Utah Animal Adoption Center

A lovely “Lady”

Lady was adopted this summer, she was rescued along with the poodles from the Roosevelt shelter.  Lady came to us with four puppies, her puppies were all adopted to new loving homes quickly.  Lady is missing one paw and gets around perfectly, she is the sweetest dog who has transformed in to a “regal” gorgeous, lovely dog.  Her owners are so very happy to have her as an addition to their family and we appreciate the photo of her looking so happy and healthy!

Weekly Training Tip- Training Breaks

Training Breaks Can Be Good (Dec. 23rd)

There are many times where I have seen benefits from training breaks (a few weeks to a few months)!  Sometimes not training a behavior for an extended time period can speed up the learning curve in the dog.

I am not exactly sure why this but I remember reading about it years ago and I see it over again.  My dog is a great example his recall (”come”) regressed.  We took a break from working on “come” for about 2 months.  He received much exercise in my yard, from training and during on leash walks.  After the break, his recall was 100% at Tanner and at City Creek Canyon even with birds (birds were a number one distraction for him).  My hypothesis is that the dogs have time to actually think about the material (integration time) instead of being constantly bombarded with learning material.

Sometimes a break results in a regression in training.  So how do you know if a break will be beneficial or not?  I have no clear cut answer to this.  Generally when I have taken breaks away from training it was never conscious.  It was a break due to circumstances that appeared in my life.  Then when I got back into training…wow…..progress….just like that!

My insight would be to follow your impulses and intuition.  If you strongly feel pulled to take a break follow that impulse.  If anything if you back track in training your dog will learn it faster the second time around.  Generally impulses and intuition if clearly felt are rarely wrong.

So throw away the guilt about not working with your dog constantly!  Remember breaks can be good!

Also another tip.  You do not have to train your dog everyday for him to learn a behavior or command.  Consistency is the key and daily boundaries.  So many of my clients feel guilty when I show up and they haven’t worked enough with their dogs daily.  If you are working on a command 2-3 times a week you will see progress. Short training sessions lasting 2-5 minutes are generally best as well.

Take a break around the holidays and be consistent with your dog!  Have a wonderful time and may your season be filled with love and light!

Happy Holidays!

Johanna Teresi, Professional Trainer and Owner of Four Legged Scholars LLC

Christmas at the Equine Center (3 pics)

Beautiful Belle in front of the barn…

Mocha with a fancy braided Christmas mane.

Lena looking very festive!

Weekly Dog Training Tip

Holiday Party Tips (Dec 18th)

Holidays can be easeful with your dog(s) or very stressful.  Here are some tips to create a more easeful holiday.

1.) First and foremost keep your dogs occupied during this busy part of the season.  If you don’t have time to exercise your dogs contact one of the following dog walkers:

Adam 801-828-7200

Kathy 801-503-5256

Portia 801-755-2881

2.)  There are also awesome toys to keep your dog busy that I recommend at Pet Expertise

3.) If you need a break put your dog in his crate with a Kong or bully stick for your dog to chew on.

4.) During parties give each guest a small ziploc bag with some kibble or treats.  Your guests are then instructed to give your dog a treat when he sits.  If your dog jumps, the guests are instructed to turn their backs and ignore him until he sits.

5.) Children should only be with your dog under adult supervision.

6.) Exercise your dog before your guests arrive.  Off leash walk or play is best.

7.) If you are boarding your dog I recommend Animal Medical Clinic in Bountiful .

8.) Give yourself time for just you so that you are not rushing around doing everything for everyone else.  The more relaxed you are the more easeful the holidays will go for you and your dog!

Happy Holidays!

Johanna Teresi, Professional Trainer and Owner of Four Legged Scholars LLC

Dog Christmas Carol

Einstein still needs a home!

This Einstein.  He is a fun loving 10 year old Jack Russell Terrier.  He loves to play with toys, you can see a couple of more photos of him under “available dogs”.  Einstein is a bit spoiled, he wants to be the only dog, he doesn’t care much for cats and doesn’t really like small children… pretty much anyone or anything that might take attention away from this cute guy – does not  make him very happy.  We would love to find Einstein a home for Christmas.  He really is a lover boy and deserves everything he requires  If interested, please come by and meet him, fall in love with him and take him home!

Crystal is very happy!

Crystal is one lucky girl!  Her adoptive family is in the trucking business and she gets to travel everyday with them.  Just another day in the life of another animal saved and loved by a new family.  Good Luck Crystal and happy travels!

FREE WEEKLY DOG WALKS IN JANUARY

Meet other dog lovers and have fun walking your dog!

Here is the link:

http://www.meetup.com/trainingdogs/calendar/ or

fourleggedscholars.com/community_education.html

Weekly Dog Training Tip

Knowing What You Want

On Wed Dec 9th I was on a radio show, “Who Let the Dogs Out” with my Life Coach Megan Sillito.  I would love for all of you to listen to it!  

As I was talking in the show, I realized that I have a formula that I use to help owners create what they want with their dogs. Below are the steps to create what you want with your doggies!

1.) Be clear with your body language.  Some of you have heard of this before and it cannot be told enough.  This is extremely important.

For example: If your dog is about to break a sit stay lean into your dog.  This is telling him not to move forward because you are moving into his space. If you lean back or stand still your dog may still break the stay.

Anther example:  If you want your dog to learn come.  Run away from your dog with your back toward your dog. This is clear body language.  If you run with your front facing your dog then you are saying come to me but don’t.

2.) Be confident.  This is created easily by visualizing success.  If you visualize yourself training the behavior you want with confidence, clear communication, and clarity you are increasing great communication to your dog.  If I am your trainer, watch carefully how I train when I am with you.  Now close your eyes and visualize yourself as me training your dog.

3.) Be authentic.  If you feel frustrated, fear, anger, sadness, or any emotion voice it.  Let it out.  Do the same with stories.  If you have a story voice it.  One story might be “My dog won’t listen to me”.  You might even have a story that your dog only listens at home or that your dog is not smart.  After voicing it (this creates conscious awareness), do one of the following:

• Wonder.  Wondering if this story is possibly untrue.  If you agree that it is untrue recommit.
• Recommit immediately.  Recommit only if it is a “yes” for you to recommit.

When recommitting here are some suggestions (Make sure the recommitment statement resonates with you.):

I recommit to:

• creating ease and flow with dog training.
• wondering how to create obedience with my dog.
• allowing my dog to listen to me.
• being clear in my communication so that my dog knows exactly what I want.

All of the above helps you become clear with what you want to create with your dog.  If you are hesitant or unsure with want you want, positive results are less likely to be created.  Your body language, confidence in training, and emotions all affect your success with your dog.

Happy Training!