Basic Manners Class #2

Today was the second Basic Manners class, but the first class where people bring their dogs.  It's always a little bit hectic the first class with dogs, as there are many new things and distractions for the dogs.  Class seemed to go very well.  My husband came along to take some pictures.  Next week I will be focusing more on individual attention for each owner/dog team after demonstrating each new cue.

Athena taking time out for a quick photo before class starts.

Athena explaining a new cue to the class.

Athena demonstrating what we will be doing next, before demonstrating with one of the dogs.

Looking forward to next's weeks class :)

Basic Manners Class #2--Notes

Learning the "Watch Me" or "Look" Cue...

For teaching many new cues it is helpful to use a food lure.  Remember to use high value food rewards when training using food lures.  A food lure involves getting the dog to follow your hand into a desired position.  This is how we first teach many behaviors such as Sit and Down.

Using a food lure for the "Watch Me" cue is very effective.  This exercise is what you will do if your dog becomes distracted in class and unable to focus.  Place the stinky dog treat directly in front of the dogs nose, then up to your forehead.  As soon as the dog looks up at you, say your marker word (Good or Yes) and give the dog the treat.  After you have done this a few times and the dog is starting to quickly look up at you (preferably at your eyes), then you can add the verbal cue of "Watch Me" or "Look."
  Stinky treat in the dog's nose, then up to your forehead.  Dog looks, "Good!" and treat.

Teaching a dog the "Watch Me" cue is an excellent way to help build a good bond between you and your dog.  You want a dog that pays attention to you and looks to you for guidance.

Food luring a young puppy into a sit is an easy and effective way to teach this behavior.  In class I will demonstrate this technique.

When teaching new behaviors and cues it is often helpful to have both a Verbal Cue and a Hand Signal.  These basic hand signals will also be demonstrated in class.

Come when called:
The Rules:
1.  Always have a leash.
2.  When you say come, you have to see the dog come to you.
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 the dog back to you.

When teaching a dog the Come Cue for the first time we start with Step 3, luring the dog.  Put the treat in the dog's nose, say "Name, Come!," quickly back up a few steps.  When the dog follows stop, say "Good," and treat.  (Explained and demonstrated in class).

Loose-Leash Walking:
Helpful tools for teaching a dog to properly walk on a leash:  gentle leaders, easy-walk harness.
Loose Leash Walking (LLW) means the dog walks nicely, not pulling on the leash.
(Also see previous post.)

Now, loose leash walking is not the same thing as heel.  LLW means the dog is walking nicely on the leash, but in no specific place.  Heel is when a dog walks next to you, directly at your side.  Heel is a step up from LLW.  Teaching a dog heel is like going to college, but before we can go to higher education, we must first start in Kindergarden with Loose Leash Walking.

Teaching a dog to proper walk on a leash is actually quite easy, but requires a LOT of patience!  Patience is the most important tool you can bring when teaching this to your dog.

Its quite simple really.  To begin, go out for a walk using a regular 4-6 foot leash (NEVER use an extenda-leash), and a buckle color properly fitted to your dog's neck (so they cannot slip out).  As you begin your walk, as soon as your dog pulls, stop directly in your tracks.  Do not pull on the leash, just freeze yourself and wait for your dog to release the tension on the leash.  Once s/he does, mark that behavior with a "good girl," or "good boy," and continue on your walk.  When the dog pulls again, stop, wait, the dog releases the tension, "good dog."  Like I said, very simple but requires an immense amount of patience!!!

(Demonstrated in class).

Homework for week 3:

Come when called

Watch me

Loose leash walking

Trainer Tips--Good Behavior

Sometimes we get so focused on the bad things our dogs do we stop noticing the good things.  One helpful tip that I always try and focus on for all my classes...anytime your dog does what you want them to do during training, pretend its the best thing that's ever happened to you.  Sounds crazy, but its true.  The better you mark the good behaviors, the more likely the dog will engage in more good behaviors in the future.  This is especially true for any behaviors or cues that your dog has extra problems with.  For example, if your dog isn't so great at Sit, when the dog does Sit well, you should acknowledge that with a "Good Boy!  Good Girl! or Good Dog!"  Praising your dog with positive reinforcement in an upbeat, happy voice goes miles further than yelling at them when they do bad things.

Don't forget, praise, praise, praise for ALL good behaviors!!!

After the dog performs the desired behavior, treat while saying your marker word "Good/ Yes."

Lots of praise with an upbeat, happy voice.  Good girl!

Extra petting.

Extra petting and love for a job well done, especially for cues you are having trouble with.

