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Electronic Newsletter
This is our first electronic version of our newsletter. Thank
you for providing your e-mail address. I hope this is an easy
way for you to get recent news and information from The Dog
Club. It sure cuts down on our paper usage, stamps and time
collating, folding and stapling. Your e-mail addresses will
not be used for any other purpose than for me to communicate
with you about The Dog Club via monthly newsletters, requests
for information, or updates on your account.
Please let me know if there are any problems with the electronic
version of your newsletter. Forward this to your friends. They
can get on our distribution list by signing up on our
website.
Drop In Rally:
Due to poor attendance we're going to cancel Drop In Rally for
awhile. We're trying to find a better time to hold it to fit
the needs of those wanting to participate. Watch the newsletter
and website for more information.
Meet The Staff: Whitney Rost
Whitney was born in Niwot, Colorado. She is 21 years old and
a Biology major with a Biomedical minor at CSU. Whitney has
been a dog lover all of her life and decided at just 3 years
of age that she wanted to show dogs. She was in the show ring
by age 6. She showed her miniature wirehaired dachshund, Gus-Gus,
at age 10. She went on the road with professional handlers when
she was 13. Whitney continued her apprenticeship under these
handlers for four summers. She currently has two dogs, a 14
year old champion Border Terrier named Doodlebugs, and a 3 year
old champion Spinone named Sambuca. Her current project is training
Sambuca for Obedience and Rally competitions while she waits
for her new Portuguese Water Dog puppy. Whitney enjoys biking
when she's not showing dogs.
Training
Preventing Chaos at the Door Part Two: By Ashley Foster
As mentioned in my last article teaching your dog to go to a
specific location when guests arrive can be a great way to ensure
they practice appropriate behavior. If your dog is doing a down
stay on their mat, they cannot be jumping on people as they
enter the door.
Here is what you will need:
- A mat/rug located in a place that is away from the door
but allowing the door to be visible
- Tasty treats
- Praise and consistency
- A dog that understands the down and stay command
The First Step: Start by luring your dog to
their mat and into the down position. Once they are down and
on their mat mark it "YES – good spot!" and treat them by dropping
a treat on the mat. Only allow your dog to get off the mat when
you release them off the mat, "OK". Repeat this 10
– 15 times.
Next place your dog on a wait just off of the mat. Place a treat
on the mat and then return to your dog. While looking at the
mat, release your dog to the treat and follow them to the mat"
as soon as they get to the mat ask for a down, mark it "YES –
good spot!" and reward. Repeat 10 – 15 times.
The Second Step: Slowly begin to increase the
distance that your dog has to travel to get to the mat and the
treat placed on the mat. Continue to follow them to the mat
and mark it "YES – good spot!". Once your dog is traveling quickly
to their mat to get their treat consistently you can start the
next step. Practice 1 – 2 times per day for several days.
The Third Step: Now load your hand with treats,
show them to your dog but do not give any. Start at a close
distance to the mat. Show your dog the treats and ask them to
go to "Spot" while looking at their mat. Say nothing more and
wait for your dog to react. If you have consistently taught
the above beginning steps your dog should understand that "spot"
going to the mat, lying down and getting a reward. If your
dog does not respond to your "spot"command then go back to
the first two steps. Make sure to SLOWLY build up (1 – 2 feet
at a time) the distance that your dog has to travel to the mat
when you begin step three. Do not increase the distance until
your dog is offering a high response rate at short distances.
The Fourth Step: Now that your dog is able
to go to their mat and lie down as soon as you say "spot" you
need to begin to proof the behavior. Start by asking for them
to go to their spot, and walking around the room without them
getting up. If they get off of the mat before you release them,
return them to their spot and try again. Begin to slowly increase
the amount of distraction building up to your dog maintaining
their spot though the sound of the doorbell (without guests).
Once they are consistent with maintaining their mat position
it will be time to try it with real guests. Make sure that you
ask your guests to ignore the dog (that is too much of a distraction
for a dog that is still learning).
If you want to get fancy, pair "spot" with the sound of the
door bell. Ring the bell; ask for "spot" and give a big reward
— Repeat. If you consistently practice this pairing — Bell,
"Spot", and Reward — without actual visitors you can teach your
dog to go to their spot just off the sound of the bell.
It is important to remember that this activity takes a lot of
practice and patience to break the old habit and create a great
new one. Take puppy steps, and have fun!
February is National Pet Dental Health Month
Learn how important good dental hygiene is for your pet. I found
Pet Dental Home gives lots of great information on pet dental
health. Check it out.
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