Duke Ferguson

Creating a Positive Association to All Training Tools Including E collars and Pinch Collars

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There is a saying in the dog training world ” Make training and rehabilitation fun”. In a perfect world this is very true. Training should be fun, but this is not a perfect world and many dogs develop issues from it and…… who has fun in rehab in the beginning anyway?

Take the beginning stages of working with a dog who has major fear issues from poor training or being abused in its past  OR working with a spoiled rotten humanized dog who has ” spoiled rich kid “Syndrome that has developed undesired behaviours because of no rules, no leadership, Free food, sleeping in the owners bed ect…

Is training going to be fun in the beginning for them?  Not likely.

Ive seen dogs get stressed out for a couple days initially by just having the owners spend more time with the dog teaching it to learn new things and work for its meals instead of it getting the food for free in the dish.

Training should be fun and yes, rehab can be stressful in the beginning, but not so much that the dog cant handle it.

Working the dog step by step through its issues to create an end result  where the dog is happy and obedient  I feel is very important.  Its easy to get compliance and have a dog do something or stop a dog from doing something… but get them to enjoy it….. in my eyes this is equally important.

If you have a dog your working with that has issues with training tools then this video is for you

I  give you some advice on how to fix the situation and better the rehab or training experience.

Do you have problems training your dog or dogs? Do you want help? No matter the size, sex, age or breed We Can Help!

Want FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?  GET ACCESS to his Exclusive, FREE Mini video series  Click Here!! This mini series is not found on Youtube… Get Access Now… You will love the mini series and its Free!! 🙂

To find a UPK9 Trainer near you or to Book your  FREE Demonstration and Consult Click Here

For more information on how you can  purchase Dog Training Genesis and become a member  CLICK  HERE or on the photo of Duke and his dogs.

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Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

 

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Food Rewarding A Pushy Dog

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Feeding Rewards, Calm The Pushy Dog & Build Up The Weak Dog

I get a lot of questions like, “Duke, how do I get my dog to stop being so pushy when taking the reward and not hurt my fingers?” OR  “Duke, how do I get my nervous or weak dog to be more confident and take food better?”

Here is a video I made for you with some tips on How to do one or the other. Its a simple concept really.

 

Do you have problems training your dog or dogs? Do you want help? No matter the size, sex, age or breed We Can Help!

Want FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?  GET ACCESS to his Exclusive, FREE Mini video series  Click Here!! This mini series is not found on Youtube… Get Access Now… You will love the mini series and its Free!! 🙂

To find a UPK9 Trainer near you or to Book your  FREE Demonstration and Consult Click Here

For more information on how you can  purchase Dog Training Genesis and become a member  CLICK  HERE or on the photo of Duke and his dogs.

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Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

 

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Dogs with Babies:Unleashed Potential’s 10 Tips For Introducing A Baby To A Dog

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Dogs with Babies

Unleashed Potential’s 10 Tips For Introducing A Baby To A Dog And Getting Prepared:

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So, Your expecting! Congratulations!! This is very exciting news! 🙂   Soooo……….Now what are you going to do with the dog? How will he/she take the baby coming?

Does your dog have any behavior problems that need to be addressed? Jumping? chewing or destructive behaviour? excessive barking? Running away or pulling on the leash? What about housebreaking or anxiety?

Does he dog growl around its food or toys? These are all issues and  need to be addressed.

Even if you have good o’l faithful as a dog, you still should prepare for when baby comes home.

No worries!! you now have 9 months to prepare for success. 🙂 I suggest getting started now. With out to much detail I am going to list a number of tips and thing to take care of before baby comes.

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1. LEADERSHIP. Make sure you have the right relationship with your dog. Leadership is important, just like a child with a parent, an employee with a boss, a team with a coach and so on…. If you have this bonded relationship then your dog is probably well behaved with little to no issues. The dog will look to you most often and work for things it wants instead  of just demanding or taking what it wants. The dog will know its place in your family, trust you and most often be less anxious or fearful of things. Any training will be relatively easy and quick.  If you don’t have the proper relationship and your dog is unruly, with behavior problems or shy and fearful then Implementing  leadership skills or a nothing in life is free policy or doggy boot camp is important to start TODAY!

