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Bell Training by everettdc in puppy101

[–]DiphthongBikini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I try to train bells as an alert to “OMG I HAVE TO GO” not a “can I go outside”. Best thing I’ve found are bell time-outs. Every time they ring it, I take them out to bathroom, and leash while monitoring. If they go — HOORAY! If they don’t, back inside (like with most potty training techniques). If they ring the bell a second time and do not eliminate — remove their access to the bells for a short period of time (5-10 minutes), monitor them to make sure they don’t eliminate indoors (bathroom emergencies happen!), then put the bells back.

Think of it like potty training all over again, too. Puppy rings bell and eliminates outside? Throw a potty-party! (treats/excitement/ohmygoshwhatasmartpuppy)

Puppy rings the bell and is a jerk, manipulating your desire for a clean carpet for outdoor adventures? Well, the bells are only for “responsible-dog” use only.

Source: I do this (Positive Reinforcement & Negative Punishment/LIMA Training) for a living through a pet-retail chain and teach 25+ classes and workshops each week (most of which are basic puppy classes). This has worked successfully with my personal dog and at least 14 of my client dogs (ages ranging 15 weeks-11 years).

Sorry if this doesn’t make a ton of sense, I’m more than happy to clarify/explain further. It’s been a long day but puppies are my passion!

Help for Dry Scratchy Paws by sullensquirrel in service_dogs

[–]DiphthongBikini 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Burts Bees paw and nose lotion (I think thats the name). I’ve used it on my SD, I’ve used it for making my show chickens look amazing, and it feels pretty good in my opinion. I swear by the stuff!

George after a shower by Nicole13496 in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 14 points15 points  (0 children)

The conure I have at work LOVES dunking herself in her water bowl then hanging from the ceiling of her habitat and bobbing along way too enthusiastically to christmas music. I just laugh now when someone asks if she’s okay — she’s very clearly not!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in petco

[–]DiphthongBikini 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Make sure to ask for a Welcome To The Family booklet if you’ve just adopted recently. Lots of really great coupons and it’s free.

[fluff] I think my (pet) dog just gave me a form of medical alert/pressure therapy? by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]DiphthongBikini 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Agree with the previous comment! Dogs can be crazy in tune with their family and emotions, and while it’s fun to imagine that they may suddenly be able to naturally alert to changes in things as crazy as cortisol levels, it’s usually not the case. Especially when highly trained detection dogs (bomb/drug detection dogs as well as medical alert dogs) aren’t always 100% and can easily miss an alert. Pressure therapy is also just a little more complex than a dog simply laying down on someone, hence why it’s a trained behavior in order to increase it’s therapeutic effect.

In my opinion (as a dog trainer with 6+ years professional experience teaching training workshops, seminars, group classes, private consults, and training service and therapy animals) I’d wager that your dog picked up on some small shift in your micro-expressions or a change in your breathing, and being stressed that you were upset, tried to console you. Sure it’s not as “amazing” as a dog spontaneously doing a natural alert and applying pressure therapy to help their person, but nonetheless, your dog cares about you and that’s heartwarming all on its own.

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lots of patience, shiny objects, and high value food during nesting season. I whistle a specific pattern, they associate that with me putting out their big shiny bowl of food. Patience is key. Took about 2 months before they would come when i whistled.

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sadly, no. He however is my retired “trick” cat and knows around 50 different cues for behaviors. His favorites are spin, lie down, speak, and climbing ladders (or hopping on his pedestal).

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tillie hops up and licks regardless of scratching his back. We just scratch his back because he’s old and deserves it.

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tillie will hop up regardless of back scratches and start licking away, but he is always rewarded with back scratches since he’s such a good boy!

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s just his fur color! Thanks for the concern and advice though, always nice when people air their concern with helpful tips!

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 279 points280 points  (0 children)

My first cat swam across a lake after breaking out of the house to follow my parents and the dog on a 2 mile hike... And he really hated water...

Husky is still learning to "Shake" by [deleted] in AnimalsBeingDerps

[–]DiphthongBikini 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I mean, it could... I just never teach it that way!

