tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45688934682612012172012-02-16T06:46:36.243-08:00Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.comBlogger331100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-91755426049413338932012-02-02T16:42:00.000-08:002012-02-02T17:08:18.719-08:00

That's right folks...it's time to play the new game that's sweeping the nation:"Dog Problem or People Problem?!!!"Ripped from the headlines (or really, case studies) of actual cases we have seen at Front Range K9 Academy...Here are the scenarios:Set-up #1: An unsuspecting person purchases a puppy outside a large box store, from the back of someone's car in a parking lot. The seller tells the

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-7913161323803854482011-09-22T07:29:00.001-07:002011-09-22T08:07:36.791-07:00

I received this email yesterday from Front Range K9 clients Ryan & Kristin and wanted to share:Jennifer, With the weather starting to change and dogs spending more time inside I thought you may want to remind all of your clients to be extra careful about what they leave laying around their house. We certainly could have used the warning earlier this week. On Monday I came home to discover

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-35183814930323551412011-09-14T16:15:00.000-07:002011-09-15T09:49:13.433-07:00

I started talking to my dogs today.No. Not in the "I'm an animal communicator" sort of way.Nor in the sappy, "Would poopsie like another cookie" sort of way.Nor in the "Do what I say immediately, or I will correct you!" training sort of way.Just talking.Looking them in the eye when they made contact with me.Light touches, soft eye contact, and low, quiet words of acknowledgement when they

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-58058641158021052882011-09-14T13:55:00.000-07:002011-09-14T13:59:51.159-07:00

I received the following email after the long Labor Day weekend. It made my week. It also gives me the chance to remind YOU all - the dog owners - that Lisa and I are only tools. We give you the information, but only you can implement it with your dogs.Hey there Jennifer - Just had to write you with a little update. After a solid year and a half of visiting playgrounds, schools, and finding

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-72878123203891653032011-08-31T14:47:00.000-07:002011-08-31T16:06:31.063-07:00

Dog Trainer Adam Katz of South Bay K9 Academy says there are three simple secrets to dog training: 1. Timing (Consequences - rewards and corrections - must be timed correctly so that the dog understands your communication.) Using Katz's own example: If you got a speeding ticket 6 weeks after you were speeding (especially if the ticket were in a foreign language), it might not carry much weight

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-40847494718484626652011-08-11T09:02:00.000-07:002011-08-11T11:28:48.173-07:00

I received the following email last week from a client, and the timing for a discussion on this issue couldn't be better: Hi Jennifer I attended training about a year ago with my Red Heeler pup, Aspen. He's now a wonderful dog, off leash trained and does great with other dogs. With one exception of course. He's become aggressive towards other dogs when he's leashed. If we're on a walk

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-1996725622643859762011-07-10T13:59:00.001-07:002011-07-10T14:04:25.144-07:00

Front Range K9 Academy Client, Stephanie Barnhill has a fantastic new blog post on Pet Health. You can find it here: Here's to Our HealthShe includes not only the heartwarming story of how she found her 'perfect dog match' in an unlikely candidate, but also interviews with a local pet chiropractor, a local essential oils practitioner, and myself as her dog trainer resource. :) Thanks for the

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-17736900494528320062011-07-06T15:35:00.000-07:002011-07-07T06:52:08.660-07:00

Last Thursday, I spoke to no less than Five owners of aggressive dogs. And that was only on Thursday.These were not current clients of Front Range K9 Academy, but instead, were new potential clients who were seeking help for their dogs.These dogs had a range of types of aggression from territorial, to fear, to dominant resource guarding. They ranged in breed from terrier to mastiff, with

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-39686658235537237312011-07-01T15:13:00.000-07:002011-07-01T15:16:46.282-07:00

Just a quick note to remind folks that many dogs get spooked and can run away and get lost this time of year.Be sure to keep your dogs INSIDE as much as possible until all of the fireworks subside - which could be a few weeks after the 4th of July, in some neighborhoods.Even if they are inside, they may not be safe. Watch for agitation! I've known dogs who've jumped through windows, broken out

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-51549350379145281122011-06-15T16:28:00.000-07:002011-06-16T14:45:53.123-07:00

Equipment matters!Jen and I are constantly telling people that to train dogs properly, you need the proper equipment. That’s really true of any sport or hobby. It’s difficult to play tennis without a racket. It’s hard to sew without a needle. Don’t use a hammer when a pen will do. You wouldn’t go snowshoeing in flip-flops, would you?Dog training is no different. You need the right tools for the

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-80541391951843101582011-05-21T07:52:00.000-07:002011-05-21T08:02:36.849-07:00

Dear Eagle,It’s not you, it’s me.Love,LisaI attended a working dog seminar in New Mexico last weekend with Michael Ellis. It was an enlightening experience – quite humbling really. You see, I like to think of myself as a pretty darn good dog trainer. As good of a dog trainer as I think I am, I was hitting some walls in regards to my training with Eagle.People in working dog circles have been

