How Not To Greet A Dog - Dog training in Milton, ON

I have found, for the most part, a good number of children will ask before petting a dog. I credit the parents for this and give them a gold star. Not all dogs are friendly, and not all dogs want to be mauled and handled by strangers and every parent should warn their child of this. Even the most friendly of dogs will not feel comfortable when over whelmed by a "friendly" child, so it is best to ask for permission before introduction.

Once past the permission step is where I see a lot people fail in their attempt at making friends with a dog, and I'm not just talking about children. For what ever reason, adults and children alike, feel the need to get "into the face" of a dog, especially smaller dogs because of the cute factor. This is absolutely the most dangerous position you can put yourself in when greeting a strange dog. The face houses the mouth, and a dogs mouth holds, well, a mouth full of teeth, if the dog is uncomfortable, those teeth can be used to let someone know how the dog is feeling.

Face to face greetings are rude, not only in the dog world, but in the human world as well. Think about how uncomfortable you feel when someone invades your personal space. Then imagine someone you don't know, running up to you, sticking their nose right against yours without your permission, out in public, telling you how adorable you are and not to worry, they are good with people. My guess is that your first reaction would be a bit of a startle reflex and then possibly some hostility. Remember, this is a stranger whom you've never met that's invading your personal space. At the least, you'll feel uncomfortable, at the most, you'll lash out. And this is exactly how dogs feel when their space is invaded, but their lash out won't be a fist, rather a bite.

Hugs and kisses are also dangeous things when it comes to strange dogs, as is overwhleming rough housing, over stimulating petting, chasing and picking up. All of these things can cause the dog to become anxious, which can trigger a bite.

The best way to approach a dog is to first ask the owner for permission, I don't care if you are an adult or a child, ask if the dog is friendly, and then relax, don't invade space, let them come to you if they want to greet. A sniff of the hand, a small strach on the chest, and if they are little, get down on their level so as not to be intimidating or overwhelming. Don't force it, and never chase a dog who doesn't want to be petted. Keep an eye out for a dog stiffening up, or otherwise showing body language that means they are anxious. Keep the greeting short, calm and non-threatening, then move along.

So think before you pet, and don't invade personal space if the dog is uncomfortable, even if the owner says they are friendly. And NEVER EVER put your face into the face of a strange dog.

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Back to Basics ... Dog Trainer in Burlington Ontario

Back to Basics - what does it mean?

Well, typically, when someone says back to basics, there is a flaw in whatever process they were using, and they need to take themselves back to step one and start over in order to fix the issue causing the flaw.

When we encounter issues with our dogs, usually a back to basics approach will give us the leverage to deal with those issues. Often times, issues can be resolved by taking your dog back to step one, meaning re-approach the training process as if the dog were a new pup all over again.

It is usually obvious that control from the owner, and self control on the part of the dog is lacking when we see common behavioural issues such a jumping, mouthing, excessive barking, etc. Teaching your dog self control through obedience is a very important process that all owners should take seriously. Proper obedience training allows owners to gain back control, gives dogs an opportunity to offer a correct behaviour rather than a destructive one, and enforces self control in the dog.

Going back to basics with your dog to resolve issues requires owners and trainers to seriously reconsider the previous approach to training and decipher what when wrong. Sometimes it was moving on with a command too quickly before the dog actually understood what was being asked, sometimes it involved a lack of proofing around real life distractions, other times it was the method itself that was lacking. Taking an honest and serious approach to retraining is needed in order to garner better results the 2nd time around.

So, if you are experiencing issues with your dog, rethink the original training process and be honest with yourself about what went wrong. There is no shame in going back to the drawing board and both you and your dog will be better off for it.

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Start 'Em Young - Dog Training Milton Ontario

The best time to start training your dog is right from the beginning. There is no need to wait a certain amount of time before you introduce your new dog/pup to obedience training. Of course, with puppies, because of short attention spans, it's best to keep training simple, quick and fun. Adult dogs are able to work longer, but when starting with a new adult dog it is best to do the same as the above.

We start off teaching commands by luring and with positive reinforcement Sometimes we also utilize placement techniques for those dogs who are not interested in the lure.

Below is a video of a pup in the initial stages of training.


So have some fun training your new dog/pup - and remember to keep it fun!

www.smartdogsk9.com

New Group Dog Obedience Classes Starting!

