Riding the Skateboard of Life!

Recently I found out that my work has a skateboard! They use it in their puppy classes for socialization and also as a distraction in some of their other classes. I'm sure you guys have all seen those cute videos of dogs fearlessly riding their skateboard down the street. I've always wanted to teach that to my dogs.

Phoenix got introduced to the skateboard during her impulse control class. That was the first time she's ever been allowed to check out a skateboard. Within seconds I had shaped her to put her paws on it and hop along as it moved.

The next day was Zoe's nosework class, so I got to work early with the intention of doing some more shaping with the skateboard. Phoenix was a lot more confident on her second try.

Zoe likes the skateboard WAY more than Phoenix does. Zoe was pretty much fearless with it. Why that surprises me, I'm not really sure. Zoe has been on a full sized teeter totter before and she's never been afraid of standing on things that move. She's afraid of everything else but apparently not moving objects.

Both dogs had fun trying to figure out what I wanted them to do and I'm going to have to buy them their own skateboard!

Have you ever taught your dogs to stand on something that moves before? How did it go?

First New Trick of 2016! Get In The Suitcase!

Happy Train Your Dog Month everyone! 

This is our first brand new trick for the New Year! On Tuesday we participated in a "Flash Trick" in the "Tricks and Training" group on facebook. One of the members chose a trick or two and we had 2 hours to train it and then post a video. The tricks they chose were "Get into the Suitcase" or "burrito" (roll yourself into a blanket). I chose "get into the suitcase" because I always wanted to train that trick and my dogs already know "burrito".

"Get into the Suitcase!" 

We trained this by using shaping! Shaping is a method of getting behavior by marking tiny increments of behavior.

The first thing I did was present the dogs, one at a time, with an open suitcase. They are very familiar with shaping games so it actually ended up pretty easy for us to do. It only took me about 5 minutes to get Zoe completely into the suitcase with the lid shut on her. Phoenix took around 15 minutes because she was a little weirded out by the lid of the suitcase.

The shaping went as follows:

Look at the suitcase - click
Sniff suitcase - click
One front paw into suitcase - click
Two front paws into suitcase - click
Slight Lift of back foot towards suitcase - click
Back foot into suitcase -click
Both back feet into suitcase - click

Then I helped them out by giving them their "down" cue.

Rinse and Repeat.

After they had completely figured out what I wanted, I made it harder by closing the lid of the suitcase. They had to nudge it open with their nose without knocking it completely over and get in with the suitcase lid on top of them. This was definitely more challenging for them but they figured it out pretty quickly!

In the video you can see that I made a mistake. I asked Zoe for a down and she didn't follow the cue but I accidentally clicked her. She still got a treat for it. Any time you click, even if by accident, the dog always gets a treat. Zoe was having problems laying down in the suitcase because it's really too small for her and it's uncomfortable with two metal bars running across the back. When Zoe can't figure out how to place her body she will offer other known behaviors. In the video she offered her cross paws trick.

Also, Phoenix is whining because the cats were angry about being locked in the other room while we filmed it. You can hear Pandora scream in the video and it was bothering Phoenix. 

Are you planning on training any new tricks this month? 

Dog Plays Patty Cake!

So this is probably my most embarrassing trick video that I've done to date but it was requested! Please don't judge me! :P

 Zoe plays "patty cake"!

Noise Phobias in Dogs

Hey everyone! I hope you're all having a great day and Happy Friday!! :D

On New Year's Eve, I wrote a little bit about Zoe's noise phobia and how I was worried about the Fireworks. Today I wanted to update everyone on how everything went and tell you more about her problem and her history.

Rear End Awareness, Fun Tricks! Positive Pet Training Blog Hop

Today I'm joining Dachshund Nola, Cascadian Nomads and Tenacious Little Terrier for the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop! This months theme is "Rear End Awareness" but any positive reinforcement posts are welcome.

