Decrease Your Dog’s Stress During the Pandemic

Be more like this guy. (Napping puppy being help by a relaxed human.)

The pandemic has many of us feeling nervous, tense, and fearful. If we are not exercising, we are not providing ourselves an outlet for those negative emotions. 

How many of you find yourself more frustrated and irritable lately? Snapping at your dog for barking? Yelling at them for stealing your kid’s toys? 

There is a build-up of negative energy in our systems and if we’re feeding it a steady diet of fear-inducing news broadcasts it’s only going to get worse. 

If you find yourself making comments like this “My dog’s barking at air molecules now, I’m pretty sure,” or “Those people in front of my house are so LOUD. Why do they just STAND there talking in front of my house? Can’t they TELL I’m on a zoom meeting? Can’t they HEAR my dog barking at them?” it may be time to work on your own stress level.   

There is a build-up of negative energy in our systems and if we’re feeding it a steady diet of fear-inducing news broadcasts it’s only going to get worse. (Woman hunched over wearing a surgical mask.)

Maybe your dog isn’t into barking. But maybe you’re finding that she’s simply not listening to you anymore. She used to come when called and sit after saying it once, and now she’s “ignoring me,” or “being willful, spiteful,” and all the other blame words we use on our dogs when they don’t do what we want right away. 

Perhaps you’re seeing issues on the leash. Your dog who used to pull you along is now dragging you completely off your feet. She’s standing on her hind legs barking aggressively at other dogs. 

If you’re asking yourself why your dog’s behaviour has gotten WORSE throughout the pandemic instead of better because you’re home all the time, it’s time to look in the mirror. 

Let your dog be your teacher. Instead of blaming them for NOT wanting to walk with you, ask yourself WHY doesn’t my dog want to follow me or be near me right now? (Pug refuses to walk with little girl on the leash.)

What’s happening? 

Stress is happening. And you’re not alone. 

All of those unwanted behaviours are symptoms that something is wrong not only in your relationship with your dog, but your relationship with YOU. 

Here are a few tips to help you and your dog feel better during the pandemic.  

1. SLOW DOWN — Take a few deep breaths, stretch a little. Be kind to yourself. Once you put yourself in a positive frame of mind, call your dog over and slowly prepare for the walk. 

PRO TIP: Do these steps in complete silence. Not sure how, scroll down to the bottom of the post where you can set up your FREE 15 minute phone call with me. 

Don’t be afraid to take a few moments for yourself before you walk your dog. Relax and breathe. Dogs only follow calm leaders. Take a few moments to calm down. It is harder than it sounds, but worth it! (Picture: fluorescent sign that reads BREATHE in cursive writing, mounted on a wall of leaves,)

2. BE A SOURCE OF CALM AND CONFIDENT ENERGY — This is a tip that many dog lovers overlook. They are quick to point to their dog and say “He never listens,” or “He never shuts up,” but what they don’t know is that their OWN behaviour is what is CAUSING the problem with their dog in the first place. Before you walk your dog, take a few deep breaths. Imagine setting down all of your worries, all of the things sitting on your shoulders like heavy weights. Don’t bring negative thoughts and energy with you on your walk. Dogs do not follow instability. They follow stable leaders. You CAN become a stable leader at any time and the ripple effect will spread to all the people in your life as well. Everyone benefits from you deciding that you want to be a happier person for your dog — even YOU. 

3. MEET YOUR DOG’S NEEDS — I can’t tell you how many clients I’ve worked with you are resistant to WALKING THEIR DOG. Walking your dog can eliminate aggression, anxiety, fear, and many other unwanted behaviours. It really is this simple: “Fish need to swim. Birds need to fly. Dogs need to walk.” Post in the comments below if you know who said these valuable and simple words of wisdom. If you’re not walking your dog then you’re not providing them with what THEY need. There are so many one-sided relationships out there — the human gets what THEY need (a couch-cuddle buddy and emotional support) and the dog get nothing but YELLED at for peeing inside the house, barking, or stealing food from the counter. 

When I say walk your dog, I don’t mean let them pull you around to every bush, hydrant, squirrel, and other dog you see. To learn how to keep your shoulder from being pulled out of its socket when you walk your dog, read this: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/give-your-dog-a-break.

Dogs need to walk. (Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person.)

We go Beyond Dog Training because we TEACH our clients how to successfully LIVE with their dogs and other pets in HARMONY. 

If you want to fall in love with your dog again, click here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action. 

You can book a 15 minute phone call with us to see if we’re the right fit for you and your family. 

Have a fun and safe weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: freestocks (sleeping French Bulldog nestled in a person’s arms,) engin akyurt (stressed woman sitting hunched over and wearing a surgical mask,) Vidar Nordli-Mathisen (pug refuses to walk on leash for little girl,) Fabian Møller (fluorescent sign that reads BREATHE in cursive writing, mounted on a wall of leaves,) Andriyko Podilnyk (Golden Retriever walking on leash with a person.)

