Talented K9 Dog Training

Separation Anxiety in Dogs

2011-02-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

Question of the day: How do I prevent my dog from getting Separation Anxiety? What do I do if they have Separation Anxiety?

Answer: You can do several things to help prevent your dog from developing Separation Anxiety. When you first get your new dog or puppy, be sure to spend time away from them. It's great to always have them with us, but they need to learn that being away from you is okay too. Even if your dog isn't new, practice spending time away from them. Put them in their crate for half an hour to an hour while your cleaning the house or running errands in town.

Make sure you never make a big deal out of coming and going. When you return home, wait at least 5-10 minutes before giving any attention to your dog. Let them calm down a bit, then give them calm praise. If your dog is in a crate, wait until they are calm in their crate before letting them out. When you let them out, wait till they are calm again before giving them attention.

You always want to be sure your not making a big deal out of anything. If you do make it a big deal, they will think OH NO! She's leaving again, when will they be back! They will start to panic. If you show them it isn't a big deal when you come and go, they will learn to relax.

Making sure your dog has things to do while you are away or while they are in their crate is also very helpful! Try to exercise your dog before leaving or putting them in their crate so they are more likely to be tired and worn out, ready to sleep. Try giving them some interactive toys such as the Kong (check product of the day below), or any other interactive toy that you can put their food or treats into and let them work at to get it out. This stimulates their mind and helps to tire them more.

If you have a dog that already has separation anxiety, there are a few things you can do.

First thing, you can help desensitize them to you leaving and coming home. Practice going out, be sure to do everything as though you are leaving for work. Go out for a minute, come back in and ignore him. Do not make leaving and coming in a big thing. Repeat this, leaving for longer and longer periods of time. Try going and getting in your car, waiting then coming back in. Make sure when you come in he isn't making any noise as coming in would reward him for noise making. Be sure he's quiet! Practice starting you car, maybe driving around the block. Keep practicing until you can be gone for an hour or so with out him making any noise. Might keep your recorder there so you know if he made any noise or not. Every time you come home, ignore him for at least the first 5-10 minutes. Wait till he relaxes and is calm, then you can give him calm praise. Doing this will help him realize you going and coming is no big deal. Make sure when you leave you are also being calm and ignoring him.

You can also work on their stays. Sounds silly, but a dog that knows how to stay while you go out of sight will also help with separation anxiety.

Book of the Day: I'll Be Home Soon!

Though I don't have this book, nor have I read it, it goes along with our Question of the day. This book is about preventing & treating Separation Anxiety. This book has good reviews at Amazon, and I think would be very helpful to anyone wanting to prevent or treat a dog with Separation Anxiety. Simply click on the link above to go find out more about the book or to buy it. It's at a good price of 7.95, so certainly worth a look.

Interesting Dog Fact of the Week:

Did you know Dogs (including wolves & foxes) are descended from a small, weasel-like mammal called Miacis which was a tree-dwelling creature and existed about 40 Million years ago?

This interesting fact and more came from: http://www.mytopdogs.com/dogfacts.shtml

Another book I found dealing with Separation Anxiety, is an ebook. I have not read this or bought it, so I can't say how good it is. I figured it might be of interest to someone so I thought I'd add it in.

Curing Dog Separation Anxiety

Product of the day: The Kong

KONG Dog Toy (Large; 4.25" Height; For Dogs 30-65 lbs.)

KONG Dog Toy - Available Online at PETCO.comKONG's exclusive red natural rubber is puncture resistant, super bouncy, and chewer friendly. It is unmatched for resilience, durability, and bounce. KONG(R) satisfies a dog's natural need to chew and also cleans teeth and conditions gums. The thick, flexible walls keep springing back for more! KONG(R) rubber is non-toxic, nonabrasive, non-splintering, and does not get sharp when chewed. Kongs(R) are widely used for therapy and prevention of boredom, separation anxiety and other behavioral issues. Regular use of Kongs can also improve oral health. Their unpredictable bounce lures most dogs into a game of chase, catch and chew. The hollow center can be filled with food and treats. A dab of peanut butter spread around the inside is very effective. Providing food and/or treat stuffed KONG's(R) for your dogs can keep them contentedly busy (working) and out of trouble for long periods of time. Add more stuffed Kongs to increase their work time. KONG(R) toys are enthusiastically used and recommended by veterinarians, trainers, dog professionals and satisfied customers world wide.

The Kong toy also goes with the Question of today. Kongs are an excellent way of keeping your dog busy and my dogs absolutely Love them! There are several Kong recipes out there, have fun with them!

Games With Your Dog!

