A WELL-TRAINED AND HEALTHY DOG

Imagine a well-trained family dog who is a healthy weight (Photo: Duck Toller running in the water)

Exciting news! This week’s blog will be coming out on Monday. I was asked to be a guest blogger for Norman’s Naturals, the company who makes the dog food Magic loves most. 

Don’t worry, it’s not a food promo. They want to provide their clients with dog training tips that encourage family dogs to keep a healthy weight (and be well-behaved too.) 

As you know, I am not against using food in training, but I am against bribing dogs — you know the type: the ones that won’t listen as soon as you put your treat pouch away. That’s just not my style. 

You don’t see toddlers waving food bribes around. And look what they can achieve! (Photo: (toddler walking a terrier on leash at a heel)

I want your dog to listen to you no matter what: whether there’s a rabbit sprinting by and you’re near a busy road; an off-leash dog is approaching in an aggressive manner; or there’s a steak on your countertop that YOU’D like to feed to your family. 

The training tips will help you provide alternative rewards to your dogs that go beyond the treat pouch. 

You can read it here: https://www.facebook.com/normansnaturals

In the meantime, be sure to make a list of all of the things your dog does really well. 

When you’re done, make a list of goals. Write down everything you would like your dog to learn to do better. 

When your goals are clear and written down, you will achieve them.

Schedule a free call with us and find out if we’re the right fit for each other. 

You can schedule your FREE CALL here: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action

Stay positive, Dog Leaders. And stay safe and healthy too! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Oscar Sutton @o5ky (Duck Toller running in the water,) UpSplash (toddler walking a terrier on leash at a heel,)

WHAT DOES YOUR DOG DO WELL?

What does YOUR dog do really well? (Photo: Border Collie leaps to catch a frisbee)

I get a lot of phone calls from owners who are frustrated with their puppies and dogs. 

Here are a few examples: 

“He bit me so much and wouldn’t stop. I was actually scared of him last night. I don’t know what to do to stop the biting!” - calling about a four-month-old puppy. 

“He guards his food, toys, crate, bones, snuffle mat, and water bowl.” - calling about a six-month-old puppy.

It’s scary when your dog growls at you (Photo: Husky on the offence)

“He charged out the front door and bit the furnace man in the stomach.” - calling about a 1.5 year-old adolescent. 

“He barks and whines all the time. He’s reactive on the leash. Sometimes he pulls me to the ground!” - calling about a three-year-old rescue dog. 

This week, instead of thinking about all of the things your dog does that you DON’T like (or even SCARE you,) we’re going to focus on what your dog does well. 

Make a list of everything your dog does well. Can he sit? Can he lay down? Is he gentle with children? 

Write it all down. 

What does YOUR dog do well? (Photo: toddler standing with a German Shepherd puppy)

Then, make a separate list for your goals. What would you LOVE for your dog to do better? Would you like him to chase fewer squirrels? Would you like him to walk nicely on the leash? Would you like him to nap while you work from home instead of barking during Zoom calls? 

One more list. What training methods have you ALREADY tried to attempt to reach your goals? 

Feel free to share your list in the comments below. 

We are a welcoming, kind community of dog lovers. No one will mock your list (or I’ll block them.) 

Happy List Making! 

For those of you still in lockdown (as we are here in Ontario - in a state of emergency) - take time to breathe, take walks, reconnect with old friends, enjoy hobbies you don’t have time for anymore, and try something new with your dog. 

Try something fun and new with your dog this week (Photo: Spaniel retrieving a ball from the water)

I heard great advice this week on how to keep sane during the pandemic. Stick to a routine. Get up, walk your dog, eat your breakfast, enjoy a coffee, make time to work out (or meditate, whatever keeps you the healthiest!) 

Take care, everyone! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: @k_r_y_s (Border Collie leaps to catch a frisbee,) @jeroenbosch (Husky on the offence,) @walkthecreator (toddler standing with a German Shepherd puppy,) @mitchorr (Spaniel retrieving a ball from the water.)

Recall Saves Lives

I’m coming! (Photo: Weimaraner running toward camera)

Will your dog come back to you no matter what? 

What if there’s poisoned food on the trail? 

Think I’m being dramatic? 

This is happening in Guelph, ON, Canada right now. There’s posts on our local dog forum every day. 

