What kind of boss are you?

Let's think back for a moment on the types of supervisors you have had in your working career.  I have had ones that were very kind and I have had ones that I would rather forget.  Think about which kind of boss motivated you to do your best.  I know that the supervisors who criticized me and my work did not make me want to work for them.  The ones who complimented me on what a good job I did were the ones I for whom I wanted to do my best.  When I completed a particularly difficult task, a bonus was always greatly appreciated.  Now let's look at this in the light of dog training.  Does you dog only get told when he is doing something wrong, i.e. a jerk on the collar if he is not walking next to you, or does he get treated when he is walking next to you.  When you ask your dog for a particularly hard thing for him to do, i.e., to sit or lay down for an extended period of time, do you make it a party for him that he completed the task?  Since I have started positive reinforcement training, I have a dog that I can go in the obedience ring and win ribbons because she wants to work for me.  Take a look at your training methods.  Are they working for you?

Setting up for success

When you are training your dog, always set your dog up for success.  Don't allow the dog to do a wrong behavior and then correct the dog for it.  For instance, if you want your dog to walk beside you, that is where you want your dog to be.  Don't allow the dog to go out in front of you and then correct it for being in the wrong position.  There are several ways to train this behavior and set your dog up to succeed at doing the correct behavior.  Walking beside you will become a habit for your dog.  These methods keep the dog from being stressed and keep the owner from being frustrated.  I have found it works on all types of dogs from a Pekipoo to a Great Dane. 

Recalls

Are you tired of your dog looking at you and then going in the other direction when you call him?  Do you repeat yourself numerous times and he still ignores you?  Learn how to get your dog to come every time you call with our Really Reliable Recall session.  It takes a bit of work on your part but the results are amazing.  Your dog will leave whatever is distracting him and come right to you. Call me today to schedule your session,  your place or mine, at your convenience.

Rescues

Leo arrived last Thursday.  I was surprised when Leo got out of the car I was meeting and was very surprised to see that he wasn't white!  Leo looks like a shepard!  Leo is here because he bit somebody 2 weeks ago and it was suggested he be put down but the owner was given the option of surrendering him to a rescue to work with a behaviorist.  Leo so scared it is pathetic.  I'm sure it was a fear bite and not an aggressive bite.  I am working with him to establish a relationship and he is slowly blossoming.  This morning he actually touched me of his own free will.  Tonight he licked the bowl of hamburg I had on my lap.  He is such a bundle of contradiction.  He wants so badly to come near me but is too afraid and will stand away from me and bark at me.  Her has made tremendous progress in the week that he has been here.  Someone suggested that I keep a journal for the rescue dogs while they are here and I am going to do that.  Think I'll write them from the dog's perspective!

Crate training

Yesterday I got to do one of my favorite things.  I had a crate training session with the cutest boxer.  Coco would go in her crate but when her Mom go home, she was drowning in drool and licking the latches on the crate.  Left out of the crate, she would destroy the house.  So I was called in to help Coco.  In 20 minutes, Coco was able to sit in her crate without licking the latches.  After about 40 minutes, her Mom could walk away from the crate and Coco would remain calm.  I love crate training.  Crates are not punishment for the dog.  Crates keep the dog and your possessions safe.  So if you want to keep your dog safe and have him love his crate, give me a call.

Trial #2

Yesterday a friend and I went down to Milton, near New Paltz, for an obedience trial.  We got there at 11:30 thinking the dogs would go in the ring around 12 noon.  It ended up that the dogs didn't go in the ring until 3:00 by which time Emma needed some Red Bull.  I could not get her ramped up for anything.  There were very few dogs in our class so Emma ended up taking second place.  Unfortunately, my friend's dog didn't like the judge and so didn't qualify.  All in all, it was a good day seeing all kinds of dogs and visiting with friends.

Petapalooza

I've already received my reservation form for Petapalooza at Curtis Lumber.  It is going to be held on June 16 this year.  Last year was a blast but I was unprepared.  This year I am prepared and will be going to Ballston Spa instead of Perth.  Have to get some dynhamite displays ready!!