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-40468939401145825002011-05-20T07:05:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:10:05.766-07:00

Xanax (Alprazolam)....NOT so good for Jad. :)This drug is in the same class as Valium, and some people and dogs seem to have a completely opposite reaction to it than what's 'normal'. Normal would be mellowness; a general sense of well being....fairy farts and jelly beans for all.It actually hyped Jad up. Lovely.I happen to also have this reaction to this class of meds, so at least I knew what

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-59065451145999527412011-05-19T15:38:00.000-07:002011-05-19T16:27:53.739-07:00

So...Jad goes home tomorrow. What a ride this has been for me as a trainer and behaviorist. I am sending him home with a lot more things to try, but still no sound diagnosis or prognosis. For myself, and for his owners, I'm splitting things into what we know, and what we still need to find out.What we know:1. When given a lot of environmental enrichment and exercise (ie., at my house, with a huge

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-73378335832288301872011-05-13T12:17:00.000-07:002011-05-13T14:00:39.259-07:00

For some reason, the mighty computer gods killed Pt. 1 - so here's a quick recap:Jad is an 8 month old whippet puppy who belongs to my clients, Chris & Michelle. They adopted him from a Craigslist ad after he had a rough start in life (possible puppymill beginning, leading into poor early imprinting experiences with humans and over-imprinting to extreme stimulation, leading into a several

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-24005006934534027822011-05-11T12:10:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:31:48.254-07:00

Maybe even more than us, dogs are creatures of habit. Establishing and maintaining good routines can greatly improve your relationship with your dog. This simple fact has recently slapped yours truly upside the head.Since last Wednesday, Horsetooth Whippets (also known as my house & life) has had a visitor. "Jad" is an 8 month old whippet puppy who had a rough start in life. Possibly starting out

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-85810451161947195302011-05-05T15:05:00.000-07:002011-05-05T15:16:23.333-07:00

So, You Think You Want a Working Dog?You have been bitten. You’ve been bitten by the dog training bug, and you have decided to take the plunge and buy a working dog. Maybe you want to compete in Agility, or Dock Diving. Perhaps it’s a biting sport like Schutzhund, Mondio Ring, or French Ring. Your ambitions are high and your enthusiasm is wide. You’ve read the books and seen the pictures. You’ve

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-2458196929212242482009-06-10T15:07:00.000-07:002009-07-08T15:17:02.492-07:00

It seems like in the last week I've heard the phrase "puppy socialization" a dozen times. Trainers advertise it. Veterinarians recommend it. Bad dogs seem to be missing it. And oh how owners love to tell me how much of it their dogs got as puppies. But just what kind of puppy socialization did those dogs get? Does socialization mean you have to take your dog to a special class? Does it mean you

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-72454546164485631092009-04-24T13:22:00.000-07:002009-04-24T14:30:00.817-07:00

...of an unpleasant kind...A client of mine just had one of those exceptionally annoying encounters with a fellow dog owner that I wanted to share:Earlier this week I was working w/ my dog at the school on their playground. We were doing a long sit/stay…I was about 30 ft away.I saw a guy w/ his small dog across the street outside the fence. Of course said dog was not on a leash…Soon they came

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-65767861656373318842009-04-17T13:21:00.000-07:002009-04-17T13:33:53.457-07:00

From Left to Right: Jet, Lizzie, Penelope, Timmy, and Bella.Now THAT is how you enjoy a snow day - asleep on the couch!The whippets of Front Range K9 aren't bothered by today's storm at all.

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-16396449861653172462009-03-13T07:38:00.000-07:002009-03-18T16:17:23.781-07:00

What's your favorite dog breed? -Do you like long haired breeds? Short haired? Wire-haired?-Do you like big dogs? Small dogs? Medium-sized dogs?-Do you like purebreds? Good old-fashioned American Mutts? Designer Mixes?Unfortunately the 3 sets of questions listed above are often the only questions people ask when they are looking for a new dog. Don't get me wrong, a lot of dog owners do spend time

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-18035696835909075702009-02-18T10:09:00.000-08:002009-02-18T10:45:10.178-08:00

Food for thought:There is no denying that there are a lot of different training techniques out there in the world. But when you come right down to it, you are really only working in two different mediums when you're trying to bring about a change in your dog's behavior. You are either working with environmental management, or mental management - often both are used/needed at the same time.Let's

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-24608682580829935442009-01-09T12:38:00.000-08:002009-01-10T08:16:20.801-08:00

As many of you know, I'm not a big fan of dog parks. Really, it's not that I don't like dog parks, or the idea of them. What I don't like is how dog parks are misused and can create a hazard for you and your dogs.So let's look at it: The good, the bad, and the ugly of the dog park scene.The Good - exercise, exercise, exerciseMany dog owners today live in apartments, condominiums, or town homes

