20+ years ago I got a golden retriever to get my behind off the sofa and get some exercise. I was 45 at the time and it sure helped get me moving. A lab mix(avatar) was next and we had daily walks on the golf course and park trails nearby. He passed at 13 and really slowed down his last couple of years so our walks became shorter and slower. Now I have a 4 month old english lab and we're back to moving again. Twice a day walks with some obedience training. I'm 67 now and this will probably be my last dog but hopefully we will both live many more years with lots of hikes and walks along the way. Headed out with my buddy as soon as I send this post.
Just got an English lab! Aside from patience and redirection. Do you have any advice on getting her to stop putting everything in her mouth when we’re outside? Are constant treats the answer for now?
@@sebouharakelian9896 It's very difficult. You may not agree with this method but I have an electronic correction collar I use primarily to keep my dog from wandering off when walking. The device has several modes. One is just a beep to get his attention. Another is a vibration mode and there is a shock(light stimulation) for a last resort. Once they learn the beeping sound usually does the trick. So I will use that when he picks up items he shouldn't. But it's almost impossible to get them to never pick up stuff with their mouth.
@@sebouharakelian9896 We have a 3 month Lab and I agree it’s a constant problem with the mouth. I hope she grows out of it but for now I walk her on the pavement so there are no distractions with rocks and wood and keep her close.
@sebouharakelian9896 does your dog have a toy they like and can carry? You can have the dog keep that in their mouth instead of random things on the walks 😅 they're bred to carry stuff in their mouths so getting them to stop is really difficult!
When the world locked down, my Lab and I went into the woods two or three times a day every day for 14 months. We had our own small challenges course that was 2 miles long. We stumbled into everything you said here, I am a better person because of my relationship with my dog now. Thanks to Uncle Stonnie, this has been put into words.
Thank you for your message! If everybody was able to start thinking in true empathy more people will have the click you got with dog when you took the time to invest in something or someone or dog.
I bought a sling so I could bring my dog to the woods to use his energy, he even had a little nap on the way back after he got used to the rythm. Good times ❤️
My puppy (8.5 month old cavapoo) is growing up into such a well-behaved dog and I owe it all to you Stonnie! We start every morning with a 4-5 mile walk around uptown (we live in Charlotte NC), and she loves to jump on every retaining wall & picnic table we pass. She knows I get excited so she literally looks for “small challenges” to impress me by conquering. After seeing the video last summer when you crawled through the culvert, I’ve been trying to find unusual places to have extra adventures. Walking her is the highlight of my day. When the walk is over, she’s usually down for the rest of the day, she just wants to lounge around on the couch with us or run errands, with almost no bad behaviors at all🐶💜
@@bikemike575 that would be great!!! We are in Freedom Park usually about once a week, otherwise we are all over SouthEnd, Uptown, and the lightrail trail. If you ever see a blonde girl with a long legged small black doodle, that’s me! 💜
100% agree!!!! My English chubby passed away in January at age 15. She walked a couple miles with me and swam in the river at our local park most days until her last year, when the walks had to shorten due to her debility. I heard until the end "that's the happiest dog I've ever seen!" every single walk. I want to believe it was her love of hanging with me but she literally bounced and I swear she smiled too every time we got to her favorite park!
I’m so sorry for your loss. My golden is the same way! So happy, carries his toys everywhere. Loves everybody. He’s having chemo treatments. Im very hopeful, but he is struggling some at this point. These times are difficult. Bittersweet.
Sorry for your loss, I know exactly how you feel. my Weimaraner lived 16 yrs 2 months, and was the same. we walked 1-2 hours every morning in the desert, for me this walk was usually around 3-5 miles, but for her it was "free run/walk" and her pedometer(?) said she usually went around 12 miles or more on these walks. She just loved to run and was so graceful doing it, such a beauty. Then in the hot afternoons she would swim in our pool (If we did not go to the lake) she'd swim a bit, get out, go back in and swim so more, get out (rinse and repeat) for around 1 hour. She was the happiest, most fun loving dog, I have ever known, She taught me more about how to live and enjoy life, than any person could have. She passed Sept 2019 and I still miss her dearly, and have not yet been able to get another dog.
Can I just say how validating what you’re saying is to me? We have 3 small children and I’ve been doing this with THEM since they were born. So when we got our golden puppy 2 weeks ago, we just incorporated him into our already established routine of adventures. And he adds to the fun tremendously!
Anyone else interested in a walk through video or series of what he does with a dog from the day it arrives to the day it leaves, or even just a day in the life sort of thing. If so LIKE or REWRITE a comment saying the same thing.
Yes, and I would go a step further and want to know how he gets the puppies to automatically pause when he does to talk to the “camera man”. I know how others teach it, but want to see Uncle Stonnie’s methods.
Some of us with physical disability select a dog that won’t overwhelm us with their physical needs. But we can also be creative about our exercise programs.
That is a great point about professionals saying don't exercise your dog too much. Someone once told me that about my Doberman. I told her how much I exercised him and how I loved it. She basically made a comment that I was building up his stamina and it wasn't good because then he would be too demanding. I just rolled my eyes. He was an amazing well mannered dog that enjoyed life and I enjoyed him.
We did something impulsive after our Doberman past away and got two puppies at the same time! A male Dobe and a female Rottweiler. It wasn't planned, life just happened! I did loads of research and was in panic mode because I have never trained two at the same time! Very happy I found your videos and to my surprise, the husband got into your way of training! This is the first time he is actively involved in training our dogs!!! After one year, we have a small challenges course in our backyard, two well mannered, happy, young dogs and a husband who lost a lot of mid 40s weight taking the puppies on walks and adventures in the woods and trails! So... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! For well balanced, happy, healthy dogs and a well balanced, happy, healthy husband who has more energy now than the past 15years!
I agree with you n your logic. I find that people r the problem. They don’t want to do the work with children or their pets. It’s not overnight success. It’s consistency. Repetitive teaching, coaching, on the spot training and correction with love patience responsibilities. I love your straightforward reasoning. It’s not complicated just continuous behavior modification. Thank you
Stonnie, I'm glad you bring up journaling (as you often do). I wish I had started that when my puppy was 12 weeks old. She is 16 wks old now, and now I have started keeping a journal; it is helpful and useful. For one thing, it keeps me from getting discouraged. I can see the real progress; and I feel more confident. Today she only jumped on two people; and didn't nip at anyone's trouser cuffs. Progress !
I took a one year old GSD in my very tiny appartement. She was very reactive on leash and barked all day in her previous house, she shewed up everything she could reach. I started her day with a 6 mile walk. She would only start to calm down during the walk close to two hours in. Then two more 2 hour walks with some time at the dog park and fetch games. She never barked, wasn’t reactive anymore and hasn’t chewed up anything. She is a working line dog that needed exercise and training. When the previous owners wanted her back I trained them to handle her properly. They were gonna put in the effort. Two weeks later they put her up for adoption again because she was reactive again and did not stop barking. So I took her back in. She is very happy now. And no she doesn’t need more exercise now then before.
Brilliant! Completely agree. I have one of those super athletic dogs, GSP/Greyhound/Kelpie. I adore her and she has been enormously hard work to understand her needs. But now I do I have the best dog and the best life and at 58 years old I’m fitter and happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Our vet said she has the lowest heart rate she’s ever come across in a dog. ❤️ Love you Ginger!
Let me start by saying, you sir have been a huge influence in my life, and sparked a passion for training dogs. I have learned soooo much watching your videos I can't even explain. I love when you slip in a Pyr every now and then lol, they're my passion. We have several, we were breeding them, and have a policy of, if you can't keep them, bring them back. I do try my hardest to educate people that have never had one. I'm sure it's to the point of annoying hahaha, but as you know they're not like having a golden retriever. I have found how absolutely intelligent they are, and just great friends. I have trained one as a service dog, mobility for my wife and then me for a little bit. I have another coming up behind and another potential. We do have them as guardian dogs as well, but will come in the house and be like a house dog. I take Sarafina out, and Baba Yaga, and they have been amazing. I'm 55, so I'm late in life, but I would love to finish the life I have left training. We do kids parks for our small challenge course, and stores and restaurants for distraction and obedience. If you have more Pyr videos, I'd love to watch, I'd love to show off what I have actually accomplished with them lol, but anyway, long winded, I know, but thank you for helping me obtain my goals with these beasts ... They have saved my life more than once. Keep posting, and I'll keep watching.
