Halloween is tomorrow!!! This presents a unique opportunity for training exercises that can further enhance the bond between you and your dog. The hustle and bustle of the season, while potentially overwhelming, can be a training gold mine if approached correctly! If you're walking your dog during trick-or-treat 1. Stay Calm and Confident: Your energy translates directly to your dog. Maintaining a calm demeanor will help your dog stay relaxed amidst the myriad of costumes and excited children. 2. Maintain Distance: If you notice your dog is becoming anxious or overly excited, it's okay to take a step back and increase the distance between you and the trick-or-treaters. This will give your dog a moment to adjust. They have no idea what an inflatable Sumo Wrestler is. Give them the space they need to adjust to their surroundings. 3. Use Distractions: Carry treats, and high value ones at that! When a potential distraction approaches, like a particularly loud or animated group of kids, use these to redirect and maintain your dog’s attention. If you're staying home with your dog: 1. Utilize the 'Place' Command: Direct your dog to a specific spot, like their bed, every time the doorbell rings. This reinforces the idea that they have a safe, designated space amidst the action. Pay them, even if they alert bark at the doorbell, if they hold the command. You should be more concerned about the holding place, versus the noise. 2. Employ the 'Stay' and 'Down' Commands: When there’s increased activity at your door, it's a great time to practice these commands. Remember to reward them for staying calm and following commands amidst distractions. You can move them throughout the house/porch to practice in different positions. 3. Leash Indoors: Even inside the home, keeping your dog on a leash can help you maintain control, especially when there's a sudden influx of visitors or noise. 4. Training Opportunities: The frequent doorbell rings and visitors can be used as repetitive training moments. For every ring or knock, have your dog execute a command. If your dog isn’t ready: 1. Designate a Safe Space: If you feel the festivities might be too much for your dog, or you have a dog that is territorial or aggressive at the front door, consider setting up a comfortable, quiet space away from the main action. Basements or a distant room with their favorite toys, a comfortable bed or crate, and some calming music can be ideal. Exercise and Feed your dog before the chaos, and don’t be afraid to give them their favorite chew bone or Kong. 2. Check-In Regularly: If you've put your dog in a separate space, remember to periodically check on them to ensure they're okay and to provide direction as needed. We encourage you to view Halloween not as a challenge, but as an opportunity. With the right approach, it can be a productive training experience that leaves both you and your dog more connected and confident. Stay safe and have a spook-tacular Halloween! Trick or Treat, Vinnie Somma Say It Once Dog Training 412-981-2207 Need Additional Help? We offer virtual training, and in home training in Pittsburgh, Nashville, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C.
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4/25/2023 Rethinking Dog Parks: Exploring the Drawbacks & Alternatives for Socializing Your DogRead NowDog parks have become increasingly popular for dog owners that live in cities and suburbs because they provide designated spaces for dogs to play and socialize off-leash in a fenced in area. While these parks can be an enjoyable way for dogs to burn off energy and interact with other canines, they are not without serious drawbacks. In this blog post, we will discuss the potential issues with dog parks and explore alternative ways to socialize and exercise your dog.
Why Dog Parks May Not Be the Best Choice
Alternative Ways to Socialize and Exercise Your Dog
While dog parks can offer a convenient space for off-leash play and socialization, they are not without their potential drawbacks. By considering the risks and exploring alternative ways to socialize and exercise your dog, you can ensure that your furry friend has a safe, enjoyable, and well-rounded social experience. Remember that every dog is unique, and it's crucial to find the activities and environments that best suit your dog's individual needs and temperament. Hey guys, Vinnie with Say It Once Dog Training here! I am pumped that you are going to be apart of this amazing event. With that being said, I want to lay out some ground rules to keep everyone and every dog safe, as well as set you both up for success to learn as much as possible for the days ahead.
Don’t pet dogs that are not yours. You’ve watched enough of my content, don’t make me yell at you please ;) If you have a working dog spot, make sure your dog has a tight fitting collar on, no harnesses, and a short 4-6 foot leash. No Flexi leads, or anything with bungee. If you are bringing a dog have their vaccination records with you, some facilities require it for your dogs to enter. (Group class dogs do not have to bring this, only dogs entering the facilities) BRING A CHAIR! This is extremely important. Please do not forget Bring a notepad, or your phone to take notes. I will be going over a boatload of information, and you are going to want to take as many notes as possible. Do not feed your dogs their breakfast, bring it with you for the day, as well as a higher value treats for the seminar. No Dogs should meet during this event, their will be enough space for everyone You will want to have your dog crate trained, and bring a crate with you for dogs in working spots. If your dog is a bite risk, please bring and have muzzle already on before entering the building. Most importantly, don’t be nervous. If you have a challenging dog, join the club. That’s why you are coming. I hope the day isn’t filled with 10 easy dogs, I want to work, I want to challenge, and show you how I handle these dogs. Lastly, don’t make it a secret that you are coming. Please share this with friends and family so that we can get as many people on the Properly Trained Human’s train as possible. Thank you, and I will see you soon! How does your dog do going to the Veterinarian Hospital? Unfortunately most dogs view going to the vet as a stressful experience, and it makes it difficult for them, dog owners, and the staff at the hospital. In some severe cases it makes it almost impossible for veterinary staff to give the dog the thorough proper checkup they need because of the dog’s behavior. Did you know you can help your dog have a better vet visit? Let’s start by focusing on these changes.
First and foremost, Say It Once Dog Training offers classes at certain veterinary hospitals throughout Pittsburgh! Be sure to tag your vet, vet techs and see if we can run classes at your veterinary hospital to make dog’s more comfortable going to hospital!
Personally, I would take multiple trips to the vet’s office without actually getting an exam. I would ask my vet if it’s okay to come weigh my dog on a non busy hour, practice place on the scale, and downs in the waiting room! Love your Vet? I’d like to hear any recommendations below ⬇️ Thank you! Do you want to know why I hate hand signals?
There is a few reasons why I hate using hand signals in dog training, and I’m going to go over the biggest two. I always get push back from owners on, but my dog listens really well to the hand signal. I know they do! I know they learn faster through using hand signals (also understand them when teaching all behaviors we lure with our hand, and develop a hand signal with every command. However, I do immediately get away from using the hand signal when I feel like the dog has an understanding of the word. Let’s go over why.
If you don't believe me, I want you to try training your dog on all of their commands this week without moving your body at all. Film yourself, and watch. See if your dog can listen to only with your verbal cue, and see if they listen quickly. If they're not, we need to go back to the basics. I want you to tag yourself while training your dog with the #Sayitoncehandsfree Tag me in it, and let’s see how you train without your hand signals! P.S. I teach all of my dogs and my clients dogs on hand signals, the dog understands and very quickly, but I get away from them immediately because I want to focus more on my verbal cue. That doesn't mean I will never use a hand signal, it just means that I need to put more emphasis type my words need power. Dogs and NFL Sundays!
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