Introducing Mini Lessons For those of you in or around Tracy CA

I would like to introduce two new changes to Dog Training with Alysia!

First off, I would like to announce Dog Training with Alysia is officially part of the Tracy Chamber of Commerce!
(*insert clap*) Thank you, Thank you! Im very excited to have my business officially involved in the city of Tracy.

Secondly, I would like to introduce mini lessons!

I realize that a lot of clients, or people who show interest in dog training, have been afraid to commit to a full basic obedience course, mostly because they are about a 5-6 week course and shaping your schedule to fit something of this longevity into can be quite difficult sometimes and I completely understand that! I always recommend basic obedience courses as I feel they are, by far, the best way to train your dog to understand all the cues that will set them up for a successful happy life so if you indeed have the time for them and would like to sign up for them please do!
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Before all of my normal training courses begin I hold a private or group introductory lesson explaining in detail my training ideals and then give homework on two very important cues to set you up for your first actual class and that is pretty much the extent of that introductory lesson with me.

I started thinking of ways I could make a training course seem less demanding so I thought why not just build a lesson more informative than my introduction and use that as a way to help people who want to learn but do not want the commitment of a 5-6 week course!

Rusty performing a "down stay"

Lets be honest, I personally learn way better when I have someone in front of me showing me how to do things! I can sit here and type all day but reading and understanding what I have to say and want to show everyone can be quite difficult so if you learn better by face to face interaction and lessons then these are perfect for you!

At the end of each lesson you will be able to get some questions in for me to answer so that every course is personalized for you and what you want to learn from them!

I have four main lessons right now that I will give a brief description for
??????????1. Introduction to training & Basic cues - This course will talk about everything you need to know to be successful with training. I will talk about motivators, food lures, marker cues and more! I will show examples with your dog or mine (depending on where this lesson is held) of how to teach some valuable cues, how often to teach them etc. BUT, then it will be up to you to train your dog with the information given!
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This isnt a basic cue by the way ;)

2. Problem behaviors & how to read a dogs body posture - This course explains where problem behaviors come from & how to prevent them. Ive included reading dogs body posture in this because dogs speak using their whole body and expressions so that is why this is so important to know and it is also a way to have an idea what your dog is actually thinking. I cannot even count the times Ive seen owners get so worked up over two dogs introducing themselves at the dog park and almost creating a bad situation simply by acting up while I just stand back and think of how perfectly normal and social those two dogs are. I will help you with any problem behavior advice you need during my ask the trainer question section.
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 Closest pic of a problem behavior I could find! Tearing apart toys ;)

????3. Foster Family Dogs - This may sound redundant but there are a lot of things foster families may not think about while housing their temporary dog. During this course I will teach some basic cues and the do and do nots of training your foster dog! If you dont already know I am actually certified in training shelter dogs so part of my training involved how to transition your dog into their new home. This can include foster homes, however, with foster homes it is a little different so Ive adapted this training lesson to help you out! Also some shelter dogs can gain "bad habits" so we will go over problem behaviors as well during this course!
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This is Amy our Foster dog who is currently learning
basic obedience during her stay!

 
4. Dogs & Kids - How to teach your kids to properly interact with the family dogs & strangers dogs. I will also teach you how you can read your dogs body posture to watch for warning signs that your dog is feeling uncomfortable in the situation and how you can give your dog some space during the day.

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This would be my mini dog trainer teaching my dogs how to
lay before receiving their reward!

Other lessons that are in the process of being laid out are more for fun and will involve trick training and sports!

 If you have something specific for me to help you out with then I would be more than willing to write out a layout specifically for you or mix up any two of the mini lessons and give information on each!

 

 My goal is to just help everyone have more insight to dogs & training at an affordable cost.

 

Let me tell you the best part!

 

My current price for these lessons are a flat $30 dollars plus tax and gas if youre outside of Tracy!

You can invite as many people as you want to these lessons and if you would like to hold them as a fundraiser you are more than welcome to charge "x" amount per person as long as all the profits go to a non-profit of your choosing!

 

So schedule your mini lesson so I can help give you some valuable information without the commitment of a training course!

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Why do you do it Just because I can !

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Have you ever asked yourself

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The 12 & 24 hour racing format is fast becoming very popular. It has a real social aspect along with great spectator & family enjoyment.

Have you ever asked yourself...

1. How would I stay awake for 24 hours riding a bike?
2. What sort of bike would I need to ride for 24 hours
3. What sort of training would I need to do?
4. What food/drink do I need for a 24 hour race?

Have you ever said to yourself...