2011-02-03T17:39:00.000-08:00

Game of the week:

I've decided to make Thursdays, Game Day! This week is Hide & Seek. This is a great game to play with your dog, and even better if you have kids! This game is an excellent way to build on your dog's stay command and also work on their recall (come command)! If your dog doesn't know how to stay, then you can simply have somebody hold your dog. Play this inside the house or outside in a fenced in area.

To start, show your dog something fun such as their favorite toy or a favorite treat. Get them excited about it. Now tell them to stay or have somebody hold them and go hide! If this is the first time playing this game with the dog, make finding you easy the first few times. Gradually make it harder over time. Call your dog. Stay quite for a bit, if your dog is having trouble you can call them again or make a sound. When they find you, praise them like they just did the best thing in the world, play with their toy or give them their treat! Now repeat! Great exercise and training practice!

Book of the Day: Raising A Champion : A Beginner's Guide to Showing Dogs

If your into showing dogs, or thinking about getting your first show dog, this book is a great read! It covers a lot of ground, here's a list of contents;

Introduction
Understanding Your Goal
Getting Started
The Perfectly Stacked Dog
Stacking a Dog
Teaching a Puppy to Stack
The Moving Dog
Teaching a Puppy to Gait
More About Gaiting
The Exam
Teaching a Puppy to be Examined
Putting it All Together
Adding Some Polish
Matches
Picking Your First Show
Premium Lists
Entering a Dog Show
Entry Confirmations and Judging Schedules
Before the Show: Time lines and Planning
Before You Enter the Ring
Showtime!
Counting Championship Points
Minoring Out and Finding Majors
Keeping Dog Show Records
A Well-Balanced Dog

Like I said, it covers a lot. It is a fun and easy read, yet very informative. If your into showing, check into it!

Question of the Day: How to find a breed of dog, best suited for our lifestyle?

Answer: Finding the right breed of dog for you takes a lot of research. You should first think about what type of lifestyle you live. Are you active? Do you go jogging & Biking a lot? Perhaps you love to hike. Or would you rather just relax at home? You also need to look at where you live. If you live in a small home with no yard, a smaller dog will probably suit you better. If you live in a small home with no yard, but your active 'Everyday' by jogging, biking, hiking and can provide daily exercise in these ways to the dog, then perhaps a medium or large dog would be okay for you. If you'd rather relax on the couch, then a medium or large, hyperactive dog probably wouldn't be the best choice. A good website to check into would be the American Kennel Club. They list all of the recognizable breeds that are registrable. Keep in mind they do not list any of the 'designer' breeds that are popping up now a days. When looking at breeds, take note on how much grooming & exercise they will need. How big will they get, and is the breed known to get along well with other dogs and/or kids? Write down any breeds that interest you, then research them further. Look up info online, research good, reputable breeders and ask them any questions you might have. Dog shows are another great way to get to know the breeds! You'll meet many knowledgeable people here and can learn a lot. Do your research! Good luck on finding the breed best for you!

Dogs Pulling on Leash

2011-02-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

Book of the Day:

This book is a great read for anyone who owns a dog. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it myself and have read it more than once.

-Review from the Publisher-
The Culture Clash is special. Jean Donaldson's first book is quite simply the very best dog book I have ever read. It is utterly unique, fascinating to the extreme, and literally overflowing with information that is so new it virtually redefines the state of the art in dog behavior and training. Written in Jean's inimitably informal yet precise lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. In fact, I read the manuscript three times in a row before it was even published. The Culture Clash depicts dogs as they really are - stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their loveable 'can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what's in it for me' philosophy. Jean's tremendous affection for dogs shines through at all times, as does her keen insight into the dog's mind. Relentlessly, she champions the dog's point of view, always showing concern for their education and well being. The Culture Clash joins a very distinctive group of books and it runs at the head o! f the pack. Like Karen Pryor's Don't Shoot the Dog, The Culture Clash has a refreshingly original perspective. Like Gwen Bohnenkamp's books, The Culture Clash cuts to the chase - no if's and no but's - here's the story - now educate your dog! Without a doubt, Jean's book is the hottest doggy item on the market - the quintessential book for dog owners and dog trainers alike - a very definite two paws up! Do yourself and your dogs a big favor: Give it a read! And let's look forward to many more books by Jean Donaldson.Dr. Ian Dunbar -- the publisher

Straight from the page on Amazon and I couldn't agree more. Reading this book gives you a better understanding of why dogs do what they do, which in turn will help you teach your dog. I recommend this book to everyone, especially to people thinking about getting a dog. This book should be on everyone's shelf in my opinion.

