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September 8th, 2010
First, the puppy should never receive correction or disciplines from children under age sixteen. Any corrections should be done with an authoritative voice, and IT MUST BE CONSISTENT. Lack of consistency is the number one reason why people have trouble with dog training. When the puppy is chewing on furniture, shoes, feet, ankles, etc., pull him away gently while saying ‘NO’ then give him one of his toys. Don’t throw the toy for him to go get, just simply give him a toy in his mouth. Make certain you don’t shove the toy at him making him intimidated. Once he has the toy be sure to praise him. This way he will know next time what to bite on.
With consistency this method will save you a lot of frustration and scars. When a dog is a puppy he doesn’t understand that we don’t play like his littermates. This can be extremely challenging when you have small children. This is the time to get your puppy accustom to how to act with children. We do this through quiet time, having the puppy understand that every time he sees children it is not play time.
In the long run you will have a trained puppy that can be a part of the family without driving the family crazy.
By: Wendy Aston Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, Inc.
Tags: Behavior Training, dog boot camp, Dog Training, obedience boot camp, Puppy Training
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July 14th, 2010
We will tell you in the first part of behavioral training that if you have a small dog that it is OK, just make sure that your dog doesn’t become possessive with a certain piece of furniture. This can lead to a problem when you have a guest that doesn’t know that the dog believes that a certain chair is his.
With the larger breeds we will discourage starting the habit. It is much harder to change a habit then it is to correct the dog in the beginning. The habit of getting on the furniture is one of the hardest habits to break.
Many customers say they have an old couch or chair that they don’t care if the dog gets on that furniture. I would be the first to point out that the dog doesn’t get that it is old furniture, and once you get rid of it he will move to another piece.
You may also find that your dog decides that no one else is allowed on his furniture. This can lead to a bad situation when he decides to become possessive. One unknowing guest and a bite can change your dogs’ future.
Once some dogs have adopted this habit, there will be a long road of dog training to correct it.
We feel it wise to tell people if you want to snuggle with your dog, do so on the floor. Your dog will still feel special and you still get all the love without a bad habit.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, Inc.
Tags: Behavior Training, dog boot camp, dog house breaking, obedience boot camp
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July 6th, 2010
Having worked in the dog training field for more than 20 years, I have been asked this question more than once. This seems to be a major concern to most dog owners. They really want to know how it will change their dog.
From the viewpoint of training it really makes no difference, it doesn’t affect the mentality of your dog. However, in some of the small breeds it might aid in housebreaking training.
It is an old wives tale that neutering a male will stop him from wandering. It only affects the ability to perform, not the want. He will still become excited when a female is in season, and try to perform.
With a male dog if you own a pure bread dog and might want a pup from him one day you can leave him intact. If you don’t think that you will want an offspring form your male, neuter him this can save him other health issues in the future. The female on the other hand, if you are not planning on breeding her, you might as well get her fixed. The female heat is quite messy and can be smelly also.
The drawback to spaying your female dog is that she may gain weight. Keep a close eye on her diet once she is spayed, an overweight dog can have many more health issues.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, Inc.
Tags: dog boot camp, dog obedience training school, dog training florida, obedience boot camp
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June 22nd, 2010
If you have a young dog or a high energy dog, it makes it hard to take them out in public. Just as with children if you don’t take them out, they will never learn how to act when they are taken out to public places. This can become a lifelong problem. We are here to help you get your dog out and about. This is just a tip to help you prepare for dog training.
There are a few things you can do to make social time much better for you, your dog and people in general. First start close to home; I might just have some quiet time in the front yard while my neighbors are out gardening. Then you can make short treks out and about the neighborhood. At first steer clear of other people and dogs. Your dog needs to see that there are other dogs and people in the world, but they don’t have to be a part of his world yet. Your dog will learn to relax about these distractions, once he has been exposed to them over a period of time. We don’t want him to have to learn everything in one day. These are just some basic dog obedience manners.
Your dog will learn that he is not a part of every activity that he sees. He may also look to you to see if he is allowed to participate. You can reassure him that he is being good, or give him the O.K. to go play. Your dog will need to be allowed to participate in some activities, but you want him to wait for permission.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, Inc.
Tags: dog boot camp, dog obedience training school, dog training florida
Posted in Dog and Puppy Training | No Comments »
June 17th, 2010
As with any relationship communication with your dog is of paramount importance. If you have good communications the partnership between you and your dog will be a successful one.
We at Florida K9 Services, insist during dog training, that the dog be told what is expected of him. If your dog knows what you want there is a much higher percentage that you will get it. You don’t always need to use the verbal commands to communicate with your dog, you can also use physical ques. Dogs have such a strong associative nature they will know what you want by the way you move.
With all of our dog training and boarding programs, we use this association method in teaching the dog how to read your body language as well as your verbal ques.
In the early stages of training we work with very deliberate and consistent movements to get the dog understanding what is expected. Then we transition to a more natural and smooth movement to help our dog to adapt to non-trainers.
Once you think about how associative your dog is it will surprise you. Note that your dog knows when you pick up your keys that you are leaving. Your dog doesn’t know that the keys go to the car and house; he just knows that you pick them up every time that you leave.
A well trained dog uses this association in all of its exercises and real life.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, inc
Tags: dog boot camp, Dog Training and boarding, obedience boot camp, obedience training for dogs
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June 11th, 2010
When first contemplating getting a dog for the family, start with a list of needs. For instance, do you need a family protection dog or just a companion dog? What age dog should I get, and what breed?
