Puppy potty training will require supplies. Kennel, leash, cleaning supplies of your liking for accidents, paper towels or a mop, treats or the dog’s kibble, and some poop bags. Purchase a crate or kennel that will eventually fit your dog when it’s fully grown. Purchase a kennel with a divider. The dog should have room to move around but not so much room that he finds a spot to soil his dog bed. An 8-16-week-old puppy will possibly require potty breaks every 1-3 hours. This will vary depending on age, the feeding schedule and amount of food and water you are supplying. At first you may be leaving food and water available as recommended by the vet but, eventually your best bet is to put that dog or puppy on a routine for food and water. I typically cut of … Read More
Surviving the Fourth Of July!
I have seen article after article with all these gadgets and medications to give to a dog during one of the loudest human holidays of the year. Families are still struggling past the fear during the event even with medications, treats, and tactics. I hope you get to read this a few weeks before the holiday! Prepare now! It’s best to prevent dog anxiety, but, here are some treatment options. Begin by crate or kennel training your dog. Doggie jail?! Yep. If you don’t know kennel training is essential, check out my crate saves lives blog post. The crate provides comfort and a safe place for your dog to go to instead of looking out the window or blinds and stressing itself out. Feed your dog in the kennel while playing recorded fireworks sounds on a tablet or old phone … Read More
Dog Aggression
Although we don’t work with dog aggression, we have aggression listed on our bio because to the average human can’t tell if the behavior in the animal is truly aggressive or reactive. Even if the dog has bitten before there’s context involved. Was the dog in fear or fear? Was it at the groomer? Is it just barking and lunging on leash? Did the dog bite and draw blood? We see a lot of reactivity on leash labeled as aggression. In reactivity the dog is possibly growling, barking lunging and even urinating during the behavior. Check out the video below of Xena a 7 year old Dutch Shepherd who had some intense fear based behaviors. She had bitten a stranger that came into her house once and also chased and killed a stray cat. She was able to rehab with … Read More
Does your dog trust you?
We spend our time worrying if our fearful, reactive, non confident dogs are “having fun” and getting enough cuddles. The question you should be asking yourself is does your dog trust you? Do you let strangers pet your dog out there in the real world knowing perfectly well that your dog is scared of it’s own shadow. How do you know if your dog is scared? Your dog cowers, hunches down, curls up tight, frowns, lips licks, shakes, tail tucks or hides. The signs are there for you to see them. Look at your dog. No, really look at him or her and ask yourself what you can do better. If you have a dog that has randomly bitten a stranger and you allow strangers pet the dog, you are losing trust points with your dog. If you allow other … Read More
My dog pulls me down the street
Your dog is pulling you down the street and you can’t seem to fix it. “we have tried food and treats”. I have heard it all. It’s great and all to hear that with some effort, time and patience you can train your dog not to pull with treats. The truth of the matter is not all of us have fine bred cupcake dogs who can walk on a flat buckle collar. Not all people have leash handling skills to do this either. I don’t want to wait months or years to walk my dog to the sidewalk and back. I would like to enjoy life and get on with work, kids and or responsibilities that don’t involve my dog. That’s what most families deal with these days. If your dog is pulling you before you even leave the house, … Read More
After the Board & Train
The Board & Train was stressful I’m sure. You wait to see your dog again. You’re feeling mixed emotions about the training sticking and you being able to cope. Do not worry we got you covered. This is why we have follow up sessions in your home. We add you to the client only facebook group as well. You have support here when you need it. With that said you are also given homework. Yes homework!. Like it wasn’t enough already? You will learn that if you want to live in harmony with your dog or pup, things will change. Lifestyle. Your lifestyle is the key here. How you include your dog in it and how you give clear communication on what you and your family finds as acceptable behavior. We help you see your dog in a different way. … Read More
Yard vs Walk
There’s an abundance of families leaving their dogs out alone in the back yard. I see them almost every day on my walks with my dogs. They are left alone to fend for themselves. Dogs are suspicious of wildest things sometimes. They cry and bark at people and other dogs. The owner claiming that they’re there for protection. Most people don’t know that most dogs will not actually protect you even though they alert or bark. What if one day a loose dog goes up to your dog at the fence and they get into a fight? What if you lose your dog or it gets injured? If your dog digs, it can dig itself out into the world and never come back. Maybe you’re feeling guilty because you’ve been at work all day? So you let them out and … Read More
Puppies only
Before you even go get a puppy think about what kind of human you are. Are you an active one? Are you a very busy working person with long hours looking for a snuggle puppy? Many people will choose a dog based on cuteness. We are all guilty! Ask your breeder for help on matching your personality to the puppy you will be choosing. If you are a calm laid back couch potato you may not want the loudest and most energetic pup of the litter. Makes sense? You have chosen your puppy what do you do? You have homework before you even get a puppy so get ready to rumble. I am sure you plan on housebreaking and training so you will need supplies and a budget. Write it all down. Factor in vet expenses, food expenses based on … Read More
Walking your dog
Going on a structured walk where YOU walk your dog versus your dog walking you is super important. A controlled walk is more mentally challenging and fulfilling than an out of control walk. No excuses if you only have 10 minutes before you go to work. If you can’t make the time to walk your dog a lot of things aren’t going to square off in your human/dog relationship. If your dog is allowed to stop and sniff, mark, lunge, bark, growl or even potty without permission, you probably have problems on your walk. Your problems actually start indoors. Slow down your pace and make sure your dog is checking in with you. Make a lot of directional turns and request your dog pay attention. They have to think to stay with you versus a fast-paced power walk which, is … Read More
Separation anxiety in dogs
The one who took all my resources and ran with them. I have had several intense dogs with separation anxiety but, never like Kylo. Kylo suffered from it really bad. Let me give you a back story. I want you to really soak in what I am saying. Kylo has been loved all of his life. Of course we all love our dogs but, when things happen we ask ourselves why? Kylo was a great puppy. He was labeled as “chill” and quiet. Kylo as he grew into his “adolescent” stages he began to show “non chill” behaviors. Kylo was receiving affection and lap time. Kylo was allowed privileges and allowed a lot of real estate in his home. Kylo was “free”. Kylo really wasn’t free or comfortable in his own skin. Why is this such a problem? Why is … Read More