1. I wouldnt be able to do it SOLO!
2. I will do a few teams races first before I even think about SOLO!
3. Maybe next year!
4. I am too slow & gumby, I dont want to get in the way of faster riders!

There are so many more!!!

If you have that deep, down, scary feeling you want to do a 12/24 hour race.
If you have never done an endurance race before.
If you use any or all of the above & want to know how to show up to the start line of a 12/24 hour race as best prepared as possible.

If you want me to show you how to crack the nut that is your first, arse busting endurance race then I will make you an offer.

email me mattdogtraining@live.com

I have been very fortunate to have gotten a huge amount out of endurance mountain bike racing & the mountain bike scene in general

I feel it is my turn to put something back in. So often I see the glint of a beginner mtb, endurance rider talk themselves out of the adventure of a life time.

For most, if not all of the races I do in 2011 it is my intention to have room for one more rider under my shelter. Male or Female.

I will give you as much time & advice that I have spare in the days/weeks leading up to the event, the day of the event & a post event debrief.

It is certainly not how good or bad you see yourself as on a mountain bike.

How much? you are asking. There is no charge. This is simply a passionate dog on a mountain bike looking to make a difference.

In summary
1. No cost
2. Fun
3. Passionate
4. Must be first timers to racing
5. I may consider roadie toadies hehehe...Bluuuurrrrrpp.

Until next time..

."Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done."
-Louis D Brandeis

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Are you guys alright with this still

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That was the most understated question of Saturday night.

XPD is creeping up on us. Our team is complete. We were all available for a training session last Saturday night.

We found a 42km walk in Lamington National Park. 21kms between Binna Burra & ORielys.

Rain was forcasted for the weekend. Nobody knew that it was going to be the most rain this area has had in over 100 years!!!

We started our walk at 6:30pm on Saturday night. The first hour was just a few puddles & clouded in. As it got dark we arced up our Ay Up lights. Then it started raining. It got heavier & heavier. Shortly there wasnt any room in the sky for any more rain.

It dumped on our heads non-stop for the next 9 hours! The puddles on the track got deeper & deeper. Then the trail turned into a running creek.

Each of us would have easily had about 20 or so leaches on us at any one time.

The walk took us 11 & a half hours. Lots happened in that time so here is a point summary.

1. Dog is the new team XMO (executive morale officer)
2. Dogs can sing (not)
3. Poetry is awesome on long walks.
4. Walking while sleeping is possible
5. 5 minute power naps do work
6. Goretex renewing conditioner doesnt work
7. Team 145 L-Attitude is awesome
8. Bike nix are not good for long walks
9. A big breakfast, a bacon egg burger, 3 extra strength coffees is the best recovery breakfast
10. Doing something that takes you outside of your comfort zone is very rewarding.
11. Bear Grylls is our team mascot

Until next time.
dog


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Training Your Rottweiler to Listen to You

Training Your Rottweiler to Listen to You

Why Wont My Rottweiler Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Rottweiler owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

• Do you use cookies, collars, head halters or clickers to make your Rottweiler listen to your commands?

• Do you have to raise your voice every time you want your Rottweiler to listen to you?

• Does your Rottweiler always come or sit on command - anytime and anywhere you want him to?

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Rottweiler trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Rottweiler with this free mini course.

Get Your Rottweiler To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the "ALPHA dog" of your family. Your Rottweiler must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DOs and DONTs that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

• Always go out or come in through the door first - remember you are the leader;

• Always eat first - give your Rottweiler something to eat only after youve finished your meal;

• Don’t circle around your Rottweiler when he is lying on the floor - make your Rottweiler move out of your way instead;

• Dont let your Rottweiler set the rules - pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands;

• Don’t permit your Rottweiler to sleep with you in your bed - demarcate his sleeping area clearly.

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Rottweiler and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Rottweiler does not learn to "listen", all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Rottweiler know his name? Does your Rottweiler look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Rottweiler Training. If your Rottweiler doesnt respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Rottweiler recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Rottweilers name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once youre sure that your Rottweiler has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Rottweilers respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Rottweiler better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

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WHEN YOU LOSE A PET DETECTION DOG ASPECTS OF HIRING

When you post a lost pet ad on Craigs list, Pet fees, or other lists, you can often contact tries to give advice and to sell their services to the number of persons.

It is difficult to know who is loyal to their offer to help and who simply sell you their service. How can you know, who knows what they are talking about and who is an armchair expert.  It takes a lot of effort on the sales packaging of highly professional-looking language elements.

