Warmest Wishes to you all!

The year is coming to an end and I will be taking time off for the Holidays to spend with my family. Training other family dogs will end on Friday, December 20th. This will be my last post for 2013 and I will start again in January 2014.

Wow! This year went by quickly! My blog will be officially "One Year Old" in January. There have been 47 posts written with 9094 visits. Pretty happy with this small feat for being a non-writing dog trainer! I do want to thank those of you that have stopped by to read my blog. I hope you found it interesting, funny at times and helpful.

Of course I need to add something useful, so, to make the most of your Holiday:

1. Be prepared! Keep a leash on your dog if you believe he will be jumping all over your family or guests as they enter your home.
2. Avoid an emergency visit to the Vet by not feeding your dog scraps from the table.
3. Be sure to include your pup in the family snowball fight, snowman building contest or hike in the woods. Fresh Air and activity will benefit you all! The old saying goes "a tired dog is a good dog"!

Our dogs add so much to our lives. Give your pups a loving pat but also ask them to do something in return, such as a command or trick. This will make them a good member of your happy family.

Best regards,

Dru Therrian

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

The Babysitter Rule

All of a sudden you get that feeling that something isn't right. You look around and realize the dog isn't there anymore. YIKES! Where's the dog?!! Off you go to see what terrible calamity happened somewhere else in the house.

Knocked over waste baskets, chewed up items and going potty in the house are all things that most often occur unseen.

So to protect your house, avoid frustration and keep your sanity you can use "The Babysitter Rule". This is especially helpful for puppies, young dogs or untrustworthy older dogs that need to be kept under constant vigilance because you can't watch a dog 24/7?!! Right! So you need to rely on "The Babysitter Rule".

So what is this Babysitter Rule? This pertains to three ways to keep your dog and home safe.

1. The Crate: 100% Babysitter. This means that the crate is totally responsible for keeping your dog confined safely when you can not watch at all.
2. Tethering: 50% Babysitter. This means your dog is in the same room as you but is confined on a leash to some solid object. It is a shared responsibility between you and the leash. Your dog has limited freedom but can't get out of sight.
3. Human Supervision: 100% Babysitter. You are totally responsible for watching your dog and keeping her out of trouble.

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Next time you look around you will smiling because you will know exactly where your dog is and all will be safe and well.

Out of the DogHouse LLC www,ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070 

Friend or Foe?

Your dog is friendly and my dog is friendly. Does that mean they they will be friends? Maybe.

If your dog is social, happy and has an easy going temperament, more than likely your dog will get along with most dogs but maybe not every dog because the other dog may not have the same disposition. And although we would like our dog to be friends with every dog in the world that is not realistic.

Think of it this way...Do you like every person you meet?
No. The same is for our dogs.

If you would like to have your dog meet another dog consider this safety protocol which I call the "Three Second Sniff".

1. First and foremost, you must not let your leashes get tangled. 

You and the other person will stand behind your dogs and hold the leashes with gentle but steady pressure.

2. People will move the opposite direction from each other.

3. Dogs sniff noses.
Allow three seconds for the dogs to check each other out. If this goes well proceed with more sniffing. If is doesn't go well, you are ready to pull your dog back and out of the situation.

Notice there are two steps for the person to remember. Only one for the dog. Your job is the most important. Why? Because you need to keep your dog safe and avoid a fight.

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Use the Three Second Sniff Rule when you want your dog meet other dogs. Your dog can have a "World of Friends" one dog at a time!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Toxic Thanksgiving

Soulful eyes. Long strands of drool hanging. Can't you just feel it? The wishful stare boring a hole in your back as you prepare the Thanksgiving feast!

Thursday, dogs everywhere will be hanging around the kitchen just waiting for the chance morsel to drop on the floor. Or in the family room hoping some indulgent relative will sneak them a "snack".

Sure a bit of cooked turkey won't hurt your dog. But many other Thanksgiving ingredients could upset their stomachs because they are toxic or worse send you to the Emergency Vet Clinic with a sick pet.

Here is a list of 10 common Thanksgiving foods to avoid:

1. Raw or undercooked turkey

Turkey Day’s main dish is dangerous for one reason: salmonella bacteria. Even though you may believe your dog’s stomach is iron-clad, it’s not.

