Tips and Testimonials

Good Sit Dog Training

Tips

Pedestal Training

Why?
Dolphins, circus animals, horses, dogs, birds and almost every species of “human trained” animals are trained with the use of pedestals or touch pads. Pedestal training produces a radical change in an animal’s ability to stand quietly and focus. His attention span is increased as he learns to focus on the handler and await the next cue. Pedestals can be used to build distance, as a reward, as a penalty, as a time out for distracted dogs or can be useful when working with multiple dogs.

Quiet Feet = Focused Mind
Prior to any kind of training, the handler must have the dog’s attention and respect. It is much easier to get that attention when the dog’s feet are still. Dogs, like children, have a hard time just being still, especially if they don’t understand the reason for not moving. Pedestals help us teach the dog to keep his feet still and his mind focused.

Pedestal Training Helps Instill Willing Obedience
• Benefits a dog psychologically
• Gives a dog a home base from which to work
• Increases self-confidence and channels boldness
• By removing his options for movement, the dog relaxes
• A relaxed and confident dog is in the right mindset to learn
• Adds a measure of reliability and interest to training
• Teaches the dog to control his energy
• The pedestal becomes a release of pressure or safe "place".

At GOOD SIT Dog Training we use the "place" cue for all pedestal work.

Teach Your Dog to "Out"

This teaches your dog to release an object when asked.
The cue word doesn't matter as long as you’re consistent.
First you need to teach the dog to “take” an object. Use a toy the dog can hold in the center while you hold both ends.
A knotted rope or rubber bone shaped toy works well.
Get the dog interested by shaking it to entice your dog to go after it. Say “Fetch”, or “Take It" (or whatever your cue for the dog to pick up will be) and let your dog grab on. Continue holding the toy while he mouths and plays with it.

To teach your dog to release the toy, say "Out" (or whatever your cue for the dog to let go will be) and offer to trade a treat for the toy. Hold one end of the toy and show your dog a treat held in your other hand about six inches away from the side of his mouth. Don’t pull on the toy. Let the dog decide to release. Most dogs will opt for the treat and let go of the toy. Don't move the toy away when your dog lets go, just hold it right where it was so he doesn't think he's lost his toy by giving it up to you.
If your dog is more toy-oriented than treat-oriented, then offer to trade another favourite toy instead of food.
With either method, when your dog releases, give him lots of praise like "Thank You" and give the reward.
Repeat this several times, ending with "Fetch" and allowing your dog to keep the toy.
You can practice this while watching TV. Try using different objects and once he’s got the idea, increase the difficulty. Ask him to sit and hold the object gradually increasing the duration. Now add distractions.
Have your dog carry his own toys to the park!
It's is a great way to keep him focused.

Why Should You Train Your Dog ?

Providing your dog with at least some training is the best and most loving thing you can do for him. Training ensures that he’s safe and welcome everywhere he goes and that he’s easy to live with. But.....some dogs have some troublesome behaviours like jumping up to greet people, barking, digging and chewing and that can make it downright difficult to live with them! To make the most of your relationship with your dog, you need to teach him a few skills that will help you live together harmoniously. Learning how to train your dog will not only improve your life as well as his but will also enhance the bond between you, and ensure his safety. And a well trained dog is welcome anywhere!

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Bitten

Naturally we try to keep our dogs safe but you can't control other dogs. If your dog does get bitten you need to know what to do.
1. Remove your dog and yourself from the situation. Some people might think standing between the dogs is a good way to stop the fight but this may only result in you getting bit.
2. Get the other dog owners contact information if possible, or at least get a description of the the owner, their dog (breed, weight, markings), and maybe even their vehicle they leave in or the direction they walk away in.
3. See if there are any witnesses to what has happened.
4. Take your dog to the veterinary clinic for evaluation. Severe wounds might require antibiotics, x-rays and surgery. Minor wounds might just require cleaning of the area.
5. Check to see if the rabies vaccinations are current on your dog.

Testimonials

Guinness

Guinness is our very first dog so we were as new at this as one could be. I spent endless hours researching the breed of dog that would fit into our family. We also spent a fair bit of money on our new puppy so, why wouldn't we follow through with good training??

