Let's Talk Crates. Dog Training in Milton

"Of course, the goal is to get them in the crate, not on it. This girl loved her crates."

Dog crates can be a bit of a touchy subject for some. I've heard it all, the dislike of containing a dog, left over feelings from a dogs previous life, just plain cruel, projections of human emotions on the "sad" dog etc. I would like to discuss here some of the many benefits of crate training your dog.

By properly crate training your dog, you do the following for them:

• Create a safe environment to ensure both your dog and your house are safe when you leave
• Build a spot for the dog to move to if they feel uncomfortable or feel like they need to move away from something
• Aids greatly in house training
• Teaches the dog about limits and allows the owner to take a break from the dog if needed
• Ensures that if emergencies happen, you have reduced some of the stress by teaching your dog it is ok to be confined - all vets offices will put your dog in a crate if they need over night stays, operations etc. and its better to get them comfortable before something like that happens
• You have a spot to place your dog to travel safely in the car
• Excellent for traveling and visiting family/friends/hotels
• Can aid in helping dogs with separation anxiety 

It is, of course, best and easiest to get your dog used to the crate from day one. Some breeders will start crate training puppies as young as five and six weeks old, and this helps immensely for the transition with the new owner.

Older dogs who have never been in a crate can take a bit longer to get used to the idea, but if you introduce it in a positive way, starting when you are home (not when you leave) you will reap the benefits of this awesome tool.

Over all the crate should be viewed as a beneficial tool, not as cruel punishment. It could save your dogs life one day.

Happy Training!

www.smartdogsk9.com

Technical Difficulties - Dog Training Milton

If you have left us a message over the last couple weeks, we have not been able to receive voicemail. Please try calling again, or the best way to get a hold of us is email dogtraining101@hotmail.com.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

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Smart Dogs Basic Class January - Dog Training in Milton

We are currently filling our list for our Thursday evening Basic Class starting in January. Class will run 7-8pm, for 7, one hour sessions. Cost is $230 plus HST. Class will begin mid-month. We currently have three spots left. Please email us ASAP if you'd like to be included on the list.

dogtraining101@hotmail.com

Smart Dog Basics group class will help teach you how to gain control of your canine companion under distraction with all of the basics of obedience - come, stay, sit, down, stand, heel, leave it, off. We work on engagement with your dog, focus and attention, and we offer the only video homework options in our area! We also save time for question and answer including topics like house training, crate training and other "typical doggy issues". We want our students to succeed. This is A MUST for all dogs, the most important class that you need to take! If you want a dog who listens to you, responds under distraction, and is a joy to be around, this is the class you want. This is a one size fits all class, all ages, all breeds and all sizes welcome!

Make Training Fun! Dog Training Milton

#oeb #spring #instadogs #dogtraining #niceday #oldeenglishbulldogge #blackbulldog #bulldogpupy #gooddog #smartdog another happy dog

A video posted by Julie (@juliebran179) on May 20, 2016 at 7:07am PDT

Many people look at dog training as a chore, something we drill, something that we don't really want to do, but we have to, something you don't want to make time for at the end of a long day.

But ... it doesn't have to be that way. You do not need to practice for hours on end. You don't need to drill your dog until both him and you hate it. You don't need to be serious. And yes, you can have fun.

I love incorporating play into training, it makes it interesting for the dog, and typically the handler is having fun as well. Teaching your dog to fetch or tug is a good start. I'm not going to go into details on how to do that here, but rather those are two games that you can reward your dog with.

For example, when I take my dogs out to play, I always add obedience to the play - be it the out for the ball/toy/tug, some simple sits and downs, recalls into a game, or heeling, it doesn't matter how, when or where we play, there is always an element of training. I keep it short, and I keep it fun. I don't drill the dogs, I let them enjoy themselves, I let them enjoy the training. I even run around with them myself (adds more excitement and engagement to the game) and I interact. I don't get distracted, I don't text, I don't have a conversation with someone, I don't throw the ball and then turn my back on the dog. I play with the dog.

It doesn't have to last long, 10 minutes of fetch or tug is more than good enough. You are able to get in repetition of commands, have fun doing it, and end on a positive. Even in this short period of time, you are benefiting both your dogs mind and body, you are teaching them, and they are learning.

It doesn't have to happen every day, a few times a week is just fine ... and no matter how much you work, you can not honestly say that you don't have 5-10 minutes a few times a week to work with your dog in a fun, engaging way that only benefits yours and the dogs relationship.

So get out, and have fun training!!

www.smartdogsk9.com

Upcoming Dog Training Classes - Smart Dogs Canine Training

 

Here is a snap shot of our upcoming classes for Spring/Summer 2016:

Basic Classes WAIT LIST STARTED for July 2016
Friday's 7-8pm & Saturdays 10-11am7 sessions, 1 hour each session, get your dog working for you and focusing on you under distraction. 18 weeks and up. A MUST HAVE class!
 
