Happy New Year!!! Check out our new class schedule for January/February 2011! Unleashed has a new location in El Dorado Hills and is ready to help you meet those 2011 Dog Training Goals. Register Early because class sizes are kept comfortably small to ensure a well-managed, productive environment for you and your dog. Go to www.unleashdogtraining.com to register online
Owning and caring for a dog takes a lot of time and commitment. Plus, for dogs who need a lot of exercise, you not only have to find time to run the dogs but you need to find time to train the dog as well. Who has that kind of time??? Remember that combining training and play can save time and create a more solid understanding of commands for your dog. For instance, let’s say you have one of those ball-crazy, “I’ll do anything for the ball” dogs. Although taking her to the park and chucking the ball 50 times will do wonders for her behavior around the house because she’s just plain tired, why not incorporate some training into that ball chucking? Kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. Can she sit before you throw it? Can she lay down? If she knows these commands, then she can do them for the ball. She may not know she can at first because she doesn’t know how to think when the ball is present, but with patience and clarity on your part, she will learn how to think with the ball and she’ll even learn to think faster because the reward is not a pat or a treat, but it’s what she wants most at that moment...for you to pull your arm back and hurl that ball as far as possible. Another example is asking for a sit or a heel on the way into the dog park. It may take some repetitions but your dog will figure out that the reward does not come until the behavior you are asking for is accomplished. So, on those beautiful days in El Dorado Hills, take your dog to the park to the throw the ball or to the Folsom Dog Park and have her work for what they want most…entrance to the park!
A few years ago, Unleashed Dog Training & Behavior Center was asked to do a presentation to pet owners and pet professionals on Dog Parks. We entitled the presentation, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Dog Parks." More recently, we have been asked to comment on our blog about Dog Park Etiquette. Here is a quick overview of what you can expect at Dog Parks. But, we at Unleashed, encourage you to visit “Fido’s Forum” on our website, www.unleashdogtraining.com and post your own Dog Park experiences.
The Dog Park can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Dog Parks are usually specially designed fenced in areas for dogs to run and play off leash. In theory, this is a great idea. Many dog owners are apprehensive to let their dogs off leash in an unfenced area because they are worried about them running away. Also, many dog owners understand the benefits of socialization and exercise; and it can be hard to achieve these with a busy schedule. For these reasons, A Dog Park can be a wonderful opportunity for you and your dog. For the purposes of this blog, we’ll use the Folsom Dog Park as an example.
What you can expect
All well-behaved spayed and neutered dogs are welcome.
There is a double gate for you and your dog to enter through. This ensures that dog’s don’t escape as you are coming in.
Take off your dog’s leash after you go through the first gate, but before you go through the second gate. This will enable your dog to have the most natural body language as they say hello to other dogs upon entry.
As you and your dog enter, walk right past the other dogs, as to avoid a stopped crowd at the gate.
For your first few visits, try to go at the “non-busy times.” These times are usually during regular working hours…after 5pm and on the weekends can be very crowded and a little overwhelming for you and your dog.
Check the regular hours. In the past, the Folsom Dog Park was closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays…not sure if this is still the case.
The Folsom Dog Park has two separate areas. One is for dogs 25lbs and under and the other is for larger dogs.
Watch your dog’s interaction carefully. If your dog seems afraid or overwhelmed, try to distract him/her with a toy or start walking and encourage your dog to come with you.
If there is another dog there that appears to be “bullying” your dog or if your dog is bullying other dogs, try to interrupt the behavior. Be prepared to leave if the situation doesn’t improve.
Remember that not all dogs want and need the socialization that a dog park may provide. If your dog doesn’t appear happy, be prepared to leave.
In conclusion, Dog Parks are not monitored and some owners bring inappropriate dogs. It is your job to keep your dog’s interactions positive and safe.
Unleashed Dog Training & Behavior Center of El Dorado Hills provides evaluations and private lessons in home, or at a dog park, to help owners determine whether it’s a safe and productive environment for your dog. Unleashed also conducts Positive Reinforcement Group Training Classes to build your dog’s obedience base and improve on your relationship with your dog. Contact us at unleashmk@comcast.net or visit our website www.unleashdogtraining.com for more information.