Remember...it's the best thing that's ever happened to you :)

Basics Manners Class #1--Notes

For the first class do NOT bring your dogs.

The fist class of Basic Manners training is all about information.  A lot of things will be thrown out at you for you to absorb.  This is why taking notes is very important.

First, training class is about training the HUMAN, and teaching the human how to communicate with the dog so we can motivate the dog to work and learn.  When a dog misbehaves it is really a breakdown in communication.  Dog do what works, don't assume they know better.

We start by picking a marker word (Reward Marker) for when a dog does something you like.  Most people either use "Good" or "Yes."  It does not matter what your word is, as long as you always use the same word (this is true of every cue).  Remember to keep a happy and upbeat voice when saying "Good."  Do not have any anger or frustration.  If you feel angry or frustrated, you should put training on hold until you can calm down and try again.

Basic Manners class is Kindergarden.  We start at the bottom level when we begin teaching.  You can not go to college without first passing through Kindergarden.  Remember to move training at the dog's pace, not your own.  Keep calm and do not do repetitions too many times.  It's better to quit while you're ahead, than to push the training further than the dog is ready for.  The dog will lose interest and stop learning.

To begin training you first need to know what motivates your dog.  Humans need motivation, so do dogs.  Would you go to work every day if they didn't pay you?  Many dogs are highly motivated by food, but not all of them are.  Some dogs are more motivated by toys or petting.  You need to figure out your dogs order of rewards.
What are your dog's "Like its?"
What is your dog's "Love its?"
What is your dog's "Gotta Have It?"
If your dog is motivated by food, hooray!, your training will go a bit easier.  If not, you will need to adjust your rewards for training.

3 Things on our body that are rewarding to dogs:
  1.  Voice
  2.  Eye Contact
  3.  Hands/ Touch

Anytime you engage your dog in one of these things, you are rewarding them.  So try and remember not to unintentionally reward your dog for bad behavior.  For example, you don't catch the dog's paws when he jumps on you (touch); that is communicating to the dog that you want him to keep jumping up on you.

What do you do with behaviors you don't like that your dog does?
1.  Ignore
2.  Avoid
3.  Re-direct

It's important to manage your dog's behavior in-between training sessions.  You must help prevent bad behaviors from occurring.  Behaviors usually get worse before they get better.  You must catch a dog "in the act" within 2 seconds to change the behavior.

Homework for Week 2:
Choose your marker word:  "Good" or "Yes" or something else.
Go home and give your marker word, then treat your dog.  Your dog doesn't have to engage in any good behavior at this time.  We are just building a positive association between the marker word and a treat.  Using this marker word is telling the dog "yes that's exactly what I want you to do," once you begin training.  By pairing the word with a treat, we are teaching the dog the first steps for positive reinforcement training.

So, "Good," treat
Good, treat
Good, treat

Do this 5- 10 repetitions 2-3 times per day until next week's class.

Things to remember to bring to your next class (week 2)...

Notebook and pen

Poop bags

Water

2-3 cups special treats

regular buckle collar and leash (or gentle leader or easy-walk harness)

Most importantly remember to bring a good sense of humor and a lot of patience!

Red Cross Pet First Aid

Today I was very fortunate to be able to attend a Pet First Aid class given by the American Red Cross.  This class included both dog and cat first aid training.  I learned how to deal with many possible emergencies like injuries and illnesses.  Some other points of interest include:  giving dog medications, how to properly prepare for a disaster, and how to know if it's a medical emergency.  I highly recommend this short class for the anyone working in the animal industry, and even the average pet owner.  It's always good to know what to do when a loved one needs your help.  You even get a little card for your wallet signifying that you are certified in Pet First Aid by the American Red Cross.

Below is some of my friends that helped teach me how to properly do CPR on an animal and how to help a dog choking on an object.  Thanks for all your help guys!

Basic Manners Dog Training Class starting July 8th

I have a Basic Manners dog training class starting very soon.  This class is the beginner class for dogs (and their owners) who need some information and help training.  This class is great for young dogs, but good for dogs of any age.  The class runs for 6 weeks, one hour per week.  This is the last class I will be teaching in Minnesota.

I have severely discounted this class because I am currently building a new training program.  Although this class will be very organized, I will be using extra time to try new things within the class, and change a few things up.  This six-week class is only $50.

Basic Manners will help you learn how to better communicate with your dog using positive reinforcement training.  I will teach you how to motivate your dog to work for you.  You will learn what steps to take to help break bad habits.  With some hard work from you and your dog, and a LOT of patience, you may soon be hearing my favorite words..."you have SUCH GOOD DOGS."

