The double down is an incredibly useful skill for dogs to have. It requires the dog to be in a down already, and then you tell them to place their head on the floor. It essentially tells them “I know that there is a lot going on around you, but I need you to remain calm and ignore it all”. This skill takes practice, and in a situation like this where he is very closeContinue reading “The Double Down Around Distractions”
Author Archives: astoffel
Basic Functions of the E-Collar
We have found a lot of value in the Mini Educator from E-Collar Technologies for training and working with dogs. This video is solely to demonstrate how the remote and collar function, and does not go into any training techniques, strategies, or methods. Turn on/off• Remote: Hold On/Off button for 3 seconds.• Collar: Touch red dot on remote to red dot on collar. Flashing green light means collar is on, momentary red light then noContinue reading “Basic Functions of the E-Collar”
4 tricks to teach better leash manners
What does a walk with your dog look like? Does she walk nicely by your side, or does she lunge and pull to get to every tree, squirrel, or piece of trash on the ground? If you are having difficulty on your walks, I want to encourage you to slow down. The best thing that you can do with a difficult walker is to decrease the distance you walk and decrease the distractions that youContinue reading “4 tricks to teach better leash manners”
If something isn’t working, switch it up!
If something isn’t working, switch it up! Yesterday was a tough day for me. I lacked any motivation to get work done, so other than my virtual workout with Crossfit Connex, I had a very unproductive day. Instead of staring at the computer forcing myself to come up with programming ideas (which I did for about two hours), I took the day off. I did a puzzle, I started a new batch of Kombucha, andContinue reading “If something isn’t working, switch it up!”
5 tips to welcome a new dog into your family
Wisconsin humane societies and pet rescues all over the state are emptying out as people are taking the Safer At Home order as an opportunity to adopt new pets. Welcoming a new pet into your home can be such a fun and exciting experience for the entire family. It can also become overwhelming if you don’t have a plan in place to teach your new dog appropriate household behaviors. Here are five tips to makeContinue reading “5 tips to welcome a new dog into your family”
Teach Your Dog to Sit Pretty
This is a more advanced trick that needs to be taken slowly. For the “Sit Pretty” command, we’re asking your dog to sit in an upright position on its hind legs only. This takes a lot of muscle strength and stability that your dog needs to develop in order to hold this position safely. Take your time between each step and make sure that your dog is safely performing the command before moving on toContinue reading “Teach Your Dog to Sit Pretty”
Trick Training – Spin Command
Are you looking for something new to do this weekend? Trick training is such a great way to build a relationship with your dog while keeping them mentally engaged and moving around. Take your time at each phase of this video and make sure that your dog understands what you’re asking of it before moving to the next step. If you notice your dog getting confused or frustrated, slow down, go back a step, andContinue reading “Trick Training – Spin Command”
Structure Leads to Sanity
Dogs are creatures of habit. When your dog has a clear and consistent routine, it allows them to relax because they know: a) what will come next in their day, b) that you have control over the situation, and c) that they do not need to worry about their day. With structure, you can have a calm and relaxed dog. Without it, you can expect chaos, anxious energy, and problem behaviors. So how do weContinue reading “Structure Leads to Sanity”