Unleashed potential halifax

You’re A Dog Whisperer

June 25, 2019 By Guy Lapierre 1 Comment

Why does my dog behave so differently with you?

This is a question I get asked with every dog that comes in to my day train or board and train program. In these programs I train the dog and then coach their owners how to take over the process. My answer is always the same. I don’t have any baggage with the dog and I immediately set the rules and boundaries the minute the dog comes in.

I define baggage as all the unwanted behaviors that were let to develop into habits over time with a dog’s owners. I’m not pointing the finger at the owner and putting the blame on them, necessarily. In many cases they were told to do what they have tried up until that time. Add to that the simple fact that you don’t know what you don’t know. It’s too easy to point the finger and lay blame. So I don’t.

When a dog is dropped off and left with me to be trained, I’m very fortunate and it gives me a very distinct advantage. The dog doesn’t know me, is in an unfamiliar place, and immediately we implement the routines, rules, and boundaries that will shape the dog into the dog they have the potential to be. I immediately develop a relationship with the dog that is based on leadership and very quickly the dog will start to look to me to help them deal with their struggles differently.

I don’t possess the anxieties or frustrations the owner does when the dog struggles and my even keel energy quickly sets the dog at ease. It allows us to develop a relationship based on trust and leadership from day one – without the baggage. If you take into account the fact that I’m a dog trainer and should know how to deal with the issues brought before me, it allows me to gain that trust quickly. Whereas, an owner is trying to figure it out through too much trial and error that leads to confusion and distrust from the dog. The dog learns they need to figure it out for themselves because they don’t believe their owner has the solutions. Again, you don’t know what you don’t know and it is easy to give up on something when it doesn’t work immediately.

So dog trainers are not dog whisperers. Sure, if you want to turn your dog around as quickly as possible then get a dog trainer to train them for you in a board and train type program. The fact that they do this for a living professionally is the reason they will achieve results more quickly and to a higher level. Just like any trade; getting a skilled trade person to do a job versus doing it yourself will typically yield a better, faster result. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t do the job yourself. You just have to learn how to the best of your ability.

Solutions

My advice to those doing it yourself is set yourself up for success and the first step for that is to remove the baggage. You need to flip the switch and reset your dog. That means you have to always be in a position to teach so you can communicate to your dog what is right or wrong to influence their choices to the ones you wish them to make in all the circumstances that demand it. You have to be consistent and the dog must understand the conversation. When you are not in a position to teach, the dog needs to be somewhere where they can’t exercise the decisions you don’t want them to make. I recommend crating them. This sets the rules and boundaries and removes the baggage.

The second step is to employ a training system. First you need to establish a communication system that the dog understands that distinguishes right from wrong. Then you need to teach the dog whatever you will employ in those circumstances outside of those circumstances first. The dog needs to understand everything about the conversation to be successful. If they do then the only variable is the choice the dog is making and that is what you are aiming to influence.

That’s the secret. It isn’t dog whispering at all. Where people often fail is a lack of consistency and failure to control the dog’s environment. People are often looking for a quick fix. They search YouTube and find a video on how to fix something and they try it. When it doesn’t work immediately they try something else. That just confuses and frustrates the dog. It isn’t that the YouTube video was necessarily wrong. There is just a lot more that goes into it then you see in a short video clip. So a lot of information is missing for a full solution. A large part of that is changing how you live with your dog – the baggage.

If a board and train program is not in the cards and you are struggling to achieve results on your own, I recommend you hire a professional for private sessions and follow what they are instructing you to do. You are still doing it on your own but with professional guidance and a plan. Another option is a quality video training system that teaches you how to train your dog. Again, you need to follow those instructions and be very consistent to have success.

Need Help?

Regardless of the path you choose to unleash your dog’s potential, I can help you. I offer day train, board and train, private lessons, and an online video series that can train any size, any breed, and any problem. Contact me to find out more or visit my Facebook page to see my training in action.

Guy Lapierre, Certified Professional Dog Trainer. Unleashed Potential Halifax.

Would you like FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy and training steps on how to get your dog to listen and respond to you? GET ACCESS HERE 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 below of Duke and his dogs.

ARE YOU A TRAINER LOOKING TO BETTER YOUR SKILLS OR SOMEONE WANTING TO LEARN TO BECOME A DOG TRAINER or JOIN THE UPK9 TEAM ? CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN COME AND TRAIN WITH DUKE FERGUSON

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The 3 Keys To Successfully Training Your Dog

November 26, 2018 By Guy Lapierre Leave a Comment

The 3 Keys To Successfully Training Your Dog

I meet with several people each week to discuss their dog’s problems and needs. Most of them are trying very hard to help their dogs and end up standing in front of me because they are frustrated that they can’t make any progress with their dog’s issue – whatever they may be. As I said, in most cases it isn’t for a lack of trying or effort on their part and many have invested in previous training, read many books, and watched countless videos on the internet seeking help. So as they stand in front of me, often desperate and beginning to believe their dog is not trainable, I see the common theme once again. Communication.

