Snow Day!!!

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I teach at a small school in Oregon.  I have taught 1st grade for 10 years and this year I am the reading specialist.  New and interesting position.  It is the end of February and we are all excited about spring break coming in about a month.  The weather has been strange this year lots of flooding, in fact Oregon was in a state of emergency in January due to all the high flooding.  We expect to have some snow in December and love the snow days, but it is almost March and snow days are usually a thing of the past.  Well, low and behold not this year.  The snow starts coming down, down, down, and just won’t stop.  It snowed most of the night and into the morning.  I got the call no school snow day.  I was like a little kid jumping for joy, ready to go back to sleep for a bit, just to wake up and go play in the snow with my snow dog, Oakey.  Oakey was just as excited to do the same, mom was staying home spending her day with me in the snow.  We set out for a walk around town about  9:30am just as my son, Joshua was leaving for college.  We did our usual walk  saying hi to all the neighbors and kids enjoying the snow day.  Oakey ran, and ran, and ran.  He would take his nose push the snow with it and then throw the pushed snow into the air.  He did this numerous times, and each time he did it I laughed harder.  He looked so cute having so much fun in his natural elements.  As the walk went on, the snow did not, since it was a gorgeous beautiful sun shiny day it started melting.  Oakey became  wet and muddy very fast.  It sure did not stop him from having fun in the snow we had left.  We walked to the park and someone had tried to make a snowman, unsuccessfully.  It had fallen down and Oakey took this opportunity to bark and bite at the snowman, while trying to either run through or jump over the fallen pitiful snowman.  Again, I laughed so hard just watching him play so carefree and innocent  enjoying life as it is coming to him.  Wishing I had the same personality he had and view on life as it rolls on by him.                            Well about two hours later we were still walking, playing, enjoying the snow day, and each others company when all of a sudden we heard  beep, beep, beep, coming up behind us.  Scared the heebe jeebes out of me, it was Joshua who was on his way back from college. He told me that only three people made it to class, he was one of the three.  They all got extra credit that day.  Oakey and I hoped in the car with Joshua and home we  went, just to get out of the car and head to the park for some Kodak moments.  See I had tried to take pictures of Oakey and let’s just say they were not the best.  By the time we got back to the park quite a bit of the snow was either melted or disturbed so we tried our hardest to find the best snow to take our pictures.  Joshua helped a lot with that and I would like to post a few of the pictures we took on our wonderful snow day!  Wish I had more snow days or even days just like this one.                                                                                                      If you live in Michigan here are two dog events that you might be interested in.

Tails & Trails Dog Walk Fundraiser

Beverly Hills Village Park
18351 Beverly Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI, US

April 28, 2012
9:30am to 12:30pm
Admission:

The Tails & Trails Dog Walk fundraiser will benefit House of Critters and Paws-n-Claws Animal Rescues, two 501(c)3 non-profit, no-kill organizations. The event will include a short walk followed by an adoption event, dog agility demonstration, prize raffle, pet competitions, and bake sale! For more information or to register, please visit www.tinyurl.com/TailsAndTrails2012. The Tails & Trails Dog Walk fundraiser is hosted by the Groves High School Amnesty/Animal Rights Club. For further information, contact Lucy Mailing at lucy.mailing@yahoo.com A big thank you to our official event sponsors: Premier Pet Supply, Camp Bow Wow, My Hero Dog Training, Pro Plan Rally to Rescue, Canine Inn, Greenfield Animal Hospital, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, and Longview Boarding & Grooming.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Mark your calendars for Westie Dog Show!

April 28, 2012
8 am to 3 pm
Admission:

The members of the West Highland White Terrier Club of Southeastern Michigan, an AKC Breed Club, will hold their 27th annual Breed Specialty at the Ann Arbor Dog Training Club in Whitmore Lake. The public is welcome to attend and can find details on the website (www.westieclubmi.com). Westies come from many states to attend and compete for Best of Breed. Mid-day the Club honors the Westies who were rescued during the previous year by holding a Rescue Parade, featuring Scottish piper and a representative from St. Andrews in full parade dress. Club Westies, known as Wee Marshalls, are dressed in their kilts and lead the rescued Westies in the parade. A good lunch is available, along with fundraising items and time to meet and talk to fellow Westie lovers as the day goes on.                                                                                                                        Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

Oakey enjoying the snow day!

