Jack and Juneau

Lola - Noel

Luke and Otto

Gus and Ellie

SIT to greet

Peaches, Dusty, and Brownie show their good manners

CCI class - 12/17/11

Trish, Emma, and Tribecca practice with distractions. Well done.

It takes practice

A designated "spot" and a special "settle toy" will help your dog learn to calm his or herself

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

No obedience class on November 26 due to the holiday, now go shopping!

Your No Nonsense Guide to Four On The Floor-

#1. Go over to your wild playing dogs, say your dog's names, followed by; "SETTLE" (use outdoor voice)

#2. Slowly turn and walk over to the treat jar, and make enough "treat jar noise" to entice your dogs over, and wait for them to come to you.

#3. Once you have at least one dog's attention start : SIT for TREAT.

#4. Do about 3 -5   SIT for TREATS, then  DONE

No SIT? = Time -Out
Wild play resumes? = Time-Out

"DONE"

1. How is a guy 'spossed to know when you don't want to keep interacting with him?  Unless your dog is a mind reader, you have to tell him. Tell him the best way he will understand; body language.
2.  Say your dog's name, followed by a verbal "DONE", then a hand signal.
3.  Look away.
4. Give your dog a minute to absorb this information and work it out.
5. You dog should at this point find another way to occupy his energy, this is a good choice.
6. If not .... Time-Out for not listening; his bad choice
7. Don't forget the transitional treat to the crate.

Gus - daycare lesson 5

WAIT/OK at all doors, stairs, at curbs and when needed.

Practice DOWN to SIT

Keep practice sessions short and sweet, about 2 minutes 2X a day.
He is smart but after all, still a puppy
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Keep It Simple Dog Walking

Only four commands to remember:

• Let's Go - anytime you want to move in a forward direction
• Wait - To stop at curbs, doors, for smells and when you are scooping.
• OK - You may proceed by permission only.
• With Me - An easy heel. To be used when crossing the street, during distractions or to reset your authority.

Remember to watch where you are going!!!!

Teaching Your Dog To Exit Safely From The Car



Gus, waits for permission. what a good boy!


      Use your WAIT command before you exit the car. Your dog should always be prepared to exit on the passenger side of the car (curb side). As you open the passenger door, tell your dog WAIT, and use your hand signal. Tell your dog WAIT again as you release his seat belt, and get control of his lead. Your dog is still in the WAIT, until you tap him and say OK.
You want your dog to exit and either SIT or STAND by you, before heading out, so use a treat reward for a job well done.

"Gus, WAIT"

All dogs should be instructed to WAIT, and then look for permission before exiting the car

11/5 - Angie works on her long SIT

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11/5. - Remington settles into his DOWN/STAY

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Basic Obedience - 10/29/11

The STAY command is hard!  Here is your sweet dog, watching you walk away, and you aren't letting him/her go with.  What does that mean?  Practice, practice, practice. Keep your STAYs short and sweet, and build up your time your dog can STAY as well as how far away you can go.

As always, don't forget to smile, and don't forget to say your dog's name before each command.

At the door, use your WAIT command, then OK to open the door to let your dog go through, with your permission. Since dog's don't have opposible thumbs, this is a command you can always be in charge of.

  Welcome to class Angie, I know you will quickly catch on. This was Marcel's last class at least for a while. He has changed a whole lot in a little bit of time.  Remy will miss you. Me too.

DOORS - drive thru by permission

      Go to door.
Face door.
  Tell your dog BACK,  give hand signal
pause
   Tell your dog WAIT,  stomp foot
pause
  Give verbal OK !
open the door
I don't care who goes through first.

10/1/11 - Obedience Class

Use your "WAIT" command, at doors, curbs, while walking, or letting someone pass.
Make it a short time, so you can get that "OK" word in before your dog breaks the
command.
A stomp off the foot is a good reminder and audio cue.
Speaking of reminders;
When giving a command, stand up straight, hold your ground and wait for your
dog to make a good decision. Say your command 1x, unless of course your dog
is deaf in which case don't say anything.
While crate training, a Kong, or Deer Antler gives your dog something too
look forward to.
Temple Grandin will be at McFarlin this coming Thursday to talk about her
book "Animals Make Us Human.