Lets put it this way. You work for a living right???  So why does your dog not? LOL! 🙂

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2. OBEDIENCE TRAINING and Behavior Modification is most important while implementing the no free lunch policy. This teaches the dog how to work for you and will help build confidence, self control, and enhance your relationship. Seek out an educated, experienced, well balanced trainer to help you with this.   Private training is much better to begin with than just a dog training group class.  Educating you is the key. Do your research properly before hiring a trainer as they are a dime a dozen!! Talk is cheap, get several references, see their dog ,and assess the trainer and dog, meet with the trainer if possible don’t just talk on the phone to hire. Once you start training, work with your dog daily….even after baby comes. Work with any issues that still exist if any. Food bowl or resource guarding needs to be addressed asap.

3. ENERGY BURN OFF!!! A Tired dog is a good dog. 🙂 Most often a lot of behaviors go away when you start obedience training, running, swimming or other activities.  The dog will be working both body and brain daily and this will satisfy its needs. Fetching and searching for toys is a life saver. Keep this up even after baby comes.

4. SPAY or NEUTER. If possible spay or neuter your dog. This is not a must but I highly suggest it unless you are a breeder.

5.CRATE TRAINING. With many dogs you might consider crate training in early stages of the no free lunch policy. This gives the dog a place to go, like a safe haven if they feel like getting some personal space.  Like a baby needing a play pen when you cant supervise. ( PREVENTION).

6. SOCIALIZATION  Get your dog socialized or desensitized to other baby’s and children as much as you can and make it positive. Depending on your dogs personality and issues  you can even buy a baby doll and have the dog get used to you holding it and doing things you will soon be doing when baby comes. Teach the dog to be calm and obedient and attentive to you around the baby doll then around the real baby when it comes. Get the dog used to baby noises in the house if possible. After your baby is born and prior to baby coming home from the hospital dress the baby doll at home with the real baby’s clothing or blanket so the dog will get used to the scent.  This makes for a smooth transition. Also desensitize the dog to being grabbed, poked,hugged and pinched, this is bound to happen when little one is around.

7. BOUNDARIES. no matter how good your dog is, boundary train the dog to stay out of the baby’s room. This should be off limits. Safety and prevention.FullSizeRender

8. INTRODUCE. There are several ways to do this I will explain one basic way. When you do come home from the hospital make sure that you have the dogs energy burnt off prior to. Have the dog in another room or in its kennel resting. Bring baby in to the home and then when the environment is settled take the dog out to meet baby. Having the dog on a leash might need to be required depending on your dog and how much work you put in to preparing. Don’t make a big issue of the baby to prevent exciting the dog. Stay calm and relaxed. Don’t let the dog jump up or bump the baby or be pushy and invade the baby’s space. Make sure you are holding the baby to prevent this and maintain a personal space boundary. Continue teaching the dog to be calm around the baby by laying down or sitting quietly near you and the baby. As Baby gets older ….2..3..4 years old have him/her involved in training with you and the dog. I will post a video of a toddler training a german shepherd. Keep an eye out for this on my next blog post. 🙂

9. SPEND THE TIME. You have a big change in your life but don’t let this be an excuse to not spend the same amount of attention to your dog. Every day keep up working and playing with your dog. Burn off the energy and keep the obedience fresh. If you don’t think you have the time, make it!! No matter how much time the baby takes. It does not have to be long periods of time a day….frequent 10- 15 minute intervals  here and there at random are effective.   One on one time every day with the dog is important.

10. NEVER LEAVE THE DOG UNSUPERVISED WITH THE BABY!! Not for 1 second and it does not matter the size of your dog or how good your dog is. Do not leave the dog unsupervised with the baby.

Need Help? Find a trainer in your area. See Below

Duke Ferguson, ABDT, MT

Do you have problems training your dog or dogs? Do you want help? No matter the size, sex, age or breed We Can Help!

Want FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?  GET ACCESS to his Exclusive, FREE Mini video series  Click Here!! This mini series is not found on Youtube… Get Access Now… You will love the mini series and its Free!! 🙂

To find a Unleashed Potential Trainer near you or to Book your  FREE Demonstration and Consult Click Here

For more information on how you can  purchase Dog Training Genesis and become a member  CLICK  HERE or on the photo of Duke and his dogs.

