Busy Dog Training

Everyone put your hands together for these dogs and their humans! Teams Vivian, Zena, and Gus qualified for their CGCU titles through the AKC this morning (Team Ghost qualified a couple weeks ago). Over the course of the last couple months they refined (and dare I say perfected in some cases?) skills like polite greetings and walking with their human on city streets, in dog friendly stores, and past tasty treats. They developed confidence around distractions like fast-moving kids, lost turkey babies, and noisy garbage cans. They learned how to walk past yummy food stalls at the farmers market and settle calmly at their humans feet while we chatted. They were all such a joy to work with and I will genuinely miss waking up early on Sunday mornings to see their faces!

All of our hybrid parkour students have been busy! Here are just a few of them showing off some of their skills: Lucie, Vivian, and Maple ❤

Have you ever wondered which class is right for you? This is a common question that we get, so we thought we'd share a little bit about some of our upcoming classes!

Age-Specific Classes to Start with:

1. Little Learners: This class is the perfect first step for puppies 8 weeks to 5 months old. We focus on socialization and exposure to help your puppy grow into a confident, well-mannered companion. You’ll learn how to curb common puppy challenges like biting and potty training while teaching your pup essential skills like attention, leash and harness comfort, settling on a mat, and even a few tricks to make training a blast. (Begins Sunday, 7/19 at 10:00 a.m. at T & T Pet Care Solutions (Madison, North))

2. Dream Teen: This is a class created specifically for puppies and adolescent dogs ages 5 months to 2 years. Whether you start in Little Learners and progress here, or if you bring home a pup after 5 months of age, this is great class to check out! We work on impulse control around food and environmental distractions, attention and focus, polite greetings, and recalls (and more!) Your dog will also enjoy enrichment games and activities designed to strengthen the bond between you and your adolescent pup. (Begins Sunday, 9/20 at 10:00 a.m. at T & T Pet Care Solutions (Madison, North))

Non Age-Specific Foundational Classes:

1. Good Dog Basics: The perfect starting point for dogs over six months who are ready to build real-life manners in a supportive, low-pressure environment. In this class, we focus on the foundational skills that help dogs become thoughtful, responsive companions: impulse control around food and distractions, attention and focus, reliable stays and recalls, and the building blocks of loose leash walking. (Begins Sunday, 7/19, 11:00 a.m. at T & T Pet Care Solutions (Madison, North))

2. Canine Good Citizen: Canine Good Citizen (CGC) is the first step in the AKC’s CGC program and prepares teams to earn the official CGC title through the American Kennel Club. This class focuses on refining real-life skills your dog already knows, including polite greetings, loose leash walking, calm separation, grooming and handling, stays, recalls, and more. This class is best suited for dogs who already have a solid foundation in these behaviors, are friendly with people, and are neutral or friendly around other dogs. The emphasis is on polishing skills, building reliability, and working confidently as a team. (Begins Sunday, September 20th at 11:00 a.m. at T & T Pet Care Solutions (Madison, North))

Extracurriculars! Perfect to join after you've started on foundational manners:

1. Intro to Agility: a fun, confidence-building class where dogs learn the foundations of the sport in a safe, low-pressure environment. Your dog will be introduced to equipment like tunnels, jumps, and low contacts while you both practice clear communication, teamwork, and movement together. We focus on helping dogs feel comfortable, curious, and excited to try new things! (Currently Running - Next Session Coming Soon)

2. Hybrid Intro to Nosework: Let your dog teach you more about how they explore the world around them! Once a week for six weeks, you’ll receive a lesson plan teaching you how to teach your dog nosework basics. Then, meet us in the evenings once weekly for an optional fun search through progressively more complex environments. Class includes a dedicated Facebook group so you can share videos for instructor/classmate feedback throughout the week. (Currently Running - Next Session Coming Soon)

3. Hybrid Intro to Parkour: Ready to get outdoors and begin exploring with your dog? Once weekly for six weeks ,you’ll receive a lesson plan teaching you how to teach your dog parkour basics like 2 paws on, 4 paws on, around, back-up, under, in, (etc). Then, once weekly, join us for an optional parkour walk in novel locations with our dogs. Class includes a dedicated Facebook group so you can share videos for instructor/classmate feedback throughout the week. (Currently Running - Next Session Coming Soon)

You can find more information and enroll in classes here: https://www.busydogtraining.com/in-person-classes/

We hope to see you soon!

Have you ever wondered what our trainers keep in our treat pouches? We asked a few of them to share what they've been carrying with them most recently. Here's what they said!

-Ally: "This is my supply of tasty kibble that my dogs think are treats: Purina Moisty & Meaty, Kibbles n' Bits, The Honest Kitchen Beef & Oat Whole Food Clusters, Ziwi Peak Beef Reciple, and Temptation's Cat Treats."

-Jessie: "My answer is boring because for the most part Kirby will do anything for any treats. Also, sometimes if a treat is too good his brain stops working, so I have a bag emergency super high value treats, but they don’t get used that often. I’m a big fan of peanut butter wonder nuggets and peanut butter crunchy os, but I buy those because of me not him. Usually I have a mix of those, some kind of dehydrated veggies (sweet potatoes especially), and kibble."