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Homework

Use your words first, to direct your dog
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Homework

Make COME a happy event.
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Sonny and Smudge

We just completed the last lesson the three part "Attitude Adjustment" program, and I couldn't be more proud of these guys. They did great!
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Sonny and Smudge

tandem "SIT"
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Well Mannered Dog Class - 9/17

We worked on SIT & COME, as well as; SIT to COME.  Use DONE command when you are finished.
Use your dog's name, often, praise often, and smile. When you do that, you will be hard to resist!
  HOMEWORK;
practice SIT and COME - 2x daily, 3-5 minutes each time. Ude theses commands to redirect your dog to better behavior.

Name Recognition

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Greeting

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BED

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Time - Out

Yes, I totally believe in Time-Outs for unwanted behavior. Not so your dog will "learn" his lesson, and it certainly shouldn't be for punishment. When properly used Time-Out teaches your dog to settle, and it stops the downward spiral of bad behavior. I don't want you to fight with your dog.
  You' should have a "No harm, no foul" attitude.
 Just saying.

When In Doubt "Chuck - It"

   Most dogs need aerobic exercise. Walking is nice for relaxation and teamwork, but quite frankly, you can't walk fast enough to give your dog the exercise he or she needs.
    The CHUCK - IT is a long arm type throwing tool.  When using it , you can really give your dog a good run.  I recommend you get enough balls (8-12) to be able to keep the game moving, without having to collect the balls every few minutes. As always, end each game while your dog is still cooperating, and don't forget to pick up and put away the balls for the next time. Our goal is to let your dog blow off some steam, and have fun.

Your Stealthy Dog

   Sometimes turn about IS fair play. If you are working on changing unwanted behaviors with a recalcitrant dog, give up.  Yes, I said give up. Not give up training, give up trying to win.
   Your dog is trying to hard to win the game of "Catch Me/Make Me". 
 
  A "Stealthy Dog" should get NO attention, unless the dog offers, unbidden, a behavior you would like to see again. That's when you work on a little bit of your acting skills. Act surprised. "Oh, nice SIT,  Rosie". Plenty of praise. Use her name each time.

  The tricky part is where you are going to have to learn to out smart your dog is when she is doing something you don't want her to do. Minimal attention, redirection or treats may work. Sometimes just walking away or leaving the room.

 "Stealthy Dog" practice should not continue longer than 10 days. Then it is time to move to the next level of leadership

 I am counting on you to be wily. Have some fun with it!
 

Name Recognition

Remember to always say your dog's name, before you give your dog a command.
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Play games -all sorts

1. Our games have rules 
2. Our games have no losers.
3. Our games have specific commands to use
4. Our games end on a good note

These games instructions are sometimes harder for owners than their dogs.  When we play training games, our goal is to teach your dog, the art of cooperation. Start with small wins, cement them in then, and only then up your expectations. Let your dog show you what he is capable of, under your direction, but at his own pace. Just saying.

No class on Sat. May 28

Enjoy your weekend!

Well Mannered Dog - Saturday - 5/07/11



Loui and Hannah at the end of class

 This was Truman's last class. We will miss his sweet face. He joined us, newly adopted and with some behavioral issues due to anxiety.  He left us, a more confident, trusting and obedient dog.
He was willing to put on bunny ears and let me take his picture, so you know he is a dear boy.
You gotta love that.

In like a lion, out like a lamb [well, almost].
Our new pupils in class,are Loui and Hannah.
 Two rescued siblings that need a little work on basic manners.
Today we worked; mostly WAIT& SIT, as well as some walking instruction.
Truman got to extend his range using a 30 foot long line. I was impressed with how well he handled the upgrade.
  Loui & Hannah came in bouncing around, and left listening to instructions, so that is a good sign.
Well done everyone.