This week, there were posts about carefully placed organ meat, as well as a picture of a turkey carcass. Not a wild turkey killed by a coyote. A perfectly bald, store-bought turkey carcass sitting on a trail. 

When you call your dog, is it going to look like this…(Photo: Husky running toward camera through the snow)

…or this? (Photo: Duck Toller looking away from camera)

So I ask you again. If you call your dog, does she come back no matter what? 

If the answer is no, then you need to think very carefully next time you unclip her leash on a trail. Is watching her run free worth her life? 

Whether she runs in front of a car, decides to approach the wrong dog, a coyote, or a porcupine, her life is in YOUR hands. You need to make good decisions that keep her safe. 

There is no shame in not having perfect recall, especially when food (and bunny poop) is involved. It’s one of the most difficult commands to master, but master it you must. 

If your dog ignores you when you call her, here are a few tips to help: 

1. RELEVANT — You need to become relevant to your dog. Ask for eye contact more often, and not in that “super hyper waving a hotdog near your eyeballs and making lots of sound” way. Before being let out of the car, before eating, and before being allowed to follow you out the front door are all good times to wait for eye contact. Reward that with the word “Yes,” and a smile. You don’t always have to give a steak for everything your dog gets right. Your happiness is payment enough for her.

You have to MATTER to your dog. (Photo: Collie making eye contact with the camera)

2. BACK TO BASICS — Practice recall in your home, where there are less distractions. Add distractions gradually.

3. LEASH WALKS — Work on loose-leash walking (AKA structured walking, AKA heeling with breaks.) If your dog is way out in front of you on walks, you are not relevant. Go back to step one. There is nothing wrong with you. We are all working on things with our dogs. Keep going. You’ll get there.

Build a strong bond and become relevant through loose-leash walking (Photo: small dog heeling beside and looking up at her owner.)

4. LONG LINE — Light-weight leashes that are very long are known as long-lines. After you’ve worked on recall outside using your regular leash, you can use a long-line to practice recall with your dog a little further away from you.

5. CALMNESS — Always use calm and confident energy when working with animals. Calm breeds calm, panic breeds panic. If you’re not feeling calm and confident, work on yourself first. Take some time away from your dog to pump yourself back up. Who knew that owning a dog would mean self-reflection, working on yourself (finding calmness and patience,) and learning to only listen to your inner voice when she’s being kind to you?

Dogs gravitate toward calm and confident leaders. Find your inner leader and then share her with your dog.

Practice, practice, practice. And have a wonderful (and safe) weekend, Dog Leaders! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Nathalie SPEHNER @nathalie_spehner (Weimaraner running toward camera,) @worthyofelegance (Husky running toward camera through the snow,) @jamie452 (Duck Toller looking away from camera,) @jaredgorski (Collie making eye contact with the camera,) Upsplash (small dog heeling beside and looking up at her owner.)

Beat Your Lockdown Stress

Beat Your Lockdown Stress

You’re stressed, locked down, and your dog’s behaviour is spiralling out of control…

She pulls so hard on the leash you can’t walk her, she barks at everyone who walks by your front door, and you can’t leave home without her destroying something you love.

It’s time for a change.

During this lockdown, we’re GETTING RID OF YOUR STRESS! 

For good.

You’ve worked with us to stop all that pesky barking during your zoom meetings. You’ve seen results with us working one-on-one to eliminate leash pulling, counter surfing, and growling at guests. 

But there’s still a couple of issues you want to tackle. 

And now we’re in lockdown. 

Again. 

Let’s make it a positive experience this time around. There’s nothing stopping us from making sure that our dogs enjoy this lockdown and come out even better once it’s over. 

This is your chance to take advantage of an online course that is BUILT FOR YOU — literally!

FINALLY! An online dog course that’s made just for YOU! (Photo: woman jumping for joy)

How is that possible? 

This offer is only available to 5 students. All 5 of you will get to send questions in ahead of time and I will design the course to answer them.

Take advantage of this now, because this is the only time you’ll be able to enjoy EIGHT one hour sessions for such a low price.

This is the first time I am hosting 5 of you live, so there will be some bumps in the road (#notatechnologywizard.) 

The upside for you? Being a part of this beta group, you’ll get your dog the help she needs. And, you’ll get a SUPER LOW PRICE that will NOT be available in the future.

