Potty Training for Puppies
– Potty Training Your Puppy the Positive Way
Potty Training for Adult Dogs
– Potty Training a Dog of Any Age with Positive Rewards
Crate Training
– Teach Fido to be “crate trained”
Author: Sundogsdave
FAQ
What kind of training do you offer?
What is a “Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)”?
Why Use Positive Reinforcement (Reward-Based) Training?
When is the best time to start puppy training?
What kind of training do you offer?
We specialize in private in-home training for puppies, adolescent, and adult dogs. Sundogs Training focuses on coaching you how to teach your dog effectively using proven and gentle methods. Training your dog to engage with you enhances your relationship together. You will understand each other better and your dog will learn how to be the well-mannered family member you hoped for.
Private in-home lessons are the most effective and least stressful environment for both you and your dog to learn. Working with your dog in the comfort of your home, one-on-one with an expert, enables you to be able to teach your dog new behaviors without the distraction of a class setting. You learn it correctly from the start, and so does your dog. All of your questions will be answered and there is no pressure on either of you. If you have a dog that is fearful or easily overstimulated, this is the ideal setting for you.
We focus on teaching our clients how to effectively communicate with their dog to get the behavior they want, which results in a dog that is a well-mannered, well-adjusted family member. Our training is dog-friendly, using contemporary, reward-based methods that are recommended by the most highly regarded Professional Dog Trainers, Applied Animal Behaviorists, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.
What is a “Pat Miller Certified Trainer (PMCT)”?
Pat Miller is a world-renowned dog trainer, author and educator. Her business, Peaceable Paws, is located in Fairplay, MD. Peaceable Paws’ mission is to foster harmony between the human and non-human animals of our world through dog training and animal behavior consultation services and seminars; consulting services for animal protection organizations; and writings that support and promote a philosophy of respect for life. Her training methods incorporate a strong commitment to positive reinforcement and reward in place of old-fashioned coercion and use of force.
To achieve a PMCT2 Certification, one must have successfully completed at least four Peaceable Paws Academies, three of which must be Level 1 Basic Training and Behavior, Level 2 Behavior Modification, and Level 3 Advanced Training and Behavior Study. In addition, all PMCT2s must submit at least one approved behavior case analysis per year, and complete 30 CEUs every 3 years. These requirements ensure a well-rounded background in training and behavioral as well as continual updates on the latest research and techniques.
Why Use Positive Reinforcement (Reward-Based) Training?
Positive Reinforcement Training has many advantages –
- Your dog learns quickly!
- It’s fun! Dogs think it’s a game and their people love the relationship they develop with their dog.
- It’s fast and you can integrate it into your daily activities with your dog. Training sessions are short . . . 5 minutes at a time.
- It’s mentally stimulating for your dog and enriches your dog’s life.
- It’s effective. It teaches your dog to offer behaviors that you reinforce.
- Reward-based training is based on operant conditioning. It’s like a science because it IS a science.
- Your dog will learn to think, make good decisions, and develop self-control.
When is the best time to start puppy training?
The sooner you start training your puppy, the better! Years ago, we didn’t start training puppies until they were 6 months old because of the harsh and aversive methods that were used. But, today, because we use dog-friendly, reward-based methods, you can’t start too soon. So, as soon as you get your puppy, start training and socializing. But, please do not take your puppy to the dog park where you may expose your puppy to health hazards and unpredictable dogs.
Books and Authors
Pat Miller
The Power of Positive Dog Training – The positive training tools you need to share a lifetime of fun, companionship, and respect with your dog.
Do Over Dogs: Give Your Dog a Second Chance for a First Class Life – A Do-Over Dog is any dog that you think needs make that deserves a second chance in life.
How to Foster Dogs: From Homeless to Homeward Bound – This book deals specifically with the care and training needs of foster dogs and how the fostering process works when done through a formal arrangement with an organization like a shelter or breed rescue group.
Positive Perspectives 2: Know Your Dog, Train Your Dog – A complete dog training, puppy raising, problem solving, and basic health guide.
