Play Biting

Is your dog or puppy constantly grabbing clothing, going after hands, feet and toes with their mouth?  Do you see your children scrambling on top of the couch when your puppy or dog enters the family room? The kids grab their legs and tuck their feet under their bodies making themselves as small and as tight as they can.

This may drive you crazy but that's just what dogs do, right? Isn't that how they play with other dogs and toys by using their mouth? Yes they do!  To a dog or puppy this behavior seems natural. So it is very important to teach your dog or puppy that people are not like them nor are they chew toys.

Play biting is a natural process for a puppy. Puppies will be using their mouth for all sorts of exploring and purpose. Chewing hard helps with the teething phase. Puppies need the pressure of chewing to relieve their growing teeth. Puppies also will learn that too hard of a bite will bring a "Yelp!" from their puppy playmate. This teaches them how to use their mouth gently. Besides, if a puppy is young and just left his littermates, this is the only way he knows how to communicate; with his mouth.

By offering hard items such as nylabones, natural bones, or antlers, a puppy can take care of the need for chewing. The next thing you need to do to help your puppy learn is to play with him but not exactly like "dog to dog" play.  Our skin is tender and can't take their teeth so both you and your puppy need to be careful while playing. This goes for older dogs too.

I am not a fan of roughhousing or chasing because that is too similar to "dog to dog" play. But I do think Tug, Fetch and Agility are great activities that you both can do together.

Of course there are rules to follow such as:

• Wait till I offer you the toy; No grabbing.
• Let go of the toy when I ask. No keep away.
• Quit when I so: No pestering.

I thought this short video was interesting to see how dogs do interact and play. Just don't let them do that to you!

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070

Respect the Cat

Do you have a cat that you never see anymore? Maybe you had the cat first and now with a dog or puppy in your house your cat stays hidden in the basement or the upstairs closet!

Well, I am sure you would like everyone to get along. Being afraid of your dog always chasing the cat or having your cat fight back is no fun. We all want to live in a Peaceful Kingdom.

Yes, dogs like to chase small, furry, creatures because it's fun. If you help your dog release their energy by playing with them first such as a game of fetch, maybe, your dog will be too tired to chase the kitty!? But that may not be the case, as your dog will always be excited when the cat comes into view. So it is necessary to teach your dog not to chase by having self control.

Here is a an example of how to teach your puppy to stay calm or at first "Stay" while the cat gets to move around. 

This is just the first stage of learning. You will have to help your puppy or dog with continued success by giving them more chances to think about chasing the cat and helping them decide to Not chase the cat. Once they see the cat in a calm state, they may no longer be Arch Enemies but may become Best Friends.

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

Dog Security

No this isn't about Protection dogs but Protecting dogs. I just wanted to write about being sure your dog remains safe while on a leash.

Has this ever happened to you? You are walking along then all of a sudden your dog has broken free from the leash.

When you look to see what happened, you find that the leash was attached to your dog's ID ring not the collar ring.

Sometimes, especially, if we have a hairy, wiggly dog, it may be difficult to snap the leash on the collar ring. This can pose a very dangerous problem. Your dog could become injured and on a lesser note you could lose your dog's ID tags.

Another thing I wanted to share was how to tie a Quick Release Knot using your leash. Many times it is necessary to attach our dog to "something" whether it is in the car, to a pole or post; maybe even a tree.

Here is  a short video clip demonstrating How to Tie a Quick Release Knot. As you watch, think of it like learning how to tie your shoe.



Remember these leash safety tips and you will always have a good time with your dog.

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

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.

click photo to view larger

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