2. Turkey skin

Seems harmless enough, right? It’s just the skin. But fatty foods like turkey skin and gravy are difficult for dogs to digest. Your dog’s pancreas can even become inflamed, resulting in pancreatitis, a very serious disease. 

3. Beer

Some dogs love beer, but this doesn't mean you should share a cold one with your dog. It can really do a number on your dog’s stomach. Depending on how much he consumes, the hops can cause your dog to have a fever, rapid heartbeat, seizures and liver damage. It can even be lethal.

4. Walnuts and Macadamia nuts

These two nuts in particular are very bad for your dog. In fact, a toxic reaction may result in your dog's inability to stand. Other symptoms range from vomiting, elevated heart rate and muscle tremors.

5. Mushrooms

Fungi are good for you, but bad for your dog. Should your dog ingest mushrooms, you can expect a slew of unwelcome symptoms that could become quite severe, including vomiting, seizures, coma and possibly death.

6. Onions and garlic

These two culprits are always on the list of foods your dog should not eat, and for very good reason: they can make your dog very sick. Both onions and garlic contain sulfides, which are toxic to dogs and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, leading to anemia.

7. Sage

This multi-purpose herb is used in countless recipes, but for dogs, sage is bad. It contains essential oils and resins that can upset a dog’s stomach and do a number on his central nervous system.

8. Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a sneaky spice. Found in sweet potatoes, yams, pumpkin pie and most desserts, nutmeg has mild hallucinogenic properties that, when ingested by your dog, can cause seizures, tremors and central nervous system problems. Note that both pumpkin and sweet potatoes are good for your dog; just make sure no nutmeg is on them before you share them.

9. Bones

Like fetching sticks and fire hydrants we often think of bones when we think of dogs. But poultry bones are especially bad for dogs because they are brittle. Chewed up turkey bones can puncture, scrape or block your dog's intestine.

10. Chocolate

Always a reminder to Never Feed your dog Chocolate.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Pet Vet Visits

Does the sight of the unsuspecting "Time for Annual Shots" postcard send you into a panic stricken mode? Or are you the type of person that will grin and bear it just to get through the appointment? Like a Dentist with a drill, we sometimes view going to the Vet in the same way: Unpleasant because of our dog's behavior.

Sure there can be all sorts of factors why it's difficult to take your dog to the Vet's in the first place, such as putting the leash on, riding in the car and waiting in the lobby. But if the only time your dog goes to the Vet's is once a year to get poked with a needle then we can understand why your dog is reluctant.

Did you know most Vets encourage Friendly Visits?

Quick "Drop-Ins" just to say "Hello" to the staff at the desk, get a treat, then leave. Just a 5 minute trip to build a lifetime of happy visits. Bonus points, if their scale is in a convenient location, then you could have your dog sit on it to get weighed. This certainly would help your dog like going to the Vets. 

These friendly visits are beneficial to not only you, your dog but your Vet and staff as well. I am sure they like it better when the dog is happy to see them rather than be greeted with a growl and a snap!

So next time you are out with your dog, remember to drop by to say Hello and make going to the Vet's a nice time.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070  

Hunger + Food = Fast Learning

We say any moment can be a training moment. But when is the Best time to train your dog? Why Meal Time, of course.

When your dog is hungry you have the greatest training opportunity because you have something he really, really wants! This does depend on your dog's love for food. If you have a finicky eater you will have to find a way to get him to want his food. I can tell you how another day.

Keeping the food bowl up and out of reach will give you control of how your dog is going to eat. Got a "faster than the speed of light" eater? This method of hand feeding will slow that down because you can make your dog wait between handfuls. This gives them a chance to, maybe, even chew their food!

Another great thing about mealtime training is being able to use the Marker System. I use these simple words: Yes, Good and No to capture the exact moment while my dog is learning new things.

It is kind of like the game of "Hot and Cold":
1. Yes means you got is right. (You're Hot! you get food)
2. Good means you are right and keep doing it. (Warmer)
3. No means you made a mistake. (Cold! :( you don't get food)

Here is a little video demonstrating dogs learning while eating.
"Bone" Appetit!



Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

TOYS!

I am a sucker when it comes to buying toys. I see something that looks fun and I can't resist buying it for my dog.  Are you that way too?

The problem is some toys just don't make it past the first play time. Right?! My good, hard earned, cash is gone after a few chomps!

A couple of things to keep in mind while you are in the middle of your toy buying spree is to think about your dog's activity and energy level.  How does your dog like to play?

Is your dog a hard chewer and a destroyer of toys? Does your dog like to carry or suck on the toy for self soothing? Will your dog fetch? Don't worry, at this point bringing it back is another topic!

You can take advantage of your dog's love for toys to teach them to listen better. Think about it: You are holding the favorite toy and your dog is going gaga over wanting it. Using the toy as motivation you get your dog to stop jumping before you give it to them. And then...you can teach your dog to stay, sit, down or Come!!! Imagine that!! Toys can be used as rewards.

Oh and to keep that toy exciting to your dog. Be sure to put it away after you are done playing. Your dog will want to do it all over again next time and your dog will keep getting better with each play session.

Spend wisely and buy appropriate toys. Put toys away after play that are fun but easily chewed up. They will last longer that way. And if the favorite toy comes out only attached to your hand then you can become the favorite person.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Is it Time for a Peticure?

Too most folks, one of the least favorite things to do to their dog is TRIM their Nails!I agree! It can be daunting but I believe doing it yourself is so beneficial in many ways.

Click, click, click is the sound you hear as your dog crosses the non-carpet floors. Perhaps your dog's nails get worn down naturally on a daily walk or run on sidewalk. Lucky dog! But most pooches need a "Peticure" more often than believed.

I know you are terrified!
1. You think you will hurt your dog
2. Your think you make your dog bleed.
3. Maybe you think your dog will bite you?

I will tell you it is going to be a Wrestling Match! Get ready to Leg Wrestle your dog to be able to hold him steady and grab those paws. My tool of choice is the Guillotine style but there is the Scissor style and the Dremel: which is a motorized sanding drum tool. And if your dog is a biter, get professional help.

It is easier to see the blood vein or Quick in white/clear nails. Look for the pink triangle part of the nail. Black or dark nails are a little trickier but learn what to look for and be conservative in your trimming. I found this link online that has a good photo illustration. http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/dog_claws.aspx

With a little courage and instruction you can do it! And those benefits I mentioned? First and foremost is Trust! You will learn to trust yourself and your dog will learn to trust you when you do a good job. Other benefits? Wouldn't a dose of Confidence and Happiness that you did it your self be nice?!!

So, if your dog's nails are looking like a Parrot's Beak it is time to get a "Peticure"!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Door Busters

Ever get knocked over by a doggie tornado? Just tell your dog it's time to GO and open your door! Chances are you will spinning around like a toy top when your dog goes blowing by!

Keep in mind "He who controls the door has the keys to the Kingdom". Regain control by being in charge of the doorway. You can slow down your dog's approach to the door by using a leash. The leash will help "put on the brakes". Walk your dog up to the door.

The second tool is YOU! Keep your back to the door and face your dog. Use your body to block the doorway and do not allow your dog to pass through until you give the A-OK. Make your dog sit. Practice having him stay in that position while you open up the door. If your dog moves tell him No and to Sit again. When you are ready, doesn't matter whether you go out first or send your dog through, your dog needs to wait until told to move.

I am adding a little video of the dogs I have here in training. Here is my cast: Jasper is the German Shepherd, Henry is the Red Fox Lab and Daisy is my Lovable Mutt. A lot of door work has already been practiced so I have now progressed to no leashes. They do a great job and now that the dogs know what to do and how to behave, we are all ready to Go.



Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

How about a Walk?

Did you forget something? I am sure your dog will tell you. OH yeah! I need to walk the dog! Some days it's like that. Life is super busy and you barely have a moment to just sit down. Well, there's your dog in front of you. You may be looking into "Puppy Dog" eyes or you may be seeing your dog bouncing off the walls, running  over your furniture like a roller coaster! Either way, a 10 minute walk may help you out.

