Our Gang Dog Training and Behavior

04/20/2022

Rest In Peace, Ace. You were loved very much by your person, and became an endearing member of our Nosework community. ❤️ Our hearts go out to Tom at this difficult time..
Few owners are as dedicated to their dogs as Tom was to Ace. Ace certainly had his challenges and fears, and Tom diligently worked with him for years through all of that and then began Nosework training with his dog which became an excellent outlet for Ace. Tom and Ace have been students with us since 2014 when we began working through behavior challenges. Later on they began training in Nosework, and attended just about every single Nosework seminar we have hosted. I happened to be competing at the same NW1 they were competing at and was delighted to see them achieve this back in October where this photo is taken.

04/20/2022

I have the best students!!!

04/15/2022

Registration is online through the website. What are you waiting for?

Charlie Peacock • Starlight (feat. Sam Ashworth)

04/13/2022

Take your pup’s skills to the next level! It’s important to keep training with those pups and dogs through the first year of your relationship together. Training is preventative “medicine” - head off behavior problems before they start! Level 2 is where we build on those foundation skills and add more complexity. We also teach lots of new skills that focus on impulse control such as leave it, wait, settle, go to place.

Otis McDonald • Heatwave

04/12/2022

GREAT graphic from Good As Gold Training. Basically sums up what we tell our students with new pups!
We do believe in structured play dates that are monitored, and we run puppy socials for this reason. They are a safe alternative to dog parks and daycares.

This is a good illustration of puppy socialization needs, shared from Good as Gold Training, but I would also add that all of the listed exposure and experience needs to feel *safe* for the puppy. If s/he is nervous, tentative, or fearful the fear should be handled by backing off a little and reintroducing very slowly and with lots of praise, food and patience. Sometimes, for the sake of "socialization", owners push their puppies too far and too fast, and it can backfire. Good socialization requires that we "read" our puppies and help them feel safe as they navigate the sounds, textures, people and animals in their new world.

04/12/2022

How it’s going

04/11/2022

This!
Some wise words from Denise Fenzi.

04/10/2022

We are still in need of an additional day training instructor. M/W part time hours. Email me if interested.

04/10/2022

How it’s going….

A little glimpse into our breakfast routine. I can now prep their food and feed them. Takes a little longer than usual but it’s good to be able to do some tasks. My friend sent me these handy grabbers which makes it so much easier to pick up bowls.
I think this video highlights the importance of good crate manners and training as well as good socialization- the dogs are not afraid of the wheelchair nor the new object. Training and temperament will always have your back.