Question of the Day: How do I get my dog to stop pulling on the leash?
Answer: There are several ways to go about this, including; Clicker, balanced, or praise & discipline.

The Clicker Way

There are a few different ways to go about it with the clicker, here's a couple.

To start off, go to a non-distracting area outside or inside. If your outside, be sure you are in a safe, fenced in area where your dog can't run off. If you don't have a place like that, use a 6 ft' leash. You can tie this leash to your belt if you'd like so you don't have to worry about not having enough rooms in your hands. The leash is just there to keep your dog with you, you won't be using it for anything else. You can also use the leash if your dog is too distracted and keeps wondering off for something better to do.

Now, simply start walking around. Every time your dog is right by your side, click and treat. Continue walking, keep clicking and treating for dog being by your side. If your using a leash for this and your dog starts pulling, turn and walk the other way. More than likely your dog will turn and go to walk by you to start pulling in the other direction. Click and treat the instant they are at your side (even if they are passing by). Your dog will soon learn the best place to be is by your side.

If your doing this with out the leash and are inside you can also start walking in a circle. You'll click each time your dog is by your side, but this time you'll toss the treat in the middle of the circle. This gives your dog a chance to repeat the behavior. Your dog will go get the treat, then hopefully return to your side.

Keep practicing this for a few lessons till your do is repeatedly going to your side! Now that you have your dog's attention, when your dog comes up to your side, take 1 step, click and treat your dog for staying by your side for that one step. Repeat a few times then take 2 steps. Repeat until you are walking 5 steps before rewarding your dog. Now your going to add a little variety in as you work up to longer periods of your dog walking beside you. Start adding more steps, but every few times click at a previous step. Such as:

5 steps, Click & Treat
3 steps, Click & Treat
7 steps, Click & Treat
2 steps, Click & Treat
9 steps, Click & Treat
1 step, Click & Treat
11 steps, Click & Treat
5 steps, Click & Treat

You get the point, keep bouncing back and forth with how many steps you take and your dog won't realize they are walking with you for longer periods of time. Keep practicing this, keeping sessions short and doing a few lessons a day if you can. Before long you'll have a dog who loves walking at your side. Be sure to practice in different rooms in your house, and gradually adding more and more distractions.

Some dogs once they get outside, could care less about the treats. Then you have to get clever and find things that they find rewarding such as Sniffing the trees, or doing what they are wanting to do. Be sure you get them to do what you want them to do first, such as walking by your side for 5 steps, Click and release them to go do what they want. This will be more rewarding to them than a treat.

There are several ways to go about this! This is just a couple. If you have a dog who pulls on a leash and you'd like to put an end to it, how about setting up some lessons with a local Dog Trainer? If your in my area (Magic Valley & Sun Valley Idaho) you can give me a call at 308-5627 to set up some lessons. I'd be more than happy to help!

Trick of the Week:

Rollover

This week's trick is Rollover! Best way to teach tricks, is to use a clicker and some treats. Get those handy along with your dog, find a non-distracting room with carpet so your dog can rollover easily.

To start, Kneel down and have your dog do a down in front of you. Hold a treat close to your dog's nose and have your dog follow it as you bring your hand towards his shoulder. Your arm should be over the dog's head as you bring the dog's nose into it's shoulder. You'll know your doing this right if your dog moves onto it's hip in a relaxed position. Click and treat as soon as your dog moves onto it's hip! Do this a few more times.

Now, move your hand further over his shoulder so your dog has to lay on it's side in order to follow your hand. Some dogs have trouble at this point, but keep trying. As soon as your dog lays on it's side, click and treat! Repeat a few more times.

Next, move your hand further so now your dog has to turn his body over to follow the treat. Click and treat the second he does this! Repeat this a few more times.

Now, repeat and this time put the cue onto it such as Rollover! When your dog rolls over, click and toss the treat so it's a complete rollover. Congrats! Keep practicing and you'll have a dog rolling over on cue and something to impress your friends with!

Remember each time you click & treat, you start from the beginning.

Currently Available at Talented K9

Private Lessons

Group Classes

If you live in the Magic Valley or Sun Valley Areas, sign up today by calling Amy at 1 (208) 308-5627 You can visit our website at www.talentedk9.com

Dogs and Jumping Up

2011-02-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Book of the Day:

Today's book is Click For Joy!

This book is amazing. If you have ANY questions about Clicker Training, this book is for you! I own this book myself and enjoyed reading through it. Click for Joy will answer all of your questions plus more about Clicker Training. Pair this up with the book I posted yesterday and you'll be set! Click for Joy has a lot of great ideas, Highly recommended by me!