Basic Manner Dog Training Class
Sunday evenings 6-7 p.m.
July 8 - August 12
Held at:  Veterans Memorial Park
6335 Portland Ave
Richfield MN
(Located in Richfield off of 35W and Hwy 62)
**This is an outdoor class**

Some things you will learn in this class include:  Watch me, Sit, Down, Come when called, impulse control, loose leash walking, stay, and helpful money saving tips.

To register for this class, please contact:
Athena Angelic
Email:  suchgooddogs@gmail.com
612-877-1554


Things to bring for class:
Veterinarian records of your pet's vaccinations, including:
Rabies, Distemper, & Bordatella

Pen and paper for note taking (very important!), dog water, soft stinky treats, 4-6 foot leash, regular buckle collar, and a good attitude.

Please note that you DO NOT bring your dogs to the first class.  The first class is lecture.

Twin Cities Pride Fest 2012

Once again I had the privilege to help raise some money for my favorite rescue, Midwest Animal Rescue Services, at this year's Pride Fest.  There were many booths at the event this year, and I would like to thank each and every person that stopped by the MARS booth this weekend and donated to our animals in need.  We had a very fun weekend letting people spin our prize wheel while gathering numerous donations.  We also had a fabulous raffle to win one of three gift certificates from Hot Dog Walking, or win the big prize of a Basic Manners 6 week training class from MARS.

You can still donate to MARS at any time!

Athena, Inga From, Sheila Lund

Give it a spin...see what we win!

Trainer Tips--Pulling towards an object on Leash

The best way to teach your dog to walk properly on the leash without pulling is to teach your dog Loose Leash Walking (see previous post).  Properly walking a dog on a leash means the dog does not pull you; that the leash is loose.

A helpful tip to go along with this is...never let your dog pull you over to anything.  If a dog really wants to get to this tree over here and pulls you over to the tree, you just rewarded your dog for pulling.  When meeting a new dog, do not let your dog pull you over to greet.  The owner must take leadership over the dog.  We must communicate to our dogs in a way they understand.  Letting your dog pull you over to anything is rewarding them for pulling.  Don't do it!

You can see the dog pulling to get to the tree.

Notice how tight the leash is.  You do not want this!

Random pit bull puppy

So my husband and I were outside sitting on our step with our dogs when two bike riders went whizzing by the corner.  Just behind, was a little dog trying to catch them.  I thought, "Hmm, that was a little odd."  Sure enough the bikers come back around the corner with the excited puppy following.  They asked if we knew the owners, we didn't know, but we did what we always do and took the pup in until we could find her home.

She was only with us for 2 days, but she certainly was a lot of fun.  She reminded me how cute puppies are and playful and fun.  But she also reminded me just how much work having a puppy can be!  Although we enjoyed having her, we were happy to send her back home when the time came.  Her and Caravaggio had a very good time together.  They played quite often.  The puppy did quite well on our walks and listened very nicely.  It seems her owners are doing a very good job with her.  She was very sweet and OH SO CUTE!!

Puppy & Athena

Dexter & the puppy

Puppy & Caravaggio

Puppy learning/playing fetch.

Puppy & Nekita

Breed of the Month--Whippet

Whippet


Color:  Any
Height:  Males:  18.5-22 inches/  Females:  17-21 inches
Weight:  25-40 lbs
Life Span:  13-15 years


Breed Health Concerns:  Eye problems.


Coat:  Close, short, from, smooth
Country of Origin:  Great Britain

Visit the American Kennel Club for breed standards and more informations.

The Whippet, capable of speeds up to 35 miles per hour, is the fastest domesticated animal (by size).  A miniature version of the Greyhound, the Whippet was developed in the 1800s.  The Whippet is known as the "poor man's racehorse."

Intensely focused while running, the Whippet is an adaptable breed that is easygoing, affectionate and gentle.  Generally all-around friendly, the Whippet is still very attached to his family and does well with other dogs and children.  The Whippet is a sighthound and should be kept in an enclosed space or on lead so he does not take off after anything.

Exercise:
A good daily walk will give the Whippet sufficient exercise.  It would be wise to have an area where the Whippet can run with some bursts of speed in a secure area.

Grooming:
Whippets are naturally fairly neat and clean.  The occasional hound glove and brushing is sufficient.

Training:
The Whippet is a sensitive breed and should be trained with positive reinforcement.  He is not a super fast learner, but is intelligent and enjoys engaging in fun training sessions.  Socialization is important for this breed.