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Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

 

Follow us on FACEBOOK  and subscribe to  us on YouTube

Mastering the Art of Attention

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No matter what age or breed of dog we can help you too MASTER the art of attention with your dog! Below is a video shot with a young pup just 17wks of age. In one week we mastered attention! So that being said….

I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

Have you been told you can’t train a dog until 6 months of age? Do you have trouble getting your dog to pay attention to you? If you answer YES, then watch this video. You will get to know the truth and see a mini dog training session and learn some quick tips. If you like this and want to see more educational and/or entertaining videos, subscribe today!!

 

Do you have problems training your dog or dogs? Do you want help? No matter the size, sex, age or breed We Can Help!

Want FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?  GET ACCESS to his Exclusive, FREE Mini video series  Click Here!! This mini series is not found on Youtube… Get Access Now… You will love the mini series and its Free!! 🙂

To find a UPK9 Trainer near you or to Book your  FREE Demonstration and Consult Click Here

For more information on how you can  purchase Dog Training Genesis and become a member  CLICK  HERE or on the photo of Duke and his dogs.

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Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

 

Follow us on FACEBOOK  and subscribe to  us on YouTube

 

Dogs With Kids – Free Tips From Unleashed Potential K9

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Dogs With Kids – Free Tips From Unleashed Potential K9

I am often asked what is the best breed of dogs for children. My answer is plain and simple. “There is no Perfect Breed of dog for children”. You can have 10 dogs of the same breed and the all have different temperaments.Some will be suitable and some will not. A Pit Bull can make just as good of a companion pet as a Golden Retriever or a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel so this is not a breed specific issue.

Puppymanagement129Keep one thing in mind as it is very important to know,  There is no such thing as a dog that will not bite All dogs can and will. Some dogs have short fuses and some are very tolerant but All DOGS CAN BITE!  Some can bite harder than others but ALL DOGS CAN BITE!
 Now that you have this understood , I’m going to list some tips you should look at when looking for a dog for kids and when you have a dog with kids.

1. What is the best age for a child to have a dog ? This is a personal preference. There is no best age just like there is no best breed, I have had a variety of dogs before I had children so I have brought my babies home with the presence of  dogs already there,  as well as having new dogs young and old coming and going from our house where I have 3 children. The kids were at all stages of life when this was happening with all kinds of breeds.

First consider this, your time commitment, how active your family is, and your child’s demeanor.  Ask yourself:  How much time can you commit to a dog at the moment and how would your child be with a dog? Is your child quiet and calm or a energetic, wild, rough, tumble weed? This is important to think about and will help you make an educated decision not an emotional one that you might regret later. Pick your dog by its temperament according to your child’s temperament. A hyper, rough child should not have a soft timid dog. A calm, shy child should not have a energetic, pushy dog.

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I can suggest from experience, like a human baby, dogs are a lot of work. It is much easier to get a dog when the children are past the baby stage and they can take direction from you while safely interacting with a dog and be of some help in training and looking after a dog.

2. Education… It is most important that your children be taught how to safely interact with dogs to prevent stressing a dog or pushing the limits and challenging a dog just as dogs need to learn how to interact around children.  The older the child is the better they will be at interacting with the dog and being able to build the proper relation ship as well as training and care.

3. Obedience training your dog is essential. Get advice from a certified and experienced canine professional or trainer like an Unleashed Potential K9 trainer. Don’t just pick the first trainer or behaviorist you call. Meet with a few and interview them and ask for references. Talk to your vet on who they recommend.  Have your children involved in the training while you supervise.

4. SUPERVISE CHILDREN AND DOGS AT ALL TIMES NO MATTER WHAT!!  This is a must for the safety of the dog and the child and is your responsibility.

Duke Ferguson, ABDT, MT

Here is a video of my son Austin when he is almost 2 years old. He is training a 5 month old German Shepherd.

Please contact us TODAY for your FREE Demonstration and Consult simply by clicking here. 

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Duke Ferguson, ABDT, MT