 |
| Bentley hugs his toy |
To start: want better basic obedience skills? Teach some tricks. The more things you teach your dog, the better he gets at learning. The more often you ask for behaviors, the better she gets at offering them.
Showing posts with label Laura Sharkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laura Sharkey. Show all posts
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Why Teach Tricks?
By Laura Sharkey & Erica Pytlovany
Teaching tricks is great for dogs. It provides them with both mental and physical stimulation and helps create a stronger working relationship between the dog and the handler.
To start: want better basic obedience skills? Teach some tricks. The more things you teach your dog, the better he gets at learning. The more often you ask for behaviors, the better she gets at offering them.
To start: want better basic obedience skills? Teach some tricks. The more things you teach your dog, the better he gets at learning. The more often you ask for behaviors, the better she gets at offering them.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Fetch my slippers, not eat them!
By Erica Pytlovany & Laura Sharkey
"Now what do you have"!?! Despite the fact that we puppy proofed the house, this comment kept coming out of our mouths. The puppy had yet another item of contraband. A shoe, a sock, a bag of chips. The items just kept coming. It was time to play "Whatcha Got"?
Young puppies explore the world with their mouth. It is totally normal for them to pick up and chew on pretty much everything within reach. In our house, we turn this into the "Whatcha Got?" game. This game is much more fun and effective than the Steal It & Run Game. You know the Steal It & Run Game, right? It's where your puppy steals an item and you get upset and chase after him while he tries to escape with his prize.
WARNING: the "Whatcha Got?" game is going to seem totally WRONG. It goes against what we instinctively want to do, which is to scold and punish. But the science tells us that scolding and punishing is not teaching -- and what we really want to to do is teach.
|
| Ligio, 10 weeks old |
Young puppies explore the world with their mouth. It is totally normal for them to pick up and chew on pretty much everything within reach. In our house, we turn this into the "Whatcha Got?" game. This game is much more fun and effective than the Steal It & Run Game. You know the Steal It & Run Game, right? It's where your puppy steals an item and you get upset and chase after him while he tries to escape with his prize.
WARNING: the "Whatcha Got?" game is going to seem totally WRONG. It goes against what we instinctively want to do, which is to scold and punish. But the science tells us that scolding and punishing is not teaching -- and what we really want to to do is teach.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Choosing a Great Dog Walker
You’re a busy professional. You’re juggling more balls than you care to count. Getting a little help can make a big difference, and these days many dog owners turn to dog walkers to take that daily task off their plates. But in light of a recent tragedy involving the death of six dogs left in a too-warm car by their dog walker, you may be questioning this decision. How do you choose who to trust with your four-legged family member?
Professional dog walking has grown rapidly over the last ten years, and more and more dog lovers enter the field every day. What most dog owners don’t realize is that, because walking is a young business, there is currently no regulating body to dictate the standards of care or qualifications for the work. In short, anyone can call themselves a dog walker, with nothing but a love of dogs to qualify their resume.
Friday, June 2, 2017
Ballston Daycare Closing June 30th
By Laura Sharkey
This was a tough decision to make. For 15 years WOOFS! has been offering daycare at our Ballston location. There is where WOOFS! started. It was here, in 2002 that I was able to follow my dreams and jump from science to a career in dog training.
Since then I have learned a lot. I was able to fulfill a lot of what I dreamed about. A well run daycare where the behavior of the dogs was the most important thing. I have met so many great dogs and great owners, many of whom have given me the greatest honor by returning to WOOFS! with their next generation of dogs.
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Anxiety and Arousal
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with people about their dogs getting into trouble. Not little trouble like chewing up a shoe or stealing a sandwich. That’s easy stuff. I’m talking about big trouble. Like biting the neighbor’s dog while on a walk or biting a friend who is over for a visit. The thing that most of these incidents had in common is a very high level of anxiety and arousal that precipitated the bites. So how does anxiety and arousal affect our dogs and what can we do about it?
Originally published on ArlNow.com
I’ve been having a lot of conversations with people about their dogs getting into trouble. Not little trouble like chewing up a shoe or stealing a sandwich. That’s easy stuff. I’m talking about big trouble. Like biting the neighbor’s dog while on a walk or biting a friend who is over for a visit. The thing that most of these incidents had in common is a very high level of anxiety and arousal that precipitated the bites. So how does anxiety and arousal affect our dogs and what can we do about it?
