Eden's Dog School

10/24/2024

The weather is beautiful for some leash walking training. Adding a backpack with a bottle of water in each pouch helps some working dogs snap into work mode. Here is LJ handling like a champ. Responsive and handsome as ever.

09/24/2024

Hey everyone! We are getting into the fall, and that means more thunderstorms!

Some quick tips if your dog has fear of storms.

Find a central room/area in your house and place their crate there to limit noise.
Cover crate in blankets to dampen sounds. I've used foam from yoga mats to help block sounds for more sensitive dogs.
Turn on tv or music and play at a reasonable volume to help distract from bad sounds and dampen thunder.

Above all else, be calm and normal. Comforting them when they are being fearful of a trigger can reinforce that fear. Reward them for calm behavior (like laying down inside their crate) with big rewards (my dogs like cheese). If you act worried, that will increase and justify their fears.

Exercise before stormy days is a fantastic choice. A tired brain is a calm brain. Puzzles are also a great way to distract.

08/09/2024

Carwyn is improving and handling distractions much better. Mom barking no longer disrupts her focus.

08/09/2024

Little John demonstrates some of his recent skills. Our Hold and Place work is going well.

04/18/2024

04/18/2024

Pupdate! The pups are almost 5 months old. They are learning many new things. We are working on barking with Carwyn and Little John has mastered leash walking and being out in public on leash. We have begun off leash training with both dogs and will be setting up the start of agility courses on the property next week. Follow to keep up to date!

04/18/2024

The look of a momma dog after a good hard run outside playing some Frisbee. Quite happy and content and the puppies are now playing as well. 5 months old Mon and they are learning so many new things!

04/05/2024

Let's talk about walks! Good leash skills are important and proper leash handling is key. Little John and Carwyn are only just 4 months old. We have been exposing them to collars ans harnesses since they were 3 weeks old, and leash handling since 6 weeks old. You do not need leash pops to get positive results. A proper front latch harness can help redirect a lot of pulling, and doesn't encourage pulling in older dogs where it has already become an established behavior. Practicing different sp*eds and changing direction quickly teaches your dog to focus on YOU with the walk. Look At Me is a great tool, and you should ask them for that behavior while on leash starting our. Remember to be engaged. Your dog is relying on you to be aware. So put the phone away, put your head up, and eyes forward and walk with confidence. They will feel and reflect this behavior.

04/02/2024

Today is a good day to talk about storm safety with your dogs! Here are so.e key things to keep in mind:

1. Remember to keep your dog leashed, even in a fenced yard. They can become startled more easily and jump fences. Also, most dogs feel an extra sense of security with the leash on, so it can help calm them some.

2. Scared dogs can react unexpectedly. They may bite, growl, or p*e. Crated dogs are safe dogs. Get them comfortable in a crate, cover with a blanket if they enjoy that, and turn on some music or distracting background noise.

3. Make sure your dog is wearing their ID tags. This can be helpful in tornadoes and other severe weather where the dog may escape.

4. I keep a small Go Bag handy in my storm shelter. I include some bottles of clean drinking water, a set of collapsible bowls, potty bags, a few ziplock bags of dog food, a few comfort chew items like bully sticks and Kongs, and some peanut butter. As well as a small first aid kit with Bactine and bandages, Neosporin, any meds the dogs require, a flashlight, and a few extra blankets. I also keep a tie out lead, 30 ft training leash, and stake handy.

5. Remember to not reinforce their fear response. I know this is difficult and we want to comfort them, but we also do not want to establish that fear is the appropriate response to all storms. So use the crate. Make them secure, give them some distractions, and reinforce their quiet, calm behavior.

Remember to stay safe out there everyone and be prepared! We have some nasty storms this evening. I'd love to hear from folks about other items they like to pack in their grab and go bags!

03/30/2024

Dog socialization is very important. Always remember to take it slow, let the dogs set the pace. You never want to force your dog into a situation they are not ready for yet. Introduced Little John and Carwyn to my nephews dog Cora. After nearly an hour of staring and hiding, the first play bow was offered. Now they are getting off to be best of friends.

Remember, patience will always get you better results than force!

03/15/2024

I have had an overwhelming amount of things to do the past 2 weeks so my anxiety is already high. This storm, not helping. Thankfully the puppies seem to be in good spirits.

03/11/2024

Please feel free to call me during that raptor phase.

02/25/2024

Roxie and Little John playing. She is very gentle, and the love that she has for her pups is amazing to see and beautiful to watch. People who think animals don't feel emotions are simply wrong. Here she is being gentle and teaching him about play and boundaries and how to respectfully engage with other dogs. And she does it with love. And he loves his mommy.

02/22/2024

Resource guarding is a very natural behavior for dogs. With work and practice, you can help dogs learn to share and be less guarded. Nothing better on a rainy day than everyone chewing treats together.

02/19/2024

Nothing like a solid game of Frisbee before a walk to get the minds of working dogs into action. She couldn't be happier.

02/19/2024

From the shelter to our hearts Roxie has come a long way! She is happy and living a healthy life and we couldn't be happier to have her. Remember to adopt, don't shop.