #6, each participant is given a certificate of completion.  Below are some pictures of the dogs working on "Stay."

Maybe.

Devo.

Boone.

Ogi.

REMEMBER to Keep Training Going:

Proper Exercise:  Every dog should be walked every day!

Good Relationship with the owner:  When you get frustrated, remember why you got your dog, he’s your buddy, he’s your pal.  Don’t take set-back’s personal.

Socialization:  It is very important to have a dog that is comfortable in as many different situations as possible.  Take your dog everywhere you can, but proceed at your dog’s pace.

Consistency:  Everyone in the household should have all the same rules, all the same cue words and commands, ALL THE TIME!

Generalizing:  Dogs do not generalize well.  It is important to practice everything you learn, everywhere you go.

Training Sessions:  Keep them short and sweet.  3-5 minutes a few times a day.

BML1--Class #5

Basic Manners -- Level One, Class #5

Such Good Dogs Basic Manners Class #5

Review of what is Rewarding to Dogs:

1.  Voice

2.  Eye Contact

3.  Touch

REVIEW:

Loose Leash Walking

Look/ Watch Me, Basic and the T position

Come when Called, 3 Steps & 3 Rules

Sit & Auto-Sit, Down, and Up

Leave-It

Stay with Release Cue, working on duration (building up time)

Drop It:

When teaching this cue, it is important to be aware of any possible Resource Guarding.  Dogs sometimes think they have a prize, or something they really like, and they want to keep it.  Low level resource guarding are things like lowering the head over an object or putting a paw over it.  High level resource guarding includes growling, air snapping, and biting.

Some dogs learn to guard because humans snatch things.  Never try and steal something from your dog.  Instead we must teach our dogs that all good things are provided by us.  We can trade whatever object they have for something of equal or higher value.

To teach the Drop It Cue:  First give the dog something he likes, such as a toy.  To begin, the dog must have an item in his mouth.  Once the dog is interested in the toy and has it in his mouth, present an item of higher value (treat) directly in front of the dog’s nose.  The dog will drop the toy to get the higher value item or treat.  As the dog drops the toy, say “Drop.”  As you are feeding the dog his reward, remove the toy with your foot at the same time.  Do not allow your dog to snatch the treat then snatch the toy back up.

REMEMBER to Keep Training Going:

Proper Exercise:  Every dog should be walked every day!

Good Relationship with the owner:  When you get frustrated, remember why you got your dog, he’s your buddy, he’s your pal.  Don’t take set-back’s personal.

Socialization:  It is very important to have a dog that is comfortable in as many different situations as possible.  Take your dog everywhere you can, but proceed at your dog’s pace.

Consistency:  Everyone in the household should have all the same rules, all the same cue words and commands, ALL THE TIME!

Generalizing:  Dogs do not generalize well.  It is important to practice everything you learn, everywhere you go.

Training Sessions:  Keep them short and sweet.  3-5 minutes a few times a day.

Dog Training Class--Level Two

 

Basic Manners Level 2 class. 
Classes will be held outdoors in Lahaina and other West Side locations.
This class will be held Saturdays from 5:00-6:00p.m.  (October 4th -- November 8th)



The cost for this class is $150 CASH. (Discounts will be given to multiple dogs). Please bring your payment with you the first day of class, along with your pet's vet records. I do not need to keep any vet records, but I DO need to see them. Your pet should be up to date on all shots including Parvo, Distemper, and Rabies (if your pet is from outside of Hawaii). These vaccinations are required prior to beginning training. Bordatella vaccination, or Kennel Cough, is recommended but not required.

Basic Manners Level 2...
Starting in mid to late August (TBA)
In this class we will review the Basic Manners and improve on them.  This is a 6-week, one hour per week class. 

Week One:

Paper work.  Review of all Basic Manners, body rewards, leadership, motivation, positive reinforcement, and energy balance.

--Basic Manners:  Loose Leash Walking, Look, Come when Called, Sit, Down, Stand, Stay, Drop It, and Leave It.

Week 2:

Heel.  Moving Heel.  Reward Grading Scale.  Come when Called with Distance and Distractions.  Practice Look, Sit, Down, and Stand.  Practice Stay with Duration (time).

Week 3:

Heel.  Moving Heel.  Adding Distractions to Heel.  Greeting a stranger while walking in Heel.  Adding Distance and Distractions to Stay.  Practice Look, Sit, Down, and Stand.  Practice Come when Called with various distances and distractions.

Week 4:

Heel.  Moving Heel.  Wait with Recall.  Wait with a long line leash.  Practice Come when Called with various distances and distractions.  Drop It and Give.  Take it.  Fetch.

Week 5:

Adventure pack hike.  Practice Wait with a long line leash.  Practice Look, Heel, and Loose Leash Walking.  Socialization.

