Chaar Dog Training - Allentown, PA

May Doggie Events

caitlin — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:45:31 +0000

Saturday May 12th @ 2PM

Sit. Stay. Speak.
“New Puppy”
with Dog Trainer Debi ElChaar

Dog Trainer Debi ElChaar will share helpful tips and information for people who are looking for a new companion or are already proud pet parents. We’ll discuss critical learning periods (birth to 2 years old) and normal puppy behaviors; as well as Prey, Pack and Defensive Drives. An understanding of these topics can be helpful when relating to dogs of all ages.

Please RSVP as seating is limited: 610-437-9978 OR email info@chaar.us

Saturday May 12th @ 3:15PM

May is Dog Bite Prevention Month!

Join us after our Sit. Stay. Speak. seminar for a talk on dog bite prevention. We’ll share tips and tricks for children, parents, and dog owners on how to stay safe around our 4-legged companions. Learn what to do when approached by a strange dog, how to properly greet a new dog, and how to read a dog’s body language and facial expressions to know when it is safe to approach and pet.

Dog bites can be prevented with the right knowledge and awareness! It is so important for families with children that live with and around dogs to learn these easy steps!

Upcoming CGC & Therapy Dog Tests

Thursday May 31 @ 6:30 – ORIENTATION – People only! Please leave your dog at home!
Thursday June 14 @ 6:30 – CGC & Therapy Dog Test
Thursday June 21 @ 6:30 – Therapy Dogs Only
Thursday June 28 @ 6:30 – Therapy Dogs Only

Orientation is free for anyone interested.

Canine Good Citizen test is $20
Therapy Dog test is $20 (you must attend ALL THREE sessions)
or take both for $30

Learn more about the AKC Canine Good Citizen program.

Learn more about Therapy Dogs Inc.

Congratulations New Therapy Dogs!

caitlin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:30:27 +0000

Congrats to our April Therapy Dog Graduates! You guys did a fantastic job at Manor Care!

Saturday April 14th 2PM

Sit. Stay. Speak.
Canine Behavior & Psychology: The 4 Quadrants of Learning
with Dog Trainer Jean Brown

Sometimes dog owners actually teach their dogs bad habits (accidentally, of course!) because they are not aware of what is being reinforced. They may also keep their dog from learning positive skills. How can we avoid teaching bad habits, even fear and aggression? But conversely, how we can undo some of those bad habits?

Dog Trainer Jean Brown explains the process of canine learning and some of the common mistakes we as owners may make during the training process, how to correct them and get these pooches back on the right paw.

Please RSVP as seating is limited: 610-437-9978 OR email info@chaar.us

Easter Weekend Doggie Fun

caitlin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:04:21 +0000

Join us on Saturday, April 7th for some doggone fun!

2:00PM – Doggie Easter Egg Hunt – Does your dog love treats? Put that sniffer to use! Search for treat-filled eggs.

Followed by- Simon Says Obedience Competition – Test your dog’s skills in a fun twist on a classic game.

And - Open Agility Trial – Try it out! We’ll set up a modified course for beginners. Come join the fun and run your dog!

All friendly dogs are welcome. No cost to attend.

Check out pictures from last year’s Doggie Easter Egg Hunt:
Click on the Easter Puppy!

Coming up…

Sit. Stay. Speak.
April 14 @ 2:00pm - Canine Behavior: 4 Quadrants of Learning - with Dog Trainer Jean Brown. Sometimes dog owners actually teach their dogs bad habits (accidentally, of course!) because they are not looking at what is being reinforced. They also keep their dog from learning positive skills. How can we avoid teaching bad habits even fear and aggression? But conversely, how we can undo some of those bad habits? Trainer Jean Brown has Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work .

March 10th Pictures and More Upcoming Events

caitlin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:13:13 +0000

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday, March 10th to make our Pet Food Expo and Sit. Stay. Speak. seminar such a hit! Click the thumbnails below to view pictures of this eventful day.

