Most Useless dog tricks

Some of Flint's most useless, but entertaining tricks!
Oh, don't make the same mistake as me... Don't show "Seizure" trick to small kids and at senior homes!

Ok, It's not REALLY useless =) Many of these tricks teach on back-leg /self awareness

A great weekend!

Flint did AWESOME for her first starters trial!
For her first run she got and first place for her 10' height class.  and a "Q" ( Q =Qualifying Score-Which means zero faults and when you get 3 Q's for a perfect run, you get a title)

For Flint's second run, she ran too fast and her momentum took her over the table and she faulted there (I will be sure to slow her down next time) but we still placed second.

Flint's 3rd run was a Jumpers .. I guided Flint along the wrong path.. then i stopped.. and thought "WaaaAT?? Somethings not right.." and I was totally lost.. and there were no numbers on the obstacles anymore because i was doing things backwards!! So i was awarded an "E" (=Eliminated) haha! I have always been directionally challanged so this doesn't come a surprise to me at all!!  I think I will only do 1 run a day.. 3 just totally fries my brain ahah ..

Also this weekend: I did my first cat spay =D.  In conclusion: Awesome weekend!

Above: Flint and her ribbons

Above: Flint very dissapointed at me haha

Nail Trimming is Just another Trick!

Watch how positive reinforcement totally changes what the dog thinks about nail trimming..
The CLICK sound of the clippers is now a cue that it will get a reward, just as if you were using a clicker.
So the dog now anticipates for the click rather than struggling, and fearing for when you click-it.

I was a little manhandling the dog at first b/c i wanted to show how bad it was with nail clipping... but it had already gotten so much better from when we first cut its nails and used a toy as a reward (last week). Normally, it would be biting, struggling frantically, and would no way let you bring a clipper near him!

When i first started (not shown in video) I actually rewarded the dog with the clicker just touching to dog, and touching the paw.

This really didn't take long at all (Two 5min sessions for this dog).. The sad thing is people bring these "difficult" dogs to the vets/groomers (who wanting to get the job done quick)  would  flip the dog over on the side....and the dog's fear would further increase so it would start biting/mouthing. So then they would put a muzzle on the dog.. and go ahead clipping while the dog is screaming bloody murder, or trembling in fear.  

So.. take  10minutes to train your dog!
It is NOT about dominating the dog, punishing them when they don't stand still, scruffing them, or holding them tighter... to show them you are boss. 
Rather, REWARD the dog, and convince them that Nail trimming and restraint is not scary at all.
You decide..which is better for the relationship b/n you and your dog.. and which will build TRUST??

Positive reinforcment works for all sorts of animals, not just dogs.

This is a cool video of a cat doing tricks.

There is lots of positive reinforcement trainers doing some awesome work. My inspirations are  Emily Larlham and Silvia Trkmann.

With positive reinforcement people train dolphins, cats, rats, goats, horses..etc etc.. not just dogs!