Canine Capers Dog Training School

28/02/2023

12/10/2022

DON’T STOP REWARDING
WHY DOGS SHOULD ALWAYS BE REWARDED FOR A JOB WELL DONE
Many people are initially willing to use rewards when teaching a particular behaviour, but often seem to be overly concerned about when they can stop doing this. There seems to be a focus on “the sooner I can stop doing this the better”. Surely my dog should just listen to me because I’m in charge, because they need to be obedient and should just do what I say because I say so! or “If my dog always gets rewarded it’s a bad reflection of my “authority” over them – It’s a weakness and I’m bribing or spoiling them”.
A common analogy used to explain this is a person starting a new job. You are offered a good salary and are excited to learn new skills. You are enthusiastic, motivated and learn quickly. Your employer is really happy with your progress and you are rewarded at the end of that month with your salary. At the end of your second month, you are told that you will no longer be earning a salary. You are told that because you now know the job and really perform well, it's become no longer necessary to pay you to do it. How would that affect your motivation, excitement and willingness to continue performing or even showing up for work?
The same applies to our dogs. To maintain a behaviour, motivation, satisfaction, a sense of achievement and to keep communicating in a way our dogs understand, we need to continually reward the behaviour we are looking for. Yes, there are different ways of rewarding or reinforcing our dogs if we are going to get technical - differential rates of reinforcement, fading, distance, duration or distraction or building behaviour chains etc. but the principle of rewarding a dog for a job well done, remains unchanged.

15/03/2022

Please note that my cell number has changed. It is now 0795030377. Louise

04/09/2021

Coco the Greyhound strutting her stuff!!

14/04/2021

Bella, a French Bulldog, strutting her stuff at Canine Capers Puppy School. Rocky, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, negotiating the tunnel and jumps at Canine Capers Dog Training School.

14/04/2021

Bella, a French Bulldog and Rocky, a Rhodesian Ridgeback strutting their stuff in class

02/08/2020

Puppy (pups between 8 and 18 weeks) socialisation classes are on a Wednesday afternoon in Hermanus from 16h30 - 17h30 on the field behind the municipality (the side where the entrance to the library and auditorium is).

Teen (dogs older than 6 months) classes are on a Tuesday afternoon from 16h30 - 17h30 at the same venue.

08/02/2020

Puppy socialisation classes (pups between 8 and 18 weeks) take place on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 5:230 on the field behind the municipality. Contact Louise on 083 264 2912.

28/10/2018

Puppy training classes (for pups between 8 and 16 weeks) every Tuesday from 4-5 at the municipal grounds in Hermanus. 6 week course. Course fee R660.

23/08/2017

The KUSA Canine Good Citizen Test is a programme that is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community and it encourages and stresses the importance of responsible dog ownership by the owners. Any dog, pure bred, crossbred or of mixed breeding may take part provided it has had its required vaccinations.

The KUSA Canine Good Citizen Test is a three part programme comprising of a Bronze, Silver and Gold Level. These tests are not competitive and lay down the foundation for KUSA progression to disciplines such as Obedience, Agility, Dog Jumping etc. Successful participants will receive a KUSA Certificate and Rosette.

We urge owners to make the effort to train their dogs as they will experience the benefits of their dogs having good manners, responding well to household routines and they will be a joy to live with.

12/08/2017

Our Students in the Advanced class in Hermanus :) What a lovely group of people and dogs