Pet Food Expo

March Sit. Stay. Speak. Seminar

March 10th Doggie Open Play

Upcoming Doggie Events:

March 30 – April 1 – Clicker Expo – Are you a dog trainer or just really really interested in dog training? Join our trainers at one of our favorite continuing education programs around, in Nashville, TN! Check out the full schedule at http://clickertraining.com/clickerexpo.

April 7th – Doggie Easter Egg Hunt - Get your dog in on the holiday fun! Hop on over to Chaar where we’ll be hiding treat-filled Easter Eggs for your pooch to find! Afterwards join us for a Simon Says Obedience Competition and Open Agility Trial. All friendly dogs welcome, no cost to attend.

Sit. Stay. Speak.
April 14 - Canine Behavior: 4 Quadrants of Learning - with Dog Trainer Jean Brown. Sometimes dog owners actually teach their dogs bad habits (accidentally, of course!) because they are not looking at what is being reinforced. They also keep their dog from learning positive skills. How can we avoid teaching bad habits even fear and aggression? But conversely, how we can undo some of those bad habits? Trainer Jean Brown has Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work .

Mark Your Calendar for March 10th!

caitlin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 17:13:42 +0000

1. Herding / Field Trials & Hunting Clinic:

What: Informational Clinic on Herding, Field Trials, and Hunt Test Dog Sports
When: Saturday, March 10th @ 2PM
Who: Sheep Dog Trials Competitor and Dog Trainer Nancy Ortiz and AKC Field Trials & Hunt Test Judge and Dog Trainer Missy Lemoi

Please RSVP to 610-437-9978 as seating is limited

Learn about the world of Field Trials, Hunting and Herding, the techniques used to train and master these unique skills, and see some cool demos of these dogs in action! You may get the urge to give it a try!

Nancy Ortiz began training sheep dogs in 1990 to help maintain sheep on her farm. She entered her first competitive herding trial in 1991 and qualified for the North American Finals. Nancy now owns and trains 7 herding dogs, including two competitive herding champion Border Collies. She conducts demonstrations and continues to compete, hoping to qualify for the 2013 North American Finals to be held in Virginia.

What is a Herding Trial?
A Herding Trial is a competitive event where herding breed dogs move sheep around an enclosed field or arena, herding them between gates, around fences, and into enclosures along a specified trial pattern. The dogs are guided by their trainers via whistles, hand signals, and calls. Dogs are judged on the accuracy and timeliness of negotiating the pattern while keeping the sheep in line.

Missy Lemoi, owner of Hope Lock Kennels in Easton, PA and Field Product Specialist for Tri-Tronics, has been training retrievers to compete in hunt tests and field trials since 1992. She currently has three Qualified All Age dogs in field trials, one of whom is a Master National Hunter who is also in the Master National Hall of Fame and the other two who are Master Hunters. Missy trains her own dogs and is a judge for AKC hunt tests and field trials.

What are Hunt Tests and Field Trials?
Field Trials are limited to “finished” or fully trained dogs only and are separated into retrievers, pointers, and flushing dogs. The long distances and complex paths in which the dogs are expected to perform require a greater amount of training. Dogs compete against other Field Trial teams to determine a winner.

Hunt Tests are events at which gun dogs of all types are tested against written standards for the breed. These dogs are tested separately to show off their natural and trained abilities to find and retrieve birds in order to earn passes and titles awarded by different organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), North American Hunting Retriever Association (NAHRA), and others.

2. Get To Know Your Pet Food

What: Educational Pet Food Expo
When: Saturday, March 10th, 11AM – 4PM
Who: Brand Reps & Nutritionists

Join us for a Pet Food Expo! Meet the Reps of these healthy pet food brands, grab some samples, and learn what good nutrition can do for your pets!

…and more!

Save the date: Saturday April 14 - Canine Behavior – 4 quadrants of learning - Sometimes dog owners actually teach their dogs bad habits (accidentally, of course!) because they are not looking at what is being reinforced. How can we avoid teaching bad habits even fear and aggression? But conversely, how we can undo some of those bad habits? Dog Trainer Jean Brown shows you the how-to and how-not-to’s of dog training.