Our next group session of Smart Dogs Basic in Milton will be starting on April 18th from 7:15-8:15pm. Session runs for 7 weeks and cost is $180.00. ONLY THREE SPOTS LEFT!

We help you train your dog in all of the basics; sit, down, stand, stay, recall, walk nice, leave it.

The best thing that you can do for your dog is train him/her. It builds a bond with dog and owner, and allows you, the owner, to gain and maintain control, which is extremely important for a happy relationship with your dog.

Contact us today to sign up or visit the website for details dogtraining101@hotmail.com

www.smartdogsk9.com

Drives ... and what to do with them - Dog Training in Milton Ontario

Most dogs have them, a few lack them, but you might as well take advantage of them.

We're not talking Sunday morning outtings in the car with the family, rather, the drives that motivates your dog to work.

Play drive, prey drive, pack drive, food drive etc. are all extremely useful tools to help you train your dog. Some dogs have higher, more intense drives than others, that can be, for the average owner, a bit difficult to control. Your dogs drives are what you can utilize to help them in their training.

If you have a dog that's "nuts for balls or toys", then you might want to think about utilizing that as a reward for a job well done, rather than a cookie or a pat. That being said, it is key first to work on gaining control of these drives before entering them into your training routine, especially for those dogs with intense toy/prey drives (see pictures in post for examples of intense toy drives).

Tug toys are an excellent tool for training dogs with prey/toy/play drives. First thing is first, if you are utilizing a toy as a reward, you need to first teach a "give" or an "out" so that you can maintain control during the reward and training.

The easiest way to teach an "out/give" is to trade up. As you say the command, trade the dog for something else that's really high value. If you work through this properly, you'll end up with a dog that enjoys giving you things, rather than thinks your taking the fun away.

Once you've got the "give" down pat, you can add in a tug as a reward for a job well done. Tugs are great because you maintain a hold on them, that way the dog never takes off to go play (ie. when using a ball or another such toss/fetch toy), rather he stays with you to play the game, offering you more control.

If you've got a highly food motivated dog, take advantage of that by utilizing treat rewards when teaching. In the beginning stages of training (while teaching), dogs should be rewarded fairly frequently. Once you see your dog start to understand what you are asking, you can start to remove the reward for every single instance of obedience and only reward the really good performances. Keep 'em guessing though. It's great to intermitently reward because it builds up the drives even more, and keeps the dog on his toes because he never knows when that reward is coming.

If you have one of those dogs that just enjoys being with you and having attention paid to him (pack drive), you can utilize this in training by rewarding with praise and affection. Not all dogs are motivated by treats and toys, and you need to learn what works for them in order to help the dog learn. 

So, experiment with your dog to find out what motivates him or her and take advantage of that while training.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Give Your Dog the Whole Picture - Dog Trainer in Milton

We, at Smart Dogs Canine Training, take the balanced approach to training. For us, meaning that we don't utilize positive only or correction only training, rather a combination of the two.

And there is a reason for this. Dogs learn, as do people, from both positive and negative consequences. If you are only providing feedback from one of the above, you are not providing the student, in this case, the dog, with the full picture.

Of course, we take steps to teach the dogs in a positive manner before corrections are added, but at the point when we are sure the dog understands what we are asking, corrections are added for not responding properly to a command. This ensures that you have a dog that knows you mean what you say. Dogs know when you don't mean it - and they will work that to their advantage.

Remember when training your own dog to give them the full picture, rather than a partial snap shot, and you will end up with a more reliable, well behaved companion.

For more in depth detail on how we train, why not check out one of our classes and see the results for yourself.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Start Off Small - Dog Training in Milton Ontario

Baby steps for lazy bullies, but this one is a natural retirever. Natural retirevers make lovely dogs to train, but we don't want to over-do it with a young pup. First step, basic obedeince, next step, let's see what she can do (fingers crossed for agility, but she's a pretty heavy girl), for now, baby steps for puppies.

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Start your dog off on the right foot with Smart Dogs Canine Training!

Our Smart Dogs Basic obedience class will be starting March 25th, and runs for 7 weeks. Sunday mornings from 10:30-11:30am.

Your dog will learn all of the basics - sit, down, stand, stay, recall, walk nice, leave it.

All ages welcome. Please see our website for more details or if you would like to sign up www.smartdogsk9.com.