Here’s what you get:

4-week LOCKDOWN TO LEADERSHIP program

·         Membership to this exclusive online community for 4 weeks — that’s EIGHT one hour sessions (we’ll meet twice a week online during January.) 

·         Your specific questions about your dog — answered!

·         I am also planning to record the sessions, so if technology cooperates, you should be able to watch any sessions that you can’t attend in person!

BETA BENEFITS

·         Access to everything I’ve learned throughout the pandemic. I’ve been busy learning from the BEST of the BEST. 

·         A supportive community of like-minded dog lovers who want to learn more and help their dogs overcome their issues

·         Training and motivation from yours truly 

·         FUN! Think about tricks you want to learn. Think about agility and other sports you want to try with your dog at home (but never get around to.) Let’s do this! 

START DATE: January 5th, 2021
Tuesday mornings at 9:00AM EST

Thursday evenings at 7:00PM EST 

Time to make YOUR dog your DREAM DOG (Photo: Duck Toller reading a dog magazine)

This price is not a misprint. You’ll get EIGHT one-hour sessions for only $99 + HST. It’s a special price that won’t be available again. 

This is a limited time offer and space is restricted to five people. 

Reserve your spot early, so you won’t be disappointed. 

Registration opens NOW! AS soon as you read this, you can reserve your spot by: 

Sending an e-transfer to alyssa.foulkes@beyonddogtraining.ca for $99 + HST. Price is in CAD and works out to $111.87 CAD. 

Once you’ve reserved your spot, I will send you an email with more information, collect your questions from you, and send you your first invitation to join the group via Zoom. The first session will be Tuesday, January 5 at 9:00AM. 

Reserve now. This offer turns into a pumpkin on January 2, 2021 at midnight. 

Hope to see you soon! 

Looking forward to having fun with you and helping your dogs during lockdown! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Erik Mclean (Husky looking out the window,) Upsplash (woman jumping for joy,) Upsplash (Duck Toller reading a dog magazine.)

All I want for Christmas is a calm dog

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a well-behaved dog on Christmas Day? (Photo: Calm Golden Retriever with a decorated Christmas tree)

Raise your hand if you get giddy on Christmas morning? It’s hard not to race downstairs and rip open the presents right away. You may find that your excitement is contagious. Like any mood/emotion, excitement has a ripple effect that reaches everyone around you — this includes your dog. 

When you and your kids squeal with excitement, jump up and down because Santa brought an Xbox, or sprint back and forth from the couch to the tree to get more presents, don’t be surprised when your dog mirrors your behaviour. 

Dogs live in the moment and reflect our own energy back at us like a mirror (Photo: excited boy holding a young puppy)

If you don’t enjoy being jumped on, mouthed, and humped, here are a few tips to help Christmas morning (and the rest of the day) be fun for the whole family. 

1. WALK YOUR DOG — Tossing your dog into the yard to do their business isn’t enough. Take them on a nice long walk BEFORE breakfast. This is a walk, not a drag. Being dragged around by an excited dog and then allowing them to excitedly reenter your home isn’t going to help. Provide structure on the walk (have them sit before crossing the street, encourage them to heel beside you, and then let them know when they can take a break.)

Fulfill your dog’s need to walk, before expecting them to rest and relax (and watch you open presents) (Photo: two couples walking dogs: one couple has a stroller, both couples have dogs heeling beside them)

2. ENCOURAGE CALMNESS — Encourage the kids to walk when they help hand out the presents. Encourage your dog to practice calmness. Provide them with direction. Would you like them to be on their bed? Calmly direct them to their bed and ask them to stay (or use your place command, if you have one.)

3. DOG ENRICHMENT — A bored dog is a dog who finds their own way to amuse themselves. Odds are you won’t love the games they choose. There’s stealing wrapping paper and toys to entice you into a fun game of chase, counter surfing, and barking out the window. Avoid this by providing your dog with appropriate chew items and mental stimulation. Today is a great day for your dog to chew a bone calmly on their bed. You can also freeze a bit of canned food along with their kibble inside a rubber toy (like a Kong or West Paw’s Toppl Toy.) Take breaks for fetch, off-leash hikes, and of course, more structured walks.

