Catching the BREEZE!!!

This is a video of Opal, my 4 year old Wirehaired Hungarian Vizsla. I captured video footage the first time I put this safety fan on the coffee table. She loves to bite at the water stream from a garden hose and I wonder if she felt similar sensations doing this.

When I play garden hose games with her I use turn the water on and off and use the game as a reward. eg: I ask Opal to "down" and as a reward she gets to catch the water stream. Hmmmm.... wonder how I could use this as another training opportunity...?

Please know that there are many "funny" dog videos that I find offensive because the dogs show obvious signs of stress. I believe this was safe and stress free for Opal and hope you feel this to be true as well.


Enjoy!

Do these statistics motivate you to do some more training with your dog? Of those reading this that have taken our STEP ONE Class who would like a Recall Workshop in August?







Dog Training graphic created by Pet365.

Summer Holidays

The Dog Days of Summer have finally arrived!

Paw In Hand will be taking holidays from July 18 - Aug 7. Part of that time will be family holiday in Oregon and part of the time I will be taking a Dog Trainers course in Washington.

When I come back I will have some fresh ideas for the fall!

Thank you so much for your understanding.

Arrrroooooooo!

Maren

Farley plays Otter

I finally caught Farley on video doing his favourite trick!
Playing Otter in the loose dirt slithering down a slope!
Luckily he also likes to swim!!!

Introducing Katherine Mutzke!

Hello All! Arf Wuff!

Katherine and Maren met 5 years ago and instantly recognized that they shared the same philosophy of relationship based dog training. Since then they have attended training workshops and seminars together.
They often get together to play, train and hike with their own dogs. In 2010 Maren and Katherine started teaching dog training classes -- so -- time is overdue for a formal introduction!

This year we are offering Puppy's First Steps Classes as well as continuing with our STEP ONE classes. NEXT STEP classes starting later in the spring will further you and your dogs learning by targeting specific issues such as Trailettiquette, leash walking and more.

See http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html for class details. Puppy classes have ongoing registration -- if you know of anyone with a puppy get them started on the right paw! http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/puppies-wanna-learn-too.html

Maren and Katherine are also both available for private training sessions, either in your home or out and about for followups. See http://pawinhand.com/pages/training.php for more details.

We both look forward to sharing many happy training successes with you and your dogs!

Arrrooooooo!

Maren and Katherine

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Those of us who share our lives with dogs are spoiled.

I think Marc Beckoff sums up my fascination of living with; communicating with, and being respectful of the emotional and physical needs of dogs.

"...the more we learn the more we see that other animals are smarter and more creative than we give them credit for, or perhaps ever imagined. Best to keep an open mind about the cognitive skills of the animals with whom we share our homes and the rest of the planet for "surprises" are continually forthcoming. " Marc Bekoff

Dogs LOVE to learn, play, socialize, cuddle, enjoy tasty things and explore the world through their noses. I find ways to tap into their strengths and LOVES in life to teach them appropriate social skills, which in turn deepen their bond with their guardians.

It brings me much joy to see guardians and their dogs in lightbulb moments, both learning to work together. I'm very excited to be able to join the Paw In Hand crew of like minds!

I share my life with 2 Beagles, Daizy n George, and a free spirit Aussie named Keegan. Our never ending training scrapbook is the tip of the iceberg happy-houndz.blogspot.com on our quest to overcome challenges as they arise and enjoy life at the same time. We're always up to something new!

I've worked with puppies and dogs; my own, fosters, and clients using relationship building exercises for 9yrs. My training came by way of taking classes apprenticing and volunteering at Dogsmart.ca. My ongoing mentors are Alice Fisher, CPDT-KA, Rita Britton, CPDT-KA. I'm a training junkie, and attend as many seminars, buy DVD's , read as many books as I can. I admire the work of and use training methodology, the likes of; Dr. Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed MRCVS, Susan Garrett, Dr. Patricia McConnell Ph.D, CAAB, Kathy Sdao, CAAB, Dr. Karen Overall, VMD, PhD, Diplomate ACVB, Dr. Sophia Yin, Sylvia Trkman, Leslie McDevitt, MLA, CDBC, CPDT, and that's only naming a few!

Inaugural Small Dog Field Trip!

Paw In Hand is now offering Small Dog Field Trips. All the goodness of our popular group dog walks but with a "small" difference! Small dogs need exercise, a chance to be out in nature and interact with other dog buddies too. Maren's dog Trixie is a small 10 pound Chihuahua/Yorki? cross and has taught her a lot about small dogs' needs. Occasionally a relaxed, friendly larger dog will be incorporated into the group to to help small dogs desensitize to larger dogs. As with all our interactions with dogs we carefully monitor their social body language signals which show their emotional state and help ensure everyone is comfortable.



We always consider your dogs’ safety in all our interactions and though there are inherent risks to off leash dog group activity they are minimized by careful observation, interception, behaviour modification and training. We reinforce desirable behaviours using praise, rewards and play. Long lines and bells are available for dogs not quite ready for full off leash freedom.

