A New Leash on Life Dog Training @anewleashonlife - Tumblr Blog

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!)

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!)

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 [email protected] if you'd like to chat about this as an option for your dog.

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!

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

Some of our recent gorgeous doggos working on their training skills:

Duggee the Cobber Dog puppy worked on his sit and sit stepaway (stay) with Zander to demonstrate and distract. His Dad was new to handling today and did an awesome job and we were also able to begin educating Grandma and Grandad who live in the household too. Jumping, nipping and mouthing were all on the agenda, plus Duggee got some good socialisation with Zander.

Archie the Jack Russell had his second session and we learned to drop and hold his drop under distraction. He's done drop before, but shocked Mum with his refusal to do it for her. He's never been able to hold his drop before and surprised Mum with how easily he could hold his drop. We also started learning some boundaries, especially not rushing out into the garage when Dad gets home from work.

Bernie & Crumpet the Dachshund pair have been working through our Combination Program (online & in-person sessions) and today we were able to test their drops, which were awesome, their boundaries, which need a bit of work, and their biggest issue - barking. Last time I visited the house we could not even have a conversation without putting them outside. Today's effort was far from perfect but soooo much better. Bernie is the instigator, Crumpet is just doing what he does and soon didn't want to copy her brother at all.

Junior is a German Wirehaired Pointer x Bloodhound, and so he's a big boy. Strong. A big goof! Last time I arrived Junior jumped all over me, almost knocked me off my feet (that doesn't happen often) and tried to eat my ponytail. All friendly excited stuff but not very pleasant. This time he was excited and made a couple of mistakes, nothing even comparable. Dad and the family are working him well. We added a drop and drop stepaway to his repertoire, and began teaching him to not barrel in the door just because it's open.

Mabel the GSD girl started her Combination program earlier this year wanting to attack my dogs. Today she was excited when we arrived and broke her hall boundary a couple of times, but it was minor mistakes. We went for a walk and her family were even able to walk Mabel & Zander at the same time, working on her loose lead walking AND her soical skills. We also asked her to hold her drop at the local park whilst Zander was running free and she did a great job.

Leo & Bruno the Schnauzer boys had a little holiday with me (not a training program) whilst their parents had a holiday and I dropped them home and we did a lesson at home. I've never been able to touch Bruno before he stayed with me (wanted to eat me) and we certainly never have had the off lead with my dogs. I couldn't predict how things would go back in their home environment, even though we all made friends at my place, but the boys did an awesome job. We even controlled their desire to bark at the crazy neighbourhood dogs who set everyone off.

Well done everyone, so proud of you all.

If you'd like to get started training your own dog with me in-home, online or combination programs for next year are now available. Drop me a line and we'll talk it over.

Ten Things you might not know about me:

1. First overseas trip? As a teenager I travelled overseas and lived in the very beautiful country of Japan for a year as an exchange student through Rotary International.

2. Favourite destination for a few days away? Lakes Entrance, an easy drive, beautiful beaches, and Mum lives there so I might be prejudiced.

3. Least favourite household chore? Oh gosh, so many to choose from but I'd say cleaning windows. I'm not a very good housekeeper.

4. Favourite treat? Chocolate, but not just any, of course I prefer the good stuff lol. I don't buy any on a regular basis as I have no self control when it's in the house.

5. If you were eating out, what type of restaurant would you choose? An easy choice, Japanese food.

6. Favourite season? I'm a fan of both Spring and Autumn since I don't really like extreme temperatures, but I'd say of the two I'd pick Spring as the blossoms are beautiful and we are heading towards the nice warm days.

7. The one thing you regularly treat yourself to the you just cannot do without? Massage. For me it's more than a treat, it's a necessity so that my back is ok to keep working a physical job.

8. Favourite animal, aside from dogs? I love giraffes, so unique, and would love to go to Africa and see them in the wild.

9. Where would you most like to travel? New Zealand would be a favourite potential destination, I'd love to hire a camper van and travel slowly around the beautiful country.