Patricia B. McConnell
For the Love of a Dog: Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend – teaches both beginning dog owners and experienced dog lovers how to read the more subtle expressions hidden behind fuzzy faces and floppy ears.
The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs – shares a revolutionary, new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs.
Jean Donaldson
Culture Clash – A revolutionary new way of understanding the relationship between humans and domestic dogs.
Oh Behave!: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker – Readers are challenged to think, to learn how to separate fact from myth, and evaluate the variety training methods currently being espoused in the popular media.
Karen Pryor
Don’t Shoot the Dog! : The New Art of Teaching and Training – insights into animal—and human—behavior.
Jolanta Benal
The Dog Trainer’s Guide to a Happy, Well-Behaved Pet – Whether you’ve just welcomed a new puppy into your life, or are facing some struggles with an already beloved family member, Jolanta has sound advice on everything you want to know.
Web links
While we make every effort to provide up-to-date information, occasionally some articles and links are removed or become unavailable. If you find some of these links are no longer active, please let us know.
Doggy Day Care – Fun for Fido or Not?
Canine Body Language | ASPCA
Association of Professional Dog Trainers
Visual Breed Identification
10 Reasons NOT to Use a Retractable Leash
Loose Dog? Don’t chase! Stop, Drop and Lie Down
Dog Shock Collar – The Good and The Bad
New findings on shock collars: why the UK wants to ban them
AVSAB (American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior) Position Papers
Position Statement Regarding Cruelty Investigation of Cesar Millan
Position Statement on Breed Specific Legislation
Position Statement on the Use of Punishment in Training
Position Statement on the Use of the Dominance Concept in Training
Position Statement on the Importance of Proper Socialization for Puppies
Sit, Stay, Play!
Objective: Have your adolescent puppy learn basic good manners
Description: For dogs 1 year and older on the class start date. Dogs learn basic good manners – polite greeting, sit, down, walk on a leash, come, leave it, trade, off, etc. – and fun dog tricks. We also discuss other dog behavior challenges according to class need/interest. Session is 7 weeks long, once a week, unless otherwise specified. Each class lasts approximately 60 minutes.
With one-on-one attention you will benefit from close and detailed analysis and application.
Information: 7-week, private sessions, $625.
Prerequisites:
- Friendly with other dogs and people
- Current on vaccines
- Owner eager to learn
Required:
- Treat bag with lots of high-value treats
- 6′ fixed leash
- Clicker
- Regular collar, or e-z walk harness, or martingale / no-slip harness, or back clip harness for dogs under 35 lbs.
Not allowed
- Prong collars
- Choke chains
- E/shock collars
- Extension leads
Adult Good Manners
Objective: Have your adolescent puppy learn basic good manners
Description: For dogs 1 year and older on the class start date. Dogs learn basic good manners – polite greeting, sit, down, walk on a leash, come, leave it, trade, off, etc. – and fun dog tricks. We also discuss other dog behavior challenges according to class need/interest. Session is 7 weeks long, once a week, unless otherwise specified. Each class lasts approximately 60 minutes.
With one-on-one attention you will benefit from close and detailed analysis and application.
Information: 7-week, private sessions, $625.
Prerequisites:
- Friendly with other dogs and people
- Current on vaccines
- Owner eager to learn
Required:
- Treat bag with lots of high-value treats
- 6′ fixed leash
- Clicker
- Regular collar, or e-z walk harness, or martingale / no-slip harness, or back clip harness for dogs under 35 lbs.
Not allowed
- Prong collars
- Choke chains
- E/shock collars
- Extension leads
Puppy Good Manners (over 16 weeks)
Objective: Have your adolescent puppy learn basic good manners
Description: For puppies over 16 weeks on the class starting date. Puppies learn basic good manners – polite greeting, sit, down, walk on a leash, come, leave it, trade, etc. – and some fun tricks too. We also discuss other puppy behavior challenges according to class need/interest. Session is 7 weeks long, once a week, unless otherwise specified. Each class lasts approximately 60 minutes, including puppy playtime during each class.
