Blog
West Seattle Dog Poisoning
Published on Feb 6, 2008 | Category: Safety Warnings
There have been news reports of dogs in West Seattle that may have been poisoned with rat poison on dog treats, bones, etc, strewn about Westcrest and Fauntleroy parks where dogs run off leash (though possibly, they shouldn’t anyway, as I think they aren’t off leash parks).
Puppy class and play time changes
Published on Jan 29, 2008 | Category: What's New?
The Saturday puppy classes are changing times somewhat. The good news is that we now have a play time for bigger dogs – under 30 pounds instead of just 20 and for tiny dogs under 15 pounds.
Chocolate, Raisins and Other Foods Toxic to Dogs
Published on Jan 17, 2008 | Category: Safety Warnings
Everybody knows that chocolate is bad for dogs, but do you know how much is too much? That 7 raisins could kill your dog? Or that onions are bad for dogs? Or that garlic is also toxic for dogs?
Dog Training for Busy People
Published on Jan 7, 2008 | Category: Tips & Safety
Have you ever taken a dog training class and then not done the homework? I have. I’ve also done months of PT and struggled to get through the homework. I just never had time, and the dog training ended up being at the end of the to-do list. The cure?
Sagan and the Blanket – Thinking Inside the Box
Published on Jan 1, 2008 | Category: Tips & Safety
Fixing dog behavior problems isn’t just about training the dog. Many times, a “management” solution, where you change the environment instead of changing the dog, is the best way to go.
Comfort Trainer head halter – fitting
Published on Dec 20, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
If you have tried a harness and that’s not enough to safely walk your dog, the Comfort Trainer head collar is a great way to reclaim your walk from your pulling dog. The collar portion of the Comfort Trainer head collar should fit fairly snugly, but not as tight as you might fit for the -> Read the full article…
Breeding Dogs for Temperament
Published on Dec 19, 2007 | Category: Puppies
Why do breeders continue to breed dogs that are not of sound temperament? The dogs meet the AKC beauty standards, but dogs can be dangerous, and living with an aggressive dog has a huge effect on our lives and the life of the dog. We should be breeding for calm, happy golden retrievers, labs, pit -> Read the full article…
Dog Whisperer Training Techniques Inhumane
Published on Dec 13, 2007 | Category: Uncategorized
It’s official. The “Dog Whisperer” TV show uses outdated, inhumane dog training methods. I’m so happy to have found out that it’s not just me, or the many, many dog trainers that I know – in Seattle and around the world – that think the Dog Whisperer show has done more harm than good. Everyone -> Read the full article…
Rules for Playing Tug with Your Dog
Published on Dec 10, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
Tug-of-war is good game for teaching the dog to switch between Crazy Dog mode and Thinking Dog mode (Limbic and Cerebral). Contrary to popular myths, tug does not cause aggression in dogs.
Dogs on the Bus in Seattle (King County)
Published on Nov 20, 2007 | Category: Puppies, Tips & Safety
Seattle is a very dog-friendly city. Dogs can even ride the bus in Seattle, you just may have to pay for it. If you have a puppy, the bus is a lovely way to socialize your dog will lots of different people. Bringing a dog on the bus changes the dynamic – even the “normal” -> Read the full article…
How to Teach Perfect, Fast Dog Behaviors
Published on Nov 13, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
The quick answer? Pay only for better than average behavior. The three aspects of fluency are precision, latency, and speed. The following training plans are designed to increase the fluency for three Rally Obedience exercises: slow pace heel, fast pace heel, and right turn while heeling.
Crate Training for Dogs Using Targeting
Published on Nov 13, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
I wrote a different article about Crate Training Puppies and Dogs last week. Take a look at it before you read this one, if you haven’t done so already. Many dogs can be crate trained faster by using targeting. With targeting, you first teach the dog to touch a target and then eventually put that -> Read the full article…
Private Dog Training
Published on Nov 13, 2007 | Category: What's New?
We’re excited to begin offering private behavior consultations with world-famous dog expert Kathy Sdao, MA, CAAB at Ahimsa. Sessions take place at our facility in Ballard. Topics include aggression, fear, separation anxiety, and most other dog behavior problems. For more information, visit the private training page.
November News
Published on Nov 12, 2007 | Category: What's New?
* Workshops this week: Coming When Called, Fraidy Dog, Baby-Proofing Your Dog * Online dog training forum is up and running! * Featured product at the store. * Free Training Practice class moving to Mondays. * TIP: Teaching your dog to fetch.
How to Teach Your Dog or Puppy To Fetch
Published on Nov 7, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
Does your puppy grab a toy and run off with it instead of bringing it back to you? You should be able to play catch *with your dog* and having your dog fetch the ball instead of playing “catch the dog” and having to fetch her. Fetch should be exercise for the dog, not for -> Read the full article…
“Good Dog!” NOT “Good Sit”
Published on Nov 7, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
You hear it all the time. “Sit, Fido.” (Fido sits). “Good sit!” It’s in my old training, too, but it’s a habit I’m mostly over. It’s not helpful for dogs when you use the cue (like “sit”) in the praise. It’s probably actually making your dog learn more slowly
The future of Agility at Ahimsa
Published on Nov 6, 2007 | Category: What's New?