From my limited experience, it seems that a lot of people do what we did but then leave the training of their new dog to fate!! Well in our case, fate came in with Cathy at GOODSIT Dog Training.

Cathy's approach to training is simple… a thinking dog owner produces a dog that thinks too….and that is the ultimate goal for a good family pet. Cathy worked patiently with us 'newbies' teaching us as well as our puppy. We accomplished a lot in each session, and then used our new training to practice and build onto the next level.

To date, we have a smart, fun-loving, well-behaved pup. We will continue to work with Cathy in her weekend group sessions which are an added bonus!! Putting the time into your puppy is the key to a great family pet…we are extremely happy that we devoted that time to Cathy at GOODSIT.

Guinness's Family

Deaton

Bringing Deaton into our family has been a wonderful experience, but having Cathy guiding us along the way has been a god send.
We appreciate the time and effort that Cathy took with our family as she walked us step by step through the training process. She understands how to empower the dog owner, so you don’t become dependent on her for every question and can teach your pup at your own pace.
Her kindness and generosity truly is outstanding and sets her apart from the rest.
Thank you Cathy – we continue to work with Deaton and he is doing fantastic!

Alana + Cam

Tanner

I contacted Cathy after completing Level 2 of Novice with my 1 year old Mastiff/Shepherd Cross, Tanner. I had been conditioned to believe when you have a large breed dog, (Tanner is 125 pounds), the training needs to be aggressive and commands were taught literally within minutes, by way of force. As a result of this force-based, aggressive old school training, combined with a very protective instinct, Tanner became very fear aggressive. Our last session of Novice 2 ended when he was cowering on a ledge shaking, unable to follow even simple commands.
I emailed Cathy to make some inquiries, and she responded almost immediately and came to assess him 2 days later. She simply spoke to him through the fence and after a while asked him to do basic commands which he complied with. The first assessment, the kids were delivering papers and she instructed me on how to divert him while still acknowledging the kids. He looked, but didn't make a sound. The change was immediate, with very simple, consistent steps. I was sold.
Cathy’s training I believe revolves around the bond we have with our animals. In my case, training was so aggressive there was no bond. Instead of setting him up for failure in order to correct him, she taught me how to set him up to succeed, so both of us could feel like we accomplished something. We set reasonable goals that were achievable and exceeded those goals. The week between the assessment and our first lesson, Tanner actually began making eye contact with me when I was trying to communicate with him, looking for direction when he was stressed, something he had avoided doing in previous training. He was placing within minutes of his first lesson, and he was happy! Between the first and second lesson I was able to place him on an 18 inch wide, 2 foot tall stump WITHOUT ANY NEGATIVE ENFORCEMENT.
What Cathy has taught me is not only how to train with my dog. I learned you can demand obedience (and not always get it) BUT YOU CAN NOT DEMAND RESPECT. Respect is something both of us needed to learn, and earn. I couldn't accomplish anything because Tanner was so afraid of the trainer, the situation and me, that he was unable to even focus. For me, learning is a process on both our parts, with no basis in fear or aggression. I have so much more confidence in my ability to read him and manage situations so there is a positive outcome instead of a negative one. I don’t know what I would have done without Cathy’s help. She is a constant support to me. She is in constant communication, providing direction, education and support. She truly loves dogs, and it shows.

Sandi and Tanner

Kingston

“Kingston came to our family as a puppy almost a year ago. Although we have been dog owners for many years, Kingston seemed to have a mind of his own and was displaying some behaviours that we didn’t want to develop into bad habits. We started to look into dog trainers.
Our neighbour recommended that we meet with Cathy to see if her training might be a good fit for us. On the initial meeting, Cathy demonstrated her ability to work Kingston and our family in a very positive way. Cathy demonstrated some techniques which allowed us to see that positive reinforcement really worked with Kingston. Cathy is patient and also takes into consideration the concerns that are specific to Kingston’s needs. Cathy has passed along some great tips that have helped us with some issues that have surfaced during the training.
I would highly recommend the private classes and now we are participating in the group sessions and they are terrific too. We are very thankful for the training and wonderful assistance Cathy has provided.”

