Category Archives: Dog training information

‘Daily Exam’ exercise essential

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Part of socialization -- A daily exam for the puppy.

Ann Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet, 325 E. Dripping Springs Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
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There are at least five reasons why the ‘daily exam’ exercise is essential in early dog training and periodically for the dog’s well being there after.

Place you dog on his/her back between you legs belly-up.  In this position, you and your dog will be telling each other who is in charge and that the dog trusts you as the leader.  Of course, if the dog resists assuming this position, the dog may be telling you the dog does not accept you as leader and does not yet fully trust you.

After your dog lies quietly, exam the dogs parts — ears, teeth and gums, legs, feet and toenails, belly coat.  This is part grooming introduction and part physical exam.  In this process, you will be reducing the probability of a dog bite by getting the dog used to human hands in the dog’s mouth and handling the dog’s other primary tool — the feet.  Finally, the exercise teaches the dog to remain on task — in this case lying between your legs.

 

Dogs Make Us Healthier? They Might.

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Puppy Sits on Chair with glasses and stethoscope around its neckAnn Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet, 325 E. Dripping Springs Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: (573) 443-0716 or Email: Contact Us
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This research says just looking into your dog’s eyes for a while can help.

We can help you build a wonderful bond with your dog. Join us for our spring classes including one-on-one coaching and video critiques for your dog at work.

This article in a Belfast published Newsletter presents substantial round up of research on the human/canine relationship regarding our health.  http://bit.ly/2ONCyZX

 

Dog Takes Break From Dog Class

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Dog rests on sofa with computer open on dog's rear legsAnn Gafke’s Teacher’s Pet,
325 E. Dripping Springs Rd, Columbia, MO 65202
Phone: (573) 443-0716 or Email: Contact Us
Register Online for our winter class session.

Dog class can be exhausting – but one can learn a lot.  Register now for our winter session that begins the week of January 4.  Get one-on-one coaching, video critiques, online tutorials and small group classes. Here is a description of our virtual dog training services during this virus crisis:

Use this contact form to get more information:

 

Ten steps in training

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Stuart_6.7.14_E_lrHere is a brief list of ways to train your dog.  The list corresponds closely to the approach we have found effective in our training school. The basic concepts — be consistent with the language and physical signals you use, be persistent recognizing that it may take repetitions for your dog to learn what you want, praise your dog for compliance,The list was published on the website of a New York state newspaper.

‘Leave it’ – highly useful lesson

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'Leave it'At this holiday season there surely are lots of things in the house one wants to have the dog leave alone.  Curbing a dog’s counter surfing is a common goal. One can teach the ‘Leave it’ command as a follow-on to the ‘Stay’ exercise.  This is one of the lessons in our beginning courses. You can apply that command to the leaving things on the table, as we are doing with this Dobe to curb his table surfing.

Curb the dog’s surfing

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'Leave it!' Teach that command or its equivalent to help the dog learn not to jump on the counter and help himself/herself to the food or other items.

Eager dogs may want to jump on the kitchen counter to help herself/himself to the food or other items just out of reach.  That, of course, can be really frustrating when the Thanksgiving Turkey is appropriated by the dog before dinner.  As your dog begins to learn basic commands, you can begin to teach him a ‘leave it’  or similar command.  Test his compliance with treats on the counter.   The command, ‘Off’, may also help curb the jumping.  When the dog does ‘leave it,’  you’ve got to reward the dog with praise.