We have offered agility classes at Ahimsa for several years. Our core focus is to improve the relationship of dogs with their humans, and while agility does serve that goal, the training center is so busy these days that I had to decide between continuing to offer agilty classes and offering more manners classes,
How to Get Your Dog Comfortable in a Head Collar
Published on Oct 19, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
There are many different brands of head collars for dogs these days. Popular dog head halter brands are Gentle Leader, Halti, NewTrix, and the ones that we carry on our website, the Comfort Trainer and the K9 Bridle. Head collars give you a lot of control, but dog’s can take several weeks to get used -> Read the full article…
Dog Training Advice & Community Forum
Published on Oct 11, 2007 | Category: What's New?
We did it! The dog training forum is ready for people to visit. Complaints about off leash dogs in Seattle? Need help with coming when called? Or weaning off of treats? This is the place to post your questions, rants, and raves. Visit the forum at http://doggiezen.com/forum.
Voted Best in Seattle – again!
Published on Oct 10, 2007 | Category: Uncategorized
CityDog Magazine had it’s annual readership poll for TopDog in various categories. In 2006, we were voted TopDog in the Dog Trainer/Behaviorist category. In 2007, CityDog wrote that we were a “close second” to a facility in Woodinville. When I asked my clients for suggestions for what to say about Ahimsa getting the most votes -> Read the full article…
I have other dogs. Does my puppy still need Puppy class?
Published on Oct 10, 2007 | Category: Puppies
Yes! I get this question a fair amount. I’d rather get this question than have people simply skip puppy class, believing that their other dog(s) will socialize the new puppy. It helps to have dogs at home, but it’s not enough, and it may convince you to not be as diligent in socializing your new -> Read the full article…
How to Click Your Dog’s Cute Behavior Into a Trick
Published on Oct 6, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
Your dog does a million cute things every day, if you look closely. Yoga stretches, head tilts, lip smacking, barking, you name it. Let’s turn one of them into a trick using clicker training! Here’s how:
October News – Puppy Jr. High, Rally is back, more!
Published on Oct 4, 2007 | Category: What's New?
In this Newsletter: New class: Intermediate Puppy, a.k.a. Puppy Jr. High Baby-Proofing Your Dog workshop – this Saturday Rally Obedience starts on Oct 18. Wallflower Shy Dog class starts Nov 17. More Agility Classes on the Schedule CityDog’s TopDog votes are in!
My Dog is Afraid of the Clicker!
Published on Oct 4, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
Some dogs are nervous about the clicker. It does happen from time to time, and almost all dogs will get over their fears, given the chance. So you have one of those dogs? Here’s what to do.
Recalled Dog Treats – Smokehouse
Published on Sep 19, 2007 | Category: Safety Warnings
It’s not an official recall yet, but Petsmart is pulling the following Smokehouse dog treats from their shelves, because of some dogs becoming ill after eating these treats.
Upcoming classes, call for volunteers, free training
Published on Sep 8, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
In this post: * Free Training Sessions moving to Thursday * Volunteers needed for Growly Dog class * Ahimsa won a “very close second” in the CityDog Magazine Top Dog awards (and the first place center isn’t in Seattle!) * Upcoming classes * Dog Training Conference
Woman breeds, chains dogs, who escape & kill others
Published on Aug 22, 2007 | Category: Uncategorized
I could have used the headline that others used, “Pit Bulls maul sleeping woman…” but I think the more important detail here is how this happened. It’s not the breed, it’s the fool who chained them up outside. Yes, some pit bulls are dog aggressive. And yes, they are powerful. But I have seen dogs -> Read the full article…
Hiccup Cure!
Published on Aug 20, 2007 | Category: Tips & Safety
The cure below is for curing human hiccups, but do dogs get hiccups? (hiccoughs?) Yes. Puppies are more prone to hiccups than adult dogs. My dog had hiccups every single day when she was a puppy, and has since grown out of that. But I wanted to write this blog entry because I got hiccups -> Read the full article…
Shy Dog class, Agility, Free Practice Class, more!
Published on Jul 31, 2007 | Category: What's New?
Once again, I have a boatload of news for you… In this newsletter: CityDog TopDog voting ends today! (maybe tomorrow) Free Practice Class for past and current students Join the Humane Society’s fight to end Dog-Fighting! New Round of Dog Agility Wallflower Shy Dog class returns! Baby-Proofing Your Dog – workshop Burien classes: Terrier & -> Read the full article…
Baby/Dog workshop, new dog training classes
Published on Jul 26, 2007 | Category: What's New?
We have new classes! The Baby-Proofing Your Dog workshop for expecting parents is completely new, and the Wallflower Shy Dog Class is a returning favorite. I’ve also added a ton of new classes to the schedule: Agility, Basic Manners, Terrier classes in Burien, and a new Saturday puppy class in Burien. Click here to see -> Read the full article…
