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Off-Leash Recall with German Shepherd | Amazing!

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An off-leash recall with a German Shepherd is possible! Read what the owners had to say below about their German Shepherd, Grace, who was recalled from chasing a fox outside perfectly!

 

 

“If you are wondering if this training works or not, my husband recalled Grace away from chasing a fox at the edge of our property. We have a 1/4 mile snowshoe tracks made around the property.

She started after the fox, then recalled back to a heel and continued on. Hubby said he could see the fox sitting in the woods watching as they continued their walk; Grace watched him back but stayed in the heel.
This wild fox is around the area a lot; they were singing to each other last night lol

This absolutely would not have happened prior to your program. Looking forward to group classes!”

-Owner Nancy

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The Benefits of Walking Your Dog

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Did you know walking your dog is more than just exercise? Walking your dog is filled with several benefits that not only apply to them but to you as well!

I’ll be honest, years ago as a high-performing athlete in skier cross, rugby, mountain biking, and trail running, I thought walking was boring and didn’t consider it a proper way to exercise. I feel the need…the need for speed! I worked hard to train my dogs to be off-leash so they could run and run and run! As I aged and perfect fitness eluded me I did engage in slower activities and you can most often find me snowshoeing and hiking these days with my dogs off-leash. So they run, I walk! But then in early 2020 my 5-year-old female GSD Hurtta was diagnosed with significant hip dysplasia and advanced spondylosis and our wonderful canine rehab pro Sarah MacKeigan at Upward Dog in NS assigned me to walk Hurtta on a leash twice daily. 

Here’s what I have learned over the years as a Professional Dog Trainer working with clients and other professionals in the industry.

BENEFITS OF WALKING YOUR DOG:

  • Walking uses different muscles than running or swimming. When thinking about exercising your dog you want to engage in different activities that will provide a chance to strengthen all muscles. 
  • Improves impulse control as the dog must focus on walking at your side and not be distracted therefore reactive to everything that moves or makes a sound. 
  • Going slow is good! Teaches a calmer state of mind and a desire to explore the world at a slower pace with more attention therefore walking is a great way to provide mental stimulation. 
  • Improves your relationship and bonding with your dog as you walk side by side instead of independently from one another. 
  • Greater socialization. Being kept in enclosed spaces such as backyards can cause them to be too sheltered from the world which will lower confidence and increase anxiety when around different environments, people, and other dogs. 
  • Daily walking lessons problems with dogs becoming bored, frustrated, and engaging in behaviors such as barking, destruction of property, and repetitive behaviors such as perimeter circling and attempts to escape their yards when the opportunity presents itself. (Here is where I want to tell ya about the time I was away from home for 3 hours and my door blew open and when I got home the dogs were still in the house!❤️)
  • Decreases the risk of dogs developing territorial behaviors (barking, rushing at the fence when people and dogs go by) resulting from long-term confinement to the property. 
  • Improved cardiovascular fitness, stronger core muscles, lower blood pressure, and a better more stable mood. 
  • Addresses the obesity epidemic. Most dogs today are being fed the amounts indicated on their dog food bags but those amounts were decided on decades ago when dogs spent the majority of their days outside and had jobs. They don’t take into account how many treats ppl feed their dogs these days. We are simply feeding our dogs too much and not burning off calories enough and over half of the dogs are overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to liver disease, insulin resistance, osteoarthritis and knocks a year or two off your dog’s lifespan. 
  • Decreases feelings of loneliness. Yes! Your dog can feel lonely even living with you if you don’t engage them in activities and provide them with things to do. Sometimes your dog is laying around the house simply because there is just nothing else to do.

Hurtta, Kyro, and I are enjoying our daily walks immensely. I notice improvements in my mood as well and I do feel the increased bonding as we walk side by side together down the road. 

Dogs Walking

Our Signature Bungee Collars are worn by the dogs in the photo above.

