"Oh no a class! ... my dog may bark?"
First, barking is way a dog expresses things. It is very common for some dogs to bark in class. Some dogs are more expressive then others and your dog typically is doing this same behavior when in other highly stimulating environment. However, if you have a dog that likes to be expressive in that manner, here are some helpful tips to help. The more you do and practice in other arousing areas, the better and faster your dog will learn to relax and be quiet.
BARKING … it just doesn’t fit into our world at all, does it?
TRICKS
Focus back onto your tricks are the tricks that will be most helpful here. As soon as you get to class, do some spins and twirls in the parking lot. Teach a target trick, nose touch on your hand. For this to work, practice tricks on your walk and other locations where stimulation is high.
SIR SNIFF ALLOT
“Insnifficating walks” can improve a ton of things, but in this case it may calm your dog down prior to coming to class. Place your dog on a long-line and allow your dog to sniff some where that has low amounts of visual and audible stimulation. For example — behind Ingle’s — in a church parking lot — at a car dealership — etc.
ACTIVE ATTENTION
Busy dogs typically do not bark. It is only when we come into a stimulating environment without proper timing and a job for our dogs to do. If you have a dog that gets over stimulated in a vocal way, you need to come prepared. Prepare yourself to keep the dog employed. Asking for what you want before you dog starts to bark. If you ask for behaviors your dog knows, the probability that your dog will find that more reinforcing then barking increases. Or, bring things your dog love to chew on instead. For example — a favorite rubber toy with “stuff” in it that is tasty — a bully stick — a food puzzle — etc.
OFF SWITCHES
Bring a “place matt” from home (something familiar in a unfamiliar environment) or use one of the crates in the room to put your dog into during lecture time and in between games and exercises. Practice this at home first, but typically the crate is a safe place and a calm place. But just to make sure, bring and place a food puzzle in the crate in between working the dog.
D.A.P. PRODUCTS
Pheromones released during lactation give puppies a sense of wellbeing and reassurance, known as appeasing pheromones. ‘Dog Appeasing Pheromone’ can be embedded in a plastic collar or sprayed on a bandana. Typically your vet office has it or find it on line.
CAPTURE CALM
You may have to be really fast. Click and reward calm behavior take a lot of observational skills. A nose that is turning from the stimulus — click and reward. You are catering all those good choices for NOT barking. Clicking calm behaviors before the dog barks will create a thinking dog. Every time a dog walks in the room, get prepared and use incredible timing to click the calm behavior. Then, you may start to say: “shhhhhh” ask the door cracks open, click and move back into your spot and reward. When you start to say words, make sure the dog has been rewarded a lot just for the behavior the word now represents.
BRING TWO PEOPLE
To be able to do everything that is mentioned above AND listen to instruction is hard. Bring another person to help listen and take notes, so you can be focused on the dog. If you want your dog’s focus, you will need to be focusing on your dog.
MULTI-TASKING
If you do not have another person to bring, you will need to become a good multi-tasker and keep your dog busy using the suggestions above as well as listen in class. Or, the benefit of a class are monstrous. Please work on the things that are needed in this class and continue on with the next class after you tackle getting your dog’s focus in a stimulating environment. FOCUS is key. Everything starts with focus. Repeating this class has proven to be the best thing ever for several dogs!!
TOTAL FAILURE
People have put their dog’s back in the car. Returned to class to listen for a few minutes. Regained composure, so-to-speak. And tried it again with the upmost in timing and consistency while clicking calm behavior and asking for easy behaviors that the dog knows as they re-enter the room. Then repeated the exercise … again, and again, and again!
HOME TRAINING
Outside of class, be sure to put your dog in situation where the attention is divided. Sitting on a park bench is awesome. Go to these places knowing your attention is going to be on your dog at all times. Practice techniques above and DO NOT GET FRUSTRATED.
K9 Manners - Level 1
During K9 Manners - Level 1: Schooling begins with focus, attention, and name recogition -- building a solid understanding of the foundations is important. Then we go on to leash walking, positions (sit, down and stand), come, stay, leave it and drop. We also give solutions for a range of behavioral problems such as jumping up, nipping, and what to do if you feel as though you are nagging your dog. As I help you teach the behaviors you desire we also talk about how to extinguish the undesireable ones -- an awareness of what is rehearsed is essential at times. Your lifestyle with your dog will suddenly make sense and be easier with a handful of guidelines to live by for the life of your dog.