 

Oakey and I enjoying our snow day!

What Andy Griffith Can Teach You About Dog Training

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Some people get worried and excited when their dog is off-leash and he’s done something that requires you to correct him. Because the owner is both worried and excited, they move fast toward the dog, concerned that the dog might run off before they can correct him. However, if you’ve done your long-line work properly and you’ve laid a solid foundation for your off leash training, there really isn’t any reason for you to worry that your dog will run off. So, what does this have to do with Andy Griffith, you’re probably wondering? Well, if you watch Andy Griffith on television, you’ll notice that the old guy always moves slowly and deliberately. He never rushes and he never looks worried. When you go to correct your dog, this is the same kind of attitude you should have. Be like Andy. Andy never gets angry. He never gets emotional. He just calmly and slowly goes about doing what he has to do, in order to reach his goals. Watch Matlock, or the Andy Griffith Show and you’ll see what I mean. If you model Andy Griffith’s mannerisms when you work with your dog, I can guarantee that your handling skill will increase at a very quick pace.                                  Dog Freaked Out Over Pinch Collar                                                                                  Dear Adam:                                                                                                                              I tried the pinch collar on my Westie a few days ago and he freaked out. He hated it, would not move and let out a little cry like he was in pain. Now I am afraid to try it again. Could he be too sensitive for this collar? It was not too tight. After his initial reaction, he then began to skulk around next to me. At the time, I was with 2 trainers who teach in a dog training club I joined. They recommended the collar to me. They said he would get used to it. Any advice? Is there a way to ease him into it?                                                                     Buster                                                                                                                                 Dear Buster:                                                                                                                         Yes… if you’ve got it sized correctly, what’s happening here is that your dog is manipulating you. He throws a tantrum and YOU RESPONDED TO IT AND STOPPED.  He’s training you.                                                                                                                                     Next time, glue the leash to your belt buckle and just keep walking. Don’t jerk it. Don’t say anything. Don’t coax or baby him. As soon as he learns that you aren’t going to stop (may be a bit now that you’ve already showed him you’ll stop) he’ll realize that the tantrum doesn’t get rewarded and he’ll start walking.  As soon as he does, PRAISE HIM… BUT CONTINUE WALKING WHILE YOU DO.  Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

Ambush!!! Time to be Burrito Wrapped, Antibiotics aren’t Gone Yet.

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I have been blogging about giving Kitty her antibiotics and all the ways she has avoided being caught.  I think I figured out what the problem was.  I kept coming over to her with a towel so she is now associating me with nasty antibiotics.  I don’t want her to think of me as the one who catches and  holds her while Scott slowing puts antibiotics down her  or Joshua who just gets her mouth open and gives her the whole thing in one fast shot.          I think I forgot to pay some attention to her without the towel in hand.  I am allergic to cats so I try to keep my distance and only pet her minimally, and wash my hands after handling her. As soon as I gave her some attention without the towel she didn’t run away.  She loves laying on my bed, so as I would pass  I would either talk to her or give her a few pets and she would be fine.  My aha moment was when I did this for a few days without the towel she was fine, but as soon as I came to her with the towel in hand she ran and tried to avoid me.  The last couple of days I have been petting her on occasion each time I come into my bedroom. Then when she least expects it I bring the towel with me making sure she does not catch a glimpse of it and ambush her.  This way she does not know which time I might have the towel, it is the unexpected that confuses her.  It has been working.  Did I mention I will be glad when these antibiotics are gone.  She hates them and I don’t really enjoy making sure she gets them.  I do know they are what saved her life, since she was so sick  and going downhill fast.  Thank goodness for them, but man it has been a challenge to get her to take them without being scratched.  Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

She got me and I am not happy about it. Time for antibiotics, NOOOOO!!!

 

 

Oh no here she comes with the Burrito Towel, Run!!!