Walking the dog is just part of owning a pet. And really, it is the best way to interact with your dog. Why? Dogs are pack animals and it is inherent in them to move as a group. You and your dog make up the "Pack".

Now, your dog may walk beautifully! No pulling ahead, sniffing or peeing on every mail box, tree or bush. But if your dog doesn't walk nicely and that is what's keeping you on the couch, especially when you are dead tired, you can change that.

1. Proper Equipment:

• Prong collar worn high on the neck behind their ears.
• 5' or 6' leash. Soft and supple in your hands.

2. Proper Position:

• On your left side preferably. Or right! Choose one and stick with to it.
• The dog's head slightly behind your leg.

3. Proper Attitude:

• Be confident.
• Move with a Mission.

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Now you are ready! Go wipe the dust off your leash and take your dog for a walk. Or teach your dog to Fetch it for you!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.com
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Expectations

 

You remember this game don't you? "Mother May I?" All us kids would wait our turn at the opposite side of the yard to ask the "Mother" if we could do 25 baby steps or 15 bunny hops.  We would wait hopefully for her answer of Yes or No. Then the "Mother" would tell us what we could do. Once we heard her reply we knew exactly what we were to do to get closer to win the game.

Somewhat like the game, our dogs do things that require a specific answer of Yes or No. It is up to us to act like the "Mother" of the game and let our dogs know if they may or may not do "it".

We can build our dog's expectations and help them predict what will happen with the words we use. At Out of the DogHouse, all dogs learn Marker Words. These are words we will say to our dogs after they hear a command based on if our dog chooses to do it or not. The words will "Mark" the moment the dog is right or wrong.

We teach our dog that Yes (getting it right) will result in food or non food reward when they follow the command. If the dog does not follow the command, you say NO. Your dog will understand they made a mistake, they are not getting a reward, there will be a consequence coming and then the dog has to do the command anyways. Trust me, dogs will learn to like hearing Yes and respond willingly based on their expectation of what happens because of the Marker word.

You can help your dog make better choices with a consistent response of Yes or No. Knowing what to expect helps to build trust for both you and your dog. Be honest and fair with your dog and then you can expect a happy outcome.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

The Best Command EVER!

Of  course, a rock, solid, recall such as "Come" is essential for every dog to know. But the command "Place" will add Peace and Harmony to you and your dog's life.

And guess what else? It doesn't take much to get this command right!

What's it like when Company comes over? Do you lock your dog up in the spare bedroom? Is your dog crated then let out after your guests have settled in. Do you have rules for your guests? Don't look or touch the dog. Do you find your self apologizing for the dog before your guests even enter your house.

Wouldn't this be a dream come true? Dogs laying still, not jumping all over your guests!

 



Let me tell you dreams can come true. With this "Place" command, dogs are taught to stay until released.

Here is how you teach the Best Command Ever.

1. Choose a comfy dog bed.

2. On leash, walk your dog on to the dog bed.

3. Wait for your dog to settle.

4. Tell your dog "Good".

5. Say "Let's Go", then walk your dog off the dog bed.

That's it! Alright, so yes, you must practice! You must build duration. You can make "Place" the greatest ever by rewarding with food while your dog is on it. But the deal is, your dog doesn't have to be in any position such as Sit or Down. Just STAY on it!!! Also your dog needs to understand there will be no getting off of it until you say so.

So get ready to teach the Best Command EVER and you will have Peace of mind and a Place for your dog to be when the door bell rings.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Dealing with Distractions

Some days I think, how can I get anything done will all these distractions?! What about our dogs? Think about the challenge it is for a dog's daily life. They are bombarded by sights, sounds, and smells. I would have to believe everything is intensified because of their amazing senses.

How does your dog deal with distractions? Some dogs don't seem bothered at all where others go ballistic. I feel those unruffled dogs were just born that way. You know the ones that are calm, cool and take everything in stride. Then there are the other dogs that are ultra alert and sensitive. They react to everything! Heaven forbid that the family cat comes out of hiding!

Early puppy socialization is critical in helping future, adult dogs adjust to the human world. Socialization has to be more than just meeting 300 people and dogs. The young puppy needs to be exposed to many different situations to help them live through it, recover and gain confidence.  With you being part of this, they will learn to listen and trust you, their benevolent leader.