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Boarding Your Dog
By Laura Sharkey
Originally Published on ArlNow.com
As school comes to a close for the year it’s time for summer vacations. Where to go? What to do? And who is going to take care of the dog?
Originally Published on ArlNow.com
As school comes to a close for the year it’s time for summer vacations. Where to go? What to do? And who is going to take care of the dog?
Friday, May 27, 2016
Puppy Olympics, and the Importance of Early Socialization
By Laura Sharkey
The Puppy Olympics are almost here!
8 weeks ago, on April 1st 2016, our foster dog Harlie gave birth to 11 tiny puppies. WOOFS! has fostered many pregnant moms and their puppies over the past 13 years, but this time we decided to do something different. We assigned each puppy a WOOFS! trainer. Each trainer was responsible for their pups early socialization and training. The results of these efforts will be on display at the Puppy Olympics on June 3rd. The puppies will be 9 weeks old.
The Puppy Olympics are almost here!
8 weeks ago, on April 1st 2016, our foster dog Harlie gave birth to 11 tiny puppies. WOOFS! has fostered many pregnant moms and their puppies over the past 13 years, but this time we decided to do something different. We assigned each puppy a WOOFS! trainer. Each trainer was responsible for their pups early socialization and training. The results of these efforts will be on display at the Puppy Olympics on June 3rd. The puppies will be 9 weeks old.Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Puppy Challenge #1: House Training
By Laura Sharkey
Originally Published on ArlNow.com
So you have a cute new puppy? Congratulations! But now what?
Puppies naturally bite, cry, poop and pee. Then we get them in the house and immediately want them NOT to bite, cry, poop or pee. It’s a pretty tall order for an 8 week old. So here are a few tips on how to gently mold your tiny new best friend into the awesome dog you know she can be.
Originally Published on ArlNow.com
So you have a cute new puppy? Congratulations! But now what?
Puppies naturally bite, cry, poop and pee. Then we get them in the house and immediately want them NOT to bite, cry, poop or pee. It’s a pretty tall order for an 8 week old. So here are a few tips on how to gently mold your tiny new best friend into the awesome dog you know she can be.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
New! Puppy Prep School
By Laura Sharkey
You have GOT to meet Lucy. Lucy is our first Puppy Prep School student and she is adorable. Lucy is an 8 week old mini dachshund who started Prep School on April 5th. I will be chronicling her progress here. We have a lot planned for this little girl.
We immediately started working on Lucy's crate training. Her owners reported some seriously pitiful crying when she was crated, including an episode of getting her teeth stuck on the crate bars which was terrifying for everyone. Our goal is to have her willingly crating without protest by the time she goes home so today we started to teach her to go into her crate on cue.
You have GOT to meet Lucy. Lucy is our first Puppy Prep School student and she is adorable. Lucy is an 8 week old mini dachshund who started Prep School on April 5th. I will be chronicling her progress here. We have a lot planned for this little girl.We immediately started working on Lucy's crate training. Her owners reported some seriously pitiful crying when she was crated, including an episode of getting her teeth stuck on the crate bars which was terrifying for everyone. Our goal is to have her willingly crating without protest by the time she goes home so today we started to teach her to go into her crate on cue.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Help for Dog Reactivity
By Laura Sharkey
Originally Published on ARLNow.com
A reactive dog is a dog that reacts to specific things in their environment by becoming highly aroused and in most cases, barking and lunging. These dogs can appear to be aggressive, dangerous and “out of control.”
Originally Published on ARLNow.com
A reactive dog is a dog that reacts to specific things in their environment by becoming highly aroused and in most cases, barking and lunging. These dogs can appear to be aggressive, dangerous and “out of control.”
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Vet Visit Etiquette and Training
By Laura Sharkey
Originally Published on ARLNow.com
A few weeks ago, Clarendon Animal Care wrote a great article with tips for a great vet visit. You can read it here.
Originally Published on ARLNow.com
A few weeks ago, Clarendon Animal Care wrote a great article with tips for a great vet visit. You can read it here.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Happy Train Your Dog Month!