See our website for more details: http://pawinhand.com/pages/walking.php

Happy Tails and Happy Trails!
Maren

Elvis had fun while his people were on holiday!

Puppy Snow Day and Review of Puppy Class Night!

What a fun day! Fluffy snow falling all day! Puppy's First Steps -- making snowy footprints!
Then a great group of puppies and people at puppy socialization class tonight!
Between the snow fun and the play'n train in class I bet they will sleep soundly tonight!
Kinda like this fun loving pup!


Wanda, Babs, Sally and Jack have all done some great homework with their people. It was nice watching your interaction with your people!

We missed Icycle and Niki this class but here are some notes so you can see what to work on this week.

We talked a bit about the difference between learning and testing. Find ways to incorporate training into daily life rather than reacting. http://www.dogstardaily.com/blogs/not-test

Socialization - Keep up the good work. The critical socialization period is coming near an end. Make a checklist of what you still want to expose your puppies to so they will become adaptable canine members of society. http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/83/Socializing-Your-Puppy.aspx

Body Language - We observed the pups communicating with each using subtle effective body language. Appropriate interactions were praised. Inappropriate ones were interrupted and then the pups were redirected. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VmWizZueFQ&feature=related . Read up on stress or calming signals http://www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1. See

Attention - Last week I asked you to watch your dog out of the corner of your eye as often as possible and when they glance at you and to say "yes" or "good" and follow it with some rewarding treat, toy, praise, game, or activity. Owners said that their dogs were more tuned into them already! The next step we practiced tonight was to ask your pups to "say please" with eye contact before being released to freedom and play and other life rewards. http://dogscouts.org/Indirect_Access.html

Leave It Foundation Exercise - (Closed fist "zen") We used the Reward Marker RM when the dog backed off and stayed away from the treat hand. The reward came from a different hand. A couple of the puppies advanced to eye contact before being rewarded. We also tried "under the foot" zen with a couple of the pups. Great progressions. See what you can work on at home this week! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNAOe1djDyc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Dogs NAME - That's my name ... don't wear it out! Reminder of the difference between training and testing again. In a learning situation if you think there is a pretty good chance of your dog responding then say their name and the instant they turn their head say "yes" and then reward that head flick with something really great! Treats, toy, game, or all of the above. In a "test" situation then try to prevent from repeating your dog's name multiple times. Say "hey pup pup" or "Fuzz Wuzz" or maybe just go and get the little wuffie and then make a note to keep working on training and slowly working up the distractions. http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/search/label/name%20game

Hand Target - This simple exercise is actually a key to many more training games. Use high value rewards and lots of enthusiasm for this game in the beginning stages so that it's value can transfer to other exercises and eventually become rewarding in itself! Focusing on you, poliste leash walking, off leash trail manners, meet and greet with people, and plenty of fancy tricks too! http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/search/label/Hand%20Target

By finding ways to incorporate these simple games into your ever day life you dog will look to you more often for interaction and as a provider of the good things in life. You will be your dog's benevolent leader!

Next week I have to remember to get out my camera!!! It is so hard to take my attention away from the puppy fun!!! I did get one short video clip the first night though...

Step One Companion Dog Training Class - Graduation Nov 2010

Thanks for joining our Step One Companion Dog Training Class. It was a pleasure to share training time with you and your doggies! We feel proud seeing everyone embrace our style of training! You wrapped your heads around something different, asked questions and were honest about what was working and what wasn't so that we could help you tweak things along the way.












The attention and reorienting games that we taught you are the foundation for Step Two Classes. "Trail Ettiquiette" (Spring 2011) and "Tricks and Games for Leash Manners" (Next).

Step One- Wk 3 summary

For those who would like a quick reminder of what to practice this week, and how it can be applied to everyday life, here's a quick overview. We'll be showing you how to use the foundation skills when working through moving distractions on Sunday.

You Won!

Remember when you were a kid and you heard or read the words "You Won" it really meant something special to you and you looked forward to your prize with great anticipation? I bet now you are skeptical when you hear these same words and hardly pay any attention to them...

In dog training we use a "Reward Marker". We want our dog to eagerly anticipate hearing it and getting the coveted prize! In order to keep it meaningful to the dog we have to ensure it stays "charged" and ensure that it is followed every time with powerful rewards that your particular dog finds reinforcing in that situation. It is usually used in the learning stages of a new behaviour.

In the later stages of training we use praise, petting, happy body language and intermittent rewards to reinforce behaviours that your dog already responds to. (I hesitate to say "know" as that is a whole different blog post!)

This article will help you understand when and how to use a "Reward Marker".

http://www.hollysden.com/Dog-and-Puppy-Training-Articles/Positive-Dog-Training.htm

Identification ID!!!

Over the past week I have had 3 -- yes, three -- phone calls from people who found a dog wandering or lost and called the phone number on the back of the little green Paw In Hand Pet Services tag. In all cases the dog was not far from home or nearby with it's owner and quickly reunited. If you and your doggie are a client of mine I will do my best to retrieve your dog if found and take care of it in the meantime until you can be contacted.