Off Leash Freedom — Off leash and social, with recall.

Communication is the foundation that needs to be in place before anything can really take place. If the dog doesn’t understand the conversation with you, you will have little to no success. If you signed up for a course and the course outline and classes were in a foreign language, how would you do? You may be able to figure out a little bit of what is going on by being there but you wouldn’t be able to truly understand in any depth and it would be a very confusing and frustrating process. That is what most dogs are experiencing that I see. They have no clear expectations, the course outline, and they don’t understand what is being said, the course content.

So how do dog’s communicate? They communicate through their senses. You can use a dog’s scent to get attention and engagement in the conversation – especially when using food in the training. Dog’s primarily use body language (sight) to communicate. Their tale, ears, body, paws, mouth, eyes, and even their fur are used to send a message to whoever is watching. They use tones (sound) by letting out a growl, bark, or whine to whoever is listening. Lastly, they are very physical animals so touch often comes into the conversation in the form of affection or physical warnings or corrections. Of course, we can communicate to them using these very same senses to have a conversation with our dog that they understand. They are a different species and how they communicate is not the same as a human. Dogs learn through association and repetition so we have to take the time to teach and give meaning to our communication. Without clear communication the dog will have limited understanding in the process.

So let’s discuss the three keys to successfully training a dog now that you know it must first start with clear communication. The three keys are timing, consistency, and motivation.

Timing: Dogs live in the moment and to effectively communicate with them you have to do so in that very moment. The window of opportunity is about one second long. That may sound like it would be difficult to achieve but it isn’t. With a little practice and a good communication system, you can learn to be timely with your dog and it will be make you more observant of your dog so that you can achieve this critical piece of the conversation. The analogy I always use to illustrate this is to get people to think about how movies used to be made up of a series of pictures. If each picture was one second apart then that is how your dog takes the world in – a snapshot one second at a time. You have to communicate inside the snapshot. If you get the snapshots before or after the appropriate one the time is off. When your timing is right, it is extremely effective.
Consistency: You have to be consistent. Dogs don’t do well with grey area. The process of learning needs to be black and white and consistent. You always have to be in a position to teach and if you can’t be, the dog needs to be in an environment where they are not able to make decisions without your guidance. This needs to be the case until your teaching has produced a dog that consistently makes the desired decisions. At that point, they will not need your influence to make the correct one anymore.
Motivation: A dog needs to be motivated to do or not do. You can motivate a dog to do more of something if there is something in it for them. That could be to acquire something they want or avoid something they don’t. You can motivate a dog to not do something by making it consequential. That could be an aversive consequence for a behaviour or the consequential removal of something they wish to have.

Pack Walk When you learn to effectively communicate with your dog in a clear, consistent manner and motivate them in the process you will have success. It never fails.

Contact me today to learn how and you will achieve your goals with your dog.

Guy Lapierre UPK9 Halifax

Got Dog Problems? Do you want help? No matter the size, sex, age or breed We Can Help!

Would you like FREE dog training advice? GET ACCES HERE to his Exclusive, FREE Mini video series!

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 below of Duke and his dogs.

ARE YOU A TRAINER LOOKING TO BETTER YOUR SKILLS OR SOMEONE WANTING TO LEARN TO BECOME A DOG TRAINER or JOIN THE UPK9 TEAM ? CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN COME AND TRAIN WITH DUKE FERGUSON

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Does Training Create a “Robot Dog”?

September 18, 2016 By Guy Lapierre Leave a Comment

“I don’t need my dogs to be robots.”

This is something I’ve heard several times as a trainer and I’ve had to explain to prospective clients that what you see on the surface may not be what you think. You can’t judge a book by its cover – so to speak.

As a trainer, I often post video of my dogs and show them doing obedience drills that would make people think the dog is robotic like in their movements. I understand that is not what a typical dog owner strives for. They just want a well behaved dog that they can take places and trust on and off leash.

So why do I integrate obedience so tightly into my programs? Why do I think it is so important when all I’m trying to do is modify a dog’s behaviour for things like aggression, anxiety, reactivity, guarding, fear, insecurity, pulling on leash, barking, jumping, rushing the door, etc.?