When we allow puppies and dogs to choose their own adventure, we don’t always love the results (Photo: puppy gnawing on a running shoe)

We wish you a Calm and Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Robert Koorenny @fujicanon (Calm Golden Retriever with a decorated Christmas tree,) Alicia Jones@amjay_7 (excited boy holding a young puppy,) Olena Sergienko @olenkasergienko (two couples walking dogs: one couple has a stroller, both couples have dogs heeling beside them,) Chris Benson @lordmaui (puppy gnawing on a running shoe.)

How to Stop Your Dog From Counter Surfing

Is your dog a counter surfer? (Photo: dog staring up at a table with food on it)

You’ve prepared a fantastic meal, or simply set a steak out on the counter to thaw. You turn your back to open a bottle of wine, or ask the kids to set the table, and suddenly the steak is missing. By the time you locate your dog, all that’s left is a stain on the carpet. 

The holidays are here. There may be unopened presents under the Christmas tree or a box of chocolates on your counter as you celebrate the eighth day of Hanukkah today — the question is: will you open them, or will your dog? 

Chocolates aren’t the only thing that can seriously harm your dog (Photo: box of chocolates on a table)

Counter surfing is extremely dangerous behaviour. Not only can your dog ingest food that is toxic for them, they can also eat the packaging. This leads to a stressful trip to the veterinarian, surgery, and an empty bank account. 

If you have a new puppy, you’ll want to read this blog post right away: How to Stop Your Puppy From Counter Surfing 

Here is the link: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/news/how-to-stop-your-puppy-from-counter-surfing

If you have a dog who counter surfs, here are three tips for how to stop this behaviour: 

1. LEAVE IT — Teach your dog a reliable “leave it” command. Leave it saves lives.

2. CALMNESS — The calmer you are, the better your relationship will be with your dog. If you are frustrated and often push your dog and yell “Stop it! Drop it! Bad dog — that was MY dinner!”, rather than calmly teaching her the behaviours you LIKE, spend some time working on yourself first. Calmness ripples outward and begins with you.

3. SUPERVISE — If your dog can’t be trusted to be alone in the kitchen yet, teach her to lie down calmly just outside of the kitchen while you cook and prepare her food too. This simple boundary says a lot in the dog world.

Teach your dog to be calm around food and to give you distance while you are cooking (Photo: dog laying on a dog bed)

Remember: Training your dog isn’t a sprint — it’s a marathon. How do you train for a marathon if you’ve NEVER done one before? You watch videos, you ask your friends who are runners for advice, you join a running club to learn how to do it, you research which shoes to buy, you break in those shoes gradually, you train for months, you change your diet, you pay attention to your hydration, you read, and you get in tune with your own body. 

This is the SAME for training your dog or your new puppy. It takes time, effort, dedication, patience, and often help from professionals. 

It takes patience, dedication, repetitions, and commitment to teach your dog not to counter surf (Photo: dog sitting near a table with a smoothie on it)

You CAN do this! 

And then one day, you’ll also be able to do this!

Teaching your dog to be calm around food sets everyone up for success: whether you’re at a picnic, eating off a coffee table, or hoping to have happy kids at the kids table. (Photo: Magic the Rottweiler resting calmly on the floor near a plate of bacon)

Dog leaders: Get out there and help your dog lovers! Send this blog post to anyone who is struggling with counter surfing. Let’s keep dogs safe this holiday season. 

Alyssa 

Photos by: Upsplash images (dog staring up at a table with food on it,) Upsplash (box of chocolates on a table,) Upsplash (dog laying on a dog bed,) Upsplash (dog sitting near a table with a smoothie on it,) Alyssa Foulkes (Magic the Rottweiler (the author’s dog) resting calmly on the floor near a plate of bacon.)

PEOPLE TRAINING OR DOG TRAINING?

Is your dog the only one who needs training? (Photo: woman high-fiving a Golden Retriever)

“It’s us that need to be trained,” says my new client to her husband. “Absolutely,” he says.

They are sitting on a couch with pens poised over notebooks, eager to learn how to help their dogs walk better on the leash, stop growling when they have bones, and how to stop them from counter surfing. 

In my experience, clients who bring out the notepad see results faster than those who don’t. It’s not only the presence of the notepad, it’s that statement: “It’s us that need the training.”  

“It’s us that need training.” (Photo: couple petting their dog)

Many of my clients have grown up with dogs who are a breeze. These dogs listened well, ignored other dogs while on leash, and never stole food from countertops. 