The advise on journaling is what i needed to hear today! I thoroughly enjoy watching your video and also like reading the stories about other people's dogs...my health was failing & I'm down to one little very easy dog...its hard after a lifetime of active dog ownership --- i wanted to thank you for sharing your wisdom & knowledge. At the end of this video when everyone was up on and around the table as a group of friends...that is truly beautiful!
The super dog things reminds me of people being afraid of getting “too big” at the gym. You not gonna turn your dog into the Hulk by exercising him. It sucks to see dogs w/ behavioral problems get tossed around owner to owner when daily exercise is all that pooch needed.
I needed this wisdom! Was just now on a FB group the was shaming members that allow their puppies to do more than 5 min or exercise/month of age. That would mean my 4 month Aussie would get only 20 minutes of exercise a day! She is crazy athletic and runs, climbs, and jumps along, with training, about 5 x a day for about 30 min each. If I didn’t allow her to she would be a nervous wreck and I would be chewed to pieces 🤣 She usually takes two 2 hour naps along with sleeping 8 hrs at night. Again, thanks for the encouragement!
Where in the world did this 5 min/month rule come from? Is there data/research to support this or is it a result of our lazy society? I give our puppy as much exercise as he can comfortably handle. I honestly don't think my 6 month old pup would be doing as well as he is if he wasn't exercised for 2h/ day.
Please note you dont have to match your dogs athleticism. I watched you when we trained our gsd. Ty your advice was spot on. We did alot of walking. He was long-lived n happy. Now we've adopted a young aus cattle dog. She is super energetic and I'm disabled. We do 3 or more intense fetch or frisbee sessions a day & play find it games inside. She is happy, fit & brilliant. The kind of well trained dog u wanna show off.🙂
Nice summary of what I have been telling people. I loved every minute of it and he didn't get lost in the weeds he just hammered his points home. Sometimes it take repetition to get through to people. I went through multiple Labs over the years. My first Lab was a giant at 125 lbs and when people online heard that they told me I overfed him, despite his ribs being very easy to feel and a vet telling me he'd seen one at 130 lbs and lean. People project and I'm not going to convince them of that no matter what so I tend to ignore the worst of it. I ran with him on the streets of Atlanta off-leash in perfect harmony with him stopping when I stopped and starting when I started as if he had a sixth sense. He also did frisbee and swam A LOT. And I did my own homegrown version of protection work with him by duct-taping a beach towel around my arm and playing rough. He'd latch onto my arm and I could spin in a circle with him attached. He loved it and I loved him loving it. It was a win-win. My next one who was somewhere between a field Lab and an English Lab on the spectrum was very high drive by nature but I took every opportunity to stoke his drive even further with ball, frisbee and tug. He was a crazy fanatic for those activities and would go until he dropped. We ran the top of a long jetty leaping from one granite boulder to another for the pure joy of it for an hour. When I got a second pudgy yellow English Lab she wasn't agile enough to do that so I bought a 13' (a biggun) paddleboard with enough floatation for the old me at 230 lbs and 160 lbs of dog. Because the yellow Lab wasn't as agile as the other we let him run the jetty while we paddled along it and when he got to the end he came down to the water and swam out to get back onboard. The yellow English Lab was not without her own physical merits as she swam distance. What a trooper she was -- she put out a wake like a speedboat and would swim at a very good pace for miles without complaint until her eyes started glazing over and I knew it was time to pull her back onboard. And boy did they sleep good at night after that. I used to do marathon and triathlons and my life writing software darn near killed me. But I retired and day one went to the gym and got down to 175 lbs from 230. My two Labs (on almost 13 and the other prematurely with a form of blood cancer suspected) passed within a year of one another and I had to decide what to do next because my life is empty without a dog. I had been intrigued by the Belgian Malinois for the following reasons: 1. Longevity. 16 years is not uncommon. 2. Relatively few health problems 3. High drive, something I wanted more of 4. Loyalty and the strength of their bond 5. Their need for work that I had no doubts I could fulfill 6. My commitment to giving this dog what it needs will help me to live healthier and longer Before I finish this story I must say that Stonnie's bit about there being different types of people, adding that this is no judgment be they couch potato or athlete, that there is a dog for each type of person and that any dog will benefit from exercise to reach its potential (whatever that may be) with which socialization that go hand in hand rings as true as anything I've ever heard. Bravo. That sort of enlightenment is rare in a day and age when opinion passes as fact. Anyway, I got a Malinois. I had some things to learn about herding breeds and prey drive but this dog has fulfilled my every expectation. Sure we sit around a little but Lucy goes hard for 4-5 hours a day with me and falls to sleep in a second in addition to getting a few naps in between the activities that consist of swimming, paddleboarding, 2-2 mile walks a day, fetching ball, obedience training, agility class and playing a very active game of chase with other dogs. Nose work starts in a few weeks. She is master of the bolt-then-freeze style of invitation to play, her approach to other dogs has a calming effect and they love her for it. Sure she is bitey but we've both adjusted (me quicker and reading mood and energy level better and her becoming used to her knew how with me as her tour guide through life) so that my arms are no longer scabbed (which they were with my high-energy Labs, despite a boatload of assumptions to the contrary by so-called experts) and the leash is getting looser and looser on the walks. The fog of puppyhood always lifts, it just takes time. She is now 7 months old and her longest duration walk continues to be 5 * age-in-months minutes. I can't wait until she's 2 when we can hike for 2 hours and maybe putting a little more stress on her joints with frisbee on soft grass. The best advice I've found for those wanting a Malinois is stated as accurately as I've read anywhere on the American Belgian Malinois Club which more of less stresses that they take a lot of time and training that most familiar with other breeds do not understand, particularly if seeing finished dogs led them to choose one because it seemed like the cool thing to do (what one trainer I subscribe to calls vanity breeds) or the dog would be like those of other breeds they once had. That is a recipe for ending up with a hot mess or worse if it ends up in a shelter. This won't take much longer but what I really wanted to riff and elaborate on was the human element that Stonnie mentioned which was not in the weeds in the least. My path to Malinois was fraught with an overabundance of opinions that arose from projection of those who were different from me, despite her being the dog for me. Did I mention projection already? I heard one sickening bit of projection from the Malinois community that was akin to Jack Nicholson's famous line from the movie "A Few Good Men" -- you can't handle a Malinois -- to which my perpetual pithy reply will always be "Well, what breed had you owned before deciding on a Malinois?" One trainer even dully said in one of his many videos "A Lab is not a Malinois." Well duhhh! No breed is ever another. There are differences and similarities. The devil is in the details isn't it? So how are they different? That's the real question. And now I know and have no regrets. And I can honestly say that my high energy Lab had more energy in some ways as the Mal I now have. Different, not less. Mostly different along one dimension, prey drive, though there are other dimensions as well. I even had a stereo cacphony of wife in one ear and a trainer with a couch potato of a Lab in the other telling me that I didn't know what I was talking about and should get another Lab. What was the phrase Stonnie used? Breaks my head? Well, I was feeling the same way as he did about people who say don't exercise your dog except it was the ignorant projections I'd been bombarded with and admittedly somewhat annoyed by. I met a well-known breeder who had dogs she wouldn't sell to first time owners. I had wanted a dog who could live up to the name Thor or Zeus and feared only one named "Fluffy" would be what I got given the indirection and assumptions of the breeder. I asked her why would a person want a dog like the ones you are selling? And the answer I got was "macho men?" LOL! The macho man breeder? That wouldn't go over so well with the ABMC. Just last weekend I had my first intelligent discussion with someone about a Mal that wasn't pickled in projection. I met someone who had trained Malinois for protection which is something I admire (to tell such a worked up dog "out" and see it calmly walk away from a decoy is the pinnacle of training) but have no need for. He said "I saw you out there paddleboarding and thought that was a Mal. I always like to ask why someone would want such a dog." I thought "Wow, no assumptions, no insinuations, no projection. No naysaying wanting me to fail. He really wants to know." So I said "That's a fair question" and proceeded to give him my list of reasons from up above. His answer? "Well then, you got the right dog for you." That about sums it up and is why Stonnies video resonated with me. He hit the nail right on the head. People are different and there is a breed for each type of person. Just because you are one type does not mean it is right to project your own personal assumptions on others, especially when you don't take the time to get to know them.
