#dogtrainersofaustralia

[anewleashonlife]

Hi, I’m Keryn and I'm Head Trainer here at A New Leash on Life! I'd love to wish you all a very Happy New Year, one that we can all look forward to enjoying thoroughly.

This is me and my three dogs, Zander Jaffa & Miki.

I’m a certified dog trainer specialising in training your dog at home - convenient, time-friendly and effective! Choose an in-home program, an online program or a combination program.

I’m super passionate about helping people to train AWESOME canine family members, without relying on the typical food reward, who can go with you anywhere, and truly be a family member.

I created A New Leash on Life to help you raise a beautiful new puppy, or to help you give a new life to your family pooch who might be stuck in a backyard vegetating - who might be at risk of not being welcome in the family anymore.

What can I do for you?

Book a free "Quick Chat" with me via zoom and I'm happy to steer you in the direction you want to go http://letsmeet.io/anewleashonlifedogtraining/quick-chat

Or just grab my phone number off my website www.anewleashonlife.com.au and ring me any time after 8/1/23.

(Pic by the marvelous Kerry at Puppy Tails Photography!)

[anewleashonlife]

Is your dog rehearsing unwanted and undesirable behaviours?

In the lead up to the end of the school year I bet thousands of kiddos are rehearsing hard for the end of year production at their school. They are probably practicing their lines and actions, and attending rehearsals, so that on opening night they are likely to get everything just how they want it.

Rehearsals make sure that the actual even will go smoothly, the outcome as planned.

This is similar for our dogs, though they are not anticipating that awesome moment when the curtains go up - for them every moment is opening night. And every time they rehearse any behaviour - good or not so good - it grows more strongly ingrained and more likely to be repeated again in the way that they find most desirable!

So what behaviours is your dog rehearsing that you'd like to change? Drop me a line and we can put a plan into action to make 2023 their best year ever.

(Zander rehearsing a fun one - beg!)

[anewleashonlife]

Ready to get started training with your doggo but just can't find anything running this time of year? How to you get support with training your cheeky dog over the silly season?

My online program offers:

✅ Obedience without food reliance

✅ Teaching good manners for around the house and out & about

✅ Convenient multiple mini lessons that you can watch anywhere anytime and review time and time again if you'd like to

✅ Trainer support (that's me!) continuously across the Christmas & New Year period

✅ Suitable for any dog (and if you have a puppy I have a puppy version too)

✅ A great way to get the whole family into learning and training the family dog

✅ Suitable for dogs & their humans in any location

✅ Proven results

"We have just finished the 10 week adolescent course with our three year old German Shepherd. We absolutely loved it.

Keryn has an amazing amount of knowledge and is able to explain clearly what you need to do as well as adds videos in so you can see first hand.

Our dog was able to pick up all the basic commands and skills almost immediately and is honestly a changed dog." - Kristin & Sterling, GSD.

Send me an email to keryn@anewleashonlife.com.au if you'd like to chat about this as an option for your dog.

[anewleashonlife]

As we approach the end of the year it's good to see as many dogs as possible trying to get on top of their training skills - hopefully they'll all be invited to be a part of the upcoming festivities because they are such good boys and girls!

Winton the Bulldog x used his session to learn to stay on his mat, even when the guest arrived (that's me!) and started practicing not barging out the front door. He got to do some socialisation with Zander & Miki, and learned that dragging Mum over to another dog is not ok with her, even if you just want to play.

Max the Lab boy worked on his drop and drop stepaway (stay) under distraction - Zander was a great distraction. Max also has had some sociability issues in the past and did well with greeting Zander nicely and even got some b*m sniffs going.

Duggee the Cobberdog puppy learned mat command for the first time, and did well staying on the mat for short stretches until released. He had a good play with Zander and then learned about not barging into the house until invited. With guests coming soon into the household he'll need to be polite & quiet, and wait to be invited so it's important that his family practice now before things get too hectic.

Henry the Beagle x Poodle & his sister Lola the Groodle had their second session, and they learned to drop and hold a drop stepaway, which neither had learned before, so well done. We also worked on not jumping up on people as well as Henry's incessent barking, which tends to trigger Lola as well. That one will be a work in progress.

Daisy the Cavoodle had her second session too, and learned to drop and hold her drop with Jaffa to show her the ropes. Then she also practiced not barking at every movement out the front window. Finally we added a boundary challenge for her. Daisy's Mum is preparing her for an upcoming house move and she'll need some great manners and imprecable listening skills in her new living space so lots of practice is needed now.

