Beckman's Dog Training Blog

Check out our Facebook page to see updated pictures of the facility, new training center and the past and present dogs that have trained with us at Beckman’s Dog Training.  You can also hear about up coming events.  We will also be starting to document behavioral/training issues we are working on with our Board & Train dogs and show step-by-step how they were trained.

Starting with Diamond:  she is a 5 month old Great Pyrenees that is terrified of going up a ramp into the car.  She drools and vomits in the car.  We will hopefully document her progress as she overcomes her fear!

Follow us on facebook to find out how we did with the training.  Click the link below to see the the Facebook page.

Beckman’s Dog Training Facebook Page

We are now adding more videos to Youtube to help group class clients and everyone else see the behaviors we will be doing in class.  We will continue to add videos until we have covered all the group class behaviors.  We will also add training videos that we think are interesting or helpful.  Click the link below.
Beckmansdogtrainingvideos

Here is a list of all group classes coming up in the near future.
Fallbrook Kahoots-Starts Wednesday Dec 16th at 6pm
Rancho Bernardo Kahoots- Starts Saturday Dec 19th at 11am
Poway Kahoots- Starts Sunday Jan 24th at 11am
Ramona Kahoot-Starts Wednesday Jan 27th at 6:30pm
Murrieta Kahoots-Starts Saturday Jan 30th at 9am
Chino Hills Kahoots- Starts Saturday Jan 30th at 11am
Below is a list of what you will learn in the class. I’m also developing a take home packed for all class participants.

Class #1
Rules
Training Theory & Verbal “Bridge”
Clam Behaviors
Troubleshoot

Class #2
Watch, Sit, Bed
Chew Toy Talk, Show Hula
Jumping
Troubleshoot

Class #3
Stay, Heel & Ring Bell
Aggression talk,
Potty Training
Troubleshoot

Class #4
Down, Wait at door, Remote sit & Heel
Exercise talk
Barking
Troubleshoot

Class #5
Recall, Leave it & Heel
Separation anxiety talk Demonstrate Hula
Crate Training
Troubleshoot
Diplomas

My wife and I are proud to announce a new addition to the family.  Brynley Mainwaring Beckman was born on September 22.  She was 5lbs 13oz.  Baby and mom are doing great.  She was born with killer highlights in her hair and a lot of it.  We are so blessed to have a baby like Brynley and dog like Bosco.

Over the years I have been learning and paying attention to dog and baby introductions.  Now I can officially consult/train people on how to properly bring their baby home and live with a dog. Look for this topic in a future blog and possibly a class.

Click here for a short video of Boggie and Bosco playing.

I have been asked to train and relocate a great dog.  His name is Boggie he is a wonderful 5 year old Australian Cattle dog/Blue heeler.
His story is that he lived in Santa Fe, NM, his owner died abruptly of cancer.  He was relocated to San Diego to live with the deceased’s mother, with help form the sister.  She realized that she was not going to be able provide the care that Boggie needs.
They would like me to find a good loving home for Boggie.  After having him a few days I can see his personality.  He is a very loving dog.  As I care,train and play with him he is starting to show his fun, attentive and loyal personality.   He barks a new people.  He response to all forms of positive reinforcement.  He gets along with all dogs but doesn’t seem like much of a player (that may change after he stays longer with me and the dogs at my facility).  I’m training him to be better with strangers, heel, the basics and any other behaviors that he will need in a new home environment.
Anyone who adopts him will receive unlimited follow up sessions, group classes for the life of the dog, and you can board him with me in the future (all the things that come with the board/train program)
The main criteria is that he is places in a loving home.  He will need a yard but some property would be the best situation.  He is a herding dog so any livestock would be great.
I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t like this dog and the family very much and think he would be a great addition to someone’s family.  His family loves him very much and we are all committed to finding him the right home.
Click the link at the top of the page to view a video of Boggie and my dog Bosco, in action.
Please forward this to anyone that may be interested.  Contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,

There have been many books written on how to raise a puppy and I could and may some day may write one my self. Right now however I am going to touch on some of the most important aspects to raising a social, confident & intelligent dog.
1) Play with your puppy.
I feel the most important aspect to raising a puppy right is to have fun and play with her. Just like human babies, at a young age, playing is learning. Chase them, let them chase you, role around on the ground, play hide-and-go-seek, you get the idea. This kind of play makes the dog want to be with you at a critical period of their life.

2) Feed her most of her food from your hand.

