Prevent Bolting Out an Open Door

Does the thought of your dog running out your door terrify you? How often are you shouting to your kids "Shut the door before the dog gets out!" And nobody wants to be chasing their dog down the street when they have to be leaving for work in 5 minutes.

Here is a little video clip showing how to train your dog to Come back through an open door.



Give yourself Peace of mind by practicing this lesson. And if you actually play it like a game, the temptation of running through and bolting will be less important to your dog.

No longer will you have to be afraid of open doors because when your dog sees an open door, your dog will now listen to you because you have shown them how to Go Through and Come back to you.

PS: Put a long leash on your dog if you don't have a doorway that goes to safe area.


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

When does a Dog really Graduate?

It's June and that means school is out for the Summer. For many students it means Graduation. From Pre-K to PhDs, students are finishing a chapter in their lives.

Our dogs go to school too. Sometimes they go to a formal class and sometimes they are home schooled. Even though school for our children is over for the summer, we can take the school model and use it everyday to teach our dogs.

I like to ask young children what they do at school. The majority say they "learn stuff" but they like recess and library time the best. I then help them understand how a dog is in school and they can have recess and library time too. This will give parents and all dog owners a way to manage their dog's energy and teach them at the same time. Being outside is like Recess; Our dogs get to run around and play. When recess is over, they come inside for Library time; dogs are to be quiet and calm.

By giving our dogs both Recess and Library time, we can have Happy dogs because they are learning where they are allowed to be active and when to settle down.

Here is what Recess + Library time looks like:


So does a dog ever really Graduate? Maybe not with a "Cap and Gown" but that doesn't mean you can't celebrate with your dog everyday.

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

Does your Dog Smell like Corn Chips?

Everyone who has owned a dog knows that "Wet Dog " smell! But have you ever thought your dog smelled like Frito Corn Chips or Moldy Bread?  If you have and wondered what that smell was, it is probably a Yeast Infection.

A lot of times, dogs could just have allergies but when that yucky, brown stuff shows up in multiple places; around the eyes, between the toes and in the ears; That means there is an overgrowth of Yeast in their body.

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Would you like to know the culprit? Food! Particularly, Carbohydrates such as Corn, Wheat, Soy, White Rice and Heaven Forbid! Starches like Tapioca and Potatoes; Both White and Sweet!! 

Here is why these ingredients are a problem for dogs. They all turn into Sugar and that is what grows Yeast. Imagine what happens when we give our dogs Straight Sugar, as in their Treats? Bam!! Yeast Bloom! Check the label on your treat bags. You will see Molasses, Maple Sugar, Corn Starch and everyones' favorite, Peanut Butter.

What's a dog to eat?!! Well, there are a lot of foods available without these ingredients so, again, my spiel is "Be a Label Reader". You will definitely find Grain Free foods and treats. Food without Potato and Treats without Sugar are a little tricky. You may just have to choose one with the least amount of the "Evil" ingredient.  

Is your dog scratching night and day? Itching is another indicator of Yeast.

Here is an article that explains more about Yeast Infections:

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/05/03/eating-these-foods-can-make-your-dog-itch-like-crazy.aspx

Now your dog maybe able to eat anything without ever having a problem. Great! But if you are see Rusty Red Hair or Yucky Brown Ears.....Changing your dog's diet should be the first thing you can do to help your dog. Remember, we don't want to eliminate all the Yeast just bring it back to a normal, natural balance.

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

Prevent Food Aggression in the First Place

Many times, I have people calling me to say their dog is food aggressive. I ask how long has this been happening? The reply is usually since their dog was a puppy.

I know folks have been told over and over again that they should be able to take anything away from their dog. From Day One, they have been touching their puppy's food or petting their puppy while she eats only to have the puppy growl and eventually bite them because of what they are doing.

What if I told you there was a better way to teach your puppy? You can prevent food aggression and have your future dog loving it when you feed them, pet them and pick up their bowl at mealtimes or anytime!



Here is a recap:

1. Start with an Empty Bowl.
2. Start out easy by just saying Go and put food in the bowl.
3. Let your dog eat it.
4. Only ask your dog to do what they know.

So from this day forward, teach your puppy or dog not to worry about their food. Let them know they can eat without being harassed, defensive or protective. When you do it this way, by being a Giver not a Taker, you will truly become your dog's Best Friend.

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

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

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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.

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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