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The Monthly Wag: March 2025
Ready Set...Train! Monthly Newsletter
ReadySetTrainDogs
March 02, 2025
Hello Fellow Dog Lovers!
Thank you for subscribing to our monthly newsletter! We’re thrilled to have you be a part of our ever growing community of dog lovers and training enthusiasts. Each month, you can look forward to receiving valuable training tips, behavior insights, and updates on our upcoming events and classes. We're excited to share this journey with you and your furry friend(s)!
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Table of Contents
Featured Upcoming Class: AKC Rally Novice
Each month, we feature one of our upcoming classes to give you a deeper look into what the class entails. This month, we’re excited to highlight AKC Rally Novice, starting on March 16th at 3 PM!
What is AKC Rally?
Rally is one of the AKC’s newest and most popular dog sports, combining elements of obedience and agility. In this sport, a dog and handler work together as a team to complete a course while competing against others. Depending on the level, a rally course consists of 10–20 signs/stations, each requiring your dog to perform a specific behavior.
These behaviors range from simple commands like “sit” and “down” to more advanced tasks such as circling around your body in a specific direction, being sent to a jump, or weaving through cones while ignoring distractions
Each team starts with 100 points, and judges deduct points for mistakes like incorrectly performing behaviors, crooked sits/downs, or slow responses. The team with the highest score at the end wins, and any dog scoring above 70 qualifies toward earning their class title.
Why Try Rally?
Rally is a fun and rewarding way to strengthen your bond with your dog while building focus, teamwork, and engagement. This sport challenges dogs both mentally and physically, making it a great way to improve obedience and confidence.
Who Can Participate?
Any dog can join Rally! Your dog just needs to know basic commands like sit, down, and stay, and be able to walk well on a leash. In our Rally classes, we’ll teach you all the necessary skills for each level, starting with Novice. Whether you’re preparing for competition or just looking for a fun learning experience, we’ve got you covered! Rally is also a great stepping stone into other dog sports like agility, scent work, or competitive obedience.
If you’ve been thinking about trying a dog sport, Rally is the perfect place to start!
➡️ Join our upcoming Rally Novice class starting March 16th by clicking the link: https://www.readysettraindogs.com/book-online?category=e60c2227-6d3e-4d77-9eae-08312aa6980c
Monthly Training Video: Teaching a Down from a Stand(Sphinx Down)
Why Choose Ready Set…Train! for Group Training Classes?
Dog of the Month: Gannon
Gannon loves to go back out after training sessions to make sure he did not miss any treats.
Name: Gannon
Age: 5 Years Old
Breed: German Shepard
Favorite activity: Playing fetch with his dad Roy.
Favorite food/snack: Chicken Tender Treats
Best personality trait: Gannon is great with people. He loves everyone and is excited to meet anyone new!
Fun fact about Gannon: Gannon is very smart and has a great sense of time. He knows exactly when he is supposed get up, eat breakfast/dinner, and go to bed each day. He especially notices when he is supposed to get his doggie ice cream each night!
Gannon’s Journey: From Reactivity to Progress
Gannon joined our training program due to his reactivity and aggression toward other dogs/animals. His parents, Roy and Penny, rescued him from a difficult and neglectful situation, where he spent the first three years of his life mostly confined to a crate. Underweight and lacking exposure to the outside world, Gannon struggled with severe aggression—especially toward other animals, including his sister Bella, another German Shepherd.
Determined to help Gannon, Roy reached out to us for training. Thanks to Roy’s unwavering dedication and consistent daily work, Gannon has made incredible progress. Roy dedicates a large part of his days to making sure Gannon gets exercise, enrichment, and training. While he and Bella still need to be separated, Gannon no longer tries to attack her and has even begun to engage in positive interactions, including frequent sniffing and even occasional playful social behavior.
Though there’s still work to be done, Gannon’s transformation has been truly inspiring. We love working with Roy, Gannon, and Bella each week and can’t wait to see how much more they grow!
Gannon and his sister Bella
Training at Every Life Stage: Why There’s No Time Like the Present to Start Training Your Dog
Wether your dog is a 8 weeks old puppy or a 14 year old senior, learning and training is an important part of our dogs daily lives.
