Meet Our New Students: Featuring Pit Bull Rescue San Diego

David: available at pbrsd.org

Blossom: available at pbrsd.org

Good Day Leapers,

Leap Dog Training began their quarterly basic obedience group class for the adorable, adoptable dogs from Pit Bull Rescue San Diego [PBRSD]. This marks the first time that the dogs from PBRSD will experience the Associations of Pet Dog Trainers' "My Dog has C.L.A.S.S." curriculum.

The curriculum will be tailored to help these dogs' personalities and needs in order to achieve the ultimate success: adoption!

Bonita: available at pbrsd.org

Leap's goal is to create more than just an obedience class. The dogs will learn to properly socialize with other dogs, people, and good table manners. All key components to have a well-adjusted, adoptable dog that is ready to be accepted by society as more than just a pit bull. They will be well-trained, lovable doggies who have worked very hard to get educated. Wouldn't you love to adopt one of our students?

Please visit Leap Dog Training on Facebook and Instagram for more awesomely cute pictures of these adoptable, adorable doggies like David.

Are you and your dog doing anything fun and special to help other dogs in need? We would love to hear from you!

Give me a kiss! David: pbrsd.org 

Love,

LEAP!

Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE. 

Who's your favorite dog? 

If you would like for your dog to get the PBRSD basic obedience treatment at your home do not hesitate contact us. 

Today's Lesson Featuring Sheldon: How to Teach Your Dog to Sit or Lay-Down

Hello Leapers,

A few days ago we worked with this cute, adorable, and very intelligent 7-month old Bulldog, Sheldon. Sheldon's curriculum will be based on AKC's S.T.A.R. Puppy to create a positive and reliable training experience with Sheldon's family. On today's lesson, Sheldon learned "sit" and "down".

How to teach a dog to sit.

Yes, all dogs know how to "sit," but do they know how to do it when commanded or asked? To get Sheldon to "sit" we shaped, rewarded, and conditioned the wanted behavior; in this case, butt on the ground with front shoulders at an upright position. A marker, such as a "yes," clicker, or "good" was used as soon as his bottom touched the ground to let Sheldon know that he had done exactly what we had asked from him. This marker was previously conditioned with a reward (food/toy) to help Sheldon make the association between the wanted behavior and our cues (such as the word "sit" or our hand gestures to signal the behavior). This way whenever he hears his marker he will know that everyone is extremely pleased with him and he is getting something fun, yummy, and exciting for being such a good doggy thus helping the dog repeat the behavior again when the cue for "sit"is given. 

The sequence of behavior should be as follows: “Spot, (wait 2 seconds) sit”; this means: stop whatever you are doing, look at me, and then sit. Note: dogs should maintain their “sit” until otherwise told they are released. This exercise will be repeated each time by increasing the wait time between the "sit" position and the release (2 seconds, 5 seconds, 15, 30, 45 seconds and so on…). Dogs should leave their “sit” only when told “OK” “ALL DONE” or “Release." 

Teaching a dog to "sit" on command can be a quick and easy way to redirect a dog's attention and get their focus back on you. It is a simple command that can go along way. For instance, maybe you're talking with a friend and instead of having your dog pull, move, jump you ask the dog to sit. Surprisingly enough, teaching a dog "sit" can make your dog look like a well-mannered gentleman or lady while out in public. 


How to teach a dog to lay-down.

Same as with teaching a dog to "sit," all dogs know how to lay down. I mean, they lay down on the bed, carpet, floor, grass, and of course on our couches even when we don't necessarily want them to be there. However, we want to teach our dogs to lay-down on our cue because it helps dogs calm down, relax, or even get petted by a small child.

To mark and reward the wanted position, you should wait for the dog's chest and hind to be completely on the ground before marking and rewarding. Difficulty will be increased by increasing time (2 seconds, 5seconds, 10, 20 seconds, 50 seconds and so on…).  The chain will go as follows: “Spot, (wait 3 seconds) down”. This means: stop whatever you are doing, look at me, lay down, and still look at me and nothing else.  The dog must maintain their position until release cue is given: “OK” “ALL DONE” or “Released."

