Episode 56: Laura Rixham Interview

In this episode, Petra and Laurie explore the nuances of marker training, emphasizing the importance of adding genuine praise to building and strengthen the relationship. If you have created a history of click/treat it will take some time to build value for praise, but it’s worth the effort. Praise can help build your dog’s confidence and ego, it’s empowering. They share practical tips for building a strong bond and making training a joyful, interactive experience. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to marker training and relationship building 01:53 Why neutral markers like clickers are debated 04:05 The importance of emotional connection in training 07:01 How to celebrate small successes with your dog 10:00 Using play and interaction to reinforce learning 13:03 The power of genuine, heartfelt praise 16:01 Avoiding mechanical training and fostering engagement 19:08 The role of confidence and ego in dogs 22:02 Building a training routine that’s fun and effective 25:03 The impact of trainer enthusiasm on dog performance 28:00 Creating a lifelong bond through joyful training CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

In this episode, Petra and Laurie welcome Zycho, Petra's new puppy. They share insights on puppy development, training, and trialing, emphasizing the importance of patience, observation, and learning from mistakes. They also talk about what it means to be an “experienced” trainer and competitor…it’s likely not what you think! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to puppy development and training insights 02:01 Puppy self-sufficiency and rapid learning examples 04:01 Training eye contact and engagement in puppies 07:53 Adjusting training margins and building confidence 11:54 Managing multiple dogs and space in training 16:04 Dealing with surprises and mistakes in trials 19:58 Learning from trial setbacks and mistakes 24:03 Handling high drive and genetic instincts in detection dogs 28:01 Training for distractions and environmental challenges 31:55 The importance of experience and trialing in learning 36:00 Balancing expectations and patience in training 40:02 Celebrating successes and maintaining perspective 44:59 Final thoughts on dog training and trialing journey

Foundations matter. And they matter throughout your dog's career. Mastering foundation skills are critical to becoming a good handler and teammate. Creating a strong foundation sets your dogs up for success. Returning to and reviewing foundations throughout your dog's career creates a dog that is confident, motivated, sharp and animated. Join Laurie and Petra as they talk about the importance of foundations and provide actionable tips and strategies for mastering them. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Foundations in Dog Training 00:05 Mastering Foundations as a Handler 00:35 The Role of Self-Awareness in Training 01:04 Handling and Body Language Awareness 01:33 The Power of Repetition and Mastery 02:03 Building Confidence Through Foundations 02:29 Practicing Skills Outside of Context 02:34 The Value of Easy Successes 02:36 Revisiting and Reinforcing Basics 02:59 Dealing with Regression and Setbacks 03:25 Using Games to Strengthen Skills 03:51 The Importance of Self-Reflection 04:01 Shaping and Problem Solving 04:02 Avoiding Common Training Pitfalls 04:05 The Role of Consistency and Focus 04:14 Handling Mistakes Gracefully 04:39 The Continuous Nature of Mastery 04:40 Balancing Hard and Easy Training Days 04:41 Weekly Review and Planning 05:07 Final Tips for Building Strong Foundations CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

Hannah Nordstrom shares her journey from a passionate first-time dog owner to a rally competitor and instructor as well as FAST CAT competitor. Hannah and her Bedlington Terrier Breitling have already accomplished great things! Her passion, positivity and enthusiasm for Breitling and dog training is evident in all she does. Hannah emphasizes the importance of creating a foundation based on building and maintaining a trusting relationship. relationship. In this episode, Hannah and Petra discuss the importance of engagement, relationship-building, and understanding your dog's unique personality in training and dog sports. They share insights on how to foster a positive training environment and the value of patience and consistency. Hannah is also a wonderful ambassador for all dog sports. Her enthusiasm is infectious! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Hannah's background in dog sports 01:54 Hannah's journey from puppy to rally champion 02:52 How environment challenges reveal training gaps 03:56 The structure and excitement of the Rock Invitational 05:55 The importance of venue and environment in competitions 06:58 Dogs choosing their handlers and the importance of patience 08:00 Fast Cat and other sports Hannah competes in 09:53 The significance of fitness and muscle building 12:07 Breed traits and unique characteristics of Bedlington Terriers 12:34 Managing arousal and environment for success 14:08 Building a relationship based on trust and confidence 16:01 The role of socialization and exposure in training 16:04 The significance of giving dogs time to engage 17:53 Handling distractions and environmental challenges 19:56 Engagement and focus in rally and obedience 20:22 Breed differences and individual personalities 22:01 The importance of relationship over exercises 23:56 Training strategies: breaking down signs and cues 24:17 The impact of social media on dog training perceptions 26:14 Long-term vision and sacrificing immediate wins 27:47 Communication and understanding between handler and dog 28:16 Celebrating small wins and building confidence 30:00 Adapting training to breed and individual needs 32:03 Creating positive associations and neutralizing fears 32:32 The importance of positive reinforcement and relationship 34:02 The value of patience and incremental progress 35:52 The impact of environment and competition stress 36:19 Final thoughts and encouragement for trainers and owners 38:12 Final thoughts on relationship, engagement, and success in dog sports CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025

In this episode, Kaleigh Gagnon shares her extensive knowledge of search and rescue dogs and scent work training. Discover how dogs are trained to detect various odors and the comprehensive certification process required to become operational. We talk about how versatile and adaptable dogs can be. Kaleigh’s emphasizes the importance of learning how to read your dog’s behavior to develop a strong partnership. Search and rescue requires an enormous amount of time, dedication and sacrifice. We are grateful for all the volunteers out there! CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Search and Rescue and Kaleigh Gagnon's background 00:06 Types of search and rescue work: live find vs. human remains detection 00:14 Training and certifying search and rescue dogs in different disciplines 00:44 Teaching dogs to differentiate odors and environments 01:00 Reading your dog's behavior and body language during scent work 01:02 The importance of trust, communication, and relationship building 01:31 Environmental factors and odor movement in scent detection 01:56 Training routines, consistency, and handling during searches 02:18 The mental aspect of scent work and handler confidence 02:29 How dogs perceive odors and the science of odor wafting 02:37 Practical tips for training and improving scent detection skills 03:08 The rewarding and fulfilling nature of search and rescue work CONTACT US: https://www.youtube.com/@canineconnectionpod https://www.facebook.com/canineconnectionpodcast PETRA: https://www.facebook.com/petrafordtrainer/ www.petrasdogresourcecenter.com LAURIE: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.strimavicius https://www.facebook.com/groups/trainme2025