Puppy Classes - Vyolet Michaels Flashcards
Who is Vyolet Michaels?
A CTC graduate who runs Urban Dawgs
specialise in puppy classes
Are puppy classes easy?
No!
What does Vyolet class puppy classes as?
Advanced
Why does Vyolet class puppy classes as advanced?
Shaping who the puppy will be. They are very important.
What is the importance of puppy classes?
5 answers
1) Exploit most impressionable time (8-18wks)
2) Building the foundations
3) Prevention of future behaviour problems
4) Encourage a positive bond wt pup
5) Empthasie the fun!
BEEEP
What mindset do puppy classes aim to overcome?
me vs the puppy
What does vyolet empathise in puppy classes?
Puppies are babies; emphasize the fun!
Goals of puppy classes
8
1) Off-lead socialisation with people and dogs
2) Play skill development
3) Bite inhibition
4) Impulse control development
5) Handling and gentle restraint
6) Basic training (inc off leash around distraction)
7) Behaviour problems - RG prevention
8) Normalise normal B
Are play skill development just for dogs?
No for human to learn as well
Do humans need to be actively involved in puppy play?
Yes, to watch body language and for bite inhibition
Do humans need to be actively involved in puppy play?
Yes, to watch body language and for bite inhibition.
What are some impulse control B Vyolet prioritises?
4 points
1) Pup not jumping - human get up and turn around
2) Waits - doors/gates
3) Remove treats if pup lunges or grabs
4) leave it rather than no
Why is puppy class the perfect place to teach basic training around distractions?
People want this in the real world.
Puppy class has build in distractions and structure so it’s the perfect place to start.
When teaching handling/restraint, when would you get owners handling each other puppies
After the first couple of weeks
What would you do with a shy puppy when owners handler each others puppies
You go with the shy pup and make sure it has a positive experience, e.g. no leaning over the pup
When teaching training around distractions, do pups start on or off lead?
On lead first
What are the 8 goals of puppy class? (mnemonic)
SPIT H PIN
Socialisation
Prevention B problems
Inhibition (bite)
Training
Handling
Play
Impulse control
Normalising
What are 2 play behaviours we need to normalise in puppy class
Growling
Humping
What format does Vyolet use?
6 week classes, 1st week orientation no pups.
Why do they have no pups in the first class?
Owners learn foundations without distractions of cute pups
What age are pups allowed into class?
8 - 18 weeks
How many trainers are on staff?
2
How many pups per class?
5
Do you need flexibility in pup class?
yes! - group needs are important.
Do they offer reward for enrolling in pups?
yes 50% private sessions for duration of class.
Does Vyolet offer email support?
Yes, unlimited.
are there any follow-up classes after pups?
Yes
Puppy intermediate, super puppy (good citizen test), single session Play n Train classes
What play-n-train groups are there?
Small breeds
Fm fearful to cheerful
Active play
In orientation how does Vyolet break the ice
Asks who has cuts on their hands- everyone in the same boat!
What does Vylot teach is important in orientation?
Soundness vs obedience
What else does Vylot cover in orientation?
- Soundness vs obedience
- How dogs learn
- Timing and mechanical skills
- Introduce marker words & rules [yes/clickers]
- Dogs are great discriminators and poor 6.
generalizers (except fear) - Myth busting - dominance, motivation &
leverage - Life rewards
- Mgmt (gates, crates, play yard, safety)
- Alone training
- Housetraining/chew training
- Diet/choosing treats
- What to bring to first session
- What to expect first session
- Q&A
When does Vylot get most of the talking done?
Orientation
What happens at the first session
Keep it moving and exciting
How long is each exercises in sessions
Micro sessions
What does Vylot empathise throughout?
Fun
What does Vylot do between exercises?
Play sessions - narrated. Integrate exercises into play
Does Vylot do consent checks?
Yes with people and puppies
What does Vylot coach?
Mechanics
How does Vylot coach mechanics when it comes to food
4 points
fade lures
no visable food
show how to audition treats
use life rewards
Does Vylot R+ people?
YES
How does Vylot teach clients to be successful?
Easy, reasonable goals.
What does Vylot coach owners about during play
3 points
- set expectations - some puppies will
hide/growl/nip - Body language
- whats appropriate
Does Vylot narrate play sessions
Yes!
What does Vylote narrate during play
Role reversal
Play signals
Why does she narrate play?
To teach the owners so they can go out and referee play on their own
How does Vylot teach consent checks?
During play,
Does Vylot teach time-outs for inappropriate play?
Yes! she coaches owners to this too.
What’s included in the pup’s curriculum?
- Bite inhibition (check in every week)
- Temperament Training
- Impulse control
- basic training
- Recall
- Touch on RG
What is included in the bite inhibition module?
- Treat into pups mouth; if they take too hard - ouch - remove. Teach every owner this.
- 2 yr old test - if it feels harder than a what 2 yr old would be comfortable with OUCH! remove treat
- Airplane game - treat down fm above head
4.
Whats Vyolets slogan about bite inhibition
I’ll sacrifice one finger per class!!!
What is covered in temperament training#
5
- Reaches and collar grabs
- Handling and gentle restraints
- Wierd stuff (R+ for calm behaviour)
- Switch handlers as pups comfortable
- Obstacles (tunnels/hoops/xpens on the floor/surfaces etc)
What is covered in impulse control?
Leave it
Stay
Anti jump
What is inc in additional basics?
Sit
Down
Touch
LLW intro
Eye contact intro
PLacement cues (go to bed)
What are key training points when working on a behaviour in class?
Get Behaviour –> THEN name
Other points are -
Not repeating cues over n over
Not working sit/down in sequence
Order of events
What are the uses of hand touch?
Too excited pups to gain entry to class
Confidence building
Moving dogs around
Call to end fun
Disengage fm distractions
Everything - go to cue - cheap easy!
How many steps does Vylot train recalls?
she has 5 rules and breaks it down into little parts
What is the recall sequence in classes?
Call dogs, cheer on, gentle grab, party!
How does she break recall down?
Name recognition
Reaches
Recalls
What are the five rules of recall?
- Never call for bad stuff (dog decides)
- Only call when you are pretty sure it’s going to happen
- Only say cue one time
- Use best treats AS a reward not bribe
- If it doesn’t work save it, make it happen.
How can you test your treats for recall?
Does it magnet them out of play?
How does Vyolet start recall training?
Out of play - dogs least distracted
What does Vyolet coach in recalls?
Hide food
Prompt
Gentle grab first
R+ humans always
How does Vyolet save recalls when its not hapenning
Move away from pup - not towards them
How does Vyolet teach shy pups recall?
If hand shy - recall without reaches
What does Vyolet avoid with shy pups in play
Avoid holding onto pup while other puppies approach
What is included in the RG work in puppy class
10
- Any pups showing RG encouraged to book 1-1
- Normalise RG
- Empthasie prevention
- Teach pup to LOVE us taking things away
- teach signs and not to comfort pup
- Practice exchanges
- Installment feeding for FG in h/wk
- Remind them not to “play with food” or “test it”
- Emergency plan for stolen items (find it cue)
- Sharing and “drop it”
- Let them explore non harmful items (don’t obsess over everything)
What is not worth working on in puppy class?
Puppies who are showing RG signs
How does Vyolet create a community in her classes?
- Encourage networking
- Share photos and videos on social media
- Create a FB page
- Remind people you are there to support them, even on rough days
- Be proactive. If you notice a problem or challenge, get involved. Sell them on privates, follow up email.
