HOUSE BREAKING & LEADERSHIP - SOCIALISATION - BASIC OBEDIENCE
There are 3 steps to effective puppy training to avoid future unwanted canine behaviour
PUPPY HOUSE BREAKING & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME - Handler education - highly recommended
A pup's development is in the hands of its family. If obtained at the correct age, 8 -10 weeks old, your pup would have learned instinctual communication from its mother (week 5-8) and learned (survival) behaviours from its litter mates. If you dealt with a reputable breeder, your pup may also have been subjected to temperament testing and environmental associations as well. However, the problem is communication - humans and dogs do not speak the same language. The second problem or opportunity is that the pup is on a huge developmental curve from the age of 3 weeks to 18 weeks. It is vital that a puppy's socialisation is maintained and receives behaviour modelling during this crucial developmental window. This does not mean that it cannot be trained at an older age but it does mean that the issues the family will have to live with and be responsible for, could be extremely taxing and expensive. Having said this, the human family members do not communicate instinctually and this communication style has to be understood to ensure successful training. Pups that are not socialised and developed correctly at an early age, could develop severe behaviour disorders resulting in the possible unfortunate situation of abandonement or rehabilitation. THIS CHOICE IS IN YOUR HANDS. It is for this reason that Pack Leaders includes instinctual communication understanding and leadership skills at no additional cost in our Handler Leadership programme along with other house breaking skills and techniques - a must for all pet owners. We strongly encourage all puppy and dog handlers to understand the basics of dog psychology which is part of this programme. This programme is combined with modified socialisation training and is offered as a convenient in-home training and development programme as it is very pet-family specific, and is therefore conducted in your home offering you convenience, saving you time, money and avoiding distractions common in group settings not to mention 100% dedicated time and attention from the instructor, resulting in accelerated learning and development.
Age category
Ideal - as soon as possible
Content
- Leadership skills - in the dog's mind
- Instinctual communication - non-verbal and verbal communication
- Body language (pup and humans) and self control (humans) and the effects
- Creating rules, boundaries and limitations (home - vehicle etc..) - What happens when the leadership role switches ?
- Developing TRUST and RESPECT (ensuring that the pup will follow your lead)
- Preventing mishaps and avoiding problems
- Learning about your pup's specific breed - physical and psychological needs and exercise requirements (specific exercises highlited)
- The power of the feeding ritual in leadership
- Elimination "potty training" - how to succeed
- Understanding and dealing with typical puppy issues - barking, jumping, chewing, biting, nipping, chasing
- Home-proofing your property (furniture, personal items, carpets, car, garden equipment etc..)
- Introduction to "clicker" training with positive and reward based motivation.
- Modified socialisation and habituation (builds confidence and manages behavioural responses)
Post programme materials and support
You will receive a written report 2 days after the programme which will include :
- Assessment commentary based on our environmental and behaviour observation
- A prognosis on your pup/dog behaviour and environmental integration
- Specific guidelines for you to follow immediately - pup and family specific
- A development strategy for your specific pup/s - suited to breed and your environment - on-site and off-site, including socialisation and habituation exercises
- A development strategy for the leaders (all humans in your family)
- Daily physical and psychological breed specific exercises
- Notes on the correct approach to leadership, basic obedience, feeding, walking and general exercising - pup specific
- General course material notes - depending on the specific displayed behaviour and energy levels
- The correct equipment to purchase for your pup's development
- Nutritional advice
You will also receive
- Unlimited telephonic development support (unless abused)
- E.mail based support service - questions, queries etc..
- A Pack Leader reference number for all future communication ( to be used when e.mailing or calling the help line.
- 24 Hour emergency support line - for a puppy-dog crisis, medical and legal direction and/or advice
Duration - Up to 3 Hours by appointment only.
Cost - Fee available upon request info.packleaders@gmail.com . The fee is a fixed rate and includes education for all humans, on dogs, in your family
To book - Contact the instructor on info.packleaders@gmail.com or complete the FORM on the Contact Us page or CALL 072 763 3887.