If you're ready to get started training with your pooches, drop me a line sometime soon so we can look to get you started in the New Year!

[anewleashonlife]

My latest blog is now live so I'd love it if you would drop by and take a look! https://www.anewleashonlife.com.au/post/preparing-my-dog-for-the-holiday-season

[anewleashonlife]

Do you advocate for your dog???

You wouldn't allow a stranger to approach your child, reach into the pram and pull them out for a cuddle. You'd intercede! Do your dog the same courtesy, and advocate for them.

Is your dog anxious about or scared of strangers? If so, when people ask to pat your dog say NO! You don't need to worry about offending that person, and you don't need to give a reason unless you want to. Be polite, but be firm, and your dog will learn that you are willing to step up on their behalf. 

Which means they don’t need to react.

Is your dog worried about other dogs? Make sure you react to the approach of other dogs and owners before they can allow their "friendly" dog to get in your dog’s face or in their space. It is not the right of that person who "just wants to socialise their dog" to override what you believe is best for your dog. Again, your dog needs to see that they have a strong leader who will step up on their behalf and not allow the other dog into their comfort zone. 

Which means they don’t need to react

If you don't step up to the plate, one day they just might, and I wonder what form that might take. You just might be shocked at what they might do.

[anewleashonlife]

A New Leash on Life Dog Training Head Trainer Profile:

Hi I'm Keryn, and I'm the head of A New Leash on Life and the rest of the team (the dogs are the heart of course lol) have insisted that I have to introduce myself, if I'm going to introduce them, so here goes:

Name: Keryn

Alternative name: Aunty K (to two gorgeous nephews)

Role: Head Trainer

Other roles: admin, social media and finance boss

Favourite role: Mum of dogs

Favourite Colour: blue

Favourite Food: chocolate

Favourite Day of the Week: any day with a sleep-in

Hobbies: My favourite (non-dog) activity is iPhone photography. The dogs are totally supporting of this because I used to take nothing but dog photos, now they feature in heaps less photos, and they often get to run, sniff and explore whilst I'm taking photos.

As a kid I wanted to be: a ballerina or an accountant. Thankfully I got over that as I'm not that good at maths and I definitely cannot dance.

Favourite place you have travelled to? Japan. I lived there for a few years after I finished school and got to see quite a bit of the country. I'd highly recommend it to anyone wanting to travel.

What dog breed would you like to have, but will never have & why? I'd super love to have a Great Dane, they are so regal and elegant. They come with their own unique set of living and training challenges, but all part of the fun. However, I'll never have one because they just take up too much space for my small home, it wouldn't be fair. And let's face it, cleaning up after their poos would be like living with an elephant lol.

Tell me something about you! What breed of dog would you love to own but never will?

[anewleashonlife]

How do you choose your dog training?

Increasingly as I speak to more and more potential clients I see that people are trying their hardest to train their dogs (which is awesome), but often they are training them with the wrong training method. Now, I'm not saying mine is the only right method, in fact mine is not the right method for many people, and that's ok, but what criteria should you use to choose the training that you want to do with your dog?

🏠 Should you choose something that is close by? Just around the corner from your house? Or at the local reserve?

⏰ Should you choose something that is on at a convenient time, or on a convenient day?

💲Should you choose an inexpensive option, something that falls within your budget?

👩‍🦱 Should you choose the same trainer as your friend or neighbour?

These are all important points to consider but if they are your primary motivation for selecting a dog trainer, business, or school then you may find yourself in a situation where you end up learning something that doesn't sit well with what you believe in, and therefore you end up not following through. It's amazing how many people are doing things differently at home to what their trainer is teaching them to do.

So, here's what I would advise you to do: 

Investigate the methodology that the trainer, training school or business is using and make sure you believe wholeheartedly in what they do, because if you don't you are not likely to practice, reinforce or follow through. And if you believe in it, you are more likely to get the results that you are after. After that then come back to the other points we considered above.

Drop me a message today for more information.

[anewleashonlife]

How to get a great pic of your doggo's!

Whilst I'm far from being a professional photographer, I do use some deliberate tactics to get the pics of my boys that I use on my pages.

