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Celebrity trainer teaches dogs to thrive in NYC



It's tough to live in the city.

local Dog trainer Annie Grossman Not only does she teach the pups to be obedient and well-mannered, she teaches them coping skills — like walking calmly through sirens and loud construction noises, and sitting comfortably on the subway — for life in the Big Apple.

“If your dog can succeed here — he can succeed anywhere,” Grossman told the Post. “If you’re training a dog that can live in New York City, you’re hitting with a heavy bat.”

Grossman, owner of School for Dogs in the East Village, He has trained thousands of dogs, including those of stars like Amy Schumer, Olivia Wilde and Jim Gaffigan. And, he also has a new book out, “How to Train Your Dog with Love and Science,” out now.

“If your dog can succeed here — he can succeed anywhere,” Grossman told the Post. In his new book, “How to Train Your Dog with Love + Science,” he details a modern, science-based approach to training dogs that shows how behavior can be changed without pressure or force. Amy Parks, NY Post

He said New Yorkers need to focus on the unique aspects of urban life when it comes to Fido's education.

“The most important thing to understand about dog training is to understand that the environment is everything. The environment essentially controls your dog's behavior,” said Grossman, who also regularly works with rescue dogs from far away who are being adopted by Gothamites.

Walking on a leash is an important skill in urban areas. At her school, a makeshift obstacle course of cones and toys is used to mimic the stimuli of busy street corners, strangers and passing dogs.

Grossman once trained a puppy through an agility course when it suffered a horrific accident when the pup ate a chicken bone off the street in SoHo, resulting in an expensive vet visit and surgery.

This book tells pet parents how they can train their pups to avoid picking up city trash on the street or at the dog park. Getty Images
To acclimate pups to city noises, Grossman suggests playing a low-pitched siren somewhere in your home, perhaps in the kitchen or wherever your dog eats. Give Fido a treat when the sound plays, then gradually increase the volume to get him more tasty snacks. Amy Parks, NY Post

What can pet owners do at home to help their dogs adapt to urban life? Here, Grossman offers some guidance.

volume control

Dogs may learn to live with the sounds of New York through classical conditioning, or as he describes it in his book, “learning by association.”

Grossman suggests you place a low-noise siren somewhere in your home, possibly in the kitchen or wherever your dog eats.

To keep dogs calm when walking around strangers and other dogs, Grossman says, first find out how far your dog can comfortably walk from another dog. Then get him comfortable by moving toward the other dog and offering him a treat. Amy Parks, NY Post
“Whenever possible, it's a good idea to associate things with treats,” Grossman says of training puppies. “Dogs are making associations all the time. A lot of the associations that become meaningful are things that dogs associate with food. Corbis via Getty Images

Give Fido some food as soon as the sound plays, then gradually increase the volume to give him more tasty snacks.

“Whenever possible, it's a good idea to associate things with food,” she said. “Dogs form associations with something all the time. A lot of the associations that become meaningful are things that dogs associate with food.”

sidewalk social

Urban pups need to be comfortable walking among strangers — including stranger dogs.

First, gauge how far your dog can comfortably walk from another dog, Grossman says. Then get him comfortable by moving toward the other dog and offering him treats.

,[The thought is] “When I turn to another dog — I get something good,” she said.

Grossman says that in some cases it's okay for Fido to be scared and try to avoid an intimidating dog. In this case, practice turning away in the heat of the moment so such a maneuver isn't stressful. Amy Parks, NY Post

In some cases, however, it's okay for Fido to be scared and run away from an intimidating dog. Practice turning away in the heat of the moment so such a maneuver isn't stressful.

“Teach the owner and dog to be comfortable making a U-turn, so when you have to do it in a stressful moment, they don't go crazy at the end of the leash,” he said.

table manners

Grossman uses half-size yoga mats to train pups to sit and stay still — even in high-stimulation places like busy outdoor restaurants.

Grossman uses half-size yoga mats, like the one shown here, to train pups to sit and stay still — even in high-stimulation places like busy outdoor restaurants. Amy Parks, NY Post

“Put the mat on the ground and when your dog goes there, give them a treat. Wait three seconds for your dog to do something that makes them feel a little more comfortable — like sit, lie down, then give them another treat,” she said.

“The idea is to teach them that the comforting behaviour is a good thing. Like any other behaviour you can break it down into smaller parts. That 'sticky spot'[like a mat or dish towel] It’s something you can bring with you when you go out to protect your dog.”

Grossman says working toys like Topple, which are mentally stimulating because the dog has to work to get the toy out of the container, are a good way to encourage behavior, which comes in handy at restaurants. He recommends owners bring the toy to the restaurant.

Subway Creatures

Taking pups on the subway can be a battle for dogs who resist their carriers. “Start with a tote that's small and slowly try to transition your dog into a larger bag,” Grossman said, adding that placing a treat in the bag can also help. Amy Parks, NY Post

Walking a dog on the subway can be a struggle for pups who resist their carriers, so Grossman suggests practicing with an open-faced tot and reaching for the carrier.

“Start with a small bag and slowly try to put your dog into a larger bag,” Grossman said, adding that putting some food in the bag can also help.

“Some dogs may need to take an extra step — making the bag as low-key as possible. Let your dog put one foot in the bag, then two feet, then the whole foot.”



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