Heads Up!

May 7th we have our 10 AM  Well Mannered Dog class as usual, but the CCI Puppy Raiser class will be held in Grapevine at the RISE event.
See you there.

SIT - STAY variation

CCI class 4/30



Winn, eager to please

 Laurel and Winn are being turned in. They brought such intellegence and charm to our classes we will miss them and their handlers at our class. Congrats and good luck as future CCI service dogs.

Puppy and Small Dog Obedience Class - Thursday 4/28/11

Use your  words, play games, and switch it up

COME; always means not only are you happy to see your dog, but he is happy to go to you!
WAIT; Keep it short and sweet, and use this command anytime you can think of it.
OK; is your release word.
Good work.

Well Mannered Dog - Saturday - 4/23/11

Truman

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

Pepper



Awesome lesson.

Practice all the commands we used today at home, and keep the sessions 3-5 minutes long. We know the pups know SIT, DOWN. WAIT, COME. Let's work on our COME to SIT, and COME to FINISH. 
Practice daily 3-5 minutes

                                                                                                                               

Kaley Corgi does her own thing...obedience style

All young dogs trained or not trained get the "zoomies", from time to time. They need to burn off some energy.
Some places are more appropriate than others, but oh well. This judge and dog handler handled the situation well and with grace. Well done.

Small Dogs and Puppies Class - Thursday - 4/14/11



Meet our newest classmate; Truman a four month old French Bulldog

       COME to SIT  - got it!

Say your dog's name one time followed by the outstretched COME hand, as your dog comes up to you, change your hand signal to the SIT. Smile and praise.
  Conversely, if you dog looks like he is going to jump on you or worse is jumping on you, give SIT signal and verbal praise only.
   Smile.
   Time-Out with a treat for not following directions
  WAIT at all doors. curbs, and for games to begin.  WAIT, until it is OK.    Lots of words to use. Use wisely.

Well Mannered Dog - Saturday - 4/09/11



Pepper - 5 month old Aussie- knows his SIT!

 I do believe STAY was our big challenge today.
When practicing, remember stop walking away, before your dog wants to, or does break the STAY. Where ever that point is, stop a couple steps before you get there, then call your dog to COME and end with praise. This way both dog and owners win

  Every one was did well using their hand signals.

Let's work on more consistent  SITs.

I was very pleased with all the dog's quick responses when using the COME command. The dogs all looked happy as well.
Your dog should go right to your (or maybe someone else's] outstretched hand, and should get immediate praise.
  Make sure when using COME or practicing it at home, that COME always turns out to be a positive ending for your dog, so you both can win.

•        Let's make treats a bonus rather than a given.

                  We got a good start on DOWN, we will do more later.
Good job owners and dogs!

Small Dogs and Puppies Class - Thursday - 4/7/11

COME!
Use outdoor voice,
say it 1X,


Pumkin & Zia  - BFF

 your dog's name first, combined with the command               
hand out,
praise and release with OK.

  Make COME as positive as possible.

  Make COME a habit.
GOOD COME



When walking use your words first, then leash correct. If needed, a great training tool is;
an EZ WALK harness or
a GENTLE LEADER.
  When training, find a public spot, but a little away from the crowd. Treat before your dog sees a distraction, and keep on treating while the distraction passes.  Then praise for GOOD LOOK!

Pumkin and Zia have finished their first 5 lesson program, and I must say they have thrived under the direction of their respective owners. I will miss their lively spirits and playful manner.





Well Mannered Dog - Saturday, 4/2/11

Truman's first class

I love to train with distractions, which is closer to real life than a quiet classroom, not that there is anything wrong with a quiet classroom.
  So Saturday morning found us at the curb giving our dogs directions while a bike rally passed by.
  Talk about distractions......


"Coco SIT " (here they come!)



