Speak Fido Dog Training

06/16/2024

04/06/2024

In this class, you and your furry friend will embark on an exciting journey to reinforce essential skills and strengthen your bond along the way. Class is held at WVHS. Enroll now for Speak Fido Dog Training at https://www.wenatcheehumane.org/upcomingtrainings
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12/18/2023

Do you have an older puppy or a newly adopted adult dog? Join us in January for Intro to Obedience class at Wenatchee Humane Society! This class is for any dog 5 months and up that would like to get started on the right paw. This class is offered on Sundays from 1-2pm or 6-7pm starting January 7th. This is a one hour class meeting weekly for 6 weeks. Class enrollment is $150.

Class schedule: 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28, 2/4, 2/11

All dogs must have current Bordetella, DHPP/DA2PP and Rabies vaccinations. Vaccination records required for enrollment.

In this class we cover basic obedience skills of sit, down, stay, recall (come-when-called) leash walking, polite greetings, drop it and settle (go to mat). We cover discussion topics of marker training, positive reinforcement, working around distractions, and improving focus and communication between you and your dog.

For enrollment or questions reach us at speakfidodogs.com or 509.393.2715
Happy training!

12/18/2023

Does your dog bark and jump on guests when they come in your door? If you are worried that the upcoming holiday visits with friends and family will be challenging with your dog follow these steps!

Before the greeting - Management
- leash your dog, use a baby gate or an x-pen to keep them contained while guests arrive

During the greeting - Reinforcement
- reward calm behavior with treats
- guests should turn away from jumping dogs

After the greetings - Enrichment
- keep your dog on leash or put your dog in a confinement space
- give your dog an enrichment toy like a stuffed Kong, lick mat or bone

Happy holidays!
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09/28/2023

Bring your pup and join us for a great event! Pawtoberfest celebration will have it all. Beer, brats and cute pups everywhere!!🐾🍺🌭

PAWTOBERFEST 2023!!!!🍺🍻It's back, Dogs, Beers, Brats, and featured local artists Black Market Blues Band and Eden Moody! And of course, most important dog and people events and fun competitions! SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH 1pm-6pm @ LOGE CAMPS COURTYARD 321 9TH STREET LEAVENWORTH, WA! 🐕🍺🔊🌭🍻

08/14/2023

Is your dog muzzle trained? Have you seen a muzzled dog walking down the street and wondered if they were dangerous? There is a ton of stigma out there about muzzles and a ton of misinformation too. This summer alone I have seen 3 different dogs on walks with soft muzzles on (on 90 degree days). So lets talk muzzles!

1. There are 2 main types of muzzles. Basket and soft (occlusion) muzzles. Basket muzzles are for longer term use, if your dog is going to be muzzled more than 10 minutes. Baskets are made from a variety of materials, for a variety of behavioral issues. The basket has room for the dog to pant, drink water and take treats. These three things are key to make the muzzle safe for long term wear!
Soft muzzles are for short use like grooming, vet visits or emergency medical events (think porcupine attack on a hike). Dogs cannot open their mouth, cannot pant or drink water with a soft muzzle on. This is dangerous for them for more than 5-10 minutes as they cannot regulate their body temperature. They should be taken off frequently and given a break if the dog is undergoing a long grooming or vet visit. Very importantly about soft muzzles, a dog can still bite with one on, its just more difficult for them to do so.

2. Training is required to acclimate a dog to a basket muzzle. This will make a dog much more comfortable wearing the muzzle for long periods.
Little training is required to acclimate a dog to a soft muzzle as it is worn for short durations and the material makes it more comfortable.

3. Dogs wear muzzles for a variety of reasons, not just biting. Muzzles keep a dog from doing dangerous things with their mouth, including biting, picking things up the shouldn't and eating poisonous things.

4. Dogs guardians may use a muzzle in their management plan for the life of their dog. Not all behaviors can be changed through training. Using humane equipment to give your dog more safe access to the world is a great option.

07/23/2023

Not sure if your dog or their friend is playing safely and your not sure what to look for? That's one of the most common questions I get from clients.
Dogs use body language cues to indicate when they are comfortable during play and when they need a break. Use these to tell if you need to play referee or sit back and watch the fun.

Meta-Signals - These gestures, actions and behavior patterns all communicate that a dog is pretending and not serious, that “what follows is play”. Look for play bows, bouncy motion, inefficient movements, and play faces that offer goofy expressions like grinning.

Activity Shifts. When dogs play, they should not get stuck in one activity, such as chasing. The play should periodically change and be punctuated with meta-signals to communicate that what follows is just play. Dogs may go from a game of chasing, to wrestling, to keep away with a stick.

Role Reversal. In good play the roles often, but don’t always reverse. One dog may chase, then become the one being chased. In wresting one might be on top, and in the next moment be the one on the bottom. There is not always perfect role reversal when dogs play. Some dogs may prefer to be on the bottom when wresting or be the one being chased when playing tag.

Self-Handicapping. When dogs play in a healthy manner, they reduce the level of force as to not injure their play mates. Behaviors such as biting, body slamming, etc., are inhibited to allow the play to continue and not cause harm.

These are the 4 Pillars of Good Play, and their presence is vital to ensure that all participants are actually playing and having fun.

How does your dog play? Let me know in the comments!

07/20/2023

Working on dog reactivity is a top request from my clients. My boy Frank is also reactive to dogs and over the last 2 years we have been working hard on to decrease this.

This is what we work on when we are out on daily walks. The plus for me is I don't have to take extra time out of my day to train these skills!

1. Reward your dog for calmly observing the environment. Make sure you are set up far enough away that your dog doesn't go over their distraction threshold.

2. Reward your dog when the look at their triggers. Again, distance is key! Set up so your dog doesn't go over threshold.

3. If your dog does go over threshold (Frank did in this video. A dog started walking fright toward us) then teach them a flight cue so they can retreat from a trigger once over threshold.

Interested in learning how to train these skills? Follow for more and happy training!