OK, I did it! Now Where’s Dinner?

Dogs can sometimes learn a specific version of a behavior instead of the general behavior you had intended. This happens because dogs don’t have a sense of past or future. While they seem to have a memory like humans, they actually don’t have a sense of time! Instead, they recognize patterns that become rhythms in their internal clock. You’ve probably experienced this when your dog has learned an obey and reward pattern. If you only tell him to sit before every meal, and no other time, then he will always expect a meal after obeying “sit.”  Avoid pattern training by expanding your dog’s understanding of these commands. Practicing commands at different times of day will also help prevent routine patterns.

Note: Training with treats doesn’t fall under this category. Talk to your trainer about how to proerply praise your dog. 

So Many Smells!

When you take your dog out of the classroom, the rules can be forgotten in the chaotic, exciting world outside. It’s important to teach lessons in unfamiliar environments so your dog gets used to following commands amidst all the wonderful smells and sights. Practice in the park when it’s less busy so they can start to get acclimated to these environments. (DGA teaches many of the group classes outdoors and occasionally in other public areas, learn more here!)

Productive Playtime.

 Studies show that playing with your dog after training actually improves their ability to recall the commands. What a great reason to play!

It Seems Familiar, But …

As much as we wish we could  “close enough” worked when it comes to gestures and tone, it just doesn’t cut it when you’re trying to teach a new command. Proper command communication takes practice and teamwork, but will help your dog better understand what is being asked from him. Remember, consistency is key, always!For more tips on command words, check out one of our recent blogs here.

Time to Brush Up!

If you’ve experienced Dog Gone Amazing classes, you know our knowledgable, big-hearted staff is always ready to teach a trained dog new tricks. Sign up for our Brush Up Classes today to help your dog stay sharp on important lessons. Our review training for dogs is a unique opportunity to get to the bottom of problem areas and brush up on the big stuff. 

The post Teach a Trained Dog New Tricks: Review Training for Dogs appeared first on Dog Gone Amazing Education Center.

The training structure of the first couple of days are always up to your dog. In the first class, we want to set a foundation with your dog. We’ll go over basic skills and get to know each other. And we always start with treats!

Usually the first day or two, depending on the length of her stay, we’ll get her real comfortable with her surroundings. It’s really just all fun and games. During that time (and for the rest of her stay) our staff will analyze her behavior, asking questions like :

• What does she know already?
• How aggressive is she?
• Is she fearful or nervous? (almost always, yes!)

If your dog has no aggressions, we’ll introduce her to dogs in small groups and allow them to play. Take a look at Henry socializing on his second day of Board & Train!

With aggressive dogs, we get them as comfortable as possible with the staff through one-on-one bonding. A staff member will take your dog on a solo walk, and later she might enjoy some one-on-one cuddle time.

If your dog is also human aggressive, we start training right away. We might begin by doing some muzzle conditioning or just spending quality time getting comfortable with each other. When she’s comfortable, we’ll bring her around other dogs for a bit of socializing. Take a look at Koa on his first day, getting comfortable with Malaika.

If the dog is severely aggressive, it’s always on leash with a fence or kennel in between them.

After your dog is comfortable, we get into the good stuff. We start all dogs with basic skills, to gauge where they’re at and get them warmed up for more training.

• We always start with on leash work, introducing correct on leash walking and control.
• Basic command words are also on the list! We’ll practice “sit,” “come,” “off” and other command words that she may or may not know.

If your dog tends to have separation anxiety, it shouldn’t be a problem at DGA. The dogs are with people all day in fun, structured activities. By the end of the day, she’ll be too tired to be anxious!

We offer two board and train programs, both of which include a day with you! This training day always lands at the end of your training schedule so you can learn to incorporate what was learned in the class and use these skills properly at home.

 Remember, while we train your dog with all the skills we’ve discussed, it’s important that you keep up with the training at home. Dogs need consistency (just like humans!) for new skills to stick. If you don’t use them, you’ll lose them!

Ready to sign up for your board and train program? Open Enrollment dates kick off August 22-September 2! Call Today to reserve your spot 775-800-1011

The post What to Expect on the First Day of Dog Board and Train Program appeared first on Dog Gone Amazing Education Center.

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Sierra Nevada Regional Wildlife

It’s no question that the Sierra Nevadas are one-of-a-kind beautiful, but they can also be, well, dangerous. Year after year, news reports of bears, mountain lions and other wildlife sightings can be found regularly. While we are lucky to live so close to the mountains, it’s important to understand the most common threats that could be lurking around the corner when you and your four-legged friends are on an evening hike or trekking down to your favorite beach spot.

Mountain lion encounters, while rare, are often terrifying. Statistics show that the likelihood of being attacked by a mountain lion is very low; however, in the event of an encounter, make sure your dog is close by your side. Making yourself appear to be large by holding branches, jackets and raising your hands above your head while avoiding to bend over and lower yourself to the ground is recommended by professionals to scare the lion away. Never turn your back on a mountain lion or try to run away with your dog.

Bear sightings are a common occurrence in the Tahoe area, increasingly more so over recent years. As with mountain lions, make sure that your dog is by your side. Many encounters show that bears are actually afraid of dogs, resulting in them running from the dog instead of the other way around. That being said, a bear’s curiosity combined with the curiosity of a dog can lead to unwanted interactions between the two.

Other Dogs

Commonly underestimated when out and about with your dog is the threat that other dogs pose toward you and yours. Dog vs. dog attacks are much more common than any wildlife attacks, and often much more lethal. The best way to control your dog around other dogs is to practice (and reward) attentiveness to you. One of the most helpful commands to teach your dog for outdoor escapades around other animals (dogs included) is the “place” command. Training your dog to go directly to an object and stay there after you say “place” can give other dogs a chance to pass without conflict. While not all dogs are innately aggressive when meeting others, curious behaviors can cause defensive reactions, which can sometimes lead to aggressive behavior.

Snakes

Slithery and scaly, snakes are the most common wild threat to dogs in the Reno area. Contrary to popular belief, the threat of a snake attack is not limited to the great outdoors. Many snake attacks occur around the house, especially in backyards with brushy landscaping that might be home to snakes. Many snakes are harmless, but a snake bite can lead to infection if gone untreated. Most notably in the Great Basin is the threat of a rattlesnake bite, whose venom rapidly reaps lethal symptoms on dogs and humans. The best way to avoid contact with snakes and your dog is to train your dog to refrain from searching through unknown bushes and terrain. Also, be sure and join us for our Snake Education class on June 10th.

The outdoors can pose quite a threat to you and your dog, whether you are hiking through one of Tahoe’s many trails or simply enjoying your backyard. Staying alert and properly training your dog to stay by your side and obey your commands can help to keep your dog safe and out of harm’s way. Research outdoor areas before you venture into them, and make sure to always keep a first aid kit just in case.

The post Not-so-sweet Summer Bites: Wildlife Awareness and Summer Dog Safety appeared first on Dog Gone Amazing Education Center.