Feeling Trapped by four walls ? By Keri Lyall

Crates and X-pens and mandated lockdowns can leave you feeling like you're in doggy jail. Or you can make good use of your space and time and ultimately have more freedom in the near future. Dog trainer, Keri Lyall has been training dogs in San Ramon for over 20 years. You may have seen her hosting a puppy social or teaching group classes through Sirius Dog Training or coaching private clients out on the town, teaching leash walking skills, proofing the stay command or increasing the reliability of come when called. Observing Social/Physical distancing, Keri now coaches from her home providing demos with her dog, cat and soon to arrive puppy. Listening to your struggles, she helps you set reasonable dog training goals in order to improve dog behavior and family relationships. Through online training via Zoom/WhatsApp/Google Hangouts she gives you real-time feedback on improving your handling skills with your dog to obtain improvements in your dog's behavior while discovering the art of behavior change.
 

Respect the space and know what time it is -- a friendly reminder for both people and dogs. Everybody needs their own space. There are common areas and there should be private areas as well (i.e. crates, bedrooms). We have certain spaces that are designated for eating, elimination, play, relaxing, etc. Likewise, we have certain times for certain activities: sleep, potty, mealtimes, snacks, play/excitement, learning/training/work, relaxing/settling. All of these activities are normal. When it is time to settle, play and excitement becomes disruptive. When it is time to move and play, stillness is not desired. If it's time to work, pacing in the kitchen, eating or reading another article on the pandemic is not helpful. Barking, jumping and chewing on pant legs doesn't help bring breakfast any faster (or does it)? Practice and rehearse desired behaviors and manage time and space while learning the rules. Make sure to not accidentally reward bad behaviors. Once we learn to respect space and time with each other, we do not have to focus on implementing the rules. We simply live in harmony. For puppies, or new dogs, these guidelines need to be established through commands, guided appropriate responses, rewards, repetition, and proofing. Occasionally, humans and adult dogs need a refresher course. With a new awareness and gentle reminders, we can learn to avoid frustration and over-stimulation. Discuss respect for time and space with your household humans, demonstrate it through your actions and teach your dog to get with the program.
 

Concerned about socializing your puppy during this pandemic? Good news: Your pup has you, possibly other family members and had a human handler before you. In terms of meeting other animals, your pup has already met a few dogs: momma dog, littermates and possibly other animals in your home. We often limit our understanding of puppy socialization erroneously to just meeting people and other dogs; however, it is also important to introduce your pup to novelty, different surfaces, sounds, strange appearances, actions, scents, movements, etc. Thoughtful exposure and a gradual introduction to these things paired with your happy voice and some yummy treats will pave the path to a sound and happy dog.
Although you cannot enroll in an in-person group training class at this time, Keri can be virtually in your kitchen or backyard giving you step by step instructions to train your dog. In many ways you and your pup can learn so much more with limited distraction and personalized attention. Your pup's repeated responses to your commands today will prepare him for responding under the distractions of the outside world. Help your dog make the right choices.
 

Keri can be reached by email: ABetterHabit@gmail.com or by phone 925-698-1145.