Training Recall – CGC Challenge Day 3
There are many ways to train a recall, and I occasionally use different techniques with different dogs. But by far my favorite method of teaching recall is using a hand target – teaching the dog to come and bump their nose against your hand when you call them. This gets them to come all the way to you, make contact with you, and makes it easy for you to grab their collar in an emergency. It also gives them a very clear goal – come *right here*. Here is me teaching Sinclair the beginnings of the hand target recall. He has done some recall work in his past life (come and sit front,...
Read MoreThe Importance of Recall – CGC Challenge Day 2
We are a day behind on training and posting, because yesterday we witnessed one of every dog owners worst nightmares: a dog being hit by a car. We don’t know if he’s ok, we don’t know the neighbor and I’m afraid to ask. The car was not going fast, so we can only hope. It ranks up there with the most horrible moments of my life, and it wasn’t even a dog I knew. It really drove the point home that teaching a solid recall is one of the most important things we can work on with our dogs. Sinclair needs to work on recall for his CGC test, so I was going to be...
Read MoreSinclair’s CGC Challenge – Day 1
(To find out what Sinclair’s Challenge is, check our post from yesterday.) Today, my goal was to find out what he could do, and to start working on what I know he has a problem with – polite walking. I knew he had already learned sit, down, and stay, but he surprised me with how well he knows them! However, there is a key piece to this puzzle that is missing. Watch and see what we need to work on: We also started working on polite walking. Look how much can be accomplished in a 5 minute training session! I always tell my clients, don’t try to set aside big chunks of time to...
Read MoreSinclair’s Ten Day CGC Challenge
Hello! Wow, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? We’ve been busy busy busy fostering, getting married, and going on our honeymoon! We’re back now, and ready to hit the road running and blog again. Meet Sinclair! I fell in love with this sweet boy’s face when he was first posted as “needing rescue” on the BARCS Facebook page. I admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for huge goofy ears! At the time, we had another foster dog and couldn’t take him in, but I promised that if he was still in need after Isis was adopted that I would get him out. Fast...
Read MoreCGC Test on July 7th
Canine Lifestyle Academy and Jasmine’s House Pit Bull Organization are excited to announce our first public Canine Good Citizen test! Our goal is to CGC certify as many bully breed dogs in Maryland as possible – however, ALL dogs are welcome to take the exam! To become a Canine Good Citizen, your dog will need to be able to follow the guidelines listed here: AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Program. The cost per dog is $15, with the majority of the proceeds going to Jasmine’s House, a 501(3)c non-profit (a small amount will go to CLA to cover the administration costs...
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