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The other day I blogged about my daugher’s kitty, who lives with us how she  got sick.  We have been giving her the antibiotics that the vet. gave us.  She is fighting us because she doesn’t like the taste of them.  I had this genius moment and decided to burrito wrap her so we were able to giver her antibiotics without going through a war zone filled with claws.  That was a great idea, but now we have another problem, she got smart to the burrito wrapping and towel so now she runs from it when she sees us coming.  I thought I would outsmart her and change towels, well low and behold she is way too smart for that .  I had a lighter colored Pooh Bear towel and she ran away from it just as fast as she did the beautiful dark red and black Hawaiian towel.  Tonight I am going to go to our bed where she usually lays and try to get her without a towel and see what she does.  Maybe if I don’t have the towel in hand when I approach her I wont be running a marathon trying to catch her and convince her this is good for her.  I will be so glad when her antibiotics are gone and we don’t’ have to put her through that nasty tasting stuff.  If anyone has any wonderful genius ideas out there I would love to hear from you.  I had no idea she would run each time I had a towel in my hand.  Getting ready for my new plan of attack.  Wish me luck.                                                                                                                                           Mark your calendars for Low Cost Vaccination Clinic!

March 3, 2012
11:00am to 1:00pm
Admission: See website for prices

Milwaukee Pet Services is hosting a low cost vaccination clinic on March 3rd from 11AM-1PM. This event will be held at Bayview Bark, the new indoor/outdoor dog park and activity center. Bayview Bark is located one block south of S Lincoln Ave on S 1st Street at 2209 S 1st Street. List of services Dogs/Cats/Puppies/Kittens/Ferrets Rabies 1 year vaccination $20 Rabies 3 year vaccination $25 DHLPP or FVRCP vaccination $25 Ferret Distemper vaccination $25 Feline Leukemia vaccination $22 Leptospirosis 4-way vaccination $15 Bordetella (Kennel Cough) intranasal vaccination $20 Lyme (tick disease) vaccination $25 Heartworm test $25 Feline Leukemia test $25 Fecal test $15 Microchip implantation (includes registration) $40 Dog heartworm prevention available on request All dogs should be on a leash. All cats and ferrets should be presented in a carrier. All vaccines are performed by a Wisconsin state licensed veterinarian. This is a wellness clinic and is not a substitute for a full veterinary hospital. If your pet is showing signs of illness please see your local veterinarian. Sponsored by Milwaukee Pet Services, provider of pet care and sitting services. www.milwaukeepetservices.com When: March 3, 2012 11:00AM-1:00PM Where: Bayview BARK 2209 S. 1st Street

For more information, please email contact@milwaukeepetservices.com                       Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

Time to Burrito Wrap Kitty for her antibiotics/medicine

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We had a busy week,   Sunday my daughter’s cat, Kitty who lives with us started acting strange, like she wasn’t feeling spry.  The day started out normally and it took a turn for the worst, by the end of the day she was throwing up something that  looked like bile.  As the day wore on she was going down hill fast. She was barely moving, she would not jump on our bed and she could hardly hold her head up.  We thought we would give her til morning to see if we saw some improvement.  About 5:30 am she was throwing up in our bathroom.  Not much except bile again.  My husband put her back on our bed and she just laid there.  We gave her another hour and nothing.  I called my daughter and told her about what was happening and she said take her to the vet.  I mentioned to her that is exactly what we were going to do.  We just thought maybe it was a 24 hour bug and she might be better in the morning.  That was not the case she would not eat, drink, and or even move.  In fact she hates any kind of covers over her body and she slept with us all night long with a thick towel covering her, minus the throwing up incident in the bathroom.  My husband, Scott raced her into the vet bright and early Monday morning and she had a 104. temperature, slightly dehydrated,  and would barely move.  They were not sure what was wrong with her, but we were given some antibiotics to give to her.  We were told if she was not better in a few days bring her back.  The antibiotics must be given twice daily.  The first few days were no problem giving her the antibiotics since she was so sick, she didn’t put up much of a fight.  Low and behold the antibiotics started working and she started feeling better and then the fight began.  She does not like the taste of the antibiotics at all.  She does her best to squirm away, clawing at you, turning her head so you can’t give her the antibiotics, and trying her best to spit it out.  I know it taste bad as I was trying to give her the antibiotics by myself she spat it all over and got some in my hair.  My hair went into my mouth and man it tasted nasty.  So I feel for her, it’s bad.                                                 Scott was tired of getting clawed in order to give her two daily doses.  I had this brainy idea, “There has to be a better way.  What if I wrapped her up like  burrito, in a towel  so she could not squirm and claw us to death?”  I tried it and low and behold it worked.  I am sure I am not the only person who thought of doing this, but man for me it was a genius idea.  This way she was unable to move any part of her body except her head and that was easy enough to deal with by positioning her a certain way.  If you ever have a problem of a squirming cat, while attempting to medicate her, take a beach towel and wrap them up like a burrito.  Make sure you do not wrap too tight, the object is to temporary restrain her not suffocate her body while medicating her.  She sees us coming with the same towel and she runs away.  She hates it with a passion to be burrito wrapped and medicated but it sure saves our skin in more ways than one.  Good Luck to all the pet owners who have to medicate squirming, clawing, uncooperative animals, try to burrito wrap them.  Hopefully this will solve your issues and making medicating your sick cat easier on both of you and your cat.   Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