Rally-O, Tracking, & Agility February 11 @ 2PM

caitlin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:54:00 +0000

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Sit. Stay. Speak. clinic of February!

Rally-O and Tracking

with AKC Judge and Trainer Dawn Martin

What: Rally Obedience, Tracking and Agility Clinic
When: February 11th @ 2 PM
Who: AKC Judge and Trainer Dawn Martin
Dawn Martin has trained and shown some of the best Trackers and Rally Obedience dogs around. A published and highly knowledgeable breeder of West Highland White Terriers, Dawn will teach you about the sports of Rally Obedience and Tracking, the methods used to train for each, and show you some demos with her dogs.

No charge to attend. Please leave your pets at home!
RSVP, seating is limited: 610-437-9978 or info@chaar.us

What are Rally Obedience and Tracking? Dawn Martin explains:

AKC Rally Obedience is a fun sport that's perfect for the pet dog!

What is Rally-O?

AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.

What is Tracking?
We’ve all seen movies with dogs following the trail of an escapee through swamps. The AKC’s Tracking Tests allow dogs to demonstrate their natural ability to recognize and follow human scent. This vigorous outdoor activity is great for canine athletes. Unlike Agility and Obedience events that require a dog to qualify three times, a dog only needs to complete one track successfully to earn each title.

Please leave your pets at home but bring your curiosity and your questions!
RSVP, seating is limited: 610-437-9978 or info@chaar.us

Coming up…

-March 10th – Herding / Field Trials & Hunting: Learn about the world of Field Trials, Hunting and Herding, the techniques used to train and master these unique skills, and see some cool demos of these dogs in action! Featuring Sheep Dog Trials Competitor and Dog Trainer Nancy Ortiz and AKC Field Trials & Hunt Test Judge and Dog Trainer Missy Lemoi. You may get the urge to give it a try!

View the full Sit. Stay. Speak. agenda.

Help for Dog Aggression

Debi — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 21:49:53 +0000

Aggression is defined by the ASPCA Behaviorist Website as, “threatening or harmful behavior directed toward another individual (a person, another cat or other animals).” Often, the purpose of aggression is to increase the distance between the animal and the perceived threat.

There are innumerable reasons why a dog may show aggression, and usually there is more than one stimulus that could lead toward the behavior. He could be dominant, fearful or guarding. It could be his breeding, hard-wiring of his brain, medical, or nutritional. The bottom line is that we can never be 100% sure of exactly why he is reacting in an aggressive manner. But, we can learn what might cause a reaction and we can train the dog to be more comfortable and mannerly with stimulus at closer ranges.

Think of a person who’s afraid of swimming. Without talking to him or her about his past, you couldn’t find out why he’s afraid. Even then, knowing why isn’t going to help much when it comes to getting him in the water. The best approach to getting that person to try swimming would be a very gradual process with lots of “baby steps.” First, go in the baby pool, then the shallow end of the pool. Then, the junior pool (with floaties). . You may never be able to get him in the deep end but you can teach him to be comfortable and even enjoy the calm water of the junior pool. You also need to make each step of the way successful and rewarding.

Many behavior experts use classical conditioning and sub threshold type activities. In order to change the way a dog feels and behaves, when dealing with emotional arousal, we need to change the way he feels along with understanding basic commands in increasingly stressful situations. It’s not complicated, but it does take time.

For safety sake, we might use barriers like crates, distance, or a comfortable muzzle when training. (We call the muzzle the happy mask and teach dogs to enjoy them.) Any training and management must start with a risk assessment. Make a list of any past aggression, observe behavior and body language. Owners need to learn to read their dog’s body language, recognize and avoid the dog’s triggers, and above all exercise caution to prevent contact with those triggers.

Each time the dog uses aggression it is a learning experience. He gets to practice. That’s not what you want. Avoid any confrontation that may escalate behavior. That does not mean you allow the dog to rule the house. Effective training should comprise of a combination of basic principles of psychology, and common sense.

