When the socialization door closes ... does another one open?
Call Gail Hubbard at WNC K9 Dog Training at 828-712-4245 for suggestions if you have been given some information that has scared you.
WNC K9's Statement Regarding COVID-19
Hello Western North Carolina,
Here is another WNC K9 update (05-12-2020) on the COVID-19 Pandemic.
I will be posting classes starting in June. I will be holding K9 Manners Level One and Puppy Classes only inside with strict capacity rules, and with improved safety protocol in place. You will need to register and bring needed paperwork that I'll send after I receive your registration to the first class.
K9 Manners Level One classes will be on Monday morning (June 1st) , Tuesday evening (June 9th), and Saturday Puppy Program (June 6th) classes will start back up. Capacity will be limited by the regulations put into place for our 4,800 square foot in-door area. Please view the classes here.
Strict safety protocol will be followed to ensure everyones safety.
Please call me at 828-712-4245 or email me at gail@wnck9.com if you have any questions.
If you are looking for ways to ease your frustration and stress concerning the COVID-19 here are some things to consider:
— Spending time with your dog can ease a person’s anxiety and stress.
— Take frequent breaks from house projects and social media by taking your dog for
an inSNIFFigation walk!
— Pack a snack and venture out to an open outdoor area with your dog… enjoy
nature and the beautiful mountains we live in.
— If you have training games to play, find a few minutes each day to play games
with your dog. If you are in need of some games, contact me.
I will continue to use zoom.us or FaceBook live to stay in contact with family and friends as well as hold 30 minute private consultations.
Please … please reach out if you are in need of some guidance.
Thank you!
Gail Hubbard
If you have a need, a question, please… please contact me.
Email me: gail@wnck9.com Or, call or text me: 828-712-4245
K9 Manners — CGCU
This class builds upon level-2 offering extensions to the learning environment by meeting in different locations in and around Buncombe County.
We review and focus on the CGC test items from the CGC Prep class and the CGCU test items below. At times people take this class several times because it is fun watching their dog learn and review important aspects of life. Everyone taking this class may be at different levels of understanding when it comes to the CGC items. Know that we will review and help you through all aspects with Schooling Model in mind.
SAMPLE URBAN CGC TEST ITEMS
1) Exit/enter doorways with no pulling in dog-friendly buildings.
2) Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.
3) Appropriate reaction to city distractions. This includes movement, noises, and walking on a variety of surfaces.
4) Crossing street: Stop at corner, stand or sit to wait and cross with no pulling.
5) Ignore food on sidewalk.
6) Approaching a person walking up to greet and pet your dog.
7) Public building control: Walks under control in building. Down stay in lobby or outdoor area while you are there.
8) Stairs, steps, or elevator control.
9) Housetrained for apartment, condo, and also in public buildings, or have observed in training classes.
10) Transportation control.
To pass the CGCU test dogs must pass all 10 items of the test. For more information go to the AKC website.
Prerequisite: If you are not coming from a K9 Manners Level 1 or 2 class, a private lesson must be scheduled [$80] to enter into this class.
Class Details: K9 Manners - UCGC Prep
5-Weeks of FUN (We meet at different places each week)
Cost: $165
New Class Start Date: TBA
Target End Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Locations: TBA
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.
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 4-5 dog limit. Please call with questions
Instructors: Gail Hubbard
New Class Start Date: Tuesday, April 4 at 2:00pm
Class Schedule: Tuesday April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2
Time: 2:00pm
or...
Level 2 Continuation Start Date: Tuesday, April 4 at 12:00 Noon
Class Schedule: Tuesday, March 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25
Time: 12:00pm
Details: This class is for those who have taken this class before and want to continue on with a mentally challenging class that keeps your dog fit and active.
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.
Agility: Learning to love the teeter
A Scottie's Agility Journey! By Carol Vaseleski.
In agility class today, Katie Kinross Shadowchaser was running a fun practice course with her usual Scottie smile shining brightly. She strutted over the dog walk, turned and ran through the tunnel, took two jumps and left me in the dust when I sent her to the teeter. The teeter looks and acts like a playground seesaw. As the dog runs, it pivots on the center line so the side that was down goes up and the other side goes down. She scaled it and rode it down as the rest of the class cheered. You may ask “why?” Dogs do that every day. The answer is that Katie had not gone over a teeter for almost eighteen months.