Kitty all Burrito Wrapped and ready for her antibiotics.

Dog Training: How to “Lick” Your Dog’s Incessant Lick

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Does your dog seem to spend an infinite amount of time licking himself? Why is he doing it? And how do you, as a dog owner, correct that annoying licking habit? Here are five of the most common reasons why your dog might be incessantly licking himself and the solutions to correcting the habit.                                                                                            1. Your dog might have developed an unrelenting licking habit because he needs a bath.     If your dog spends a lot of time outside, romping through the woods, tramping in the mud, rolling in the grass or wading in the nearest stream or pond, he is probably dirty. So, your dog may be constantly licking himself because the dirt is irritating him! Plus, all that outdoor activity may have gotten him infested with ticks, fleas, mites, or lice. Your dog’s incessant licking may be an attempt to rid himself of those nasty varmints!                    Give him a bath with a veterinarian-approved flea and tick shampoo. Before bathing him, make sure you brush out all the mats and tangles from his coat or the bathing will make them worse.                                                                                                                           2. Your dog might have developed a chronic licking habit because he has a skin disorder.   Some common skin disorders that a dog may develop are mange or dermatitis. Mange is a skin disease in dogs that is caused by various types of mites. The dermatitis could be caused by an allergic reaction to fleas, dust mites, mold or a certain brand of dog food. If you suspect that your dog has a case of mange or dermatitis, your veterinarian will be able to diagnose what the disorder is and prescribe a course of treatment.                                3. Your dog might have developed a persistent licking habit because he is under stress.   The stress may be a result of a new adoption, physical abuse, separation anxiety, or even a reaction to a new food. If you think separation anxiety might be the cause of his stress, there are several methods for solving the problem. Try exposing your dog to being alone for very short periods of time. When your dog has adjusted to being alone for that duration of time, gradually increase your departure period. If you must be away from your dog for a long period of time, while you are away at work, try to find a friend or neighbor who could come over and take him for a walk a couple of times during the day.                         Perhaps a new dog in the family is causing the stress? It is very common to experience a period of stress and adjustment when a new dog is brought into a household that has an established pet. One way to help make the transition a little easier is to give your older dog a lot of attention and love. It will let him know that he’s still a vital part of the family. Just remember that it will take time for your dogs to adjust to one another and be one happy dog family!                                                                                                                   Changing your dog’s diet can also cause stress. If you’re thinking of feeding your dog a new brand of dry dog food, do it gradually and over a period of four days or longer. On the first day that you change the food, feed your dog one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food. Add in another quarter of the new food after a couple of days or so. After another two days, add in another quarter of the new dog food. Finally, after another couple of days or so, you will be able to leave out the old dog food entirely!            If you cannot determine the cause of your dog’s stress, talk to your veterinarian. He’ll be able to refer you to a dog behaviorist who will be able to determine the cause of your dogs stress. If your dog has severe separation anxiety, an anti-anxiety medication might be considered to alleviate the anxiety. Drugs are not a complete solution, however, and should be used along with a treatment program.                                                                              4. Your dog might have developed an incessant licking habit because he has an injury that has resulted in an open wound.                                                                                              A dog that has developed an injury that has resulted in an open wound will lick himself incessantly in an attempt to clean the wound and keep it free from bacteria. Dog saliva has been proven to kill some germs and when your dog licks an open wound, it will aid in keeping the wound infection free.                                                                               Veterinarian treatment may be required if your dog appears to be in pain, the wound contains a foreign material and is deep enough to require stitches, is bleeding excessively or becomes infected.                                                                                                             5. Your dog might have developed a relentless licking habit because he has developed the bad habit of doing so.                                                                                                       Some dogs develop the habit of licking their paws incessantly despite them being clean, uninjured and parasite-free!                                                                                                Your dog may develop the habit of constantly licking himself because he has a lot of nervous energy and no way to alleviate the stress. He also may have learned this behavior because he is bored and this is a way to entertain himself!                                              Give your dog lots of time to play and run and work off any excess energy. If your dog is well-exercised and happy, he won’t feel the need to relentlessly lick himself to relieve stress or boredom!                                                                                                              The information detailed above will help you discover and correct your dog’s habit of chronic licking. With careful observation and a little attention to proper grooming, training, along with regular veterinarian visits, you can ‘lick’ your dog’s incessant licking habit!         If you live in Sewickley, Pennsylvania you might be interested in this Helping Hounds Event.                                                                                                                                      Helping Hounds, Misty Pines Dog Park 2523 Wexford Bayne Rd. Sweickelym PA, USA 15143,                                                                                                                                  Any questions please call  4127167075 or e-mail   shedsomelightonus@gmail.com  Mark your calendars for Helping Hounds!                                                                                    May 20, 2012 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM Admission: Admission is Free                               Benefiting: Droopy Basset Hound Rescue Of Western PA, Forever Home Beagle Rescue  Attention All Dog Lovers! There Is A Great Event Called Helping Hounds Coming May 20th at Misty Pines Dog Park! It’s a Dog Inspired Carnival; For People And Their Dogs! They’ll be Games for Dogs as well as Humans! Complete with Prizes, Vendors And A HUGE Raffle Beagles and Bassets will be available for Adoption and much much More! The dog park is FREE and has an open area for the dogs to run around! All Proceeds Benefit Droopy Basset Rescue And Forever Home Beagle Rescue! Visit www.helpinghounds.weebly.com  Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