- Alyssa: "I just used up some old greenies cat treats. Those went over really well with the dogs! Ghost really likes the pouches of temptations cat treats (they are like churu tubes). I think Vinz's favorite thing has been cream cheese. Lizzie is constantly changing her mind. Sometimes she likes crunchie. Then she'll want soft treats. She might change her mind 2 or 3 times during one class period! I always try to keep 4-5 different styles/flavors on hand for her. Zuul used to like green beans during agility class back in the day."

Mackenzie did a treat pouch unpacking for us! Here's what she found:
"1. Bacon chicken brittle treat thing I made accidentally (botched a different recipe but the dogs don’t care)
2. Partially used bad dog frida gift certificate
3. Lockable spoon cat treat (Churu)
4. P**p bags
5. Nosework scent canister
6. Fish hook I picked up off a bench at Tenney Park during parkour walk last Saturday"

-Alex: "I like to use a treat pouch with multiple compartments. In the biggest compartment, I keep a low-value "treat trail mix" usually made up of kibble, cheddar tricky trainers, and wellness soft puppy bites. Sometimes I change up the low value treats mixed with kibble just to keep it fresh and exciting. In the smaller compartment, I keep the higher value treats: freeze dried lamb lung, beef liver, chicken hearts, etc. I also always carry p**p bags, a clicker, a ball, and a tug. You'll also frequently find me with a squeeze tube filled with something like canned dog food, peanut butter, spray cheese, or liverwurst if I'm working leash walking with a young dog."

What do you keep in your treat pouch?

Set your dog(s) up for success with some of these tips you can implement immediately!

🏳️‍🌈 😍 🏳️‍⚧️

This week is going to be a scorcher! 🌞🔥 Temperatures are likely going to be unsafe for both you and your animals at times. We thought we'd share a few of our favorite ways to keep our dogs entertained inside the AC!

1. Food Games
Ditch the food bowl for a bit! Whether you have store bought puzzle toys or make your own, there are endless opportunities here for your dog to work their brains independently. Snuffle mats are a great store bought (or handmade) choice for foraging. Don't have one around? Toss your dog's kibble in a blanket or towel pile! Note: if you have multiple dogs, it's a good idea to keep them separate during food games.

2. Toy Play
Sit down with your dog and play! Whether it be tug or fetch, you can also add some training concepts in there as well to make it more engaging. For example, can your dog wait while you toss a toy until you release them to it? This is a great way to build impulse control and toy drive. Flirt poles are another great way to practice this!

3. Training at Home
Have a few skills you'd like to freshen up? It's a great time to do that! If your dog is already doing well with the basics, consider training something new, like a fun trick.

4. Visiting Pet-Friendly Stores
The Madison area has a TON of places where well-behaved and neutral or social dogs can visit. Some popular stores include Cabela's in Sun Prairie, Farm & Fleet, and pet stores like Bad Dog Frida (our fave!) or Mounds. It's good practice to call ahead and make sure dogs are allowed before entering with your pup!

5. Bonding Time
What is both you and your dog's favorite way to bond? Some dogs love cuddling, and others like more active interaction, like playing hide and seek!

6. Indoor Obstacle Course
You'd be suprised how easy it can be to create a DIY obstacle course for you dog! Broomsticks can be used for jumps, and you can create crawl spaces with blankets. The opportunities are endless with this one! Make sure to pay attention to your dog's body language, and don't force them to do something they aren't comfortable with.

If you try one of these ideas, we'd love to hear how it goes!

Word on the street is that today is "National Camera Day." We're going to take that as an opportunity to ask to see your favorite photo of your dog(s)! Comment below what photo makes you smile, laugh, or one that you just love the most. ❤

Puppyhood is the most glamorous time, right? (Well, maybe when they're sleeping.)

We recognize that puppyhood is challenging. When you bring home a baby dog, you begin with a fairly blank slate. And although that is a wonderful thing, it also comes with a unique set of challenges. You have to teach your puppy where they can relieve themselves, what they can chew on, how to interact appropriately with other animals and people, how to nicely walk on a leash, manners around food, how to settle, and much, much more. It can feel really overwhelming.

Even if you've trained a dozen puppies before, a puppy class can be helpful with socialization, structure, and accountability. And sometimes, puppy class also doubles as a free therapeutic support group. (Kidding- mostly!)

Our next puppy class, "Little Learners," begins Sunday, 7/19 at 10:00 am, and will take place at T&T Pet Care Solutions on the north side of Madison. We'll give you the guidance and space to build important foundations for a well-mannered puppy, develop a relationship with your new best friend, and find the joy in this special stage.

Register here: https://busydog.as.me/schedule/353f3390/?appointmentTypeIds[]=94643902

Pictured are some of our trainers' dogs as puppies. We thought we'd share some classic moments, because even dog trainers have puppies that cause mayhem!

Dogs communicate in many ways, including through vocalizations, pheromones, body language, and more. In a way, they have their own language, and it's up to us to learn how to hear them.

What cues does your dog give that indicate they want something? How do they show affection or apprehension?

The more we listen, the more we learn.