Monthly Archives: February 2014

Terrific Tip Tuesday

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This weeks TTT we had a request to cover how to get a solid long down under distractions in normal everyday situations.

Annecy and Soren practicing "off"

Annecy and Soren practicing “off”

Now i want to make a distinction between a long down and what i like to call an “off” command. My dogs all have long downs, but they are trained to pass a BH long down or police dog OB test for SAR certification. These long downs are not the same commands you see my dog’s demonstrate while i’m working with aggressive dogs around them, or while Soren is in public with me working, or in restaurants, public places ect.

The reason i have TWO different “commands” and behaviors for these two VERY different situations is to maintain CONSISTENCY.

Most of my clients will now roll their eyes, because i stress consistency so much they hear it in their sleep!!!

Anywho, back to my “off” command.  This is the behavior and the command i pair with it. Listed below are MY requirements for an “off” command

-Must stay laying down, hip changes, or position movement in the down are acceptable

– Eye contact with me is not necessary, the dog is essentially “off” of work and can watch the world around it.  Think of it as a little break, just in a specific position

-They must NOT react to what happens in the environment IE dropping items, screaming kids,  other dogs, people running. (This requires EXCELLENT impulse control and is taught separately then paired with the command in distraction filled environments to build high reinforcement.)

Get stated at home now, what are you waiting for!!!! and call to schedule a lesson today (607) 624-7598

Supply Sunday

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This weeks Supply Sunday post we are going to do a review on one of the cheapest training tools i use. You can nab one of these at your local Home Depot, or Lowes, or even Walmart.

Treat and toy pouch

Treat and toy pouch

This handy treat and ball holder costs about a dollar, is easy to adjust to anyone (so you can pass it off while training) and is washable. 

I always have one of these in my truck and training room, and find that i use it a lot more then regular, smaller, more expensive treat pouches. 

Grab one today, tell me what you think!!!!!

vom Kugelblitz is proud to announce our “A” litter of German Shepherds

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Dam- Raina

Dam- Raina

Sire- Soren

Sire- Soren

Spring 2014 the “A” litter vom Kugelblitz (Due first week of April)

We are pleased to announce the breeding of Raina vom Franzosen Wald STAR CGC SAR-W DM clear, DNA certified, hips OFA good and Elbows Normal and Edgar von Ramhaus STAR CGC SD DM clear, DNA certified, hips and elbows SV a-normal a1

This litter has been highly anticipated and we have had a waiting list for pups for almost 2 years from Raina. This WGWL litter has a fantastic pedigree backing it and is 5-5 on Pike. Currently accepting deposits for 1 male and 1 female and a waiting list until litter size is known.  We already have 5 pups spoken for.

Edgar (Soren)  Pedigree includes Asko vd Lutter, Tom v Leefdaalhof, Yoschy, Aly, and he is 5-5 on Marc and 5-4 on Pike. Soren is actively training for IPO and will be going for his BH and IPO 1 this spring. His main job is HRD (cadaver) K9. He is also a therapy dog and my personal service dog. While defensive and strong in protection work, he can fly on airplanes next to total strangers and spend his days at a therapeutic boarding school for trouble kids as a therapy dog. Soren has also been on sheep and is a natural herder. He is the multipurpose GSD who can do it all.

Raina was the youngest certified search dog in NYS passing her last certification tests for live and human remains at 12 months old.  Raina is certified through New York State as well as International Police Working Dog Association (IPWDA) as an HRD K9. While Raina is social and friendly she also has a civil side to her and has strong defense that comes out while working protection. Raina will also trial for her BH this spring. Raina’s mother has had 2 litters which have 4 search dogs and 4 police canines.  Rainas pedigree includes dogs like Chicco von der Fasanerie, Aly vom Vordersteinwald, Pike von der Schafbachmühle, Marc vom Herkulesblick, Half vom Ruhbachtal, and Lord vom Gleisdreieck.  Raina has also filmed a movie which is in production at this time and will be released in 2014 called Late Phases.

This litter will produce very high drive, serious working dogs who will need a job to do daily. Both dogs bring nerve strength, high prey, biddablitity and defense. Both are very social and friendly to kids, adults, small dogs, and live in a pack of 10 dogs from 3 pounds to 80 pounds.

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/breeding.result?father=2043714&mother=1926167

More pictures and video available upon request. Please visit our site for more information www.EIK9T.com and email with questions EIK9Training@gmail.com

Dam- Raina

Dam- Raina

Sire- Soren

Sire- Soren

Terrific Tip Tuesday

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This weeks terrific tip Tuesday is all about food drive.

K9 Emeline learning to pop up on her hind legs using food lure

K9 Emeline learning to pop up on her hind legs using food lure

A food motivated dog is an easy and fun dog to train. I do not know anyone who would argue with that statement! Believe it or not a lot of “pet” dogs and clients that i work with are amazed at the food drive their canine has after a few short sessions. A dog has a natural drive to have food, if tapped into correctly this primary reinforcer can be used to teach the dogs all kinds of nifty things and your dog will love you for it! So can’t afford, or do not have the time to sign up for lessons?? That’s fine, check out these easy tips below to start your dog off on the right “food drive foot”

K9 Annecy learning the side stretch to keep her agile all with food lure

K9 Annecy learning the side stretch to keep her agile all with food lure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Make him work for it! In other words, do not just slap a bowl of food on the ground. If you feed a kibble diet try out some of the nifty toys that dispense food.

Omega treat ball

Omega treat ball

Bob a lot

Bob a lot

Kong wobbler

Kong wobbler

These are made of solid plastic, and fairly indestructible, and teach fido to work for or “hunt” for his meal. A side benefit is it also mentally tires him on days you cannot spend time on multiple obedience lessons at home.

Once your pup is hunting a bit for his food while playing with these toys, you can also expand it by hiding hand fulls of kibble all around the house. Now is the perfect time to practice a down stay, first in the room you are in so he can see where you are hiding and learn to use his nose, then as you begin to proof your down stay in another room so the hunting is harder!

During your obedience sessions, teach the dog how to follow a food lure in your hand, and get him to go in different directions or offer different positions. This not only works his mind but keeps him engaged with the “flying treat hand”

The food drive world is full of endless possibilities, as is your training! If you are interested in learning more about bringing your dogs food drive out whether its for work or fun contact us today!!   EIK9Training@gmail.com or 607 624-7598

Jenn and the Canine Copilot Pack

Annecy’s obedience

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I have finally buckled down and Annecy is back to her daily obedience sessions. We had mostly been doing shaping, and trick training to keep her Mali head busy.

In preparation for her BH our focus is on heeling, sit and down in motion and fronts. This is our first session below! Hope to see continued improvement.

You will also see Soren practicing his loose long down, i say loose because he is more on a place command then a platz command. I’m building duration and distraction without worrying about position.