🐕 Teach a super solid sit step away or drop step away so you know they will absolutely hold position for you whilst you walk away

🌳 If you are out in public and can't take them off lead, get your shot anyway as you can always edit out the lead, or hide the lead behind their body

📲 Angle matters - get down on their level (or raise them to yours on something interesting)

📷 The best camera is the one in your pocket, so even your smart phone can do a great job, but don't let your smart phone control the shot, set the focal point and exposure yourself if you know how (I didn't know how until I did my photography course)

🥎 Have some means of getting their attention but don't overuse it - I use squeaky noises or certain words that get their attention, but you could use a squeaky toy or treat held right next to the camera lens

✅ Take lots of shots - I keep clicking as I know that getting them to pay attention can be fleeting, and now that I'm trying to get three to pay attention all at once it's super tricky

And have fun with it!

[anewleashonlife]

Do you remember learning to drive a car?

In the beginning, it was hard to coordinate everything - gear stick, pedals, mirrors and so much more. Stopping to think about what to do, and when to do it, was bad enough, but add the road rules and a bunch of other cars/drivers who were not necessarily very considerate, and it was a challenging task.

And yet, eventually, driving a car became like breathing - automatic, and something you barely think about.

Training your dog is a similar prospect.

Initially, you need to think hard about your lead handling, your tone, your timing and so many other things, and coordinating everything correctly can be a challenge. Not to mention what other dogs and owners might be doing around you at times. Over time and with practice you want to aim for all the basics to become well ingrained and automatic - so that you get to the point where you hardly even need to think about "training" your dog, you simply live your life, and your dog training becomes your lifestyle with your dog.

Understand that when you are no longer “training” your dog, you are still training your dog.

Many years ago, I remember speaking to a potential client (in the business that I formerly worked for), and during our conversation, he told me that he is actually a dog trainer himself, but just now isn’t working as a dog trainer, and he doesn't have time to train his current dog.

Wait! ...What? I was flabbergasted, to be honest.

His comment stuck with me for so many years because dog training isn't something that you just do and it's done, it's how you live your life.

If you have time to live with your dog, you are training your dog.

If you have time to care for your dog, you are training your dog.

If you have time to interact with your dog, you are training your dog.

If you have time to walk your dog, you are training your dog.

If you have time to cherish your dog, then you ARE training your dog.

What are you training your dog to do?

If you’re unwittingly training your dog to jump, bark, steal, growl or aggress, and you need a hand to change the messages that you are sending, send me a message!

(Even though I'm relaxing on the couch, this interaction is happening whether I like it or not, and so I'm guiding it!)

[anewleashonlife]

The decision to start a small business is never an easy one, and the challenge is sometimes overwhelming, but the benefits to all involved can be astronomical. I started A New Leash on Life Dog Training almost three years ago, after a number of years procrastinating, and I'm not sorry that I made the leap.

I did it because:

✅ I wanted to have the ability to control what/how my clients learn so that each individual client and their dog get the very best out of the program that they choose to do - I now have the ability to tailor the learning content so that no two programs are 100% alike, though a certain amount of basic skills are always included, the content, rate of progress and how we proceed are all tailored as we go

👩‍🦳 As I found myself getting older and acquiring some physical limitations I began to realise that I needed to take better care of myself, and be more cautious of the size/strength of my canine clients and the impact they were having on me

👩‍🏫 I wanted to have more control over what clients/dogs that I worked with - whilst I believe that all dogs need and deserve training I understand that I'm not necessarily the best person to work with every dog/owner and now that I'm self employed I get to choose who is the best fit for me to work with

⏰ I wanted to have more time to do the things that I wanted to do, and this way I can choose the time off that I need or the hours that I work, and I make that work for my dogs so that they get more attention and activities

Starting up this business I always wanted to make sure that I could coincide how to make the best future for me and my family with how to make the best experience for each individual client.

This process continues to evolve!

[anewleashonlife]

Time for a Testimonial!

"After training with Keryn, Taco is now super chilled and so much more obedient. It’s like he’s a brand new dog and he's fitting in our household so much better than before. Keryn has given us real confidence in looking after him and continuing his training."

-Geoff & Taco 11.7.2022

If you'd like your dog to fit into your household better than they currently do, I can help you.

Message me now!

[anewleashonlife]

Which voice is your dog listening to?

The external voice (yours) that is asking them to do something particular or to refrain from certain behaviours.

OR

The internal voice that says go for it, give in to the fear or overwhelming desire, it will have an awesome outcome.