Smart Starts Basic Obedience----6 weeks long meeting 1x per week for $150
Thursdays Sep 3- Oct 8 5:30-6:30pm
Tuesdays Sep 15 -Oct 20 6:00-7:00pm
Intermediate/Advanced Obedience----6 weeks long meeting 1x per week for $150
Thursdays Sep 3-Oct 8 6:35-7:35
Just email unleashmk@comcast.net or call (916)605-9778 to register or get more information regarding classes
Basic Dog Obedience Classes started this past week. Classes are 6 weeks long, meeting once per week for one hour. The cost is $150 for the whole 6 week session. Dogs 4mos and older are welcome. Bring the whole family for an economical, fun and effective positive reinforcement dog training experience! Conveniently located at Lakehills Church in El Dorado Hills...easy access from Cameron Park, Folsom, Placerville, or Rancho Cordova. The next session is scheduled to start on July 2 and run through Aug 13th (skip 7/16) and will be from 6:45-7:45pm each week.
Unleash Your Dog's Potentil!!
Call (916)605-9778 or email unleashmk@comcast.net with questions or to register
There is lots of talk out there about best practices for training dogs. Mandy Kennedy, with Unleashed Dog Training & Behavior Center, has seen and done most of it.
“When I started training dogs 15 years ago, there was only one way to do it…put a choke chain on the dog, teach him new behaviors, exert your dominance through force and then praise him when he complied, usually out of fear.”
But now, there is so much new evidence and research to support other methods of behavior modification and training. Why do so many trainers still rely on those out of date, ineffective and often dangerous training techniques?
Since relocating from the Bay Area less than a year ago, Unleashed is shocked to see how few trainers are actually implementing a positive approach to training. In the Bay Area pet owners are hard pressed to find a trainer still implementing the old school, compulsive style of training, yet here in the Greater Sacramento Area, it is the norm. There is even a term, “cookie trainer,” that is supposed to be a derogatory phrase apparently used to describe trainers who subscribe to a more humane, and effective approach. Well, Unleashed Dog Training & Behavior Center is proud to be labeled “cookie trainers!” The simple fact that we educate owners to control essential resources and ask their dogs to earn motivators is the first step to improving the relationship between dogs and their owners. Positive does not mean permissive. Just ask yourself this as an owner, do I want my dog behaving because she wants to earn something positive (not always food) or because she is afraid of the consequence of what might happen if she doesn’t comply? With the recent popularity of the TV Show, The Dog Whisperer, many owners are gravitating to local trainers who tout their relationship with Cesar Milan’s methods. This show does make for great TV, but is physical force the best way to establish leadership? Check out this article written by Lisa Mullinax with 4 Paws University in Sacramento… http://www.4pawsu.com/dogpsychology.htm
In the end, Unleashed wants dog owners to know there are options out there for training your dog. You can get compliant, well-mannered and appropriate behavior without using force and without using food forever! But, are you willing to praise, throw a stick, give a belly rub or just a quick verbal “Good girl” forever when your dog chooses to make good decisions?” Because that’s what it’s going to take
Unleash your dog’s potential!!!
Time is running out to register for positive reinforcement classes with Unleashed. Classes are a convenient drive from Folsom, Rancho Cordova, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs and Placerville. They are scheduled to start Thursday, May 7th at Lakehills Church in El Dorado Hills (near Target). Contact us at unleashmk@comcast.net or (916)605-9778 to register.
Mandy is also a trainer at 4 Paws University in Sacramento and can serve your dog training and behavior consulting needs not only in the El Dorado - Folsom foothill areas, but thru-out the greater Sacramento areas as well. See her featured at 4Paws University by clicking here: Sacramento, Folsom, El Dorado Dog Training - Mandy Kennedy. Or click on the snap shot below to see more.
Puppy Training: get started off on the right paw with help in housetraining, jumping up, mouthing and socialization.
New Dog Trainer in Town
My name is Mandy Kennedy and I am new to the El Dorado Hills/Folsom area. I have been training dogs in Marin & Sonoma Counties for over 15 years, and now I live here and would love the opportunity to help you with your dog training needs.
I believe that clear communication and mutual trust are the keys to building and maintaining rewarding relationships between dogs and their owners. Dog training should be fun and interesting for you, your family and your dog. Therefore I use a variety of training techniques to guide you and your dog on the path to realizing your personal goals.
Contact me by email or (916) 605-9778.
Copyright Unleashed Dog Training | 2008-2009| All Rights Reserved