Helping Hands!!! Come join in the fun with the hounds.

 

 

Dog Training House Breaking Your Dog/Puppy

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One of the most confusing and anxiety-ridden areas of dog training is house training. Yet, it is one of the most important, especially for the humans involved.                                     The best way to understand and find success with house training is to use the dog’s own nature to help you.                                                                                                               Dogs are, by instinct, very clean animals. They would rather not soil any areas where they normally sleep or eat. Dogs are also creatures of habit — they like to know where they’re supposed to go urinate and defecate. If the dog is taught to eliminate on gravel or concrete, they will tend to look for either of those surfaces to do so. If they’re taught to eliminate on grass or dirt, that’s where they will choose. Use these habits to your advantage.                                                                                                                              Setting up the training area                                                                                                 This is the first step. Make sure the area you choose is small and confined. A bathroom works for this, or a place in a kitchen or garage also work well. Remember that crate training works well for puppies or small dogs, but for the larger animals, the crate is too confining.                                                                                                                             You need to spend some time with this aspect of the training. You need to play with your dog in this area, and this is also where the dog will be taught to sleep and eat. Put together a special bed. This can be something you make up with items around the house, or you can go to the store and purchase a bed. Don’t worry if your dog eliminates in this area at first. Once they figure out that this is where the sleep and eat, they’ll stop eliminating there.                                                                                                                                 Once your dog realizes that the bed is for sleeping, you can begin to move it around the house. But, only when you’re there. When you’re not, put the bed back in the training area.                                                                                                                                   Setting up the toilet area                                                                                                     Now you need to determine where the toilet area is going to be located. Presumably, this will be outside the house. Wherever it is, it has to a place that the dog can go to whenever it needs to go. You need to go there with your dog so you can give the appropriate rewards for good behavior.                                                                                                                Establish a set feeding schedule for your dog. If the dog is in the habit of being fed at certain times, the natural process of elimination will also begin to occur at certain times. Once you learn when those times relate to the eating times, it will become much easier for you to guide the dog to the established toilet area.                                                               Don’t forget to make sure your dog has ready access to the toilet area. That way mistakes aren’t as likely to occur.                                                                                                 Continuing the house training process                                                                             Once your dog is in the habit of eliminating in the toilet area and not in the sleeping/eating area, you can begin to extend the training area to the rest of the house. Do this slowly. Start by expanding to one additional room, and then gradually expand into other areas. Don’t expand into new areas until you’re sure your dog has control of its bladder and bowels. At first, do this only when you’re around. If you’re away, then put your dog back in the original training area.                                                                                             Speeding up the process                                                                                                        If you have to move this process along more quickly, you can do so. Remember to proceed with caution, though. It’s better to go slowly than to have to try to retrain a dog later. If you’re going to try to speed things up, you will have to be there in order to reward your dog for successful eliminations. It is also important not to punish for mistakes. That will only confuse the dog and slow the process even further.

