Welcome to the CANIS Newsletter!
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Balboa Park- starting Wednesday July 10th at 6pm
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FAQ- What is the ideal age to start training your dog?
The answer to this is, as soon as you get it. A common misconception is that dog training is getting the dog to listen to you, also known as obedience training. In reality anything that shapes the dogs personality, habits and outlook on life is considered dog training. If you ask any breeder, they will tell you that dog training starts as early as birth. Providing them with the right environment — including everything from the right temperature, food, exercise and social stimulation — will help them to grow and develop to the best of their abilities. This must go on as you continue to raise your puppy on your own. During the puppy stage our overall goal in training is to get them used to living among humans in any environment we choose. This involves potty training, developing social ties, exposing them to new environments and regulating their daily schedule. All of this can be categorized as developmental training, which is extremely important for not only puppies, but adult dogs as well.
Your dog’s ability to learn starts at an early age, however their ability to consistently make good decisions comes with maturity and does not develop until they are older. This is when obedience training becomes the most effective. Around four months of age many things come into play that create a perfect opportunity to introduce them to a new world. Once they are vaccinated they will be able to explore new environments without the high risk of getting sick. This is important because real obedience is teaching our dogs to be focused, have self control and make good decisions while out in the real world. Also, from a cognitive standpoint, at four months our dogs have entered a socialization phase in mental development, making it easier to understand boundaries and social hierarchies.
Whether it is basic training or obedience training, all levels of training require the owner to be both consistently present and aware. In my experience the majority of common behavioral issues can be resolved by focusing on these two areas. No matter the age there is always room for improvement in helping your dog become happier and more well rounded.
DOG OF THE MONTH – Dynamite
Meet Dynamite, Brent’s full time assistant and in-house best friend! Being the dog of a dog trainer, Dynamite is regularly in the classroom. At eleven months old he is a master at obedience and often demonstrates for his fellow pups in training. He loves to play and make new friends, which really comes in handy when shy friends need help opening up and socializing.
RELATIONSHIP BUILDER TIPS– Top 5 games
Dogs all have many things in common, but one of the biggest joys in life they all share is playing. Whether it’s with other dogs or humans, allowing your dog to play in the proper manner gives them exercise, helps them burn energy, and of course allows them to have fun. Playtime can also help strengthen the relationship between you and your dog as well. Here are the top five games to play with your dog at home.
- Tug- Tug of war is a game that usually comes naturally to dogs. Practicing tug the right way teaches the dog to control their mouth, along with commands like “off”.
- Fetch- Whether its with a ball, stick, bone or their favorite toy, fetch gives your dog exercise and enforces recall. It also allows them to exercise their natural predatory drive.
- Recall games- Practicing basic recall in itself teaches dog to respond to their name and develops a positive association with the act of coming when called.
- Hide and seek- This one may take some time to them to learn, but hide and seek reinforces recall and commands like “stay” and “come. It also allows them to practice using their nose to seek you out, keeping their focus on you even though they can’t see you. This is also an easy game to play in the house at home which can allow you to be more productive with your limited time.
- Command drills- Repeating basic commands like “sit”, “down”, “stand”, can strengthen your dog’s recognition of our words in order to receive food rewards. This is an easy game to help get your dog to listen to you anywhere, anytime.
TRAINING CERTAIN BREEDS – Huskies
Originating in Northeast Asia hundreds of years ago, Huskies are now commonly found prancing down the streets of Los Angeles, California. Although originally bred for harsh arctic winds and snow they’ve become quite popular here in Southern California sun. Huskies are a beautiful, mysterious and intelligent breed, all of which contribute to their charm and charisma. They were bred and evolved specifically for the task of pulling sleds through extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Because of this they have a very high energy level and are subject to frequent metabolism changes. This in turn also causes them to be extremely food driven as well. Without proper exercise and training, their built up energy can result in destructive habits such as digging and chewing. They are also extremely vocal and are frequent howlers, which is something very important when considering a husky. They are highly intelligent and independent so training requires a lot of time commitment and supervision, especially in the first year of development.
