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Standard Poodle Turned Service Dog!

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This Standard Poodle became a Service Dog!

Zoey came to us at 6-months old for training. After lots of hard work put in by her family in our training program, she went on to pass her Service Dog Certification!

Poodle Turned Service Dog

“Zoey has been a lifesaver on many occasions. I constantly get comments from people saying she is the best-trained dog they have seen. Absolutely no issues taking her anywhere. In fact, businesses are more excited to see her than me, but I can understand.”

– Owner Gene

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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 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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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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Overly Excited, Pushy Dog? How to Calm Your Dog Down in Minutes

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1 Simple Trick to Calm the Overly Excited Dog and Get Attention Fast

Some dog trainers and dog owners believe that using food in dog training causes overexcitement, over-arousal, and creates a dog that is too pushy so they stop using the food or never begin with it.  They don’t believe an overly excited, pushy dog can learn to calm and pay attention with food alone.

This is a false belief.

In this video, I’ll show you how easy it can be to get a pushy dog, who really wants the food that I have, to calm down, pay attention by giving me eye contact and think, in order to get the food.

It’s so easy it could be considered lazy dog training!

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SUMMARY

  • The overly excited pushy dogs need to learn to calm down to eat and the weak dog needs to become pushier to eat.
  • Trainers and pet owners sometimes believe that food will make a dog too pushy and too jumpy.
  • People say, stand still and the dog will stop jumping. They will eventually but why not use food and create a thinking dog?
  • When a dog starts thinking, when they actually start using their brain, they stop the jumping and other unwanted behaviours.

dog not paying attention

  • Pay attention and look in my eyes to get the food reward.

Calm dog paying attention

  • Think of this:  if the dog charges at the bush (being overly excited), there will be no rabbits (food) in that bush.  When the dog figures out that if she looks into my eyes (calms down, and pays attention) it will make rabbits (food!) come from the bush and she eats.

 

The Liver Bites I use and train with every day.  Freeze-dried, all-natural liver bites with no preservatives.

Liver Bites - Dog Treats

 

 

treat pouch to hold high value food to calm the pushy dog
Unleashed Potential Training Pouch

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Full Transcript-

Overly Excited Dog? How to Calm Your Dog Down and Get Attention in Minutes

[The following is the full transcript of this YouTube video. Please note that this video, features Duke speaking extemporaneously–he is unscripted and unedited. Filmed in one take].

 

Hey there, it’s Duke Ferguson, the owner CEO and master trainer of Unleashed Potential K9 and creator of Dog Training Genesis.

In this video, I want to address the myth that too many trainers and too many pet owners tell me about and that is food making dogs too amped, too pushy, too crazy and they can’t train them because they’re too hungry. That’s further from the truth. So in this video, I want to show you an actual example of how you can get a dog to use his brain, and to calm down and think, in order to get the food while you don’t have to do anything. The dog is the one that’s actually putting out, trying, and you’re barely doing anything at all. It’s just that easy. Here’s a clip from my Monroe, Washington seminar and it shows exactly that. I hope you enjoy it! Before you start the video, be sure to subscribe to see future videos, just like this one.

I want to address the myth that too many trainers and too many pet owners tell me about and that is food making dogs too amped, too pushy, too crazy and they can’t train them because they’re too hungry. That’s further from the truth.

So the pushy dog, remember I said, I’ll get her all amped. The pushy dog needs to learn to calm down to eat,  and the weak dog needs to put out to eat. So, let her push. I’m looking for anything.  Notice the pushiness just kinda stopped. I don’t care what she does I’ll either go…If I’m looking for eye contact she jumps on this board, I’ll mark that. I’m just getting her brain to work. I’m talking to you guys. This is a dog doing reactive stuff,  just what they know, what they can get away with. And she’ll learn to start using her brain and she’ll look into my eyes. I can sit on a chair. Do you want to see the look on her face? Just hang tight.

The overly excited, pushy dog needs to learn to calm down to eat,  and the weak dog needs to put out to eat.

The dog’s a bit nervous. When they are really hungry, touch. okay. We will go this way to see. There’s the food, I want eye contact. When a dog starts thinking, when actually start using their brain, they stop all this sh** and they think, huh, charging the bush… there are no rabbits in that bush. Ah,  See? Simple.

So in theory, people could say, stand still and the dog will stop jumping. They want you. They will eventually, but you’ll get all scratched to crap. If they want food, all they’re doing is licking and pushing on my hand. And I can discourage that pushiness, by taking it away. So, I can make it faster. So let’s say they’re really pushy when she goes to it, I pull away. You can play catch to build a little dopamine. So you can actually use your food as prey as well. Now I’m going to make it more distracting.  She learns, to get distracted by this you starve! Sit down and think, how do I get that? She doesn’t understand, right, so I make it easy. So notice I pull away. See the brain working?

So you can actually use your food as prey as well.

Put your camera right on her face, the look, she’s like. Come see it, just her head, this dog her brain, you can smell the wheels turning in there and there’s smoke coming out of her ears, every so often, it’s great! Okay. I can do this, all day, and she’ll learn to stare in my eyes. . So fast, “Chip” And it happens faster, faster, faster See it? See the eyes? She’s thinking. You want a thinking dog. No GPS help. I’m not doing this: Look, look, oh good girl! Don’t do that. Don’t do that. That drives me crazy. So now, you’re not paying her, and that’s okay? because she’s looking at you. Right, because she’s putting out and I can talk to you and she’s still thinking. Now I’m talking to you guys and look at the dog. She’s putting out. Yeah. So I don’t need to do the cheerleading and it’s less effort. That’s called lazy dog training. Look, here’s the pouch man, holy cow! Look at her thinking. “Chip” Look in the guy’s eyes, make rabbits come from the bush and eat it. She learns. Hey, pretty quick. That’s an easy thing I know what to do. I’m already waving around.  Notice how people are like “Don’t distract the dog.” “Don’t distract, In training, don’t distract my dog.”

I’m talking to you guys and look at the dog; she’s putting out.  So I don’t need to do the cheerleading and it’s less effort