Sirius Pet Training:
Sirius is the hallmark of puppy training, founded by Dr. Ian Dunbar, animal behaviorist
and veterinarian. Training techniques use positive reinforcement, taking the
"hurt" out of training. Sirius puppy classes are fun for you and your
dog.
Puppies need early socialization, housebreaking techniques, and excellent skills
that make dogs such good friends and companions.
Puppies must be between 12 and 18 weeks old and have all their vaccinations
current. For class registration call (800) 419-8748. 6-week class is $185.00
per puppy.
Conformation Training:
Classes
are taught by Thomas Wrath, who has been handling dogs for over 30 years
and has earned over a hundred titles. Dogs who need preparation for competing
in the show ring, learn the behavior that will make the judge happy. The handler
learns how to show the dog to its best advantage.
Classes are Wednesday evenings at 6:30-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-8:30 p.m., walk-in, $8.00 per class.
For more
information, contact Thomas Wrath at 408-835-8231
or E-mail him at sunnyoak@hotmail.com
10
Facts Every Puppy Owner Should Know 1.
Developmental Deadlines
Miss any of your pup's critical development deadlines (at 8,9,12, and 18 weeks)
and your dog will be playing catch-up for the rest of its life. Your puppy MUST
be socialized to the home physical environment by 8 weeks, undergoing errorless
housetraining and chewtoy training by 9 weeks and socialized to people by 12
weeks. 2.
Errorless Housetraining
Even a single mistake is a disaster, since it signals many more to follow. Make
sure you learn how to housetrain BEFORE you get your puppy. Specifically, your
pup needs a Puppy Playroom (with bed, chewtoys, water and toilet) plus a secure
Doggy Den (with chewtoys), to help you predict when your pup needs to
relieve itself. 3.
Home Alone
Your pup needs some acceptable form of occupational therapy to pass the time
when left at home alone. Stuffing several chewtoys with your puppy's daily
allotment of kibble will teach your pup to settle down quietly and calmly, thus
preventing chewing problems, excessive barking and hyperactivity. 4.
Socialization - Puppy Parties!
Your puppy must be socialized to people BEFORE it is three months old. Thus,
between 8 and 12 weeks of age, your pup needs to meet at least 100 people in the
safety of your own home. 5.
Bite-Inhibition!
The most important quality in a pet dog is a soft mouth. Your puppy MUST develop
bite-inhibition by 18 weeks. Whereas it is unrealistic to expect dogs never to
squabble, it is perfectly realistic to expect dogs to resolve their differences
without causing harm. In fact, well-socialized dogs are really no different from
well-socialized people! 6.
Handfeed
Handfeed to teach dogs
to like hands and to like people, especially children, men and strangers.
Handfeed to teach "Off", "Take it" and "Gently".
Handfeed to prevent begging and food guarding. And handfeed to teach dogs to
like kibble, which may then be used effectively as lures and rewards for
handling gentling exercises and for teaching basic manners. 7.
Watch Me!
Attention is the
foundation of all communication and training. When handfeeding, wait for your
pup to glance at you before offering each piece of kibble. Then progressively
increase the length of time your pup is required to look at you for each piece -
one second, two seconds, three, five, ten, twenty, etc. and before you know it,
your pup will not be able to take his eyes off you. 8.
Sit!
Teaching your puppy
just a single reliable 'emergency' command - Sit! (or down) can prevent most
bothersome behavior problems. Just think of all the many things your dog cannot
do if it is obediently sitting. For example, if your pup has been taught to sit
when greeting people, it will not require reprimands for jumping-up! 9.
No Free Lunch!
Totally integrate
training into your dog's lifestyle by having short training preludes before
all enjoyable activities (ask your dog to 'sit', to say please, prior to opening
doors, feeding dinner and couch privileges etc.) and short training
interludes at frequent intervals during walks in unfamiliar areas are the
very best way to enjoy keeping your dog well trained and well socialized. 10.
Puppy Classes
Your puppy needs to be
enrolled in puppy class BEFORE it is 18 weeks old. Apart from learning numerous
fun games and training tips. Off-leash play sessions are absolutely essential
for establishing reliable bite-inhibition. Also, there is now some considerable
urgency for your dog to catch up vis a vis learning the requisite dog
savvy for a stress-free canine social life. And last but not least, puppy
classes are a great evening out for you and your pup.
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(510) 795-6000
(510)
795-6000