Ruby the Boxer

This is Ruby the Boxer pup. She is a living doll!
I did a few private "Attitiude Adjustment" lessons with her, and her owner a couple of months back, and now Ruby has just completed a 5 lesson daycare package. She is so friendly and curious, a delight to train.
   We took our show on the road so to speak and worked our commands on the Katy Trail with "real life situations".
  Ruby knows the commands, but needs help with her focus and follow through. She is still after all a pup, but I have high expectations, as I know she can do it. Practice, practice, practice.

January- classes

Your Well Mannered Dog
  Last class is Jan 8th.
New classes starting as soon as we get at least 4 clients signed up for a new class.

CCI - Puppy Raisers
 January classes are on the second [8th] and third week [15th] this month.
  February we go back to the 1st and 3rd

Your Well Mannered Dog - December 18 - "WITH ME"

Today we hit the Katy Trail using our verbal directions. A dog walk is all about the owner. You have to give the directions, keep an eye on your dog's mis-directions as well as having to be aware of what is going on around you. As a rule, I'd like you to give your dog the full length of his or her six foot lead, then use the WITH ME command as either a correction, or when passing others, as well as crossing the street. This way your dog learns what is expected in public and you are teaching him or her you will handle any interactions and decisions. That was fun, let's do it again!

C.C.I. - Puppy Raisers - December

   First week in December, a beautiful sunny day. We worked on ignoring distractions and focusing on the handler, as we did variations of "The Stroll" with Meg's help. For those of you who don't remember "The Stroll" from the old days, I only have one thing to say; "never mind".  Meg is very good at being distracting, and she gave the pups a challenge but they did well maintaining their composure, with just a few looks back.

 Everyone did quite well on Name Recognition as well as Watch command while Meg came to pet the dogs from behind. Nicely done.     

  Third week in December, another sunny day but a bit brisk. We had new distraction props to work with and again, thank you Meg for giving the dogs a hard time of it.
     STAIRS! What brave dogs! Good handlers.
Back to more distractions inside and then off with their capes and GLs for some well deserved free play.             

                                                                  

Happy Holidays Everyone!  

                                                        

Your Well Mannered Dog - December 11, 2010 - lesson 3

             Your walking words are;

•  Let's Go
• With Me
• Wait

Use these words as often as possible, not only when walking but anytime you can.
Our goal is a loose lead walk with your dog attentive to your instructions.
   Continue to practice, SIT, STAY, and COME. If you can find a way to make it a game, so much the better. Let your dog "win" a ball or toy or play a game of hide-n-seek.

As always, encourage - SIT for Greetings

12/4 - Well Mannered Dog - lesson 2

Today we practiced our SIT and LOOK commands that we worked on last week. Remember if you have a dog that is jumping up, don't wait for the jump up, ask for a SIT before we get to that point.

Practice your STAY and COME as much as you can  each day. Remember we are setting out dogs up to win, so make it easy for them to follow instructions. If you can do a long STAY to COME, great, but if your dog can only go one foot, that is still a STAY and COME.

With each command remember to use your dog's name and hand signal.

When using STAY, use a clear tone [ everybody was, but I am reminding you], and you may repeat the STAY command as you walk away. When calling your dog to COME. use a happy tone and inviting demeanor.

Get in the habit of releasing your dog from every command, before he or she decides to move on to the next thing without  you.

That would be your OK command. Teach your dog to listen for it!

Well done everyone, see you on the 11th

Class Schedules

Obedience Classes are sold in a package of 5 lessons for $130.00
If you missed the first Basic Obedience class, no worries, you can jump in at any time.
 CCI -"puppy raisers" may also want to buy a package of 5 lessons and join us when they can.

All class packages are sold through Canine Country Club Day Spa,  214-526-2033 caninecc.com

Check this blog for class dates and times.

CCI - Puppy Raiser Class - 10/20/10

The pups seem to growing and maturing so fast!
I think they are playing so much better now. The handlers are making astute and quick corrections.
Remember - One finger under the collar, and gently hold until the dog settles, then release.

• Practice - STAND from a DOWN or STAND from the SIT position
• HERE should be practiced as often as possible, inside and out, so your pup can get used to distractions.
• When using "Name Recognition", say the dog's name one time.  use treats if needed to create this good habit.
• I love the perfect STAY commands. Everyone is doing great on STAY!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your Well Mannered Dog - BASIC OBEDIENCE - November 20, 2010 - lesson 1

     Welcome Jack, Jack, Coco, and Cali,
Well done on lesson one. 
 Good work on WAIT everyone.  Remember to stomp your foot as you give the directions.
Use your WAIT   command at all doors, on walks and any other time you can think of.
Your work with the SIT went well, we are looking for a fast SIT and I don't care which direction they are facing.
  Start using the  LOOK or WATCH command

• Wiggle your fingers by your eyes
• make a noise
• smile
• Dog's name first
• give LOOK command
• hold LOOK one to three seconds
• give the OK release word, as you will walk away first
• no petting, you are just checking in.
• practice 5 - 8 X a day
• good LOOK

  Remember to use your hand signals, as well as your release word [OK], when giving your commands.
Happy Thanksgiving - see you December 4!

TV ad: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT: The Guide Dog Interviews

Thank you Meg Robinson for coming to help and being such a intuitive distraction for our puppies and handlers at the CCI class today!

Also thanks for this link to the Guide Dog Ad.  Quite clever and spot on.

TV ad: Guide Dogs NSW/ACT: The Guide Dog Interviews

What a beautiful day! I think everyone was happy to be able to train outside. Glad to meet Winn who came all the way from Ft. Worth to participate. What dedication.

 We started with leash walking.   Handlers remember to look at where you are going rather than at your dog. You are the leaders, and your body language should match your commands. Your dog uses all information to help decide what to do.  If your dog becomes distracted, speed up a bit, so he has to try keep up. Watch that HEEL position on the turns, you dog should be turning in sync with you, rather than swinging out.

  Good work on the distractions. Remember to give your dog the LEAVE command before you get to the  distraction, so your dog has some time to process the information.

 Again you may want to speed up at that point to hold your dog's attention.
   The dogs did nicely with greeting from behind while sitting, but,  we are looking for full attention towards the handler.  Use lots of treats if you like, as this is a hard one. We will work on this again.

 The dogs played so well today, and it was fun to watch. We had to stop play only once that I can remember.  I noticed the handlers on occasion successfully redirecting the dogs throughout the play period.

Nicely done.

A great class everyone! Thank you

Daycare Tutoring Program - Roxy

Roxy is a young girl with a happy disposition, and although spirited, very eager to please.

She is taking the 10 lesson private daycare tutoring program and learning by leaps and bounds.  She has a fast "SIT" but her speciality is a quick "DOWN". 
We are working on adding a long "STAY" with her lovely "DOWN" am so proud of her, and I think she is very proud of herself as well!

CCI - Puppy Raiser Class - 10/16/10

• We started with a  cradle, to help the pups settle and focus.
• Remember when working with the name response, to say your dog's name one time, smile, and if using a treat, bring your treat hand from your dog's face, slowly to yours.
• Everyone did great with the "here" command.
• If your dog resists on the "Sit" command, slide on finger under his collar and wait for your dog to offer the "Sit". 
• The same advice applies if your dog is fussing over the Gentle Leader. One finger under the collar, and wait.
• Passing through the door was a very realistic exercise, and we got to use; Lets Go, Heel, Sit, and Wait.   Nicely done!
• The pups are still a little excitable when playing, but everyone was on top of making sure we had "Four on the floor".