Loose Leash Walking Success Story

Our client, Cowboy, was dog reactive and pulled on his leash. Check him out now!

Doggy Body Language Part 2: Happy vs Stressed

Here is Part 2 in our series of videos by Jean Donaldson on doggy body language! Great info and warning - TV dog trainers may mistake calm dogs for stressed dogs! We can learn the difference!

Dog Body Language

Here is another great video on body language! Please take 5 minutes and watch it. Students of Taming the Wild Side, this is a must watch, it will make your training and relationship with your dogs even better!

Warning: Do not put your hand towards a dog that is guarding a toy, food or anything else as they did in this video. Contact a professional trainer to help with this problem!
 

Doggy Body Language Part 1

Jean Donaldson is the founder of and instructs at The San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers, which has gained a reputation as the Harvard for dog trainers. She is the author of "The Culture Clash", "Dogs Are From Neptune" and "MINE! A Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs". In order to help you learn a little about dog body language, we will post 7 short video excerpts by Jean, with slides of body language that you can learn from and then you can watch your dog to see if you can pick up some of this behavior that your dog may be offering! Check back next week for another video!  Enjoy!
 

Relieving Stress in Dogs

After last night's storms I heard many stories about anxiety and thunder and all the attempts to calm your dog. Did you know that some dogs feel static charges before a storm? There are many capes, wraps and shirts on the market that can possibly help ease some anxiety. Here is a great article about what is available and what is in the works as far as research to help our dogs!


To read the article, please click the following link:

Putting the Squeeze on Doggy Anxiety

One Great SNARK!

Great video on dog to dog body language. Watch all the lip licking by the brown dog. Brown dog gives a bunch of signals to try and calm the Malamute. Also, look at the tightness of the leash on the Malamute. Many times a leash jerk/pop can elevate the problem.

The Following PREVIEW Has Been Approved For ALL AUDIENCES!

Here are a few things to look forward to this summer!


Scentsational Sniffers Beginner and Advanced - Starting in June!

This a fun class that will teach your dog to use his/her nose! Scent work can build confidence in even the most timid dog, while helping reactive dogs learn focus and control. This is a new sport for family dogs that builds teamwork and a partnership between you and your companion.


Adolescent Dog Social - Coming in May!

It is a night for you to meet people from some of our other classes and your dog will also get to make new friends!! We will have play areas, swimming pools, obstacles and a few games for you to enjoy with your dog.


Tunnels - Starting in June!

Exercise your dog’s mind and body with our Tunnel class! This class will also help increase your dog's confidence and build your relationship while you and your dog work together to navigate the tunnel course. Did we mention that this class is a BLAST??


Dog Days of Summer Social - Coming in June!

Come join us as we kick off the Dog Days of Summer!  We'll have lots of fun in and out of the water!  Your water loving dog can play in our kiddie pools, run through the sprinklers and navigate the jumps while staying nice and cool and WET!  Don't like water?  You and your dog are welcome to sit on the sidelines and watch, but we can't guarantee that you will remain completely dry!  After all the water fun, we'll enjoy a nice summer treat - ICE CREAM with lots of toppings!

NEW CLASS: Rock Solid Recall III

Does your dog ignore you when you call? Can't get him to come off of certain distractions? Are you saying the word "come" over and over with no success? It is time to sign up for our Rock Solid Recall class! You and your dog will learn a series of games that not only bring attention to you but will make your dog love to be with you and come to you when called even off of high level distractions! Learn what a "poisoned cue" is and how to fix it!!

Warning: This is a class loaded with fun, wear your running shoes!!

Date: Wednesday, March 21st - April 25th

Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Location: Taming the Wild Side Training Facility

Cost: $100 for a six week class. Cash or checks only please.

Equipment: Easy to eat treats for your dog, water bowl, long leash (no flex leashes please), whistle (whistles can be purchased at the time of class)

NEW EVENT: Puppy Social

Spring is here and it is time for one of our favorite events, the Puppy Social!! It is a night for you to meet people from some of our other puppy classes and your pup will also get to make new friends!! We will have play areas, swimming pools, obstacles and a few games for your puppy. While they are playing you can enjoy a burger off the grill and maybe set up some play dates with the new friends you will make. This is a great opportunity for an evening of socialization.  Adolescent dogs don't feel left out, your social is just around the corner!!

NOTE:  This event will be limited to 15 puppies.

Date:  Saturday, April 28th

Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Location: Taming the Wild Side Training Facility

Cost:  $5 per person

Menu:  Burgers, Chips and Drinks

To sign up for this event, please click the following link:  Sign Me Up!

NEW CLASS: Therapy Dog / CGC Prep and Evaluation

Do you think your dog can make a difference in someone else's life? Maybe Therapy Dog is for you! This class is for those who would like to learn more about pet therapy, and will help you and your dog develop the skills needed to become a successful Therapy Dog Team. You will learn how to have control of your dog while visiting a facility, including a reliable "sit", "down" and "stay" with a few added tips and tricks to help in special situations. Many of the skills that you will need to be a successful team build on the foundation of basic obedience that your dog already knows and some skills may be brand new to you and your dog. In this class, we will teach obedience with distractions, and help build confidence so that petting from a stranger, clumsy petting, group petting and loud noises will be less stressful for your dog. We will practice role playing a visit, loose leash walking with increasing distractions, and how to read your dog's body language.  You will be able to practice these skills in class, but homework will be assigned to help build your relationship with your dog.

Our Canine Good Citizen (CGC) class will take you and your dog through all the steps necessary to earn your Canine Good Citizen. The CGC is a great accomplishment to have for the family dog or a dog that is being considered for Therapy Work. Earning your CGC, means that your dog has been evaluated and is considered to have good manners in public — to be a “Canine Good Citizen”!

The CGC evaluation is scheduled for the last night of class, June 20th.  The cost of the evaluation is included in the price of the class.

The first 30 minutes of each class will be devoted to learning the skills and behavior necessary for your dog to earn his or her Canine Good Citizen.  We'll use the last 30 minutes of class to concentrate on helping you and your dog develop the skills needed to become a successful Therapy Dog Team.

Date: Wednesday, May 2nd - June 20th  (Please note:  We will not have class May 9th.)

Time: 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: Taming the Wild Side Training Facility

Cost:
Therapy Dog and CGC Prep and Evaluation - $125
CGC Prep and Evaluation - $85 
Cash or checks only please.

Equipment: Easy to eat treats for your dog, water bowl, six foot leash

To sign up for this class, please click the following link: Sign Me Up