1 Pack K9 Training

Sunny days and happy Rotties

Lettie trying out some exercise equipment 😆

We had workers at the house yesterday, so Gaia and I went out to Draper for a few hours!

Titus took a stroll through Bluff Creek this morning! We stopped several times for shade & water - but nothing beats a dip in the pool🙂

Gaia went with us on a getaway to an AirBnB in northeastern Oklahoma. She is NOT a water dog but I was so proud of her for going out into the water on her own! She didn't go far, but it was good to see her push herself! We enjoyed a few walks around the property - it was tick infested, so we both had to make sure we were armed and prepared, even for potty walks! But between those critters & the heat, we never stayed out long lol.

She did great laying on the porch and just listening to the birds and enjoying all the new smells that came in with each breeze. Then the rain showers that came - a true Okie dog, sitting on the porch, watching the rain. The cabin had a strict - no dogs on the furniture - so I got down on the floor with her and she cuddled right up 🥰

A well mannered dog makes it an easy choice to take your pup with you on vacation!

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs

When temps go above 70 degrees, your pup is susceptible to heat stroke - especially with high humidity.

Know the signs to look for!

- Short snouts, dark coats, thick coats, older dogs, puppies, and pups with health issues are more vulnerable.

- Always take plenty of water & a bowl when going out.

- Test pavement with the back of your hand for 5 secs. If it's too hot for you, don't let your dog walk on it.

- Don't drench your dog's coat, this can actually trap heat. Instead cool them off by wetting their feet, belly, ears. You can pour water on their back and run your hand against the grain of the coat so that air is able to circulate.

- Kiddie pools are great!1

- Never leave your dog in a car during these temps unless it's left on with a/c

- Limit activity to early morning or late evening...again pavement gets hot later in the day - check before walking.

How Hot Is Too Hot for Dogs? | PetMD Knowing how hot is too hot for your dog can help keep them healthy and free of serious consequences. Taking the right precautions to keep your dog safe in hot weather is very important. In this article, Dr. Barri Morrison helps readers understand how hot is too hot for dogs.

My training theology as well - I will never work with a dog to go off-leash without an e-collar.

The e-collar is there for the, 'by chance' occurrence that your dog doesn't come back, or thinks they can shoot off to chase that prey. It isn't due to poor training....it's due to your dog being.... a DOG...a prey driven animal who is hard-wired in specific ways.

I want my clients to have the confidence that they will have control of their dog in that 1 off chance their dog's instincts over-ride training or the impulse is just too much. You deserve that peace of mind and your dog deserves that back-up.

Seeing as we’ve had quite the discourse going in regards to e-collars and recall training, here’s my stance.

In 18 years, and several thousand dogs trained, I’ve never sent a client dog home without clear instruction that for any off-leash work besides the house or fenced yard… all dogs wear an e-collar. Period.

Is it because the dogs aren’t trained to recall without one? Nope. Will the dogs almost certainly still recall without it, regardless of circumstances? Yep.

Then why the rigid reliance on e-collars for all my clients when they take their dogs anywhere off-leash?

Because dogs are dogs, and reality is unpredictable and unforgiving.

Because even the most highly trained dogs:
-Get distracted
-Get spooked
-Get overwhelmed by a prey opportunity
-Get overwhelmed by a play opportunity

And when reality shows up, and it will show up, I will not allow my clients and their dogs to be at the mercy of hope.

Hoping that you can get your dog back, because you’ve “Done serious training and proofing” with food, toys, and affection… is not only foolish, it’s wildly irresponsible.

It’s placing your dog’s life in the hands of hope. And I want nothing to do with hope. I want my clients to have every possible advantage they can have. When that heart-stopping moment inevitably occurs, and the s**t hits the fan, and the immaculately trained dog is for some reason momentarily absent… I want my clients to be able to remind their dog that recall is not optional, and it will happen right now.

Because, as many who’ve been through this horrible moment without an e-collar will tell you, you often don’t get a second chance. You only need your dog to make one mistake out of a thousand perfect recalls to have it be life altering or life ending.

Can I train a dog to recall extremely well without an e-collar? Of course. It’s not rocket science. Will I ever suggest my clients risk their dog’s lives by being off-leash without one?

Never.

Because ego, ignorance, or blind adherence to delusional orthodoxy will get your dog killed.

The Good Dog Way
Gig Harbor, WA
Phoenix, AZ