Training dogs by e mail

When I opened Pikes Peak Manners In Minutes in 2006 and started training dogs professionally, I thought I had everything figured out about what I would be doing.  Now 6 1/2 years later I find myself doing a lot of things I never thought of originally.

Neighborhood Pack started out as just a way to give my clients some extra time to work with me on their dogs.  Today it is a major part of my training.

I had never even thought about training a deaf dog.  But each year I train a couple of deaf dogs.  I also didn’t realize that this blog and a Facebook page would be in the mix.

But the biggest surprise is that I find myself training a couple of dogs each year by e mail. 

It started out, like so many things, simply enough.  A Lakeland breeder I know asked me to contact the owner of one of her dogs.  The owner was having a couple of problems that just needed some knowhow to get through.  The word got out and pretty soon I was getting regular requests from that breeder or others to help one of their dogs out in pet owners homes.

Then I was contacted by a Lakeland owner for some help.  The problem was easily cleared up.  But the dog owner was so impressed that she asked if I could help her train the dog in the entire Manners in Minutes system.

What resulted was a series of e mails.  I would explain how to train a command.  She would start working the dog in the command and as questions came up she would e mail and I would answer.

Wisely I kept all the e mails.  Last fall when I found myself going to Williamsburg VA for seminars those e mails became the basis of my new workbook.

And now when I train a dog by e mail, I have a workbook to guide the owner to the dog they want.

The one downside, I only get to see pictures of the dog.

 

Doug

 

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Meet Dash Training with Distractions

Hi! I am Dash and I am learning a lot. 

Good Day Leapers,

This evening we had the pleasure of working with a cute little fellow named Dash. Leap has been meeting with Dash for a few weeks now, but today we tested his recall/come when called with high distractions... At the dog park.

How do we do that?

Well, we make it into a game. You see, sometimes, we humans only call our dogs while at the dog park when WE are ready to leave. Of course, the dogs are never ready to leave because theyre having way, way too much fun. The trick is to be creative.

Here are some ideas:

1. Run away from the dog. Thats right! If you become the most fun interesting item at the dog park then then your dog is sure to follow you, run after you, and come to you. Do this very often while your dog is at play to try to get their focus back on you.
2. Reward/Praise your dog. Remember to reinforce your dog whenever he/she comes near you, stops by, or even looks at you. This will ensure that the dog is paying attention to you. Yes, we didnt ask them for anything, but dont we want them to do this all the time? You know, come to us? So, this is a good way to shape it. Reward behaviors you want, even if not asked.
3. Practice. Always practice at home or outside of the park first with a leash before adding all these distractions.

Anyway, these are just some quick, easy tips. Im sure you guys have some really good ones: how do you guys get your dogs to come to you while at the dog park?

XOXO LEAP!

Note: every dog is different and not every dog likes dog parks. Please make sure you know your dog very well before taking them to an off leash dog park area. Dog parks can be fun for some, but very stressful place for others.

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Meet Louie The Importance of Homework

 Hello Leapers,

Last night we had a fun time watching Louie practice his Super Star action skills and review his Canine Good Citizen. Louie did a phenomenal job!!!! Without the help of his parents, Louie would not be able to get where he is today. You see, Raul and Karina made sure that Louie would do his homework--if he didnt do his homework then how would he improve?

Louies parents are very busy pet parents, but they would take any time possible, anywhere they could fit it, to practice Louies new skills. They would show their guests, practice before dinner time, and even taking him out during the kickball games and have Louie showcase a few of those skills.

Well, their hard-work has paid off, Louie is en route to be a complete Super Star! Wish him luck for March 31st when Louie takes his final exams!!! I am sure Louie will do great and his pet parents will keep helping Louie with his homework.

How do you help your dog do their homework? How often do you guys do your homework?

XOXO LEAP! 

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