Katie’s agility story began as her formal obedience story ended. After years of training and having fun at obedience and rally trials, Katie had stopped getting excited as we entered the ring. At our last trial, she stopped midway through the heeling pattern, sat down and scratched. She ignored my encouragement as I urged her back to action. I concluded that this was no longer fun for her, so we retired. When we both got bored, I decided to try agility. We discovered a whole new world of speed, challenges, and fun.
Agility training is different from obedience and rally training, though all three can be fun. Obedience and rally rely on handler focus, with the dog responding quickly and precisely to commands. Rewards are usually dispensed from the trainer’s hand for closer and closer approximations of perfection. Agility requires both handler and obstacle focus. Rewards are dispensed frequently to build drive and are usually provided at the point of success, not directly from the handler. This way, the dog associates the reward with its own actions regarding the obstacle, not with the handler. The dog relies on the handler to set the course (where to go) and on its own trained experience to complete each obstacle (what to do). This was a difficult transition for me after years of obedience training. Katie embraced it immediately. Other lessons were more subtle. I learned to be positive and appreciate Katie’s efforts. Katie learned it is more fun to connect with me and run a course than to dash around the ring by herself. I learned humility when I realized that every time she went off course it was my fault because I sent her there. We both learned that mistakes are just an opportunity to do better the next time. I had to learn to communicate with her without talking because she is very fast and I am quite slow. I could not talk and breathe and run at the same time. I had to rely on being where I could talk to her with the silent languages of hand signals, position, and movement. At trials, we qualified most of the time. We always had fun. Then, we had an unfortunate accident.
One Christmas, we got a practice teeter that Katie and I could use in the basement during cold weather. The teeter was her least favorite piece of equipment, so we worked on enjoying it. Progress was slow and steady, but she still merely tolerated it. One day, I slipped and fell against the teeter as Katie was at the pivot point. It collapsed on top of me. She fortunately rolled off the other side onto a rug. I screamed “NO” as I fell. She thought I was yelling at her. The perfect storm of training disasters had struck!
Fortunately, agility has some events that do not include the teeter, so we kept training and attending trials. We also embarked on a search for someone to help us get back on the teeter. Class and trainer number one advised me to buy really smelly treats and to place them along the teeter. I held her collar and lured her up one side and down the other while the trainer ensured that it did not move too quickly. Katie dearly loves treats, so she followed the trail. She did not enjoy this experience and did not learn anything. Class and trainer number two, our friend Gail Hubbard, offered a different solution. We isolated the scary parts of the teeter experience and created baby steps to address each one, one at a time. We played games by sending her up the teeter without allowing it to move and giving her lots of tiny treats one at a time when she got to the end. Then, we allowed it to move about an inch and did the same thing. Then, we ended the session at the beginning, just to ensure success. More inches followed until she was riding it down without trying to jump off. Many weeks later, the teeter dropped on its own about halfway down, landing on a blanket so there was no noise. Then, we introduced the noise. During this process, various members of the class would cheer her on to greater glory. Almost a year later, she jumped those jumps in practice and ran the teeter all by herself. The best part was seeing her actually enjoy the experience.
Agility is a challenge, a bonding experience and a thrilling game you can play with your dog. Our journey included a backyard class run by some friends who competed in agility. We moved to specialized classes at an agility training school and lots of practice in our backyard and basement. It’s amazing how much you can learn with three or four jumps and a tunnel. If you decide to take a journey of your own with your best friend, find a good trainer who can get you started safely, with a good foundation on basic skills. Whether you continue by yourself in your backyard, with friends in class, or at trials, you’ll never lose if you don’t give up. Each training session and each run is a new experience and a chance to learn.
This article originally appeared in the Bagpiper Magazine and is reprinted with permission of the author. Thanks Carol.
What is Puppy Socialization?
WHAT IS SOCIALIZATION?
Dr. Seuss reminds us all about broadening our horizons with a little bit of humor and rhythm in his popular book, Green Eggs and Ham, written in the 1960’s using fifty words. Using his simple animated writing style is a great way to illustrate the importance of socialization!!
Some choose not to deal with socialization.
It’s sad, I know! More desensitization.
You will not find the answer in the sky;
And Mister, I will tell you why!
We live in a busy world that races;
Too busy to take puppies to new places.