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COACH SARA’S TIPS FOR WALKING:

  1. Dress for success! Wear clothing that is easy to move in, moisture-wicking, cooling in the summer, and thermal for the winter. When walking at night add in reflective or LED accessories for both you and your dog and invest in a good headlamp like the Petzl ones at Sporting Intentions in Charlottetown. 
  2. Don’t forget the poop bags!
  3. Say hello to other people! Covid has turned us all into avoidant creatures. Look up, smile, say hi!
  4. Sign you and your dog up for obedience training. Consult with a trainer about your goals and work with them to come up with a plan then take action to implement that process no matter how long it takes. 
  5. Warm-up before you start. This is important for both you and your dog. Take it slow in the beginning then increase your speed. 
  6. Stretch after. Stretch yourself and google how to stretch your dog! 
  7. Have ID tags on your dog. Just in case anything happens! 
  8. Check the dog’s gear and make sure it’s in good working order. No rips or tears in leashes, collars, or harnesses, and ensure that buckles aren’t cracked. 
  9. Get some Paw Salve to keep the pads from drying out if walking in areas that do salt on sidewalks. Also good for their noses as it doesn’t contain any fragrance or essential oils. We like the one locally made by Urban Paw.
  10. Avoid walking in extreme cold or heat. And know your breed. Some breeds can handle hot and cold weather better than others. Don’t judge someone walking a husky on a cold winter’s day. 
  11. Obey leash laws. I know I know, your dog is off-leash trained with an e-collar. Still, for everyone’s safety and comfort, leash up in areas where it’s the law. Other people don’t know that your dog is off-leash trained and may feel nervous seeing a dog with no leash on. 
  12. Bring fresh water for you both if going out for a while. 
  13. Schedule and plan your walks! Studies show that when we schedule things we are more apt to stick to them. Doesn’t matter if it doesn’t happen at the exact time you scheduled it, just matters that you did it. 

So walk on and walk far my friends!

Love, Coach Sara

Manager/Head Trainer

Unleashed Potential PEI

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The Pandemic Dog Trainer: Life During COVID & How You Can Find Harmony With Your Dog.

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Sara and her dog Kyro camping during pandemic

Life has changed for everyone during the COVID Pandemic and my role as head dog trainer at Unleashed Potential, PEI has changed as well.

Clients are struggling and so are their dogs. With health threats, restrictions, masks, lockdowns, transitions to working from home, homeschooling kids, bubble open, bubble closed, restrictions lifting, restrictions back in place…it’s been a roller coaster. People are tired, burned out. I see this on my client’s faces. Less smiling happy faces, more tired, worn-out faces.

Now that vaccines are here and there are fewer restrictions people are trying to merge the pandemic life they developed with their rekindled real life and people are over-scheduled and busier than ever. It’s been increasingly difficult to get people booked in for appointments as their schedules are incredibly full.

As far as dogs go there is a marked increase in anxiety, hyperactivity and reactivity/aggression. I also notice an increase in dog’s persistence to do what they want. There has never been a dog I couldn’t hold back on a leash when they were pulling. This year there have been a couple I couldn’t hold back from lunging unexpectedly and a few more that were close to schooling me in their initial lessons prior to the addition of tools and food/training games to assist. Yup, dogs are pulling harder than ever before and their poor humans have no chance of holding onto them.

So we’ve got stressed-out dogs living in homes with stressed-out owners who are overwhelmed by their dog’s behaviour and the amount of work it takes to change the dog. There is an increase across the country of rehomes and euthanasia as people are at their wits end with their once cute pandemic puppy.

And this is where my role has changed. I’ve always called myself a people trainer before a dog trainer. When I can teach you to change your habits and routines, the dog will change. I am a coach and it’s my job to navigate you from point A to point B with your training. But…in my athletic days, my coaches and trainers could only take me so far. I was the one who had to cross the finish line.

Since COVID I spend an increasing amount of time helping people overcome their own anxieties, fears, doubts, insecurities about training their dogs. Building them up and helping them see that training is a process, there are no quick fixes but you can totally do this.

People need harmony in the home because there’s less and less harmony in the world with abnormal and off-the-charts heat waves causing wildfires, tornadoes spinning in places they have never spun before and will there be a deadly variant that the vaccine does not protect against?? There is so much out of your control right now and that’s frightening. But one thing you do control is what goes on in your house.

How you live with your dog is what trains the dog. If you give up on rules and structure your dog will develop a whole bunch of problem behaviours as they are constantly being given a ‘Don’t do’ list instead of a ‘to do’ list.

I’m seeing a huge increase in frustrated dogs living with frustrated owners. There is consistent conflict between the owner and the dog. Instead of saying NO! When they jump a million times a day, teach them to sit for everything they want- food, toys, attention, freedom to sniff or run and check things out and yes…sit when they meet people.

