http://www.doggydogma.com.au Dog Training & Behaviour Consultants - Brisbane & Ipswich Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:27:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-do-people-get-a-dog-and-then-give-them-up/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-do-people-get-a-dog-and-then-give-them-up/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:37:33 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=474 Continue reading →]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-do-people-get-a-dog-and-then-give-them-up/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/the-path-of-least-frustration-2/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/the-path-of-least-frustration-2/#comments Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:52:47 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=466 Continue reading →]]>
The Path of Least Frustration is about taking small steps first that help you manage the problem, while you figure out what training you need to put in place to deal with the probelms.  For Problems like pulling washing off the line - then it is an access issue.  If it is aggression to other dogs, it is resticting their access to other dogs (consider this a detox program for adrenaline).  Any small step that you need to take to reduce your own frustration is going to be the best step for you in the moment.

Don't get angry, get smart.  Training should not be painful for the owner or the dog.]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/the-path-of-least-frustration-2/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/merry-christmas/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/merry-christmas/#comments Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:14:17 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=438
]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/merry-christmas/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/split-is-dont-lump-it/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/split-is-dont-lump-it/#comments Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:52:56 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=423 Continue reading →]]>
We can do this by spliting behaviours into small sections and not trying to lump them together - causing frustration when the animal just doesn't "get it". As Bob Bailey says - Be a splitter not a lumper - and you will get communication running with your pet.

]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/split-is-dont-lump-it/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/where-do-you-get-a-puppy-from/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/where-do-you-get-a-puppy-from/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:45:28 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=421 Continue reading →]]>
The reality of Puppy Mills]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/where-do-you-get-a-puppy-from/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/its-not-just-training-it-is-communication/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/its-not-just-training-it-is-communication/#comments Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:14:42 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=419 Continue reading →]]>
Dog Training should develop a bond of Trust first and foremost - helping dog owners to become consistant and to help them understand how to utilise reinforcement to shape their dogs behaviours so that good things happen over and over again - for both the owner and the dog.

Don\'t be Negitive, be Positive! ]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/its-not-just-training-it-is-communication/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-does-my-dog-want-to-lick-me/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-does-my-dog-want-to-lick-me/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 03:34:12 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=331 Continue reading →]]>
This is most likely an overcomplication of what is most likely a very simple reason - it feels good and they like doing it.  Think of this on a reinforcement level, remember a behaviour that is reinforced is most likely going to repeat - so when your dog licks your hand, and all the glorious tastes and smells that go along with it - how could it not be self-reinforcing. Even if you watch a dog chewing and licking you can see that they are having a good time, and they are getting some kind of rewarding comfort from using their jaw.

The best way to stop licking is to teach your dog to "leave it" (using positive reinforcement, and teaching the dog that leaving things means better things are on their way) and the redirect your dog to something that is more appropriate to lick than your arm, feet, face, etc. ]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/why-does-my-dog-want-to-lick-me/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/motivation-makes-it-happen/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/motivation-makes-it-happen/#comments Mon, 22 Aug 2011 01:27:24 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=297 Continue reading →]]>
I recently had a reawreness of this with my own dog.  Rex, our almost 2 year old Kelpie Staffy is always anxious when out and about, and although he has been slowly and progressively doing well on getting use to new areas, getting him to also be enthusiastic about training while out and about has proved to be challenging.  That is great for me as a trainer, because challenges are where we grow and develop our craft. 

Although Rex would happily take the treats and do the behaviour - his enthusiasim was lacking at best, so learning was not taking place as quickly or effectively as I would have liked to see.  So it was time to think more like my dog.  Although Rex happily takes treats, there is no doubt in my mind that he is more motivated by play and toys.  We tried tugging as a reward - as he is an avid tugger - but still a similar response to the food - mild attention wandering off to avoidance.  We had to up our game somehow. 

I reached into my bag of tricks and found the ultimate motivator for the day - a squeaky purple ball!  The first "squeak" from this little ball perked up Rex's attention to a level we haven't seen often outside the house.  He wanted the ball and was willing to offer some behaviours to get it.  Yeah! Not only did he get the ball as a reward, he got to "Catch it" one of his skills that he happily shows off if given the opportunity. 

Tonight we get another opportunity for Rexy to shine, but once again I need to be prepared - dogs, like the people that love them, have their good days and their bad days - and their desires on each day will change.  Sometimes you want Pizza, some times a Salad - don't assume the treats or toys that you are using will work 100% of the time.  Motivation is the key to learning, and it is your job to keep your dog engaged - so get to work!

Jen]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/motivation-makes-it-happen/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/puppy-class/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/puppy-class/#comments Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:53:33 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/puppy-class/ Continue reading →]]> Title: Puppy Class
Location: Ipswich Show Grounds - Buzz Theatre
Link out: Click here
Description: Want to join the best value puppy class in Ipswich? Our classes are fun and enjoyable, but focus on all aspects of this important time of your dogs life. This is not your ordinary puppy class - not only are we giving your dog an introduction to socialisation through interaction with other dogsplus giving yoour dog the skills required for basic obedience. We are focused on giving you, the dog owner, the skills and knowledge to help you raise the perfect puppy by understanding what is motivating your dog and what steps you can take to increase your dogs responsiveness.
Start Time: 09:00
Date: 2011-08-26
]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/puppy-class/feed/ 0 http://www.doggydogma.com.au/marsupial-wolf-or-tasmanian-tiger-extinct-australian-thylacine-was-more-cat-than-dog-researchers-find/ http://www.doggydogma.com.au/marsupial-wolf-or-tasmanian-tiger-extinct-australian-thylacine-was-more-cat-than-dog-researchers-find/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 22:50:23 +0000 Jen http://www.doggydogma.com.au/?p=258 Continue reading →]]> /110503203816.htm#]]> http://www.doggydogma.com.au/marsupial-wolf-or-tasmanian-tiger-extinct-australian-thylacine-was-more-cat-than-dog-researchers-find/feed/ 0