Hudson's Hounds

Looking to book a private session? http://www.hudsonshounds.com/contact-us.html Looking for Manners Classes? http://www.hudsonshounds.com/group-class---manners-class-fo... Puppy Classes? http://www.hudsonshounds.com/group-class---puppy-foundation Reactive Dog Classes and Seminars? http://www.hudsonshounds.com/events.html Please visit www.hudsonshounds.com for prices, dates and more.

Little Henry (left) just finished our most recent Reactive Rover class. He was struggling around new dogs and people (right). He and his family came to every class (including the seminar), asked great questions and did all of their homework. The other great thing that they did, was give Henry a chance to observe and process his environment without telling him what to do....if he needed some help, they were equipped with great skills from class to do that. This means that inst...ead of telling him no when barked out of fear, they simply told him that he was ok and created some space for him and also added some enrichment for his brain to be able to focus on something more fun. He soon learned that new dogs and new people predicted safety and fun games instead of fear and uncertainty. I just received this video today and I am so proud to share it Great work Henry and family!

Last chance to sign up for tonight's Insight to Reactive Rover seminar! This in person event will be held at the Red Deer K9 Training Center from 630 to 830pm tonight, April 15 ($59). Email [email protected] to join!

Why do some dogs struggle to read brachycephalic (short-faced dogs)?

"Firstly, dogs do not respond in the same way to speech, body language, or emotions in the same way we do. We need to avoid is the idea of ‘how I can get my pet to obey me’ and reframe this concept into ‘how I can get my dog to understand me.’ "

First we had our nails trimmed in Bentley from Auntie Heather where we also got to meet a few day old baby sheep!! We wanted to bring her home but unfortunately that didn't happen. Then we went to Blackfalds to the vet so that mom could pick up our flea/tick stuff. One of our favorite vets was there so instead of waiting in the car we got to come in for treats, just for sitting on the scale! We both love the scale, just like Gussy taught us, so mom had to get the vet's help since we both insisted on sitting on the scale together So now we're pooped and crashed on the couch outside. It's been a ruff day.

My wonderful friend Kim and her giant adolescent Neopolitan Mastiff Vinnie, helping me with my buddy, a 6 month old cane Corso puppy who's struggling with other dogs while on leash. We always start from a distance and make sure that he is feeling safe enough to learn. I know he's comfortable when he can watch me without hesitation and take his favorite treats. We practice "find it" in the grass simply to include enrichment in our activity and positively associate Vinnie's p...resence. Once he's comfortable with this we begin our engage/disengage exercise, of which he has down pat!! He looks at Vinnie then looks at me, I mark the behavior with "yes" then give him his favorite treat. We are getting closer and closer to our triggers! Last week we were twice as far away, as he had a harder time focusing on me. He is such a superstar. No leash pops, no shock collars, no discomfort. Just a treat pouch, a harness and a marker word <3 Thank you to Kim and Vinny for all of your help!!!

This is the "roadmap" of any well educated trainer, when working with you to change behavior. Notice the yield sign at "extinction, R- and P-". These procedures are well documented to cause stress. Notice the stop sign at "P+". If your trainer is using positive punishment (add something to decrease a behavior) they have not followed the road map carefully. In no behavior modification plan, is the use of positive punishment effective or necessary. Ask your trainer if they us...e The Humane Hierarchy when preparing a behavior change plan. If not, please find another trainer who does. There are many out there that start with positive reinforcement, completely ignoring both medical and environmental considerations, then, when positive reinforcement isn't "working" they move straight to positive punishment. This is the "balanced" approach. This can happen in the first 30 mins of your session. Its not safe and it's not how we change behavior humanely. Our dogs have cognitive abilities and social emotional needs similar to that of a pre-verbal child. A toddler. Keep that in mind when working through those difficult behaviors.

"Much has changed about the way that science is applied today. As canine training has shifted from the old obedience-driven model directed at show dogs to a more relationship-based approach aimed at companion dogs, trainers have discovered that the use of negative reinforcement and positive punishment actually slow a dog’s progress, because they damage its confidence and, more importantly, its relationship with a handler. Dogs that receive too much correctionespecially the harsh physical correction and mean-spirited Bad dog! scoldingsbegin to retreat from trying new things."

Its Atlas' turn This beautiful boy is still looking for an experienced foster home or forever home!

Impromptu fall photo shoot in the park

Its so nice to see these 2 playing again

Happy Thanksgiving from the Hudson's Hounds crew! We're enjoying this beautiful fall day to play in the leaves

What does your dog say? How do you know?

I've always had great luck with Kuranda beds over the years - but found these last year on Amazon for way cheaper. Just in case anyone is looking for a great bed (that you can hose off or leave outside), this is Gus (120lbs) laying on a medium sized bed, snoring away. We have 5 of these raised beds throughout the house - its so nice to just wash the blankets and not worry about a stinky bed or wrecked zippers.

It's so very important to do your research and ask questions.... if you don't like the answers, please look elsewhere. You don't have to choose me, but please choose force free!

Elvis and the floating heads would like my attention lol

Something that I learned LONG ago, was to never punish a dog (puppy or adult) for peeing in the house... for so many reasons. This morning I came down the stairs to see Jackson lifting his leg on the kitchen cabinet! My first instinct was WTF!! I didn't yell, I just called him away to head outside with him...when I realized that I forgot to open the baby gate last night that gives them access to their dog door :-( This was absolutely my fault! Jackson did not get in trouble, I just cleaned it up and apologized to him for my mistake. There's always a reason for a house trained dog to pee inside - we may just have to dig much deeper than I had to today, but there's always a reason. Be patient with them while we figure it out