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Why dogs listen in the sport of agility

by | Dog Behavior, Dog Training Tips

 

Sometimes your dog can be so frustrating! You’ve trained them to come when called or to walk next to you nicely on leash, but now… they won’t do it!

Is your dog “blowing you off”? Is it just that they won’t LISTEN!?

No. Dog’s don’t blow you off and they are always listening – really.

It could just be a simple step in your training that is missing. Sometimes you need to break a step down even more than you would ever think to get the results you want. 

This morning, I came to this realization with a skill that I need when I run my dog on the agility course. A simple – seemingly simple – skill but very very powerful. And I NEED it!

So watch this video and learn how forgetting to break down a skill to the smallest pieces might be holding you back and get some better results with your dog.

Then comment below and let me know if it’s a revelation for you too!

Mind your own business!

by | Dog Behavior, Dog Training Tips

 

You have more power than you realize. In the case of your dog, you need to mind your own business before you can hope to have a dog that listens…

…because what is your dog listening to anyway?

The state of your mind affects how you feel and your dog picks up on that feeling. ​Your body language and chemistry are totally different when you are stressed or sad or excited or joyful. The changes can be subtle.

But your dog doesn’t necessarily know WHY you are feeling that way. They guess based on past experience and their own feeling and reactions.

That lack of clarity can cause your dog to become excited, happy, confused, concerned, fearful, anxious or a host of other emotions. How your dog reads a situation can affect whether or not they can listen to what you are saying or listen appropriately. They may become completely distracted by their own emotions in reaction to yours.

Think about how you can tell as soon as you walk into a room, whether or not you are welcome. Likewise. your dog can tell how you feel.

Visit this thought in your mind for a minute… close your eyes and imagine you are late walking into a conference room and everyone is looking at you! Those in the conference room may be annoyed because you are late or thrilled to see you because they were worried about you. Can you tell? Do you feel welcome? You can usually sense the energy in the room instantly. Can how you feel affect what gets accomplished at the meeting?

Now, imagine you are a substitute teacher walking into a math class with a group of rowdy teenage kids on a beautiful Spring day. What’s the mood of that room? What if they look at you like fresh meat?! LOL Or what if they don’t look at you… at all? How do you feel? What is the energy in that room and can you follow through on your plans for the day?

You don’t necessarily pick up on every eye squint, posture change or smirk but overall, you have a sense of the energy and it can affect you.

Your dog senses your energy and mood in the same way. Maybe even more so. The longer you live with your dog, the more in sync you can get and your dog learns when to be more cautious or sometimes when to “ignore” your mood. Just make no mistake… your dog feeds off of your energy and bad energy makes it harder to focus, listen and learn.

Watch the video above and then try this exercise: 

  1. Think about something that annoys you or upsets you, like the upcoming election or some one you are struggling with at work and then train your dog a simple skill. Watch their body language and be aware of yourself too.
  2. Then later, try it again, only this time, first think about things you love or are looking forward to like a vacation or your favorite meal or even put on an upbeat song that you just love and makes you want to smile… and then train your dog the same skill in the same place in the same way.

Do you see a difference in yourself? In your dog?

Watch the video and let me know how the exercise goes for youin the comments below.

Make waiting the hardest part

by | General, Puppies

Four years ago in November, I was sitting with a huge phone book size catalog on my lap in a folding chair. It was a hot, dusty day at the large State Fair arena in Tennessee watching the Australian Shepherd National Specialty Show.

With dirt on the pages, my pencil scratched as I took notes on breed lines, breeders and rescues, carefully watching the dogs in the ring. In between, I talked to owners.

I knew I wanted a puppy that minute and couldn’t wait to hold one in my arms, snuggle and begin our life together, but I also knew I needed to do my homework… especially since I wanted another Aussie. Loving this breed is my “poison”… haha! I used to say to myself, “WHY!? WHY do you have to love this difficult breed!?”

Still… it was SO hard to wait! Can you relate?

But it is so important that you get the right dog for you and that you are the right person for the dog. You’ll hopefully have many years together so get started out right.

Watch this video before you choose your puppy or dog

Get the checklist here

Leave me a comment below and let me know what breed or rescue you are considering.

The Best Christmas Puppy Surprise!

by | General, Puppies

Look on youtube and you’ll find tons of videos showing children and adults opening the huge box with the puppy inside! There are screams and laughter and tears all around and it’s SO EXCITING!!!

…BUT they don’t show you what happens later that day or the next day or the next when the puppy is peeing on things, biting or even growling because it’s become terrified.

Now that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t give a puppy as a big gift. You can.

Just do it right so your child, parent or significant other AND the puppy get off to the best start possible and avoid causing any trauma.

First, make sure a dog is really going to be welcome and planned for in your home. Do you know what characteristics are important to you when choosing a dog? Do you have the time and energy that a puppy needs? Do you have experience raising or owning a dog?

A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that a puppy can make a good idea for a gift…

…IF your loved one would have gotten the puppy anyway…

…AND if you give the puppy in the right way.

So if you think you might go for a puppy as a gift, watch the video below and watch for more videos coming up to help you choose that puppy or dog and for more specifics on what you need to have ready.

Watch the video here

Leave me a comment below if you think you’ll be getting a puppy at holiday time or if you know someone who might do it.