Give Your Dog a Break

I need a break! (Picture of a French Bulldog panting on a leash.)

Have you ever heard anyone say “Break” or “Free” to their dog and wondered what they were up to? Is that some advanced command they’re using? 

No. 

You probably make your dog sit and wait before feeding them, right? Do you say “Okay,” when they’re allowed to go and eat? 

Okay is a release command, just like break and free. 

Here’s where it comes in handy, besides at the food bowl: 

The BREAK command can help you keep this muddy dog from running to your couch. (Photo of muddy runner’s legs standing beside muddy dog legs.)

In Your Front Hallway — Does your dog wiggle while you’re trying to wipe their muddy paws in your front hall? Do they bound away before you’re finished, leaving you feeling frustrated? 

The break command (along with sit, stay, give a paw, and stand) helps your dog understand that there are rules in the front hall and lets them know WHEN they are allowed to leave the front hall — it’s AFTER you’re finished wiping them and AFTER you’ve given them the BREAK command, by the way. 

This dog is looking for direction from you. This dog deserves a break. (Photo of a terrier looking up at the camera, sitting on a hardwood floor.)

On Your Walk — Do you have a dog that yanks you toward EVERY bush, hydro pole, squirrel, and other dog? 

Did you know that the most effective way to fix that behaviour is a more structured walk with built-in breaks? And that it’s actually FUN and easy to learn? 

Today, I’m going to teach you how to add more structure to your walk, so that you can save your shoulder, wrist, and back from all that pain. 

Walking a dog who is yanking you around isn’t fun. (Photo of a Boston Terrier walking ahead of his owner pulling hard on the leash.)

When I say structured walks are important, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Is it “that sounds like no fun” or “what on Earth is a structured walk?” or “should I be doing that with my new puppy?” 

A structured walk is LOTS of fun because it saves you from having your shoulder yanked out of its socket on a daily basis. 

A structured walk simply means that you get to be calling the shots, not your dog. 

What that looks like — you are now able to stroll down the street, smiling, waving to strangers from a safe social distance, and NOT getting yanked toward every tree, cat, or bicycle that you come across. 

Dogs who are in front of their owners and in an excited state can get into fights. (Photo of a Yellow Lab and a Weimaraner puppy yanking on leash to get to each other.)

Here’s how to add some structure to your daily walk: 

1. Drain some of your dog’s physical energy by playing fetch or taking them on a bike ride. Let them have a bathroom break, so that when you begin training the heel and the break command, you’re working with a dog who is ready and able to listen to you. 

2. Start in your own backyard, where distractions are minimal. If you live in an apartment building, start in a quiet hallway or inside your apartment.

3. Holding the leash loosely in your left hand, get your dog’s attention. You can make a kissy noise or simply say their name, whatever you usually do. 

4. Say what you usually say when you start out for your walk. “Let’s go,” or “Diesel, heel,” will do nicely if you’re looking to try something new. PRO TIP: Do NOT yank the leash when you say this. 

This is a great starting position. Notice the loose leash. (Photo of a Golden Retriever puppy sitting politely on leash.)

5. Start walking at a fairly brisk pace. If your dog is beside you, immediately reward them by saying “Good heel.” You are essentially teaching them a new English word: “heel.” 

6. Change direction. Did your dog follow you? If so, say “Good heel.” If not, you may need to make the kissy noise again to remind them to focus on you. Reward them once they begin to heel again. 

7. You can teach the break command in many different ways. One way that works really well is saying “Diesel, break,” and then tossing a toy or some treats slightly away from you (and letting him go get them.) Be sure to let all the leash tension go when you say “Break,” because you’re teaching him that BREAK means “I get to go do what I want now with no corrections.” Basically you’re letting him go be a dog for a minute. He likes to sniff the ground, pounce on dandelions, roll in the grass — whatever it is, it’s his choice right now. You’re not DROPPING the leash in this step, you’re simply allowing your dog enough slack to roam around a little. 

Give your dog time to be a dog during your structured walks. Make sure to give them slack in the leash so they can move about freely. (Picture of a French Bulldog panting on a leash.)

8. The break is over whenever YOU decide it’s over. When you want it to be over, call your dog back (again, don’t yank on the leash, just call for him.) You can ask him to sit, do some tricks, or go straight back into working on your heel and practice another break right away. 