And please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We also offer private training, problem solving, agility, fitness and bootcamp classes. 

dogtraining101@hotmail.com

And don't forget to like us on facebook www.facebook.com/smartdogsk9

Consistency Pays Off - Dog Trainer in Milton

Just as the title says, consistency does pay off and is a key element in training your dog correctly, regardless of the method that you use.

Dogs, just as children, need consistency in their life in order to learn which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. Allowing jumping up on people one day, then punishing it the next, teaches a dog nothing but the fact that you are not being fair in the requirements of your dogs behaviour.

Consistency in training allows good behaviour to catch on more quickly, and helps to eliminate inappropriate behaviours in a much speedier manner than being wishy-washy with your dog.

Consistency garners success in training your dog, and who doesn't want to be successful?

So remember, when teaching your dog, be it basic obedience, or extinguishing inappropriate behaviours, you will have the best results by being consistent in what you are asking of your dog.

www.smartdogsk9.com

They Don't All Down for Treats - Common Sense Dog Training

Though we utilize the approach of positive reinforcement and luring for our initial training, we often times run into dogs we will not willingly settle into the down position, even with food motivation. Since we are not married to one single method (because we believe that all dogs are different and no two learn and retain information exactly the same) we are able to offer different options for our clients who run into walls in their training. One of these methods is placing a dog into position. It's actually a very beneficial method to use as it allows you to socialize your dog to touch and physical manipulation.

This is for those who have or are running into a road block in teaching their dogs the down. A fellow trainer has allowed me to post his video to give you a better understanding of how this particular method works for the down. If done correctly and consistently, you will garner the same results as if you taught with a treat.

Chloe & Henri Have Some Fun - Puppy Training in Milton

One of our students having a great time in the park with his best buddy!

Thanks for sharing in your fun Henry!!!

Dogs Don't Have to Like Everyone They Meet - Dog Training in Milton

Dogs are very similar to us in many ways, more similar than most think (and that scares some people). 

Dogs, like us, have likes, and dislikes, preferences, favorite activities, favorite foods and so on.

Dogs also don't like every dog that they meet, and nor should they be expected to, just as we aren't fans of every person that we meet. Certain personalities just don't jive.

People have a tendency to think that dogs should like each other all the time, in every situation, I mean their dogs right, they're suppose to be friendly? Wrong. Some dogs dislike the company of others, and should never be forced into a situation where they are bombarded by those of the same species. Some tolerate housemates, but are not interested in meeting new friends. Some dogs are biddable enough, but hate rude gestures and greetings. Yet, owners continue to push their dogs upon other dogs, insisting that they need friends.

Yes, with training, dogs should be able to maintain composure in any situation, however, when another dog insists upon a rude greeting (for example charging up face to face, standing very erect, staring etc.) and you can not control the situation due to the other being off leash,  you can't expect that every dog will turn a blind eye. The rude greeter, according to your dog, needs to be told he's being rude, and the only way dogs now how is with sound (growing) and action (a retaliation) *This is completely different from leash aggression and should not be treated as such.

Personal space is very important to dogs, just as it is to us. No one likes it when they're in a line up, and the guy behind decides to stand right on your heels, breathing down your neck. It's rude, invading personal space, and you feel like retaliating (I know I do). The same goes for your dog and the rude greeter. Their space is invaded and they become very uncomfortable.

It is not necessary for your dog to love and socialize with other dogs, unless they desire it. It does not take away from their quality of life if they don't have or desire other doggy friends. As long as they are getting the exercise, training and attention from their owners, there is no need.

Even if your dog is not a fan of other dogs, he or she should still be able to maintain composure while on a walk and in public, and that can be achieved with proper training. But please keep in mind, that if your dog doesn't seem to want friends, don't force it on them.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Bulldog Agility - Milton Ontario Agility Training

The table ... an often overlooked, and under-trained obsticle. Get's a lot of the novice competitors.

We like to make sure our dogs understand it, and have the self control to perform it.

Here's Cambull's Jinx learning the ropes ... uh, I mean table.

Interested in trying out the sport of dog agility? We are offering our Smart Dogs Fun Agility Class - a perfect way to get a taste of the sport. You will learn ground handling skills, intro to equipment and trick training. Agility is an awesome sport, and a great way to build a better bond with your dog and have some fun! Check out our website for details.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Happy New Year!! Milton Ontario Dog Trainer

This just about sums it up. Hope you and your pooches have a great 2012!!!! May it be the best year ever!

www.smartdogsk9.com

Holiday Pounds - Yes Dogs Can Acquire Them Too - Milton Ontario Dog Trainer

The holidays aren't over quite yet, but it's a good time to start thinking about all those holiday pounds that you and your best friend have packed on over the past few weeks.

