More about Pumpkin:
I’ve finally found a good toy for #groundwork for her. It’s easy to pick up, easy to clean, easy to find and easy to push around!

I’m teaching her how to #fetch and by now she goes after the toy when it’s being thrown, picks it up and throws it back into my general direction haha

#horse #horses #horsesofmastodon #pony #equine #PositiveReinforcement #ClickerTraining #clicker

#introduction

Hello! I’m here to talk about #horses and #equitation.

I’m in the process of building a boarding facility for other peoples horses. Therefore I’m interested in:
#EquineHealth
#EquineNutrition
#BarnManagement

In my free time I train and work with my own horses.
#Dressage
#ClassicalDressage
#WorkingEquitation
#Bitless #BitlessRiding
#PositiveReinforcement
#ClickerTraining
#DraftHorses

I own one #warmblood mare, two #pony mares and a #donkey ( #asstodon ) gelding.

#Hellsing #manga #art #quotes #alucard #hellsingova #hellsingultimate #humanity #NeverGiveUp #motivation #positivereinforcement

1. Loose leash while walking on road. 2. Checking in with me. 3. Relaxed face while wearing muzzle. A trifecta 🤗❤️

#FearfulDog #PositiveReinforcement #DogsOfMastodon

#wedsneigh #horses #horsesofmastodon #positiveReinforcement

We often do things to our pets and domestic animals without asking first, because they need care of course! Grooming and fly spray, for instance, are important for the health of horses. Did you know that animals are quite good at communicating their consent to things if we take a little time to establish a way for them to tell us? Here Taz, our rescued feral mare, presses her muzzle gently into Meredith’s hand to say it’s ok to drag a brush through her long tangled mane. If Taz stops pressing, Meredith will stop brushing until Taz lets her know it’s ok to start again by pressing. Meredith took a little extra time to come to this agreement with Taz, using the behavior of face-touching which Taz already knew and liked. It pays off in trust and consent to something that might otherwise feel unpleasant and scary. #wedsneigh #horses #positiveReinforcement #animalCommunication

A nice sequence of Leia (#quarterhorse) and Jasmine working at liberty on crossing over a wooden bridge. This is excellent preparation for both #trailRiding and trailer loading #positivereinforcement #wedsneigh #equestrian

At first, I was mad because human had been "cleaning" my space but when she started petting me, I switched to tooth purring for #PositiveReinforcement

#RabbitsOfMastodon #aDailyViolet

https://youtu.be/TqrJr3SQ2ro

Practicing for CGCA and CGCU titles. Most of the tests are about being able to just be…hard for a lot of dogs especially in groups and in new places.
#dogtraining #positivereinforcement #dogsofmastodon #cgc #akc

At the fenced-park-that's-not-a-dog-park with Nori this morning, I called her away from the gate to a tot lot a good 100 yards away and she came flying.
Another owner who's seen us around asked: what do you do to create that really great long recall?
Me: (seeing his dog nearby) will your dog come to you now do you think?
Him: ?? Probably?
Me: call him
He calls, dog comes, but casually, granting a favor
Me: Feed him this. Gives him a bit of homemade beef/egg/oat/peanutbutter treat
He feeds
Me: Now let him go back to his friends.
Dog is released and leaves.
A few minutes pass as we talk about how much I feed for work.
Me: Call him again
He calls, dog drops what it's doing snappily and trots over excited.
Him: I always assume people will be mad if I bring food to places I know there will be other dogs.
Me: When people look at me side-eyed, I demonstrate why I bring it and they usually get it. It's my muddy pants. Not theirs. And you get used to having to turn away from pushy noses. Call him with really good food here at the park 3-4x a morning and I guarantee you'll see something different.
Him: hmmmmmmm

Upshot: I don't know why people stop giving treats for work whether it's on a short leash, long line or running free. You walk them every day. You invest the time in their lives. Why would you not invest 2-3 minutes extra to cut up some cheese and stick it in your pocket to make your dog happy and your life easier. Yeah. I carry food anyplace that's not a competition ring. And if Nori's CGC test and agility classes are any indicator, she knows I'll pay her at the end of the run without even trying.

#dogtraining #dogstory #dogsofmastodon #positivereinforcement

Funny moment with Windy: she and I have been practicing her stationing lately that she doesn't mind stationing on two platforms while having her breakfast. 😂 You go, bb girl! #positivereinforcement #dogtraining #caninefitness

Yesterday, Trotsy and I had a really good groundwork session!

We did transitions between travers, leg yields and counter shoulder-ins and she did great. Even though I was to lazy to bring my dressage whip and used a long blade of grass instead lol

Afterwards I let her roam for a bit and she found this very practical grass bar 😂

#horse #horses #horsesofmastodon #pony #irishcob #positivereinforcement #dressage

Layla was being a total goober during her lesson tonight. But she's still wonderful and I'm loving working with her and her moms.

#DogTraining #QueerDogTrainer #PositiveReinforcement #ChicagoDog #ForceFree #DogTrainersOfMastodon #DogsOfMastodon

#dogs #dogtraining #positivereinforcement

New Hound Opinions #podcast goodness out now, y'all! This time, I talk about how expectations can make dog #training harder than it has to be. Check it out wherever you get your #podcasts or at https://anchor.fm/bigwagschicago/episodes/Great-Expectations-e1upcl2.

#HoundOpinions #PositiveReinforcement #DogTraining #SelfCare #DogTrainer

Stop by a nature path to stretch the legs on the way home from a SAR callout and I ended up with something on my back...

#Edraith #dogtraining #dogtrainer #positivereinforcement #trickdog

Betty just got her first trick dog title! She is now a Novice Trick Dog as recognized by Do More With Your Dog (an int’l positive reinforcement dog training organization). Onwards and upwards to Intermediate! (And, yes, I did order all of the swag. She's getting a certificate, ribbon, and patch.) 🏅 #PositiveReinforcementDogTraining #FearFreeDogTraining #PositiveReinforcement #FearFree #ILoveMyDog #BettyTheMeatball

For today’s #wedsneigh we’re looking ahead to this week’s #USPonyClubs convention. Pony Clubs is where kids learn about horses and ponies and how to ride and care for them. We’ll be there to #educate about #positiveReinforcement and #behavior.

Introducing Vinnie, the Via Nova pony. He’s Evil! He bites! You’ll never get him to trot! But is there more to Vinnie than meets the eye? Find out from a former Evil Pony’s mouth why he decided to reform! We’ll be talking practical ways for riders to use #PositiveReinforcement at the 2023 @USPonyClubs Convention in St. Louis Jan 20-22.#USPCconvention #wedsneigh

@vianovatraining Oh wow! I‘m so happy to see more people training their horses with #positivereinforcement ! How exciting 😄