9. Dogs learn from repetitions, so the more you practice this, the faster your dog will learn it. 

At Beyond Dog Training, we believe that having a dog should be fun. We want you to enjoy every moment with your dog. Hopefully you have fun teaching your dog to heel and have breaks. We know that with some practice, you will be amazing at this and your shoulder will feel much, much better soon. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Terrance Raper (tired Frenchie,) Janet Smith-Roberts (muddy runner’s legs standing beside muddy dog legs,) Jeffrey F Lin (pulling lab with pulling Weimaraner,) Sarah Wardlaw (Golden Retriever puppy sitting politely on leash,) Margo Brodowicz (Terrier looking up at the camera, sitting on a hardwood floor,) Erik Mclean (Boston Terrier walking ahead of his owner pulling hard on the leash,)

The Basics and Beyond

It’s springtime and we’ve been talking about how to teach your dog to come into your house politely, have their feet wiped, and even how to wipe their OWN feet. 

These tricks (sit, stay, give a paw, and stand) are very basic. Perhaps I have you questioning: How is this BEYOND dog training? 

Here’s how: When you put all of these basic commands in a sequence and utilize them to help make your day-to-day life with your dog better, you’re one step closer to enjoying life with your dog. 

Every moment with your dog can be joyful.

Your life is made up of tiny moments. 

Think about it: You spend a moment putting on your dog’s leash (is your dog jumping on you in this moment?); you spend many moments in your kitchen (is your dog begging from you while you’re cooking?); you spend moments relaxing on the couch (is your dog barking at everything, making this time unenjoyable?); you spend moments on car rides with your dog (are they able to settle down and enjoy the ride?) 

My answers to these are: No, no, no, and yes. That is why I do what I do: help dog lovers become dog leaders. I help owners go BEYOND DOG TRAINING and learn to LIVE harmoniously with their dog each day. 

Happy dogs, happy people, happy world.   

If you are meeting your dog’s needs, they should be able to relax and rest while you are cooking, cleaning, relaxing, or working out.

When I meet a new client, oftentimes they are at their wits end. They say things like: “I like him when he’s sleeping,” OR “He’s an a**hole,” OR “She’s an awesome dog except when she’s on the leash.” 

Beyond Dog Training helps you create a relationship with your dog where you love EVERYTHING about your dog and EVERY minute of your day. They’re not here long enough. They have short lives, and they live with US because WE brought them home promising to fulfill THEIR needs (to walk them EVERY day, to train them, or in the case of my first rescue dog: to NEVER have to hold his bladder for 18-20 hours ever again!) 

More often than not, dogs are expected to fulfill OUR needs (cuddling on the couch and being furry therapists as we tell them about our bad day at work) without THEIR needs ever being met. 

Think about that for a moment. 

What if this happened to you? Let’s flip this around for a second. As an athlete, I liken it to this: If I had been adopted by a family that had ONLY taken me outside to use the outhouse, talked to me non-stop in a foreign language that they NEVER bothered to teach me, and NEVER allowed me to run free, play soccer and beach volleyball, swim, or go rock climbing — I would have been (and would still be) a holy TERROR! Add in the expectation of “cuddle on a couch all day” and seriously SHOOT ME NOW! 

Of course, I’m not a dog. There are some breeds who were designed by humans to love sitting on laps — but that doesn’t mean they don’t require daily walks, exercise, and training. 

Ask any of my clients how nerve-wracking it is to own a lap-dog that bites everyone in their family and every stranger— They’ll tell you how important it is to meet your dog’s needs first, before meeting your own. You can have lap time, but there’s work to be done so that you’re not holding a loaded, pointy-toothed gun on your lap. 

Ask yourself: Can family members and strangers safely approach me while my dog is on my lap?

Beyond Dog Training encourages owners to get back to basics and then use those basics to create a better life for all. 

We want you to enjoy car rides again. 

Cruising with calm dogs is fun.

We want you to be able to go back to work after the pandemic is over — and for your dog to suffer ZERO separation anxiety when that happens. 

We want you to have a dog that you can take anywhere — to your friend’s cottage for the weekend with other dogs; to your parent’s house for a backyard BBQ; or to visit your friends and their children at the park.

Don’t leave your best friend behind. Work toward your goals of being able to bring your dog everywhere with you.

We want all of your other pets to be safe and fulfilled too.  

Magic the Rottweiler and Boulder the Patch Tabby Cat sharing a sunbeam and possibly a secret.

We want you to have a happy life! 

Find your smile again. It’s never too late to get the relationship with your dog that you ALWAYS wanted!

Sometimes the blog will be dedicated to the little things — things that seem too small to matter, like sit and stay. I like to imagine all of those little things as puzzle pieces. Each one is necessary and they all need to be there to reach the big picture. The big picture is your life with your dog. What do you want yours to look like?

Once you’ve envisioned it, let’s make it possible. Arrange your free phone call here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action

Chat soon,

Alyssa

Photos by: Kareli Lizcano (man jogging off leash on a beach with Boston Terrier,) Saar Ovadia (dog on towel looking up at human,) Sarah Wardlaw (Golden Retriever puppy sitting beside owner with a nice loose leash,) Ana Martin (Golden Retriever lying down on her side on a hardwood floor with a bicycle nearby,) Angelina Litvin (Chihuahua on man’s lap,) Roberto Nickson (Golden Doodle racing down a dock toward the water,) Alyssa Foulkes (Rottweiler and Patch Tabby Cat sharing a sunbeam,) Yingchou Han (girl with blonde hair lying on her back in the forest with a little black dog snuggled up to her,) and Man in convertible with two dogs,

Teach Your Dog to Wipe her Feet

You’re gonna teach me to WHAT now?