Dogs don’t naturally understand that they need to listen to what we ask them to do or refrain from doing, and giving in to their desires is simple, easy, and often rewarded by simply doing the action. Every time they go for it and just do the thing that they feel most inclined to do, and they are rewarded by having an awesome time or relieving stress, anxiety, or fear, they become more and more likely to repeat the behaviour.

That good old internal voice sure knows what he’s talking about. I listen to him, and I always get what I want! I have fun. The scary person goes away. I get the biscuits off the coffee table AND the humans play chasey with me. Awesome, I’m going for it!

That’s hard to overcome.

Especially when you are asking them to do something they don’t want to do like stay on their mat or you are asking them to refrain from doing something like jumping on the guests that allows them to reward themselves.

We need to think hard about what we are asking of them vs what they would rather be doing and what are the benefits to the dog of each. What reinforcement are they getting vs what reinforcement are you providing? What is the outcome for the dog?

Which voice have you taught them to listen to?

Which voice have they learned will get them the greatest rewards?

Which voice has the most influence on their actions, reactions, or overreactions?

Tell me, what things does your dog "just go for" without thought?

(Former foster girl Bindi learning to listen to my voice not the internal voice that says barge, jump and act like a turkey!)

[anewleashonlife]

The top 3 qualities that my clients all have...

🐕 They love their dogs enough to be the one to put their foot down and say "enough is enough" and "this behaviour is not good enough" - and then they help their dogs become a better version of themselves

⏰ They make the time to learn what THEY need to do and what THEY need to change in order to help their dog change, and then the practice the hell out of it

😀 They have fun with it and don't take the setbacks too seriously, and are able to laugh later on about the sh*t their dogs have put them through

If this is you, or you want this to be you, send me a message now!

[anewleashonlife]

How can you create a situation in which your dog has the greatest chance of learning exactly what you want them to learn?

So, let's take the example of *Max* chewing up the watering system. 

Let's say Max was at home all day alone, chomping, pulling, and destroying the watering system. He would be having a great time, so it's a self-rewarding behaviour. Then as soon as they get home Max’s parents immediately bring him inside and spend all their time with him. The result is 8 hours of potential chewing and 0 hours of catching the behaviour in the act. Therefore, zero opportunities to address the behaviour. 

Destruction is guaranteed to win!

Or...

If Max is spending his day chewing and of an evening his parents spend the time to leave him out, catch him chewing and correct him for it? 8 hours of practicing inappropriate behaviour, and one or two hours of getting in trouble, equals Max learns not to do it in front of them.

Or...

What if Max only has access to an area with NO watering system when they are not home? However, when they get home they put him outside with the watering system, catch him chewing and give a well-timed correction that Max has already been taught to understand through other behavioural modification situations. 

Now Max’s parents have a fair chance to win out.

So, the ideal learning environment is one in which the dog can NEVER do the wrong thing and get away with it BUT is allowed to do it when he can get caught and corrected. 

If you need help imagining how you can create this balance, send me a message and we can talk it over.

[anewleashonlife]

"I'm the guide. You guys are the hero in this story."

What does this mean in dog training terms?

If I was teaching you in your home, I teach you the exercise that we want to master or show you the rule/boundary that we want to work on, and during the time between our sessions you work on it - practice, reinforce, challenge. I guide you in the how & why but you do the teaching, the reinforcing, and the evolving. You come back with feedback next session, and I guide you in tweaking your implementation. 

You are the Hero in your dog training story, I'm simply the Guide.

If I was teaching you in a class environment, I would teach you the exercise or tell you about how the rule/boundary that we want to work on should go, and you go home and work on it. I guide you in the how & why but you do the teaching, the reinforcing, and the evolving. You would come back with feedback next class, and I would guide you in tweaking your implementation. 

You are the Hero in your dog training story, I'm simply the Guide.

If I was teaching you via my online program, I teach you the exercise via video or show you the rule/boundary that we want to work on, you watch it as many times as you need to in order to understand how it works, and then you work on it as soon as you are up to it. I guide you in the how & why but you do the teaching, the reinforcing, and the evolving. You come back with feedback in our virtual classroom (or zoom) and I guide you in tweaking your implementation. 

You are the Hero in your dog training story, I'm simply the Guide.

The logistics of the training are not important. The roles are. I am not training your dog; I'm guiding you to do it. YOU are the hero in this situation - and if you are not currently, it's time to step up to the plate and become the hero in your own story. Your dog needs YOU to rescue/save them from their own behaviour.

Are you ready to become the hero? Send me a pm or email and let's get you going!