Pack Pro Training Reminders

Operating Policies

 

New employees of Paws Pet Resort & Spa are provided access to PackPro's full video training curriculum and associated workbook.  Key points of that education program are summarized below.

 

Key Terms:

 

DAYCARE:

  • Daycare is a group of dogs socializing off leash, under the supervision of a handler. It is a privilege for well behaved, socially appropriate dogs. Daycare is an environment for social dogs to gather and play.
  • Group daycare IS NOT an environment for unsocialized or aggressive dogs to learn appropriate social skills.

NEUTRAL ZONE:

  • An area in daycare that the handler determines temporarily or permanently dogs will not enter.

DESENSITIZING:

  • To prevent an emotional response in a dog (such as fear, anxiety, nervousness) to a training tool or training concept. Desensitization is the process of exposing the animal to a stimulus beginning at a very low intensity.

LURING:

  • Luring is when you guide your dog by holding a treat in front of their nose. The most effective way to use luring is to use the food lure to steer the dog into the desired position for the first few attempts, then transition the luring motion into a hand signal, and then add a verbal cue.

COUNTER CONDITIONING:

  • The conditioning of an unwanted behavior or response to a stimulus into a wanted behavior or response by the association of positive actions with the stimulus. Counter conditioning and desensitization need to be used together to be effective and are often used to change unwanted behavior in dogs.

OVERSTIMULATION:

  • Overstimulation is when a dog is mentally stimulated excessively, causing clouded thinking and behavior that the dog would ordinarily not do. Dogs that enter an overstimulated state of mind can make dangerous decisions in a group of dogs. It’s also very challenging for a dog to learn anything while they are in this state of mind.
  • It can create behaviors such as:
    • Spinning in circles
    • Running around uncontrollably
    • Being easily distracted
    • Excessive panting (but it’s not that hot)
    • Chewing unusual items
    • Nipping or biting
    • Jumping, leaping or lunging
    • Barking and snarling.

 

Key Skills You Must Execute to Properly Manage Group Play:

 

  1. Entering Play Group - stand tall and walk confidently.
  2. Body Blocking - DON'T:
    1. Use your hands to push dogs
    2. Move quickly
    3. Swing or kick your legs towards any dog
    4. Get frustrated or emotional
  3. Use correct Verbal Commands with Hand Signals
    1. Sit
    2. Down
    3. Off
    4. Out
    5. Come Here
    6. Wait
    7. Place
    8. That's Enough
  4. Use correct Tools in the proper manner
    1. Slip Leads
    2. Head Halter Slip Lead
    3. Kibble Treats
    4. Crates
  5. Prevent Fights through:
    1. Properly managing how dogs enter a pack of dogs
    2. Proper behavior corrections
    3. Preventing Over Arousal during play
  6. Teaching dogs basic skills
    1. Basic recall
    2. Group Sit
    3. Wait at the gate
    4. Stay out of my bubble
    5. Moving Groups
  7. Managing Unwanted Behaviors
    1. Identifying
    2. Proper Communication with other team members