Start your puppy swimming
Many dogs are afraid of pools, perhaps because they are unable to gauge the depth of the water. People enter pools by navigating steps or diving, and neither approach is canine friendly. Following are suggestions for introducing your puppy to pools: 1. Choose a pool that features a wading area or beach front ramp entrance.…
Read MoreIntroduce your puppy to horses
When introducing your puppy to horses, be mindful of the following: 1. Puppies have fear periods. During these developmental stages (8-9 weeks, 6-9 months), it is wise to avoid traumatic experiences and capitalize on neutral or confidence-building ones. 2. Individual puppies react differently to new challenges. Some puppies will shrink back from novelty; others will…
Read MoreEstablish structure in the home
If your dog is behaving in ways you don’t like at home, establish structure there. A few trained behaviors will help make home life feel less chaotic. 1. Wait at the Door (people cross thresholds first for safety) 2. Leave It 3. Off (get off beds and furniture when requested) 4. Say Please – Sit…
Read MoreGolf Cart Ride with Sophie
Aussie mix and Certified Equine Safe Sophie takes a golf cart ride with Ben that includes a duration Stay while Charlie walks around her and a neighbor’s dog barks in the distance. She comes out of the cart on command, offers a nice front, and then loads on command. In some areas of the Village…
Read MoreFirst lesson with Dotie
First session with deaf puppy Dotie with a vibrating collar, which we use initially to get the puppy to make eye contact with us, and later as a cue for her to come find us. The sequence Walt refers to is, “Toggle (press the button on the collar), Thumbs Up (our signal for “Yes”), Treat.”…
Read MoreSadie meets a horse
Sadie, a 12-week-old female Blue Heeler puppy, meets Uno, an 11-year-old Selle Francais gelding. We kept this young puppy on a leash for safety and fed her when near the horse. We allowed her to choose where to be and fed in position when she backed up. Reliable Uno rarely burns an extra calorie in…
Read MoreMarlee does Laundry
https://studio.youtube.com/video/876xTqM_jIc/edit Ben starts female Goldendoodle Marlee on the cue Laundry, a task in which she picks up items of clothing and puts them in the laundry basket. Marlee’s mom is a busy person, so we thought we’d ask her pup to chip in on the house work.
Read MoreFreddie does food bowl exercises
Walt does food bowl exercises with young JRT Freddie. These exercises may mitigate resource guarding and are especially important for dogs living with young children.
Read MoreZiggy learns to Move
https://studio.youtube.com/video/zZ2JJX-JQ1w/edit Ben works with six-month-old male Labradoodle Ziggy on Move, which means get out from underfoot and/or out of the trainer’s line of travel. Some dogs stay more close to people than others, and while we may value this quality, at its worst it causes trips and falls and may contribute to door dashing and…
Read MoreChewy learns to Fetch
Sending home a family dog with a complete retrieve means he will have a job — fetch — and will get aerobic exercise. Ben uses two toys to encourage Newfiedoodle Chewy to return with toy #1 so he will toss toy #2. Regular play and exercise will foster a harmonious relationship with his people, even…
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