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Tag Archives: training dogs

What Comes Next – Training Upkeep!

Recently I finished up the private training with my Nyx. Now it is up to me to make sure she does not stop making progress.

I do not care what kind of training your dog gets exposed to. What I deeply care about is that all dog owners don’t stop the effort. This goes for me and my Nyx as well.

I keep up the mini-training I do every day. It helps to make all she learned “stick”. She does so well with all the new commands and our relationship is even closer now. When I put her in the sit-down, walk away, and make her wait until I am back, give her the release word … oh my gosh, that attention she gives to me while waiting makes my heart melt, seriously. She is so much calmer because she learns that she can rely on me.

Every repetition makes all that stronger. If you want the same do not stop the training. Some things are harder to teach and take longer to make a deep imprint on your baby. The sessions do not have to be long. Just 10 minutes can do the trick. I also integrated some exercises into our walk, and she does beautifully with the execution of it. Every little success counts towards the bigger goal you have with your pup.

Christina - Dogs Are My Soul

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training doglove dogs

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Volunteers Participate In Dog Group Training

One of the reasons why I decided to volunteer at the Haven Humane Society is their Canine Club Training. Volunteers get a dog assigned to train once a week in a group setting. Prerequisite: Experienced volunteer dog walker.

3 weeks ago I was ready! I signed up for the Canine Club and Zeppelin was my first dog assigned to me. This week will be my fourth week and if Zeppelin is still not adopted I will get another run with that cute male pup.

It is so much fun to get to do that. In my opinion, it isn't just a class for the dogs to make them more adoptable ... it is a class for me too. I learn how to handle and train dogs which also helps me to work with my own dog. Talking about free education ... something I value highly as a volunteer. What a package: Spending time with dogs for as long as I want and at the same time learning more about dog behavior and dog training. Regardless of what I am doing at the Haven Humane Society in Redding, there are always staff members and other more experienced volunteers to ask for support. For me, it does not get any better!

Someone asked me recently if it isn't too hard to get attached to a dog and then not be able to take the pup home. Listen, the dogs are just happy to get out of the kennel and receive some socializing time, training, and lots of love. On top of it, I see the bigger picture. I am a stepping stone on a dog's journey to be more adoptable and ultimately find a forever home.

Christina - Helping Dogs One Paw At A Time

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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Breakthrough Moment For Nyx – Dog Training

Nyx has an interesting week behind her and so have I. She is now about 2 1/2 years old. She is clearly a different dog compared to the day we adopted her at the tender age of 9 months.

She learned to go on walks and tolerate car rides (and I mean tolerate, lol). Her fear of the garden hose is gone and I can shower her outdoors without any problems. Nyx was a problem eater and now she eats whenever I put the bowl with kibbles in front of her. So many achievements during these 1 1/2 years with us.

Obviously, the training work is not done. Some things just take super long. It takes a lot of patience, I mean a lot, to achieve a result with my girl. Sometimes I think I should be crowned the queen of calm regarding my work with Nyx, haha!

So what is new you wonder?

Well, my crazy girl has the strong will of her Dad (a Doberman). That means once we take the turn to walk home on our daily outings she starts to pull. Not super strong but she does pull. I have been working on that FOREVER, seriously! I doubted my approach and wondered what I was doing wrong, anything that might trigger her to keep pulling on the way home. But as you know me now ... I do not give up so easily. I kept working on it for months and then the unimaginable happened about 2 days ago: She stopped. She still forgets sometimes she is on a leash but a light correction and she is back on track walking like a little lady. Needless to say, I am over the moon happy.

But that is not all my friends!!!

I got everything ready to shampoo Nyx in our big shower stall today. You know ... towels, shampoo, ear cleaner, everything needed to clean her up. She watched me with suspicious eyes and of course, knowing what is coming her way. I was ready to drag and slide my 61-pound girl into the bathroom and halfway lift and shove her into the shower stall. I got her on the leash and she got up and followed me without force to the bathroom. I closed the door, unhooked the leash, and told her to go into the shower stall. And she obeyed without any hesitance. Giving her that bath was a breeze. I still am in awe that this happened today.

I had to share this to give you hope that you can get there too. I know it is extremely frustrating when we try to train our dog to do something that is not really fun. Or downright scary. But it is possible.

The ingredients:

Lots of love, patience, commitment, and willingness to do the training over and over and over again. That eventually will lead to breakthrough moments like I sometimes have. If you show your dog that you take over leadership and show him or her the way you will build trust that goes a long way toward what you want to achieve with your furry companion.

Christina - Don't Shop ... Adopt!

Categories: dog health dog rescue dogs

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