Have you ever heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”? Or that you should “wait for your puppy to mature before starting training”? Maybe you’ve been told that “adult dog behavior can’t be changed”.
What do all these statements have in common? They are unequivocally false! There is no better time to start training than when a puppy is young, ideally during the primary socialization window. Adult dogs are fully capable of learning new behaviors, and senior dogs thrive when they continue to receive enrichment and training. Essentially, the best time to start training your dog is right now!
Training Needs at Every Life Stage
Puppyhood (0–16 Weeks): The Foundation for Success
During puppyhood, the most critical developmental period occurs before 16 weeks of age—this is known as the primary socialization window. Puppies at this stage are absorbing vast amounts of information about the world, shaping their future behaviors and reactions.
To set them up for success, puppies need positive exposure to:
✔️ Other dogs and animals
✔️ A variety of humans (different ages, appearances, and behaviors)
✔️ Novel objects, surfaces, and environments
✔️ Various sounds and experiences (e.g., vacuum cleaners, car rides, vet visits)
Without proper, positive socialization, puppies are more likely to develop fears, phobias, and even aggression. Exposure should always be at the puppy’s comfort level—traumatizing experiences can have lasting negative effects.
Adolescence (6–18 Months): Testing Boundaries
At around six months, dogs enter adolescence—a stage often compared to the teenage years in humans. During this time, dogs may start testing boundaries, becoming more independent, and even seeming to “forget” previously learned behaviors.
This is where consistent training and reinforcement become crucial. Without guidance, adolescent dogs may develop undesirable habits such as jumping, leash pulling, or ignoring commands. To navigate this stage successfully:
🔹 Be proactive in reinforcing good behaviors.
🔹 Continue socialization and exposure to new experiences.
🔹 Use structured training to build impulse control and focus. Getting into a Beginner Good Manners Class is a great idea at this time!
🔹 Provide mental stimulation through puzzle toys, training games, and scent work.
Patience and consistency are key! Many dogs are surrendered to shelters during this phase due to behavior challenges, but with proper training, they can grow into well-mannered adults.
Adulthood (18 Months–7 Years): Refining Skills and Strengthening Bonds
By adulthood, dogs have typically settled into their personalities, but training should never stop. This is the perfect time to refine skills, address any lingering behavior issues, and strengthen your bond through advanced training or dog sports like agility, rally, or scent work.
Even well-trained adult dogs benefit from continued mental and physical enrichment. Routine training helps prevent boredom, reinforces good behavior, and keeps their minds sharp.
Senior Years (7+ Years): Keeping the Mind and Body Active
One of the saddest misconceptions is that senior dogs no longer need training or enrichment. In reality, continued learning enhances their quality of life and keeps them mentally engaged.
Ways to support senior dogs through training:
🐾 Teach new tricks to keep their brains active.
🐾 Modify exercises for aging joints (e.g., gentle balance work).
🐾 Use scent games and interactive puzzles for mental stimulation.
🐾 Adjust training based on their physical capabilities and comfort.
Older dogs may experience cognitive decline, but ongoing enrichment can slow this process and improve overall well-being.
It’s Never Too Late (or Too Early) to Train
No matter your dog’s age, training builds confidence, strengthens your bond, and improves behavior. Whether you’re raising a puppy, guiding an adolescent, refining an adult dog’s skills, or keeping a senior dog engaged, consistent training enhances their life at every stage.
So, if you’ve been wondering when to start training, the answer is simple: Right now is the perfect time!
Upcoming Classes/Events
3/2: 1:00 pm- Out and About Class | First Class
3/9: 11:30 am- Beginner Good Manners I | First Class
3/16: 3:00 pm- Rally Novice | First Class
3/19: 6:30 pm- Advanced Good Manners I First Class
4/13: 11:30 am- Beginner Good Manners | First Class
4/27: 10 am- Puppy Start Right Pre-School | First Class
All of our upcoming class still have several spots available. Sign up today! https://www.readysettraindogs.com/group-training-classes