The Short Answer

The short answer is that in almost all cases I am faced with a dog that doesn’t listen very well to their owners. I’m not trying to develop a robotic dog, or even a competitive dog, for most of my clients. I’m having a dog rehearse their listening skills and developing a better relationship that is full of engagement with their owners. If I can’t get that outside of the context of their problem behaviours, I will certainly have no chance in getting it when they are.

The Long Answer

Everything I do with a dog I perceive as having a conversation with them. That is why I first condition them to a communication system. In my case I use a marker system that allows me to instantly communicate to the dog that they are doing something right or wrong. They are also instantly aware if they are expected to hold the behaviour or are being released from it.

While conditioning a dog to markers, I make it fun, build drive, and development engagement between the dog and handler. I want the dog to want to work for the handler and perceive it as a fun activity to engage in. While this develops and they learn their makers there is a conversation going on between the handler and the dog. The dog is constantly being asked to do something, the dog is responding, the handler is marking and rewarding or letting them know when they are incorrect and encouraging them to get it right. The dog becomes engaged in the process and understands the conversation completely.

Once we have an engaged dog then we begin to teach the dog obedience that is practical. Yes, some of those coincide with competitive obedience skills but some do not. They are practical in a sense that they allow me to continue have my conversation with the dog. When changing behaviours, I use obedience commands that are incompatible with the problem behaviour. So my conversation is not about the undesired behaviour itself but about the obedience being asked for in the presence of the triggers that cause the undesired behaviour. For instance, if a dog is sitting it can’t be jumping. If a dog is heeling, it can’t be pulling or lunging. So my conversation with the dog could not be any clearer and when done right it allows me to desensitize, or block, or redirect, or build confidence; whatever that particular dog may need while continuing to establishing trust and strengthening a bond between the dog and handler. I’m asking them to do something they’ve learned to enjoy and that they’ve rehearse hundreds of times. I’m asking them to do something they absolutely understand how to do, what the outcome is for doing it and what the consequence is for not. This has all been taught through hundreds of dress rehearsals. They know it to the point that you would believe they are a robot. Just like the golfer who takes thousands of swings to perfect it but when the round is over, they are just normal people – they just happen to be very good at something. The dogs I train are the same in the end. They get to be normal, balanced dogs after they overcome their behaviour issues – they just happen to be very good at obedience. And like the athlete who puts all the work in for the love of the game, so does the dog.

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

Would you like FREE dog training advice? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training? GET ACCESS HERE 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 below of Duke and his dogs.

ARE YOU A TRAINER LOOKING TO BETTER YOUR SKILLS OR SOMEONE WANTING TO LEARN TO BECOME A DOG TRAINER or JOIN THE UPK9 TEAM ? CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN COME AND TRAIN WITH DUKE FERGUSON

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It’s OK, He’s Friendly

April 21, 2015 By Guy Lapierre Leave a Comment

“It’s okay….he’s friendly!!”

Let’s discuss the importance of Off-Leash Recall. How many times have you heard an owner yelling that out to you from afar as his off leash dog runs towards you full tilt while ignoring all his owners attempts to call him back? Often the dogs name is repeated over and over and over, the word “treat” is thrown in for good measure and there’s a hint of desperation in the tone as their dog gets closer and closer.

If you are walking a dog with on leash reactivity or on leash aggression, you already know what is horribly wrong with this picture. You also probably know full well that at this point, it really doesn’t matter if the dog is friendly or not.

If you are “that guy yelling at your dog as he charges towards me and my on leash dog”, let me explain why this is totally unacceptable. Sure, accidents happen, dogs get out and go for a runabout around the neighbourhood…this isn’t the type of scenario I’m referring to. This isn’t a loose dog that someone is trying to catch,…I’m referring to the person who purposely un-clips that leash and allows their dog off leash when they don’t have reliable recall. I’m sure you’ve seen them at the park, I know I have run into my fair share walking through Point Pleasant. This post also isn’t about where you can legally let your dog off leash,…you are responsible for your dog whether the area is designated off leash or not. This is about being in control of your dog if you allow them off leash. Even in designated off leash areas you must be in control of your dog at all times. It is the law. The off leash areas are not “anything goes” areas (although judging by what I’ve witnessed on different occasions you’d think they were). You should be able to call your dog back to you, and leash them, if necessary. If you can’t, your dog should not be off leash and the reason being is that the on leash dog that your dog is running towards may not react well to an unleashed dog coming into their space.

Dogs have 3 options when approached by another dog…

they can submit (accept the dog in their space and sometimes put up with socially awkward or forced greetings). Not all dogs know how to properly meet other dogs.
they can fight. If a dog feels threatened, they are likely to choose this option. (for dogs that have already had a bad on leash experience with another dog, they may have already developed on-leash reactivity or even on-leash aggression)
or then can flee (i.e. avoidance, run away from the dog that is making them uncomfortable) This is not an option for an on leash dog.