Week 6:

Review of all things learned.  Games.

ANY dog breed of ANY age is welcome (and encouraged) to take these classes.

Please contact Such Good Dogs to sign up:
suchgooddogs@gmail.com
808-463-4684

Check out Such Good Dogs at:
SuchGoodDogs.com
Like Such Good Dogs on Facebook!

Athena Angelic is an Animal Behavior Certified Dog Trainer. Athena is certified in Pet First Aid & CPR through the American Red Cross, is a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, and a Certified Mentor Trainer with Animal Behavior College.

Such Good Dogs offers group classes, private lessons, adventures, dog socialization, dog bootcamp, and in-home boarding.

Basic Manners Review

SGDs has two new dog training classes coming up soon.  First is our Basic Manners Level One dog training class.  Below is a review of this class for anyone thinking about attending.  This review is also a check list of the things your dog should be familiar with before taking SGDs Level Two class.  This is a list for review.  If you are unfamiliar with these Basic Commands, please look in our blog for previous, detailed explanations.

Basic Manners Review

3 Things on your body that are Rewarding to Dogs:

1. Voice
2. Eye Contact
3. Touch

Anytime you engage your dog in one of these things, you are basically rewarding whatever behavior they are doing at that time.  This is important to keep in mind so we do not unintentionally reward bad behaviors.
You must catch a bad behavior within 2 seconds to change the behavior.

Marker Word:  “Good” or “Yes” or the clicker
This is what we say to mark the behavior we wanted.  Saying this is telling the dog, “that was exactly what I was looking for!”  The more you mark good behavior in a positive way, the more your dog will want to engage in good behavior.  

No Reward Marker:  “uh-oh” or “eh-eh”
This is to let the dog know that this is not what I was looking for you to do now.  We want to mark the behavior as not what we wanted, but we want to do so in a way that will still encourage the dog to want to learn.  When using an “uh-oh” while training, remember to take a step away from the dog to help “re-set” the brain, then try again.  Remember to only say cues ONE TIME, then wait 30 seconds to a minute before giving your “uh-oh” (give the dog a chance to make the right decision).

Basic Manners Training Review:

Look/ Watch Me:
We practice this command because we want a dog who looks to us for permission and direction.  Practice this cue both the simple way (directly from the dog’s nose up to your eye), and with the T position (start the same, then when the treat comes to your eye, move both arms out into a T position).

Come When Called:
The Rules:

1. Safety first.  Always have a leash or be in an enclosed area.
2. When you say come, you have to see it happen.
3. NEVER punish a dog for coming to you.

The Steps:

1. Say the dog’s name and Come, one time only.
2. Have a party.
3. Lure (or gently lead) the dog back to you.

Loose Leash Walking:
When your dog pulls on the leash, you have two options…
1.  Stop and wait for the dog to move in a way that releases the tension of the leash.
2.  Say “let’s go” and go off promptly in the opposite direction.

Leave-It:
This should mean to a dog, turn away from that, don’t pay attention to that, leave that thing alone.  Remember that whatever you are asking your dog to Leave It, he should NOT get that item at the time you are practicing the Leave-It.  Never practice Leave-It/ Take-It (this can teach a dog to leave something alone for a second, then take it anyway).  We want our dogs to know that when I say to leave something alone, you don’t touch it ever.
     Making Leave-It harder:  1. Treat in closed hand, 2. Treat in partially open hand, 
3. Treat in open hand, 4. Treat in open hand on the ground, 5. Treat on the ground.

Stay:
Means to your dog, stay in this position until I come back to release you.  This is not the same thing as Wait.  
There are 3 parts to the Stay Cue:
     1.  Duration (Time)
     2.  Distance
     3.  Distractions

Drop It/ Give:
When teaching this cue, we must be aware of possible Resource Guarding.  Remember to NEVER steal things from your dog’s mouth.  To teach Drop It/ Give:

Have the dog have a toy in his mouth that is not of super high value.  Once the dog has the toy and is engaged with it, present a treat or reward of higher value than the toy, as the dog drops the toy, say “Drop.”  It is very important to give the reward to the dog AT THE SAME TIME as you pick up the dropped toy.  Do not let your dog get into the habit of snatching the reward then snatching the toy back up.


Sit, Down, & Stand:
All these positions should already be well practiced.  Dogs should know the verbal and hand signals for each command.

(For more Help, also see Common Training Terms.)

If you are interested in signing up for one of our group classes (or any other service), 

please contact us at:  Suchgooddogs@gmail.com

Or give us a call at:  808-463-4684

Athena & Lily demonstrate "Drop It/ Give"

In this week's class the students learned how to teach their dogs the "Drop It/ Give" cue.  After explaining the concept of teaching your dog this cue, (see notes for Basic Manners Class #5), I demonstrated for the class with Lily, who did a very good job.