by jsymons | Jan 22, 2017 | Dogs Sports
When it comes to dog training, it can be overwhelming with everything we need to train and prepare for to trial. Skills, precision, ring confidence, OUR confidence, weaning off primary and secondary reinforcers, etc. We all have goals and ambitions and want to do...
by jsymons | Jan 6, 2017 | Dogs Sports
The first year with a new dog is a test of patience! So much to train! So much to do! The first year is more about creating good manners, building a strong relationship, and simply learning about each other. For dog trainers, we also want to teach them fun tricks and...
by jsymons | Sep 10, 2016 | Dogs Sports
The last week of August I was on vacation. A staycation. It was a nice break from work and I enjoyed spending the last week of summer before school started for Ryan. I was so excited to have ALL this extra time to train Drac. I quickly realized that you really...
by jsymons | Aug 14, 2016 | Dogs Sports
My new puppy Drac joined our family about 8 months ago and I’ve been reflecting on how each new dog changes us and how we adjust to the new addition. First, it is EXTREMELY exciting to get a new puppy or dog. For dog trainers we always have new training ideas or...
by jsymons | Jul 16, 2016 | Dogs Sports
In the sport of Nosework, I’ve been noticing more and more dogs finding and then leaving odor. There can be many reasons for this, some more obvious than others. One reason a dog may leave source is picking up another scent cone if multiple hides are placed in...
by jsymons | Mar 8, 2016 | Dogs Sports
I’ve been continuing to build Drac’s value for odor, alternating between simple interior hides and containers. I recently introduced him to vented cardboard boxes and was using them in simple searches with just a few containers. ORT stands for Odor...
by jsymons | Feb 25, 2016 | Dogs Sports
A very important stage of learning is generalizing a behavior in new environments and/or with new conditions. With initial behavior training, you usually start in a familiar environment without distractions. If I only train in my living room, will my dog perform the...
by jsymons | Feb 13, 2016 | Dogs Sports
Three weeks ago today I started my new puppy on Nosework. That’s a very short amount of time but in dog training MUCH can be accomplished. I’ve been trying some new tactics – adjusting things for a puppy but also upping the ante when I felt he was...
by jsymons | Feb 9, 2016 | Dogs Sports
It seems not a week goes by without reading or being asked if Nosework interferes with other scent sports, whether being tracking, scent articles or more recently field hunting. We’ve all heard these types of concerns before with other sports. I was told by a...
by jsymons | Jan 29, 2016 | Dogs Sports
I started Drac on Nosework last week. He was 12 weeks old. There was no reason to start at that age, I just knew I wanted to start him soon! The first month of having a new puppy is filled with so much change, adjustment, relationship building, lack of sleep and poop!...
by jsymons | Jan 23, 2016 | Dogs Sports
With Yin, comes Yang! “Nothing is completely Yin or completely Yang. Each aspect contains the beginning point for the other aspect …as one aspect increases the other decreases to maintain overall balance of the whole.” Drac has this adorable natural...
by jsymons | Jan 16, 2016 | Dogs Sports
We’ve survived another week! The name of the game at this age seems to be “what does he have in his mouth now”?? With the gazillion chew toys around, why do they want to chew on wood, cardboard, shoes and every small object?? The week also included...