If someone starts with you, it would be prudent to contact you should be cautious about their family, and skill.  If it sounds too good to be true it probably is.

When I started my dogs certified resources they were lost pets only a handful of people trained dogs in the country.  Even though I had been training and working dogs, one of the first years of the Search I did was take the MPP missing animal response Technician certification course.  My goal was as much about lost pets, their activities and to find and restore them to learn the techniques used.  I started when the missing pet industry we have learned a lot, mostly from people who have lost their Pets and returned successfully, they are on the ground floor.  Also networked with other resources to lose as much as possible in the community of pet animals.  The sum of the parts of the cooperation can be greater than the whole.  We see improvements continuously is the missing pet detection and recovery industry grows and evolves.

There are people who are blessed indeed, experts in people who have rented monitoring trainers sport and blessed than their pet identification groups by the instructors.  Are organizations that promote themselves as a non-profit yet they charge for their services.  (A record profit of human groups charge any SAR on their services.)   Anyone selling himself as the "profit", then the determination of the charging scheme payments before they can help you should question the motives.

Most pets are charged, because their owner and restored to their pets efforts.

The first, which will tell you that My dogs, and is not complete, if you hire us to work for us, success is not guaranteed to be in respect of the fishing effort.  My dogs are still trained and certified by various organizations, at the same time, K9 standards that certify the winks to lose human SAR dogs and working through poliisikoirat.  Several of My dogs are recognized for their contributions to the community, we have several Governors awards.  We have a track record that is available, anyone can view the www.ljtpettracking.com-sivustolla.  Testimonials from customers, we are using.  We can freely share Information through TV and print media presentations.  Only the experience that counts is when a customer calls and tell their pet is safely home, and if we can help with the call of the House instead of a call, we as good as it gets, that ye!

This is the only business where we hope to see you in the good faith was never our services!

View the original article here

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Thank you Virgin Blue Airlines

My wheel bags travelled with cabin crew luggage so that they would make it to Cairns safe & sound. My bike made it to Cairns in one piece too! :o) I am so relieved. The wonderful staff memeber was able to do some creative checking in & I didnt have to pay for any excess luggage.

Only one airline to fly with when travelling in my book now.

Europcar are awesome! They have provided an almost brand new Pajaro 4wd for the duration of the race & a couple of days either side.

There are a few mtb cyclists out & about today. I havent been able to get into the holiday mode. We are staying at some lovely holiday apartments .

Until next time GGF & have a great ride.

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Teaching A Dog Not To Jump You First

Dogs are very social creatures, and a friendly dogs initial greeting reaction is to sniff and lick our faces.  Since we are taller than the average dog, this means they jump up to say hello. Not something us humans particularly appreciate, or at least not all the time.  And if you are the "not all the time" kind of person, I urge you to make that a never.  Dogs really have a hard time knowing when we think its ok, and when we would rather them not.  They dont know the difference between your Sunday best, or your grubby weekend attire.

Teaching your dog not to jump up during greeting isnt about teaching your dog what not to do, but rather teaching your dog what TO DO.  You can teach your dog to go find his toy, go to his crate, keep four on the floor, or butt on the ground.  I tend to teach butt on the ground behaviors first. 

I love teaching dogs and coaching dog parents how to teach their dogs to ask politely ie. butt on the ground when they want something.  If a dog wants petting, wants you to toss the dog toy, eat dinner, go outside....butt on the ground first.  And I dont want you to have to tell your dog to put his butt on the ground / SIT, I want him to do it automatically.  I think by teaching our dogs to think for themselves, they understand a concept much better, and it sticks.

First, you must teach your dog at least an idea of the SIT behavior before you can expect him to offer it on his own. Put a healthy dog treat right to your dog’s nose, and move your hand slowly in an arc above your dogs head and back. As soon as his rump hits the floor say "YES!" and follow quickly with a treat. Repeat this process until he is easily putting his butt on the ground.  Tip:  If your dog is leaping to get the treat, your treat lure is too high.  Place your hand with the treat right ON his nose, so there isnt any jumping to follow your lure, or to eat the treat.

Now that your dog has a basic understanding of putting his butt on the ground, its time to incorporate that to offering this behavior when he wants something.  Again, this will lead to an offered sit for your attention instead of jumping.

Grab a handful of high-value treats, or healthy dog food and do a quick round of SIT sessions. After, say, 3 sets, just smile at your dog, do not provide any luring or words. As soon as his butt hits the floor say "YES!" and give him a jackpot of treats. Quickly take a few playful steps away from your dog and stop and smile at him again. As soon as his butt hits the floor again, say "YES!" and treat. Repeat this game running around the house or yard.

