The previous 3 videos teach the steps to Rollator Loose Leash Walking

https://youtu.be/YQUceBy2JwI?si=8M_xKtRmN11xjs-h

An acquaintance mentioned that she wanted her dog to walk beside her Rollator instead of crossing in front of it.

I've recently enrolled in a course for teaching service dogs, and the requisites for a candidate dog includes having solid understanding of certain skills (e.g. walking on loose leash with a handler relying on mobility devices; cues for stationary behaviours sit/down/stand).

Because many dogs can be nervous around mobility devices, I've put together a short video for building a dog's confidence around a Rollator. For myself I use super high value food treats to build value for anything that I want my dog to feel positive towards. Every dog is an individual - I had one dog who would do anything for a carrot.

If you would like your pet to eventually become your service dog, some important things to teach your dog are:

1. WHERE your dog should be in relation to your mobility device

2. KEEP PACE with you while you move

This past week I have had Covid.

Update: took another rapid test today, apparently I still have Covid.

As I usually do, I train my dogs while lying down in bed. If anyone else here has watched podcast episode #7, Holly talks about fatigue and movement. This is how I personally conserve my own energy and manage my own mood. And I believe most of you can do the exact same thing: having your dog press its nose into your hand is training your dog. https://youtu.be/AB5bqiO6Cuc

In my video I even show how this game eventually allows you to move your dog without lifting it-while I have small dogs, I recognize not everyone here does and that's fine. A dog's body size doesn't really impact whether the dog and push its nose into your palm. For those with cats, bunnies, guinea pigs, or other small pets: you can do exactly the same activity by teaching your pet to touch a target stick with their nose, as per Karen Pryor: https://karenpryoracademy.com/teach-your-cat-to-follow-a-target/ Questions welcome.

FAQ

1. Why don't I put a verbal cue to the behaviour of my dog putting her nose into my palm?

Hi everyone!

October 31st is this Tuesday and many cultures celebrate.

So I decided to share some tips for those of you with pet dogs and cats :)

The doorbell ringing often triggers barking--so you can counter-condition that behaviour by pairing the sound with something happy for your dog such as a favourite toy or treat. Doorbell sounds can be found online :) 

The same activity can include door knocking--start by knocking on a door inside your house that leads nowhere, or a walk - and giving your pup a super high value reward (such as a favourite treat, toy, or activity). 

If you feel that the door repeatedly opening and closing will trigger your dog or cat to volunteer DoorDash (i.e. not getting paid OR delivering food), either keep your dog on a leash, or confined to an exercise pen or crate. For cats, please keep them inside some room with a litter box and their food/water and keep the door closed.

Those of you wishing to trick or treat and have your pups join you, note that the costumes on other people may frighten your pups and cause them to react by barking or chasing. You know your pup best--if you expect your pup to react, have them remain home so that they can keep feeling safe. Otherwise, a brief walk before the excitement begins may help.

Also, there may be items on the ground during your walk--ask yourself if your pup may need refreshers on "leave it" or whatever words you have chosen.

I'm not sure if I have mentioned this but I don't teach leave it or stay because both of those involve a lot of intimidation.

Instead, I teach ItsYerChoice - the steps are captioned in a video about how you can do the same thing with your pets.

With costumes, you can start conditioning them to those items now so that your cat or dog gets used to wearing them. For example, if the costume requires you to put something over your pet's head, begin by rewarding their choice to approach the item similar to equipment like a harness.

For more details, I did this with a harness. Would be happy to share the video link. This also helps with other gear like boots or jackets going forward.

Other tips: after trick-or-treating, place the items in an area to keep them and your pets safe.

If you have a black cat, please keep them inside on Halloween night if they go outside - people do weird things to black cats.

NB: I tried to share links to my videos but apparently that made this post look like spam so I had to remove those. Please send me a message or email me info@unbalalanceddogtraining.com if you'd like those or have questions! Thanks a ton

Hey there, all you dog lovers! 🐶 Just a friendly reminder: please don't forget about our feline friends. Let's give them a little appreciation too! 😺😄

Welcome! It's awesome to have another dog lover here! We've got quite the pack of enthusiasts!

Love your mission! Good Luck!

As I mentioned, I teach dogs using layered shaping.

Shaping is defined as defined as breaking down a new behaviour into a series of steps and gradually guiding towards a desired outcome--which would be closer to "free" shaping where you reward steps as they happen (which can take a REALLY long time)

Layered shaping involves intentionally manipulating a dog's environment. For example, that is how you can begin teaching a loose-leash walk. The first step starts with you in a room of your home, moving beside your dog and giving your dog a treat--simply because they are next to you. How difficult is that for you or your dog? Small, easy win for both of you.

Then you take that game to a different part of the house, then do the same thing when you've that in as many parts of your home as possible.

What you do next: Return to the first room, do and say nothing, and watch what your dog does. Test what they do when you're at social distance to them. Where does your dog go?

Being diagnosed with MS is already discouraging, but I've been living with that since 2007 (but couldn't get a formal diagnosis until I had a follow up MRI in 2008 to confirm *rolling eyes*). Then COVID happened, and what did I do? I got a lockdown puppy.

And that puppy is what made me realize I needed to share everything I have learned with her--so that other People with MS have better understanding of what they can actually do.

Who needs elevators and escalators when we've got these eager, four-legged future helpers in training? I'm imagining a world where dogs rule the ramps and strollers are replaced by stylish doggy chariots. 😄🐾

Welcome, "UnbalancedDogTrainer" 🐶

Hi everyone! My latest video about building a solid recall-through playing simple, accessible games for connecting with your dog. https://youtu.be/3Xn4jrAblm4

My dream is to help you all become incredibly skilled at using rewards to teach your dogs incredible manners (a solid recall, a solid "stay" behaviour, and a great loose leash walk beside you). I know it is very possible - spoiler: rewards aren't all just food.

Rather, I want to grow how observant you are about what your dog finds rewarding-food is one of those things, but other things can be rewarding for dogs such as toys, and activities.

Some of those activities you may not approve of, such as barking out the window or chasing the family cat--but we can make those rewards work for you and not against you. Right now I am sure many dogs steal those rewards, which can be incredibly frustrating because the dogs love doing those things (and keep doing them)

It would be great to train my grandma's dog with some mobility issues to help him out too. Who knows, given the uncertainty that MS brings, maybe soon I'll get some mobility issues of my own, although I don't have them yet. Dogs are like our future helpers!