Auseez Dog Training LLC

08/01/2025

SPORTS DOG FOLKS

Being intentional at class, practice, trials is important when you are changing habits. Notice how your dog feels and what he might need. Do you want to visit with friends? Consider leaving your dog in the car so you don't have to attend to him and can have a good time visiting. Be attentive to your dog when he is with you (vs just hanging out at the end of the leash).

Consider things like:

-how you set up your dog for the day (the car vs in the building)

-how your dog exits the car/enters the environment (does he need a lot of time to look/acclimate)

-letting your dog greet people/other dogs- or not

-entrances/exits to the trial area

-playing/tugging vs calm focus games

-pre/post run routines

This stuff does not have to be boring. Most of this is taught by setting up expectations with fun training games.

Sometimes the smallest changes can make a big difference. Defining what is important for your dogs’ success is a good start.

07/26/2025

Had to share this video of little Ava. It's from years ago and the info is a little too condensed, but I sure do love seeing that happy little face!

07/21/2025

NORMALIZE SAYING NO (another post about greetings)

Let's normalize saying 'no' when people ask to pet or interact with our dogs.

I was at Lowe's with my dog, Joe, and a person approached and asked to pet him. I said, kindly - "no, he's in training." I also said something along the lines of "thanks for checking first." I always endeavor to be kind, but this person looked really offended that I didn't let them pet my dog.

Saying 'no' is such an opportunity to teach the general public that dogs are not there for them to approach and pet. In addition, if we teach our dogs not to expect to greet then it will be easier for them to go about their business and not bother people. It's a two way street.

Some dogs are really conflicted about greeting and are relieved not to have to make that decision. We can just make that decision for them by teaching them to be neutral to people/other dogs unless otherwise instructed.

There is middle ground, too- dogs can be given permission to greet if the owner wants to do this.

I also had a lovely conversation with one of the employees who understood and was totally onboard. I was able to stand there and talk to her without my dog trying to greet her. I also kept enough distance between us that this was not hard for him. This was good practice for him.

Being in a store is a privilege for dogs and is such an opportunity for us to show that our dogs can mind their own business when in public. Many people appreciate this.

Just some thoughts to ponder.....

07/08/2025

RUNNING FROM REACTIVITY?

Recently I've seen some social media posts criticizing force free trainers and how they handle dogs with reactive behaviors. They state that there is no need for distance and that these dogs should walk head on or right by other dogs in order to "solve" reactivity. The videos show dogs that are clearly uncomfortable having to walk by other dogs that are lunging at them.

I have also seen many posts where dogs are being severely corrected or shocked to "fix" their reactive behaviors. This is just suppressing behavior, not changing it. So, the behavior will eventually resurface with a vengeance!

It is important to have distance when teaching dogs who are uncomfortable seeing other dogs. They need to be far enough away that they can dismiss any triggers (things that bother them). This is the way you can kindly teach a new response/behavior. This distance will be cut down as the dog is more comfortable.

Often, reactive behaviors are just a dog telling us that they are uncomfortable. It's important to honor this and teach them how to become more comfortable. It is quite possible to do this in a kind manner.

I know reactive behavior can look and feel really bad to the dog owner. But, there really isn't a quick fix for it. It takes time to build new habits. Fast is slow and slow is fast here.

Please seek out a trainer who can help you change reactive behaviors in a kind, thorough, science based manner.

07/03/2025

GREETINGS- or lack thereof

I was in a group class this week with my dog. I was waiting for my turn when someone in class came up to chat for a minute. My dog is very friendly and was wagging and wooing at her. She asked if she could pet him and I kindly told her 'no.' She was so respectful of this and understood.

I told her 'no' because my dog was getting ready to work and I don't want him to greet people in that setting. In addition, he rarely greets anyone he won't see again.

My dog has had lots of exposure to people and other dogs and does not expect to greet, but he is friendly and would really like to greet. So this was good practice for him.