Now in their adult years, they adopt their own dog. Sometimes this first dog is also a breeze. Then, two or three dogs down the line, they adopt a puppy or a rescue dog who requires a different set of training skills. These clients quickly realize that the training methods that worked on their previous dogs aren’t working. Rather than getting frustrated trying the same methods over and over, they ask for help. 

They want to know WHY! 

Why is this dog so nervous when we’ve had her from a puppy? 

Why does she pull aggressively toward other dogs when she’s on a leash, but is friendly at the dog park? 

Why won’t she listen to me? This one is also frequently paired with: She’ll do what I ask, but then just walk away a few seconds later and go back to the bad behaviour. 

At Beyond Dog Training we go BEYOND training your dog. We train people. And we have a lot of fun doing it! 

Learning with Beyond Dog Training is FUN! (Photo: woman cuddling two Dachshunds)

Our job is to make sure our clients understand the root cause of their dog’s behavioural issues and then provide them with the tools to change the behaviour. 

This prevents training “solutions” that simply put a bandaid on barking (for example) and then two weeks later the bad behaviour bubbles up somewhere else. 

By understanding WHY your dog is barking in the first place and learning more about her, you’ll strengthen the bond between the two of you that much more. 

So, people training or dog training? Both, but in that order. 

The best board-and-train businesses will tell you the exact same thing. They’ll take your dog for a few weeks (sometimes longer) and then they will train YOU how to maintain what they have taught your dog. 

Owners who are taught how to keep up with the training program are the ones who succeed. 

Don’t believe me? I just met a $10,000 Belgian Malinois currently on his second home. He had been sent to an expensive board and train facility and his owners simply expected him to be perfect afterward. When his behaviour became too much for them, they returned him to the breeder. Thankfully that breeder found him a new owner who was willing to work hard EVERY DAY to meet his physical and mental needs. I watched him play fetch and he was having the time of his life. Magic was already tired from our long hike, so she watched too.

Are you meeting your dog’s physical AND mental needs? (Photo: Belgian Malinois running in long grass)

Everyone is at a different place in their dog journey. Everyone’s learning style is different. Every dog is different. 

You don’t need a notepad to succeed with us, only an open mind and a desire to learn. 

We look forward to working with you and your dogs!

Alyssa 

Photos by: Richard Brutyo @richardbrutyo (woman high-fiving a Golden Retriever,) Chewy @chewy (couple petting their dog,) Michael Tomaszewski @ralius (woman cuddling two Dachshunds,) Anthony Duran @fightmorefilms (Belgian Malinois running in long grass.)

Tips to Stop Puppy Biting

OUCH! How do I get my puppy to stop biting me? (Photo: puppy biting man’s hand)

The honeymoon phase is short. Your sweet and cuddly puppy has now earned the nickname GREMLIN. She gets a crazy look in her eye and just won’t stop biting you. What’s going on? 

Puppies learn about the world with their mouths. They don’t have thumbs, so they don’t pick things up with their paws to examine them the way primates do. When puppies play with their littermates, they use their mouths to wrestle. The puppies give each other feedback about the bites. If it’s too much, they yelp or end the game. 

As humans who have brought a puppy in to live in our human world, we often learn the hard way how much puppy teeth hurt. We get scrapes and bites on out hands and feet, and holes in our sweaters. 

Here are a few tips to help you ride the bite wave (because it does get better, I promise.) 

Owning a puppy requires patience and a desire to teach them how to live in the human world (Photo: person holding three sleeping puppies)

PATIENCE — Puppies teach us how to be patient. It’s a great gift. Stay calm while your puppy is in bite-mode. If you become more exciting by yelping a lot and moving around, you will keep the game going. Be boring. 

REDIRECT — Provide alternatives to chew on. Today, her favourite rubber bone isn’t popular, so try a plush toy instead. 

Today is a frisbee day. Later today, your puppy may prefer a frozen chew toy, a rope toy, or plush toy. Switch things up frequently. (Photo: Australian Shepherd catches a flying frisbee)

TIRED PUPPY — Puppies usually get really bitey when they are tired. This may be a great time to do a quick crate training session, and watch your puppy nod off to sleep. 

TEETHING — Some companies make chew toys that are designed for the freezer. Some are flavoured and even change colour. These cold toys provide comfort to your teething puppy. 

