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11/18/2021

The Importance of True Dog Socialization: Group Class

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When you hear the word socialization, the first thought that comes up in peoples head is dogs playing together. Because there is such a huge weight of importance placed on socialization, it’s common for the average dog owner to take their dog to play with as many dogs as possible. Whether that means taking our dog to the dog park, or over socializing our dogs with other dogs on the leash during the walk. This is something we need to chang our mindset on, and I’ll explain why.

When you take your dog on a walk and allow them to greet all of their dog friends on leash, we make two mistakes. First, we give all of the excitement and we allocate it to other dogs on the walk, instead of allowing ourselves to be the distributor of excitement. If you want your dog to focus on you more, don’t allow competing motivators to interact with your dog during the walk. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have doggy friends, this just means that the more dogs that you allow your pup to meet during your walk, the less attention your dog will pay to you. One step further, the moment that you try to hold your dog back from greeting other dogs during the walk, is the moment that they get frustrated. The more frustration youre dog has because they are not allowed to greet another dog (especially now that they believe they should be able to) is where most friendly dogs turn reactive. Their excitement turns frustration, which gets taken out in barking, whining, and eventually lunging. Remember, you want your dog to see you as the greatest thing on the planet, especially at a time when you take them on a walk. Don’t give that power away.

The other scenario we think about when we hear the word socialization is taking our dog to the dog park, which quite frankly it’s just a mistake waiting to happen. I wish I could tell you the number of times I work with an insecure or nervous dog, that had one single traumatic incident happen at the dog park that set their dog in a downward spiral of behavior. It only takes one bad incident to mess with our dogs psyche.

The hardest part about the dog park, it’s not only that people dot not pay attention to their own dogs, nor do they correct them for mistakes they may be making, but it’s like a box of chocolates. You really never know what you’re going to get. You put your dog in with a group of dogs with all different energies, play style, comfort level, and the dynamic of the pack of dogs can influence your dog in a negative fashion.

Don’t get me wrong, I love allowing my dogs to play together, as well as playing with friends dogs that they know really well. But that’s the difference, they know each other so well, and they’re so comfortable together that they can read each other tremendously well. In these smaller group play sessions, I can also stop it at the drop of a hat if I feel like the play is escalating to a level I would deem too much.

The issue is, once again, if all I do is allow my dog to play with other dogs, and I never teach them to just exist in a neutral way with dogs/people/different environments, they will always be overexcited around those specific triggers. Your ultimate goal should be to socialize your dog with the intention of teaching neutrality, teaching calmness, and putting your dog In a position where they would rather be with you, than those specific triggers. For me, I see socialization as a way of taking my dog to a local café, sitting outside with him while I drinking a coffee, and allowing my dog to lay down next to me and watch the world go by. It doesn’t matter if people are rushing to their table, or if other dogs come in or out of the café. I want my dog to be completely comfortable hanging out. If you can get your dog to do that, you’re going to go extremely far.

That is the entire point of our group classes. When you bring 30 dogs together, and you work them on specific drills on how to get close to one another, walk away from one another, and turn and walk right back towards each other, it will teach your dog that just because we see other dogs on our walk, does not mean that we have to play with them, lunge at them, bark at them. The point of class is to teach a neutral setting. If you have friends that have dogs, You can re-create the same atmosphere by going on a walk with each other, and trying to capture as much of your dogs attention as you can, What the end goal to go sit at a picnic bench and have a conversation with our dogs in a down. Existing, calmly and content. That is happiness.

Our Group Classes run all year long, and as long as you have had an initial session, you are welcome to sign up and bring your dog. They are a great way to “socialize”, as well as to keep you honest and test your skills. For your dogs benefit, I hope to see you soon!

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11/18/2021

Life With A New Puppy

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A Christmas Puppy: Thoughts by a Dog Trainer

Here are some things to think about.

Before picking your puppy up, you need to sit down with your family to get everyone on the same page. I understand Santa may be bringing the puppy, but even Santa Clause is prepared. Every family member should understand the household rules for your new puppy and their personal responsibilities.
You need to crate train this puppy from day 1, and there is no discussion. It’s not a jail for the puppy, and it’s normal for them to whine, make sure you aren’t humanizing your dogs behavior, this can be detrimental. Don’t coddle or encourage this behavior. Your puppy needs to end up sleeping 16-18 hours a day for normal development, and should spend their time sleeping in the crate, creating a clear understanding, and a good association within the dog crib. Crate them at night, for meals that aren’t hand fed, naps throughout the day, and times where you can’t keep your eye on them.
Teach your kids how to properly interact with the dog. How to pet, feed treats, not pull on their ears etc. We also need to teach our children that when dogs are sleeping, we don’t go up to them and pet them. We don’t fuss with the dog as soon as we come home, and we never put our fingers into the dogs bowl, or crate.. Also, don’t let your puppy use your kids as a giant toy. Teach important relationship games like fetch, tug, and training instead.
Get your dog comfortable on a leash, and use it not only outside, but inside too! Remember the leash is not an outside tool, its a communication tool.
Feeding time is a very intimate time, and use it to your advantage. Hand feed your puppies kibble during training sessions. Condition your dog to a verbal reward marker, (clicker or yes) teach them sit, down, crate, place, at a young age. Using their meal will create a dog who is food motivated, and wants to work to get payed.
Puppy proof your house. The easiest way to teach your puppy not to chew your shoes, is to not leave the shoe down in the first place.
Use baby gates to isolate the puppy in the same room with you at all times. Puppies that are out of your sight, are doing something wrong, every damn time!
Socialize and Expose your puppy to all different types of people, locations, scents, surroundings, dogs, and so on. This should be top on your priority list!
Take your dog for car rides and get them accustomed to going places with good associations. Get your puppy in the car in the driveway, just creating existence with the car.
Practice grooming your dog. Trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, brushing their hair and teeth etc. get them used to being touched and handled.
Find a good veterinarian in your area. This is a place where, hopefully, you will only have to go a handful of times throughout your dogs life. Make sure you are comfortable with them, and they are a good fit for you.
Call Say It Once Dog Training if you’re in Pittsburgh or Wilmington. Do a virtual session if you’re around the world.
Take your puppy out to the bathroom every time they wake up from a nap, after they eat, drink water, get done playing with you, or breathe. When they potty outside, reward immediately. This means you need to have the treats with you when you go outside.
Do not give your dog full run of the fenced in yard right away. Limit their freedoms, and reward them with more freedom as they mature. It’s easier than giving them everything and then getting pissed when they don’t listen.
Jumping and biting aren’t cute when your puppy is a giant ass dog. Don’t encourage the behavior at a young age.
Teach waiting at thresholds early. Waiting to come out of their crate until calm (2 seconds to start) walking out a door, getting their food.
Avoid the dog park. You know my thoughts on this.
PRACTICE HEALTHY SEPARATION! You should not spend all day next to your dog, that will create a terribly unhealthy relationship down the road. This is where separation anxiety starts.
Have fun, and understand you just made a commitment for 15 years. If you put in enough work the first year, it will make the next 14 seem like a cake walk. This animal coming into your house will change your life, will save you on the days where you don’t feel like moving, make you laugh when you are ready to cry, bring joy and happiness into every simple moment. Love them like a family member, and be a responsible dog owner, not just a dog lover.

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Dog Blog. Thoughts. TIps.

The Importance of True Dog Socialization: Group Class

Life With A New Puppy

Vinnie Somma

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