Are your expectations too high for your puppy? Milton Dog Training

I find that quite a few owners out there expect way too much from very young puppies. I'm not talking 5 months plus here, I'm talking the babies, at 8-16 weeks old. I want to share some things that I do with my puppies in the hopes that it helps alleviate pressure/expectations on both the puppies and the owners.


I like to start all my puppies on easy, positive style training when they are new. I like to keep them happy about learning at a young age, so they will be more receptive as they get older. I keep any training session short, fun, and upbeat to keep their attention and desire for more. I do enforce rules, but in a fair, easy to understand way, so that they catch on quickly. I play with my puppies, as play is important for growth and development. I don't give my puppies endless amounts of freedom; supervision is the key to preventing most typical puppy issues. I handle my puppies, all over, and teach them to enjoy it so that they will be more receptive to handling as they age. I socialize my puppies, but I don't over do it , I follow my own rules on this one. I don't expect too much from young puppies, it's unfair and it will disappoint you if you do. Over all, I enjoy my puppies at this age ... it doesn't last long, so take advantage of it while it lasts.

Yes puppies can start to learn the rules and boundaries as soon as they come home, but don't expect them to remember them every day, every hour or even every 5 minutes ... they are babies. Yes you can start to train them on some of the basics and manners, but don't expect them to be proficient at them all day every day or even every 5 minutes ... they are babies. Yes you can start on house training right away, but don't expect no accidents ... they are babies. Yes puppies can be frustrating, irritating, annoying, and demanding ... but, they are babies.

If you need help training your young puppy, or are looking for guidance and direction, please don't hesitate to contact us at dogtraining101@hotmail.com and visit the website for details:

www.smartdogsk9.com

Jack Russell Terrier Military Dog

http://www.washingtonpost.com/conversations/soldier-dogs-and-their-handlers/2012/04/10/gIQAVHiW9S_gallery.html#photo=2

Too cool not to share. I love these little Terriers! Drivey little buggers up for any job you throw at them. Enjoy. 

http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.ca/2014/01/terriers-against-terrorists.html

Off Leash? You're not ready yet - Dog Training Milton

Common sense should tell us if our dogs are not fully reliable off leash, then we should NEVER EVER try to walk them through town, bike paths, by schools or anywhere with other dogs and people around without a 4-6 foot leash on. Alas, common sense does not always prevail.

The problem here is that it takes time, consistency, practice and some hard work to have a truly reliable off leash dog. And by truly reliable, I mean that you can call the dog off of any distraction, and heel your dog past others completely under control. Not all owners are willing to commit to this and not all dogs and owners are able to achieve this. I do find it to be a small minority that say "oh well" and un-clip the leash when the dog isn't ready. But that minority puts a damper on other people and dogs out enjoying the day, adhering to the leash by-law that we have in town.

I am a dog lover (obviously), but I absolutely loath off leash dogs running up to me, my child, my dogs and my clients while I am out on a walk or in the middle of a training session. It is an unsafe situation at best, at worst, it can cause injury to anyone involved.

These offending owners have the tendency to doddle, assume the best and yell out "oh, don't worry, he's friendly", then mosey over, smile and play it off as if nothing happened. I don't care how friendly your dog is, or how well behaved that you think your dog is, it should never, ever be running up to a stranger (dog or human) off leash, uninvited.

If you are someone who allows your dog to roam off leash, even with the best intentions, you are also putting your own dog in danger. The dog on the leash with it's owner, originally minding its own business, may feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened in this situation, and lash out. A bite in this instance is the fault of the unleasher, and fights do break out in situations like this, injury caused to both dogs can happen, not to mention the people invovled.

And the person who is being accosted, even if it is a freindly advance by the off leash dog, may feel uncomfortable, frightened or threatened as well; not everyone is a dog lover. This may lead to anxiety for someone who is frightened of dogs, and cause them undue stress on their walks or outings. Truly unfair.

Bottom line, if your dog isn't trained to off leash standards, DO NOT LET THEM OFF around other people and dogs, or in areas where you know you will encounter other people and dogs. If you want your dog to have off leash capabilities, take the time, work on it, train, train, train, hire a trainer to help you and practice in real life situations. Use common sense, use your leash and respect others personal space (and yes, dogs have personal space as well).

www.smartdogsk9.com

Happy New Year!!

All the best in 2014!!

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

Merry Christmas from Smart Dogs Canine Training

Just wanted to take a moment to wish our clients, friends and family a very Merry Christmas, a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season no matter what you are celebrating, and a Happy New Year. 

All the best for 2014!!! From your friends at Smart Dogs Canine Training in Milton.

www.smartdogsk9.com

New Training schedule for January 2014 - Dog Training Milton

We have a new schedule available for January 2014.

Smart Dogs Basics is for beginner dogs 20 weeks and up, or anyone who wants to refresh their basic obedience in a group environment to introduce distractions. Great results with this class, and the dogs learn to work with you, not against you. The most important class to take!

Smart Dogs Puppy will be running pending interest. We typically do private training for pups under 20 weeks, but every now and then we offer group puppy class, so take advantage while it's running.

Smart Dogs Agility INTRO will run in January as well as our Refresher course for those who've take our agility classes and want to keep up with training over the winter months until we get back out in the barn in warmer weather.

SMART DOGS BASIC CLASS
Saturday Morning Jan. 11th 10:00-11:00am (indoor) $200 + HST - 7 weeks
Thursday Evening Jan. 9th or  Jan. 16th 7:00-8:00pm (indoor) $200 + HST - 7 weeks

SMART DOGS PUPPY CLASS
Saturday Afternoon 11:30-12:15pm Jan. 11th pending (indoor) $100 + HST - 4 weeks

AGILITY
Fun Agility Intro Saturday Afternoon Jan. 18th pending 1:45-2:45pm (indoor) $180 + HST - 6 weeks
Agility Refresher Saturday Afternoon Jan. 18th 12:30-1:30pm (indoor) $100 + HST - 4 weeks

BOOTCAMP will resume in the Spring 2014 (outdoor) - 6 weeks - $180 + HST

If you are interested in signing up for one of these classes, please do not hesitate to contact us at dogtraining101@hotmail.com. If you'd like more information, please visit our website at www.smartdogsk9.com and click the "Services" tab.