@@primalcritters Yeah the West Coast is really expensive. I live in BC on a 1.5 acre, the only thing I need is to quit my normal job and convince my wife :)
@@Bruno_LEsperance you're a lucky devil. I dream of leaving LA one day. Don't want to leave my parents though. British Columbia sounds lovely. Of course the weather would be an adjustment though! And yes, Stonnie is very lucky in that he has found a way to monetize this lifestyle. If only we could all get paid to hang out with dogs all day. BTW, a property Stonnie's size here would probably cost around 5 million or up.
This is so true, got a little fat during the whole home office thing. But me and my dog Heidi basically spend outside as much as possible and nothing makes her more happy. She is a real athlete and we both are now fit and en sync: we excersise together and Fall a sleep on the couch afterwards 😅
@@josecuervorok Well he's a year now, and his bones have fully formed and developed. I intially started taking him on walks around the block and eventually 3 mile walks at around 8 months. Now we usually do 3.5 mile runs in the morning and 3.5 mile runs at night. Gradually build up, the pupper will love it.
@@josecuervorok a dog trainer friend of mine told me to wait until a labradors bones are fully developed before going on runs, especially long ones. Labs get issues with hip dysplasia, it’s worth waiting in my book.
The last 8 mins of this when you tie it altogether is pure gold. I especially like the analogy of different dogs being like stereotypes in a friend group 😆. I have a lab x NZ Huntaway (sheepdog), who is high energy - definitely the one in short shorts. Also the tip about taking your dog to new, interesting places and allowing it to self-regulate = brilliant. Watching from New Zealand!
Stonnie really cares about the dogs health and well being , its so refreshing to see. I'm glad I found this channel. If I was in America I'd be booking this guy as my trainer 100% . Great information as always .
Silver tongued dog trainer! Stonnie, your videos are great for imparting your knowledge and experience. They have substantially increased my level of knowledge in caring for my roommate’s 5 month old (as of current)doggo argentino puppy. Plz make a follow up video for people who don’t like to walk/and or exercise dogs.
I really like your approach. I never made the connection between training and play. It’s so true that dogs learn by play and exposing them to different situations. I live in a small house and have an Anatolian Shepherd. She’s 3 years old now. As soon as she had her shots I took her for long walks at the park. My dog went everywhere with me. I also took my dog to the dog park everyday. (I still do) I used that opportunity to teach my dog how to behave. My dog is now a calm and well socialized dog. So is not dog or people reactive. I can really take her everywhere and not have to worry. I know many dog owners who just throw their dogs in their back yard and think that’s good enough. It’s not. These back yard dogs become skittish and anti social. I know that many dog trainers hate dogs parks. But a dog park is a great exercise and learning opportunity. Walks at the park are fun too.
Stonnie - exercise is critical mass! I had a female German Shepherd for 13 years and we walked 2 - 4 miles a day starting when she was 4 months old. The exercise was wonderful! She was very calm and listened very well. I have a Belgian Malinois now and we walk 2 - 4 miles every day plus 30 minutes of intense ball play. Keep up the great advice, your program is wonderful.
Stonnie, love all your videos! We also love that you are training our puppers, it was good to get a glimpse of them. Thanks for doing such a great job and being so patient with Coal and Evie. This video cleared up alot about what you had said about expectations regarding the energy level of the breed.
This is why I love to watch your channel, Stonnie, we humans fail when we bring a dog that was bred to live life with a specific purpose, into a total opposite environment and condition
Super good video. So important. I am so much better with my Malinois puppy when together we are charging around in the woods and up and down the mountain. Out there, I am more calm and have more patience with this rambunctious pup. (Out and away from all the stress of modernity. Puts things in proper perspective as to what really matters.) We are out hiking for two to three hours every day. Thanks for your wise words, Uncle Stonnie.
I'm the human version of Eve (sorry if I misspelled her name) who needs to find the energy to keep up with Josie, our lab. Thank you for your videos, I'm feeling inspired and this is huge for me!
Thank you uncle Stonnie!. I love your videos. Always something interesting to learn. I have two mals and they are a handful of energy, fun and love. Keep the videos comming! Greeting from Dallas.
Stonnie.. ive been walking my gsp puppy since he was 7 weeks for 2 to 3 miles about 4 times or more a week.. and have walked 5 miles a couple of times.. he's 12 weeks now.. still alive.. my 3yr old pit bull comes along too.. i take her out on my mountain bike too.. and i love watching my neighbors shake their head at me cause they think its dog abuse.. she is still alive. And now that its hot out here in California.. they stay tired and behave till the next day..
You are doing the right thing for sure. You have two athletic breeds, both of which thrive when given structure and exercise. Don’t let the Can’t Doers get you down!
I've always given my labs as much exercise as they could handle and they've all lived long happy lives with no joint problems.There's the occasional sports injury from playing hard, but nothing they couldn't walk off in a few minutes. I see so many dogs these days with mental issues that could easily be solved by exercise alone. It's not just good for the dog, those dogs generally have owners with similar mental issues :)
So true …… Simply right thing to do for a happy and outgoing dog personality….Thank you for confirming what I always felt for animals.. They need activity to be alive…..
Absolutely great information and motivation Stonnie. I’m two weeks into owning my second Chocolate Lab(sorry not Black😂), and have been out two to three times a day walking, playing ball, going places with her. I was eight years between having my Male and now the Female, and realize how much I missed the companionship. My new girl, Saje, is a 5 year old retired female from a breeder and I’m so happy she picked me to be her retirement home. 😎👍🏻🇨🇦
I simply cannot express this enough, but I absolutely can appreciate your insight and inspiration! I have seen it many times with dogs and owners not mindful of health and fitness. Then they are upset when they can't get around or have health issues. SO SO SO important to promote physical fitness in a dog. (This is a struggle with my dog who resides with my mother. My dog LOVES walks, but she now has hip issues. My mom will not walk her, if even only around the block. She babies her. But then I come and I do walk her around the block. She is so much happier when she comes home. If only my mom truly saw that this is important for longevity in a dog). Thank you for the dog examples: Norman wants to drink a beer, this is the 10k one. Much appreciated!
Thank you for the great explanation! You're absolutely right: We can't expect obedience and absolute concentration from our dogs if they don't first have the opportunity to freely romp, sniff and run. Our 2 year old black Labrador always starts running like crazy at the beginning of every walk - even though we have a very large garden where he can come in and out at any time. I stopped stopping the tugging in the beginning - I just start running with him now. 🏃🏻♀️After a maximum of 15 minutes he is much more relaxed and we then walk through the forest for 1.5 hours a day and enjoy our time together. 🐾
Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: www.KentuckyCanine.com Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure! -Stonnie Dennis
I have been watching your videos for the last three months since we got a Lab Puppy, all of your videos are spot on and exercise is the the key along with socialization, being consistent, tolerant, and repeating the same behavior you want and the dog is happy, we are still working on his behavior at times that we want but when I get frustrated it's time to let the dog be a dog, keep up the good work.