When to use "sit" and "lay-down."



Once the dog has learned these behaviors, do not be afraid to ask them to perform them at any time for any reason even if the dog just wants to sniff the grass. Other ideas of when to practice "sit" and "lay-down": before crossing a sidewalk, before feeding, before walking out the door, before entering a room, before being petted, before greeting another dog (if your dog is dog friendly), before entering a car or exiting a car, and before getting hugs from you. 


Overall, teaching the basic commands are fun, and easy. However, getting the reliability with distance, distractions and durations can be stressful.  If you would like for a trainer to visit your home and help with your dog's basic obedience needs please visit Leap Dog Training. 

Love,

www.leapdogtraining.com
leapdogtraining@gmail.com 

How To Train a Shy Dog: Featuring Louie!

Louie showing CGC Evaluator José what Leap Dog Training taught him. 

Hi there Leapers, 

 A few weeks back we introduced you to one of our students, Louie. Well, believe it or not, Louie used to be a bit shy, quiet, reserved. He was not one to want to be the life of the party. So, when Karina called asking for some pointers we knew exactly what to suggest: Super-Star Training. 

During his training, Louie learned to open up, fun tricks, and most importantly of all, self-confidence. Furthermore, Louie did so great during his Super-Star training that he ended up earning his AKC CGC certification! YAY! FOR LOUIE!! 

So, next time, do not underestimate teaching your dog new tricks. Cute, fun, entertaining, tricks or behaviors can be a way to help your dog bond and open up at the home at lot more. If you have kids, this is the perfect way to help everyone safely engage with each other. 

Here's a quick glance at Louie showing us his newly learned skills:

LOVE,

Leapdogtraining@gmail.com
www.leapdogtraining.com

Today's Lesson featuring Dash: How to Train Your Dog with Distractions

Dash training with distractions. 

Hello Leapers,

We recently had the pleasure of training with Dash. Dash, whom we introduced to you before, is working on his basic obedience, but now we are adding distractions to everything he knows.

How do we add distractions?

Before adding distractions we needed to make sure that Dash understood what was being asked and expected of him. We first worked on his cues [sit, stay; watch me, down] in a quiet place. Once Dash learned and understood his cues, we moved to different locations.

When moving to new locations, we must remember that the dog will get confused and he will lose a bit of focus. Well, instead if putting Dash right in front of the distractions we started him about 20 feet away. A safe distance where we know he would succeed. If he succeeded in performing the exercise, just like we practiced in the safe place, we would move closer to the distractions. Of course we rewarded him with praises, yummy treats or by moving away from the distraction.

What do we do if the dog cannot focus?

If your Dog has difficulties performing his cues in the presence of a distractions start again from the beginning. Work on his behaviors in the safety of your house and then slowly transition the dog outside. There's no reason to get frustrated.

Where are the best places to train your dog with distractions?

One of our favorite places to train with distractions is at the skatepark. We ways start 20 ft away and as the succeeds we move closer; if the dog loses focus we regather and start again at 20 ft.

We also love the kids' playground, basketball courts, the outside fence of a school, busy times across the street from a school, and sometimes the outside perimeter of a dog park.

Anyway, these are some ideas and with Dash, we worked by the kids' playground and basketball court.

How do you help your dog to train with distractions?

Love,
LEAP!

Meet Cali: Basic Obedience

Cali and her Daddy!!!

Good Day Leapers,

Today we had the pleasure of working with Cali, a gorgeous 1.5 year old Boxer. Cali will be working on her basic obedience with us specializing on sitting politely for petting and walking like the gorgeous princess that she is.

Her lesson today : focus work and patience. She learned to ignore distractions when her name is called and to wait to before getting attention.

How do you teach your dog patience?

Sincerely,

LEAP!