PUPPY SOCIALISATION PROGRAMME
This is the next step in puppy behaviour development and it is recommended that all handlers have a basic understanding of leadership education, first. If you have not attended the leadership programme then please consider the programme listed above seriously. In our experience many puppy and dog owners who have attended general socialisation classes often end up approaching Pack Leaders because of dogs displaying unwanted behaviours and request to have their pet's behaviour modified (rehabilitation). This results from the owners not having had a basic understanding of dog psychology prior to socialisation training as well as a lack of knowledge regarding their personal behaviour and communication requirements. Other factors include influences from family members, who may not have attended training, influences from other pets at home and failing to follow through on development processes and exercises. The role of the family members (humans) during the developmental phases of the pup cannot be emphasised enough.
Socialisation can be described as the process whereby an animal learns how to recognise and interact with the species with which it cohabits. For the domestic dog it includes other species such as humans and cats. By learning how to interact with these the socialised dog develops communication skills which enable it to recognise, amongst other things, whether or not it is being threatened and how to recognise and respond to the intentions of others.
Habituation can be described as the process whereby an animal becomes accustomed to non-threatening environmental stimuli and learns to ignore them.
There is a sensitive period of development in which socialisation and habituation must occur and be properly completed if the dog is not to grow up to be maladjusted. The degree of deprivation a pup suffers in respect of socialisation and habituation will be reflected proportionately in the extent of maladjustment as an adult dog. Accordingly, a pup that has had no experience of a specific stimulus at the completion of the sensitive period will always be fearful of it if intervention is not sought; a pup that has had some exposure, but not sufficient, will be better adjusted, although not entirely sound; and a pup that has had adequate experience of the stimulus in the sensitive period will grow up to be "bomb proof". Dogs that grow up to be fearful because they have been subjected to stimulus deprivation can be improved by counter conditioning programmes (Rehabilitation - behaviour modification), but the maxim prevention is better than cure was never more applicable than the first few weeks of a domestic dog's life .... Source - David Appleby.
Age Category
Accepted 9 - 18 Weeks old
Ideal age 10 weeks old.
Content
- General meet and greet
- Group - Troubleshooting behaviour issues and general questions and answers
- The instinctual greeting
- Pack greetings (pups)
- Group greetings (humans)
- Touch zones and sensitivity - expected reactions
- Stranger intervention - body touch (preparation for vet and grooming parlour visits plus show judge assessments)
- Vehicle and travel etiquette
- The stimuli platform - scents, visuals, auditory ; objects, surfaces, water ; balance and co-ordination challenges
- Distractions - sounds, objects, living beings
- Dealing with social graces and corrections - behaviour modelling
- Clicker and instinctual communication (incorporating body language and leadership skills) integrated into basic commands
- Staging communication and commands - click and reward - body language, click and reward - body language, sound, click and reward
- Understanding and implementing the different types of rewards as affection
- Initiating the" following" command
- Initiating the "sit" command
- Initiating the "stay" command
- Initiating the "re-call" command
- Executing boundaries - claiming space and objects
- Managing limitations
- The leash - introduction, application and removal
- The walk - handler understanding and gentle pup persuasion
- Practical homework including the implementation of rules, boundaries and limitations between classes
You will also receive
- A "clicker" - if the leadership programme was not attended (group classes)
- General course notes
- 24 Hour emergency support line - for a puppy-dog crisis, medical and legal direction and/or advice.
- Unlimited telephonic development support (unless abused)
- E.mail based support service - questions, queries etc..
- A Pack Leader reference number for all future communication to be used when mailing or calling the help line.
Graduation - Bronze certificate - social competence
Requirements - Valid veterinary vaccination card verifying updated de-worming, vaccinations, tick and flea control treatments
- water and food bowls, cheese and sausage treats (instructor will advise on what and how during the programme)
Duration - One (1) Hour per week for 7 weeks
Cost - Fee and payment information is available upon request info.packleaders@gmail.com
- This programme is DISCOUNTED if the leadership programme has been completed.
To book - Contact the instructor on info.packleaders@gmail.com or complete the FORM on the Contact Us page or CALL 072 763 3887.
