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PUPPY SOCIALIZATION | Building Confidence in Your Dog

March 4, 2022 By Duke Ferguson 2 Comments

A 5-Step Puppy Socialization Exercise to Build More Confidence in Your Dog!

If you’re looking for ways to socialize and build confidence in your puppy or an older dog of any age, then this video is for you. Watch as I take you inside one of my private training sessions and introduce you to a very powerful, next-level socialization exercise that many quality working kennels will do with their dogs.  You’ll see a vibrant 16-week old pitbull puppy named Echo as she goes through all of the steps that I’m going to teach you.  This is the first time she will experience this form of socialization.

I’ll teach five levels that you can add on and keep the momentum going as your dog becomes more and more confident. This puppy socialization exercise is very simple and very fun. It is also an extremely powerful way to have your dog learn to try hard on its own and become more confident.

 

 

If you enjoyed this video, please Subscribe to our YouTube channel (P.S. Click the bell icon to get notifications when we post a new video).

 

Steps to Socialize Your Puppy

puppy in empty kiddie pool

Step 1:  Introduce the kiddie pool or something that can contain bottles or other safe objects.   The pool is empty at this point, you just want your puppy to experience the difference in texture and sound. We let the dog explore with a loose leash. Drop pieces of kibble or high-value treats in the pool as your dog is in it. Make it a great place to be!

 

puppy and bottles in a kiddie pool

Step 2: Let your puppy jump out and add some empty water bottles to the pool making sure to leave lots of empty space.   As your dog jumps in, drop in more pieces of kibble, let your dog search around for the food. The sound of the moving bottles will be a different experience and this is part of socialization. The food is a reward and the dog learns to overcome the stress of the moving bottles.

 

puppy about to enter bottle filled pool

Step 3:  Add even more water bottles to the pool.  Enough that the dog must push through some bottles in order to get the food.

 

Step 4:  As your dog is searching for food, tap the side of the pool to add some distraction and offer reassurance through some gentle petting and praise through touch. This helps build confidence because you as the handler are giving that support in this new environment.

 

Step 5:  The last step of this exercise to build confidence in your dog is to move around the bottles as they search for the food.  In this case, I’m using a stick to move around bottles and randomly tap the pool.  This is another form of distraction and it socializes the dog to all sorts of sounds, textures, and situations.

 

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Recommended Products for This Exercise:

 

Training Clicker

Dog Treat Pouch

 

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 Puppy Socialization should be fun!

 

Big Dog in Kid Pool

This can be done with older dogs too, it’s a great way to develop that trusting relationship between you and your dog.  It’s our hope that this video will help you think of other ways you can socialize your dog.  Get creative and remember always start off slowly and add another level as your dog is comfortable.  Use these exercises as an opportunity to train your dog using his kibble as a reward.  Throw that food dish away and get a treat pouch and feed your dog while you train!

 

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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?

Contact us HERE

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

Free dog training videos

Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, UPK9 Main Blog

Prong Collar Training | The Loose Leash Walking Game

May 3, 2021 By Duke Ferguson 2 Comments

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

If you enjoyed this video, please Subscribe to our YouTube channel (P.S. Click the bell icon to get notifications when we post a new video).

 

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?

FREE TRAINING: mini-video series:  GET ACCESS HERE  

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

Contact us HERE

Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, UPK9 Main Blog

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

April 29, 2019 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

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!

If you enjoyed this video, please Subscribe to our YouTube channel (P.S. Click the bell icon to get notifications when we post a new video)

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

Would you like FREE  puppy training or 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.  This mini-series is not found on YouTube… Get Access Now… You will love it!

Contact us HERE

 

Want to book a workshop with Duke Ferguson? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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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

 

 

Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, UPK9 Main Blog

Join Duke Ferguson in Monroe, Washington March 22nd, 23rd and 24th, 2019! Art of Attention / NePoPO® Workshop!

February 23, 2019 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment


Duke Ferguson Owner / CEO of Unleashed Potential K9 Academy® and Creator of Dog Training Genesis is coming to Sparks K9 training centre in Monroe, WA USA!!  March 22nd, 23rd, and 24th 2019.
Come and learn from one of the best in the world!

Hosted by John Sparks of Sparks K9 Services!! Join Duke Ferguson for a 3-day dog training workshop located at Sparks K9 Services Training Centre in Monroe, WA & learn how to get the very best out of your dog.

 

I am super pumped to work with you! I have spent the past 31 years studying dog training methods and applications from some of the best dog trainers and schools around the world and continue to do so. Incase you did not know, I am also a  Dog Business Consultant, Mentor, Teacher & Coach to many great professional dog trainers around the world and I want to share with you the secrets to my training success.

You can see My bio HERE

Come and learn a modern day, real world, balanced approach that is based on science, mother nature and creativity. Learn to get your dog to respond to you with heart and soul, learn the NePoPo® way!

Imagine what it would be like to have your dog learn to love paying attention and responding to you no matter what, no matter where. What would that be like for you?

Who can attend this workshop?   Professional companion dog trainers & service dog trainers, rescue groups, volunteers & fosters, dog walkers, boarding and training daycare workers, k9 handlers & dog sport enthusiasts who want to better their knowledge and skills and have the dogs perform at a higher level. I also welcome companion pet owners who are in need of help fixing undesired behaviours and who want to decrease stress, and liability in their life.

