Day 4 - Behavior Adjustment Training -BAT

My favorite session so far!

Those of you who have met me, know I love to help the shy, fearful, and aggressive dog. While working as a dog handler for Grisha Stewart's BAT workshop, I now have new tools to use to help these insecure and reactive dogs. BAT looks at the function of growling, lunging, or fleeing and helps dogs learn socially acceptable behaviors that serve the same function.

Bat will build your dog's confidence's confidence by giving him a chance to control his environment through the use of his own natural calming signals. You will learn how to better understand your dogs triggers and help him learn to safely get along with people, dogs, children and other triggers. This program includes all positive reinforcement techniques and is completely non adversive!

As a supplemental training class for the reactive dog, look for class details this fall!

Conference Day 3 -Canine Scent Classes

Scent work is an easy class that any dog can enjoy, all you need is your dog and his nose! Yes, I mean any dog, this is the perfect class for reactive dogs, shelter dogs, rescue dogs, dogs young and old can learn to use their nose and be rewarded for it!

This is a wonderful enrichment activity, is easy for both handler and dog, and exciting to watch!

Expect this class to be implemented this winter, perfect timing for some indoor fun!

Conference Day 2 - Reactivity in Dogs

Impulse control, hyperactivity, reactivity and arousal are all topics discussed in today's symposium on "Living on the edge." If you have attended any of my reactive dog classes you would have heard me use these terms and how they effect your dogs emotional state.

Today's topics included many practical methods of incorporating daily routines and opportunities to help your dog practice desirable behaviors. We know that good training is always started at home! Daily practice at home with feeding, training, and play can improve a dogs impulse control and arousal habits. New behaviors and techniques for keeping your dogs arousal under threshold will be incorporated into our up coming classes.

Today's conference ended with an informational panel discussion including dog behavior specialists: Suzanne Clothier, Ian Dunbar, Trish King, Dr. Petra Mertens, Dr. Pamela Reid, and Pia Silvani. What a great source of caine knowledge here to discuss arousal and how it effects reactivity.

looking forward to tomorrow's sessions on K9

Association of Pet Dog Trainers Conference day 1

While I miss by family and furry friends back home, I am thrilled to be apart of this years APDT Conference! Here are just a view of the speakers that have presented so far:
Karen Pryer, author Don't Shoot The Dog
Teoti Anderson, author of 4 canine training books.
Ian Dunbar, APDT founder and author of many books.
Gail Fisher, clicker expert and author The Thinking Dog.
Joshua Leeds, Studies Bioacoustics, the power of sound on humans and other species.
Sue Sternberg, a dog aggression expert and founder of CASA Community Animal Shelter Assn.

Wow! What a day, my head is bursting with new luring and shaping skills which I am excited to share with my clients! The uses of Positive Reinforcement techniques are being incorporated into zoos, veterinary medicine, shelters, even schools, businesses and homes can all benefit from positive reward based relationships.

Stay tuned for more as the week progresses!

Socialization improves body language skills

Puff the samoyed and Lilly the springer

When Puff reached the toy first, Lilly politely looked away, avoiding any type of conflict.  This shows she has good manners and has no bullying behaviors with other dogs.  Puff also let other pups win the toys in class and played nicely when approached.

If a pup always wins, they get use to winning and may become rude about this particular behavior.  What will happen when your pup tries to take a toy or ball out of another dogs mouth?  Depending on the temperament of the other dog, your pup may get a reprimand.  

Teaching your pup good doggie skills requires plenty of positive socialization experiences, feedback on good impulse control, and interactions with other polite dogs.  

For a positive socialization experience, consider joining our Puppy Socialization Class at Tender Touch Veterinary Hospital.  Please check out our class schedule!