Commencement - is subject to a confirmed booking and payment receipt
Training dates - see the TRAINING SCHEDULES
BASIC OBEDIENCE PROGRAMME
This is the final step of puppy behaviour development. Sometimes, handlers of pups who have completed the first two programmes do not see the need to continue with this step. So why is it offered ? Firstly socialisation, habituation and obedience are three different concepts : Socialisation builds confidence and social graces - Habituation assists with non-threatening environmental stimuli resulting in ignored calm behaviour - Obedience is the predicted, immediate responsive behaviour to the projection of verbal or non-verbal stimuli from a leader. This third step of the training process is conducted when the pup is slightly older and now has the ability to endure more intense stimulation for longer periods of time. The handler now has the ability to behave as a leader, the pup is socially accepting of other animals and humans and will be far less distracted by environmental stimuli (distractions) and has learnt tolerant and ignored behaviour skills. This means that the older pup can now learn prescribed obedience drills in a coping state, saving time and decreasing handler stress. Over and above this, the continued social interaction with people and other animals reinforces controlled instinctual and socialisation behaviour until the end of puppy-hood at about 9 months. Thereafter the dog goes into adolescence where all three of the disciplines learned by the dog and handler (leadership, socialisation and obedience) will be very important.
Age Category
Accepted 16 - 36 Weeks old (subject to acceptable social skills)
Ideal age 17 - 20 weeks old.
Content
- Cementing the bond between handler/s and pup including the concept of exercise, discipline and affection
- The instinctual greet - advanced techniques suited to older pups
- Pack greetings (pups)
- Group greetings (humans) and a single pup
- Leadership control positions
- Touch affection - body positions
- Increased stranger intervention - body touch
- Visitor influence and situational guidance
- The light touch - and the effect on future control of the adult dog
- Clicker and instinctual communication (incorporating body language and leadership skills) integrated into commands with greater expectations
- Staging advanced communication and commands - click and reward - body language, click and reward - body language, sound and reward
- The" follow" command - advanced (sound, body language and reward)
- The "sit" command - advanced (sound, body language and reward)
- The"stay" command - advanced (duration, distance, sound, body language and reward)
- The "re-call" command - advanced (duration, distance, sound, body language and reward)
- Extending boundaries - claiming space and objects (body language, sound) - practical implementation examples
- Hold and release items on command - sound, body language and reward
- Troubleshooting rules, boundaries and limitations.
- The leash - techniques, body language and attitude
- The walk - critical elements and common mistakes on the leash
- Preventing leash pulling
- A pack walk
- Practical homework
- Introductions to walk, run or ride groups
You will also receive
- General course notes
- 24 Hour emergency support line - for a puppy-dog crisis, medical and legal direction and/or advice.
- Unlimited telephonic development support (unless abused)
- E.mail based support service - questions, queries etc..
- A Pack Leader reference number for all future communication to be used when mailing or calling the help line.
Graduation - Silver certificate - Basic obedience competence
Requirements - Valid veterinary vaccination card verifying updated de-worming, vaccinations, tick and flea control treatments
- water and food bowls, cheese and sausage treats (instructor will advise on what and how during the programme)
Duration - One (1) Hour per week for 6 weeks
Cost - Fee and payment information is available upon request info.packleaders@gmail.com
To book - Contact the instructor on info.packleaders@gmail.com or complete the FORM on the Contact Us page or CALL 072 763 3887.
Commencement - Subject to a confirmed booking and payment receipt
Training dates - See TRAINING SCHEDULES
Restrictions - Course applicants must have attended and graduated from either the house breaking & leadership or socialisation programmes
at Pack Leaders before being allowed to do the obedience programme. If the pup has not attended either of the programmes or has
attended socialisation classes at another training academy, then an assessment will have to be conducted to determine the suitability of
the course and whether the pup's social graces are acceptable. Should the pup not be allowed to attend the group classes, private
in-home consultations could be arranged. Dogs older than 9 months of age will be dealt with in the same way and either be categorised
in a group of similar aged dogs, subject to their sociability or alternatively, private in-home consultations can be arranged with the
instructor, outside of the group training timetables. Aggressive dogs will be referred to our rehabilitation division for closer observation and
behaviour modification before obedience training commences to ensure safety and control during obedience education albeit group or
in-home training. This could include handler (leader) education. Pack Leaders reserves the right to recommend a medical consultation in
cases where there seems to be a possible underlying medical condition causing behaviour problems and entry into any programme will
be subject to sight of a veterinary clearance certificate if such behaviour has been detected..
