GM News - January 2022

Dear David

2022 - The Year of Your Dog*

* 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, but, in my heart and I'm sure in your heart, every year is the Year of the Dog . . .

Ok, so our wish last year was for a very much better year than 2020 . . . so this year we're just going to be optimistic . . . and leave it at that.

Amanda, Rodna, David, Ruth

Gentle Modern School of Dog Training's 2021 Review

In Melbourne, Rodna, David and Amanda
- provided 463 one-to-one lessons
- worked with 209 new clients
- ran one Ideal Dogs of Australia (IDA)/Handling Distractions with Confidence course
- ran six Puppy Group Programs (PGP)

In Leopold on the Bellarine Peninsula, Ruth
- worked with 74 puppies
- worked with 149 older dogs
- ran nine IDA courses

Goals for your Dog in 2022

What do you want to achieve for and with your dog in 2022?

a new level of comfort for your dog with husbandry (bathing, nail care, etc)
more responsive recall
stronger relationship between the two of you
new and fun activities for you to do together

[These are actually my 2022 goals for my dog, Pluto :-) ]

Let us know your plans - we'd be honoured to help you achieve your goals for your dog.

"He only does it because I have food :-| "

We’re often (usually!) asking dogs to do things that they don’t want to do, for example, stop doing something they’re enjoying and come to us. The positive reinforcement training method is based on the understanding that dogs will be more willing if it is of benefit for them to cooperate, in other words, if it’s rewarding to them. We load up the value of the behaviours we like – our dogs choosing to sit rather than jump for attention, for example – with great food.

Food in your hand can be useful when you are teaching a tricky behaviour like drop: the dog working to understand ‘what do I need to do to get that food?’ But you need to get rid of the lure the instant the behaviour wanted is clear to the dog. There is no food in your signalling hand, and food is given after the action is completed.

Rewards aren’t given for every response, but often enough that the dog wants to keep doing the behaviour to have a chance of getting a reward: the ‘pay-offs’ have to be frequent enough to make repeating the behaviour worthwhile for the dog.

"Wages come AFTER a job well done. Bribes are displayed upfront to make the job happen. " Sarah Ripley

Check out Sarah's article, Does ‘No Food = No Work’ With Your Dog? Here’s How to Fix That

[S/He wants to be paid for work - we all do!]

Did you know Gentle Modern School of Dog Training has a Facebook page?

We post content on dog care and dog training weekly. Want an example of a recent post?

Helping Your Dogs Stay Cool in Summer

Outside

An extra water bowl in the shade.
Ice Cubes will help water stay cool and topped up
Plastic clamshell with 5cms of water in the shade (control and supervise access if there are children in the household)

Inside

Mist your dog's body with a fine water spray and have fans running
Cooling Mats are available

Exercise

Pick the coolest times and a shady route
Cooling Vests are available
Reduce distance travelled
Take water for your dog
Don't walk on concrete and asphalt

Too hot for you? Too hot for your dog!
Never leave your dog in the car

Check out 6 Ways To Help Keep Your Dog Cool This Summer by Vet Products Direct. The article includes Signs of Overheating and a recipe for Watermelon and Coconut Icy Bliss Pupsicles

Thank you for being part of the Gentle Modern Training Community.
We're ready to work with you in 2022!