Building the focus and attention of our dogs is the foundation on which learning can take happen. Without our dog’s attention, no teaching is likely to take place. They will be distracted on other things around them.  Creating conversation opportunities between our dog’s and ourselves empowers everyone. It gives us confidence in our ability to communicate with our dog.


Getting your dog's attention
There are two types of attention behaviors:

The first requested attention or name recognition. We call our dog’s name, and they stop what they are doing and focus on us.

The second, automatic focus. This automatic behavior is voluntary, where our dog’s ‘check-in’ with us.

Requested Attention or Name RecognitionWe want to start in an environment where our dogs can easily give us their attention. At home in a quiet room is a great choice. As we progress our training, the environment can become more distracting. As always, we want to set our dog’s up for success at each stage of training. Have some tasty rewards ready in your hand. We want this to be fun for our dog’s try with ten rewards in the beginning. Rewards in hand we prepared to start:

1. Get’s your dog’s interest by showing them a reward.
2. Roll the reward out to the side for them to follow.
3. As soon, as they have finished eating it. Say your dog's name.
4. When they look in your direction, use their ‘marker’.
5. Then roll another reward out in a different direction.
6. Repeat from number three until all ten rewards have been used and take a break.

Training Tips:

• Initially, roll the treats out side to side. So your dog is always in front of you. Once, they have this stage. Start mixing it up — some out to the side, some behind you, some near and some far.
• If your dog starts to lose motivation to look at your quickly. Reduce the number of repetitions. If ten times is too many, try six or four. Your dog is an individual adjust the training to suit their stage. Build strong foundations first, then build more on top later.
• If your dog doesn’t respond, choose a more relaxed

Automatic FocusWith automatic focus, we are teaching our dog’s to ‘check in’ with us without us asking them for their attention. This option may seem like a strange thing to train. However, think of when our dogs are off-lead. Happily investigating those wonderful smells or playing with another dog. If we have trained them to check in with us, we have a much easier time calling them back or giving other instructions. Auto-focus can also be used as a check-in before doing something from our dog’s. Initial training would start at home:

1. Have four tasty rewards in your hand
2. Walk into the room where your dog is
3. Stand still without looking directly at your dog
4. When they look in your direction, use their marker
5. Roll one of the rewards out in any direction
6. Repeat from step three until you’ve used all four rewards

Training Tips:

• As this is a voluntary behavior, we can straight away start using everywhere. Mark and reward whenever your dog chooses to ‘check in’ with you by looking at you.
• Start to use it when your dog would like to do something. For example, we are walking down the path, and our dog wants to sniff a tree. Stand still with your dog on the lead until they look at you. Use their marker for looking at you, then walk with your dog to the tree. It’s a ‘please can I’ and ‘of cause’ type conversation.
• Once we can have this conversation with our dogs. You’ll find it much more fluid when outdoors, even if the reply from you needs to be ‘no sorry’ on occasion. Try your best to keep it that the ‘of cause we can’ outweigh the ‘No sorry’s’.

Remember, have fun with your training and if you need our assistance we offer a variety  of classes and private in home training to meet your need 

​We all enjoy going to the park with our dogs, but what can start of as a great time can turn into a tragedy in a moment.  To prevent this here are a few environmental aspects to consider prior to going to the dog park:


Are there a lot of dogs crowded together?

• Do not enter if there are a lot of dogs at the entrance as this will very overwhelming to your dog entering causing him to feel unsafe.
• Shy away from a “group” of dogs even if they seem like they are playing. Sometimes a group of dogs and get aroused very quickly and things can escalate.

Are the people there paying attention to their dogs, or are they busy talking to each other?

• The group of people that are not watching their dogs cannot ensure safe play or are able to call their dog should conflict arise. Remember, you are there to be with your dog. As much as you want them to play, sometimes they are just happy to walk around with you.

Did someone bring a ball, Frisbee, or other toy that could cause conflict?

• Some dogs love to play with their Frisbee or ball and your dog may love to play, too. Keep in mind some dogs do not like to share.

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Playful Play

• Play bows (front legs outstretched, hind end up)
• Relaxed, loose bodies
• More side to side than forward movement
• Mouth open when play biting
• Dogs stop and start again-
• More side to side than forward movement
• Short breaks between play

Warning Interactions
·     Staring at the other dog
·     Stiff Body
·     Stillness
·     One dog standing with his head and neck over the other dog’s neck or shoulders in a “t” position
·     Walking around the other dog with:
·        Legs stiff
·        Neck arched
·        Tail held high
If at any time you are having any doubts about whether your dog or other dogs are acting appropriately, the play getting too rough or your dog is not having fun, it is time to leave the park.
 
Make the park a safe place for your dog.
 
You are your dog’s advocate, ensure his fun and his safety 
 
If you have any questions or concerns,
please email denise@outandaboutdogtraining.com

Dogs Jump!