Truman worked on fine tuning his LOOK

Coco, her SIT,
Libby, worked on WAIT, and on her focus.

It was hard work focusing on instructions while packs of bicyclers rode by, some waving at us.


    Remember stand up straight when giving your dog instructions.
Give clear commands, say your dog's name first followed by the command. Praise your dog immediately, and smile.
Say every command one time, but you may repeat your hand signal, but not in perpetuity.




"Good SIT, Coco"

       

  Now it is up to you to use your obedience words throughout the day.

Ask for no reason, ask for any reason, ask just because.

This teaches your dog how to please you, and gives him or her, a way to earn your praise.

Attention for good behavior is our goal.



Small Dogs and Puppies Class - 3/31

Mollie the 5 month old Havanese at her first class

I was very impressed with how well everyone gave directions and corrections tonight. We were on top of it!
A large part of dog training is timing.
Teaching your dog to focus on your instructions rather than what she wants means you have to be ready to praise quickly for a job well done, as well as knowing how long to wait before a correction is needed.
Remember Use your dog's name, give the command one time,  use your hand signal. Remember, the person giving the command is the leader. All eyes are on the leader, when a command is given.
Practice; SIT, WAIT [with distractions], and OK
 [ to release].

Well Mannered Dog- 3/26/11

Words First!
When working on Loose Leash walking, remember to use your words first, before making a leash correction. This way you are teaching your dog to pay attention to you as well as learning to listen to your words

Puppy and Small Dog Obedience Class 3/24

I love seeing the pups gain confidence as we progress with our teamwork.
Get that 100% SIT for Greet, in the house before taking the practice on the road.

When walking, use your words first, before making a correction. We are teaching your pups to listen for directions so they know what you want them to do. 
Walking Commands we practiced;

1. Let's Go
2. Wait
3. With Me
4. Foward

Uma- daycare, lesson 3

Such a brave little girl. She was able to LOOK on command and LETs GO even though Katy Trail was very busy with people, dogs, bikers and skaters. As life often is, the more fear she showed, the more people noticed her. "Awww, she's such a sweet, scared puppy" was the general consensus.
  People noticing and staring at her is the last thing she wants, so to able to redirect her with LOOK is important and it tells her, " No worries,I got it". As I said, she is a brave little girl.

Puppy and Small Dog Obedience Class 3/17

                                  Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

  We want to get to 100% SIT, every time. Remember when giving the command say the command word once. We want your little sweeties to learn to listen to you the first time you say something. Nothing to think about. Use your finger correction if your pup is having trouble focusing on what you want.
  Practice your WAIT commands anytime you can think of a reason, or for no reason at all.
OK is your release word. Your pup will soon learn to wait to hear for your release word.
 Well done, that was a fun class.

The perfect -SIT



Good SIT, Coco






• Say your dogs name,
• combined with SIT command,
• followed by hand signal,
• smile,




Good SIT, Jack


• wait,
• "Good SIT"

MyMoto;
 One Dog
One Command,
One Time

CCI - going to collage







Gordy





This was the last class for two of our dogs. Sweet petite Peony and our much esteemed gentleman Gordy are getting ready to go to collage. I am very proud to have gotten to work with them.

 These guys will be a huge asset to CCI, and we will miss them.



Peony



Well Mannered Dog- make up class

January 15 at 10AM is an extra class for anyone who missed one of the classes or just wants extra training time.

CCI - Puppy Raiser Class - 1/8/11

We had a "guest distractor" today.
 MISCHIEF, a lively Yorkie visiting from Houston, certainly tempted the concentration of our pups. Nice to watch all the dogs and their raisers, rise to the challenge.
   I thought everyone looked good on the "UP" command. We will practice more on the "BED" command until everyone is proficient.
    Part of what we are teaching, is not only the commands, and not only how to refocus, but also to learn how to settle, when the excitement  gets to be too much. Most people forget this is something that does not always come naturally, and has to be worked on.
Just saying.