If you live in Noblesville, Indiana you might be interested in this dog event.                             Mark your calendars for Bark For Life Of Hamilton County!                                              June 23, 2012  9:00 AM – Registration at 8:00 AM to Noon                                             Admission: $25 per Dog and Owner Benefiting: American Cancer Society                       The American Cancer Society Bark For LifeTM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. So bring your best canine friend and join us for a fun-filled day starting with a walk, and then continuing with demonstrations, contests, and games.                           For more information, please call 317-344-7828 or email kelly.alford@cancer.org.  Until next time give your pets a hug.

House breaking our beloved puppies.

The Paw!!!

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Oakey is such a sweetie and entertains us everyday.  There are those days I come home from school and am ready to break down in tears.  He has this way of lifting my spirits and making everything that happened that day go away or all better.  He is so excited to see me and just loves on me like crazy.  When he is all done with that behavior he now thinks it is time  to play tug-a-war with his crazy knotted rope I got at Petco.  He loves this toy and there are times it is so slobbery it it disgusting. (In fact the other day I had to toss it in the washing machine.  It smelled bad!)  We don’t want to touch it, but Oakey continues to put it in our face and rub it all over our bodies so we will play with him.  We finally give in and play for a bit.  We are done playing we try to stop and  , “Watch out here it comes the PAW!”  He is 166lbs. and he can pack a might good slap of the paw.  Be careful if you are a guy he doesn’t really care where he slaps, he might hit a sensitive area.  He pays no attention to the fact that you are hurting, he just wants you to keep playing with him and his tug-a-war toy.  if you are laying on the ground he can pull you across the kitchen floor with this toy in his mouth.  If he is not getting the reaction out of you he wants then here comes the PAW right in the middle of your back or wherever he happens to slap you with it. My sister-in-law was here a bit ago baby sitting Oakey and the house.  She fell asleep on the couch.  She sleeps very soundly and Oakey tried to wake her up to let him out.  He whined, barked, and tried to sit on her with his back end.  Nothing was waking her up , until he used the PAW on her.  Smack right across the face, that woke her up in a huge hurry.  She was okay, but man what a shocker she had no idea it was coming.  He tried other ways, but nothing worked except the PAW.  So if you are around Oakey or any other St. Bernard be careful and watch out for the PAW it just might come out.                                    If you live in Ohio, here is a dog event you do not want to miss.

The Dog Whisperer: Cesar Millan

Palace Theatre34 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215 Venue Phone: 614-469-9850 Phone: 1-800-745-3000

Saturday, Feb. 4 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.                                                                             Ticket Pricing: $35.75-$45.75; VIP Meet & Greet $75 Cesar will share his secrets on how to transform dogs and their owners in this unique and new live event that has wowed audiences across the US, UK, Canada, & Europe. Fans and dog lovers alike will be inspired by the simplicity of “Cesar’s Way” as he reveals that the secret to happier, healthier relationships between humans and their canine companions starts with transforming ourselves. ? See the multimedia and entertaining live seminar and change the relationship with your dog forever.

   Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

 

Dog Training – Does Your Puppy Do This?

