Service Dog Practicing Heel
Lexi’s woman shows how a service dog training never ends. In this video, the psychiatric service dog is focusing intently on her handler...she hardly needs the cue “Heel” because she is already in position (in order to watch her handler). Great work!!
Continue reading
Myra Fourwinds Dog Training
People in the Twin Cities, MN area often ask me if I know someone who could help them find a service dog candidate, or help them train their own dog to be a service dog. We don't do that at Pawsitivity, but I always refer them to Myra Fourwinds at Dog Services. She is now available online, too, via Facebook, or vie mail at [email protected].
Myra also sells some great posters and brochures on both dog training and service dog training, like this one:
Continue reading
Socialization – Notes from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s book, “Before and After Getting a Puppy"
How to Socialize a Puppy
Puppies should meet 5 new people a day (for the first 3 months).
For the first two weeks, the puppy should meet these 5 new people a day at your home (you do it at home because the puppy shouldn’t leave your home in those two weeks because that’s the “fear period,” a strange, one-time period when any negative encounter can traumatize them forever).
To do this:
After you’ve had the dog for a day, invite 5 men (and 1 child) over one night to meet the puppy (maybe even a TV party). They can hand-feed the puppy some kibble, and hold, hug, and touch him.
The next night, invite over 5 women and 1 child (same directions).
Repeat for 11 more days. You can have more than 1 kid at a time after a while.
After 2 weeks, you can then go outside with the dog to meet 5 people a day.
Note: If you don’t do this socialization, the dog won’t like to be hugged, won’t like men, etc.
Continue reading
Potty Training – Notes from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s book, “Before and After
How to Potty Train a Puppy
Intro
The following procedure from Dr. Dunbar is exacting, but if you follow it, the puppy will most likely never potty inside and will most likely never chew on anything it’s not supposed to. Note that Dr. Dunbar is also famous for his method of socializing a puppy. As a result of using this method, the puppy will be potty-trained quickly (because they’ve only done the right thing every time).
Continue reading
Notes from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s book, “Before and After Getting Your Puppy”
In addition to teaching how to crate-train, Dr. Dunbar is most well-known for teaching: How to socialize a puppy, and how to potty-train a puppy.
How to Crate-Train a Puppy
Supplies:
Playpen, crate, bed
No-spill water bowl (no food bowl…all kibble should be fed by putting into the Kongs)
2 Kongs
Puppy pads (only for when you are away from home)
Metal leash (chew- proof…you will often carabiner this to your belt) and carabiner
Slip-collar (the dog doesn’t wear a collar for fear of choking, but you can use the slip collar for a few minutes when bringing the dog out to potty.)
Freeze-dried liver treats (3 lentil-sized chunks per potty)
Puppy kibble
Continue reading
National Suicide Hotline Phone Number: 1-800-273-8255
PTSD and other psychiatric problems can come with a risk of suicide. If you need someone to talk to, the phone number for the national suicide hotline is 1-800-273-8255. It’s free, and it’s open 24/7.
Continue reading
Honoring Henry
We are heartbroken to share the news that Henry, one of the first children we trained a service dog for, has passed away after a short and sudden illness. Since early 2013, service dog Bailey has been Henry's best friend and constant companion, and we have loved watching them grow together. We will miss Henry's laugh, how he cuddled with Bailey when he was supposed to be getting ready for school, and how he loved to sneak treats to his best buddy.
If you would like to honor brave Henry Wills, 100% of your donation will go towards training and providing a service dog for someone special. The service dog will be named after Henry’s favorite song: Sunshine.
Project Australia
We are pausing all current regular fundraising efforts in order to help our Australian efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and relocate animals that are impacted by the devastating wildfires. Please donate to this urgent relief effort.
Testing Ella’s Reactivity
Ella is being trained to help someone with a disability, although we don't know who that will be yet. In a public big-box store with elevators, stairs, moving walkway, parking lot, grocery cart, strangers, and the trainer carrying a garbage can.