Doggy Play Time in Class? Dog training Milton Ontario

Those whom have taken our classes know that we are pretty strict on our rules that dogs are not to meet or play during, right before, or right after class time, and there is good reason for this.

First off, unfortunately, we are never more exciting to our dogs, than the dogs standing next to us in the class line up. If we allow meet and greets before class, especially for new comers in basic training, it will make your job as a handler MUCH more difficult when you are competing for attention with another dog. This is true even when food or toys are invovled (unless you own the high prey/play/food driven dog who shuts out all else but that precious resource when it is around).

Secondly, if we allow play time after class, during class session, for those dogs who are highly play and pack oriented, they are anticipating that glorious ending, and many have a hard time concentrating throughout, leaving handler frustration in their wake.

Thirdly, our goal, as trainers and handlers, is for the dogs to respond to us under all distraction, be movitivated to work for us, engage with us and to start to understand that a distraction is just that, and nothing more. Nothing to be played with, barked at, lunged at or engaged with. If play between dogs is allowed during training time, we loose the opportunity to teach that engagement with handler is better than engagement with other dogs.

Lastly, there are dogs who are very uncomfortable with other dogs in their space. There are also owners who are uncomfortable with other dogs in their space. There are dogs that are too excitable with other dogs in their space. We keep everyone separates for the comfort level of all participants, canine and human.

The above is not to say that dogs shouldn't have dog/dog play time, rather, dog/dog play time should be separated from training time, and the two should not intermix. Dog/human play time is a different story, and can be intermixed successfully with training, especially when you are looking for a highly annimated, quick and exciting performance.

So keep it easy for yourself, separate dog/dog play time from training time. Make you number one when training, and teach your dog that it is better to pay attention to you, than what is going on around him/her.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Relationships with your dog - Dog Trainer in Milton

Does your dog blow you off? Decide not to listen to you? Do you have trouble training your dog? Is your dog always checking out anything else other than you?

Sometimes it's not a matter of training, conditioning or repitition - it's a matter of relationship and handling skills. Sometimes with the slightest body movement, we confuse our dogs. Sometimes with a command uttered one too many times makes our dog loose focus. Sometimes a hectic nature on our part, creates frustration in the dog. Sometimes our lack of clarity creates stress in our dogs. Sometimes our bodies are saying one thing, but our voices are saying another.

Having a well behaved, responsive dog isn't always about sit, down, stay and come. Sometimes it's about being clear in our expectation, calm in our interactions and meaningful in our relationship.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Venture Hill's Frankie of Smart Dogs - Dog Training Milton

I thought it was about time that we officially introduce Frankie since many have already met him out at our classes. He came at both a good and a bad time for us. Frankie arrived about a month before we lost Brandy. He was to take over most of the work so that Brandy could retire. Unfortunately it didn't happen that way. 

It has been a very tough road over the last few weeks. I miss my little dog terribly. However, I am thankful that Frankie was able to meet her and get to know her before she left us. Even in a very short period of time, she passed on some great habits to him. He has also been able to keep us distracted through this difficult period.

With a crash course in Basic Obedience, Bootcamp level, a little Advanced stuff and some minor agility equipment intro's, he has helped out a great deal. He has a lot of learning left to do, but I am confident he will be able to handle the things that I throw at him.

For those unsure as to what breed of dog he is, Frankie is a Rat Terrier. Not popular up here in Canada, but they are very popular in the US. He will be training for Rally Obedience, possibly Agility and from there, what ever else I decide.

He will never replace Brandy, no dog can, but he will do a good job helping to fill the void, keeping us occupied and moving us forward in our training careers.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Dog Training DEMO Class Biography - INDIE

Indie is part of our DEMO Class at Smart Dogs Canine Training, participated in the 2014 Milton Fall Fair Doggy Deomonstration, and here is a little about this smart girl:

Indie is a two year old Aussie. I have only had her since May 2014 and she has worked hard at obedience.  She is always happy and playful.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Dog Training DEMO Class Biography - LUCY

Lucy is part of our DEMO Class at Smart Dogs Canine Training, participated in the 2014 Milton Fall Fair Doggy Deomonstration, and here is a little about this intelligent gal: 

Lucy is a 2 ½ year old Boston Terrier.  She is intelligent but sometimes stubborn.  Lucy likes chasing squirrels and bunnies, watching TV and taking her owners for walks.  Julie has been training her since she was a puppy and we are very proud of how much she has learned.

www.smartdogsk9.com