If the dog that your off leash dog is running up to is on leash, they now only have 2 choices on how to handle the situation because the leash prevents the flight option. They can either fight or they can submit. Chances are good that you’ve seen a totally submissive dog before….they’re the dog that drops to the ground and rolls over the second a new dog approaches it. In this situation I really hope that the “friendly dog” really is friendly, because a bad experience can change that submissive dog into a reactive dog in a heartbeat.

For dogs that have already had a bad on leash experience with another dog (i.e. leash reactive/on leash aggressive dogs), this scenario can go terribly wrong. A dog that feels threatened while on leash may not wait to see if the approaching dog is going to hurt them, they may defend themselves right away and lash out. This is when fights happen…. totally unavoidable fights between two dogs that should have never met.
This is why it is so important to establish reliable recall before un-clipping that leash and allowing your dog to run.

We’ll assume for the purpose of this post that only “friendly dogs” are being let off lead (although I know for a fact that it is not always the case).

You should be able to call your dog away from an on leash dog that is walking with it’s owner. If you can’t, your dog shouldn’t be off leash.
If you cannot keep your dog in sight and under control, they should not be off leash. (We’ve encountered many “ownerless” dogs in the park).
If you cannot keep track of your dog because you are deep in conversation, (either on or off the phone), your dog shouldn’t be off leash.

This all applies to dogs running up to people without dogs as well. A lot of people enjoy walking in public parks, but that doesn’t mean that they have to put up with being accosted by off leash dogs jumping all over them. This may be common place in actual dog parks, but parks with off leash areas are not “dog parks”, they are for everyone’s enjoyment. It boils down to being respectful of other people and other dogs and doing your part to ensure that your dog and the other dogs you may encounter can be safely exercised whether they are on leash or off leash.

Please….be a responsible dog owner, because even a “friendly dog” can get himself into trouble.

If you want complete off leash control with your dog, including reliable recall, contact me today to discuss your training options.

Guy Lapierre

Unleashed Potential Halifax

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.

Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

Follow us on FACEBOOK and subscribe to us on YouTube

My Last Dog…

April 13, 2015 By Guy Lapierre Leave a Comment

My last dog…

No,…that is not a statement. I have not sworn off dogs and will most certainly welcome another with open arms when our 4 canine family members cross over the Rainbow Bridge.

This isn’t a rant either,…rather an attempt to point out something that some dog owners often get hung up on.

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard a dog owner, while in conversation about their current dog, say….”my last dog”, right before listing traits their last dog had that they wish their new dog possessed.

First things first…unless you extracted DNA from your last dog, cloned that canine and raised it to have the same life experiences as the first dog (which, by the way…is impossible), you will never again have a dog just like your last dog. The dog you now have may look like that dog, or remind you of that dog in some way…but it is not that dog….so please stop focusing on their differences and comparing the two.

When reflecting on the memories of our prior dogs we often forget about the work we did during the puppy years, how much work our parents put into that dog, how we may have had more time (and energy) before the kids came along, how much energy they had when they were younger (we remember their older, mellow/chill years). We remember the good times we had with them, during a different time of our lives…and yet we expect a new dog to be just like them at this point in our lives, after having totally different life experiences.

If your dog is named Max, III…and he isn’t royalty,…you may be having a hard time letting go of “your last dog” (and the one before that).

If you were to remarry after the passing of your spouse, saying “my last wife or husband…” before making a comparison in favour of the latter, it would not go over well with your new spouse. Even though your dog can’t understand, it’s not really fair to compare your current dog to your last dog. Each dog, even if they are the same breed, are individuals and they have had their own unique life experiences that have molded them into the dog that they are today.

I have 3 shepherds….and each one is unique. In fact, none of our dogs, or any of the rescue dogs that have come through our home have ever been “just like” another dog. Of course, some share breed traits, but their personalities are all completely different.

If your new dog needs some training to help them become more obedient, to learn some manners, or achieve off leash recall… then spend some time, put in the work and at the same time make some memories with “your new dog”…because although some good dogs just happen, some good dogs take a little work, and sometimes we forget the work that we did with “our last dog” that made them so awesome.

Posted in loving memory of my Siberian Husky, Ninja, who I lost in the fall of 2014. I miss him dearly and there will never be another dog just like “my last dog”… and that’s OK.

Why not make the best memories possible with your current dog? Contact me to find out how you can unleash their full potential.

Guy Lapierre
Unleashed Potential Halifax
902-403-0102
guyl@upk9.ca