Advice of the day:

Does your dog Jump up on you? Maybe they jump up on people when they come to your house. If this behavior bothers you, it most certainly bothers your visitors! Not many people, if anybody, enjoys a dog jumping up on them unless they've asked for them to do so. Especially if they are getting them dirty. Here are a few different training methods you can try to help your dog no longer jump on people. Use which ever works for you and your dog.

1. The clicker way-

If you're familiar with clicker training and use it with your dog, then get some treats handy and your clicker. Don't forget the dog! You can do this at times when your dog is full of energy and most likely going to jump up on you or even when your dog is being calm and not jumping on you. You want to click and reward your dog for having all four feet on the ground or even sitting. If your dog jumps up on you, ignore them or turn your back on them. When they return to the ground, click and reward them with a yummy treat! Always reward them when all four feet are on the ground or if you'd rather they sit, then reward them when they sit. You don't have to say anything, just wait for them to offer the behavior you are looking for, click and treat! Don't be greedy with those treats! You can even divide up your dog's regular meals and use their regular food during training sessions. Be sure to practice this with other people and when others come to your door. Be ready to reward good behavior!

2. The Balanced Way -

Perhaps clicker training isn't for you. You use rewards and/or treats in training but you also correct your dog perhaps with a pop of the collar. If this is you, then you'd try this method. You want to start out the same as you would with the clicker and treats. You want to reward your dog for being good weather it be with a toy, treat, or regular food every time all four feet are on the ground. You want to be sure your dog knows what you want before they are being corrected for what you don't want. Be sure you've rewarded your dog several times in different training sessions before adding in a correction. Once you're sure your dog knows what is wanted of them, then if they jump up, you can add in your correction (a pop of the collar with a leash) & tell them OFF! Once they have all four feet back on the ground give them their reward. Practice this a lot and with visitors. Before long you'll have a dog who keeps all fours on the ground.

3. Praise & Discipline -

If you're against using treats during training and have the mind set of a dog should listen and want to please me, not just because I have food, then this method would be for you. When dog jumps up, you can do a correction with leash & collar, or a bump in the chest with the knee. You start off easy with your corrections, then build up from there, each time they do it you do it a little harder. When they are being good and keep all four feet on the ground be sure to praise them with lots of petting and maybe a favorite toy. Play a game with them, make it rewarding to not jump up and uncomfortable to jump up.

All three methods are effective, it just depends on what type you want to use with your dog. Go ahead, try it out today and have a dog that no longer jumps up!

Recipe of the Week:

I hope have each day be themed with a once a week kind of a thing. Tuesday is Recipe day! Recipes will either be for treats or for homemade dog food.

Today's Recipe is: Cinnabone

Needed:

2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup brewers yeast (can be found in health food stores)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix together honey, molasses, oil, milk and cinnamon. Gradually add flour, yeast, and wheat germ. Roll dough to 1/4" thickness and cut into bone shapes or another shape you might like. Bake at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 20 minutes or until bottoms are brown. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

This Recipe comes from the book: The Doggy Bone Cook Book

Entertain Your Pet

2011-01-31T07:53:00.000-08:00

I now have a plan for this blog, at least a better one than I did yesterday. In this blog I will be sharing with you:

*Book/Product/Site of the day - This will be based off of something I have actually done, or have bought and have my own opinion on it based on how it worked for me.
*Advice of the day - This will be some type of advise I might have, usually it will be on or about dog training.
*Other - Anything else I might have to say.

So, what's in store today?

*Book of the Day: Clicking With Your Dog

My Review- Clicking With Your dog in my opinion is an Excellent Book. It was and still is one of my favorite training books and I have Several of them! Very basic, informative, easy to read and fun! It has a quick start guide, or you can read the whole thing. I read the whole thing and have used it several times as a reference. It has many great ideas in it and shows you how to work training into your daily busy lives. Highly recommended by me!

*Today's Advice: Keeping your dog Entertained!
You know the saying, "A Tired Dog Is A Happy Dog". Very True! Do you have one of those dogs that always seem to have too much energy? Try working in 2 to 3 short five minute lessons a day with them doing basic obedience such as Sit or Down, or even something fun such as simple tricks. How about teaching them something new? Anything you can do with your pet to get them to use their mind is hugely beneficial to their well being. You'd be surprised how just a few short lessons can actually make an energetic dog tired!

