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Small Dog Training is Possible!

October 10, 2023 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

small dog training

Training a small dog is possible!

Our Miniature Pinscher Board & Train, Gus, is officially home with his owners after a month full of training! Here is what his owners had to say:

  “It’s day 4 since Gus came home and we have already noticed big differences!

Before going to UPK9 and working with Coach Sara, Gus was very much out of control (not his fault 100 percent ours). He would constantly jump on anyone or anything that moved. Just jumped and barked when anyone came in and hated to walk on leash. Going for a drive was also a nightmare. 

small dog training

  Since being home we noticed how much calmer Gus has been. He loves to train and go for walks with no leash pulling! I can do day to day chores without him needing my attention all the time. He is not constantly trying to jump and get what we are carrying. Before, when I would take him to the vet he thought he could play with every dog. When we went on Thursday for a wellness check he just sat by my side. That in its self amazed me!

small dog training

  He has also become so much more affectionate. Loves to sit with my husband when I’m not in the room. But when Momma comes back he is all my dog. We just woke up from a 2 hour cuddle nap!”

– Owners Jacinta & Ralph

We are loving this update and can’t wait to hear more as Gus and his family flourish together for the years to come! We sure will miss him 🙂

small dog training

 

➡️ Ready to unleash your dogs full potential? Please book your free consult to discuss all your training options with us: Click here

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Filed Under: Testimonials, Uncategorized

Two Ways to Teach the Heel Position

September 11, 2023 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Two Ways to Teach the Heel Position

Are your walks with your dog friend turning into a tug-of-war match? Have you been yearning for a leash-walking experience that’s smooth, enjoyable, and stress-free? Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, frustrated with our dog’s inability to stay in the heel position. It might be that your dog does not understand the position.  But fear not! In this blog post, we’re going to delve into two ways to teach the heel position to transform your dog’s leash-walking manners and elevate your bonding experience. This is the beginning.

 

 

1. The Two-Step: Dancing into the Heel Position

Imagine your walks with your pup as a synchronized dance, where you lead, and your dog gracefully follows your lead. Duke Ferguson Professional dog trainer and NePoPo® Gold Multiplicator, introduces us to the Two-Step technique, a method that’s perfect for those who are mobile and active. With food or high-value treats, a leash, and a positive attitude you’re ready to take the floor. Don’t forget your favourite song.

The premise is simple yet effective:

Is the Dog Hungry Enough to Lure and Reward: Begin with a hungry and food-motivated dog. Hold a treat in your fist, present it to your dog, and observe if they eagerly come forward for it. This willingness to follow the lure is crucial for success.

Two-Step Technique: With your dog on a loose leash, take a step back with your left leg while keeping your right foot planted. As your dog moves toward you, step forward with your right foot, guiding them into the heel position by your side. It’s like a dance of coordination where you lead, and your dog follows.

Mark and Reward: Utilize a marker word like “break”  or a clicker to release your dog and reward them for achieving the desired position.

Practice and repetition are key. As your dog becomes accustomed to the Two-Step Tango, you’ll witness them eagerly stepping into the heel position, creating a harmonious flow. Soon to be a great walking experience once you begin motion.

Make sure you can lure your dog lure your dog into the heel position mark the desired behaviour by saying "Heel"Release from behaviour by saying "break"

2. Place Board Practice: Tailoring the Heel Position for All Abilities

Not everyone has the same mobility, and Duke Ferguson understands this. For individuals who may have limited mobility, such as those in wheelchairs or with specific physical challenges, the Place Board Perfection technique is a game-changer. It ensures that everyone can participate in shaping & training and bond with their furry companions.

Here’s how it works:

Create a Target: Introduce your dog to a place board. Lure them onto it and encourage them to turn around to face you. This step familiarizes your dog with the target and creates a foundation for the training.

The Turn: With your dog on the place board, guide them into the heel position. This time, you won’t need to step back. Instead, you pivot around the dog, ensuring they are aligned with your leg and in the desired position.

