Harnessing Calmness with the "Sit on the Dog" Exercise

Harnessing Calmness with the "Sit on the Dog" Exercise
Discover the power of the "Sit on the Dog" exercise to bring calmness to your furry friend's life, even in the midst of distractions. Developed by renowned dog trainer Margot Woods, this exercise empowers dogs to find their calm on their own. Whether your dog is hyperactive or has aggression issues, the "Sit on the Dog" exercise can work wonders.

By following a step-by-step guide, you can teach your dog to transition into a down position and maintain a state of calmness for 30 minutes. With patience, consistency, and understanding, you can help your dog develop this invaluable skill. As your dog progresses, you can introduce more distractions and continue strengthening their ability to stay calm.

If you encounter any challenges along the way, Margot Woods provides troubleshooting resources on her blog, including detailed instructions and pictorial guides. Incorporating the "Sit on the Dog" exercise into your routine can transform your dog's behavior and strengthen the bond between you and your furry companion. Get started on unlocking your dog's full potential by contacting Sarah at sarah@scotchpinesdt.com for personalized guidance and a tailored training plan.
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Overcoming Over-Excitement: A Guide to a Calmer Canine During Festivities

 Overcoming Over-Excitement: A Guide to a Calmer Canine During Festivities
In this blog post, we learn how to manage our dogs' over-excitement during the holiday season, allowing them to join in on the festivities without becoming overly hyper. The post suggests engaging our dogs in sniffing activities to stimulate their brain and improve their mental well-being. It also emphasizes the importance of teaching them calmness, introducing the "settle" command as a powerful tool to help them calm down on command. Practice is key, and the post provides tips for successful training sessions. By implementing these techniques, we can ensure a calm and joyful holiday season for both us and our furry friends.
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Controlling Barking and Jumping: Tips for a Pleasant Presence

 Controlling Barking and Jumping: Tips for a Pleasant Presence
In this blog post, we learn valuable techniques for managing our dogs' behavior when guests arrive. The first step is doorbell desensitization, ensuring a calm entrance for guests. Then, we focus on addressing excessive barking using a vinegar-water mixture as a correction. For jumping, we recommend using a leash or tether to prevent the dog from jumping on guests. Implementing a greeting protocol and introducing a "settle" command are also helpful in promoting a calm state of mind. By following these techniques and staying consistent, we can ensure our dogs greet guests with composure and create a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
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Doorbell trigger a barking symphony and an overexcited dog? Let's fix that!

Doorbell trigger a barking symphony and an overexcited dog? Let's fix that!
Is your dog always going crazy when the doorbell rings? Don't worry, you're not alone. Luckily, with the right training, you can help your furry friend stay calm and composed during doorbell chimes. Our step-by-step guide to mastering doorbell desensitization will teach you everything you need to know.

To start, it's important to understand the desensitization process. We have inadvertently trained our dogs to associate the doorbell with excitement and chaos, but we can recondition their response. By following our guide, you can train your dog to see the doorbell as something ordinary in as little as a week.

With consistent training and the use of our special Doorbell Desensitization Replay, you can ensure your dog is well-prepared for the upcoming holiday season. Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll explore more tips and tricks to control barking and jumping.
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Getting Ready for a Calm Holiday Season with Your Dog

Getting Ready for a Calm Holiday Season with Your Dog

The holiday season is fast approaching, and we all know what that means—friends and family coming over, delicious meals, and joyous celebrations. While it's a time of great excitement for us, it can sometimes be overwhelming for our dogs. That's why it's crucial to start preparing your dog for the holiday season well in advance. In this blog post, we'll discuss the importance of getting your dog ready for holiday guests and festivities, and we'll give you a sneak peek of the exciting content we have in store for you in our upcoming series.  

Why Prepare Your Dog for the Holidays?


The holidays bring a flurry of activities and changes to your home environment, which can be both exciting and stressful for your canine companion. Here's why it's essential to prepare your dog for the upcoming holiday season:

  1. Reduced Stress: Dogs can become anxious when faced with unfamiliar guests, loud noises, and disruptions to their routine. Preparing them in advance can help reduce stress and anxiety.
  2. Safety: With more people coming and going, doors opening and closing frequently, and tempting holiday foods around, there's a higher risk of your dog slipping out or getting into something they shouldn't. Providing our pups with safe areas to go when they get overwhelmed is so important. Training can help keep your dog safe.
  3. Guest Interaction: Well-behaved dogs are a joy to have around during holiday gatherings. Training your dog ensures that they can interact with guests in a polite and friendly manner. 
  4. Enjoyment: By preparing your dog for the holidays, you'll create a more enjoyable experience for both you and your dog. You can include them in the festivities with confidence, knowing they'll behave appropriately.

What's Coming Up in Our Holiday Series?


Over the next couple of weeks, we will be sharing a series of informative and practical articles to help you and your dog have the best holiday season yet. Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect:

  • Doorbell Desensitization: Learn how to prevent your dog from going into a frenzy every time the doorbell rings, ensuring a calm and composed entrance for guests.
  • Controlling Barking and Jumping: Discover techniques to curb excessive barking and jumping, making your dog a more pleasant presence when guests arrive.
  • Overcoming Over-Excitement: We'll show you how to manage your dog's over-excitement, so they can enjoy the festivities without becoming overly hyper.
  • Utilizing the "Sit on the Dog" Exercise: Explore the power of the "Sit on the Dog" exercise as a tool to maintain calmness during the holidays and beyond.
  • Engaging Your Dog's Brain: Keep your dog mentally stimulated with brain-stimulating activities that help prevent boredom and anxiety.
These 5 steps above can help give you a more peaceful holiday season with your dog...but if you want some added help you can apply all of the above with the  help of obedience training, you can take your holiday's to the next level!!

We do offer an Online 8-week online obedience program designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge to have a well-trained and calm dog just in time for Thanksgiving.  We Start our next LIVE session Monday Nights on October 2nd and it runs every Monday night 7:30-8:30pm until November 20th. We meet once a week via zoom to go over the weeks homework, answer questions and help you get your pup ready for the life you want to live! 

Are you ready to make this holiday season a peaceful and enjoyable one for both you and your dog? Stay tuned for our upcoming articles, and don't miss the opportunity to enroll in our online obedience course. Together, we'll ensure that your dog is ready to embrace the holidays with calmness and joy.


Stay tuned for our next article on doorbell desensitization, where we'll dive deep into this essential skill for a stress-free entrance into the holiday season!




 
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