Consider what is best for your dog in each setting. Consider just letting him look and soak in the experience without the expectation of greeting. Or maybe ask the person if they can ignore him while he sniffs them (after getting permission from you).

So many dogs are relieved not to have to greet other people. Our dogs often just want to check people out - sniff them, etc. - but not get petted.

This is great advocacy for your dog and is also teaching the public a different way of thinking about greetings with dogs.

06/16/2025

Sports dog folks: consider asking your instructor if you can audit your class for a session (or more). This way you can work on your "outside the ring" skills while still in that environment. Add distance if needed to be successful. Think of all the sets up you can practice!! :-)

06/11/2025

This is what reactivity training should look like. The coaching is spot on and the handler and dog are both responsive. The dog is engaged and looking to her owner rather than reacting.

Remember, you can't correct an emotional response - a new emotional response needs to be introduced, trained and reinforced.

This is the best video I've seen so far showing very specific steps in reactivity training. Just lovely.

06/06/2025

THINKING OF ADDING A NEW PUPPY/DOG TO YOUR HOUSE?

I often have people with young dogs ask me if it would be helpful to add a dog to their home as a playmate for their other dog. I often get this question because the adolescent dog is driving the people crazy - lol!

I don’t advise adding a new dog until the first dog has all its skills in place. Building these skills takes time - 2-3 years in my opinion. I really like to let young dogs be the only young dog in the house for a good while. This way their skills are trained and in place and they will teach a new dog good habits.

Two untrained dogs can teach each other bad habits and cause chaos in the house/yard. They might entertain each other part of the time, but they may wreak havoc in the household the rest of the time - and make your job even harder!

Something to consider. :-)

05/15/2025

New blog post over on my website: https://www.auseezdogtraining.com/blog

:-)

It's very exciting and tempting to take them out to do "all the things." But, wait. Let them acclimate to their new home. They were just removed from everything they have every known and need time to decompress and get used to their new surroundings. Start getting them used to their new house and th...

05/09/2025

This is so well written! It explains the start of teaching neutrality and advocating for your puppy. It is also a great example to the general public. Thanks Drop The Leash Dog Training for the great post!!

Why your dog can’t meet my puppy.

When I am out walking with my new pup Maeve and I see people or dogs coming I move over to the side out of their way and I feed her for focussing on me instead of the people or the other dogs.

Some people stop with their dogs and indicate they want their dog to meet Maeve. I just politely say no thank you and keep on feeding her. Sometimes I have to step between Maeve and the dog if they still insist on bringing their dog over.

I have two reasons for being so adamant about this.

On-leash greetings are often not in a puppy’s best interest. The potential is there for them to be put into a situation that frightens them. Older dogs can snap at puppies who get in their faces. One snap from an older dog can frighten or hurt a sensitive puppy causing them to be afraid of dogs.

Maeve will probably weigh around fifty pounds as an adult dog. If I set up the predictability now of her being able to pull me to every dog we see that is really going to be a problem as she gets bigger and stronger.

An important part of socialization is teaching our dogs that they can see other dogs while they are on leash and choose to move on with us instead. It’s a valuable life skill for a city dog, a trail dog, or any dog who’s going to be out and about with their person.

This doesn't mean Maeve doesn’t get to play or socialize. She plays off-leash with doggie friends I know and trust, in situations where everyone is set up to succeed. Socialization is about quality, not quantity. It’s about building good experiences, not just exposure.

So if you see us on a walk and I say “no thank you” to a doggy meet-and-greet, please know it’s not personal. I’m just working hard to raise a confident, relaxed adult dog who can move through the world with ease.

Thanks for understanding.

04/28/2025

A fun and easy way to make dog treats. Joe gets to eat bug treats for awhile!😁

04/18/2025

I added a blog section to my website, so will be posting training thoughts/ideas over there. Here is the address:

It's very exciting and tempting to take them out to do "all the things." But, wait. Let them acclimate to their new home. They were just removed from everything they have every known and need time to decompress and get used to their new surroundings. Start getting them used to their new house and th...