Dog Day Care in Reno Archives - Dog Gone Amazing Education Center

How Off-Leash Dog Training Keeps Dog Parks And Trails Safe And Happy

alialden — Mon, 10 May 2021 22:54:11 +0000

Summer is just around the corner, and if you and your pup are up-to-snuff on your off-leash dog training, you can hit the trails and dog parks with ease. That’s why we want to remind all of our responsible pet owners about the importance of proper off-leash dog training and etiquette. We want a happy tail-wagging summer for you, your favorite furry companion, and any other pups and people playing outside too.

Why “It’s OK. He’s Friendly!” Is The Worst Thing To Say At The Dog Park And On-Trail

We’ve all been there. You’re out on a walk, and out of nowhere, an unbound dog with no wagging tail comes barreling toward you and your precious pup. You panic, running through your mental list of evasive ninja maneuvers:
“Should I run?”
“Should I hold my ground?”
“Should I hold my dog tighter?”
“Should I drop my leash too?”

Then, from down the trail, you hear someone shout, “It’s OK. He’s friendly!”

While you downshift from full mama bear mode to “it’s-no-big-deal” and “I’m-overreacting,” you can’t help but shake the annoyance and displeasure of experiencing an unknown, free-range canine beeline in your direction with a seemingly naive owner in tow.

But we want you to know this. Dogs with no owner attached are A BIG DEAL! The “It’s OK. He’s friendly” technique brings on a whole slew of problems.

First, if you’ve responsibly ensured your pup has proper off-leash dog training, this kind of behavior can range from incredibly frustrating to downright dangerous. While this ambushing dog might be friendly, your canine or others might not be. When a dog catches people and other dogs off-guard this way, it puts everyone involved at risk.

Don’t get us wrong—we’re big fans of canine freedom at Dog Gone Amazing. Allowing dogs to roam the hills and valleys sans-leash gives them an amazing way to connect to their natural way of being. But without off-leash dog training, this kind of behavior can turn disastrous quickly.

Without full recall control, taking your dog to public spaces like dog parks and hiking trails can be a major risk for your dog and others. And yelling, “It’s cool!” as your dog pounces on an unsuspecting passerby means little to an unfriendly dog or nervous human with a weapon.

Your “friendly” dog can cause a dog fight.

Your dog might be the coolest, fun-loving, friendliest dog on earth, but if he lunges out of the sagebrush and frightens another dog, the friendliness of either dog might not matter at that point. This action could trigger the other dog’s fight-or-flight response which might end with teeth, blood, and tears.

If you plan on having your dog off-leash at the dog park or on trails, you need to get proper dog training with complete recall abilities so that your pup stays within sight and comes back when called.

An ambushing pup can trigger defensive reactions in people.

Nervous people might be carrying pepper spray and other deterrents out on the trail. If your dog comes running towards an unsuspecting hiker, they could end up with a big puff of pepper spray straight to their snout.

What to Do When the Other Dog is Off-Leash?

So, what if you’re on the receiving end of “It’s OK. He’s friendly?” Remember, keep calm. The last thing you want to do is to panic and start yelling or swinging limbs.

Just keep moving forward slowly with your dog. Don’t stop or back away. This gives the dog and its owner the idea that you’re not stopping for a “visit.” If the dog is insistent, you can use commands like “go away,” “get out,” or “no.”

You might also consider carrying a dog whistle which makes a high-frequency, irritating sounds that act as dog repellent. Just make sure your dog is leashed before you use it. While the whistle will cause some discomfort for your furry companion, it could be enough to ward off the other dog and get them out of your space without causing anyone harm. Having your own dog training will come into play here to give you complete control of your own dog despite the chaos.

Looking for Off-Leash Dog Training Near You?

For off-leash dog training, check out Dog Gone Amazing’s “Best Of” Package. We offer two off-campus lessons in outdoor spaces and on hiking trails. We’ll work with your dog directly to make sure it knows the rules of the road. We’ll work on off-leash control, teach your dog to come when called, teach commands like “get off” or “let go,” and work on the essential skills that keep them from ambushing people and dogs on the trail.

The post How Off-Leash Dog Training Keeps Dog Parks And Trails Safe And Happy appeared first on Dog Gone Amazing Education Center.

Doggy Day Camp – Winter 2017

alialden — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 21:27:07 +0000

Winter Dog Day Camp

Join in on the adventure!

Our Trek & Train program is an exceptional winter doggy day camp that provides outdoor adventure and specialized care. It’s a unique combination of playtime and practice unlike any camp in the area.

Winter gets a bad rap for keeping our best buds from trekking out and getting the exercise they need. Well, we’re turning our snouts up to that! We have several outdoor adventures planned with our winter doggy day camp as weather allows and plenty of other indoor activities for when it doesn’t. Keep your dog active this season with this great variety of winter-themed training activities, games, and treats!

Throughout December thru February Trek & Train dogs attending will enjoy a variety of the options below and every Trek & Train dog will receive a winter-themed photo. Looking forward to another season of thrilling, outdoor (and indoor) adventure!

Winter Hikes – Refreshing hikes in the pine tree mountains and snowy hillsidesof Northern Nevada.

Track the Treat – All that beautiful snow makes a perfect environment for this thrilling game of hide-and-seek. This tracking challenge will engage your dog’s problem-solving skills and keep their keen sense of smell active. And don’t forget the delicious reward at the end!