Dogs Jump!
 
           Dogs are bound full of energy when they see us come through the door. They greet us with such enthusiasm and love. Jumping and springing off the floor with excitement that we are finally home. Sometimes it is the best part of our day. Love and affection, wanting to kiss us, letting us know how much they missed us. After all, isn’t that why we got our dog?! That relationship of unconditional love.
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         Love me, love my dogs. Well it does not always work that way. Sometimes we have guests over to visit. Our guests may even love our dogs. But what happens when our guest is a small child or an elderly parent and that exuberant jumping may just be too much “affection” for them?
                                                                             
                                        Four on the Floor
Teaching your dog what you want instead of jumping

•  Move away from your dog and click as he moves towards you before he jumps on you. Place the treat on the floor to reinforce your dog for having four on the floor. (Avoid handing the treat to your dog as this may increase his jumping.)  
•  You can delay the click if you dog is starting to figure out that coming to you calmly and is not jumping. Move to the side or take a backward step if your dog goes to jump on you to get their paws off you.
•  Proof your dog not to jump, this is done by doing things that may cause your dog to jump. Keep in mind you want your dog to be successful and not jump. If your dog is becoming too excitable, go back to doing much calmer movements or just standing still.   

                                        Put It On Cue

Teaching your dog to "Jump" on cue will increase the chance the the behavior will happen because your dog has been heavily reinforced by the cue. Putting it on cue will make jumping less likely to happen in the future without prompting. 

• To encourage your dog to come to you, using a sweeping motion with your arm and tap your chest. Click/Treat (Yes for Verbal Marker) for body contact

         You may need to get down on the floor to encourage this to start. Keep in mind this is your                 dog’s choice to come close and make contact. Do not pull them in yourself. You may need to               lean back to take the pressure off of them so that they can come into your space and make                 contact. Keep it happy and fun.

• Move to a standing position if you were sitting. Bring in your arms in the sweeping motion and tap your chest. Click and treat when they are making body contact with you while standing on their hind legs.
• Name the behavior only if your dog is successfully making contact with you while standing on their hind legs at least 80% of the time (Hugs, Kisses)
• Say the cue first then the hand signal – Click and Treat

 

          Happy Halloween
  
   I love Halloween! The spooky music being played outside homes. Inflatable ghosts and spiders standing tall and moving with the wind. Kids dressed in their favorite costume screaming and running with excitement to the next home to collect their candy.

​    I really enjoy this scene. It reminds me of being a kid with an imagination of being whatever we wanted to be which makes it fun for us, kids and adults alike. Costumes can make us look totally different. I could be a princess, a witch, or even a zombie. No one would recognize me then!

​     However, fun this holiday is for us, it may not be fun for our dogs. Keep in mind, dogs do not understand these changes in our appearance and can make even the best dogs uncomfortable, nervous and frightened in their surroundings. They may recognize our voice but we have changed. We may walk a bit differently, wear a mask, have a tail, wear a cape or carry a sword. This is not normal in our dog’s everyday world. Every child and every costume is a new opportunity for a different reaction from the same dog.

Guidelines for keeping your dog safe and comfortable at home during Trick or Treat Hour

• Have you dog stay in a room he enjoys being in. Play the radio or tv to drown the outside noise.
• Freeze a Kong with some of their kibble along with bananas and applesauce and give it to your dog just before trick or treating starts.  A Kong with peanut butter works just as well if you did not have an opportunity to freeze one. This will keep them busy while the activities are going on.
• Close the blinds on the windows. Your dog may get anxious seeing people coming and going by the window.
• Disable the doorbell.

     Be ready at the door for your treat or treaters!
     And remember one piece of candy for them and two for you!
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Guidelines for Trick or Treating with your Dog

• Be sure to give your dog plenty of space if you decide to bring your dog trick or treating with your kids.
• Make sure your dog is comfortable in his costume if you are going to dress him up.  Costumes should not restrict movement, hearing or eyesight.
• Bring treats and reward your dog for good behavior along the way
• Be your dog’s advocate. There may be children that may want to pet or touch your dog. This interaction may not be in your dog’s best interest. Don’t be afraid to say that your dog would just rather watch them trick or treat then to be petted by them.

 
     If you are trick or treating with your children, the trick is to sneak as much chocolate out of their sacks as long as you don’t get caught.
                                                             Trick or Treat
                                                Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

Being a dog owner comes with a certain set of responsibilities. We need to be considerate and respectful of our neighbors and the people around us by managing the behaviors of our dogs.  

The Barking Dog 
Dogs bark. That’s what they do. It is our responsibility to prevent excessive barking and keep the peace.Bring your dog inside if he tends to bark excessively out in the yard. The rule should be if you can hear your dog barking outside so can your neighbors. Only allow him outside when he can be supervised or redirected.