You’ve been working hard teaching your new puppy to sit, stay, give you a paw, and stand so that you can wipe their muddy feet and belly.

Would you like a break? 

This week, I’m going to teach you how to teach your dog to wipe their own feet. I call this “Wipe Your Feet,” but  you can call it whatever you like. 

Here’s what you will need: 

1. Patience

2. Positive vibes

3. Treats

4. Towel or mat

You don’t need a muddy dog to teach this trick, so you can get started right now. 

I like to teach in a low distraction environment, so I taught this trick inside. 

Teach your dog a new trick inside before expecting them to perform it in an area that is very distracting (like outside with squirrels and other dogs running around.)

Place a dog towel or a mat on the floor. Here’s where the patience comes in — hang out with your dog until they touch the mat with their feet. This isn’t the place command, so I don’t want you to send your dog to their place on this towel or mat. Patiently wait until they paw at the mat. When they do, say “Good Wipe,” and feed your dog a treat. They may catch on very fast and paw the mat again, so pay close attention so you can reward them right away. 

For the impatient — If your dog isn’t pawing at the mat, place a treat or a toy underneath the mat and see if they will use their feet to try to move the mat. Be sure to reward them right away with verbal praise and a treat. 

Teaching your dog a new trick may teach you a lesson in patience. Dogs are the BEST teachers, aren’t they?!

Phasing out the treats: 

Once your dog is catching on and wiping their feet enthusiastically, try rewarding them using only your voice. Then use your voice plus the treat on the next one. You can do this in the very FIRST training session. Your dog LOVES to work for your praise! 

No one wants a dog who ONLY works for treats.

Proofing: 

Proofing is the fancy word for: Has my dog learned this trick? Let me try asking her to do it and see if she does it. 

You now have a dog who is wiping her feet on a towel. Every time she does this, you’ve been saying “Good wipe,” and sometimes you’ve been pairing this with a treat. Now, you’re going to try a behaviour chain — ask your dog to perform a few other commands in a row that she already knows (eg. sit, down, wait) and then ask for “Wipe your feet,” or “Wipe,” — whatever you have been calling it.  

If she does the new trick, you’ll know she has learned it. If she doesn’t, help her by tapping the towel with your foot. Continue to reward her for getting it right, by saying “Good Wipe Your Feet.”

Phasing in a hand signal: 

Gradually phase in a hand signal, so that your dog will wipe their feet with a simple gesture. I point at the ground, with a small wrist flick to ask Magic to wipe her feet. 

Move your fancy new trick outside

Move the trick to your welcome mat: 

Once your dog can reliably do the Wipe Your Feet trick, move the same towel or mat outside and practice there. You can even set this towel or mat on top of your welcome mat. 

Adding new tricks improves your communication between you and your dog. This ultimately improves your relationship. 

I hope this trick brings you as much joy as it brings me! Stay safe, be kind, and enjoy your extra time with your dog — it’s a gift. 

For videos of tips and tricks, visit Beyond Dog Training here: 

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoBeyondDogTraining

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobeyonddogtraining/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyonddogtraining/video/6785143878845615365?u_code=dad39f61h3ll1g&preview_pb=0&language=en&timestamp=1579789431&utm_campaign=client_share&app=musically&utm_medium=ios&user_id=6784147161607046149&tt_from=facebook&utm_source=facebook&source=h5_m

Have a great week, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Jamie Street (Duck Toller with stick,) Sharon McCutcheon (Black Labrador Retriever sitting inside by a window,) Ken Reid (senior dog sitting down,) Marek Szturc (white Husky eating a treat,) Jamie Street (Duck Toller sitting down outside.)

Towel-Drying or Tug-o-War? How to Peacefully dry Your dog

You’ve been working hard teaching your new puppy to sit, stay, give you a paw, and stand so that you can wipe off their muddy paws…and legs…and belly. 

You can read about SIT here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/mud

You can read about STAY here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/how-stay-can-help-your-house-stay-clean

You can read about PAW here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/the-secret-steps-to-mud-free-floors

You can read about STAND here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/stop-muddy-paw-prints-in-their-tracks

Perhaps your puppy is allowing you to wipe off half of their muddy body, but then taking off toward your couch. Are you chasing them down? Are you yelling? It’s hard not to be frustrated when training a new puppy or rescue dog. 

Here are a three tips to keep you calm and your puppy staying put for the whole drying routine. 