Try Nylabone’s Chill and Chew Freezer Dog Bone Treat Toys. The textured ridges make them versatile and satisfy your puppy’s need to chew. 

You can also try freezing a wet face cloth (rolled up.) Your puppy will love to chew on this too. Variety is everything during this stage. 

Bottom line: Don’t take puppy-biting personally and don’t get angry. Getting frustrated only makes things worse, because puppies are used to following CALM energy (their mom was CALM and she had RULES too.) 

Becoming a more patient person is a great gift. It is truly amazing what dogs can teach US!!! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders. 

Alyssa 

Want more free tips? Hop on our subscriber list (it’s at the bottom of the page.) Every week, you’ll get an email with exclusive tips to help you and your relationship with your dog flourish. 

Photos by: Daniel Lincoln @danny_lincoln (puppy biting man’s hand,) Anna Dudkova

@annadudkova (person holding three sleeping puppies,) Wolfgang Hasselmann

@wolfgang_hasselmann (Australian Shepherd catches a flying frisbee.)

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DOG WITHOUT FOOD

Coming! What’s my reward for coming back, though? (Photo: Australian Shepherd running towards photographer)

Is your dog overweight because your last trainer told you to feed her hotdogs? You fed her as strangers approached, as dogs walked by, and every time you saw a squirrel. You fed her every time she sat, every time she lay down, and every time she barked out the window. Sometimes when you fed her, you thought, “Am I reinforcing her for barking at the window, though?” 

Your gut instinct was right. Your dog learned that when she barks at the window, the next thing she should do is run to you and get a nice piece of hotdog. Since your trainer didn’t show you what to do next, your dog took the lead and ran back to the window to bark some more, and then came back for more treats. What an awesome game! 

Bark. Treat. Repeat. (Photo: two dogs sitting on a balcony)

Now your dog is overweight and your veterinarian says if she doesn’t lose the weight, she’ll need knee surgery. 

How are you going to get your dog to listen to you? This is the only way you know how to “train,” so now what do you do? 

You read on. 

One of my newer clients called me to help with her rescue dog. She’d been training with food, but quickly realized that when her dog is outside and fixated on another dog she could “slap him in the face with a steak and he wouldn’t notice.” 

Sound familiar? 

Is it impossible to get your dog to come back to you when you don’t have food? (Photo: two dogs running together off-leash)

Here are some tips to help you reach your goal of a friendly family dog who is nice to strangers and doesn’t pull on the leash…and is a healthy weight too: 

1. WHAT DOES YOUR DOG LOVE? — Your dog loves YOU! She will likely work for your praise. You should use your voice to praise your dog. Be aware that dogs who are very high drive and excited already don’t need your “Good sit!” to have as much enthusiasm as if your child just got into the university of their choice. All dogs are snowflakes. Figure out whether a calmer tone helps your dog know she’s done a good job, or if you need a little more enthusiasm (because your dog is a little bit shy and requires more encouragement.)

2. TOUCH — Along with your voice, some dogs are very happy to work for being petted. We’ve all seen a police dog getting thumped on the rump for a job well done. That doesn’t mean YOUR pet dog enjoys that much enthusiasm and force. Some dogs like that and some dogs don’t. Your dog may be a little shy and likes a gentle chest rub. Bottom line, know YOUR dog. Again, this is NOT a one-size-fits-all blog. We are BEYOND dog training because we help our clients learn how to best reach THEIR goals with THEIR dog.

Find the reward that works best for YOUR dog (Photo: German Shepherd-Akita mix being rewarded with petting)

TOYS — Your dog loves tug o’ war. Use this to your advantage. Your tug toy is now your dog’s reward. Ask them to heel, lay down, or sit and reward them with a bit of tug. Before using this method, teach your dog a reliable “drop it” command. Check out this video on IGTV where I work with a new rescue dog named Odin. His owner was spending LOTS of money on treats. Watch this beautiful boy work for his favourite toy here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CHvBASansZR/

Tug o’ war is a great reward for dogs who love tug (Photo: German Shepherd puppy playing tug o’ war)

We hope you have lots of fun learning about what motivates YOUR dog. Drop a comment below and let us know what your dog loves to work for. 

If you want to learn how to wean your dog off of treats gradually, we can show you how to do that. Give us a call (for FREE) and we’ll get you on the path to a healthier dog.