Oh My! Another fearful reaction;
That leaves you in such dissatisfaction.
Hmm, socialization is indeed a need.
There you go! Going new places much proceed.
Confidence. Clarity. And Thresholds rise.
No more anxiety, fear and destructive “Whys?”
Look! A neutral reaction to a novel situation.
What a relief. Time well spent on socialization!
Almost everyone can relate to Sam-I-Am as he demonstrated his persistence and creativity while trying to help his friend to try green eggs and ham. Dr. Seuss’s fun and simple text reminds us all that meeting new people, going new places, and doing new things is only the beginning … a fun way of winning! See, socialization is a process that we have to do with our puppies - it is not an event. The outcome usually produces a well-adjusted adult dog willing to except different people, small children, new animals and unfamiliar environments … like bicycles and other things with a lot of movements! The key is NEW things. First impressions need to be GOOD impressions!
So, take your puppy new places.
Touch different surfaces and see new faces.
Try it! You might like it, so I say!
The world is simply a free buffet.
There are different periods in a puppy’s life that we all should be aware of. A good breeder will usually take care of the first period, the puppy canine socialization period. Here puppies usually learn from their mother the meaning of discipline and to regulate the strength of a bite from the other litter brothers and sisters. So it is really important for puppies to stay with their litter mates and mother until they are 7-8 weeks old. After 8 weeks, your puppy will fall into the sensitive period of life and the first fear period hits rapidly there after. Anything during this first fear period (between 8-11 weeks) that scares the puppy usually stays with him for life unless the owner recognizes the fear and is able to react properly and distracts with treats and toys — anything of high value. It goes without saying that socialization is limited by the puppy’s increasing and unpredictable fear of the unfamiliar, but we should not let that limit us. Studies have shown that the environment in which a new puppy lives will have an impact on his temperament when he reaches adulthood. Simply focus on pleasant experiences during this period and you’ll make it through with a happy puppy. Between 12-16 weeks starts the cutting period where the new teeth are cutting in and the puppies are cutting off mother’s apron strings. This puppy needs to get out and go here, there, and everywhere!
At 4 months (16 weeks) up to 20-24 weeks (5-6 months) the puppy reaches a flight … call to the wild, period and stays here until puberty sets in. What? During this period the owner’s are encouraged to play and create a valued position in the puppy’s mind.
Last but not least is the puberty period. Between 6-14 months the puppy will start to experience hormonal changes. The parents reading this know how challenging this hormone surge can be for a child. For the puppy, they can experience anything from hot spots to irrational attitude problems usually from a fear of what used to be familiar situations. There are tricks to make it through all of these periods, please consider me at WNC K9 Dog Training for help.
You will find a puppy program that helps you teach fundamentals that will take your puppy places. You are in charge of your puppies confidence. And new experiences on a daily basis will help. New things, not the same patterns and places - new things and places.
Start with an area where there are not a lot of other dogs, perhaps a playground with swings! First find one without the sounds that a child brings!
Would your puppy like the mulch? The sand? The snow?
Would your puppy like you swinging from head toe?
Could your puppy figure out how to slide?
Could your puppy find you if you were to hide?
Small things that bring about stress;
Will only strengthen your puppy’s threshold — positive progress!!
I challenge everyone to get out there. A well-socialized puppy living an adult existence is more at ease, confident, easier to train and less likely to develop behavior problems. So, to me, socialization increases the probability of dogs staying in the original homes and decrease the number of dogs placed in the adoption systems.
It is very important to bring the “here, there and EVERYWHERE!” lesson into the training process as well. I challenge everyone to help their puppy offer behaviors “here and there.” Depending on the environment, have patience and lower your expectations. Give a young dog a break - deliver grace, love and help.
Creatively motivate proper focus on you “EVERYWHERE!” Develop focus, name recognition, and a love of the learning games at home … under a dome … in the car … at the North Star! On a boat .. next to a mountain goat! In the rain … no, I’m not insane!!
If you train and socialize here, there, and EVERYWHERE, you will better your changes of having a good adult family dog.
THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN SOCIALIZING!
- CREATE PLEASANT, POSITIVE EXPERIENCES for your puppy with a variety of people and in a variety of places. Introduce them to animals and novel objects like umbrellas, canes, baby strollers, vacuum cleaners, brooms … etc.