Just started watching your videos a couple of days ago. We're getting an English lab in Aug from the same breeder we'd gotten our previous lab from. She unexpectedly died on Thanksgiving day at 5 years old. Really enjoy watching how you go about training your dogs from an early age. We live on a 16 acre farm and have 7 acres of pasture, woods, a stream, and 1/4 acre pond. I plan on using your advice and give the puppy as many diverse experiences as possible. We've got a 2 year old mutt (hound/Pyrenes/Anatoli mix) who grew up with our previous lab and should be a good friend to our new puppy. Thanks again for passing on all you now.
Bella was my mutt when she was young. She still is that insecure and afraid dog on the inside, but now, a few years later, we have quite a big circle of what she is ok with and she works very well in our everyday life. Her default to ANY new situation is always fear. Also, she has the calmest, coolest and socially well-adjusted mentor dog and big brother ever.
Great video as usual. On rainy, miserable days where my dog might not get enough exercise because I am feeling lazy and I am only taking her for a few shortish walks, I try to at least bring her to a place with lots of smells (so in the woods or along the ocean at low tide). I think it almost makes up for it.
We are an active family, but sometimes life gets busy and we put off getting out in the nature. We got dogs so we have no choice but make it outside, rain or shine. It's the best decision I've made for my family. 3 years of exploring!
@@StonnieDennis I have a blind Silver Labrador! He’s very good at knowing where everything is in the house, yard and neighborhood! It amazes me how smart he is! Can you give me any tips on training to keep him learning and growing! Thanks so much! You’re AMAZING!! 💛🙌🏼😍
Thank you Stonnie for all of your advice. I got a GSP puppy this February. He has really come along, but it’s taken a lot of effort. He is the best dog I could ask for, but if I don’t manage his energy, he gets frustrated and destructive. We are starting to hunt with him, which is where he really shines. We haven’t gotten a bird yet so the unsuccessful hunts, are more like training sessions. He loves it though.
Love your set up.. I totally agree with your dog training style.. I call it realistic dog training.. My Mal and I take 4-5 mile hikes and I don’t need him to heel to whole way.. after a while my dog gets tired and turns into the best dog.. Thanks for sharing with us Bud..
Man wish I followed you with my last puppy 8 years ago… she would have been so much better off. Working hard with her now to get her some better manners while training our new puppy! He will get to benefit from your info! Already started a small training course in the back yard. Only 3 obstacle pieces for us but fun all the same!!! Thank you
Stonnie I love your videos. I haven’t watched a video of yours in a while and you are still my favorite trainer. Your down to earth approach has shaped my boys and they are a delight. Thank you and God bless you
Lovely video, THANK YOU, and I can attest that even those big livestock guardians have great potential - they might be a bit slower and astonishingly clumsy, but they definitely enjoy time in the great outdoors. From what I just learned from a dozen other owners in an Estrela Mountain Dogs gathering, it's even considered normal to expect them to fall off things, and bump into objects and owners on a regular basis. BUT thanks to Uncle Stonnie's inspiration, my dog has become far less clumsy over the last few months! Now, if she sees a rock pile in front of her, she proactively climbs up there, knowing I reward adventurous moves. And she has enough obedience to not climb things that I think she could fall off of. Fascinating how different dog breeds are - our other one is a working line GSD, who gets up, down, under and over everything, and retrieves whatever toy the other one inevitably looses....
After being given a beautiful female, A week before she gave birth to 6 puppies, I spent a day in the Emergency room, before finding several videos on the Belgian Malnois breed, and our performance together has been nothing shy of astounding. Thank you for your work, and sharing with us. Just subscribed, I need all the help I can find. Cheers
*Download Dog Training Guide Obedience secrets and strategies for a well behaved canine* ►►► www.getfreedogtraining.com/The-Important-Basics-of-Dog-Training.pdf
Me too Nathan. I have a GSP cross and discovering Stonnie’s channel really helped me a lot. You may be interested in the training program by Lucie at Aytee GSP’s. Great ideas for steadying hunting dogs.
Oh gosh, 15:34, yep, I'm Evie. I'm trying my best. I get our rescue mixed breed out every day (yes, the rescue said she was a lab mix ;) , but man, she has a LOT of energy. So even if I run her and walk her several times per day, it's not enough. Doing my best!! We try and work in a bunch of puppy adventures each week, but our sweet dog could go for hours per day. Like I said, doing my best and working on upping MY physical abilities (not that I'll ever be at our dog's level). But, I keep trying!!! Thanks Stonie!
Thanks Stonnie for all this valuable information. I am going to make it a goal to exercise our black English lab pup as much as possible.She’s 8 weeks and I can see she’s going to be a little chubby.
I have a 5 yr old Jack Russell terrier. I got him to take trail running with me. He has a high prey drive and will take off if he gets on a scent. Deer is the biggest issue. He gets bored on leash walks and can't handle running for very long. He wants to run and sniff on his terms but I can't trust him off leash. So I bought a 50ft leash and he can feel more freedom without taking off. That has really helped him a lot.
Omg. Wish I had stumbled upon you, Uncle Stonnie when I was a baby dog behaviourist - I would’ve learnt so much from you. Not that I’m not Learning from your videos now, but a lot of what you say I now know is inherently true…10 years ago I didn’t know. Awesome shit. 💪🏽💄💪🏽 and as an Aussie, i love your blue grass accent. 😂
Thanks for this Stonnie, hadn't thought about the tongue-exercise-meter and loading more energy to get them tired. We sometimes have "zoomies" at the end of the walk when he doesn't want to go home!
20+ years ago I got a golden retriever to get my behind off the sofa and get some exercise. I was 45 at the time and it sure helped get me moving. A lab mix(avatar) was next and we had daily walks on the golf course and park trails nearby. He passed at 13 and really slowed down his last couple of years so our walks became shorter and slower. Now I have a 4 month old english lab and we're back to moving again. Twice a day walks with some obedience training. I'm 67 now and this will probably be my last dog but hopefully we will both live many more years with lots of hikes and walks along the way. Headed out with my buddy as soon as I send this post.
Just got an English lab! Aside from patience and redirection. Do you have any advice on getting her to stop putting everything in her mouth when we’re outside? Are constant treats the answer for now?
@@sebouharakelian9896 It's very difficult. You may not agree with this method but I have an electronic correction collar I use primarily to keep my dog from wandering off when walking. The device has several modes. One is just a beep to get his attention. Another is a vibration mode and there is a shock(light stimulation) for a last resort. Once they learn the beeping sound usually does the trick. So I will use that when he picks up items he shouldn't. But it's almost impossible to get them to never pick up stuff with their mouth.
@@sebouharakelian9896 We have a 3 month Lab and I agree it’s a constant problem with the mouth. I hope she grows out of it but for now I walk her on the pavement so there are no distractions with rocks and wood and keep her close.
@sebouharakelian9896 does your dog have a toy they like and can carry? You can have the dog keep that in their mouth instead of random things on the walks 😅 they're bred to carry stuff in their mouths so getting them to stop is really difficult!
When the world locked down, my Lab and I went into the woods two or three times a day every day for 14 months. We had our own small challenges course that was 2 miles long. We stumbled into everything you said here, I am a better person because of my relationship with my dog now. Thanks to Uncle Stonnie, this has been put into words.
Thank you for your message! If everybody was able to start thinking in true empathy more people will have the click you got with dog when you took the time to invest in something or someone or dog.
I bought a sling so I could bring my dog to the woods to use his energy, he even had a little nap on the way back after he got used to the rythm. Good times ❤️
Watching Stonnie each week is like going to church, gets you refocused for the week ahead! Thanks Stonnie :)
I like this. Not puppy class, but puppy Sunday school. Teachin' them to be their best.
Yes God blesz
My puppy (8.5 month old cavapoo) is growing up into such a well-behaved dog and I owe it all to you Stonnie! We start every morning with a 4-5 mile walk around uptown (we live in Charlotte NC), and she loves to jump on every retaining wall & picnic table we pass. She knows I get excited so she literally looks for “small challenges” to impress me by conquering. After seeing the video last summer when you crawled through the culvert, I’ve been trying to find unusual places to have extra adventures. Walking her is the highlight of my day. When the walk is over, she’s usually down for the rest of the day, she just wants to lounge around on the couch with us or run errands, with almost no bad behaviors at all🐶💜
Watching uncle Stonnie from CLT too. Good luck with your pup. Maybe we’ll see y’all at the park sometime ✌️
That makes me so happy!!!