Tell the dog what to do.

Resist the urge to just say no all day. If dogs barking at windows teach quiet command or come command to remove them from the window.

Tell the dog what to do.

If the dog is pacing and never sits still and follows you all around the house like they are made of velcro teach them the ‘place’ command and a down stay.

Tell the dog what to do. Always.

Don’t try and do your own training. Seek out a professional who will help you separate the useful info you read online from the useless. Work with them to develop an efficient training schedule that you can consistently stick with at home. If trying to work on a skill taught and you become frustrated because the dog is not responding, stop…take a breath, refocus and do a self-assessment.

✅How is my leash handling?

✅Am I marking and feeding properly?

✅Am I rushing and putting the dog in too great of a distraction too soon?

✅Have I not practiced my basics enough and I’m trying to do something too advanced that I and the dog are not ready for?

✅Do I fully understand what I’m supposed to be doing?

✅Have I studied the homework materials sent to me in case I forgot something that was taught?

 

When you encounter problems in training, look inwards first rather than just blaming the dog, getting frustrated and giving up. Always say “What can I do better to manage this situation and get success?”

Don’t sign up for training to “fix” your dog. There are no broken dogs and they are not robots that can be simply reprogrammed. As your coach, my job is to help you first.

 

➡️Why did you get this dog?

➡️What does it mean to you and your family to have this dog?

➡️How much time are you willing to spend every day to train the dog?

➡️Are you willing to provide your dog with a variety of experiences away from home?

Like it or not you are in a relationship with your dog and it takes 100% effort from you and 100% effort from them to succeed. Ensure your dog is hungry, food motivated and wants to participate in training. You in turn bring the fun with a good attitude and mindset that training 5 mins 3 times a day is not a chore, it’s a chance to bond with your dog over the use of food, toys and games. It’s a chance to say yes instead of no, it’s a chance to work on your partnership with them. Yes, partnership…you need to learn how to have trust and confidence in your dog and they need to learn how to have trust and confidence in you. Then, you will have harmony.

Remember:

🌟You are more courageous than you think when it comes to trying new things.

🌟You can learn to train and handle your dog as a pro can.

🌟It’s ok to fail, try again.

🌟There are no setbacks. You and your dog will make mistakes. Adapt and try something else next time.

🌟Don’t run from it, learn from it.

🌟Always ask for help when you need it.

❤️ Coach Sara

Sara training Kyro to the XDOG™ vest and parachute

 

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XDOG Vest Resistance Training

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XDOG™ Vest Resistance Training

When training your dog to new training equipment you should always take it one step at a time. The walk before you run concept.   It’s no different with the XDOG™ vest and parachute for resistance training so be sure your dog is comfortable with the gear before sending him away to run long distances. XDOG™ vest resistance training is easy when you understand how!  Watch the video below for the step-by-step instructions.

 

Why resistance training?

  • When done correctly it’s great for burning excess energy
  • Promotes a deeper relationship with your dog
  • Effective for building muscle, endurance, stamina and a healthy mindset
  • It promotes weight loss and overall health and wellness

 

       

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Steps to take in XDOG™ vest resistance training

First, you’re going to walk with your dog, but you’ll do it on lead.  The reason is if he may not scared of the parachute, but he starts moving and the shoots following him, that may cause some fear.  So just take this extra little step. It might take you one time, it might take you a couple of days, a week, just go with your dog’s confidence level.  First, walk and let the shoot drag behind your dog.  When he’s comfortable with walking and having the parachute drag behind you can then run with the dog on the lead.

dog on leash with XDOG vest

 

XDOG vest dragging behind dog

If your dog is a little nervous, it’s okay.  It’s important that they overcome this.  Make this one of the ways your dog eats.  This training should mean, fun, food freedom, and interaction.

So when your dog is used to the gear; used to the vest, used to the parachute, you’re going to put him into motion.

dog chasing ball in XDOG vest

You don’t want your dog taking off on you. I’ve seen it. So we want to prevent that from ever happening. So I’ll throw a ball out (short distance). He runs and he gets it and the parachute is actively chasing him. This desensitizes him to the parachute.