Bootcamp Class is open for REGISTRATION!Tuesday May 10, 7-8pm - 1 SPOT LEFT 
(Bootcamp will run again over the Summer/Fall months - stay tuned for details)
Must have completed Smart Dogs Basics Class.
6 weeks of training in the real world!! All over town - get your dog paying attention to you where it counts!
 
MAY/JUNE Puppy Class WAIT LIST started!
Sunday's 4-5pm - 3 SPOTS LEFT
4 sessions, 1 hour each session, get your puppy working for you and focusing on you in a fun, positive way, under distraction. Must have second set of shots.. A FANTASTIC INTRO class for young puppies!
FOCUS/PLAY Class starting soon!
Saturdays 11:15am-12:15pm
5 sessions, 1 hour each session - get your dogs mind and body active with this interactive, play based class. You will learn how to gain focus, appropriate games, how to apply focus to obedience and minor agility equipment.
Please see GROUP TRAINING page for details on all of our upcoming classes, or contact us for more information: dogtraining101@hotmail.com

www.smartdogsk9.com

Dog Training Takes Time and Dedication ... Milton Ontario Dog Trainer.

Training your dog  takes time, patience, love, consistency and money. Training takes work, dedication, patience and perseverance. Training takes patience, practice and consistency. Training takes commitment.

When training dogs, you must keep in mind that, unfortunately, they do not speak English, so we have to help them to understand our language. The more animated, out of control, impatient and frustrated we get, the harder it is for the dog to understand. They don't know what our babbling means. They have no idea why you are mad when they don't sit. They haven't a clue why it's not better to chase the birds or eat the rabbit poop than listen to you. They just don't know ... until we teach them.

And when we set out to teach, you must remember that there is no magic formula, there is no special powder, there is no secret "way". There is you and the dog before you. That's it. Sometimes that dog before you is a spoiled brat, other times he's a big ol' softy that wants nothing more than to please, other times she's a high drive, active, nut case that needs a job to do, and most of the time it's just a dog that is confused by our lack of communication skills, who is out of control because we clearly haven't taken the time and patience to show them what they should be doing.

From puppies to elderly dogs, we always need to take the time to teach, then we need to repeat and repeat and practice and repeat some more. We need to remain consistent with our rules and requirements. We need to train in different situations, with different distractions, on different days, in different weather. Sounds like work? It is. Nothing is easy, but you get out of it what you put in. In this case, when you put in the work, you actually get to see your efforts take shape.

Your goals with training don't have to be lofty either. Sometimes lofty goals can create stress, and stress does nothing to help the relationship with your dog. Your goals do not need to be the same as your neighbours goals, your sisters goals or your friends goals. If you are happy that you dog can walk nicely on leash, come when called and not knock Grandma over when she comes to visit, then great, you've achieved your goal. If you want to push for more, fantastic! But you will have to put in the work, and trust me, no matter how much work, it's always a wonderful moment when you see the hard work and teaching come together.

It really doesn't matter what style of training that you implement and follow; if you are not consistent and don't practice, your dog will not understand. If you only practice once a week in a group class, with no other effort daily, your dog will not get it. If you only practice in your kitchen, your dog will not have a clue that he still has to listen on the front lawn. If training isn't a part of your dogs daily life, you are keeping him from expanding his mind. If you think training should only take couple weeks or you think a dog can be programmed like a computer, get a stuffed animal because you are going to be sorely disappointed.

Enjoy your dogs as best you can, and give them the opportunity to enjoy life by the freedom that comes with good, clear, consistent training.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Beginner Dog Training in Milton

Basic Obedience Class

If you only take one obedience class with your dog, this is the one!

We work on: come, stay, sit, down, stand, heel, leave it, off. We work on engagement with your dog, focus and attention. A fantastic class, and a must have! A class that works on relationship and training.

7 one hour sessions.
Classes take place at the Milton Fairgrounds
$230 plus HST
18 weeks and up, must have all shots.

Classes begin April 22nd Friday evenings, 7-8pm or April 23rd Saturday mornings 10-11am.

If you are interested in joining please contact us or visit the website for details:
www.smartdogsk9.com


Space is limited - classes kept small for optimum individual attention.

Group Dog Training Classes Starting in February

SMART PUPPY GROUP CLASS

Will introduce you and your puppy to basic obedience training in a fun, positive manner - sit, down, stay, come, place, handling and more! We also go over important items such as crate training, house training, nipping, jumping, socializing and all typical puppy issues. This is a great starting point for all puppies and sets them up to succeed.

• Classes start in February, Sunday's 4-5pm.  
• 4 one hour sessions.
• $135 plus HST.
• Class takes place at the Milton Fairgrounds 
• Puppys must have 2nd shots to join.
  

SMART DOGS BASIC GROUP CLASS
 
If you only take one obedience class with your dog, this is the one!

We work on: come, stay, sit, down, stand, heel, leave it, off. We work on engagement with your dog, focus and attention. A fantastic class, and a must have! A class that works on relationship and training.