Yes, dogs acquire that extra baggage too. What owner doesn't want to let their dog indulge in some turkey dinners over the festive season? And who doesn't want to share some added treats for their pooches when everyone else around is eating Christmas cookies, sweets and chocolates?

Added weight on dogs can lead to serious health issues, just like in us humans. Heart disease, diabetes, stroke, clogged arteries and the list goes on. The best way to combat these potentially life threatening diseases is to stop them before they start. A healthy diet mixed with daily exercise is the number one way to keep your dog in tip top shape. Same goes for us I might add.

Regular walks, hiking and runs only add years to your best friends life. And if you hate the winter weather, a treadmill works just as well. Stop over feeding treats, and make sure your portion out your best friends food properly, be it high quality kibble, cooked or raw.

If you're looking for an awesome way for both of you too loose the love handles, check out our newest class in partnership with Madjam Fitness - Doggy-Style Fitness. This class combines both a human and canine work out, all while getting that most important obedience training in as well.

Contact us to sign up for Doggy-Style Fitness at dogtraining101@hotmail.com and visit our website for more details www.smartdogsk9.com.

If you're not ready for classes, and even though you might be tired from all the fesitivities, get out there and have some physical fun with your dog. There are no downfalls, only benefits, and try to enjoy the season in a healthy way!

Basic Dog Obedience in Milton Starting Soon!

We have a new Smart Dogs Basic Class starting January 8th from 10-am-11am, every Sunday for 7 weeks.

This class will help you teach your dog all the basics such as sit, down, stay, come, walk nice and leave it/off.

We will only be taking 4 spots for this class, so you are able to receive individual attention for you and your dog.

Start off the new year right by getting your dog trained.

Remember a trained dog is a happy dog and has a happy owner.  A trained dog is easier to live with, to take places and more fun to be around.

To sign up contact us at dogtraining101@hotmail.com and visit our website for more details www.smartdogsk9.com

Merry Christmas from Milton Ontario Dog Trainer

Smart Dogs Canine Training would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. Happy New Year too, and may all your dreams come true!

Have Fun With Your Dog - Dog Training in Milton

I'll start by saying dogs want to have fun too.

Yes, many of them enjoy their strolls in the park, or hikes in the woods, but why not spice it up a bit for them?

Utilize what's around you to give them a challenge on their walks. Rocks, benches, trees, curbs, playground equipment and more make great obstacles for your dog. Teach them how to use their bodies and where their feet are in order to conquer the obsticles.

Allowing your dog structured play like this on a walk actually helps to increase self confidence. Keep it structured though, that is the key. You tell them when and where, and encourage them to try (and make sure you tell them they are doing a good job) and they will give you all their effort once they get the hang of it. They learn that there is nothing scary about new things, in fact, it's fun.

This type of activity works your dogs mind as well as his/her body. Working their minds will often times tire them out more than just working their body, and a tired dog is a happy, well behaved dog.

So get out there on your next walk or hike and use what is around to challenge your dogs body and mind and over come any lack of self confidence that they may have.

Interested in joining one of our classes? Please email dogtraining101@hotmail.com and visit the website for more details www.smartdogsk9.com.

Doggy-Style Fitness! Dog training in Milton Ontario

Join us for our newest class!!!

Are you one of the many who hate to leave your dog behind while you go and work out?

Smart Dogs Canine Training and Madjam Fitness are changing that. Doggy-Style Fitness allows you to get an awesome work out in all while training and exercising your dog. What more could you ask for???

Classes are Saturday mornings at 10:30am and will be taking place at Madjam Fitness Studio in Milton.

Check out the website for more details www.smartdogsk9.com/dogggy-style-bootcamp.html

or email us for more information dogtraining101@hotmail.com.

Thank you Milton!!! Dog Trainer in Milton

Thank you Milton for voting Smart Dogs Canine Training #1!!!

Canadian Champion Reader's Choice Diamond Award for best dog trainer!!

Trained dogs are happy dogs and have happy owners - contact us to improve the relationship with your dog - we're always happy to help.

dogtraining101@hotmail.com
www.smartdogsk9.com
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