1. Towel speed: Dry your dog with slow strokes. Think massage — not tickle fight. 

This puppy is in bite-mode. Keep your puppy calm when you wipe their feet.

2. Your Energy: If you are giggling, squiggling the towel, and being goofy your dog will respond to that with play. Approach towel drying as if you are a matter-of-fact veterinarian. You are there to calmly dry the dog. 

Keeping yourself calm while towelling off your dog, ensures that your dog will also be calm. The same applies for grooming your dog.

3. Tug-o-War: Be mindful that the towel does not become a tug toy. Towels are for drying, not playing. The same applies to your socks and sandals. If you allow the bad behaviour of towel chewing, you are opening the door for your puppy to make other mistakes. You decide what they are allowed to put their mouth on, and what is off limits. Be consistent, clear, and fair to your puppy. 

Tug-o-war is a fun game to play with your dog. Always use dog toys for tug-o-war.

Hopefully these tips allow you to enjoy drying off your puppy, whether it’s after a fun romp through the mud puddles or after bath time.

If you enjoyed this blog post, please click the like button and leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your success stories. If you’re still struggling — leave us a comment and we’ll do our best to help you.

Have a wonderful week, Dog Leaders! Now, go get your dog dirty so you can practice sit, stay, paw, stand, and towels-are-not-tug-toys.

Alyssa

Photos by: Jamie Street (Duck Toller being towelled off,) Daniël Maas (puppy on his back,) Abbie Love (grooming Yorkshire Terrier at the beach,) Darinka Kievskaya (Pug playing tug,) Artem Labunsky (dog standing in water and shaking himself off.)

Stop Muddy Paw Prints in Their Tracks

Ever feel like your dog is mocking you?

We’re stuck in the mud, people. For the entire month of March, we learned how to keep our floors mud-free. It may be April, but it’s still spring and there’s still dogs and puppies blasting in from outside and leaving muddy paw prints everywhere. We have work to do. Never fear - it will be FUN!

There are four puzzle pieces that, when clicked together, make a picture of a well-trained dog sitting on a spotless floor in your front hallway. 

1. Sit

2. Stay

3. Paw ( I could make this really cute, and use “Shake” instead of “Paw,” but I have another command called SHAKE (as in shake off your wet self on the front porch, instead of inside in the house. It comes in handy for bath-time too!) 

4. Stand

I hope you’ve been practicing sit, stay, and paw. If not, there’s still plenty of time to get caught up because of #socialisolation, #quarantine, and #socialdistancing. 

You can read about SIT here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/mud

You can read about STAY here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/how-stay-can-help-your-house-stay-clean

You can read about PAW here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/the-secret-steps-to-mud-free-floors

Let’s get started on the STAND Command. Today’s imaginary dog is called Chloe. She’s a white boxer puppy and her favourite activity is romping through mud puddles.  

There are lots of ways to teach the stand. I like to teach it from the sitting position. It’s SUPER easy and your dog will learn it in no time at all. 

Once your dog knows how to STAND on command, you can wipe their muddy feet…and teach them to chill out on your paddle board.

Step 1: Ask your dog to sit and reward them for doing so. This can be with verbal praise “Good sit,” or verbal praise plus a treat. 

Step 2: I like to kneel for this step, unless I’m working with a Great Dane. Hold a treat in your fist and lure your dog into a standing position. To do this, hold your fist near their nose, so they can smell the food, and then slowly move your fist in a straight line away from their nose, like you’re drawing a straight line on the horizon. This is a VERY small movement. Your dog should naturally stand up to follow the treat. You can also gently touch under their belly with your free hand, so they get the idea. As soon as they stand, say “Good stand,” and feed them the treat. 

Step 3: Practice this five times. 

Step 4: Now, you can start saying: “Chloe, stand,” lure her into stand, “Good stand,” treat with food if you like. 

Step 5: As with any new command, practice this roughly ten or fifteen times, and then mix in some of the other commands your dog already knows. Eventually, you can phase out the lure and be able to say the word stand, and have Chloe know what you mean. 

I’m standing…now what?!

PRO TIP: Practice this new command from a kneeling position on day one. On day two also practice it while standing. This way your dog doesn’t learn that the only time she needs to stand is when you are kneeling in your front hall. You want her to be able to learn to stand anywhere you ask her to, inside or outside.

The STAND command can come in useful for capturing beautiful photos of your dog as well.

Before you take off to teach your dog to stand, check out these resources so that you can keep up-to-date on all things COVID: 

1. Scott Weese’s “Worms and Germs” blog has everything you need to know about animals and COVID-19. You can find it here: https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/?s=covid

2. Free dog training tips and puppy socialization tips from Beyond Dog Training available here: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gobeyonddogtraining/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/GoBeyondDogTraining

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beyonddogtraining

3. Online dog training with Beyond Dog Training - this has ALWAYS been part of our business model, so we offer the BEST online dog training in Guelph. We are currently helping clients with food aggression, puppy housebreaking issues, puppy chewing the wall issues, and more! 