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published by ArlNow.com
January is National Train Your Dog Month. So if you have any room left on your resolutions list, perhaps you can add one more: train your dog for five minutes a day. Believe it or not, give minutes a day can actually make a difference.
Originally published by ArlNow.com
January is National Train Your Dog Month. So if you have any room left on your resolutions list, perhaps you can add one more: train your dog for five minutes a day. Believe it or not, give minutes a day can actually make a difference.
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Obligatory Holiday Article
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published by ArlNow.com
So here it is. The holiday season is upon us, and while the holidays can be full of joy and wonder, they can also be full of stress and anxiety. This is as true for your dog as it is for you.
Originally published by ArlNow.com
So here it is. The holiday season is upon us, and while the holidays can be full of joy and wonder, they can also be full of stress and anxiety. This is as true for your dog as it is for you.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Go For A Better Walk
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published by ArlNow.com
Walking the dog is an integral part of the dog owners day, especially for those of us who don’t have a yard. And for many of us it has become a rote behavior, but walking your dog is an opportunity. It is quality one-on-one time that should not be wasted. Here are some ways to make the most of your daily dog walks:
Originally published by ArlNow.com
Walking the dog is an integral part of the dog owners day, especially for those of us who don’t have a yard. And for many of us it has become a rote behavior, but walking your dog is an opportunity. It is quality one-on-one time that should not be wasted. Here are some ways to make the most of your daily dog walks:
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Living With an Aggressive Dog
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
What if you can’t keep your dog because of aggression?
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
(The Right Kind Of) Practice Makes Perfect
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
Do you “practice at your performance?”
I’ve been talking to a lot of clients about practice lately. People hate practice. Do you remember being forced to practice the piano? What about sports drills? It seems to be in our nature to want to get better at something but to hate the process required to get there. Dog training is the same way. We want our dog to be well behaved but we find it challenging to put in the time it takes to make that happen.
Originally published on ArlNow.com
Do you “practice at your performance?”
I’ve been talking to a lot of clients about practice lately. People hate practice. Do you remember being forced to practice the piano? What about sports drills? It seems to be in our nature to want to get better at something but to hate the process required to get there. Dog training is the same way. We want our dog to be well behaved but we find it challenging to put in the time it takes to make that happen.
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Debunking Common Dog-Training Myths
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
Dogs were domesticated at least 15,000 years ago. Today Americans keep about 78 million dogs as pets. 78 MILLION! In all of that time, and with all of those dogs, lots of dog knowledge has been accumulated. As in any field of study, we are constantly learning new things and replacing old theories with new evidence. Some of these old ideas have made it into our common beliefs about dogs. Unfortunately, some of these sticky ideas are just plain wrong. Worse yet, some have proven to be very damaging to our relationship with our dogs and other animals.
Originally published on ArlNow.com
Dogs were domesticated at least 15,000 years ago. Today Americans keep about 78 million dogs as pets. 78 MILLION! In all of that time, and with all of those dogs, lots of dog knowledge has been accumulated. As in any field of study, we are constantly learning new things and replacing old theories with new evidence. Some of these old ideas have made it into our common beliefs about dogs. Unfortunately, some of these sticky ideas are just plain wrong. Worse yet, some have proven to be very damaging to our relationship with our dogs and other animals.
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Dog Training vs. Behavior Modification
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
I get a lot of inquiries asking how many lessons it will take to solve a certain problem.
My answer is always the same: it depends. It depends on:
Originally published on ArlNow.com
I get a lot of inquiries asking how many lessons it will take to solve a certain problem.
My answer is always the same: it depends. It depends on:
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Puppy Love or Running With the Big Dogs?
By Laura Sharkey
Originally published on ArlNow.com
There are several avenues you can use to get a dog. Dogs are available through breeders, rescue groups and animal shelters. All of these options have good dogs available. But before you go to get a dog, you will need to have an idea of what you are looking for.
Originally published on ArlNow.com
There are several avenues you can use to get a dog. Dogs are available through breeders, rescue groups and animal shelters. All of these options have good dogs available. But before you go to get a dog, you will need to have an idea of what you are looking for.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)