@@bikemike575 that would be great!!! We are in Freedom Park usually about once a week, otherwise we are all over SouthEnd, Uptown, and the lightrail trail. If you ever see a blonde girl with a long legged small black doodle, that’s me! 💜
100% agree!!!!
My English chubby passed away in January at age 15. She walked a couple miles with me and swam in the river at our local park most days until her last year, when the walks had to shorten due to her debility. I heard until the end "that's the happiest dog I've ever seen!" every single walk. I want to believe it was her love of hanging with me but she literally bounced and I swear she smiled too every time we got to her favorite park!
I’m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to lose your best friend.
Im so sorry for your loss. You gave her the best life❤There is something special about labs
I’m so sorry for your loss. My golden is the same way! So happy, carries his toys everywhere. Loves everybody. He’s having chemo treatments. Im very hopeful, but he is struggling some at this point. These times are difficult. Bittersweet.
It's awful isnt it? I lost my lab mix of 12 yrs two months ago. He was my first and only dog. Hang in there.
Sorry for your loss, I know exactly how you feel. my Weimaraner lived 16 yrs 2 months, and was the same. we walked 1-2 hours every morning in the desert, for me this walk was usually around 3-5 miles, but for her it was "free run/walk" and her pedometer(?) said she usually went around 12 miles or more on these walks. She just loved to run and was so graceful doing it, such a beauty. Then in the hot afternoons she would swim in our pool (If we did not go to the lake) she'd swim a bit, get out, go back in and swim so more, get out (rinse and repeat) for around 1 hour. She was the happiest, most fun loving dog, I have ever known, She taught me more about how to live and enjoy life, than any person could have. She passed Sept 2019 and I still miss her dearly, and have not yet been able to get another dog.
Can I just say how validating what you’re saying is to me? We have 3 small children and I’ve been doing this with THEM since they were born. So when we got our golden puppy 2 weeks ago, we just incorporated him into our already established routine of adventures. And he adds to the fun tremendously!
Anyone else interested in a walk through video or series of what he does with a dog from the day it arrives to the day it leaves, or even just a day in the life sort of thing. If so LIKE or REWRITE a comment saying the same thing.
Definitely would love to see a day in the life with Stonnie!
Yes!
Would love to see a day in the life/ following one dog for a day!
Yes, and I would go a step further and want to know how he gets the puppies to automatically pause when he does to talk to the “camera man”. I know how others teach it, but want to see Uncle Stonnie’s methods.
I'd love to see what he does from the time he gets a dog til the time the dog leaves or is finished with training
Some of us with physical disability select a dog that won’t overwhelm us with their physical needs. But we can also be creative about our exercise programs.
Very smart!
I can relate! I’m an amputee. That’s why I don’t like to bite off more than I can chew!
That is a great point about professionals saying don't exercise your dog too much. Someone once told me that about my Doberman. I told her how much I exercised him and how I loved it. She basically made a comment that I was building up his stamina and it wasn't good because then he would be too demanding. I just rolled my eyes. He was an amazing well mannered dog that enjoyed life and I enjoyed him.
I just had a trainer tell me that too!
We did something impulsive after our Doberman past away and got two puppies at the same time! A male Dobe and a female Rottweiler.
It wasn't planned, life just happened!
I did loads of research and was in panic mode because I have never trained two at the same time!
Very happy I found your videos and to my surprise, the husband got into your way of training!
This is the first time he is actively involved in training our dogs!!!
After one year, we have a small challenges course in our backyard, two well mannered, happy, young dogs and a husband who lost a lot of mid 40s weight taking the puppies on walks and adventures in the woods and trails!
So... THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!
For well balanced, happy, healthy dogs and a well balanced, happy, healthy husband who has more energy now than the past 15years!
I agree with you n your logic. I find that people r the problem. They don’t want to do the work with children or their pets. It’s not overnight success. It’s consistency. Repetitive teaching, coaching, on the spot training and correction with love patience responsibilities. I love your straightforward reasoning. It’s not complicated just continuous behavior modification. Thank you
Thank you for watching!
Love the pool obsical.
Stonnie, I'm glad you bring up journaling (as you often do). I wish I had started that when my puppy was 12 weeks old. She is 16 wks old now, and now I have started keeping a journal; it is helpful and useful. For one thing, it keeps me from getting discouraged. I can see the real progress; and I feel more confident. Today she only jumped on two people; and didn't nip at anyone's trouser cuffs. Progress !
I took a one year old GSD in my very tiny appartement. She was very reactive on leash and barked all day in her previous house, she shewed up everything she could reach. I started her day with a 6 mile walk. She would only start to calm down during the walk close to two hours in. Then two more 2 hour walks with some time at the dog park and fetch games. She never barked, wasn’t reactive anymore and hasn’t chewed up anything. She is a working line dog that needed exercise and training. When the previous owners wanted her back I trained them to handle her properly. They were gonna put in the effort. Two weeks later they put her up for adoption again because she was reactive again and did not stop barking. So I took her back in. She is very happy now. And no she doesn’t need more exercise now then before.
Wrong dog for those people
Brilliant! Completely agree.
I have one of those super athletic dogs, GSP/Greyhound/Kelpie. I adore her and she has been enormously hard work to understand her needs. But now I do I have the best dog and the best life and at 58 years old I’m fitter and happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Our vet said she has the lowest heart rate she’s ever come across in a dog.
❤️ Love you Ginger!
Dang, what a cross!
@@StonnieDennis She looks a lot like your pup. Black and brown brindled. And yes she is amazing. A rescue puppy that I didn’t know what I was getting.
Ruh roh.... there's a real romantic in the background Stonnie!
🤣
Let me start by saying, you sir have been a huge influence in my life, and sparked a passion for training dogs. I have learned soooo much watching your videos I can't even explain. I love when you slip in a Pyr every now and then lol, they're my passion. We have several, we were breeding them, and have a policy of, if you can't keep them, bring them back. I do try my hardest to educate people that have never had one. I'm sure it's to the point of annoying hahaha, but as you know they're not like having a golden retriever. I have found how absolutely intelligent they are, and just great friends. I have trained one as a service dog, mobility for my wife and then me for a little bit. I have another coming up behind and another potential. We do have them as guardian dogs as well, but will come in the house and be like a house dog. I take Sarafina out, and Baba Yaga, and they have been amazing. I'm 55, so I'm late in life, but I would love to finish the life I have left training. We do kids parks for our small challenge course, and stores and restaurants for distraction and obedience. If you have more Pyr videos, I'd love to watch, I'd love to show off what I have actually accomplished with them lol, but anyway, long winded, I know, but thank you for helping me obtain my goals with these beasts ... They have saved my life more than once. Keep posting, and I'll keep watching.
The advise on journaling is what i needed to hear today! I thoroughly enjoy watching your video and also like reading the stories about other people's dogs...my health was failing & I'm down to one little very easy dog...its hard after a lifetime of active dog ownership --- i wanted to thank you for sharing your wisdom & knowledge. At the end of this video when everyone was up on and around the table as a group of friends...that is truly beautiful!
The super dog things reminds me of people being afraid of getting “too big” at the gym. You not gonna turn your dog into the Hulk by exercising him. It sucks to see dogs w/ behavioral problems get tossed around owner to owner when daily exercise is all that pooch needed.
Yes! Promote mental and physical exercise! Great for us and our dogs!!
I needed this wisdom! Was just now on a FB group the was shaming members that allow their puppies to do more than 5 min or exercise/month of age. That would mean my 4 month Aussie would get only 20 minutes of exercise a day! She is crazy athletic and runs, climbs, and jumps along, with training, about 5 x a day for about 30 min each. If I didn’t allow her to she would be a nervous wreck and I would be chewed to pieces 🤣 She usually takes two 2 hour naps along with sleeping 8 hrs at night. Again, thanks for the encouragement!