- DO NOT FORCE YOUR PUPPY to experience something she fears. Dragging any fearful dog to visit a child is not socialization … sorry! Punishment is not part of socialization and neither is contributing to any unpleasant experiences.
- ALLOW YOUR PUPPY TO TAKE TIME with new, novel stimuli. Encourage the puppy to make small successful steps by laying a trail of treats. If your puppy is repeatedly exposed to situations that elicit a fearful response, the goal of socialization is not being accomplished.
- If you puppy displays UNWANTED PROBLEM BEHAVIORS during an encounter such as fear or aggression, you may want to inquire about a private coaching session so you can learn about behavior modification games and counter-conditioning.
- ALWAYS SET THE PUPPY UP TO WIN by making the situation less intimidating. For example, ask that tall bearded man to sit on the floor without direct eye contact and hand him high valued treats. Perhaps he could create a “train” to his hand with treats.
- Make sure the puppy IS HAVING FUN by playing with favorite toys and by feeding high valued treats.
Socialization helps a puppy overcome emotional responses and accept unfamiliar things. So start today! You’ll be surprised at the positive relationship that it brings.
This was originally written in 2001 … and now a perfect thing to post.
Here are ways to connect with me:
Call Me — 828-712-4245
Email Me — gail@wnck9.com
Send a iMessage — @wnck9DOGtraining
Post an Instagram Pic — https://www.instagram.com/wnck9/
Gail Hubbard
Founder of WNC K9
Carolyn Bigley
Carolyn Bigley has been working and training with dogs since 1996.
After graduation from college, she was volunteering in the swamps of Louisiana and found a beagle about to be lunch by a giant alligator. “Bayou” as he came to be named, was her first rescue. Bayou was a lovable but destructive, barking and unruly beagle pup, and Carolyn being fresh out of college had no money to formally train him. So she began interning with a local dog training company and the rest is history.
Agility Foundation - Beginning Basics
Class Details
Since teamwork between dog and human is the cornerstone of agility, this class focuses on the relationship between you and your dog. Using a non-conventional way of training (or shaping) dog owners are challenged to team up with their k9 companion in a way they have perhaps never done. It is fun and the outcome is mind blowing as you get your dog to do things that you never could imagined them doing.
This class is an on-going experience. After this 6-week experience the class continues on with beyond foundation skills which leads to more and more agility.
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.
To build a successful agility team and have fun in agility, please take a K9 Manners class at A Good Dog's Life Training Center before signing up. If you have any questions, please contact me.
Cost: $165 for 6-weeks of FUN and Learning!
Instructor: Gail Hubbard
New Class Start Date: TBA
Typically interested agility foundations - beginning basic dog teams move onto Beyond the Basic Foundation and learn more and more skills until they are running a whole course.
Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
**This series will continue on through several levels. Typically it takes several months before students are running larger sequences and/or thinking about competing. Locally we have AKC and USDAA shows ... both are fun and both are right here in WNC.
Urban Herding - Introduction
Lesson Details: An Introduction to Urban Herding - Treiball
Control and keeping your dog's engagement is the name of the game with all sports, but really relevant to urban herding. This fun sport will mentally challenge you and your dog. An introduction to this sport typically starts with a private lesson, but it isn't necessary for this 5-week introduction course. During the private lesson games will be played to enhance your dog's focus and enthusiasm to play treibball. Just like all dog sports your relationship will improve as well as your dog's impulse control. Please contact Gail Hubbard with any questions.
Cost: $165
Class Length and Start Date: TBA
Time: TBA
Contact: Gail Hubbard
Text/Call: 828-712-4245
What to Bring: Bring what motivates your dog (toy and small, soft food treats) and your enthusiasm!
Interested? You can click the "Sign Up Now" bottom below and let us know the best time to call. Carolyn typically schedules her privates on Fridays or the weekends.
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. 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, for the most part, 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 4-5 dog limit. Please call with questions
Cost: $165
Cash, Venmo, Zelle, or Check
Instructor: Gail Hubbard
NEW CLASS Start Date: Wednesday, April 5 at 6:30pm [no class on April 26]
Target Dates: Wednesdays: April 5, 12, 19; May 3, 10
Times: 6:15pm
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
- a favorite toy
- small soft food treats - i.e. turkey hotdogs cooked and string cheese
- enthusiasm and joy! AND plenty of food rewards.
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.