Name the Command: As your dog becomes comfortable with the position on the place board, you can name it using a word like “heel.”

Remember, consistency is key. Practice two ways to teach the heel position techniques daily, dedicating a few minutes to each session, and you’ll witness remarkable progress in your dog’s leash-walking skills.  Once your dog knows where you want it to be it’s much easier to begin the walks.

Bonus Tips for Leash Training Success

Duke Ferguson’s wisdom extends beyond the basic techniques. Here are some additional tips to enhance your leash training journey:

1. Motivation Matters: Keep your dog motivated with the food they love and positive reinforcement for these steps is fine.

2. Phasing Away the Lure: Over time, reduce the reliance on treats while maintaining the desired behavior. The goal is to have your dog follow the heel command even without the lure.

3. Variety Is Key:  Experiment with different positions, such as the right side or going through your legs. NePoPo® training lets you be creative.

Your Journey to Training Excellence Begins Now

As you embark on this exciting journey of mastering the heel position, remember that Timing, consistency, and motivation are your allies. Whether you’re dancing the Two-Step Tango or perfecting the Place Board Position, the ultimate goal is to build a strong bond and communication with your dog so you can enjoy walks together. OR Dancing. 🙂

If you’re hungry for more dog training insights and want to take your skills to the next level, Join our extraordinary community. Duke Ferguson offers a ton of resources through his Unleashed Potential Experience membership (UPX). This community of like-minded individuals is dedicated to personal development through dog training. Not only will you learn to take you dog training skills to the next level but also your life skills.  Duke is not only a pro dog trainer NePoPo® Gold but also a certified high performance coach®.  In UPX join Duke Live for coaching, join challenges and grow with a like minded communuty. Dog training and personal development for humans and dogs.

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to put on your dancing shoes or create your perfect place and embark on a journey of shaping success. Your dog will thank you for the enriching experience,  Happy training! 🐾

Unleashed Potential Place Boards

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Would you like FREE  puppy training or dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Unleashed Potential Experience – UPX Membership or NePoPo® philosophy of training?

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Free dog training videos

 

Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, Uncategorized, UPK9 Main Blog

Training Outside with a Reactive Dog

April 19, 2023 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Do you have trouble training your dog outside? Are you finding great success when training your dog inside or in low-distraction areas but outside they are absorbed by all the distractions?

Our behavioral cases involve working a lot with thresholds. This is a common term in behavior modification work and is a great way to address fear, anxiety, aggression, and stress in your dog.

Threshold means the distance your dog needs to be away from the trigger or stimuli that alerts them where they can notice the trigger but not be upset by it. 

 Dog Training OutisdeDog Training OutisdeDog Training Outisde

The distance required is dictated by the dog. With some dogs, the distance is only a few feet until they feel stressed. For some, it needs to be great distances. We start out at whatever distance is required and slowly shrink it over time. We refer to the times the dog can not contain themselves to be “over the threshold” and the times they can maintain calm they are “under the threshold.”

The reactivity the dog does when over the threshold does not always mean just barking and lunging. There are more signs such as:

  • The dog absolutely can NOT focus on you at all. They just can’t stop staring at the trigger. 
  • Excitement manifests into mouthing, leash biting, and jumping at you.
  • Shutting down and/or pancaking on the ground.
  • Inability to take a treat even though they are normally a food-motivated dog

These are all signs you are over the threshold and need to create more distance in order to get success. Train as far away as you need where the dog will still take food, give you some attention, and can focus and process your commands.

Click here to watch a video example of working with a dog within their threshold.

➡️ Do you have a reactive dog? Looking to unleash their potential? Please book your free consult to discuss all your training options with us: Click here _______________________________________________________________

Click for Free Dog Training Videos

Looking for help with your dog’s training?

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Reactive Dog Training

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Boarding for a Reactive Dog

March 29, 2023 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Our Board & Train program is open for all dogs no matter their level of reactivity! Your dog will be boarding with a Professionally Certified Dog Trainer for a month minimum and become fully trained both on and off-leash. The trainer will work with them every day in all different environments and around many people and other dogs to better socialize your dog and, in turn, lessen their reactivity.

dog boarding

Meet Monty!

