A Frame of Mind Dog Training

03/14/2020

We're getting ready for spring classes! Drop in group classes that meet at different locations to work with real-life environments.
Read more here: http://www.afmdog.com/class/

Please note if you live in Columbus or Licking County when you email. I'm getting ready to select locations and a schedule.

02/10/2020

One of the skills we sometimes teach is a hand target/hand touch. Dogs learn to press their noses to a hand. Often we introduce it to help dogs learn to like approaching people. It can be used for many other things. Here's a great video example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmJkDPnpYGU

An excerpt from one of Ken Ramirez' seminars on training. Here he demonstrates basic targeting techniques with several rescued shelter dogs.

02/03/2020

February is starting off warm! If you are interested in group classes or to have your dog spend a half day with me for training outings - send an email. I want to enjoy the warmer weather!

01/31/2020

We've been at a few agility trials. Some runs aren't perfect and others go pretty well. Tonks is growing up!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WNQmjzWlLI&feature=youtu.be

01/24/2020

Our friend, F***y Gott, is sharing videos as her puppy grows up. The teamwork, focus, and confidence she wants from her puppy are traits that we want for all puppies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJ4cjr86RnI

Introducing SPAM! I'm so excited to finally have a puppy again. Spam is 8 weeks old and I want to share our training so that more people can be successful wi...

01/18/2020

The last post was a video about dogs on restricted activity. Viktor is now 5 years old. When he was a puppy he had to be on crate rest for over a year due to problems with his front legs. This book was one of the resources we used to help make sure he had a lot of great experiences even if he wasn't allowed to run or go on long walks.

https://www.amazon.com/walks-worries-Maintaining-wellbeing-restricted/dp/1845846052

"He's going to need six weeks crate rest; just keep him quiet while he recovers." These words - which often form part of the treatment requirements for dogs undergoing surgery, or requiring long-term medical care - can strike fear and dread into a dog-owner's heart. Not a lot of advice is availab...

01/10/2020

Sometimes dogs need to be on restricted activity due to health concerns. Here are some great training ideas for those times, or for dark, indoor evenings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfL99xcEpXc

Dogs that have their activity restricted (are on crate rest) get bored, especially active dogs. Sometimes its too hot outside for active games. The best way ...

01/04/2020

I cannot believe it was 5 years ago today that a friend and I ventured to Arkansas to pickup Viktor. You can see him curled up with Griffon in this picture.

07/15/2019

Car safety is very important. My dogs usually ride in crates in the car. This gives them the chance to change positions but also be safely confined in a small area during travel. They aren't able to interfere with the driver and limits motion in the event of a car accident. If we ride with friends, like in this photo, sometimes we use a seat belt designed to restrain dogs even in the event of a car accident.

07/09/2019

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior published a position statement on puppy socialization. This is a great information sheet because it discusses the importance and benefits of early socialization while taking into account disease risk.

I'll be visiting a veterinary clinic in a few weeks to talk to puppy owners about socialization. Help me prepare! What are questions you have about puppy training and puppy socialization?

https://avsab.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Puppy_Socialization_Position_Statement_Download_-_10-3-14.pdf

07/01/2019

A friendly reminder: Please be cautious about fireworks. Some dogs don’t mind it and other dogs can get very scared. Know when the local fireworks displays will be and do your best to potty/walk prior to that time and then keep your dog inside. Even if you have a fenced yard - leash your dog on those evenings. If your neighborhood is like mine - you might have other times of fireworks, so be cautious in the evening.
Here’s an additional resource from the FearFree Veterinary program; a free webinar about noise sensitivity. Unfortunately it's at 8:00 pm on the 4th so it may be a little late to take action for this year - but it can help prepare you for future years and situations.
https://fenzidogsportsacademy.clickmeeting.com/the-science-cafe-oh-no-it-s-the-fourth-again-/

Event starts: Thursday, July 4, 2019 05:00 PM America/Los_Angeles

03/11/2019

Now that the weather is improving we can think about outdoor classes! I've posted some initial dates for Licking County options, please email for locations or if you are interested in Columbus area classes. Group classes are a drop-in format and meet in public areas with real-life distractions.

www.afmdog.com/class

Newark, Ohio puppy class and group classes out in public for central Ohio and Licking County areas. Train in real life areas, not a classroom.

03/08/2019

There are many great therapy dog organizations. One local group is having an upcoming Handler Training as well as a general information meeting. This group uses the PetPartners certification process and I really love the attention towards training the handler to facilitate visits. I know many awesome teams who have worked towards their certification and are making a difference to the families they visit!

02/28/2019

Now that my dogs spend more time helping me teach, I have crates in my car for safe travel and containment. Before I had crates in my car, one of my favorite purchases was dog seat belts. Ruff Rider was one of the best products available at the time. I still pull it out on occasion and if I have additional dogs visiting, sometimes Viktor gets to be a Front Seat Dog with the seatbelt.

https://www.amazon.com/Ruff-Rider-Vehicle-Training-Harness/dp/B00K1NCEP0

Ruff Rider First Opened In 1996. Later That Year, Ruff Rider's Roadie Was Awarded Top Choice And Product Of The Year By Your Dog Magazine Of Tufts University School Of Veterinary Medicine. Roadie Canine Vehicle Safety Harness Allows Your Dog To Sit, Stand, Or Lie Down Safely While Tethered To The...

02/15/2019

Sometimes I recommend the use of video to see what a dog is doing when we're away. Sometimes we use this to monitor progress with separation anxiety or to see how much a dog is barking throughout the day. There are a lot of camera products available that can connect to your phone so that you can check in from anywhere. One I learned about this year was https://alfred.camera/ . This one lets you use an old phone as the camera at home.

No contract. No installation. Free DIY home security system, baby monitor, and pet cam on your phone. Available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android smartphone, and tablet.

02/07/2019

When Blaze was young, he destroyed a lot of equipment. Sometimes by chewing and other times the equipment wore out from frequent use. Freedom Harnesses didn't exist when he was young, but because of my experiences with Blaze, one of the things I love about this product is their repair warranty. For the cost of postage, they will repair a damaged product. https://www.2houndsdesign.com/product/harness-repair-warranty/

Our Freedom No-Pull Harnesses come with a lifetime chew repair warranty. We will replace up to two straps of the harness for $6.99 which is to cover the return shipping back to you (US shipping addresses). If more straps are chewed there will be an additional $2.00 charge per strap. There is also an...

01/31/2019

I volunteer with a 4-H group meeting in the Granville, Ohio area. This program is for youth ages 8-18 (as of Jan 1) and in 3rd grade and up. The Patchwork Pals club is a miscellaneous club with members doing various types of projects, including dog projects. If you have any questions feel welcome to send an email or come visit us at the 4-H Kickoff event at OSU on Saturday.

https://licking.osu.edu/sites/licking/files/imce/Program_Pages/4H/2019%20Discover%204-H%20Flyer.pdf

01/22/2019

Many families tell me how hard it is for their dogs to be on restricted exercise while recovering from a veterinary procedure or during bad weather. When Viktor was young, he was on restricted activity from about 14 weeks to 14 months of age due to health problems with his front legs. It wasn't as hard as I had anticipated, but it did require some planning to have activities he could do. Here's a great book about activities for dogs on restricted activity:
https://www.amazon.com/walks-worries-Maintaining-wellbeing-restricted/dp/1845846052

"He's going to need six weeks crate rest; just keep him quiet while he recovers." These words - which often form part of the treatment requirements for dogs undergoing surgery, or requiring long-term medical care - can strike fear and dread into a dog-owner's heart. Not a lot of advice is availab...