Ear Cleaning...Are You Doing It Right?

Guess What? I have been doing it wrong and you probably are too! When I see that Brown, Yeasty Gunk in Daisy's ear, I rush to get out my cleaning supplies, roll up my sleeves and "Go to Town" scraping it all out of there. "I" certainly have that good feeling of accomplishment when I finish and Daisy's ear is squeaky clean. Daisy doesn't seem to enjoy it though! And come to find out a dog's ear skin is really sensitive. No wonder dogs hate this process....because it Hurts!!

Here is why you shouldn't be digging down the ear canal; It is shaped like an "L" and look how long it is!!

Besides if you are digging you might actually be pushing the Gunk down even farther. Making the cleaning process counterproductive.

Think about this...the Earwax System exists to push Gunk out. The Gunk is really the Hero by removing the infection from the ear. So wouldn't it be best to let it do it's job?

How about this for your new cleaning regime? If you already have ear cleaning solution, then use it. If you don't, then you can use 1:1 Hydrogen Peroxide to Water or Apple Cider Vinegar to Water.

Then follow these instructions. I know this may go against your cleaning beliefs but nowadays we are over cleaning everything. Remember Good Bacteria keeps the World Healthy.

By the way, these instructions are from a Veterinarian; Dr. Barbara Royal. ( I added the Red Circle for emphasis!)

You can clean your dog's ear on a regular basis if they have a tendency to be "Gunky". But if there is an infection by all means get proper medical attention.

Thanks for being here!

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Make Fetch Fun

Has the Game of Fetch stopped being Fun? I hear this all the time. "My dog will pick up the ball but she won't drop it!" Yup! The Game is ON! Sometimes you have a Gingerbread Dog....Catch me if you Can Or Dogzilla, who resource guards the toy like it's a Pile of Money!!

I know how frustrating that can be and it certainly isn't any fun especially when you know how much you both really could enjoy the Game of Fetch if your dog played nicely.

Let me preface this by saying, what I am gonna show you works for a dog who already picks up the ball with her mouth but won't let go.

Avoid this #1 Mistake that most people make. Most people believe (because some dogs do) their dog is going to just Happily give back the toy. Nope! That dog Loves it; Wants it; Can't give it up! 

Here is how to make Fetch Fun.  Have something More Valuable to trade your dog for the toy!! If your dog LOVES>LOVES>LOVES toys (get it? Must really Love toys) then use a second toy to get the first one back. If not then use Food. Food works best because the dog will eat it and it is gone. You won't have to worry about the dog running off or trying to get it back.

Here is a short video showing how to teach your dog to release the toy.

Keep in mind that your dog can not hold the toy and eat at the same time. Ultimately she must spit OUT the toy to eat the food. Then you can pick up the toy and play again.

Thanks for being here!

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Gimme Five

Who hasn't given or received a High Five? From some miniscule awesomeness to a Major, Colossal Victory, a High Five pretty much is a Worldwide Symbol of Celebration.

Doing a High Five with your dog is a great trick, too, but what if  it was a Way to Change your relationship as well? 

Here is my "ODH High Five: 5 Steps to make Living with your Dog a Celebration!"

Thanks for being here!

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

A Dog's Eye View

Want a simple way to help your dog keep a healthy attitude towards you?

Always stay in a position above your dog. Literally...like standing tall or being in a higher position when sitting than your dog.

This may not be true in every case but more often than not, a dog will perceive people who are physically above him as potentially above him in social status. On the flip side, he will regard anyone beneath him as socially beneath as well.

Here are a couple of "people" examples of what I mean. Think of the movie scene in the "King and I" where Anna and the King perform dueling positions (the King's head must always remain above the Subject's) or the children's game of "King of the Hill". There is always power associated with the one who is in the highest position.

Your dog may not pose any problems in the regard to the "Power Position" but there are many that do and many that will defend or guard that power position of space if threatened.

Take a moment to think about your dog's favorite place to lay down.

• on the floor
• on the couch, the chair or your bed
• on the back of the couch
• on the staircase landing
• at the top of the staircase 
• On TOP of YOU!

Now if your dog has ever bitten you for any reason, you should remove all opportunities to rest in a higher location; Especially, if their favorite spot is on your lap!

Being above is like a Look Out . We may think it is charming or cute when our dog is perched above us but that could be the cause of  discourse in your home. Being above in a higher position gives the dog an advantage to be in charge.

So give your dog the proper perspective, one that looks up to you.

Thanks for being here!
My best,
Dru

Out of the Doghouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

ODH: Not Your Typical Classroom

You really don't need four walls and a building to train a dog. Here at Out of the DogHouse we literally get out of the house to learn.

I really enjoy taking dogs to different places to practice and learn. Socialization and Confidence Building are just part of the benefits for dogs and best of all they don't even realize they are "TRAINING"!

I find dogs learn faster and more easily with less stress when we go out and about. Keep in mind, some stress is beneficial while learning new things, but if I can make the dog's experience while learning more enjoyable then the dog will learn more happily.

So pretty much every day we we go out and Play. Ooops I mean Train!!

Thanks for being here!
My best,
Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohioodgtrainer.net
Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Busy Lives

With lives so busy and plates heaping these days....when are you going to fit in training your dog?

Well, lucky for you, every moment of a dog's life is a training! This means whether you are present or not, your dog is always learning something.

Just like us, dogs thrive on predictable and consistent schedules  So let's make the most our valuable time. Best of all, this doesn't mean you have to be interactively involved with your dog every minute of the day because you have a life too! We just want you to choose when to include your dog and then allow your dog to learn how to be comfortable when left alone.  Now that's training.

So here is the ODH Time Chart we created to help you manage your time with and for your dog.

click to view larger

Use this list to plan out your dog's day.

• Potty
• Mealtime
• Walking
• Place or Tether 
• Crate Time
• Play
• Rest
• Socialization

Here is an Example chart. Matt (my husband) filled it out because he leaves the house to go to work.

click to view larger

No worries now that you have a plan and a schedule to follow. Don't want to stick to it? Well that's ok, your dog is still learning something!

Thanks for being here!

My Best,

Dru

PS Want a copy of ODH Time Chart? Send me an email and just ask! dru@geaugadogtrainer.com

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070 

Ignoring Me

I find this ironic that I really do want my dog to ignore me. This is funny because I spend so much time teaching dogs how to focus on their owners when in reality I want dogs to ignore them and the environment.

Ideally, I want to pass by, do chores and even go to the bathroom without my dog noticing or caring about what I am doing.

What "Ignoring Me" really means is that my dog is Content! She isn't needy, nosy or bothersome. And I LOVE that!

This also means I have Peace and Quiet and Peace of Mind. That my dog is happy, satisfied but ready to do things when I am ready to do them. I like it that my dog is on my Time Schedule.

You can do this too! It just means you need to teach your pup one thing before all this Bliss can Happen. How to Stay. Whether it is in a Place or Down Command, your dog needs to learn How to be Still. Then the quiet and calm will come. Honest!

Thanks for being here!
My best,
Dru


Out of the DogHouse LLC websitewww.ohiodogtrainer.net
Any Questions? Call me, Dru Therrian 440.286.9070