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Unfortunately, eliminating problem behaviors is one thing that most dog owners eventually face. This article will focus on a few of the most commonly encountered behavior problems.                                                                                                                                Problem #1 – Jumping up on people                                                                                      One of the most frequently cited problems with dogs is that of jumping up on people. Unfortunately, this is one of those behaviors that is often inadvertently encouraged by well meaning owners. After all, it is cute and adorable when that little 10 pound puppy jumps up on you, your family members and your friends.                                                                  Many people reward this behavior on the part of a small puppy with kisses and treats. This is a huge mistake, however, since that cute little puppy may soon become a full grown dog who could weigh well in excess of 100 pounds. Suddenly that cute jumping behavior is no longer quite so cute.                                                                                                                In addition to being annoying, jumping up on people can be dangerous as well. A large, heavy dog, jumping enthusiastically, can easily knock over a child or an older or handicapped adult. In today’s litigious society, such an incident could easily make you, as the dog’s owner, the subject of an unwanted lawsuit.                                                        The time to teach a dog that jumping up on people is unacceptable is when he is still young and easy to handle. Retraining a dog that has been allowed to jump up on people can be difficult for the owner, and confusing for the dog.                                                 When the puppy tries to jump on you or another member of your family, gently but firmly place the puppy’s feet back on the floor. After the puppy is standing firmly on the floor, be sure to reward and praise him. It is important for every member of the family, as well as frequently visiting friends, to understand this rule and follow it religiously.                              If one member of the family reprimands the dog for jumping and another praises him, the dog will be understandably confused. As with other dog training issues, consistency is the key to teaching the dog that jumping is always inappropriate.                                         When praising and rewarding the dog for staying down, it is important for the trainer to get down on the dog’s level. Giving affection and praise at eye level with the puppy is a great way to reinforce the lesson.                                                                                         Problem #2 – Pulling and tugging at the leash                                                                Pulling on the leash is another problem trait that many puppies pick up. Unfortunately, this behavior is also one that is sometimes encouraged by well meaning owners. Playing games like tug of war with the leash, or even with a rope (that can look like the leash to the dog) can unwittingly encourage a problem behavior.                                                            The use of a quality body harness can be a big help when training a puppy not to pull, or retraining a dog that has picked up the habit of pulling on the leash. Try training the puppy to accept the body harness the same way it accepts the regular buckle collar.                    When walking with your dog, try using a lure or toy to encourage the dog to remain at your side. A training collar, when properly used, can also be a good training tool for a problem dog. When using a training collar or choke chain, however, it is very important to fit it correctly, and to use a size that is neither too big nor too small for your dog.                 When walking with your puppy, it is important to keep the leash loose at all times. If the puppy begins to pull ahead, the handler should quickly change directions so that the puppy fast finds itself falling behind. It is important to reverse directions before the puppy has reached the end of the leash. The leash should stay loose except for the split second it takes the handler to reverse direction. It is important to use a quick tug, followed by an immediate slackening of the leash.                                                                                 When training a puppy, it is important to never let the puppy pull you around. Training the puppy to walk properly while he or she is still small enough to handle is absolutely vital, especially when dealing with a large breed of dog. If your 150 pound Great Dane hasn’t learned to walk properly while he or she is still a 20 pound puppy, chances are it never will.                                                                                                                                           It is important not to yank or pull on the puppy’s neck when correcting him. A gentle, steady pressure will work much better than a hard yank. The best strategy is to use the least amount of pressure possible to achieve the desired result.  Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.

St. Bernard puppies being trained.

 

Dog Training – Discover What Training Is the Best Way and Foundation to Accomplish Many Types of Dog Trainings

