November 2021
HRI Dogs
Nico's Story
Nico is a very barky, busy, super-active dog. When he came into HRI it was his very good luck to be fostered by Gail Czarnecki who is an expert at dog training and trick training. She describes Nico as having ‘a very busy mind’. He is into everything and if not correctly directed and trained he will think up projects of his own which may not be ideal, to put it politely! He is a ‘toy hog’ he gathers up all the toys, and if he wants attention will throw them at you. Gail made this bad habit into a game by having him toss them to her hand. Ultimately, Nico was adopted by Gail, and now enjoys the games and training she provides.
HRI Volunteer
Advisor and Foster
It is a pleasure to introduce Gail Czarnecki
Gail Czarnecki has been a long-time HRI volunteer and advisor. She has numerous degrees and is an expert in many aspects of canine behavior, nutrition, and training. She has been on the HRI Board and is a frequent contributor when difficult dogs must get a course of training/rehabilitation. Gail is also certified to judge dogs for the AKC Trick Dog Awards.

Gail has been training dogs and teaching obedience classes for nearly 30 years. She is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) and the Pet Professional Guild. She has a Ph.D. in Companion Animal Nutrition. She also has been a member of the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) subcommittee that sets nutritional standards for dogs and cats in the US.

She currently owns three Havanese. In her spare time, she helps with Havanese Rescue, accompanies her dogs on therapy dog visits, participates in obedience and rally competitions, and teaches her dogs fun tricks.

She thinks one of the most important lessons is that: using force can often worsen a situation. Positive, science-based methods are very powerful. 

She has contributed the ideas below for fun activities and games to play with dogs.
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Make the holidays a fun time
for your dog with some
simple activities and games.
1) Make your daily walk into a fun environmental ‘agility course’. Walking in a parking lot? Ask the dog to walk the concrete car barrier. Walking in the trees? Do a figure 8 around them. Any rocks in your park? Your dog can climb them and be the ‘King of the Mountain’. Any benches? Your dog can walk along them. Low concrete barriers can act as a balance beam for walking too.

2) While at home try hiding and call the dog to find you, Havanese are such velcro dogs you may have to ask someone to hold them while you hide.

3) If you have active children or an active dog or both try Red Light Green Light. At first have the children hold the dog on a leash when you say Green Light they can move forward (run) and when you say Red Light they must stop. Soon the dog will pick it up and a leash will not be needed.

4) If you have a puppy who grabs clothing as you, or a child, walk by try sprinkling small treats behind you as you walk and the puppy will be busy getting those and forget about your trouser leg. 
FYI
Training Tips
1) If you are calling the dog for something unpleasant just go get them. If you use the usual “come” or” here” command and then they get their nails clipped or a bath they don’t like, the next time you call they may not want to come!

2) Use food as a reward, not a bribe. If your dog does not respond to a command, do not increase the attractiveness of the treat, just go away and give them nothing. If you increase the treat value (ie: instead of kibble > chicken, instead of chicken > liver) the dog learns not to do it on the first try because better things are coming!

3) Don’t repeat commands if it doesn’t work. If you say "sit" and nothing happens don’t keep saying it!

4) Always use the same cue for commands. Don’t use “Down” when you want him to lie down and then when you want him off the couch say ‘down’, use "off". 


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