10. Do you have any regrets? No big ones, though if I could sit down and tell younger me a few things I would. Get your act together earlier, save more, eat better, find your passion sooner.

Ok, your turn. Copy and past these into the comments and tell me something about you!

1. First overseas trip?

2. Favourite destination for a few days away?

3. Least favourite household chore?

4. Favourite treat?

5. If you were eating out, what type of restaurant would you choose?

6. Favourite season?

7. The one thing you regularly treat yourself to the you just cannot do without?

8. Favourite animal, aside from dogs?

9. Where would you most like to travel?

10. Do you have any regrets?

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!)

A great variation recently in the breeds, ages and issues of the dogs have had some workouts this week.

Teddy the Staffy x is seven years old and an obsessive compulsive tail chaser, so a super interesting case for me to work with because it's a bit different. We worked through introducing some basic language and control skills for Mum so that by the time we let Teddy off the lead Mum was able to much more effectively communicate to Teddy that tail chasing is not necessary or acceptable. Teddy never settles, but our second pic shows him voluntarily settling down for a nap. A long road to travel but a good beginning mate.

Nala the Staffy x girl attended a puppy preschool class that I teach at a vet clinic a couple of months ago so both Nala and her parents have a great foundation to their training, however she is now offering them lots of teenage behaviours so we started a program to add a lot of new skills and to work on some behaviours that she is getting stuck on.

Bruno & Leo the Mini Schnauzer pair had a short walk to work on their walking skills and their tendency to overreact. Leo is barky whereas Bruno is barky and narky. They live in a street where a neighbour has a number of out of control dogs, so our aim is for Bruno and Leo to walk past and ignore the commotion that will invariably be going on, because walks will always mean going past that noisy pack. We also got to do some awesome socialisation with a different (lovely) neighbouring couple who the boys also bark at.

Sadie the Groodle girl was overexcited at my arrival and leaping like a maniac on the back door so it was the perfect opportunity to work on her being calm if the door is closed, and not barging through when the door opens up. We added a mat command to her skillset, along with some loose lead walking skills.

Lola & Nala the Dachshunds finished up the intensive program with a lesson at home with their family. We worked through some obedience with the family handling and added some new rules and boundaries for the girls to follow. They were a little shocked that they need to wait for permission to come inside the house and that they are no longer allowed in the kitchen. The family are super keen to get control of as many behaviours as they can, in preparation for the arrival of a family kitten in a months time. I've worked them around my cat but working with a kitten in their own home environment will be a new and big challenge.

Drop me a line any time if you're keen to get started training in 2023.

When you say "sit" what does your dog think that you mean?

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!

Is your dog stubborn?

I hear this all the time "he's so stubborn, he just won't do XYZ". And I understand that a particular dog may, in general, have a stubborn nature or genuinely not care about pleasing their owner

Occasionally, this is genuinely the case.

Occasionally!

But before you think (or say) that your dog is stubborn I want you to consider this.

For your dog to be considered stubborn about something requires:

For you to communicate exactly what you want of them

For them to understand what you want of them

For them to actively resist doing something that THEY KNOW HOW TO DO

For the situation to be appropriate to their skill level

They cannot be stubborn about not doing something that:

They don't know how to do

That you haven't communicated clearly

That they cannot cope with

That they have never practised in that particular situation

So, there is a lot you can do to help a "stubborn" dog.

Communicate with them clearly about what you want them to do (or refrain from doing)

Show them what to do and how to do it

Reward them for their efforts so they want to do it

Hold them accountable for not doing it once they know what to do

Practice in as many situations as possible,

Never let them get away with not following through

Never give commands that you can't reinforce.

What does your dog do (or refuse to do) that you would have thought "he's stubborn"?

Are you sure he’s not just getting away with not doing it because you don’t know how to reinforce your command?

Behind The Scenes - a look at the team hard at work lol!!!

Fudge is working hard on holding his drop

Everyone else is lazing about and not remotely contributing to the household lol.

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!

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!)

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!

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.

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