#procyontraining

[procyontraining]

Nap Time! #procyon #procyontraining #procyondogtraining #deafpuppy #deafpupsrock #deafacd #petco #petsonsafari #petsonsafaritoys #lion #deafpuppiesofinstagram #deafdogsofinstagram #deafandproud

[procyontraining]

Introducing Ohana “Buzz Buzz” Roberts

So I am now the proud owner of Ohana “Buzz Buzz” Roberts. Ohana is a deaf, Australian Cattle Dog mix, puppy. 

For the record, I do not consider Ohana disabled. She has not lost her sense of hearing - she was born without it. 

There will be challenges in training her because I’m now learning how to communicate in a manner that makes the most sense to “Buzz Buzz.” Over the course of 12 years, I have trained 4 deaf dogs - all adults or late adolescents - never a 9 week old puppy. 

I have learned to train dog-reactive dogs, people-reactive dogs, aggressive dogs, trick dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, and your basic “pet” dog - but I’ve never had deaf dog from scratch...and so begins our journey. 

I invite you all along to ask questions, make comments, give feedback and share opinions...are all welcome. I am not obligated to accept them and you’re not obligated to agree with me but I know that “Buzz Buzz” has a lot to teach me and I am excited at the prospect to become a better teacher, a better trainer and a better person.

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Down from distance...and NAILING IT!!!! #procyontraining #procyondogtraining #lovemyjob #miniaustralianshepherd #ocalafldogtrainer #ocaladogtrainer #centralflorida #centralfloridadogtrainer

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Before You Bring Your New Dog Back to the Shelter...

Before You Bring Your New Dog Back to the Shelter…

Remember the first few days of high school, trying to find your locker, trying to remember the names of your teachers, trying to remember what subjects you had in what order?  Or maybe the first day of school for your child, trying to find your child’s classroom, trying to figure out who the principal versus the assistant principal was, trying to find the pick-up lanes? How about your first day at a new job, trying to find the time clock, trying to remember which manager was responsible for which department, trying to remember your duties? Now add to those scenarios that no one speaks your native language… Are you anxiety-ridden yet? Are you unsure who’s in charge? Do you know who to go to for help? Can you express your needs? Well, guess what - - - take yourself out of that picture and put your new dog from the shelter into the scenario…and imagine their anxiety. Don’t get me wrong - some people crave the excitement of new beginnings.  But most people find them scary and confusing, and they look to make a new friend to help them transition. A friend who doesn’t judge them, who is kind and forgiving, who helps them through this tough time. Not someone who makes it worse. The shelter told you the dog was house broken but this morning you saw your new best friend pee on the floor right in front of you; and now you want to bring the dog back to the shelter.   The shelter told you the dog was crate trained but he kept you up all night howling at the top of his lungs...and now you want to bring him back to the shelter. The shelter told you the dog was good around other dogs, but she snapped at your dog as he walked past her empty bowl, and now you’re ready to bring her back to the shelter. As a person who works at the shelter, I am asking you to reconsider. As a dog trainer who works with animals, I am asking you to reconsider. But most importantly, as a person who has been the new kid in school, I am asking you to reconsider. It’s true that a dog doesn’t usually pee or poop where they live, but from his perspective he’s only been at your house for a few day. He doesn’t know he lives there yet. Perhaps he had accidents in the last home and was already returned to the shelter once. So before you bring him back to the shelter, start him on a consistent potty schedule. Yes, even if he is 3 years old. The shelter wasn’t lying when they said your new best friend was crate trained, but she went from the familiar sounds of the kennel to the deafening quiet of a house. So before you bring her back to the shelter, try moving her crate into your room. At night when she wakes up and whines and barks, gently tap on her crate and talk to her so she knows she’s not alone. The shelter wasn’t lying when they said your new best friend was good with other dogs, but as a stray she had to eat whatever she could. So before you bring her back to the shelter, feed each dog in a separate room and enroll her in a reputable group training class so she can learn how to be around other dogs without feeling threatened. There are many reasons why the first few weeks can be a challenge for you...adding a new dog to your home, adjusting to a new routine. But remember, your new best friend is adjusting to so much more and just like that new best friend that makes room for you at the lunch table when every other seat is taken, your new dog needs you to be kind, be patient, and be his best friend.

[procyontraining]

"Ain't nobody got time for that." #procyontraining #schnoodle #tireddog #tireddogs

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Proofing the "Leave It" Command. #lovemyjob #boardandtrainprogram #boardandtraining #boardandtrains #boardandtrain #ocala #ocalafl #servicedog #servicedogtrainer #servicedogtraining #servicedogintraining #procyontraining #centralfloridadogtrainer #centralfloridaservicedogtrainer #woodle #poodle (at Procyon Training)

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Having fun at work. #procyontraining #dogtrainer #dogtraining #acd #australiancattledog #lovemyjob #ocaladogtrainer #centralfloridadogtrainer (at Petco)

[procyontraining]

Having fun with an improvised obstacle course. Just for the record, Max did not run into the camera. I pulled it away just in time but it's a great shot! #procyontraining #dogtrainer #dogtraining #dogjumps #obstacle #parkour #parkourpuppy #lovemyjob