Potty On Command

Imagine this:

• A cold rainy night
• Visiting a strange place
• Going to your in-law's home 
• Rushing off to work or running errands
• Crating your dog for several hours

With those images in mind, wouldn't it be great to know our dog has emptied himself so we can go on with our lives? 

But "How" you may ask, can we make sure our dog will "Go" when we need them too?  By conditioning "Potty On Command".

This process works exceptionally well with puppies and over time can re-condition an older dog too. Over 10 years ago, I purchased a book written by Dr. M.L. Smith. This book is still in print and available on Amazon.

From the book...."You can establish a conditioned reflex in your dog by associating a special sound with the beginning of both urination and defecation. When the repetitions have been adequately carried out, the sound itself will cause your dog to feel the urge and respond to it by eliminating anything contained in his bladder or bowel at the moment."

Now imagine....deciding where and when your dog will potty. This certainly would give you Peace of Mind, right?!

Here is a brief overview of the process. 

It will take:

• Patience
• A dog's need to eliminate
• Your dog on a leash
• A comfortable place to eliminate
• A soft chanting phrase
• Knowing the signs
• Knowing when to Shut Up! 

I suggest this process to all my puppy owner's and those owners who are having a difficult time house training. This process along with the help of Mother Nature and a potty schedule will be a blessing and benefit to you and your dog. It also means that you can have the freedom and comfort of knowing your dog will and can "Do his Business" where ever as needed.

Need help? Call or write dru@geaugadogtrainer.com. I can give you more details.

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070 

  

Why Angel Dogs?

Have you ever wondered or even noticed that my logo depicts dogs with halos? Sure this is the end result from your dog getting Out of the DogHouse, but I bet you didn't know there is a back story!

Way back in the day...do people still say this? Anyways, I started training in St. Mary's Old Blue Church. Our home is across the street from the nun's house, kitty-corner from St. Mary's church (which we attend) and next door to the priest's house. I love thinking that we are surrounded by prayer. And many will remember that the priest's house was adjacent to the original church, to which I refer to and as everyone does, the "Old Blue Church". I know it isn't the "very first" church but let's not get nitpicky.

The Old Blue Church was no longer being used as the gym and standing empty. I asked Fr. Gilles, our pastor at that time, if I could use the church for dog training. He generously said Yes! as long as I would mop the floor before the AA meetings. Besides I think he liked seeing the dogs coming and going along with the idea that the church still had a purpose.

It was great to have such a nice space although it was poorly heated in the winter and the roof leaked when it rained; I didn't complain. Oh, how I wish the building was still here standing today. About 3 years later the building was condemned and torn down.

I look back and see how starting in the Old Blue Church helped in the formation of building my dog training business "Out of the DogHouse". I have helped many families with problematic dogs that started on the first day of training and ended with imagined halos above their heads!

I love to think about my connection with that church and the early beginnings of Out of the DogHouse LLC. The Angel Dogs will always be a constant reminder of how good dogs can be and how good they are for us.

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

Spring Brush Up

Click on image to view larger

Getting pretty is not normally a dog's top priority. They don't care if they stink or are dirty because don't our dogs go out of their way to roll in smelly stuff on the ground or run through mud puddles? Spring time, otherwise know as Mud Season, is when we really get after our dog's dirty habits. Just like house cleaning (for me anyways!), grooming our dogs can be a real chore.

So how do I help my dog tolerate brushing when he won't let me near him with a brush? I tell him what is happening and give him a chance to check things out.

Here is a little clip of brushing a dog named Murphy.

Pull down video task bar to see captions

A lot of times, our dogs won't stand still for brushing. In this little demo I keep a leash on Murphy and stand behind him. Starting this way makes it easier to manage his body. On a side note, I am also learning some new things about dogs. One of the keys to success have been telling the dog what I am doing to him. I have begun to Name & Explain. This is taken from a process called SATS from Kayce Cover http://synalia.com/about/. More about this in future posts.

By telling him what I am doing, it doesn't come as a surprise and he is relaxed. You can see that Murphy is pretty good about this but I have it from his owner that he isn't a fan and would rather skip the whole thing.

So get out there and enjoy the weather. Besides, isn't there a saying "Play Hard, Get Dirty"? Now you can because getting clean is a breeze!

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

Pee Mail: Daily Dog News!

Have you ever wondered why dogs have to pee on every tree or post along your walk? They are leaving a bit a news as they "Go" (pun intended!). Supposedly, a dog can learn a lot from a previous dog's pee mail. I am guessing we figured that out from scientific testing the urine; the sex of the pee-er, intact or fixed, and stress levels. It must be important news to a dog because they always want to check it out.

And don't just think it's a "Guy" thing. From observing my own dog, Daisy, I know that females will also leave their pee mail.

Some dogs seem to just sniff the news while other dogs will pee right on top. When I have a group of dogs, I have seen the "Markers" go around after the other dogs have peed to be the last or highest pee on the post.

What does a dog do about this news...probably nothing but it could be a status builder by having the last mark or territorial claimer that means this property is mine. One thing I know is, I do not want a dog claiming or proving anything in or on my home. I am quite vigilant to make sure the dog pees in an appropriate location.

Just like us checking Email online, dogs are interested in what's happening in their world. Pee mail is a way for dogs to communicate and find out the daily news.

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

Sometimes Daisy just likes to read the news the Old Fashion Way!