What is Rear End Awareness? Rear End Awareness is about reminding a dog that they have back legs and teaching him/her how to move them. Most dogs forget that they have hind legs. Their back legs just follow along while their front end makes all the decisions. It's a very important foundation behavior if you want to teach advanced tricks and competition heelwork. It's also good for general body awareness and fitness while helping to build muscles.

I absolutely love teaching rear end awareness. I think it's so much fun and there are so many things you can do with it.

Here's a video of Zoe showing off her fancy heelwork and tricks using her rear end awareness at the beach. The video also includes some of my other favorite tricks and we also get washed away by the ocean at the end. It's pretty funny.



There's a few ways to teach rear end awareness and you can even find free videos on YouTube. I initially taught it with YouTube videos but wanted to make it better so I took a Heelwork online class at the Fenzi Academy. I really enjoyed it and learned so much. I'd highly recommend checking them out as they have tons of different classes you can take and they only use Positive Reinforcement methods.

A Few Free Online Resources from YouTube:

• Kikopup  
• Pamela Johnson 
• Donna Hill 
• Denise Fenzi 

 Here's a video of Phoenix when she was first learning to pivot using a book and luring.



Denise Fenzi (owner of the Fenzi Academy) came up with a brilliant way to teach pivoting without the use of a book as well and she also has her technique for keeping the dog's head up called "pocket hand". Here's a video of Zoe learning both "pocket hand" and to pivot without a book. 



Some of my favorite tricks using rear end awareness include:

• Backwards Circles 
• Backwards Leg Weaves
• Heelwork Pivoting 
• Back Up
• General Body Awareness
• Lifting a Back Leg on cue (Zoe and I are currently working on this one) 

Have you taught your dog Rear End Awareness yet? What are some of your favorite tricks?
Comment Below! :)

Ruffwear "Front Range Harness" Review

Hey everyone! Today I have a review on the Ruffwear Front Range Harness for you! I am so excited to share this harness with everyone!

The Front Range Harness is the brand new harness from Ruffwear. It is an every day harness that is easy to fit and put on. It has four points of adjustment to allow full range of motion. I've actually found that it's very easy to adjust and I didn't have any problems with it at all. I've been switching it back and forth between dogs every day for over a week. Phoenix is slightly smaller than Zoe so I've been adjusting it a lot. Another great thing about this harness is that when you adjust and fit it to the dog, the adjustments stay put. They do not move at all and you don't have to worry about the harness getting bigger on you and your dog slipping out.

Happy 2nd Gotcha Birthday to Phoenix!!!

 Phoenix, on her second day with me!

I can't believe I've had her for two years already!!!

I am one of those people who believe in fate, things that happen are meant to be and that there is a reason for everything. Phoenix is one of those things.

ZoePhee's Tribute to Dr. Sophia Yin

Photo Credit: Dr. Yin's Facebook Page

I am so sad and shocked to learn of Dr. Sophia Yin's death. I want to express my sincere condolences to Dr. Yin's family, friends and her dog Jonesy. The Dog Training Community has lost one of greatest advocates for Force Free Training and Low Stress Handling. She will be truly missed by all.

I didn't know Dr. Yin personally but I've followed her work for many years and I've read a lot of her books. Her video on "Counter Conditioning Aggression" is one of the first I've ever watched and I've learned so much from her. I even use some of her free posters on my training page. I admire her work so much and I can't believe she's gone. :(

Dr. Yin dedicated her life to easing the fear and stress that animals go through in veterinary clinics and educating people about force free handling and training techniques. She was known for her ability to solve aggression, fear, barking, jumping and biting in both dogs and cats with positive reinforcement. Her page "The Dominance Controversy" has helped to educate countless people on what dominance is and isn't and why Cesar Millan's methods are inappropriate and detrimental. Not to mention all the other extremely useful articles she's written. She was absolutely amazing.

Dr. Yin pictured with her dog, Jonesy 

Photo Credit: Dr. Yin's Facebook Page

Rest in Peace Dr Yin! We will miss you!