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There are many different styles of dog training, and finding the one that works best for you is important for creating a dog that is a talented, loyal and faithful member of the family.  All successful methods of dog training work to reinforce the relationship between dog and handler, and the foundation of any successful training program is getting the respect of the dog.  Fortunately, dogs are wired by nature to seek out leaders, and to follow the direction of those leaders.                                                                                                                Both leash/collar training and reward training have been around for a very long time, and they have proven their effectiveness over time.  The type of training that works best will vary from dog to dog, and from breed to breed.  It is important to remember that each breed of dog has its own unique qualities, reinforced by hundreds of years of selective breeding.                                                                                                                             The leash and training collar is the most basic piece of equipment used in training a dog.  Using the lead and training collar properly is vital to successful dog training.  The training collar is designed to apply a specific amount of pressure each time the leash is tightened.  The amount of pressure put on the leash controls the amount of pressure placed on the training collar, and the pressure can be adjusted according to how the dog responds.      Of course personalities of individual dogs vary quite a bit, even within established breeds.  You, as the owner of the dog, know better than anyone which style of dog training will work best, so it is important to work with the trainer you choose to achieve your goal of a willing, obedient and friendly dog.                                                                                                Leash and collar training is the best way to accomplish many types of dog training, particularly in situations where the dog must have a high level of reliability.  For instance, dogs that have an important job to do, such as rescue dogs, police dogs and guard dogs, generally benefit from leash and collar training.                                                                  The first part of training with collar and leash, of course, is to purchase a quality, well made training collar that will fit your dog properly.  There are many types of training collars and leashes on the market.  The most important thing is to choose one that is sturdy and well made.  The last thing you want to do is chase your dog down after he has broken his collar.                                                                                                                                   The length of the collar should be approximately two inches longer than the circumference of the dog’s neck.  It is important to accurately measure the dog’s neck using a measuring tape.  In order to get an accurate measurement, you must make sure that the tape is not tight around the dog’s neck.                                                                                                   In a collar and leash based dog training program, first the dog is taught a particular behavior, generally with the leash.  After the dog has demonstrated that it understands the command, the leash is then used to correct the dog if it disobeys, or when it makes a mistake.  The leash is the main form of controlling and communicating with the dog in leash and collar training.                                                                                                   When using leash and collar training, the dog must be trained to trust the handler and accept his or her directions without question.  In order for the dog to be fully trained, the handler must demonstrate the ability to place the dog into a posture or position he or she does not want to take.  This does not mean using force, but it does generally require some level of physical manipulation.  This manipulation is most easily and safely done using the main tool of leash and collar training   the leash.                                                                The well trained dog is one who will walk at his owner’s side on a loose lead, neither dropping behind nor charging ahead.                                                                                  The well trained dog will also vary his pace to meet that of his handler.  Under no circumstances should the handler be forced to change his or her pace to match that of the dog.                                                                                                                                          If the dog does begin to charge ahead, it is important to correct the dog promptly by giving a quick tug on the leash.  This will give the dog a good reminder that he needs to change his pace.  It is important to quickly relieve the pressure as soon as the dog responds.  The training collar is designed to relieve pressure as soon as the leash is loosened.             Most dogs will immediately respond to corrections by a good, properly used training collar.  If the dog does not respond as directed, it may be necessary to apply greater pressure.  This can be especially true of large dogs or those who have preexisting behavior or control problems.  If you are still unable to get a response from your dog, it is possible that you are using a training collar that is not large enough for your dog.  If you think this may be the case, be sure to ask for expert advice before proceeding.                                                     If you live in Lexington, Kentucky here is a pet event you might be interested in.       Lexington Reptile & Exotic Pet Expo  Saturday, Feb 18 10:00a to 4:00p             Thoroughbred Center, Lexington, KY                                                                               Price: Show admission is $4.50, Children 6 and under free, Family Pack 2 adults & 2 kids 7-17 years old $12.50, Free admission to Pet Store Owners Phone: (606) 780-9965     Age Suitability: All Ages                                                                                                  $250.00 Show Cash Grand Door Prize Drawn @ 3pm  February 18th is Scout Day!     Come out and save up to 50%
on animal, supplies, feeder insects & rodents.
Offered at wholesale Prices!                                                                                                   It is an excellent opportunity to see reptiles,
amphibians, exotic birds, spiders, insects,
chinchillas, sugar gliders hedgehogs and much
more from some of the top breeders in the country.                                                          Learn more about the animals by talking with
the experts in their care. Fun for the whole family. Read more here: http://calendar.kentucky.com/lexington-ky/events/show/236039924-lexington-reptile-exotic-pet-expo#storylink=cpy                                                                                                        Until next time give your pets a hug they love you.