Some trainers may advocate punishment to make the dog stop barking, lunging, growling. The downside of that approach is that you may be just suppressing the warning signs of an attack, but not the attack itself. Try to appreciate how the dog must be feeling to be displaying so many signs of discomfort.

To understand warning signs or lack thereof, take a look at this video clip. Look closely at the dog, he has been trained not to move and tolerate people but you can see he is very uncomfortable. Ears back, mouth closed, eyes shifting, lip licking. The officer does not read his dog’s warning signs (which don’t include barking and lunging) very well. The dog holds still until he can’t take it any more and bites.

With proper management and conditioning aggression is often controllable. Some dogs with severe problems may require medication along with behavior training to get started. Talk to your veterinarian. It could take weeks, months or in some cases, years of work, depending on your dog and your level of commitment to the process.

The Story of Mikey:

I have a Boston Terrier, Mikey, who used to show extreme anxiety and high aggression toward strange dogs. He displayed the behavior up to 100 feet away from other dogs. To curb this behavior I first had to increase his repertoire of behaviors I liked. I focused on teaching him to pay attention to me, and made sure he could do what I asked in different locations under mildly stressful situations like walking really, really far away (think it was something like 100 yards) outside of our local dog park and in our training room with one other really nice calm dog. Over a several months we gradually reduced the distance to about 10 feet. I had to use high value rewards to help Mikey forget about the other dogs (and a healthy dose of, “I mean it!” when necessary). My weapons of choice were boiled chicken and string cheese. I ensured success by being attentive to his body language and leaving or ending the training session if he looked like he was going to get stressed. By keeping Mikey focused on me and successful his anxiety level was reduced and he was able to tolerate our multi-month journey of slowly getting closer to, ignoring, and being in the presents of other dogs.

These days Mikey actually shows great focus on me when we’re near other dogs. This is partly due to the classical conditioning he experienced when he got tasty morsels from me whenever we were approaching other dogs, ( he somewhat associates other dogs with getting food from me) and, partly due to him being able to obey commands even tho he may be excited. It’s important to note that I did wean him of treats in the final stages of training away from aggression and he no longer “needs” treats to exhibit the improved behavior.

Although Mikey has improved drastically, I still have to pay close attention to his body language to prevent putting him in a situation that may be too stressful and trigger a relapse.

So the question that remains is, “Can you train an aggressive dog to be not aggressive?” The answer isn’t always a straightforward “yes” or “no.” But you can almost always reduce or diminish aggressive behaviors. You start small and with the not-so-scary stuff, make training short, and make it very rewarding.

Recommended Reading:

Culture Clash and Fight by Jean Donaldson,

Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor.

Calming Signals video or book by Turid Rugaas

“Behavior Protocol” series by Dr. Karen Overall.

There are also some good websites. Try www.leerburg.com or www.dogstardaily.com. Always use caution; however, when seeking advice online. Make sure you’re learning from a reputable source.

If you need help, ask for help from a reputable trainer at the first sign aggression or anxiety. Ask how the trainer plans to approach training and make sure you are comfortable with it. There are many good dog trainers out there who can help you (and some bad ones so don’t be too hasty to make a lifetime commitment to one).
Although, house calls, phone calls and emails have become popular, it can be extremely frustrating for clients to get a hold of “trainers/behaviorists*” who work out of the back of their car. You want your trainer to have made a commitment to his/her business and is easily accessible.

(*”Behaviorist” is the new buzz word in dog training and almost everyone calls themselves a behaviorist so take it with a grain of salt unless you see the diploma on the wall from an accredited school.)

Hot Paws

Debi — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:14:29 +0000

It looks like we just had our first heat wave here in the Lehigh Valley, but heat or no heat, chances are your dog still needs to get out for a walk. One commonly overlooked aspect of summer dog walking is foot health. Pavement and concrete temperatures can soar well above the outside air temperature, especially in direct sunlight. Those extra degrees can do a number on your pup’s paws. How would you like to take a stroll on the urban equivalent of a bed of hot coals? Lucky for us there are some helpful solutions to this problem. One of the most obvious solutions is to walk in shaded and grassy areas. Evening walks can be nice because the air is cooler, but the turf might still be hot – try early mornings instead. Sometimes switching up the locale or time just wont work. That’s when it’s time to find alternative ways to protect those paws. Dog boots with durable rubber soles, like the RuffWear Skyliner can stand up to the heat and survive walk after walk. If it’s really really hot, try an insulated boot. The insulation will act as one more barrier to keep the heat out (sort of like a cozey for your drink). Bark ‘n’ Boots is one example of an insulated dog boot.