Level 1 is where dog owners priorities are developed, rehearsals are understood, and mindsets start to shift. Each K9 team can have different needs and I will do my best to help everyone in class. However, please know that I make myself available during these 5 weeks to answer as many questions as possible and will encourage you to reach out if you have any questions. If I think a private coaching session would be best, I will mention that option.
This class is held inside and outside. Come dressed appropriately.
If you are interested and have questions please call or text Gail at 828-712-4245
Class Details: K9 Manners - Level 1 (Basic Manners)
5-Weeks of FUN ... with 4 dog limit. Please call with questions
Cost: $165
Payment Styles: Cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Check
Instructor: Gail Hubbard 828-712-4245
NEW Start Date: Monday, November 4 at 12:30am.
Mark Your Calendar: Monday, November 4, 11, 18, 25; December 2
Time: 12:30am
NEW Start Date: Monday, January 20 at 1:30am.
Mark Your Calendar: Monday, January 20, 27; February 4, 10, 17
Time: 1:30am
Location: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Take the middle paced driveway on your left once you see the orange cones and mailboxes on the left indicating that Edgewood Road Extension does deadend. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring:
- 6 foot leash (no retractable)
- proof of rabies - PLEASE
- a favorite toy
- small soft food treats - i.e. turkey hotdogs cooked and string cheese ... it's different but that is what my dog's love!
- YOU ready to train. Enthusiasm and Joy! AND plenty of motivators for establishing your personal reward strategy!
Sign Up Now
Private Training and Behavior Consultations
Private Coaching Benefits are:
- At home coaching session
- Comfortable environment to optimize learning for your puppy
- Initial evaluation to determine goals and expectations are fulfilled
- Assessment of where the dog is within those goals and expectations
- Developing your initial plan with handouts and homework
- Follow up emails and phone calls
- Scheduling the second session to stay consistent and evaluate your training mechanics
Pricing
1 hour of coaching ... $105
1.5 hours of coaching ... $155
The initial meeting includes an evaluation, handouts and a follow-up phone consultation and typically lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. All follow-up sessions are typically an hour in length.
When working with larger families, children, and multiple dogs, the private coaching can extend even longer in length.
2 hours of coaching ... $195
Programs are provided giving the busy families a lot of options and supportive services. If you would like to discuss the programs, please let me know.
**Pricing is different for those living outside of a 15-mile radius.
K9 Manners Level 2 — CGC Prep
After successful completion of Level-1, you are encouraged to move on to K9 Manners - Level 2 if you are wanting to move toward therapy dog, and/or passing the CGC test.
K9 Manners Level 2 - CGC Prep introduces new ways to increase your dogs arrousal while working on compliance. Classes are always based on the foundation of how to properly handle and effectively communicate with yourdog. The goals are to go deeper into what you personally want and need as your dog's life (24/7/365) is the most important to me.
This class will prep you for the CGC class. It is held for 5-weeks so that you can build upon your obedience foundation.
During this class it will not be unusual for me to give one person more homework in one aspect of their relationship, and another may have a totally different focus. When we come together it is your opportunity to work on your individual relationship with your dog with guidance from me - moving towards your personal goals. It is a class so there will be limitations, but you are always encouraged to ask questions and send weekly updates via email.
K9 Manners - AKC CGC PREP CLASS
- Accepting a friendly stranger
- Sitting politely for petting
- Appearance and grooming
- Walking on a loose leash
- Walking through a crowd
- Sit and down on command and staying in place
- Coming when called
- Reaction to another dog
- Reacting (or not reacting) to a distraction
- Supervised separation.
To pass the CGC test dogs must pass all 10 items of the test.
If you are nosure if this class is for you. Please call Gail at 828-712-4245.
Important Notes: If you have not attended a K9 Manners class your dog may need to step back in order to move forward to accomplish your goals. An option: a private lesson may be scheduled [$105] to enter into this class.