To book an online training session click here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action

I hope you have a happy spring and enjoy those mud-free floors!

Coming soon to a garden near you: tulips!

Alyssa

Photos by: Alyssa Foulkes (Rottweiler standing in mud,) Marco López (person and dog on stand-up paddle board,) Bryan Hanson (bulldog standing up,) Patrick Hendry (dog standing on beautiful tree stump,) Richard Brutyo (Golden Retriever with tulip in its mouth.)

The Secret Steps to Mud-Free Floors

“I LOVE MUDDDDDDD!!!!”

March means mud! Seriously, it’s Latin. Okay, I’m kidding. We all need a little silliness in our lives right now #cabinfever! My clients are all working from home at the moment and they’re all looking for fun things to teach their dogs. Check out the end of this blog post to get connected to all of our fun videos! 

In honour of keeping some normalcy and routine, I’m going to keep going with March Mud Month. 

For the entire month of March, we are dedicated to learning how to keep our floors clean.

With untrained muddy dogs, this room would either be off-limits or covered in mud.

Here are the four puzzle pieces that, when clicked together, make a picture of a well-trained dog sitting on a spotless floor in your front hallway. 

1. Sit

2. Stay

3. Paw ( I could make this really cute, and use “Shake” instead of “Paw,” but I have another command called SHAKE (as in shake off your wet self on the front porch, instead of inside in the house. It comes in handy for bath-time too!) 

4. Stand

You can read about the SIT here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/mud

You can read about the STAY here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/how-stay-can-help-your-house-stay-clean

And this week: PAW

Dog shaking a paw

How is teaching your dog to shake a paw going to help keep your floors clean? 

It’s going to help you wipe your dog’s front feet. 

The easiest way to teach your dog to shake a paw, or do anything for you really, is to catch them in the act and reward them for it. We call this “capturing a behaviour.”

1. Kneel on the floor in front of your dog. 

2. Put your hand out, palm facing up. Almost every dog will bat at your hand. If they don’t, try running your fingers over the back of their forearms. This should do the trick. 

3. As soon as they touch your hand with their paw, say: “Good paw.”

Pro Tip: Remember not to ask for “Paw” or “Shake” in the beginning. Your dog has no idea what that word means yet. Instead say “Good paw” or “Good shake” AFTER they have performed the behaviour. 

QUESTION: How often should I practice this trick during this first teaching session? 

ANSWER: Try it 10 or 20 times, and then add in some of the other commands that your dog or puppy already knows. 

Work on a new trick a few times and then add in other tricks that your dog already knows.

Since the dog parks are closed, we’re all looking for fun ways to challenge our dogs at home.

For fun videos on dog training and dog tricks, visit us at: 

GoBeyondDogTraining on Instagram and Facebook

BeyondDogTraining on TikTok 

Dog balancing a treat on his nose

Enjoy your clean floors, Dog Leaders!

Alyssa

Photos by: Kelsey Mirehouse (howling muddy puppy,) Arseny Togulev (shake a paw,) Cole Wyland (dog waving,) McDobbie Hu (dog with treat on his nose.

How STAY can Help Your House Stay Clean

Imagine clean floors in your home - no more muddy paw prints!

Imagine clean floors during the muddy season! They are attainable!

This month is dedicated to keeping your floors clean during mud season (AKA Springtime.) Whether you’re working with a new puppy or teaching your old dog new tricks, the STAY command is super helpful to have in your bag of tricks. 

Last week, we talked about teaching your dog to sit. In case you missed it, you can read it here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/mud. 

Often when we teach our dogs to sit, they pop right back out of it. If you find this is happening to you, try rewarding them with a calmer  voice. When we use excited energy to train our dogs, it often causes them to match our excitement. This leads to unwanted excited behaviour, like jumping up.

There’s many different ways to teach the STAY command. Hopefully you’ll find the way that I teach it works well for you. 

Woof! There it is! Once you’ve mastered the SIT, you’re ready to teach STAY.

Here are 3 tips to help you with STAY!

1 Teach STAY in your house first - you can try it in the backyard once you’ve cemented in the command in a low distraction area

2. Keep your dog on a leash - this is more for the trainer than for the dog 

3. Keep your movements confident and calm - dogs respond to our energy and body language

Practice inside on a leash before moving your STAY to a high distraction area.

You’re in a quiet kitchen or living room with low distractions. Your brand new kitten is not leaping over your dog’s head and three children are not doing cartwheels past his face. Make sense? Let’s get to it. Today’s imaginary dog is named Wasabi. 

