Top

Menu

Smart Dog University

Professional training by a puppy expert

Social

Service Dog Training: NBC Makes Schooner a Star

Great Dane, service dog, dog training, clicker, positive, Frederick, Service Dogs of Virginia, assistance dog, Smart Dog
The last few days have been a whirlwind.

From the good: we gained a new service pup in-training. To the sad: turn-in day for Schooner. Everything happened in less than 24 hours and I was emotionally exhausted after the entire ordeal. I’ll catch you up on the details of each event and introduce you to Levi, our newest charge in upcoming posts, but for now, take a look at my handsome boy, Schoons, as the local NBC station documented his big day. The reporter, Molly Balkenbush, is a true dog lover and jumped right in to help work with Schooner.

Click here to watch the video of Schooner on turn-in day.

The Organized Dog Trainer: How to Efficiently Store and Freeze Stuffed Kongs

Kong, dog training, stuff Kong, Kong recipe, Frederick, Smart Dog
It’s a new year, we’re smack in the middle of Train Your Dog Month (TYDM), and food stuffed toys are one of my most valuable dog training tools.

I stuff and freeze about 40 food stuffed toys, like Kongs, every week. I’m frequently asked how and where I keep 40 Kongs, so I made this video to show you a system that works to keep the clutter and mess minimal, while also keeping my freezer clean and organized.

Wondering what to put in your Kongs?

Check out this low-fat recipe!

Your turn: Do you have an organization system to help keep things neat and organized? Please share in a comment below, I’d love to hear about it!

Panic Sets In – Schooner Leaves on Friday

The hardest part of raising a puppy for service work isn’t house training. It isn’t teaching loose leash walking. It isn’t enduring the needle teeth as they learn bite inhibition.

Schooner_MoscowMule

The hardest part of puppy raising is leaving the dog at the service dog agency and walking out the door without him.

That’s what I’ll be doing this Friday.

My work with Schooner is done.

IMG_0398
Schooner is on borrowed time with us. He was supposed to go back to the service dog organization in early in December. But bad weather intervened and we were given a stay of transfer. Whew! We had Schoons for Christmas and New Year, which was icing on our cake.

Time to face the music, as I have to take him back this Friday.

Tango Schooner Lake Anna

Schooner is something like the 15th dog we’ve had a hand in raising over the past 13 years. You’d think I’d be better at the whole turn-in thing.

I was sitting at my desk today, looking at my calendar for the week and Friday jumped out at me. It took me by surprise. There was a knot in my stomach, and I found it hard to breathe just for a second.

Damn, why do I have to get so attached to these dogs?

IMG_0358
I’ll survive, I always do. And Schooner,  he’ll have a rough couple of days maybe, but then he’ll get with the new program and will enjoy his new digs, new school, and new friends. He’ll be better much more quickly than I, that is for certain.

There is a silver lining.

On Thursday, I will be picking up Levi, a little black Labrador service pup in training, who will help keep me from obsessing over what Schooner might be up to at all hours of the day…and night.

How To Teach Your Dog to Come When Called – Part 2

dog training, Labrador, Lab training, dog obedience, Smart Dog, Frederick dog, clickerYou accidentally drop your dog’s leash on the trail.

He gets a whiff of something and…he’s off! Can you call him back? Will he come running right back? Or are you going to have to spend time chasing him through the woods, hollering his name until he decides to come back? If he comes back. 

Teaching your dog to come when called is easy and I think it should be required for all dog owners.

In our last video, we got you and your dog started with the basics of come when called. Now, we’re going to add some real-life elements like distance or distractions. Starring in this video is Great Dane, Schooner. In our first video, he was just learning the basics of coming when called. He didn’t have any speed or enthusiasm. What a difference a few weeks makes!

Check out Schooner’s excitement (he’s about to wag his tail right off!) and enthusiasm when I call him to me.

Make coming to you the most exciting thing for your dog!

It’s a party and the party’s wherever YOU are! Convince your dog of that and you’ll never have a runaway dog again!

Your turn: have you discovered a fun game or an exciting treat that makes your dog think the party’s wherever you are?

Share it in a comment!

People Gifts for the Dog Lover

Noel
Photo by Lauren Manning from Flickr

Let’s get right down to business: Christmas is next week, people! You don’t have time to lolligag around anymore. If you have a dog lover in your life, here are some ideas for quick and easy gifts. All of these links are to Amazon.com — they rock with their 2-day shipping! I’m not being compensated by the manufacturers in any way.

  1. Treat pouch. This pouch is machine washable and has a hinged flap.
  2. “Kindness Is Powerful” t-shirt by Victoria Stilwell. I have this shirt and wear the heck out of it.
  3. Shake. You’ll laugh every time you look at this book. The cover alone is adorable. Great pictures of dogs of all types shaking off.
  4. Poop bags. Poop bags that are good for the earth. Lavender scented, too. I love this description from the manufacturer: “Big enough for a Great Dane’s pile.”
  5. The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel The best fiction book about dogs I’ve read in my adult life. No lie. You will need tissues, but they’re good tears.
  6.  Bling! This paw print necklace is sparkly and affordable. Perfect!
  7. Rain boots. Spring will arrive even if it seems so far away now. And those walks in the rain with the dog will go much better with these cute boots!

Your turn: What would you add to the list? Leave a comment with your best gift ideas for dog lovers.

I will make a few pennies from Amazon.com if you buy from the links above. Those pennies will be deposited into my “pay for the website” bank account which is, obviously, used to pay for hosting, registering, maintaining, and building this site.

Subscribe to Email Updates

Stay up-to-date on training advice, upcoming classes and the latest news from Smart Dog University. We promise — No spam!
Testimonials

What People Are Saying

Smart Dog U really helped me deal with my first puppy and help me grow her (Etta) into a sweet little girl. Without that training from SDU this would have been a tough journey.

Ingrid Copeland

We did in-home training and group classes which helped us welcome Ember into our family. Her understanding of both dogs and busy families made the training easy and guilt-free.

Beth Schillaci

Thank goodness I discovered Smart Dog University! Laurie’s methods quickly made me realize that I was the one in need of training. The end result: A well behaved pup (Kasey) who is a true companion!

Matt Church

Laurie is someone Your Dog’s Friend depends on for good information on dog behavior and training presented in an engaging, understandable way. She has done free workshops for us; we have used her articles in our newsletter; and she is a trainer whom I can refer people to with total confidence.

Debra Ekman, Your Dog’s Friend

Laurie is a very knowledgeable and experienced trainer. She does a wonderful job with both the dog and owner. She is easily approachable and genuinely wants to make sure you and your dog are getting the most out of her classes.

Suzie Brown
Read More Testimonials