Saber K9

Merry Christmas if you celebrate!

Today we had a shadow student come out to join us for training at the park. Her GSD Max was hopefully paying attention to the sport dogs during their training. We hope to see them out again working and training!

Dogs: Lyra, Lagada, Kyber, and Max

This little man looks happy as can be but he actually joined our board and train program due to severe human related anxiety. He’s very nervous even when his parents offer him treats.

So for the next few weeks the goal is to work on his anxiety as well as teach Gus a much better recall

🐾 Mastering Recall Training: Bring Your Dog Back Every Time! 🐕

Hey there, dog lovers! 🐶 Want your furry friend to come running back to you, no matter what exciting distractions are around? We've got you covered with recall training tips. 🎉

1. Be the Exciting One:
Be the life of the party! 🎊 When you call your dog, make it the most exciting thing ever. Use an enthusiastic tone and playtime as a reward. 🎾

2. Offer Irresistible Rewards:
Beat those competing motivators! 🍖 Use high-value treats like chicken or cheese. Mix it up with favorite toys or belly rubs. Keep them guessing! 🎁

3. Clarity is Key:
Clear commands are a must. Choose a distinct word like "come" and introduce markers like "yes" to pinpoint the right behavior. 🐾

4. Practice Makes Perfect:
Practice, practice, practice! Start in controlled environments and gradually up the distractions. Stay patient and consistent. Every small win is progress! 🐕🏆

Recall training strengthens your bond and keeps your pup safe. 🐶💖 Enjoy the journey of becoming a recall superstar! 🌟

Unlocking the Art of Dog Training & Socialization 🐶✨

Forget what you thought you knew about dog socialization! 🐾It's not all about non-stop play and interaction. 🎾🐕 In fact, the real magic happens when our furry friends can stay cool, calm, and collected around each other. 😌❤️

Meet Milo, the little guy who conquered his fear reactions. 🐶🙌 And those two adorable bully mixes Dutton and Layla? They've come a long way from hyper-social to savvy interpreters of doggy cues. 🐾🤝

📸 Captured after a group sit, this pic captures a profound moment of serene coexistence. No, it's not an anti-play stance! 🚫🎉 Rather, it's a reminder that our fur babies don't always need playdates to thrive. Just like we cherish our "me" time, dogs can revel in peaceful camaraderie. 🐾💕

Balancing play with poise is the key to paw-some socialization. 🐶🤝 Whether they're romping around or calmly chilling, our pups are learning the art of harmonious interaction. 🐕🌟

Let's celebrate the journey of doggy socialization—where every wag, bark, and pause brings us closer to a united and well-rounded furry community. 🐾🐶❤️

Here is some tips for having a successful dog training session with your pup!

1. Always have something your dog believes is high value (ex. Food or toy) for their reward. Just because it was expensive does not mean the dog believes it’s high value

2. Break up the criteria into duration of command, distractions in the environment, and distance from the dog. Only work on one of those items at a time!

3. Have fun with your dog! If either of you are not enjoying the training in the moment, take a break and reevaluate if the criteria is too high

Olive, Layla, and Milo are here in our board and train program to work on their overall obedience and understanding of commands!

Recall is probably the most important command your dog can know. To achieve a reliable recall I like to play various games.

The first is just to say your pup’s name when close and mark it and give them a treat. This is all about just getting your dog to give you their attention when they hear their name.

The next game is to throw a treat away from you while your pup is on a leash. Once they find the treat, give the recall word and back away from your dog. While they are running towards you, mark it and give them a treat when they arrive. Rinse and repeat. You do not need to be far from your dog to start working on recall!

The dogs like Rocco are the reason I train dogs. He was a fearful guy who was prone to bluffing aggression. His family had trouble with him not panicking just going for their nightly walk down their block. It is sad to see a dog they have had since a puppy have so much genetic fear in them. But after the board and train? He is in a public park practicing his recalls with utter enthusiasm! He would look at other dogs and run over to me and jump up and down like Tigger to ensure I saw he made a good choice in not barking at them. He is happy and full of the energy he should have outside at only a year and change old. Good boy Rocco 🐾

🐾 The Importance of Proper Puppy Socialization 🐾

🔍 Misconception: Socializing means letting puppies play with every dog they meet. But we're raising future dogs, not just puppies. Improper socialization can lead to reactive behaviors later on.

⚠️ Reactive Excitement: Some dogs become overly excited, pulling their owners towards every new person or dog they see. They lack impulse control and struggle to focus, like Dug from Disney's Up!

⚠️ Overwhelmed Fear: Others become overwhelmed and fearful, anticipating interactions with new things. This fear limits their ability to adapt and enjoy life to the fullest.

❗️ The Outcome: Both paths result in reactive behavior, such as barking and lunging, often requiring professional help to address.

🐾 Proper Puppy Socialization: Instead of unrestricted play, focus on engagement and teach your puppy to remain neutral to external distractions.

💡 Engage & Remain Neutral: Prioritize engagement with you in new environments, helping your puppy stay calm and self-assured.

🐶 Dog Friends Matter: Controlled playdates with well-behaved dogs owned by friends and family contribute positively to their development.

✋ Rule of Thumb: If an interaction will last only a few minutes and won't have a lasting impact, it's best to avoid it.

🐕 Build a Strong Foundation: Proper socialization sets the stage for a well-adjusted and non-reactive adult dog.

🔗 Check out our latest blog to learn more about the importance of proper puppy socialization!

Honestly, I get bored training technical competitive obedience. So when I’m feeling a bit burnt out, we work on tricks! I love breaking out my dogs’ wide repertoire of adorable tricks for friends at backyard cookouts during summer.

One of my favorite classic tricks is sitting pretty like Mak is preforming in this picture but what I like to add is falling over into “playing dead”. This combo is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

An absolute hit among parents of young kids is when I bring out the “clean up” trick which is when a dog will put several toys into their basket.

A more complex trick is riding a skateboard. The behavior of standing on the board itself is not that difficult but the movement can often be a big hurtle for the dog to overcome.

What’s your favorite trick to bring out at parties?

I advocate for my clients to have a handle on their first dog before considering getting a second.

While not the primary way dogs learn, they can learn by watching other dogs. If the older dog potties outside the new pup will learn faster to also potty outside. But just like they can pick up how to do good things faster, they can also learn bad or unwanted behaviors from the older dog.

If the older dog is reactive then the new one can pick up that behavior or fear of the unknown from them. Or a bit more benignly they can learn the art of counter surfing from the older dog.

Have you ever seen a dog learn something from another dog? If so, share your story in the comments!