1. Ask your dog to sit and reward them for doing so. If they break the sit, ask for it again and reward them. 

2. Stand on your dog’s left side, holding the leash with your left hand. There should be no tension on the leash. 

3. Use your right hand to make a STOP SIGNAL in front of your dog’s face and say, “Wasabi, stay.” 

4. Take one small step away from your dog. If they follow you, just start again from step #1 - don’t worry about it, making mistakes is part of learning. If they stay, step immediately back into position beside them and say “Good stay.” You can also feed them or pet them at that moment. 

5. I would give them a break after just one stay, especially if they are a puppy. Release them with “Okay” or “Break” or whatever you normally use and enjoy a little play session. 

6. After the short break. Set up and try #1 to #5 again. If your dog is excelling at the stay, try taking a slightly larger step away from your dog. 

Practice sit, stay, and break for about five minutes a day. You can add in other commands that your dog knows as well. Have lots and lots of fun!!!

Take short play breaks with your dog. Obedience work should be FUN, not a chore.

Over time, you should practice moving two steps away from your dog, walking in front of your dog, dropping the leash and walking across the room, and even walking in a circle around them. This gradually adds distractions and distance and will ensure an awesome sit-stay. 

The next time you come home with a muddy dog, ask for the sit and the stay. Wipe their feet calmly. If you act silly, your dog will also become silly and playful. Keep this ritual calm. When you’re done drying your dog, use the release command to tell her it’s okay to leave the front hall/mat/mud room area now. 

Enjoy your clean floors! 

Your dog can learn to sit nicely to have his feet wiped.

If you need any help with dog training right now, reach out to us at Beyond Dog Training for an online session. We have clients in the UK and the USA - dogs we have never met in person have learned everything from how to play fetch to how to behave in an office setting. 

Online training with Beyond Dog Training is only a click away. Click the TAKE ACTION button to learn more.

We hope you are all enjoying your extra time at home with your dogs. Stay healthy, Dog Leaders. 

Alyssa

Photos by: Jeremy Beck (imagine floor,) Erik Mclean (Boston Terrier sitting,) Jamie Street (muddy Spaniel,) Allie Smith (bulldog sitting,) Nadine Shaabana (stop hand,) Sarah Brown (dog with ball,)

Florencia Viadana (terrier sitting in front hall,) Ayla Verschueren (dog with computer.)

Mud!

Dog owners know that March means mud! Every household has their own mud protocol. Some of us put towels down on top of our runner mats, to collect the muddy rivers that flow off our dogs. Others head to the pet store to try out a new mud mat. No matter what you do, there’s extra laundry and mopping in the spring…right?!

After your puppy sprints through your house leaving muddy footprints everywhere…

There’s not much we can do about the amount of muddy dog towels heading to the laundry, but what if I told you a secret to help you keep that mop in the closet?

Let’s get started! 

There are four basic commands you can teach your dog right now to get them to stand still while they get their feet wiped. There’s also an ADORABLE trick that you can teach them, so that they can wipe their feet themselves!

1. Sit

2. Stay

3. Paw ( I could make this really cute, and use “Shake” instead of “Paw,” but I have a command for outside that I call “Shake” for getting Magic to shake off all the excess water, as she would getting out of a lake or after having a bath.) 

4. Stand

I know, you may be overwhelmed and reaching for that mop bucket right about now. You’re thinking: “Four commands?? Plus teach my dog to shake the excess water from her fur AND wipe HER OWN feet?!” Thud.  

Don’t worry! We’re going to break all these behaviours down into manageable bite-sized bits. 

This week, we’re only going to tackle #1. You’ve got a whole week to work on the sit and I KNOW that you can do it! 

Young or old, any dog can learn to sit.

How to Teach Your Dog to Sit: 

      Most dogs and new puppies will naturally lift their chin and sit down when you stand in front of them and raise your hand up above their head. 

      Step 1: Stand in front of your dog, so you are facing them.

      Step 2: Say their name or make a kissy noise, so that their attention is on you. 

Make sure you have your dog’s attention, like this.

Not this…

      Step 3: If you like, hold a treat in your hand for this step. When your dog is sniffing your hand, lift your hand up and toward them. This encourages their chin to tip up and their bum to lower into a sitting position. As soon as their bum hits the floor, feed them the treat and say “Good sit.”

You need to reward dogs within a SECOND, so timing is EVERYTHING. 

Client Question: “How many sits should I ask my new puppy to do?”

Beyond Dog Training’s Reply: “The first day you teach sit, try it about five to ten times. After that, move on to something else. You could play, go for a walk, or work through the other commands that your dog already knows. ALWAYS end on a HIGH note.”

Keep training sessions short and positive. After all that mental stimulation, your puppy or dog may need a nice long nap.

PRO TIP: ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS say “Good sit,” when your dog gives you a good sit. Your words, positivity, smile, and even petting your dog for a great sit become your dog’s reward once you phase out the food.