Patiently Waiting on Wordless Wedneday

The girls are really good at waiting. :D It did take some time to train it, though! Phoenix actually has better impulse control than Zoe, these days!

Sit Pretty! B&W Sunday

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!!

Going to the Vet with your Fearful Dog!

I have the most perfect "fearful" dog. She is an absolutely wonderful companion to me and my husband. She is funny, silly and loves to play. She snuggles with me when I don't feel well. She makes me laugh and takes away my pain. She is absolutely perfect in every way, except for two things. She is afraid of strangers reaching for her, to the point she will flail at the end of her leash to try and get away. (She has never growled or snapped at any human. All she wants to do is get away from them.) She trusts the people she knows to a point but is mostly uncomfortable being handled by anyone other than myself and my husband. Her other problem is that she is afraid of large dogs and she can be a little or a lot reactive with them depending on the situation.

SnapLeash "Dog Leashes" Review

 

Hey everyone! Today I have a review and a giveaway for you! 

I've always been a huge fan of multi-use leashes. Recently I was sent a SnapLeash to try out. 

The SnapLeash comes in two different sizes: 5/8" x 6ft (for dogs 40lbs and under) and 1" x 6 ft (for dogs over 40lbs) and at the time of this writing they have three colors available: red, blue and black. 

We were sent a Red 5/8" SnapLeash. The shipping was so fast! We received our leash within two days. I also really liked how quickly the owner of the company responded to my questions. They have really awesome customer service.

The first thing I noticed about this leash is how light it is. We've tried similar leashes before like the Gripper Police Leash and one of my huge issues with them has been weight. Some of these leashes can be so heavy and stiff that they are uncomfortable to carry. Not the SnapLeash! This leash is light and flexable and made from high quality nylon and it is strong. It does not cut into your hand like some nylon leashes do. It has strategically placed grommets so you can adjust the leash for the length you need. It's really 7+ leashes in one.

Phoenix has her own park! Wordless Wednesday

This is a really nice park in the Sacramento area. :D

Being an Outstanding Breed Ambassador - Positive Pet Training Blog Hop

Zoe and Phoenix, settled on their mat at a Cafe. Zoe says, "Hey! I think I smell burgers!"

Today we are joining the Positive Pet Training Blog Hop. This month's theme is: "Being an Outstanding Breed Ambassador through Positive Training and Socialization." My dogs are obviously not purebred dogs but I do take being just a regular dog ambassador very seriously.

Posing on the Granite - Sepia Saturday

I just love this picture. It's from our favorite hiking spot by Wrights Lake. There are huge slabs of granite to explore out there. The girls love it!

Book Review: Bark and Lunge

 

  

Bark and Lunge: Saving My Dog from Training Mistakes is the journey and struggles of a fearful/reactive dog named Isis and her owners Kari and Rob.

This book recently popped up in my "recommended for you" list on amazon. I'm always looking for a good dog book and I particularly like memoirs, too. It wasn't expensive on the digital format so I thought, why not and gave it a shot. 

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day to Zoe and B&W Sunday

I really can't believe it's been 3 years since I got my baby girl. Zoe is the dog that completely changed my life and the way I view dogs and training. It's hard to imagine that three years ago today I was begging my husband to go with me to "just look at the dogs." I felt like I was the only groomer in the salon without a dog of my own and I desperately wanted one.

 This is her Gotcha/Birthday Movie!

Zoe putting her toys away!

I started out training this by having her pick up a toy and target my hand and then slowly moved my hand over a basket but it wasn't working very well.

Training Treats Tips and Tricks

I get asked all the time about what kind of treats I use for training and what kinds they should buy. There's a huge market for dog treats. Aisles and aisles of them at the pet store. I personally don't use commercial treats very often. 

Wobble Board Workout for Dogs

A couple of weeks ago, I made a tutorial on "how to make a wobble board". I absolutely love this wobble board. The girls really like it, too.