An important step in XDOG™ resistance training is to put your dog into motion by throwing food out.  This works great for food-motivated dogs.  The same concept as above, the dog gets used to the parachute catching the wind behind him.

throwing food for dog in XDOG vest

Use the wind to your advantage for XDOG™ vest resistance training. Your goal is to try and get it so that the parachute will pop open, but then he’s immediately getting his treat.

And this is going to give you experience in handling what this actually does when you’re going against the wind or with the wind. So throw it in all directions.

So the first session is little tiny throws. When the is dog good with that, you’ll set it up for the longer distance.  If you have a dog that’s stable and knows the parachute well, you can start some distance work by getting a dog to come to you for food, toys, tug, and bite work.

dog running to get toy

The goal is to have your dog comfortably chase a ball or run to you for fun and interaction while wearing the XDOG™ vest and parachute in resistance training.  This will tire your dog out with only a few short runs.  It builds endurance and improves your dog’s overall well-being.

dog resistance training resistance training

 

So I really hope you enjoyed this video and get good value from it. And it helps you get off training with the XDOG™ dog vest safely.

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XDOG vest

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Prong Collar Training | The Loose Leash Walking Game

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Prong Collar Training 

The Loose Leash Walking Game

Are you struggling to walk your dog on a loose leash? Are you unsure of prong collars and how to train with them?  If so…you’re in the right place!

In this YouTube video, I’m going to teach you how to use a prong collar (also known as a pinch collar) in a loose leash walking game!  This prong collar training will show you how to get your dog to stop pulling.  It can be a controversial training tool but when used correctly, the pinch collar is perfect for DIY dog training and structured walks.

While this tool is not for every circumstance, you can use the pinch collar to motivate response and reward the desired behaviour of paying attention to you and walking with a loose leash.

 

The prong collar can be used as another effective training tool for many dogs as it will stop leash pulling while you turn your walks into a loose leash walking game.  I will show you how to properly use a prong collar in a safe and even fun way. Your dog will actually enjoy the walk and won’t want to pull on a leash ever again with some training!  I do not suggest this tool be used on a very reactive aggressive dog as a first step OR young pups that don’t have a solid foundation with positive training first.

Learn how to make a game out of keeping a loose leash in this pinch collar training session.

 

Watch this training video on Prong Collar Training – The Loose Leash Walking Game

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When introduced properly, a pinch collar as a training tool can maintain that excited, happy attitude in your dog even while changing the behaviours by getting the dog to think.

For the least amount of stress, you must begin training in a controlled environment.  Over time, you can add more distractions, but I will tell you when you’re making him grow to be stronger, he’ll work through new stressors and become better.  Think of it this way, if we never experience any stress or pressure in our lives, and then all of a sudden there’s a bunch you won’t handle well, and you may even shut down.  We don’t that to happen in dog training.  That’s the problem with the pressure, but it’s not the tools…it’s the way we use them.

 

  • The prong collar (sometimes known as a pinch collar), evenly distributes the pressure all the way around the dog’s neck and it doesn’t choke. It’s not designed to choke.  For dogs that have a sensitive trachea, it’s actually good because it keeps the pressure away from the trachea.
  • When you put it on the dog, you’ll notice a ring stopper that stops this from going any tighter once it’s fit properly. So when you pull it, it can’t get it any tighter.  It is never designed to be tight all the time.

 

 

  • So we want this pinch collar to have a meaning we don’t want him to be numb to it where he pulls and doesn’t care, but we don’t want him to be nervous or scared or shut down by using it either.
  • If the leash is tight at even low levels for long, long periods of time; weeks and weeks he’ll get used to it and he will become desensitized.  You’ll make him tough to the collar and it won’t be as effective.

 

  • You’re going to do two things. You will be allowing pressure (from collar) and when the dog yields you’ll release the pressure.  So the concept is: “pressure and release.”

 

  • As soon as the dog turns away from the pressure and looks at you say, “BREAK” and move backward as you prepare to offer food reward.

  • As soon as the dog reaches you, pay him with a handful of food.  Ideally, this is a portion of his daily food allowance.  Build his food drive and use his food in training to create a happy, satisfied dog.

 

  • Now here’s the rule: When the pinch goes on to the dog, you must maintain a loose leash.

 

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

Herm SPRENGER Ultra-Plus Prong Dog Training Collar 

 

 

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Would you like FREE  puppy training or dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?

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This mini-series is not found on YouTube.  Get Access Now  You will love it!

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