It takes more time to fix a behavioral problem than to teach a skill such as sit, down or come. We can use those skills to our advantage in helping our dog. Working on focus, stability and reliability can help your dog get past those distracting moments.

Here is a huge example of obedience over distraction. He sees them, he takes off then he comes when called.

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Begin working with your dog on small distractions. Teach them to listen to you by doing obedient skills. Up the ante, little by little, and soon enough those desirable distractions will become less interesting.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian
440.286.9070

Pupcakes

 

Hey?! Is today your dog's birthday? I have been thinking about birthdays since mine was last week. Happy Birthday to all dogs.

Lots of folks recognize their dog's special day with some kind of treat. I thought it would be fun to share a dog birthday cake recipe. I started looking at recipes and most involved ingredients that I don't feed my dog or recommend changes when I do hear if wheat, sugar, or potatoes are included.

I know a little bit about baking and I also wanted to make this easy so I used what I had on hand. Three simple ingredients make up the list.

• 1/2 can of "Good " Dog food
• 1/4 cup of ground Flax meal
• 1 egg

Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Instead of one enormous cake I used my muffin tin and got 3 perfect dog sized Pupcakes! They looked good enough to eat so I made sure everyone knew this was dog food: not for human consumption. Although you wouldn't die, it really is just doggie meatloaf!

We love our dogs and it is fun to give them a Special treat. You don't need to be a great chef so go ahead and bake some Pupcakes. They are perfect for any doggie celebration!

click to enlarge photo

 

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

No is not a 4 letter word

I don't know about other parents, but I did not raise my 3 children on cookies and M&M's. Just ask them, we were strict parents. Our children needed to earn their freedoms. They probably heard the word No more than the word Yes. I also believe we, Matt and I, made many mistakes. Just ask my kids! But all in all, they survived and now we are the proud parents of three amazing adults who are making their own mark on the world.

Why is the standard today, that you should never say No to a dog?

I do not view my dog, Daisy, as a fur-kid. Or maybe I do, because like my kids, she has not been raised only on Cookies. Daisy has a clear understanding of the word NO.

In my opinion No is definitely needed in our vocabulary and is an essential part of the conversation when raising a puppy and  living with a dog. Without NO, how will the puppy know what is Right or Wrong?

Hearing No is their first clue that they need to make another choice. Hearing Yes or Good tells them they got it right. Because each word is significant, dogs learn what to expect from the choices they make. I certainly want my dog to make the best choice (mine) and will happily reward them for doing so. What happens if they don't listen? Consequence! First of all, they will not be getting a reward. Secondly, they will be doing what I ask regardless because commands are followed through till completion. After completion there can be praise for finishing the task. Yup! I want my dog to know that I am happy with their final choice.

In my training, I will help dogs understand what they are doing along with the expectation and outcome of their actions and choices. How do I do this? Classic Conditioning: Good old Pavlov. YUP! Yes, Good and No are very special words that can lead a dog into a World of Liberty and Freedom.

Make the most of your conversation with your dog. Make it a full conversation that includes Yes, Good and No. Remember, No is not a bad word.

Out of the DogHouse LLC www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Time well Spent

 

Daisy and Dru



When I was young and bored, my mother told me, life was going to speed up and you won't know where the time went. Well here I am with my (do I dare say?) 53rd birthday arriving next week and I am thinking "Wow, time did go by fast!" Now knowing how life passes by like the speed of light makes me want to take more time or make more of my time (when I can).

Our dogs are a special part of our lives and in reality, really just share a short portion in terms of years. So we need to make the most of our time together. We all have busy lives and many times we are racing out of our house with just a pat goodbye on our dog's head. Feeding time is usually just setting the food bowl down, maybe having the dog do a quick sit and stay, then walking away to get our own meal going.

As you may know, I am adding to my skill set along with Daisy's, how to do and teach dog tricks. One of the concepts I took away from my Certified Trick Dog Instructor course ( CTDI) with Kyra Sundance was about Enrichment Activities. These activities are daily opportunities to spend quality time with our dogs. No longer will you feel guilty for not doing something with your dog.