Schedule a free call with us today: https://beyonddogtraining.ca/take-action or click the TAKE ACTION button below.

We would love to hear about your dog’s unique needs. 

We are in no way against using treats while working with dogs. This blog post  is designed to help those of you who have a dog who REFUSES food in certain situations and either shuts down with fear or explodes out of excitement (and or aggression.) This is designed to help those of you who are being yanked to the ground (or into traffic) by your dog when your dog sees another dog, squirrel, or jogger while you’re out walking. 

Hope it helps!! 

Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!

Alyssa  

Photos by: Free Upsplash Image (Australian Shepherd running towards photographer,) Brina Blum @brina_blum (two dogs sitting on a balcony,) bantersnaps @bantersnaps (German Shepherd-Akita mix being rewarded with petting,) Vincent van Zalinge @vincentvanzalinge (two dogs running together off-leash,) Rebecca Campbell @campbellcreates (German Shepherd puppy playing tug o’ war.)

DOES YOUR DOG RUN AWAY FROM YOU?

Does your dog run away every time you pick up her harness? (Photo: Weimaraner licking its lips and moving away from camera)

You walk toward your front hall. You haven’t even TOUCHED the harness yet, but your dog has taken off. You’ve blocked off all of her usual hiding places, but she can still fit under the bed and you forgot to close the door. You can’t reach her. 

“I have to go to work,” you say to her. You try not to sound frustrated, but your voice betrays you. And then you drop an *F* bomb. Your dog is shaking and scared and now you feel worse because not only is she afraid of the harness, she’s afraid of you too. 

If you leave for work, you’ll come back to shredded curtains, pee, and likely a stinky poo as well. 

If you stay and wait for her to come out from under the bed, you’ll be late for work again and your boss will probably fire you. 

Why does she hide every time you pick up (or go near) her harness? 

Have you accidentally taught your dog to run away from you when it’s time to go for a walk? (Photo: chihuahua wearing a harness and leash)

The most likely answer is that your dog never learned how to have her harness put on properly, so she doesn’t enjoy the ritual. 

You can be the one to teach her how to ENJOY having her harness put on, but you need to SLOW DOWN. 

Don’t teach her when you only have five minutes before you’re going to be late for work. Teach her on your day off and really take your time. 

Dogs will only COME to humans who are calm, confident LEADERS. 

If your dog views you as her bestie instead of her boss, you need to work on that part of your relationship first. 

Does your dog come when called? If not, begin there. Recall saves lives. If she won’t come to you to put her harness on, she won’t come to you when she’s nose-to-nose with an aggressive dog, a porcupine, or an oncoming bus. 

Every time your dog comes to you should be a POSITIVE EXPERIENCE for her. This doesn’t mean she gets a steak every time (or a package of hotdogs.) 

Right now, every time she comes to you, she gets put into a harness that she doesn’t like wearing. Try sitting down and letting her come to you. Try not being in a rush. Try not getting frustrated at her (or yourself) during the process. 

Teaching your dog to come builds trust (Photo: black and white dog runs toward person sitting on the ground)

Teach your dog to become part of the process. Crouch down and wait for your dog to come to you. Do not use the moment they arrive to snatch them up and yank on the harness. Instead, praise them for coming. Be sure to say “Good come,” instead of “Good girl,” so your pup can learn what she did correctly. 

Practice “Come” in various parts of your home. Practice calling her while standing up as well. Call her while you’re in a different room from her. Before you know it, you’ll be practicing outside too!

When she begins to learn that coming to you is awesome, you’ll be well on your way to being able to have her come to you while you’re holding the harness. 

The more patient you are and the more repetitions you do, the faster your dog will learn. 

Let us know in the comments below if you struggle to put on your dog’s harness.

Be kind to yourself and your dog. 

Working with animals isn’t easy and it’s okay NOT to know how to do everything correctly. The important thing is you’re here, you’re learning, and you’ll do anything to help your dog have an awesome life. You’ll get there! Keep going!

Alyssa 

Photos by: Nathalie SPEHNER@nathalie_spehner (Weimaraner licking its lips and moving away from camera,) Sharon McCutcheon @sharonmccutcheon (chihuahua wearing a harness and leash,) UPSPLASH image (black and white dog runs toward person sitting on the ground)