There is no rule that says that you have to feed 2-3 times a day. Put some of his food in your hand, when he is not paying attention say “come Rex” when he comes give him a big handful of food. doing this you will achieve two goals that feeding out of a bowl will not.
- Eating from you will improve your relationship (more specifically, paring yourself with a primary reinforcer like food will make him even more “happy” to smell, see and be in your presence. after a period of time fad out the feeding from your hand and that “feeling”he has while in your presence remains. See Classical Conditioning for more information)

3) Socialization.
Get them into puppy class, go to friends houses who have dogs of similar age, size or temperament. Get them around children, tile floors, stairs, fire works, water, cats, large men…

4) Crate/potty train
I could write a book on this subject alone. Make the crate a very positive, comfortable experience. Anticipate the need to go, and take them outside, reinforce them for going and I don’t mean “good boy” with a pat on the head. How reinforcing do you think that is to a dog. No, I mean give treats use high pitch noises. The more reinforcing you make it the less you will have to do it in the future.

5) Play tug-of-war.

I am a huge fan of this game. It teaches that a hand trying to grab that toy out of their mouth is not a threat, but an opportunity for a fun game. It teaches that another dog trying to grab that toy away from you is not a threat but a opportunity for a game. Now at the same time you have to teach a solid “leave-it”. Tug-of-war is no good if your dog doesn’t know how to stop playing.
My dog and many of the dogs that train at my facility love this game. Sometimes two dogs play for 10minutes straight and they can become very vocal but I have never once seen aggression before, during or after the game. The dog that wins will take off with their new prize while the other dog chases him looking for another try. Always be careful with puppy’s delicate teeth.

6) Chew toys
See my previous blog on Chew Toys.

And of course sign up for my puppy training classes at Kahoots and Camp-run-a-mutt, being held throughout San Diego county.

Thanks for reading.
Joel Beckman

Beckman’s Dog Training has expanded to more group class locations.
Below is a reference for all group class participants and a list of times, dates and locations of upcoming classes.
Camp Run-a-Mutt. Starts Sunday April 5th at 11am.
Kahoots Rancho Bernardo. Starts Sat April 18th at 11am.
Kahoots Ramona. Starts Wed April 8th at 6:30pm.
Kahoots Chino Hills. Starts April 9th at 6pm.
Kahoots Murrieta. Starts May 4th at 5pm.

Please, don’t bring your dog to the first class. We have a lot to go over and it’s much easier without the dogs. Please bring vaccination records, a clicker, treat bag, soft small treats (I recommend Natural Balance lamb sausage roll) and a thin dog bed. You can buy all of these items at Kahoots. Please bring these items to the first class.
You do not have to have any particular type of collar or leash, but we don’t us chock chains or pinch collars. I do recommend a regular buckle collar and 4 ft double ply leash for dogs that pull and any 4ft leash for other dogs .

I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Beckman’s Dog Training is constantly improving the facility to make it the perfect dog training and living area.  We have added about 700 sq ft of grass around the pond and 1000 sq ft of open area decomposed granite for the dogs to run and play on.  Much of the property has 3 rail fencing, that is double fenced with wire fencing.
We have also added an office/ dog playroom.  This new office will allow me to work in the same building that the beautiful dog rooms are located in. (pictures below)
To see a video of the facility click links below.

Pan of Facility

Dogs playing at facility   (Two Board/train dogs and my doberman)
Check out the new office pictures below.

Beckman’s Dog Training is constantly improving the facility and programs.  We just added about 1000sq ft of grass and another 1000sq ft of decomposed Granite.  The dogs seem to love the new surfaces to play on.  Click on this YouTube link to watch a recent video of Bosco, Dutchess and Hawker, using the whole front area of the facility to run and play.

For Dutchess’ and Hawker’s owners I will add training video in the next few days.
I just learned to add links and video to the blog so expect more in the near future.

Hello everyone,
I apologize for the lack of blogs the last couple of months.
Beckman’s Dog Training is doing extremely well thanks in part to Kahoots Pet Supply and Camp Run-a-mutt Doggie Daycare. Through them I’m able to offer group training classes all over San Diego County. If you are interested in group classes please go to the location of your choice and sign up at the counter. You will need to leave a $25 deposit to hold your spot. Some of the classes fill up fast so sign up as soon as possible, and I will contact you with what to bring. The cost is $125 for the six week class. Board/train clients can take the class for just $25.
More locations coming soon!

Below is a list of dates and times of upcoming classes.

Kahoots Ramona: Puppy Class- Starts Tuesday, January 13th 6:30
Adult Class- Starts Wednesday, January 14th 6:30

Camp Run-a-Mutt: Basic Obedience starts Sunday, January 18th at 12n

Kahoots La Mesa Starts Thursday January 22nd at 6pm

Kahoots Escondido (W El Norte Pkwy) Tuesday, February 17th at 6pm

Kahoots Escondido (E Valley Parkway) Saturday, February 21st at 10am

Kahoots Fallbrook Wednesday, February 12th at 5pm