Three planned, daily, enrichment activities will keep your dog engaged with you, stimulate their busy minds and satisfy their craving for your attention. Described by Kyra, one enrichment activity should be Side by Side such as a walk or excursion. The second enrichment activity should be Eye to Eye in which you interact with your dog as you both look into the other's eyes. Training a trick or working on focus encourages eye contact. The third enrichment activity should be something Fun. Choose something both you and your dog enjoy such as a good game of tug, fetch or hide n seek.

Making a commitment to your dog is easier with three daily enrichment activities. Each day you can decide how you will spend time with your dog. Whether you have an hour or a few minutes, no matter how you spend your time with your dog, at the end of the day (or end of your dog's life because it will pass in the blink of an eye!) you will be happy because it was time well spent.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

 

 

Dog Tricks

 

 

Dru and Daisy working together. 

 

Look what my dog can do! "Daisy, Sit Pretty, Shake, Roll over, Take a Bow!" Yup, you can amaze your family and friends with Dog Tricks. But is that all there is to it? Cute Party Tricks?

 

If you look beyond just the smile a trick brings you will see a dog that is confident, smart and trusting. Because you are involved in the process of teaching you become confident, smart and trusting as well. Bottom line, trick training is a relationship builder.

 

What is the difference between a Command and a Trick? Your dog is required to do a command. A trick is something fun to do. So if you change your perspective and make Come, Sit, Down and Stay a trick you may have more fun.  And so will your dog!

 

I just received my CTDI. I went to a certification course to become a Trick Dog Instructor. The course was taught by Kyra Sundance, a Stunt Dog Performer and founder of "Do More with your Dog". The course was jammed pack with information on why, what and how to train dog tricks. Daisy and I came away knowing several new tricks and many more to keep learning. We are on our way to get our Trick Dog Title.

 

I always explain to my clients that Sit, Stand and Down are actions the dog does naturally. We put it on a cue and when the dog has learned its meaning, they will do it when asked. Unless you have a very clever dog,  you will not see a dog naturally go to the fridge and get you a can of soda. Or pull a rope to open the mailbox and get the mail. So the next time your dog does something cute, that's great! Turn it into a trick.

 

Dog Tricks can be good for tricky dogs. Does your dog love your slippers. Teach her to fetch them for you. Does your dog like to dig? Teach him to wipe his paws on a rug. Got a jumper? Teach her to Give you a High Five. Put behaviors on a cue, mark it with praise, touch and treat. And Voila! A new trick has been learned and you are having fun with your dog.

 

Kyra Sundance, Dru Therrian

and Daisy

 

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Daisy Take a Bow

"I Did Not Die" Moments

 

This is from the dog's perspective. Your dog will be thinking...."Whew, I did not die! That was really scary but I survived. Hey! maybe next time it will be less scary".

What am I talking about you ask? Socialization.

Socialization is the buzz word I hear from most clients talking to me about dog training. First and foremost, they want their dog to be social with other dogs. Hey that's great but let me ask "Who does a dog live with?" People! So you are the new pack. Your new dog needs to get use to you! Sure, you may have other dogs but most people have a one dog home. And your new puppy just spent 8 weeks or more with other puppies and dogs. Let your puppy or new dog adjust to life in your home.

Socialization is more than just meeting & greeting people and dogs. It is about your dog being comfortable in the world. It is also about recovery and coping. These are pretty important skills to make life easier. A lot of times we have to teach or help our dog through situations. Every puppy that comes through my Puppy Connect Program has the chance to see new and novel things. I show these new puppy owners how to introduce strange objects and help their puppies overcome fear and realize they won't die from the "terrible, scary monster".

One way to over come fear is by using food. It is important to shift the puppy's state of mind from fear and food can be a great motivator. Here is Amber and her owner working on socializing new environments.



Is your dog afraid of everything?!

Many dogs come to me with fear aggression. They are afraid of people, small children, dogs, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, opened umbrellas, rolling trash cans, non-moving objects such as fire hydrants, library drop boxes, gas line flags and the list goes on.

Play is another way to over come fear. Check out this photo collage of Maizy at the skate park. She exhibited high fear at the sight and sounds of a kid on a skateboard but not so bad when the ball was brought out for play.

