#dogtrainersofaustralia

[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!

[anewleashonlife]

My first attempt at blog writing is now live and I'd love your feedback!

[anewleashonlife]

Sit is an important command, an important skill, and I teach it to EVERY client for their dog or puppy regardless of age, breed, or issues. If the dog can’t, or won’t, do something simple like sit, do it well and do it reliably no matter the situation or duration, then they are unlikely to do something more complex for you.

However, one of the most frustrating tasks that I’m undertaking daily with clients is to get them to stop saying sit for the sole purpose that the dog doesn’t do an undesirable behaviour.

“Get your dog to sit so that he doesn’t’ jump on the guests”

“Get your dog to sit so that she doesn’t knock you over rushing in/out the door”

“Get your dog to sit so that he doesn’t steal the food out of his bowl before the bowl reaches the floor”

“Get your dog to sit before you pat her”

Seriously, stop saying sit and let the dog do its natural behaviour (so long as it is not unsafe) and have the feedback ready to go for them. If he sits, stands calmly, lays down, is quiet, is calm – the offering is acceptable, deserving of praise, and you can reward them with what they wanted. However, if they offer you a behaviour that is not ok THIS IS A TEACHING OPPORTUNITY – say no and correct them for jumping, pushing, nudging, stealing, vocalising etc.

When you put them into a sit you prevent the learning opportunity from occurring.

Unless you allow the teaching opportunity to occur, they will never learn. You’ll have a ten-year-old dog who still needs to be told to sit or they just go ahead and give in to their innermost desires.

I want your dog to try jumping, get corrected and learn to offer a non-jumpy behaviour.

I want your dog to try rushing in, get corrected and learn to offer patience.

I want your dog to try stealing the food and find out it gets taken back.

I want your dog to offer any calm behaviour they like and get patted for it.

Stop staying sit and find out what they do.

[anewleashonlife]

A common piece of advice for the owners of naughty dogs that is bandied about a lot in the dog training world is "an exhausted dog is a good dog!" Wrong, an exhausted dog is just an exhausted dog, and if he is naughty or well behaved this has nothing to do with his energy levels.

A dog who knows how to behave well, will know how to behave well even when he's totally full of beans. And a dog who has not been taught the difference between right and wrong, or who does not care about it, will still have those beliefs, and potential actions, even when tired. As soon as he is refreshed he'll be back into the mischief.

Taking your dog for longer and longer walks, park runs or bike rides will not teach him right from wrong, and it will not make him care about doing the right things. It will just build up his stamina. Instead, teach him or her things that will exhaust them by having to exercise self-control and learn to restrain themselves in situations where they would rather do something else.

Message me now if you want help overcoming the exercise addiction treadmill.

[anewleashonlife]

Does your dog or puppy have a trump card??? Something that they play to get them out of listening, responding or to get them out of being in trouble???

For example:

"I'm too scared to go near those dogs" because I got attacked once - so you never take them near dogs. And their fear grows. And grows. And grows.

Or:

"I'm too tired to hold a sit for you" so you don't follow through and make them do it - even though they have plenty of energy to play. So before long they can't hold a sit at all. Or a drop. Or stay on their mat. Or remain outside.

Or how about:

"I can't cope with you leaving me" - I'm a covid puppy! Clearly they have separation anxiety (actually it's usually a lack of separation confidence, which is quite a different thing). So you buy a doggy backpack so you can take them even into the shops with you. And you build the lack of separation confidence INTO separation anxiety through your inadvertent actions.

Do you let them play their trump card, and change your expectations of them?

Or stand your ground and get them used to what you want them to do (which is generally something that is not that difficult for them to achieve)?

I'd love to hear what they have thrown at you, or are currently using to their advantage. How long did you persist or did you even persist at all?

What has you stumped?

(Harlow is a bit of a scaredy cat - but her family don't let her use that excuse to not learn her obedience or to avoid socialising)

[anewleashonlife]

Do you keep getting sucked in!

Look out for marketing hype effecting your dog training choices:

🐩 Buy this spray to stop your dog chewing your possessions.

🦮 This harness is the best no-pull harness and will make your walks a dream.

🐕 Get this calming pet bed if your dog has separation anxiety.

And probably a thousand other awesome marketing tactics.

By all means make these things a PART of your training strategy if you feel they will be of benefit to your situation, but the only thing that you can purchase that will change your dogs behaviour is training!

Invest in your dog for the long term - I'm darn sure they are worth the investment.

Message me now if you need a hand