When you pair doing a couple short sessions with your dog with introducing your pet to a few interactive toys such as these:

1. The Company of Animals Dog Spinny Interactive Dog Game

The Company of Animals Dog Spinny Interactive Dog Game (11" Diameter)

The Company of Animals Dog Spinny Interactive Dog GameDog Spinny has a single removable bone that has to be dislodged by the dog, who can then rotate the top section to access treats in the compartments below. By gradually reducing the number of treats, you can encourage him to work harder. The bone has a small hole to allow the scent of the treat to pass through and encourage him to use and develop his extraordinary sense of smell. With a little practice, he will soon learn to dislodge the bone to access hidden rewards. By gradually reducing the number of treats, you can encourage him to work harder for rewards. A great way to mentally stimulate and challenge your dog. Dog Spinny has an easy skill level and
is great for all ages and sizes of dogs. Comes with a free training guide.

2. Kong Flyer Dog Toy

3. Kong Ball Dog Toy

Both you and your pet will be happy! Time well spent together. You can find many more interactive type toys and fun dog toys at:

Petco

Where the pets go.

Why not add on to teaching your pet something new when they are a little too full of energy by checking out this book:

101 Dog Tricks

A book full of fun tricks to teach your dog. Pair it together with Clicking with your dog and you'll be set! Impress your friends!

That about sums it up for today's blog post. Sorry for the 'advertising' I do get a small commission for anything bought from those links. However I try to be sure to only promote products I would buy or have bought myself. All of the above are all great products and I highly recommend each of them. My dogs especially love the kong toys! That kong ball bounces like crazy and goes FAR! Our Weimaraner is especially fond of the Kong Frisbee, at Doggy Day care he was always carrying that around with him.

If you have any topics you'd like me to cover, questions, or anything you'd like a review or opinion on, by all means ask!

Amy @ Talented K9
www.talentedk9.com

The first of my reviews

2011-01-31T01:58:00.000-08:00

Okay, not all of my reviews will be like this, don't worry! Here are some interesting things I've found, though I haven't tried any of them I wouldn't be against trying them out!

First we have Health Food for Dogs: Homemade Recipes
If you buy commercial dog food, usually found at your local grocery store you'll usually find a load of bad ingredients listed on it. Take a look at this page to get an idea of some of those ingredients you should be avoiding: Dog Food Project I just thought for those interested, you might want to take a look at the Homemade Recipes book.

Next up we have Dog Treat Recipes for those of you who enjoy to spoil your dog and maybe cook while your at it. You'll find a load of Recipes here while having fun at the same time!

Last but not least we have The Guides Dog - HomeMade Dog Toys for those of you who might enjoy making your own toys for your dogs to play with.

That's all I have for you today. Again not all of my reviews will be like this, I will be reviewing a lot of stuff I have and have tried as well. Take a look at the above, perhaps you'll find something you'd enjoy to try! If you get it, perhaps post a review as a comment on what you think of the product. Did it live up to what it offered? Were you happy with what you got? I have bought a few ebooks online and so far I've been happy with what I've got. Maybe you will be too.

-Amy @ Talented K9

My journey

2011-01-30T22:37:00.000-08:00

I'm rather new to blogging but have always wanted to give it a try so here I am. Might take me a bit to get in the swing of things but I'll get there. My name's Amy, I'll be adding info to my profile and such soon so you can learn more about me. What is Talented K9? That is my Dog Training business. I started it a few years ago, we've had our ups and downs and I am just now getting to a point where I can really plan and start to get my business to really take off. I wanted to log this event and share it with everyone else who might be starting a business of their own weather it be big or small.

I'm just starting to learn about marketing and such, along with learning more on building better websites and programming. This blog might not always be about Dog Training as I am on an interesting journey that involves a few different things. I'd love to share with others how they all work out for me, perhaps it will help somebody else out there on their road to success. I do plan on doing a lot of reviews on stuff I've used, such as training supplies, toys, books videos and much more along the lines of dog training. I might do some other reviews on other things I've read or have done if I think it might help others out as well.

So I hope to post at least once a week if not more on something interesting I am doing in my journey. Right now I am in the works of figuring out a Marketing plan, talking to an old friend who is going to help me out further in Marketing my training business. I'm also going to be doing a little bit of Affiliating with things I have actually used or actually recommend. I am also in need of re-doing my Dog Training Website I'll post the link once it's done as I'm learning quite a bit of new things in the website world. I have a lot to type out and a lot to do!

If you have anything you'd like a review on in the dog world. Weather it be a book, training system, training techniques, schools, toys, supplies or whatever you can think of, feel free to post it and if I haven't already tried it out I might be able to work something out to get it and review it for you.

-Amy @ Talented K9