Check your dogs' collar and tags daily. Tags do fall off occasionally ... some dogs are rougher on their tags than others ... right Sophie? ;0)

Please ensure that your pet has a snug fitting collar and that tags are current with at least two different phone numbers. Local Pet Supply Stores can make identification tags on the spot! For travelling you can also get temporary pouches and tubes for alternative contact information.

Having the rabies tag and the municipal dog licence tag on your dog is also important. In case of emergency all the information is available.

Microchips and Tatoos are options that you may want to consider but they are secondary to the first place people look when they find a loose dog ... the bright green Paw In Hand tag!!! My doggie buddies!

xo
Auntie Maren

Trick'n Treat Training!

Happy HOWL-o-ween!


I see training opportunities!

- Doorbell ringing means automatic "go to place"
- Opportunity to accept rushed handling and having costumes adjusted
- Default "Stay" while I open the door...
- "Wait" even with goulish distractions!
- Attention to me gets a treat
- Then a chance to say hi to the trick-or-treaters!
- A chance to check out the candy with their nose is cued by "sniff-sniff"




I am very lucky that my dogs aren't upset by fireworks but I also didn't want to chance it and take them out on the streets on Halloween evening. We had fun at home!


Join our dog training classes and teach your dog some of these foundation behaviours so that next year your Halloween will be happy too!
Step One
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html

Great use for your old choke chain...

You won't need it anymore!





Our training methods don't use leash and collar corrections so no need for special "training" collars.

We teach voluntary and default behaviours in our training classes. We put the onus on our dogs to learn what behaviours are needed in certain situations. No need for commands or corrections because the dog learns that there is value in doing what we have taught them.

Curious?
Join our Step One Training class
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html




Interesting article on choke chains...
http://www.ipdta.org/choke-chains.html

Mat training for travelling

Teaching your dog to go to their mat, stay on their mat and have calm positive associations with their mat makes going away from home an easier transition!




Early training to love going to the mat!



Advanced training to go to the mat from a distance and stay on it until released:



In our training classes we teach active and passive mat exercises. Mat training is also a good way to proof distractions and get longer stays.
Join our next set of classes!
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html

First lessons in hand targeting

Daisy had a sleepover at our house for a few days.
Her owners were in hospital with their new baby girl ... Congratulations!!!

I don't know whether Daisy has ever played the hand target game before or not but she is an enthusiastic learner!



I played around with her for a bit -- tempting her to touch my open hand and the moment her nose touched my hand I marked it with a crisp clear "Yes" and immediately placed a treat in the same target hand that she had just touched. A few repetitions and high value rewards made the game very reinforcing! Movement and happy praise and interaction came along with the package.

Daisy quickly caught on and followed my hand to the left side or right side of my body, in walking position and coming towards me. These positions could eventually have a verbal cue applied such as "side" or "close" for when encountering other users on trails or "heel" or "front". When walking on leash a hand target could also be used in distracting situations to help the dog focus on you. Using a hand target also helps your dog comes close to your body when called.

The hand target itself becomes a reward for many dogs just for the chance to play such a fun game with you.

We teach the hand target as one of the foundation behaviours in our training classes. Join us!

Step One
http://pawinhand.blogspot.com/p/step-one.html

No Barking

Sometimes you just have to have some fun!!!

FACEBOOK Dog Diary

We are on FACEBOOK now!






Check out Dog Diary:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dog-Diary/156614314361954?v=wall

New session of classes:
Companion Dog Training

Your instructors Maren Bruun, Paw In Hand Pet Services
& Kate Mutzke, Fresh Start Dog Training

When: Classes start 6:30pm - 7:30 pm /7:45pm - 8:45 pm
Sundays Oct 17 - Nov 14 no class on Oct. 31
Where: Brennan Park Community Center / Auditorium
Register: $100 / 4 classes, register at https://www.squamishlive.ca/

What to expect: STEP ONE focuses on attention, on and off leash and impulse control
issues. Using Positive Reinforcement, motivation and benevolent leadership.
Covers: Sit/down/stand stays to teach dogs how to settle, and recalls away from
distractions. Working on and off leash through everyday life challenges; from greeting
people politely with four on the floor, to curbing bad habits of chasing vehicles,
skateboards and bikes included. We will also cover appropriate social skills when meeting
other dogs.
Result: Your dog will be eager to follow your benevolent lead whether at home or out on
the trails.
Prerequisite: Enthusiastic owners and their happy go lucky dogs ... those in need of
some training but not with any serious behaviour issues. If you are unsure contact us to
discuss your dog and assess your needs. Age: 5 months and up

*Private sessions available to those working towards a class environment.

What to bring: Your dog (wearing a plain buckle collar), You (wearing comfortable
outdoor clothing), 6 foot plain leash, walking harness if you use one, scrumptious small
soft dog treats that your dog will jump hoops for, special toy that your dog goes googly
eyed over, and a soft mat.

* Please leave your dog in your vehicle when you first arrive (with leash attached if it is
safe to do so). Bring your gear (treats, toys and mat) to the meeting area.

For more information see http://pawinhad.blogspot.com or call Maren 604.892.4278