Training Tips from Miss Kathy

Training Tips from Miss Kathy

Katherine Smith, AKA Miss Kathy, is the Southern Regional Director of the Old English Club of America (OESCA). She has been working professionally with dogs for many years and is a:

  • Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC),
  • Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) and a
  • Senior Instructor at All Dog Adventures

Miss Kathy teaches people about how dogs learn and how to train them using POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT. She is dedicated to keeping dogs in their “furever” homes.

Miss Kathy really knows Sheepies and is a very generous friend of NEOESR. Miss Kathy has kindly provided NEOESR the training materials posted here.

Miss Kathy is located in Richmond, Virginia and can be reached through her website http://www.shaggeypaws.com/ 

Ms Kathy Smith demonstrating at NEOESR's annual meeting Miss Kathy Smith demonstrating with OES Brewster at NEOESR’s annual meeting

Trade

Trade is a useful exercise for training your dog to relinquish whatever he has in his mouth for something better. If your dog has ever grabbed a chicken bone or has picked up something, such as a rock or dead frog, and you want to get it from him this exercise is invaluable in getting him to release it. Continue reading

Separation Anxiety

Some signs of Separation Anxiety are the dog’s anxiously following the owner around like a shadow as the owner is getting ready to leave. We will be addressing some of the cues or triggers that we present to our dogs that tell the dog we are leaving. A systematic desensitization and counter conditioning program is recommended. Continue reading

Scrambling Competition

The probability of overt fighting is related to the strength of competing vectors set against the relative social competence, mutual affection and trust exhibited by the dogs. Continue reading

Safe Dog-Greeting Protocols

Keep in mind that dogs are individuals just like people. Some dogs may be more shy than others. Don’t expect your dog to like all other dogs and all people all of the time. After all, we humans don’t like all people and all dogs all of the time either. Continue reading

Resource Guarding

Keep a journal and make a laundry list of items your dog is guarding. Some dogs guard their stuffed toys, rawhide chews, pigs ears, bully sticks, marrow bones or other highly prized special toys or treats. Continue reading

Play Skill Deficit

Most dogs learn how to play as puppies. They learn "dog language," how to interact appropriately with other canines, and how to inhibit their bite. As adults, these dogs develop good socials skills, effectively communicating their desires and feelings to other dogs. Continue reading

New Baby

Socialize your dog with babies and small children as soon and as often as possible. Invite your brave friends with newborns over to meet your dog. Continue reading

Neophobia

Onset of neophobia (fear of new things/people/places etc.), approach/avoidance conflict is hard wired into all species developmental sequences. Continue reading

Meet-and-Greet-Shy-Dogs

When introducing your puppy to new people or dogs it is very important with a signal sensitive dog for the introductions and interactions to ALWAYS be "Puppy's Choice". Continue reading

Jumping

Jumping is a normal canine greeting ritual which makes it difficult to extinguish. Dogs jump when excited to see you and jump for attention. If we speak to the dog, touch the dog or look at the dog, we've just rewarded jumping. Continue reading

Intra-specific Aggression

Most aggressive episodes are initiated by the youngest and most recently obtained member of the group and results in more serious injuries than in the case of non resident fighting. Continue reading

House Training Your Dog

House training can be one of the most frustrating or one of the easiest behaviors to teach your dog. If there is one word that sums up the success or failure of a project like this, it’s consistency or lack of consistency. Continue reading

Gentle Leader Desensitization

The Gentle Leader is a management tool, not a training aid. The Gentle Leader PREVENTS the dog from being successful with the pulling behavior. When properly fitted the dog simply cannot pull, therefore is not being (self) rewarded by the behavior. Continue reading

Counter Surfing

Examples of self rewarding behaviors are barking, jumping, pulling on lead , digging and counter surfing. Simply engaging in the behavior is rewarding for the dog. Continue reading