Author Archives: RogerGafke

Marcia’s precious Scotia observed her 7^th birthday this past weekend.  How time does fly.  Here is a brief video of Scotia’s early years as puppy and her service work as a therapy dog and along the way her obsession with playing with sticks.  This video is a remarkable reminder of how valuable pictures can be to help one recall the good times.  Marcia has done a fantastic job of keeping the pictures of his Scotia organized and available for important story telling opportunities like this one.  The music that accompanies this brief video was provided under license from– Purple Planet at http://www.purple-planet.com

An important way to get one’s children involved in helping train the family dog is through tricks.

The goals in training are to teach the dog to pay attention, do as you say and stay on task.  While basic obedience lessons have those goals as primary objectives, it is often hard to get children to be interested in and consistent with the training techniques.

They may have more fun teaching the dog trick behavior – sometimes starting with simple ones – “shake”, “sit pretty”, etc.  When the dog is engaged in these tricks, the dog is meeting the training goals as well — to pay attention, do as the child says and stay on task.  The stronger approach, of course, is a combination of regular obedience training and trick class.

Reading to Rover is an important service dogs can deliver.  Children are invited to select a book to read to the dogs.  The process helps reluctant readers to add expression and enthusiasm to their reading, after all the dogs are not judgmental about the child’s reading ability.  Here are members of our group that brought their dogs to Shepherd Blvd Elementary School, June 17. Here is some additional information about how these dogs prepare for therapy visits.  Use the ‘contact us’ tab if you would like information about joining our group.

Everyone wants their dog(s) to pay attention, do as they say and stay on task.  But how does one achieve that?  Of course, basic training is a good start – heeling, sit, down, come, etc.  Many folks may say that’s enough.  They didn’t come to dog class to learn any tricks – ‘I just want my do to behave.’

But, take a look at Bart (left).  He surely seems to be paying attention to Jill, doing as she wants and is clearly on task.

We suggest you not overlook the value of tricks in teaching these primary lessons.  In this brief video, you will see lots of dogs ‘on task.’  The video comes from our holiday program, December 2013.  The music accompaniment is provided by http://www.purple-planet.com

That’s the advice from the owner of a two-time Agility  World Champ. The owner/team mate of this Border Collie suggests that speed in agility is often the creator of mistakes in performance.  She describes that problem in this article that reports on her relationship with this remarkable dog.  Agility is such a rapidly growing sport in the United Kingdom that one can find matches almost every weekend in the summer.

In this brief video, Allison Frappier, one of the outstanding dog trainers in our group, demonstrates a smooth run on an agility course without undue speed.

The ‘stay’ teaches you dog ‘time-on-task’ behavior.

Don’t neglect it from the sit, down and stand positions.  You give the dog the assignment to remain in place while you go away — a short distance at first and gradually longer distances — while the dog must remember of you have assigned him or her to do — stay in place.

This author suggests — yes. This UK dog behaviorist presents some steps one can take to help dogs be less anxious over thunderstorms, fireworks and similar loud, seemingly threatening sounds.  Her advice includes playing recorded versions of the sounds at, over time, increasing volume levels while you play/work with the dog.  If you appear unconcerned, you dog may adopt a similar approach.

The author of this blog post argues — often. Set goals for the behavior you want when you begin training.  Be ready to settle for somewhat else than full achievement – that’s the argument presented in this blog post.  I think the author is wrong. The other way of looking at this is to learn to accept and celebrate small successes on the way to the big goal.  The blog fails to recognize that learning is a life-long journey.  The implication here is that training is an event that begins and in this case – ends in less than hoped for behavior.

Like Lewis and Clark, Sheldon finds lots to explore on his West Coast trip. Here — the beach at Lake Coeur d’Alene

In this brief video Sheldon encounters waves for the first time. Sheldon and his Columbia family are spending the summer on the West Coast.   Lots of stops along the way to check out the new sights and smells.  Here in Idaho.

One of the major objectives of our training is teaching your dog to keep on task.  All dogs can sit, down, stand, walk — but it is essential to have them do that when you tell them and have them remain at work even among distractions.  Here members of our drill team take the group photo in Marshall after performing at the Jim the Wonder Dog celebration.  The photo is fun, and it demonstrates time on task — the stay.