There are no special audit spots or working spots so everyone is welcome to bring their dog as this will be a hands on workshop. If you choose not to bring a dog that is fine, you will still have a chance to do some hands on….even if you’re training a human 😉

All breeds and behaviour issues are welcome….including aggression. (muzzles are required for any reactive or aggressive dogs).

“Preparation Homework”  IMPORTANT NOTE!!
ALL DOGS MUST BE HUNGRY, MOTIVATED AND WILLING TO WORK!
All who are attending should watch this 6 video mini series to prepare for this event at the link below.

Free Mini Video Series Sign up.

 Remember to bring regular meals and rewards of high value like treats and a favourite toy.

The workshop may be called  “The Art of Attention” and the group focus exercise on day two is just one fun helpful thing we do to get serious attention and control when needed for safety and sanity reasons…BUT…it’s not just about having the dog look at you.   This workshop is so much more than that.
  • It’s teaching you a complete system that creates harmony, clear communication, ignition, hope and a love for all behaviours the dog is to perform for you.
  • It’s about you learning to successfully condition the dog to willingly and eagerly pay attention to you and what you want the dog to do while giving you heart and soul.
  • It’s about learning to condition automatic responses and having the dog think and make wise choices.
  • It’s teaching you a powerful system that enables you to get the most from your dog with the least amount of effort. This system is the reason I named a series of  You Tube videos on Unleashed Potential K9 TV “The Lazy Dog Trainer”.
  • It’s about teaching you how to build an amazing relationship between you and your dog.
  • It’s about having life changing experiences, ah-ha moments, taking the system home and implementing it in daily life.

What will you be Learning at the Art of Attention Workshop? 

  • Understand why dogs do what they do, how they do it and what we need to do about it to help the dog find its advantage.
  • Learn the NePoPo® recipe and tools used.
  • Understand clear communication and establishing it with the dog.
  • 3 keys of training and shaping behaviours.
  • Pros & cons of positive training.  Pros and cons of using pressure, corrections and punishment.
  • Charging marks, free shaping vs luring and hands-on training exercises with people and then dogs.
  • E-collar conditioning and working hands on with people then dogs.
  • Understanding behaviours as well as how to shape and modify them.
  • One-on-one work with your dog and me.
  • Group work adding distractions.

I fully understand that all people & dogs who are attending will have different levels of experience, different behaviour issues and different goals. I will be sure to work at everyone’s individual level and adjust the training recipe according to each persons and dogs needs.

In past workshops I have trained everything from deaf dogs, blind dogs, children and dogs, older dogs, puppies, people in wheelchairs and those who have other disabilities.

On social media? your welcome to check out the Facebook Event Page Here

If you want to book one-on-one coaching while I’m in the area then email me personally to set up a time.  duke@upk9.ca

NOTE: Private, one-on-one training/coaching spots are not part of the event and very limited so they will go very fast!

Know anyone else who would benefit from this event? Please SHARE this and help me reach those people and dogs who are in need of improving their situation in life.

 If you want more reliability, safety, freedom, joy and peace of mind for you, your dog or your clients then this workshop is a must for you. Do not pass up this opportunity! This is your chance!!

Check out promo video in the link below:


Breakfast, lunch & snack will be provided. Also discounted rates are available for a hotel room. (INFO COMING SOON)

 

**REGISTER NOW AND SAVE – EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION**PLUS BE ENTERED IN TO WIN A UPK9 BRAND MINI EDUCATOR E-COLLAR ( Valued at $299) 
Save $50. Now! Register before Friday, March 15th, 2019 and get your spot for $550. After March 15th, the ticket price will be $600.

 

Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, UPK9 Main Blog

Bob-A-Lot Food Dispenser Toy Review with Duke Ferguson of Unleashed Potential

May 23, 2016 By Duke Ferguson Leave a Comment

To get your own “Bob – A – Lot” Click the Green buy now button below now!

Bob-A-Lot food dispenser toy review with Duke Ferguson CEO of Unleashed Potential K9 Academy. Watch the video to see what Master Trainer Duke says about this Starmark toy. In this video he will explain why he likes this toy from the durability to setting the difficulty for the dog to obtain the food. He explains how to set up the toy for your pup. At the end he gives it to his 8 month old pup Matrix to demonstrate to you how much she loves to push it around and work for her meal. Once you have watched the video and think this product is for you, Duke will explain how you can obtain one.

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? OR to just learn more about Duke’s philosophy on dog training?  GET ACCES HEE 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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Learn More About Dog Training Genesis CLICK HERE !

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Filed Under: Duke Ferguson, UPK9 Main Blog

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RSS The Weekly Recall with Duke Ferguson

  • #31 Repairing Trust When Communication Breaks Down
    What happens when communication falls apart and trust starts slipping away? In this episode of The Weekly Recall, Duke tackles one of the most common problems trainers and dog owners face. A breakdown in communication. The same thing that creates tension with dogs can also create conflict with clients, spouses, teams, and even ourselves. Duke […]

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