He is a year-old Poodle who has just completed our Board and Train program with Coach Isabelle in New Brunswick.

Monty’s family came to us after his troubled behaviors got him kicked out of doggy daycare. His family needed help with his excessive barking, protective behaviors, and tendency to bite.

After a month of boarding, Monty is much calmer and obedient – he is learning that the world isn’t such a scary place!

Check out this quick Before & After video of Monty

He is now home with his family who will continue to work with him to maintain his training and unleash his full potential further!

Here is what his family had to say:

dog boarding

“We just took Monty for his first walk since he came home. All I can say is WOW! We are so, so glad that we did the board and train program.

Isabelle’s results with Monty are amazing and we are enjoying our dog in a whole new way!

We were also impressed with her training facility. The first thing I noticed was the cleanliness of the training and kennel areas. And of course, the location; what a gorgeous setting for long training walks.

We were delighted to see how calm and happy Monty was while Isabelle was working with him. Clearly, she created a warm and affectionate working relationship with him.

dog boarding
Coach Isabelle & Monty

Initially, I had worried about leaving Monty for a whole month and how he would handle the separation. However, the Monty that greeted us today was actually a calmer, more confident and happier dog than the one we left with Isabelle just weeks ago.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Everyone should know about this training – it works!”

– Owner Lori

➡️ Do you have a reactive dog? Looking to unleash their potential? Please book your free consult to discuss all your training options with us: Click here _______________________________________________________________

Click for Free Dog Training Videos

Looking for help with your dog’s training?

Sign-up for our Free Dog Training Mini-Series to get started!

 

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_______________________________________________________________

Would you like your dog to be an off-leash dog? Or looking to explore our other services?

Click here to explore: Dog Training Services

Reactive Dog Training

Filed Under: Testimonials, Uncategorized

Rescue Dog Finds Comfort in Training

March 3, 2023 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

Rescue Dog

Rescue dog, Goose the 2-year-old Lab/Staffie mix is finding comfort in his new training regimen!

“With starting at Unleashed Potential with Coach Sara, I was a bit hesitant with some guidelines; specifically the temporary no raised surfaces and no free lunch rules. I didn’t necessarily see how those guidelines would contribute to my dogs obedience training. But committing fully to the behaviour modification included in the E-Collar Program, I reluctantly pulled his bed and kennel out of storage and banned the couches and sleeping in my bed.

I was shocked on my first day as Goose quickly learned that his bed/kennel was his new couch and sleeping area and settled there a lot easier than I had anticipated and he’s very happy! An even bigger surprise was the changes I saw in Goose just from making these small adjustments to our human/dog dynamic.

Rescue Dog

Over the first week, I noticed Goose was already more receptive to my commands and had a generally more content demeanor. I often find him hanging out in his kennel and being the independent little man I never thought my clingy boy would be. I can see how this will help with his separation anxiety.

Being only two and a half weeks into the E-Collar Program, I feel so reassured in the process and that my dog loves being a dog just as much as he loves being my big baby.

Resuce Dog

We had an awesome training session the other day! We were outside training in the driveway and the Chocolate Lab across the street was out and barking at Goose. Goose would look over at the Lab but stayed seated and tuned in with me. We completed our session with no reactivity to the barking Lab! I was so proud!”

– Owner Destiny

 

➡️ Do you have a rescue dog? Looking to unleash their potential? Please book your free consult to discuss all your training options with us: Click here _______________________________________________________________

Click for Free Dog Training Videos

Looking for help with your dog’s training?

Sign-up for our Free Dog Training Mini-Series to get started!

 

Follow

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Like

_______________________________________________________________

Would you like your dog to be an off-leash dog? Or looking to explore our other services?

Click here to explore: Dog Training Services

Reactive Dog Training

Filed Under: Testimonials, Uncategorized, UPK9 Main Blog

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