Phasing out the food rewards will help keep your dog at a healthy weight, minimize the risk for painful knee surgeries down the road, and ensure that your best friend will listen to you on the days you forget to bring your treat pouch. 

Once your dog knows how to sit on command, you can ask them to sit while you wipe off some of that mud!

For a VERY special tip on When to Teach Your New Rescue Dog to Sit, please scroll down and SUBSCRIBE. I will be sending a special tip for special rescue cases to the subscriber list this week! 

Thanks for reading! 

Alyssa

Photos by: Janet Smith-Roberts (muddy legs,) Adli Wahid (six-moppers-mopping,) Sandra Tilkeridisová (dog sitting down,) Victor Grabarczyk (Jack Russel mix,) Ash Goldsbrough (husky with eyes closed,) NeONBRAND (white dog being petted,) Ayla Verschueren (dog with computer.)

JUMP! JUMP!

This…except with a mud puddle underneath :)

Welcome to March! March waffles between two dog seasons: the snowy season (preferred by most) and the dreaded muddy season (where those of us without a mud room seriously rethink our life choices. 

YAAAAS!!!!!!!! This picture of a dog racing through the mud makes me cheer!

The two biggest issues in muddy season are dogs who jump up on people and dogs who run away from us before their paws have been wiped. We’re going to focus on the first one this week and tackle the runaways next week. 

You’re lookin’ at ‘em right now, aren’t you? The six pairs of pants in your closet that used to be for work, all downgraded by your pooch. Too bad paw prints and brown stripes are so last season.

What? You didn’t want paw prints on your pants? Weird.

It’s worse when it’s not your pants, but the pants of an unsuspecting woman on her way to work, too busy checking her phone to notice your cute puppy until BOOP (puppy feet arrive on her left leg just above the knee.) Or BOOPITY-BOOP-BOOP (from the very excited Golden Retriever’s paws), or the BEEPITY-BEEP-BEEEEEEEEEP (from the Bichon Frisé paws.) Most people are very forgiving with puppies when they jump up. Most will even pet them, rewarding them for their fancy brown artwork. This throws your world off-kilter, because now your puppy thinks that jumping on people gets them LOVE and cuddles. This sets your puppy up for failure later on, because the SAME people who thought it was cute that your puppy jumped up on them, will give you THAT LOOK six months later when your puppy is no longer tiny. 

Never fear! We’re going to nip this in the bud. Here’s TWO things that will clear up the communication between you and your puppy making your relationship SOAR while keeping four-on-the-floor! 

Am I doin’ it?

1. LANGUAGE! This is BEYOND important. When faced with a puppy who is jumping on them, almost every new client of mine pushes their puppy gently back into four-on-the-floor position and says DOWN. It sounds like “Down. Down. Sorry! Down. Ugh! I don’t know why she isn’t getting it. Sorry! Down! Get down!” 

Here’s the trick I teach them: Use “DOWN” for lie down and “OFF” for get-those-muddy-feet-back-on-the-floor. 

When you use clear communication with your dog, you get faster results! 

2. GUEST MANAGEMENT: This applies to ANYONE who wants to pet your puppy, whether they have been invited into your home or they are strangers on the street.

STRANGER: “Awwwwww!!!! Can I pet your puppy???”  

YOU: “Sure! My puppy is in training. Could you please wait until she is calm and has all four feet on the ground before you pet her?Thanks!” 

STRANGER: “I don’t mind if she jumps on me at all. I have seventeen huskies at home and they all jump on me every single day and I love it. So do my kids.” <Note: This is what we’re workin’ with people. This is based on a true story, in which the person asking to pet Magic had her itty-bitty toddler in an itty-bitty stroller and only one husky at home. You get the idea.> 

YOU: “I have aging parents and when my dog is full grown, she will weight 125 pounds. I have to be very careful what she learns so that when she’s an adult, she doesn’t knock anyone over.” Smile. 

STRANGER: Lightbulb moment. Crouches down and pets your dog who is sitting politely.

YOU: “Thank you so much for helping us out today. I really appreciate you taking the time to help teach her nice manners.” 

STRANGER: “No. Thank you!! She’s so fuzzy!!!!!” 

No one’s feelings need to be hurt. Remember: You are your puppy’s guardian. It’s your job to help them navigate the human world. Speak up. 

Be consistent when training your puppy or new rescue dog.

Pro Tip: The EASIEST way to teach your puppy to keep four-on-the-floor is to praise them every time they get it correct and to NEVER allow anyone to reward them for jumping up on people. EVER. 

Happy Training, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa

Photo by: Ron Fung (cover photo of dog jumping,) Nathalie SPEHNER (muddy dog in water,) Aubrey Rose Odom (muddy jeans,) Rhiannon Elliott (black dog with his foot on a pantleg,) Luke Jones (dog wearing a harness and sitting,) Overture Creations (lab X sitting,) Daniel Lincoln (petting dog under its chin.)