The Jumping Dog
Help teach your dog that four on the floor gets rewarded. Dog’s paws may be dirty and or muddy and our guests may not appreciate their clothing getting messed up. Dogs nails on our skin can also be very painful.  We need to be very careful and mindful of our dogs jumping on people especially children and the elderly can be quite dangerous.

The Dog That Just Loves a Little Too Much 
Of course, you think your dog is adorable. He just wants to be petted. Awe, isn’t that sweet. He really likes you. We love and really enjoy our dogs. Remember that is your dog and your guests may not appreciate all the constant contact and interaction with your dog. Provide a safe spot where your dog may go and settle while you and your guest can enjoy each other’s company.

The Dog that Poops
Poop happens, even when we think our dog has already gone, they poop again. Be ready, have a poop bag. In fact, bring a couple of poop bags on your walk. I understand that you may not want to carry it with you on the rest of your walk. But please be a responsible dog owner and pick it up. Big or small poop, nobody wants to see it laying there on the sidewalk or on their lawn when they don't have a dog. And nobody wants to accidentally step in it.
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The Dog that Begs
Most people like to relax and enjoy their dinner in peace. A dog begging by your side while you eat is hard to ignore and can ruin the whole eating experience. Prepare a stuffed Kong to enjoy while you and your guests are eating dinner.
 
 

​A well mannered dog does not happen overnight.
​Training, patience and consistency is key for building a great relationship with your dog.

Poop happens, even when we think our dog has already gone, they poop again. Be ready, have a poop bag. In fact bring a couple of poop bags on your walk. I understand that you may not want to carry it with you on the rest of your walk. But please be a responsible dog owner and pick it up. Big or small poop, nobody wants to see it laying there on the sidewalk or on their lawn when they don't have a dog. And nobody wants to accidentally step in it.
It is your dog. It is your poop. Pick it up. 

​I have a confession. I have loose leash envy. I secretly admire owners and their dogs Out and About walking together without a struggle.  What a beautiful story book sight to see. You see to me, this was like the house with the white picket fence we dream about when are young. To share a peaceful walk with our four legged best friend.

                Having lived in Ohio with a large fenced in yard; there was never really a need to “walk” my dog for exercise. This yard was great for playing ball, digging holes and just plain running around. Sure, I would occasionally work on “heeling’ since we competed in dog sports and needed to heel from point A to point B but other than that we were out of control. Normally that would get us out of the car and into the vet’s office or dog training center safely without any serious injuries.  Going out for a nature “walk” was out of the question. My dog Jackson would pull and jerk so much that his name turned into “Jesus Jack”

                Knowing that I would be moving to Texas with a much smaller yard and a nice neighborhood to take walks in. I made a promise to myself and the boys that we would be the ones out there walking on a loose leash. That people would be admiring us and giving us thumbs up and high fives as we walked by. Yeah, we would be that cool.

                Truth be told, I have made a lot of mistakes along my way to my loose leash walker status. I have also made a lot of good progress by learning from these mistakes. Most of these mistakes were lack of communication or rather going too far and expecting too much too soon.

               Patience is a Virtue  “These are the rules, pup, I will not pull and drag you and you will not pull and drag me.  If you start to pull. I will wait for a soft loose leash before moving." On occasion he may even offer eye contact to find out why I are not moving in the direction he is pulling. Because of course to them, they pull; we follow. I call him back to me and reward with forward movement which is in fact all he wanted to begin with. Most importantly I want to build our relationship and that it is a walk we will take together.  Wherever we go, we will go together.  

                Environment is ever changing. Keeping in mind to us; the outdoors could be sunny, cold, or wet with rain on cool evening. But to a dog, it is so much more. The smells of the fresh cut grass, dirt, mulch, leaves blowing or the scent of another dog that might have passed by. The sights and smells can be so overwhelming that sometimes we fail to exist to them. Same driveway, different day, different sights and smells. Patience is a virtue. Wherever we go, we will go together. 

                Do not be afraid to change direction. Always be aware of your dog’s surroundings and be your dogs advocate. Look ahead as you progress past your driveway. Is there a person walking their dog? A child playing ball? Someone out for a run? Keep in mind our dog is trying is best to keep it together. Ask yourself if your dog will be successful walking past these distractions. If you are uncertain, change direction.  Be successful, and you will go farther in building that trusting relationship with your dog. That you would not put him in a situation he might not been able to handle. They are aware of what is ahead and they assessing if it is safe or not for them. Build trust. Wherever we go, we will go together. 
 
           I have had some magical moments. You might have seen my husband and I walking our two Weimaraners around the block as you drove past us. He takes Parker while Gibson and I trail behind them. Sometimes we get further behind and that is okay because we are learning that together we will get there.
Wherever we go, we will go together.