Can’t doers are ruining society. Use common sense and stand your ground!
@@StonnieDennis Yep, they are.
I would have dropped out of that group
Where in the world did this 5 min/month rule come from? Is there data/research to support this or is it a result of our lazy society? I give our puppy as much exercise as he can comfortably handle. I honestly don't think my 6 month old pup would be doing as well as he is if he wasn't exercised for 2h/ day.
Please note you dont have to match your dogs athleticism. I watched you when we trained our gsd. Ty your advice was spot on. We did alot of walking. He was long-lived n happy. Now we've adopted a young aus cattle dog. She is super energetic and I'm disabled. We do 3 or more intense fetch or frisbee sessions a day & play find it games inside. She is happy, fit & brilliant. The kind of well trained dog u wanna show off.🙂
Nice summary of what I have been telling people. I loved every minute of it and he didn't get lost in the weeds he just hammered his points home. Sometimes it take repetition to get through to people. I went through multiple Labs over the years. My first Lab was a giant at 125 lbs and when people online heard that they told me I overfed him, despite his ribs being very easy to feel and a vet telling me he'd seen one at 130 lbs and lean. People project and I'm not going to convince them of that no matter what so I tend to ignore the worst of it. I ran with him on the streets of Atlanta off-leash in perfect harmony with him stopping when I stopped and starting when I started as if he had a sixth sense. He also did frisbee and swam A LOT. And I did my own homegrown version of protection work with him by duct-taping a beach towel around my arm and playing rough. He'd latch onto my arm and I could spin in a circle with him attached. He loved it and I loved him loving it. It was a win-win.
My next one who was somewhere between a field Lab and an English Lab on the spectrum was very high drive by nature but I took every opportunity to stoke his drive even further with ball, frisbee and tug. He was a crazy fanatic for those activities and would go until he dropped. We ran the top of a long jetty leaping from one granite boulder to another for the pure joy of it for an hour. When I got a second pudgy yellow English Lab she wasn't agile enough to do that so I bought a 13' (a biggun) paddleboard with enough floatation for the old me at 230 lbs and 160 lbs of dog. Because the yellow Lab wasn't as agile as the other we let him run the jetty while we paddled along it and when he got to the end he came down to the water and swam out to get back onboard. The yellow English Lab was not without her own physical merits as she swam distance. What a trooper she was -- she put out a wake like a speedboat and would swim at a very good pace for miles without complaint until her eyes started glazing over and I knew it was time to pull her back onboard. And boy did they sleep good at night after that.
I used to do marathon and triathlons and my life writing software darn near killed me. But I retired and day one went to the gym and got down to 175 lbs from 230. My two Labs (on almost 13 and the other prematurely with a form of blood cancer suspected) passed within a year of one another and I had to decide what to do next because my life is empty without a dog. I had been intrigued by the Belgian Malinois for the following reasons:
1. Longevity. 16 years is not uncommon.
2. Relatively few health problems
3. High drive, something I wanted more of
4. Loyalty and the strength of their bond
5. Their need for work that I had no doubts I could fulfill
6. My commitment to giving this dog what it needs will help me to live healthier and longer
Before I finish this story I must say that Stonnie's bit about there being different types of people, adding that this is no judgment be they couch potato or athlete, that there is a dog for each type of person and that any dog will benefit from exercise to reach its potential (whatever that may be) with which socialization that go hand in hand rings as true as anything I've ever heard. Bravo. That sort of enlightenment is rare in a day and age when opinion passes as fact.
Anyway, I got a Malinois. I had some things to learn about herding breeds and prey drive but this dog has fulfilled my every expectation. Sure we sit around a little but Lucy goes hard for 4-5 hours a day with me and falls to sleep in a second in addition to getting a few naps in between the activities that consist of swimming, paddleboarding, 2-2 mile walks a day, fetching ball, obedience training, agility class and playing a very active game of chase with other dogs. Nose work starts in a few weeks. She is master of the bolt-then-freeze style of invitation to play, her approach to other dogs has a calming effect and they love her for it. Sure she is bitey but we've both adjusted (me quicker and reading mood and energy level better and her becoming used to her knew how with me as her tour guide through life) so that my arms are no longer scabbed (which they were with my high-energy Labs, despite a boatload of assumptions to the contrary by so-called experts) and the leash is getting looser and looser on the walks. The fog of puppyhood always lifts, it just takes time. She is now 7 months old and her longest duration walk continues to be 5 * age-in-months minutes. I can't wait until she's 2 when we can hike for 2 hours and maybe putting a little more stress on her joints with frisbee on soft grass.
The best advice I've found for those wanting a Malinois is stated as accurately as I've read anywhere on the American Belgian Malinois Club which more of less stresses that they take a lot of time and training that most familiar with other breeds do not understand, particularly if seeing finished dogs led them to choose one because it seemed like the cool thing to do (what one trainer I subscribe to calls vanity breeds) or the dog would be like those of other breeds they once had. That is a recipe for ending up with a hot mess or worse if it ends up in a shelter.
This won't take much longer but what I really wanted to riff and elaborate on was the human element that Stonnie mentioned which was not in the weeds in the least. My path to Malinois was fraught with an overabundance of opinions that arose from projection of those who were different from me, despite her being the dog for me. Did I mention projection already? I heard one sickening bit of projection from the Malinois community that was akin to Jack Nicholson's famous line from the movie "A Few Good Men" -- you can't handle a Malinois -- to which my perpetual pithy reply will always be "Well, what breed had you owned before deciding on a Malinois?"
One trainer even dully said in one of his many videos "A Lab is not a Malinois." Well duhhh! No breed is ever another. There are differences and similarities. The devil is in the details isn't it? So how are they different? That's the real question. And now I know and have no regrets. And I can honestly say that my high energy Lab had more energy in some ways as the Mal I now have. Different, not less. Mostly different along one dimension, prey drive, though there are other dimensions as well.
I even had a stereo cacphony of wife in one ear and a trainer with a couch potato of a Lab in the other telling me that I didn't know what I was talking about and should get another Lab. What was the phrase Stonnie used? Breaks my head? Well, I was feeling the same way as he did about people who say don't exercise your dog except it was the ignorant projections I'd been bombarded with and admittedly somewhat annoyed by.
I met a well-known breeder who had dogs she wouldn't sell to first time owners. I had wanted a dog who could live up to the name Thor or Zeus and feared only one named "Fluffy" would be what I got given the indirection and assumptions of the breeder. I asked her why would a person want a dog like the ones you are selling? And the answer I got was "macho men?" LOL! The macho man breeder? That wouldn't go over so well with the ABMC.
Just last weekend I had my first intelligent discussion with someone about a Mal that wasn't pickled in projection. I met someone who had trained Malinois for protection which is something I admire (to tell such a worked up dog "out" and see it calmly walk away from a decoy is the pinnacle of training) but have no need for. He said "I saw you out there paddleboarding and thought that was a Mal. I always like to ask why someone would want such a dog." I thought "Wow, no assumptions, no insinuations, no projection. No naysaying wanting me to fail. He really wants to know." So I said "That's a fair question" and proceeded to give him my list of reasons from up above. His answer? "Well then, you got the right dog for you."
That about sums it up and is why Stonnies video resonated with me. He hit the nail right on the head. People are different and there is a breed for each type of person. Just because you are one type does not mean it is right to project your own personal assumptions on others, especially when you don't take the time to get to know them.
TY for sharing the great adventures with your dogs!
This guy is living the dream. I wish I could start doing this at my own place.
Your only seeing the fun part.
80% is cleaning poop and feeding and peeping.
Bruno I feel as you do. But I live in Los Angeles. To find a property with such acreage would take many many millions
@@primalcritters Yeah the West Coast is really expensive. I live in BC on a 1.5 acre, the only thing I need is to quit my normal job and convince my wife :)
@@Bruno_LEsperance you're a lucky devil. I dream of leaving LA one day. Don't want to leave my parents though. British Columbia sounds lovely. Of course the weather would be an adjustment though! And yes, Stonnie is very lucky in that he has found a way to monetize this lifestyle. If only we could all get paid to hang out with dogs all day. BTW, a property Stonnie's size here would probably cost around 5 million or up.