Things you can’t do when you’re not a dog.

caitlin — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 19:03:42 +0000

Thanks to Jennifer C. for sharing this video with us!

A ridiculous look at what dogs can get away with but humans can’t.

Enjoy!

Why Take Puppy Class?

Debi — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:25:39 +0000

Puppy Class
– For puppies 7 – 16 weeks

Statement from American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior www.AVSABonline.org

The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation manifested as excessive fear, withdrawal or avoidance behavior. For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.

Because the first three months are the period when sociability outweighs fear, this is the primary window of opportunity for puppies to adapt to new people, animals, and experiences. Incomplete or improper socialization during this important time can increase the risk of behavioral problems later in life including fear, avoidance, and/or aggression. Behavioral problems are the greatest threat to the owner-dog bond. In fact, behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues, not infectious diseases, are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age.

While puppies’ immune systems are still developing during these early months, the combination of maternal immunity, primary vaccination, and appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavior problem.

Veterinarians specializing in behavior recommend that owners take advantage of every safe opportunity to expose young puppies to the great variety of stimuli that they will experience in their lives. Enrolling in puppy classes prior to three months of age can be an excellent means of improving training, strengthening the human-animal bond, and socializing puppies in an environment where risk of illness can be minimized.

For this reason, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated.

In general, puppies can start puppy socialization classes as early as 7-8 weeks of age. Puppies should receive a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days prior to the first class and a first deworming. They should be kept up-to-date on vaccines throughout the class.

The Process of Socialization: Puppies should be handled from birth, learning to accept manipulation of all body parts. Every effort should be made to expose them to as many different people, well-socialized animals, situations, places, etc. as possible. Puppies should be encouraged to explore, investigate, and manipulate their environments. Interactive toys and games, a variety of surfaces, tunnels, steps, chutes, and other stimuli can enrich the puppy’s environment. Puppies should accompany their breeders/owners on as many car trips as possible. These exposures should continue into adulthood to maintain an outgoing and sociable dog.

Weekly puppy classes can offer a safe and organized means of socializing puppies and more quickly improve their responsiveness to commands. Each puppy should have up-to-date vaccinations and be disease and parasite free before entering the class. Where possible, classes should be held on surfaces that are easily cleaned and disinfected (e.g. indoor environments). Visits to dog parks or other areas that are not sanitized and/or are highly trafficked by dogs of unknown vaccination or disease status should be avoided.

Classes should be based on positive reinforcement with frequent rewards praise, petting, play and/or treats. Positive and consistent training is associated with fewer behavioral problems and greater obedience than methods that involve punishment and/or encourage human dominance.

Time must be scheduled for puppies to play alone with their favorite toys (such as stuffed food toys). This teaches puppies to amuse themselves, and may help to prevent problems of over attachment to the owners. Continuing to offer dogs a wide variety of experiences during their first year of life is also helpful in preventing separation-related behavior.

Proper confinement training using pens or crates helps to ensure that puppies have safe and secure places for rest and confinement. Puppies that are used to being crated will be less stressed if they must be hospitalized or be confined for travel by plane or car. Crates should serve as comfort or play areas.

Early and adequate socialization and programs of positive training can go a long way to preventing behavior problems and improving bonding between humans and dogs. While the first three months is the most important socialization period in a puppy’s life, owners of puppies that have passed this milestone are strongly encouraged to continue to socialize their puppies to as many people, pets, and locations as is practical.

Other topics in this class include, play biting, potty training, chewing, intro to marker training (some people use a clicker), how to develop a gentle play style & attention, leash walking and come when called.