Recently I wrote about training your pup to ‘sit’ as the default command for everything…jumping up, going through a door, waiting for dinner, putting on and taking off collar… in short, everything. I also mentioned then about the three elements of training being: 1. duration, 2. distance 3. distraction. Later I posted Ian Dunbar’s ‘distance sit’ videos which I think illustrate the concept so much better than words ever could. [...] Read more »
Drop That!
Leave it! Gimme that! No! “Oh You…!” Get down! Supposing I were to tell you that the simple task of training your puppy to do all of the above could be accomplished by training him to understand that the word ’off’ means all of those things? Would that save you frustration and stop your yelling at the small creature who doesn’t speak English? OK, then. Let’s train your [...] Read more »
Zack’s Buccaneer
My daughter, Lisa , wrote this story about her dog, Buck. Enjoy! “Just one?” How could we choose just one of the eleven brand-new yellow Lab puppies? But choose we did, Zack’s Buccaneer – Buck or Bucky Boy for short. While he grew and learned with his littermates and his mom, Honey, we visited and after what seemed like a very long time, we were able to take [...] Read more »
When is Puppy Training Finished? Are We Done Yet?
The big world beckons. Are you and Bozo ready? His immunity is building, his people socialization is excellent, and his dog-to-dog socialization is up to par now that he’s in puppy class. Your wee, wiggly, sweet-smelling puppy is growing up. Doghood is just over the bridge of adolescence. Just as with humans, adolescence is a time of heightened interest in his own kind, a time to focus on what it [...] Read more »
Choosing a Puppy Class.. Learning to be Dog/Dog Friendly
“But I’ve potty trained Bozo, taught him to ’sit’, ’down’, ‘come’ AND I’ve had people over to meet him. Now you want me to take him to class?” That’s right. I do. If indeed, you have done all those things, good on ya! All that, though, has been done in isolation because Bozo’s immunization protection was insufficient to expose him to other dogs and public places. Now that he’s three [...] Read more »
Fun & Games…How to Make Learning Easier
It’s all fun and games, isn’t it? I mean, really, isn’t learning easier when you’re having fun? Every time you play with your dog, there’s an opportunity to teach him something new or reinforce something he already knows. Play, I believe, is essential to the bonding process. Bonding is essential to the training process… besides, if there’s no bond between you, why do you have a dog? “Bozo, ‘fetch’; Bozo, [...] Read more »
Training Your Puppy To Walk On A Leash
Without a doubt, the easiest way to have your puppy walk calmly on leash is to play ‘follow me’ off leash. How to do that? Move away from him and keep moving. It is not possible to follow a stationary object. If Bozo doesn’t follow fast enough, move faster. If his attention is diverted, clap your hands, say something like, “come along” and move quickly in another direction. If he [...] Read more »