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Dog training



Dog training might be intimidating at first, especially if this is your first dog. The truth is that training your dog is a significant undertaking. You will find the work to be considerably less overwhelming if you approach it step by step. Your dog's basic needs include proper training and socialising. It's critical to begin training your dog to sit, stay, come, go to their bed and/or crate, teaching your dog to walk on a loose lead, and go to the toilet outside as soon as possible. And, believe it or not, with the correct guidance, it’s something that even a novice can perform quite easily











Puppy training



It's easy to get caught up in the joy of bringing your new puppy home and forget to start training them immediately. The sooner you start teaching your puppy good habits, the easier it will be for both of you, as they learn basic commands and understand your house rules. Puppy training is a fun and enjoyable way to spend valuable time together and it also helps immensely in the development of your bond of mutual trust and respect. Pups enjoy training because it allows them to use their minds, earn rewards, and receive lots of praise and attention!



Socialisation



The critical period of a puppies life is between the age of 4 to 20 weeks of age. During this period of time it has been scientifically proven that anything your pup experiences, whether positive or negative, is deeply embedded into their brain. Therefore it is crucial that you expose your pup to as many positive experiences and scenarios as possible during this time. Following the critical period of development, puppies should continue to be socialised as much as possible throughout their first year of development by being exposed to as many different situations as possible. Between this time span, pups are at their most sensitive and receptive period of development. Therefore the quicker you expose your pup to positive scenarios involving other dogs, pups, people, noises, machinery, traffic, different modes of transport, etc. etc. the better equipped they will be for their adolescent stage of development from 12 months to 24 months of age.



Behaviour management



Dogs instinctively follow stability. It is their true pack nature. Through the right education you can learn how best to become a calm and assertive pack leader for your dog. By becoming a leader your dog trusts and respects, you will be able to overcome any unwanted behaviours in your dog that you are being challenged by. Once you learn the art of communicating in a way your dog readily understands, you will learn how easy it is to overcome any problem behaviour your dog displays.



Management of reactivity



Are you bothered and embarrassed by your reactive dog's antics? Anxiety, insecurity, fear and dominance are common states for reactive dogs. When in these states dogs can practice one of three ways to deal with their fear. They can fight, take flight or avoid. Some dogs, rather than fleeing or avoiding what they perceive to be a threat, lash out. In other words they go into fight mode. When in fight mode your dog may bark, growl, lunge, raise its hackles, nip/bite and/or make other aggressive displays of behaviour. A person in a car, on a bicycle, motorcycle or skateboard or simply walking past could be the source that causes your dogs reactivity. Other dogs or pups can also be targets for your dogs reactivity. Adequate training and communication with your dog in such situations is critical to the successful management of such reactivity. Through the correct application of dog psychology techniques, we have achieved countless successful stories with regards to assisting people overcome such reactivity with their dogs. Many of these people were ready to give up on their dogs because they thought they were too far gone and/or because they had tried other trainers and techniques that had proved unsuccessful.



Separation Anxiety and other anxiety related behaviours



Loud noises, unfamiliar persons or animals, visual stimuli like hats or umbrellas, new or strange locations, specific scenarios — like the vet's office or car rides — or surfaces like metal plates, gates or wood floors can all trigger fear-related anxiety. Although some dogs may simply have brief reactions to these stimuli, they may have a greater impact on dogs more prone to being anxious, insecure or timid.



Around 14% of dogs are thought to suffer from separation anxiety. When dogs with separation anxiety are left alone or separated from their family, they are unable to find solace. Unwanted behaviours such as urinating and defecating in the house, destroying furniture and furnishings, and barking are common manifestations of anxiety.



Aggression towards other dogs



Fear, insecure dominance, lack of human leadership, territorial behaviour or defensiveness and/or possessiveness over resources such as family members, food, balls or toys or other pets, can all contribute to aggression between dogs. Dog aggression can result in injury to both the dogs and the persons attempting to separate them. Growling, snarling, barking, lunging, snapping, and biting are examples of the behaviour.



Resource Guarding



Resource guarding in dogs, often known as "possessive aggression," can be disconcerting and frightening for a dog owner. When you go to get a chew that your dog has chiselled down to a little piece so it doesn't get swallowed, you're met with teeth-baring, snarling, and even lunging and biting. If you go to sit next to your dog on the couch, you may be met with a cold stare and a low growl. This should — and can — send shivers down your spine.


Resource guarding can also occur amongst pets. If another dog approaches, a dog may display food aggressiveness. They may also protect you from the other dog, especially if food or toys are involved. If you've recently brought home a new puppy or adopted a dog, your other dog may be behaving aggressively around toys and food.



Toilet training



From their cuddles, to training them to sit, to playing with them, bringing a puppy home is an exciting time. It's a lively and bustling environment, but if they haven't been toilet trained, it can get a little dirty. Toilet training is a vital part of bringing a puppy home, and it should be prioritised during the first few days. Establishing a consistent toileting schedule with your puppy will aid in his or her future toileting success. Toilet training is greatly aided by using an enclosure and/or crate to contain your pup when you are unable to supervise them 100% of the time.



Crate training



When the world around your dog becomes too loud or overwhelming, crate training takes advantage of your dog's natural impulses to seek out a comfortable, calm, and safe space. It's a useful tool for keeping dogs from chewing on household goods or during housetraining. Crates are also a secure method of transporting your dog in the car.



Leash walking



Leash training is the process of acclimating your dog to walking on a leash while displaying good conduct. That implies your dog should not pull on the leash, walk out in front of you, change the side it walks on, stop frequently to sniff and/or toilet, rush around, lunge at other dogs or passers by, bark excessively, jump up on you, others dogs or people, bite on the leash or your clothing. Dogs who have been properly taught to walk on a leash know to follow your lead, and as a result walk beside you on a slack/loose lead without being distracted by anything else you encounter during your walk together



Dog psychology education



Anyone who lives with, works with, or keeps dogs as a companion animal must understand canine psychology.


Are you aware of why your dog acts the way it does?


A sound understanding of canine psychology helps us better understand the behaviours seen in todays domesticated dog, and as a result, allows us to provide an environment in which a dog can remain a happy, social, balanced and healthy companion and family member.”



Teaching dogs and pups to come when called



Anyone who lives with, works with, or keeps dogs as a companion animal must understand canine psychology.


Are you aware of why your dog acts the way it does?


A sound understanding of canine psychology helps us better understand the behaviours seen in todays domesticated dog, and as a result, allows us to provide an environment in which a dog can remain a happy, social, balanced and healthy companion and family member.”





The Art of Dog Training



South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
0403 000 122