• 7 one hour sessions.
• Classes take place at the Milton Fairgrounds
• $230 plus HST
• 18 weeks and up, must have all shots.
• Classes begin Feburary 2016 - Friday evenings, 7-8pm or Saturday mornings 10-11am.

If you are interested in joining either class please contact us at dogtraining101@hotmail.com or visit the website for details: 

www.smartdogsk9.com

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

Respect - Dog Training in Milton

 
How do you gain your dogs respect?

It's not about who's the biggest, baddest, strongest, meanest or most domineering.

It's about relationship, mutual respect, clarity and calm energy within the person holding the other end of the leash that gains your dogs respect ... and love.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Why isn't my dog perfect? Dog Training Milton Ontario

Perfection, as defined in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary:

1:  the quality or state of being perfect: as

     a :  freedom from fault or defect :  flawlessness

     b :  maturity

     c :  the quality or state of being saintly 

 

2   a :  an exemplification of supreme excellence

     b :  an unsurpassable degree of accuracy or excellence 

 

So, let's ask the question again; why isn't my dog perfect?

 

Well, to answer honestly we, as humans are not perfect, so I often wonder why so many desire supreme perfection from their canine companions. To say we want perfect dogs is a flawed statement. A better ideal to strive for is "I want the perfect dog for me". The difference in the wording is this; the perfect dog for me will still have flaws, but I can live with and tolerate those flaws because the dog fits my lifestyle, family and goals so well. 

 

Because each dog is different, has a unique temperament, a different learning curve and different physical abilities, we need to understand that perfection is impossible, but finding or achieving the perfect dog for me is not impossible.

In pushing our dogs to meet the definition of perfection (supreme excellence, without fault or defect), we loose sight of relationship, which is so much higher on the ladder of importance when dealing with our family dogs. Pushing for perfection in your dogs ultimately sets you up for failure, because there is no such thing as a perfect dog. Stress ensues and relationships breakdown. When the relationship breaks down you loose communication and trust which, in turn, will put a damper on any forward momentum in your training.

 

So instead of focusing on trying to make your dog perfect, as in free from fault or defect, focus on the relationship, the good points, and of course, make sure to train your dog which increases communication ability, and developes a better bond. Not only will this help build a better, healthier relationship, but it will help shape the perfect dog for you.

Note: This is not the same as perfect scores in dog sports, but building a better relationship, and minimizing the intense desire to acheive absolute perfection in your dog can actually help performance scores - think stress relief.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Puppy Class in Milton - Milton Ontario Dog Training

Puppy Class coming!!! 

Did you get a new pup, or are thinking of adding a pup to your family for the new year? 

We have a great puppy class that starts young puppies off on the right foot, in a positive environment that lets them enjoy learning, improves the bond with your pup, and teaches the owner how to handle

typical puppy issues.
4 sessions, 45 minutes - 1 hour each. Cost is $125 plus HST.

January 31st, 1:00-1:45pm
For puppies up to 16 weeks of age - must have two sets of vaccines.
Space is limited, please contact us today for more information dogtraining101@hotmail.com.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Dog Training DEMO Class Biography - FINN

Finn 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 feisty guy:

Finnegan is a feisty 2-year old Welsh Springer Spaniel - with the world's waggiest tail! He is extremely curious and often getting himself into mischief. Finn loves people, sticks and playing tug. He lives for chasing squirrels and has made it his mission in life catch one...maybe one day. When he's not going to training classes or hiking in the forest, Finnegan can be found curled up on the couch with his favourite people.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Creating Calm - Dog Training Milton

Small tip of the day - one of the best ways to create calm in your dog (and yes, some dogs need to be told to calm down, others do it on their own) is to teach, proof and reinforce the down/stay. It is a position that can be held for extended periods of time, and can be extremely useful when you want your dog out with you, but not being a nuisance. Teach a good, solid down/stay and you're on your way to creating calm with your dog.

www.smartdogsk9.com

Year End at Smart Dogs Canine Training in Milton

Looking for some New Years resolutions that are not the norm? No dieting, less spending or being nicer? How about some resolutions to making you and your dogs relationship stronger, and more meaningful? And how to we acheive this, you may ask. Through training, exercise, play and quality time. Nothing builds a better bond with a pet than taking the time to comunicate with them through good obedience training (or any type of training for that matter). So, if you've got some things that you know your dog needs work on (or both you and your dog), why not make that your New Years resolution instead of loosing 10lbs. And hey, the bonus is the more time you take with your dog, the more active you'll get, and you'll probably loose those 10lbs anyway.

The old cliche that time goes by way too fast is often spot on during the holiday season. The New Year is now upon us and we'd like to take the time to thank all of our wonderful clients whom we've worked with over the 2013 year. The efforts we've seen and the dramatic results make our work so very worth while. Keep up the great work everyone, and we look forward to 2014 with new and return clients!

www.smartdogsk9.com

Key To Training Your Dog?

Consistency, repetition, consistency, clear communication, consistency and make training part of your daily life - you owe it to your dog.

www.smartdogsk9.com