Obedience games designed to reinforce training

Distraction Challenge – Dogs will be placed in a “down” command while we challenge them with distractions like toys, noise, and movement. The dogs that stay in a “down” the longest win. Dogs demonstrating the best control get extra holiday take-home treats.

Winter Warmup Agility Challenge – Fun obstacles to channel all that energy and keep your dog’s problem-solving skills engaged. They will tour through various challenges testing their “place” skills, basic obedience and ability to focus on a specific task.

Santa Snack Toss – Catch the delicious treats mid-air. Who can snag the Cranberry & Carrot and Pumpkin Pie treats first?

Dog Nog – What winter is complete without a cup of sweet delicious eggnog? We have a special blend of nourishing holiday nog made just for dogs by The Honest Kitchen. We’ll be serving up a few bowls to celebrate the season.

Pup-ography – We’ll snap a photo of each Trek & Train pup in a fun, winter-themed background complete with cute holiday hats.

Pumpkin Pie Dog Treats
Cranberry and Carrot Treats
Dog Nog

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2 hour Wild & Free Field Trip
(2) 1-hour playgroups
Roam free on campus
Food, water, treats
Grooming care & pest check
General health check of lumps, bumps & sores
Baths if needed
Daily Report Card
Photo and video shares
Acess to DGA seasonal camps

Looking for a winter doggy day camp?

We do require that all new dogs joining must has previous training with Dog Gone Amazing. We have several dog training packages available. We’d love to talk. Call us at 775.800.1011 or email us at info@doggoneamazing.com

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Doggy Day Camp – Fall 2017

alialden — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:15:04 +0000

Introducing the first-ever DGA Seasonal Camp!

Our Trek & Train program is a unique doggie day camp that provides outdoor adventure and specialized care. It’s a paw-some combination of playtime and practice. This year we’re pleased to announce our very first seasonal camp! This fall all Trek & Train dogs attending throughout October and November will enjoy a variety of fall-themed training activities, games, and treats! Throughout the season Trek & Train dogs attending will enjoy a variety of the options below and every Trek & Train dog will receive a fall-themed photo. It’s our way of pumpkin-spicing things up and making the outdoor adventure even more thrilling! Take a look through the planned activities and fall in love with the fun.

Autumn Hikes – Refreshing hikes in fall foliage throughout the season in the valleys and hillsides of Northern Nevada.

Turkey Trots – Trot for that turkey! We’ll go on brisk walks and the dogs will enjoy a special turkey stick reward at the end.

Obedience games designed to reinforce training

The Patient Pumpkin Recall Challenge – Trek and Train dogs get to practice recall and recognizing their name. The pack will line up and they must wait to hear their name called before they earn a pumpkin treat. Dogs showing the best recall skills earn some pumpkin treats for home!

Scaredy Cat! Distraction Challenge – Dogs will be placed in a “down” command while we challenge them with distractions like toys, noise, and movement. The dogs that stay in a “down” the longest win. All participants will receive Boo Bars but winners get Boo Bars sent home with them.

Turkey Temptation Tower – Dogs will be challenged to watch the turkey treats stack while they patiently wait. We see if they can make it to a certain number before going for the treats. Winners get extra turkey treats for home

Pumpkin Fetch – A rousing game of fetch with stuffed, toy pumpkins

Apple Toss – Just for fun, catch the fresh apple slices mid-air

Peanut Butter Pup Challenge – who can lick the peanut butter clean fastest? Winner gets peanut butter treats for home.

Pup-ography – We’ll snap a photo of each Trek & Train pup in a fall themed background

• Fresh Apples

• Fresh Pumpkin

• Peanut Butter

• Pumpkin Treats

• Harvest Carrot and Cranberry Treats

• Boo Bars

• Turkey Sticks

Please let us know beforehand if you don’t want your dog to have one of these featured treats! They can still participate but we will provide a substitute.

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Teach Your Dog Command Words that Work

DGA Dogs — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 22:28:54 +0000

Teaching your dog command words is one of the most rewarding achievements you can experience as a dog owner. Proper verbal command development makes your life easier, makes your dog’s life safer, and strengthens the bond between you and your furry best friend. When choosing the right command words, you’re creating a communication system that only you and your dog (or dogs) understand. Here are some tips to make sure you pick words that will last, and will work.

Choose a short word (preferably one syllable) that will grab your dog’s attention quickly. The faster the command, the faster the recognition and response.
Steer clear of words that are frequently used in everyday conversation. If your dog is constantly hearing a command word out of context, it will lose it’s meaning. Feel free to use a word in a different language, as long as you remember it!
Verbal commands are often complemented by hand gestures, so if you decide to use a hand gesture, it MUST be as consistent as the command word itself.
When teaching a new command (especially if you’re training a puppy) smiles simply are not enough praise. Treats are an excellent reward when praising your dog for a job well done.
Remember to only give treats when your dog responds to your command. If he happens to sit, stay, roll-over or release a toy without prompting, giving a treat will only confuse him.
Being consistent with your commands is absolutely essential. Remember, you’re developing a communication system between the two of you, and practicing consistency is the only way to make it stick. If you missed it, check out this video about being consistent.

Stay tuned for next week when Malaika shows us how to properly use the command word “place!”

Need extra help with command words? Need a full training overhaul for your pup? Call our office at (775) 800-1011 to book your appointment!

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