We often have people call before they get a dog to get advice. This is really good for the new dog shopper, to ask advice from people who deal with many breeds. We have a different opinion of the breeds then the breeders do.
A breeder is an enthusiast for which ever breed they are breeding. This lends them to favor that breed and may feel that their particular breed is good for any situation. This can lead you down the “rosy path”.
You need an objective opinion on the breeds you are considering. You may start to narrow your search by deciding on the size of the dog first. Then what is your house hold like? Do you have very small children or older children or none at all? Do you want a dog to work for you as in protection or herding?
There are some breeds that are later at maturing so they have puppyhood going on until they are around two years old some mature faster. Some have stronger retrieve drive for playing ball or hunting others are great companions.
I hope this can get your list narrowed down so you may then research the few breeds that you have chosen.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services
Tags: Behavior Training, Dogs for sale, obedience boot camp, obedience training for dogs
Posted in Dog and Puppy Training | No Comments »
June 7th, 2010
If you have been keeping up with your dogs exercise needs then he should be in good shape. If you haven’t there are a few issues that might come up in getting started.
If your dog is out of shape remember he doesn’t think about how this is going to hurt tomorrow. You need to do that for him. For example, your dog will chase that ball until you quit. He may not be up to as much as you, remember he is the one doing the running.
Your dog may not be used to being on the pavement from his extended rest. This could tear up his paws, think about how tender your feet are in the spring when you have been wearing shoes all winter. Your dog will do the running you want him to, then pay for it later. He wants to please you and doesn’t think of the consequences.
If you want to run with your dog, you will need to train him to go the distance. None of us can just decide to run 10 miles, neither can your dog. Start with short runs and build up, remember if he is not used to being on pavement he could tear up his paws or wear his nails down to expose the quick. This can be very painful and make your dog not want to participate in your activities. This applies to obedience training also, don’t push him to the point he doesn’t like working with you. Yes, I said working with you not for you.
Your dog has so much heart and drive, he wants to please you and will not consider slowing down if you don’t. Think for him, so he can enjoy the activities as much as you do.
By: Wendy Aston, Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Services, INC.
Tags: Dog Execise, dog obedience training school, Dog Training, dog training florida, obedience boot camp
Posted in Dog Health | No Comments »
May 30th, 2010
As I lay here trying not to be noticed, due to my earlier adventures. A few things rush through my mind, which I am hoping to get some kind of answers to.
What is the deal with cats? They don’t have to listen, or go to obedience school. They have permission to get on the furniture, and when they ask me to play I get in trouble. If I run room to room, it means I need dog training. When the cat does it my people are looking for a camera. They never have to wear a leash. I guess I am doomed to live this double standard life.
How come I can’t go for a ride every time they go for a ride? Where do they go? What do they do? Why I am not included in this adventure?
How come the sprinklers don’t stop when I bite them? Why can’t I chase the lawn mower? Why do people think I don’t want to play in the rain?
How come they don’t get it when I stare at the refrigerator? Who says I’m not supposed to have people food. It doesn’t say unsafe for dogs on it, does it? If it’s unfit for me what are they doing eating it?
Translated by: Wendy Aston Training Supervisor, Florida K9 Service, INC
Tags: boarding with training, Dog boarding Orlando, Dog Training, dog training florida, obedience boot camp
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May 24th, 2010
When we raise puppies at our Orlando Kennel facility, we have to get them used to being left alone. Most breeders raise their puppies in the litter. We do this to for socialization purposes, but we also separate them at different intervals to build independence.
We have several areas where the puppies are not only learning independence, but the basic rules. We set the room up with a few shoes, some cables that aren’t plugged in and papers on the desk. All things that can get a puppy in to trouble; we also put toys and chew bones in the room so that there is a chance for a good decision.
Now we just give it time so that once the puppy decides what he is going to do, we can either praise him or correct him. This includes housebreaking training.
Our goal is to develop good habits and discourage any bad behavior so that when our puppy is ready for dog obedience training we have a strong foundation of communication. Remembering to being consistent with what is deemed acceptable and what is not acceptable, will make a big difference to the overall out come.
If something is not allowed, we don’t have a day where it’s OK. Your puppy is very habitual you don’t want to get him started on something that you are going to have to correct him for tomorrow
Tags: Behavior Training, dog boot camp, dog house breaking, dog obedience training school, obedience boot camp, obedience dog school
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May 19th, 2010
When you own a large dog and small dog going to the vets can be a challenge. The best thing I ever did was have both of my dogs obedience trained with a professional trainer. This way our vet visits are always a pleasure. No more pulling me through the doorway hoping to find that other dog waiting on the other side. Jumping on innocent people and their dogs waiting to see the vets.
Now I can walk into the vet’s office, my dogs sit by my side while I sign in and fill out any paperwork. The vets and vet techs are happy to see me AND my dogs. I find they get better care and treatment when they are well mannered.
Checking out is a breeze while other dogs are pulling their owners through the lobby to exit the vets, my dogs patiently wait by my side on leash until it is time to leave.
With a farewell to the staff we make our way to my truck and one at a time they jump in ready for our next adventure.
By: Sharon Burch, Senior Trainer, Florida K9 Services, Inc.
Tags: dog obedience training school, dog training florida, obedience dog school, obedience training for dogs
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