Jim, Barb and Jenny

Molly

This is our dog Molly who is just over a year old. We wanted her to walk nicer and not charge people when they came in the house. Cathy (GOOD SIT Dog Training )was recommended to us by a friend and we were very happy that we found her. Molly is now walking much better and is getting better when people come to the door. Cathy made the training fun and her positive and caring attitude made us feel more positive about our dog. I would highly recommend her.

Susan and Molly

Pip - A deaf and insecure "rescue"

If you’re serious about having a harmonious household, Cathy is an exceptional trainer and I recommend you give her serious thought. But to appreciate the results is to understand the story precluding them….
My most recent addition “Pip” was about 17 months old when adopted from rescue and ... to say she had issues is an understatement. Aside from these “issues “I was aware there was another element to be dealt with, and that is that she was born with congenital deafness. Well…….me, my history with Weimaraners, my experience with deafness (American Sign Language), and what I thought was my vast knowledge on dog training, was all about to be challenged in ways I hadn't even considered. I now was the proud owner of a brand new bouncing (literally) baby girl that was acting out and behaving like a petulant child. One who had been spoiled rotten and had no manners at all, and here I was lost and no idea of what to do.
She started out timid and leery of her new surroundings and family; no doubt thinking at first it’s great that’s she’s going for a car ride…yippee…and then faced with the reality this wasn't just a play date and that she now has to prove herself and reestablish her position in yet again another new home. (Don’t think she quite broke it down like that in dog terms…but you get the idea.)
Weeks into her being here, she was now determined that she will not only run over the other dogs in the house but also, she will now “own“ me. Within no time she was viciously attacking Chelsea (my other female Weim), the house was becoming completely out of control, and I was feeling an enormous amount of guilt for not being able to protect me and mine. This prompted my on line search, making inquiries with the Vet…with any and everyone. I didn't want to send Pip back, give up on her, and take the easy way out; but I needed a resolution as I would not continue to put the other two dogs in harms way. The other is a Pomeranian so you can imagine the potential damage here.
I made contact with Cathy Pote in Oakville Ontario. I came to the realization that there are no hidden agendas here; this is merely a case of both owner and dogs willing to be trained. As result I began training with Cathy and within 15 minutes of training there was a notable difference in Pips behaviour; soon there after that same day I could drop the lead on Pip and she was at my side waiting anxiously to see what I wanted next. It’s only continued to get better with time with Pip now waiting for my cue and like a sponge wanting to soak up more. I appreciate in training with Cathy, that Pips deafness wasn't the focus. It without doubt played a part, in having to use signs instead of voice, but for me…not Pip as she doesn't know any different. Yes being deaf heightens her senses and awareness of goings on around her, but Pips challenges were more so from her history then her deafness. Deafness or not she needed the structure, discipline, consistency and guidance that any dog should have. Cathy provided me with the tools to do just that. Before when I signed “Come” Pip looked at me and her eyes said “Ummm maybe in a bit” and “Sit” to her meant “o.k. but only for a second”. Now “Come” means “Commminnng” and …you got it “Sit”… means Sit, and she does it happily.
We’re doing it…, she heels without hesitation, she loves to play fetch, and we are off lead hiking in the woods; all the while she blissfully comes when signaled. I trust her and she finally trusts me. And what was once an intimidating and intimidated, frightened, overly anxious, insecure dog is now happy, feeling safe, confident, and a joy to be with.
Sincerely…Thank you Cathy! Thank you for your compassion, kindness, knowledge, expertise, want and perseverance to show Pip and I, as well as others out there that there is a improved way for all of us to not only co-exist but have fun doing so.

Charlene
London
Ontario Canada

Taffy

Having recently adopted a puppy, and not having had a dog previously, we were interested in dog training classes. We contacted Cathy for some private sessions and have been very pleased that we did. Cathy came to our home and gave us hands on training for Taffy. Cathy's methods are gentle and positive reinforcement based, which we really like. I feel that the ongoing additional support from Cathy is a huge benefit, knowing that she is willing to answer a question via email and give that additional bit of advice and support. Most recently Taffy and I have been enjoying the outdoor group classes. Taffy gets so excited when she sees Cathy, you can tell that she finds the classes fun and enjoys the mental stimulation. My family and I would strongly recommend Good Sit dog training.

Tracy and family