OTHER PUPPY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
PUPPY- ENVIRONMENTAL INTEGRATION ASSESSMENT - EIA
Know what your dog's 'sense' tolerances are and how this will affect its behaviour
An in-home assessment is conducted to determine the extent to which your pup or dog must be exercised (exposed to specific objects and situations) to ensure that socialisation and habituation deprivation does not occur and that the pup or dog responds to its specific environmental (home and neighbourhood) stimuli (objects, sounds and scents) correctly to ensure a well balanced adult dog without behavioural problems. Environmental triggers have an enormous effect on a pup/dog's senses setting off behavioural shifts that can be dangerous and annoying. So which senses could be triggered in your pup/dog easily, resulting in possible unwanted behaviour ? Determine your pup/dog's sensitivity early and with specific exercises and games guarantee your animal's calm submissive behaviour - A balanced dog. As an owner this prepares you for what exercises and/or behavioural management you need to be aware of especially if your pup was not temperament tested before its homecoming.
Age category
As soon as possible
Objective
To determine which senses could drive unwanted behaviour and to introduce exercises that will enable the animal to cope with the environmental stimuli better and become a "bomb proof", stable, calm submissive dog.
Who would benefit from this assessment ?
- An owner who witnesses very submissive, shy, skittish, anxious, obsessive, fixated, dominant or aggressive behaviour in a pup or dog - what is the source ?
- An owner wanting to integrate a pup or dog into their environment safely (home, apartment, vehicle, neighbourhood), ensuring acceptable and stable behaviour.
- An owner looking to take a pup to a socialisation class - what is likely to trigger their behavioural responses negatively ? Will you be able to control it ?
- An owner looking to send their dog to obedience classes - know why the behaviour could shift and how to get it under control.
- An owner whose pup or dog has been to socialisation or obedience class but displays behavioural problems - what causes the bahavioural shift ?
- An owner who takes their dog to a Vet, Grooming parlour or Vacation kennels
- An owner who makes use of a Dog Walker for their dog's daily exercise or a Doggy day care centre
Content
- Scent tests - to determine the extent of basic stability -behavioural variances from a totally balanced pup or dog.
- Sight tests - to determine the effects on behaviour - flight, fight, avoidance or submission
- Sound tests - to determine sensitivity and specific responses
- Sight & Sound integrated tests - combined effect to check typical behavioural shifts
- Prey drive tests - your pup/dog's instinctual drive and management requirements
- Touch sensitivity tests - to determine likely behaviour resulting from specific external touch plus management requirements
- Surface sensitivity - to determine paw and body tolerance and mental confidence levels
- Obstacle interaction - to determine behavioural stability variances and effects
Examples of some of the many props, sounds, objects and distractions utilised
- Treats (food) - Bouncing balls - Balloons - Feather duster - Blow bubbles - Plastic bag - Tin & stones - Cellphone - Ball on a rope -
- Hair dryer - Drilling machine - Vacuum cleaner - Lawnmower - Home appliances -
- Nail clippers - Brushes - Leash - Bowls - Dustbin - Cardboard box -
- Recorded sounds - Hooters - Engines (cars, bikes, trucks) - Aeroplanes - Alarms - Sirens - Lightning & thunder - Fireworks - Gun shot - Barks
- Water - Tiles - Carpets - Grass - Tar - Stones - Leaves - Shiny floors - Slippery floors
- Dogs - Cats - Children
You will also receive
- Report discussing the tolerances and intolerances, test scores, exercises and specific behaviour management techniques for improved behaviour
- Supporting reading material - specific to your pup or dog's requirements... The 'How' to effect change - once you know what needs attention all you need do is follow the daily exercises shared with you
- 24 Hour emergency support line - for a puppy-dog crisis, medical and legal direction and/or advice.
- Unlimited telephonic development support (unless abused)
- E.mail based support service - questions, queries, advice etc..
- A Pack Leader reference number for all future communication to be used when mailing or calling the help line.
Duration - 1.5 Hours
Cost - Assessment Fee and payment information is available upon request info.packleaders@gmail.com Reference - EIA
To book - Contact the instructor on info.packleaders@gmail.com or complete the FORM on the Contact Us page.Reference - EIA
Commencement - Subject to a confirmed consultation
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