Negative Thinking - It Doesn't Just Affect You - Dog Trainer in Milton

I'm not going to go into a big lecture here about positive and negative thinking and how it affects the world around you, however, I felt it needed to be mentioned in the context of training your dog.

If you think your dog can't be trained, then he won't. If you think your dog will not listen, then he won't. If you think your dog will never change, then he won't. If you think training will be useless, then it will.

You will get absolutely no where with your dog when you continue in the above state of mind. Negativity breeds negativity, and not just from human to human, but also everything you come in contact with, including your canine companion.

If you change all of the above statements to a positive context, you will most definitely see different results. If you think your dog can be trained, then he will. If you think your dog will listen, then he will. If you think your dog can change, then he will. If you think training will better yours and your dogs life, then it most definitely will. 

Of course, thinking it is only the first step. Follow through and consistency, practice and more practice also play an enormous role in changing your dogs behaviour.

Remember the Little Engine That Could? Hard work, perseverance, and positive thinking, just like that little train showed us, will help to create a relationship with your dog that you've always wanted.

Need help with your dog? Contact us dogtraining101@hotmail.com

www.smartdogsk9.com

Friday evening Basic Obedience Class - Milton Dog Training

Friday evening class is now open in Milton!

Snart Dogs Basic class available starting May 17th, 7-8pm at the Milton Fairgrounds.

Get your dog started on the right foot, with relevant, real life, success oriented dog training. Fun, informative classes that set your dog up for obedience in every day life.  Spaces are VERY limited, so contact us soon to sign up. 3-6 max per class for optimum individual attention. 

Email us to sign up!

dogtraining101@hotmail.com

or give us a call

905-299-0052

www.smartdogsk9.com

Its the little things that count - Dog Training in Milton

Often we are unaware that we are encouraging behaviours that we dislike in our canine companions, rewarding unwanted natural behaviours and allowing the dog to train us, rather than the other way around. It's the little things that count, as far as dogs are concerned, and the little things to dogs are a lot more meaningful and less subtle than we really realize.

Take, for example, the hanging hand off the side of the couch that goes automatically to pet the dog pawing and mouthing at it. The soft, "it's okay", when a dog is whining in it's crate, or the less subtle dog straining at the end of the lead to see the oncoming dog or person and the dog is given more leash and the freedom to socialize.

All of the above examples are actually rewarding behaviours that most people would at the very least, find annoying, or in the extreme, find dangerous.

As humans, we have a bad habit of rewarding behaviours that we really don't realize we are rewarding. Reward doesn't always come as a treat, reward can come as something as simple as eye contact, a touch or a social interaction. It is really imporant when dealing with dogs, to be aware of what behaviours we are rewarding, conciously or unconciously. 

When you reward behaviours with social interaction, play, attention, physical contact, treats etc., the more often those behaviours will occur. The opposite obviously occurs when you ignore or correct a behaviour. So it is extremely important to be aware of what is rewarding to your dog in all situations. In the above example of straining on the leash to meet another dog or person, if you allow the dog to interact socially after dragging you down the street, you are rewarding that very behaviour that could get you in trouble.

Sometimes owners need to take a step back and look at their dogs behaviour from a different stand point. Many times bad/unwanted behaviours are caused by inadvertent rewards on that part of the human. So be aware of the little things, no matter how small they seem.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Happy Smart Dogs Canine Training Clients - Milton Dog Training

Just wanted to share a great testimonial that we've received from some hard working clients that saw significant improvements in their dogs behaviour in just 4 sessions with us.

"We just wanted to send you an email to say thank you for helping us. We cannot believe the changes we have seen in such a short period of time and look forward to the changes we will see in the months to come with all the tools you have given us. We will definitely recommend you to anyone.
Thanks again"

- Annie & Matt, Halton Hills

If you need help with your dogs behaviour, feel free to email us at dogtraining101@hotmail.com or visit the website for more details www.smartdogsk9.com

Meet Jack - Jack Russell Terrier Rescue of Ontario

Jack - QUIET MELLOW LAP DOG is a very sweet 13 yr old 10.6 pound dog - loves people, he gets along with other dogs and also with cats. Jack has lived in a home all his life and owner decided she no longer wanted him. We brought him into our care and we had him examined by a veterinarian, blood work and a complete dental done. He is in good health! Foster mom says he is no trouble and loves to sleep on her lap as she works on the computer. Jack is house trained and enjoys going outside but, like most of us, doesn't like to be out too long if it is cold.  
Jack would make someone a wonderful companion and wants nothing more than to be with his forever family.  Even at 13 he still has many wonderful years to make you very happy and keep you smiling.
Jack sure hopes he meets his forever family soon!

Visit Jack's adoption page on Petfinder below:

http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/25253280

And contact The Jack Russell Rescue of Ontario if you are interested in this great boy:

www.russellrescue.org    adoptions@russellrescue.org

New Group Dog Obedience Classes - Dog Training Milton

New outdoor dog training classes starting on Saturday April 27th!!

 Get your dog started on the right foot, with relevant, real life, success oriented dog training. Fun, informative classes that set your dog up for obedience in every day life. 
Spaces are VERY limited, so contact us soon to sign up.
3-6 max per class for optimum individual attention.

Smart Dog Basic Classes

Friday TBA

7:00-8:00pm Milton (outdoor Milton Fairgrounds)

Saturday April 27th 2013

10:00-11:00am Milton (outdoor Milton Fairgrounds)

Smart Dogs Bootcamp

Saturday April 27th 2013

11:30-12:30 am Milton (Outdoor - different location each week)

Email us to sign up!

dogtraining101@hotmail.com

or give us a call

905-299-0052

www.smartdogsk9.com

Happy Clients - Best Dog Trainer in Milton

It's always so nice to hear from clients happy clients who are seeing the results that they'd hoped for in their dogs. I'd like to share the latest:


"As I was walking Brooklyn yesterday it reminded me to thank you, now I know we are all helping in the matter however the big thanks goes to you with how far Brooklyn has come in terms of walking properly. If can remember how bad she used to pull ALL the time and also how I would avoid walking by any person on the side walk, its like night and day difference. Now she isn't perfect we still have our moments but over all her walking, her responding to commands she has come so far. We don't know what we would do without you! So thank you."
Sarah - Milton, ON

www.smartdogsk9.com