During each private I evaluate and give essential homework to move forward with your desires.
Class Details: K9 Manners Level 2 - CGC Prep
5-Week of CGC Prep
Cost: $165
Cash, Venmo, or Check (Payable to: WNC K9)
New Class Start Date: Tuesday, March 4 at 1:00pm
Class Schedule: Tuesday, March 4, 11, 18, 25; April 1
Time: 1:00pm
The locations: The different class locations will be given during the first class.
The first class location is: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Introduction to Dog Sports
Class Details: Introduction to Dog Sports
5-Weeks of FUN to introduce the fun of a dog sport. This class will mentally challenge you and your dog as well as physically.
It is critical that your dog has been in a structured class BEFORE coming into Intro to Dog Sports. If you have any questions, please call me. 828-712-4245
This 5-week class is highly recommended for folks new to any dog sport scene. We want all our students to get all they can out of their interactions with their dog. Dog sports are FUN and this class is designed to prepare owners for navigating and controlling their dog in any sport class. It also teaches you more fun things to do with your dog at home ... mentally stimulation with fun games that will keep them fit while showing them how to use their bodies in the space - proprioception. This class offers a little bit of physical challenges, so your dog should go home tired. Sport classes are generally more stimulating then average dog training classes and so the types of things you will learn over and above learning new sporty activities are:
- Learn the art of shaping where the dog thinks and is more involved in the games we play
- Learn tricks for foundation skills in treibball, agility, and scent games
- Work on happy crate training techniques so that your dog loves any crate - especially at the vet office
- Learn how being a team player in the class can enhance your experience and learning
- Wellness fitness and conditioning games will show the dog proprioception, etc.
The sports that we review are: Agility - Treibball (Urban Herding) - Scent Nose Work (The Nose Knows) - K9 Fitness and Conditioning
If you have already taken this class, I can give you additional homework that will take you into the next levels of the sport you are most interested in. Call me to discuss the possibilities.
Cost: $165
5-Weeks of FUN ... with 4 dog limit. Please call with questions
Instructors: Gail Hubbard
[NEW] Start Date: Thursday, January 23 at 11:45am
Mark Your Calendar: Thursday, January 23, 30; February 6, 13, 20
Time: 11:45am
New Class:Intro to Dog Sports "Round Two" Agility, Scent Work, and Treibball (Urban Hearding)
Please contact me if you are interested. This is where we continue on with two different sports that people are interested in. It is fun and for those who want to have fun with their dogs.
Details: This Intro to Dog Sports class is for those who have taken a class before. So, your dog is used to working around other dogs in close proximity.
Location: 41 Edgewood Road Extension, Asheville NC 28803
This is a residence so play drive slowly. Please also know that there is plenty of parking on the right of the house so please pull all the way up the driveway. There are paw prints on the drive way to help you pull up the correct driveway as well as red posts with the number 41 on it to guide you. Follow the red doggie signs. There are red rockers on the porch and the red garage door. If you have any questions, please call me 828-712-4245.
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Interested? Simply click the "Sign Up Now" bottom below.
Intro to Dog Sports "Round Two" Agility, Scent Work, and Treibball (Urban Hearding)
Class Details
Since teamwork between dog and human is the cornerstone of any sport, this class focuses on the relationship between you and your dog. Using a non-conventional way of training dog owners are challenged to team up with their k9 companion in a way they may not be used too. It is fun and the outcome is mind blowing as you get your dog to do things that you never could imagined them doing. In this Intro to Dog Sports "ROUND TWO" we push the basics a little further and start introducing other components in each sport. SO ... the prerequisite is the Introduction to Dog Sports!
This class can become an on-going experience. After this 5-week experience the class could continue on and on until you and your dog's performance and skills get to a competing level, if you so desire.
It is often exciting to watch the process and journey of each and every dog team.
Read a story from a student and her scottie.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
Cost: $165 for 5-weeks of FUN and Learning!
Instructor: Gail Hubbard
New Class Start Date: Wednesday, July 31th at 6:30pm
Mark your calendar: Wednesday, July 31; and August 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 6:30pm
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!