You can vary the offered sit by doing the same process before other events that your dog wants to participate in. For example, if you are about ready to toss your dogs ball during a game of fetch, hold the ball close to your chest, smile at your dog and wait. As soon as his butt hits the floor, toss the ball. If your dog jumps up at you and the ball, do not say anything, just wait for the correct behavior. This is part of the learning process. He will be learning that the “jumping up” behavior does NOT get him access to things he wants, but the “butt on the ground” behavior does - a very good life lesson for your dog to learn. Tip: Do not tell your dog to sit during these lessons; the point of the offered sit is that your dog is thinking through the process and realizing on his own that sit makes good things happen and jumping up does not.

Now that you have incorporated various offered SIT behaviors with your dog for a variety of days and sessions, start to wait for your dog to SIT before you greet him.  He doesnt have to SIT/STAY, but if he jumps up, stop his attention and wait for the SIT again, and immediately pet and/or treat.  You will be amazed at how quickly your dog can learn to offer a SIT instead of jumping.  But, you must be consistent.  No, its ok one day and not the other. 

For more tips, visit my previous post- Polite Dog & Human Greeting Pt. 1.

Do you need extra dog training help?  I offer in-person,  phone consultations, weekend dog retreats and public seminars.  Contact me today for details.

   

Tonya Wilhelm-Global Dog Training http://www.globaldogtraining.com

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Training Your Havanese to Listen to You

Training Your Havanese to Listen to You

Why Wont My Havanese Listen To Me?

This is a common question that most first-time Havanese owners ask me. Before I answer your question, let me ask you a few instead:

• Do you use cookies, collars, head halters or clickers to make your Havanese listen to your commands?

• Do you have to raise your voice every time you want your Havanese to listen to you?

• Does your Havanese always come or sit on command - anytime and anywhere you want him to?

If your answers are mostly in the negative, its time you seriously reconsider your role as a sincere Havanese trainer and an ideal pet parent.

Learn how to bond with your Havanese with this free mini course.

Get Your Havanese To Listen To You

Before you begin any training, you must first establish yourself as the "ALPHA dog" of your family. Your Havanese must know that you’re the leader of the pack and it is YOU who is in charge.

Here is a list of simple DOs and DONTs that you must follow if you want to be the Alpha:

• Always go out or come in through the door first - remember you are the leader;

• Always eat first - give your Havanese something to eat only after youve finished your meal;

• Don’t circle around your Havanese when he is lying on the floor - make your Havanese move out of your way instead;

• Dont let your Havanese set the rules - pay attention to him when you think fit and not whenever he demands;

• Don’t permit your Havanese to sleep with you in your bed - demarcate his sleeping area clearly.

Once you successfully established yourself as the Alpha, training your Havanese and making him listen will be a lot easier than you can imagine. Remember, if your Havanese does not learn to "listen", all your training efforts will be in vain!

Does your Havanese know his name? Does your Havanese look at you whenever you call him by his name? This is the first and the most critical step involved in Havanese Training. If your Havanese doesnt respond to his name, you cannot have his attention for teaching him any other commands.

To make sure that your Havanese recognizes his name, take a treat in your hand and hold it away from your body. Call your Havaneses name. He is most likely to look at the treat in your hand. Continue calling his name untill he turns and looks at your eyes. Give him the treat immediately. Repeat this exercise by holding the treat in the other hand. Once youre sure that your Havanese has learnt to recognize his name, just call his name and reward him for looking at you by petting or with a hug.

You must understand that Havaneses respond far better to positive reinforcement than they do to coercion or force.

Learn how to train your Havanese better with this free mini course.

Copyright (c) 2009 TrainPetDog.com

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What did you do on Thursday night

Late night shopping? Not bloody likely! Not for Rach, Mark & I.

The three of us headed out for a xc ride. 71kms & 2300 metres of climbing! My Scott Scale20 was getting the forks serviced in preparation for the up & coming races. The next horse in the stable was the Ventana single speed.

There was some hike-a-bike. We saw two sugar gliders, a few possums, many Tawny Frog Mouthed birds, Rach was a bit of an animal at times & Mark pretended to be a gravel dwelling snake after a dive into the dirt as a result of something catching his front wheel on a fast decent.

Marks Ay Up lights were ripped from his helmet mount, the cable was ripped out of the back of the lights. We picked them up, popped them back into the mount, plugged the cable back in & you wouldnt have know he had just crashed. The lights werent even scratched.

Summary: Get some lights, push your pedals & not a trolley!

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