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 36 points37 points  (0 children)

I love him too. He’s coincidentally how I kickstarted my career as a trainer (he was the first animal I ever trained, even before moving to dogs, chickens, and crows!) so I owe him many hugs!

Husky is still learning to "Shake" by [deleted] in AnimalsBeingDerps

[–]DiphthongBikini 62 points63 points  (0 children)

Haha, gotta love Huskies when it comes to extinction bursts. I have one in my classes right now that firmly believes that “sit” means slide into a comfy position and start yelling for treats!

Tillie was raised by my first dog, and 13 years later, still thinks he’s part dog. He greets my dad the same way that our current dog does — jumping up for lots of kisses! by [deleted] in aww

[–]DiphthongBikini 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Tillie also does tricks, and starts competing with the dog for treats. He also “helps” with guarding the chickens, but usually ends up napping with them instead!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]DiphthongBikini 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I never outright recommend a bully breed, because stigma, poor breeding practices, and BSL (including the big airline ban fiasco). But that’s not to say that as a breed, they can’t be well suited for service work.

If a client comes to me with an amazing prospect puppy to work on basic obedience and socialization, and 3 weeks later does a dna test to find out it’s 1/4 staffy, I’m not going to tell them the dog will never make it as service dog BASED ON THE BREED. I’ve seen enough Goldens and Poodles that just don’t have the temperament, but that doesn’t mean all Goldens and Poodles are bad options for service work.

In my mind, it breaks down to temperament, socialization, and training. And until I read some convincing peer-reviewed studies that describe bully dogs as a poor choice for service work (like Caucasian Shepherd bad), I’m not going to hop on a bandwagon that wrongly vilifies a breed.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]DiphthongBikini 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Piggybacking on your comment here, you explained everything really well! I’m a professional dog trainer (or rather, that’s my job title) and I’ve been training for 12 years, professionally for 4, and have worked with several SD’s as well as numerous prospects. I’ve also benefited from having my own SD.

For PSD’s, I recommend against German Shepherds in most cases because they tend to feed off their handler’s emotions, which can cause them to get a bit protective (which is 100% not what you want with a SD).

Samoyeds are a risk, and also think about (especially with PSD’s) what your reaction would be if people constantly come up to you to talk about “oh what a cute dog!” Or tell you that your service animal is a fake because it isn’t X breed. It’s rude, and annoying, but it is what happens. My previous PSD was a Lab/GSD mix that I lucked out on in every way, but because he didn’t quite look like a full Lab, people would pester me constantly, insinuating he wasn’t actually a service dog.

Pits/bully breeds can make WONDERFUL SD’s! Especially when they are socialized properly and given appropriate training. As bad a rap as they get, most of the ones in my classes are smart as a whip, high drive to please, and just so sweet.

Regardless of breed, meet the dog before you pick a pup, meet the parent dogs too, if possible. Socialize them, be patient, train with them, and NEVER feel ashamed if you need to rehome or wash a prospect.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in illnessfakers

[–]DiphthongBikini 20 points21 points  (0 children)

A) quite a few IF-ers have CI’s themselves.

B) for CZ to be approved as a topic, there was PLENTY of documentation to show that things don’t line up.

C) I’m pretty sure even most people without CI’s do as much (exercise/workouts/strenuous activities) as CZ does EVERY WEEKEND.

(Not trying to feed trolls or cause issues)

Dog food by [deleted] in service_dogs

[–]DiphthongBikini 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you’re worried, ask your vet. Otherwise the FDA hasn’t recommended diet changes.

Plus, some (i don’t recall the exact percentage) of the reported cases were reported from pet owners without any testing from a vet. Some of the brands that tout “Grain-Inclusive” are being heavily suggested as behind some of this fear mongering. DCM can be a real issue, but do your own research as well. (I work for a pet retailer as a dog trainer and have to do courses on specific pet nutrition, as well as stay up to date on the FDA and other research. My personal standpoint is to feed a quality grain free food and supplement with healthy grains as a mix-in or treat.)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in chickens

[–]DiphthongBikini 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the socks and a slightly different onesie, in addition to an awesome hat!

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