This is so true, got a little fat during the whole home office thing. But me and my dog Heidi basically spend outside as much as possible and nothing makes her more happy. She is a real athlete and we both are now fit and en sync: we excersise together and Fall a sleep on the couch afterwards 😅
I run 5 miles a day with my lab, he enjoys it tons. Whenever I get his harness out he goes crazy, which is a good sign.
How long did you wait till you started running with your lab? My dog is 8 weeks now.
@@josecuervorok Well he's a year now, and his bones have fully formed and developed. I intially started taking him on walks around the block and eventually 3 mile walks at around 8 months. Now we usually do 3.5 mile runs in the morning and 3.5 mile runs at night. Gradually build up, the pupper will love it.
👌 Sweet
@@josecuervorok a dog trainer friend of mine told me to wait until a labradors bones are fully developed before going on runs, especially long ones. Labs get issues with hip dysplasia, it’s worth waiting in my book.
That is a very good sign! I used to skijor (sled dog pulling skiier) with my manure and he got so happy when the harness came out!
I want to be Uncle Stonnie when I grow up
The last 8 mins of this when you tie it altogether is pure gold. I especially like the analogy of different dogs being like stereotypes in a friend group 😆. I have a lab x NZ Huntaway (sheepdog), who is high energy - definitely the one in short shorts.
Also the tip about taking your dog to new, interesting places and allowing it to self-regulate = brilliant.
Watching from New Zealand!
Stonnie really cares about the dogs health and well being , its so refreshing to see. I'm glad I found this channel. If I was in America I'd be booking this guy as my trainer 100% . Great information as always .
Silver tongued dog trainer! Stonnie, your videos are great for imparting your knowledge and experience. They have substantially increased my level of knowledge in caring for my roommate’s 5 month old (as of current)doggo argentino puppy. Plz make a follow up video for people who don’t like to walk/and or exercise dogs.
As a trainer I completely agree! Thanks for the wisdom you share! You rock! Love your videos!!
Wow I am so grateful to have found your videos. Such a common sense approach.
I'm getting a lab puppy in July and your videos have been very informative. Thanks from Sweden
Dang ya got me to not skip my morning workout today stonnie. Thanks man. Always something to learn i. These videos from dog to human behavior.
🙌🏾!!! Preach!!!! Couldn’t agree more!! Homer says “Hi”.
I really like your approach. I never made the connection between training and play. It’s so true that dogs learn by play and exposing them to different situations. I live in a small house and have an Anatolian Shepherd. She’s 3 years old now. As soon as she had her shots I took her for long walks at the park. My dog went everywhere with me. I also took my dog to the dog park everyday. (I still do) I used that opportunity to teach my dog how to behave. My dog is now a calm and well socialized dog. So is not dog or people reactive. I can really take her everywhere and not have to worry. I know many dog owners who just throw their dogs in their back yard and think that’s good enough. It’s not. These back yard dogs become skittish and anti social. I know that many dog trainers hate dogs parks. But a dog park is a great exercise and learning opportunity. Walks at the park are fun too.
Stonnie - exercise is critical mass! I had a female German Shepherd for 13 years and we walked 2 - 4 miles a day starting when she was 4 months old. The exercise was wonderful! She was very calm and listened very well. I have a Belgian Malinois now and we walk 2 - 4 miles every day plus 30 minutes of intense ball play. Keep up the great advice, your program is wonderful.
Stonnie, love all your videos! We also love that you are training our puppers, it was good to get a glimpse of them. Thanks for doing such a great job and being so patient with Coal and Evie. This video cleared up alot about what you had said about expectations regarding the energy level of the breed.
You and your team are doing a GREAT JOB! Keep it up, you are the best!
This is why I love to watch your channel, Stonnie, we humans fail when we bring a dog that was bred to live life with a specific purpose, into a total opposite environment and condition
Super good video. So important. I am so much better with my Malinois puppy when together we are charging around in the woods and up and down the mountain. Out there, I am more calm and have more patience with this rambunctious pup. (Out and away from all the stress of modernity. Puts things in proper perspective as to what really matters.) We are out hiking for two to three hours every day. Thanks for your wise words, Uncle Stonnie.
Gotta Luv Stonnie he tells it like it is.
Ain’t no point in pretending
I'm the human version of Eve (sorry if I misspelled her name) who needs to find the energy to keep up with Josie, our lab. Thank you for your videos, I'm feeling inspired and this is huge for me!
Thank you uncle Stonnie!. I love your videos. Always something interesting to learn. I have two mals and they are a handful of energy, fun and love. Keep the videos comming! Greeting from Dallas.
I love the way you explain things Uncle Stonnie
Stonnie.. ive been walking my gsp puppy since he was 7 weeks for 2 to 3 miles about 4 times or more a week.. and have walked 5 miles a couple of times.. he's 12 weeks now.. still alive.. my 3yr old pit bull comes along too.. i take her out on my mountain bike too.. and i love watching my neighbors shake their head at me cause they think its dog abuse.. she is still alive. And now that its hot out here in California.. they stay tired and behave till the next day..
You are doing the right thing for sure. You have two athletic breeds, both of which thrive when given structure and exercise.
Don’t let the Can’t Doers get you down!
I learn something new in every video you post. I never get bored or tired of watching these. Thank you for always providing helpful information.
I've always given my labs as much exercise as they could handle and they've all lived long happy lives with no joint problems.There's the occasional sports injury from playing hard, but nothing they couldn't walk off in a few minutes. I see so many dogs these days with mental issues that could easily be solved by exercise alone. It's not just good for the dog, those dogs generally have owners with similar mental issues :)
My trainer told me that I’m exercising my 5 month old too much - were you cautious with them on the amount when young?
So true …… Simply right thing to do for a happy and outgoing dog personality….Thank you for confirming what I always felt for animals.. They need activity to be alive…..
Absolutely great information and motivation Stonnie. I’m two weeks into owning my second Chocolate Lab(sorry not Black😂), and have been out two to three times a day walking, playing ball, going places with her. I was eight years between having my Male and now the Female, and realize how much I missed the companionship. My new girl, Saje, is a 5 year old retired female from a breeder and I’m so happy she picked me to be her retirement home. 😎👍🏻🇨🇦
Such great advice both for owners and dogs!😎
I recently got a black lab from the shelter to keep my 12 old dog company and now we hike 3 miles daily
I simply cannot express this enough, but I absolutely can appreciate your insight and inspiration! I have seen it many times with dogs and owners not mindful of health and fitness. Then they are upset when they can't get around or have health issues. SO SO SO important to promote physical fitness in a dog. (This is a struggle with my dog who resides with my mother. My dog LOVES walks, but she now has hip issues. My mom will not walk her, if even only around the block. She babies her. But then I come and I do walk her around the block. She is so much happier when she comes home. If only my mom truly saw that this is important for longevity in a dog). Thank you for the dog examples: Norman wants to drink a beer, this is the 10k one. Much appreciated!
I needed a bit of encouragement today. Thank you for your advice!!
Keeping active in Australia with 2 border collies who love training🤗
Thanks Stonie. I have a GSP male, 14 months, and he has benefited from your videos.
Do you hunt with your dog?
Thank you for the great explanation! You're absolutely right: We can't expect obedience and absolute concentration from our dogs if they don't first have the opportunity to freely romp, sniff and run. Our 2 year old black Labrador always starts running like crazy at the beginning of every walk - even though we have a very large garden where he can come in and out at any time. I stopped stopping the tugging in the beginning - I just start running with him now. 🏃🏻♀️After a maximum of 15 minutes he is much more relaxed and we then walk through the forest for 1.5 hours a day and enjoy our time together. 🐾
Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour.
Both of these great services can be found here: www.KentuckyCanine.com
Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure!