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-18330874790280994952008-12-12T08:23:00.000-08:002008-12-12T08:53:22.887-08:00

Well, I've written about the Aesop's Fable about The Tortoise & the Hare, and how it relates to dog training.How about "The Little Boy who cried Wolf"?We all know the story: The little shepherd boy wants attention, so he comes running into town, crying that there is a wolf threatening the flock. The townspeople respond by running into the hills to protect the sheep, only to find the boy didn't

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-88321150027059388192008-12-05T15:36:00.000-08:002008-12-05T16:03:51.354-08:00

Anytime I get the same question from several different clients, I know it's time for a new blog entry!So, how DO you choose a good Doggy Daycare? There's a lot to consider besides the obvious questions of location and cost. Remember, this is where you are planning on leaving your dog for the day or longer, if it's also a boarding kennel. Choosing a daycare that meets your needs and keeps your

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-74086418211337744612008-11-26T08:20:00.000-08:002008-12-05T16:21:01.392-08:00

As the holidays approach, it's always a good idea to keep your pets' safety in mind.Things to remember:1. ALL cooked poultry bones are dangerous (can be fatal) for dogs and cats. Be sure to throw out bones in a container that your animals absolutely cannot get into.2. If you're like me and already decorating for Christmas, choose your decorations wisely. Old-fashioned string tinsel can be

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-10265565710543197212008-11-14T13:34:00.000-08:002008-11-20T16:14:04.849-08:00

We all know the story of the tortoise and the hare. The hare is obviously much faster than the tortoise, so he's guaranteed to win the race. Ah, but that rabbit is so sure of himself, he wastes most of his time dilly-dallying while the slow tortoise plods on methodically. Finally, the rabbit is so far behind he can never catch up. In the end, the patience and perseverence of the methodical

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-81335473026133258742008-11-11T10:47:00.000-08:002008-11-11T10:59:19.426-08:00

The whippets and I spent the weekend in Pueblo, CO at the Southern Colorado Kennel Club show. The weather held out okay for us, and the whips had a fabulous time running around in my parents' backyard. They thought crunching the leaves, and chasing squirrels was pretty cool.This was the first time I've taken all four dogs at once to the same show. To say the least, it was a bit daunting. I

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-80734654326928369752008-11-06T15:52:00.000-08:002008-11-06T15:57:40.176-08:00

I mostly want this blog to be about general dog training tips, ideas, and observations I make on a day-to-day basis as a dog trainer.But once in a while, I have to share a personal triumph. Siobhan the wonder collie accompanied me today on a 'real-world' training excursion. Because I was working primarily with a client's dog, she spent a good deal of time in the car...with my banana that is

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-64782980084541881012008-10-31T15:33:00.000-07:002008-10-31T16:55:53.712-07:00

Have you ever tried to go on a hike in the mountains wearing flip flops?What about going swimming in a goose-down jacket, ski boots, and a snow suit?I know, I've got it: Would you reach into a hot oven to remove a pizza with no mitts on???By now, you're probably shaking your head and wondering what's gotten into me. Well, I want to talk about tools - dog training tools to be exact. If you

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-51548015175784171142008-10-29T09:01:00.000-07:002008-10-29T09:09:45.303-07:00

It's that time of year again, Folks.Halloween can be a stressful, or even dangerous time for your dogs. Keep the following tips in mind this year to help keep them safe:1. Make sure all chocolate (and really, other candy) is safely out of reach. A little chocolate might not hurt your dog, but a big enough dose can kill it.2. Keep the dog leashed, crated, or in another room when answering the

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-53927704965637342682008-10-25T08:02:00.000-07:002008-10-25T08:10:41.738-07:00

I don't know who wrote this originally, but it showed up in my email box again this year, as it usually does once or twice a year. And each time I get it, I stop to read it, and I pass it on...~~~I am your dog, and I have a little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like you are running

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-7756421159589933932008-10-23T09:26:00.000-07:002008-10-23T18:19:22.517-07:00

Lately alot of you have been asking me about different dog foods.I'll admit it. I used to be a dog food snob. I sold dog food for a big box petstore, and I believed most of the hoopla the sales reps told us each week when they'd come in with the new promotions.I was sure that Science Diet killed dogs. I was also sure the beet pulp in Iam's turned dogs' coats red (the good folks at each of these

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4568893468261201217.post-41351448072057307412008-10-17T14:03:00.000-07:002008-10-23T18:20:36.704-07:00

Sooooo...Let's talk about muzzles.Yes. You read that right. Ugghhh. The dreaded "M" word.Because I specialize in aggression, I get to work with a lot of dogs who could benefit from muzzle training.Pssssttt...here's the really juicy part: Often, their owners could benefit from muzzle training even more than the dogs. No, not because I'd like to put the muzzles on the owners. On the contrary, I'd

Jennifer Hime, Dog Trainerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12355176541107166209noreply@blogger.com0