With one-on-one attention you will benefit from close and detailed analysis and application.
Information: 7-week, private sessions, $625.
Prerequisites:
- Friendly with other dogs and people
- Current on vaccines
- Owner eager to learn
Required:
- Treat bag with lots of high-value treats
- 6′ fixed leash
- Clicker
- Regular collar, or e-z walk harness, or martingale / no-slip harness, or back clip harness for dogs under 35 lbs.
Not allowed
- Prong collars
- Choke chains
- E/shock collars
- Extension leads
Puppy Socialization and Basic Good Manners (8-16 weeks)
Objective: Have your adolescent puppy learn basic good manners
Description: For puppies 8-16 weeks on the class starting date. During the first 4 months of a puppy’s life, socializing him to his world should be your top priority. Learn how to properly socialize your pup in this fun class based on real-life scenarios and filled with plenty of puppy playtime. Puppies will also learn basic good manners while you learn how to tackle common puppy issues like house-training, chewing and biting. Session is 6 weeks long, once a week, unless otherwise specified. Each class lasts approximately 60 minutes.
With one-on-one attention you will benefit from close and detailed analysis and application.
Information: 7-week, private sessions, $625.
Prerequisites:
- 8 to 16 weeks of age
- Current on vaccines
- Owner eager to learn
Required:
- Treat bag with lots of high-value treats
- 6′ fixed leash
- Clicker
- Regular collar, or e-z walk harness, or martingale / no-slip harness, or back clip harness for dogs under 35 lbs.
Not allowed
- Prong collars
- Choke chains
- E/shock collars
- Extension leads
Dogs About Town
Objective: Strut your stuff with confidence!
Description: Is your dog generally well-behaved, but still pulls and can be out-of-control on walks? Ever dream about walking around town with ease and confidence? If so, then this is the class you need.
With a small class size (no more than 4 participants), you will benefit from close and detailed attention. Classwork includes polite greetings and good leash manners.
Information: 4-week class, one 75 minute session per week, multiple participants up to 4. $225.
Also available as a one-on-one class, one session per week, $425.
- Prerequisites:
-
- Proficient with a verbal “Sit”
- Non-aggressive with other dogs and people
- Physically able to walk at a steady pace
- Required:
-
- Treat bag with lots of high-value treats
- 6′ fixed leash
- Clicker
Capturing Sit
Objective: Teach Fido to sit when asked
Why this is important…
- Provides verbal control over Fido
- Prevents other behaviors such as jumping
- Keeps Fido focused and promotes good manners
- Can be used to teach or as a part of other behaviors
- Work in a quiet place without distractions
- Have clicker and treats at the ready
- Observe Fido carefully without staring. Click! immediately every time Fido sits
- Give a treat and toss another treat a few feet away to reset Fido
- When Fido is sitting repeatedly without being asked, add the verbal cue Sit! just as Fido is offering the behavior.
- Practice doing ten, 3 minute sessions with verbal cue
- Add a verbal cue
- Work in a quiet place without distractions
- When Fido is sitting repeatedly without being asked, add the verbal cue Sit! just as Fido is offering the behavior – Click!
- Practice doing at least ten, 3 minute sessions with verbal cue given as the sit is being offered
- Get Fido’s attention and ask for a sit ahead of the behavior. Click when the butt hits the ground. Ask only once and wait at least 45 seconds for Fido to comply.
- If Fido does not know what you are asking, back up to step 2b and do five to ten more 3 minute sessions before trying step 2d again. If Fido complies with the request give a jackpot of treats.
- Continue short training sessions giving verbal command to elicit sit behavior and Click! to mark the behavior.
- Add duration slowly by requiring Fido to sit for longer periods before giving the treat. (seconds not minutes)
- Practice in different areas of the home
- Fading the clicker
- When Fido is offering solid sit behavior when asked, replace every other Click! with the praise word “Good” or “Yes”. Gradually fade out the Click! completely and just use the key praise word.
- Continue to treat while using the praise word.