-Stonnie Dennis
I had several canine athletes and could not keep up with them. Yes I need to be more creative in their training and improving my physical fitness.
I have been watching your videos for the last three months since we got a Lab Puppy, all of your videos are spot on and exercise is the the key along with socialization, being consistent, tolerant, and repeating the same behavior you want and the dog is happy, we are still working on his behavior at times that we want but when I get frustrated it's time to let the dog be a dog, keep up the good work.
Just started watching your videos a couple of days ago. We're getting an English lab in Aug from the same breeder we'd gotten our previous lab from. She unexpectedly died on Thanksgiving day at 5 years old. Really enjoy watching how you go about training your dogs from an early age. We live on a 16 acre farm and have 7 acres of pasture, woods, a stream, and 1/4 acre pond. I plan on using your advice and give the puppy as many diverse experiences as possible. We've got a 2 year old mutt (hound/Pyrenes/Anatoli mix) who grew up with our previous lab and should be a good friend to our new puppy. Thanks again for passing on all you now.
Bella was my mutt when she was young. She still is that insecure and afraid dog on the inside, but now, a few years later, we have quite a big circle of what she is ok with and she works very well in our everyday life. Her default to ANY new situation is always fear. Also, she has the calmest, coolest and socially well-adjusted mentor dog and big brother ever.
If only all new puppy owners could absorb this vidio! one of the best you have produced Stonnie
Outstanding video sir. Excellent camerawork, video quality and awesome content. A really fine looking group of dogs there on a sunny day.
Thank you!
Great video as usual. On rainy, miserable days where my dog might not get enough exercise because I am feeling lazy and I am only taking her for a few shortish walks, I try to at least bring her to a place with lots of smells (so in the woods or along the ocean at low tide). I think it almost makes up for it.
As a dog mucher this was really cool to see
Hi Stonnie. I always sub all your dog wisdom for human wisdom! Today: exercise and doing interesting stuff!
I’m glad you enjoy our content! Thank you for watching!
@@StonnieDennis Love from Toronto!
We are an active family, but sometimes life gets busy and we put off getting out in the nature. We got dogs so we have no choice but make it outside, rain or shine. It's the best decision I've made for my family. 3 years of exploring!
Being in the middle of all these well behaved, happy, content dogs is damn near my vision of heaven!1 well done Stonnie
Yay!! Love new videos!!
I hope you enjoy!
@@StonnieDennis I have a blind Silver Labrador! He’s very good at knowing where everything is in the house, yard and neighborhood! It amazes me how smart he is! Can you give me any tips on training to keep him learning and growing! Thanks so much! You’re AMAZING!! 💛🙌🏼😍
Thank you Stonnie for all of your advice. I got a GSP puppy this February. He has really come along, but it’s taken a lot of effort. He is the best dog I could ask for, but if I don’t manage his energy, he gets frustrated and destructive. We are starting to hunt with him, which is where he really shines. We haven’t gotten a bird yet so the unsuccessful hunts, are more like training sessions. He loves it though.
Love your set up.. I totally agree with your dog training style.. I call it realistic dog training.. My Mal and I take 4-5 mile hikes and I don’t need him to heel to whole way.. after a while my dog gets tired and turns into the best dog.. Thanks for sharing with us Bud..
Thank you for watching!
Love the vid!
I have a 10 month old GSP. No way I could make it without excersise!
If I listened to the rules around exercising young dogs I never would've survived my baby Malinois
Uncle Stoney knows best
Man wish I followed you with my last puppy 8 years ago… she would have been so much better off. Working hard with her now to get her some better manners while training our new puppy! He will get to benefit from your info! Already started a small training course in the back yard. Only 3 obstacle pieces for us but fun all the same!!! Thank you
Hey, the pig’s back! Uncle Stonnie, as always, another grand video.
Stonnie I love your videos.
I haven’t watched a video of yours in a while and you are still my favorite trainer. Your down to earth approach has shaped my boys and they are a delight.
Thank you and God bless you
Thank you for watching!
Lovely video, THANK YOU, and I can attest that even those big livestock guardians have great potential - they might be a bit slower and astonishingly clumsy, but they definitely enjoy time in the great outdoors. From what I just learned from a dozen other owners in an Estrela Mountain Dogs gathering, it's even considered normal to expect them to fall off things, and bump into objects and owners on a regular basis. BUT thanks to Uncle Stonnie's inspiration, my dog has become far less clumsy over the last few months! Now, if she sees a rock pile in front of her, she proactively climbs up there, knowing I reward adventurous moves. And she has enough obedience to not climb things that I think she could fall off of. Fascinating how different dog breeds are - our other one is a working line GSD, who gets up, down, under and over everything, and retrieves whatever toy the other one inevitably looses....
Good job sir love learning from you thanks for your videos!!!
Great video :) Just got our Dutch shep. 5 days ago .. 8 weks old. she is such a bunde of energy... Lol... greetings from your biggest fan in Norway
Norway? Dang...I like that!
After being given a beautiful female, A week before she gave birth to 6 puppies, I spent a day in the Emergency room, before finding several videos on the Belgian Malnois breed, and our performance together has been nothing shy of astounding. Thank you for your work, and sharing with us. Just subscribed, I need all the help I can find.
Cheers
*Download Dog Training Guide Obedience secrets and strategies for a well behaved canine* ►►► www.getfreedogtraining.com/The-Important-Basics-of-Dog-Training.pdf
Hey Stonnie, Love your videos. I’m watching from Melbourne, Australia. I got a 4 month old GSP puppy, your videos really help me with handling him!!!
Australia? Awesome!
Me too Nathan. I have a GSP cross and discovering Stonnie’s channel really helped me a lot. You may be interested in the training program by Lucie at Aytee GSP’s. Great ideas for steadying hunting dogs.
I love you Uncle Stonnie.
Wet saddle pads. Aka. Tired is good and they can soak in info better IMO and learn quicker.
100% Stonnie!!! Bless you!
Stonnie. You’re great ! My husband and I watch all your videos!
Those dogs look like their having so much fun!
Thank you 🩵
I like that dangerous rude and destuctive...a mouth full...
I love this guy's videos. Great stuff
Exactly 👍
Oh gosh, 15:34, yep, I'm Evie. I'm trying my best. I get our rescue mixed breed out every day (yes, the rescue said she was a lab mix ;) , but man, she has a LOT of energy. So even if I run her and walk her several times per day, it's not enough. Doing my best!! We try and work in a bunch of puppy adventures each week, but our sweet dog could go for hours per day. Like I said, doing my best and working on upping MY physical abilities (not that I'll ever be at our dog's level). But, I keep trying!!! Thanks Stonie!
Best chat and great advise loved it got my diary ready to go
Thank you. I'm learning much.🐕
That's a beautiful field bro!
Uncle Stonnie’s credo ♥️
… and I am his disciple 👍
Thanks Stonnie for all this valuable information. I am going to make it a goal to exercise our black English lab pup as much as possible.She’s 8 weeks and I can see she’s going to be a little chubby.
I have a 5 yr old Jack Russell terrier. I got him to take trail running with me. He has a high prey drive and will take off if he gets on a scent. Deer is the biggest issue. He gets bored on leash walks and can't handle running for very long. He wants to run and sniff on his terms but I can't trust him off leash. So I bought a 50ft leash and he can feel more freedom without taking off. That has really helped him a lot.
Omg. Wish I had stumbled upon you, Uncle Stonnie when I was a baby dog behaviourist - I would’ve learnt so much from you. Not that I’m not Learning from your videos now, but a lot of what you say I now know is inherently true…10 years ago I didn’t know. Awesome shit. 💪🏽💄💪🏽 and as an Aussie, i love your blue grass accent. 😂
Thanks for this Stonnie, hadn't thought about the tongue-exercise-meter and loading more energy to get them tired. We sometimes have "zoomies" at the end of the walk when he doesn't want to go home!
My dog does that too ,I asked her are y'all done and that's when she gets crazy as if she is saying noooooooI need more