A well socialized dog is a dog that trusts. Trusting dogs know their owner will keep them safe. So build your relationship on trust. Show your dog trust through Leadership: taking control of situations. Encourage trust by guiding your dog through scary situations even if it seems silly to you. Overcome fear with food and play to change your dog's state of mind. Be dependable, honest and fair so your dog will have confidence in your judgment and abilities. Provide many "I did not Die" moments and your dog will be well socialized.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Food, Glorious, Food

 

 

What's for dinner? This little question wraps around a whole slew of notions: Good food, family environment, connection. And a can of worms (Yuck! hopefully not being served!)

So what are you feeding your dog? Nutrition is just as important for our pets as it is for ourselves and families. Are you feeding your dog Corn Pops? That is what I call food that has corn listed as the first ingredient. If the food is dyed with bright colors I equate that to Lucky Charms! Be a Label Reader. Understand what you are putting into your dog.

I never tell people to buy the most expensive food but I do suggest they buy the best quality. Some kind of meat should be listed more than once in the first 5 ingredients. Also watch out for sneaky grains. Again like people Wheat can be a problem. Inflammatory bowel disease affects dogs much like it afflicts humans.

White rice, white potatoes and tapioca can upset the bio-flora of a dog's digestive system. Starches and sugars can cause an over growth of yeast. Then yucky brown stuff will grow in dogs' ears and can come through their skin. Be sure to check between your dog's toes and pads. Is the skin and hair a ruddy brown color? Or crusty, looking like scabs? That could be a yeast problem.

Want to know how your food stacks up? Check out this link

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/

 

You know your dog best! Perhaps their stomach is a tank and they can eat anything? Great! But if your dog can't put on weight, is itchy, has sores or is topping out the scale you should consider addressing their food. When good stuff goes into a dog, good dogs are the result.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Fear + Aggression

 

 

Fear is an emotion that helps keep us alive. It is a basic survival mechanism. Our very nature is to feel fear. It is a response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. In short, fear is the ability to recognize danger leading to an urge to confront it or flee from it (also known as the fight-or-flee response) but in extreme cases of fear, a freeze or paralysis response is possible. This goes for both humans and dogs.

And when it comes to a dog's fear, we may not feel the same concern or view the situation as a threat. We may think their fear is trivial or silly. Could our dog just be anxious? Anxiety is a response to an imprecise or unknown threat. Fear is an emotional response to a known or definite threat. Although the focus of the response is different (real vs. imagined danger), fear and anxiety are interrelated. Fear causes anxiety, and anxiety can cause fear. The question now, is the dog afraid or anxious? Both have similar responses. Could the presumed idea of a threat cause the dog to bark, growl and bite?

This is where we need to step in to help our dog, regardless if imagined or real. In this event, even we need to overcome our own fear and anxiety. By taking the Leadership approach of "I got this you can stop now" and by drawing our self up for the challenge, the situation can be turned around and hopefully for the better.

Dogs behave badly when they are stressed. They may be barking because they are nervous. Whether our dog has had a bad experience or feels threatened, we have to stop our dog's behavior. Excessive barking is annoying and can lead to an escalation of our dog going overboard into growling and biting. Correcting their barking at the get go with a NO and making them yield to you can stop the hysteria. By doing this you are redirecting their focus from the "threat" to you which should help them calm down.

Instead of having to "Fix" our dog every time she reacts we want our dog to suppress the fear-triggering memory or stimulus. We want our dog to feel comfortable in the situation. Basically to ignore the problem. Counter Conditioning is a great way to accomplish this task. Mind you, emotional behaviors are not a "Quick Fix"! Counter Conditioning takes time and is a process. It is not like teaching Sit and you must practice in a controlled environment.

Let's address barking with some options:

1. Interrupt the barking with the Marker word NO.
2. Yield your dog by walking into them.
3. Have your dog switch focus to you by looking away from Threat.
4. Shift their state of mind by having them turn away to take food from you.

Not every problem can be rehearsed safely or under control but if you can practice on the minor problems such as door bell ringing, window guarding or people coming into your home then you will have a way to address the unexpected situation.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070