All Categories

Train Like a Pro

5/29/2023

Is there something you're finding challenging to teach your dog? Want to know why an experienced dog trainer can make training look easy? Keep reading for the skills that can take your training game to the next level and how to develop them.

Calm Car Trips

3/8/2023

Image by Sam Williams from Pixabay

Having a dog that can't settle and relax in the car makes for very challenging car rides. The good news is that there are things you can do to teach your puppy to be a good traveler and to help your adult dog be more comfortable and relaxed in the car.

Safety First

It's important that your dog not be able to physically interfere with the driver of the car. It is also important to consider your dog's safety in the car. In the event of a crash, an unrestrained dog could be ejected from the vehicle. When you arrive at your destination, you'll want to have your dog wait in the car until you are ready for them to exit, rather than them jumping out and running off. There are a variety of ways to address these concerns.

Image from Canva

You can use a crate for your dog inside your vehicle. This keeps your dog securely in one location, allows for a controlled exit from the vehicle and prevents your dog from dashing out when a door is opened. They now make crash tested dog crates for added security.
You can use a seatbelt harness for your dog. This will keep them securely in one location, allow for a controlled exit from the vehicle and prevent your dog from dashing out when a door is opened.
You can use a vehicle barrier. This will keep your dog from interfering with the driver and from dashing out when people in the front seats of the vehicle open their doors. It won't prevent your dog from dashing out when the door to their area of the vehicle is opened, so you'll want to pair this with some training on remaining in the vehicle until released instead of dashing out.
You can use a hammock or car seat cover. They can function as a bit of a barrier, but I know some dogs that can get over them into the front seat, so they don't have the same level of security as a vehicle barrier while having the same downsides.

Does Your Dog Need A Job?

1/5/2023

Dogs Without Jobs

At one point not that long ago, dogs lived with humans because they had a job to do, something that benefited the humans they lived with. The jobs were as varied and unique as the different breeds of dogs that were selected for their ability to do those jobs well.

Pointing out the location of birds
Flushing birds out of hiding
Retrieving shot birds
Following the scent trail of various game animals
Chasing fleeing animals by sight
Guarding people/homes
Guarding livestock (usually involved living with the flock)
Herding livestock
Pulling carts
Killing vermin (i.e. mice/rats)
Pulling sleds
Entertainment (i.e. Bull Baiting)
Companionship (usually reserved for the very rich)

Multiple Dogs?

8/24/2022

It often seems that when it comes to dogs in your home, 1+1 isn't 2, it's more like 3 or 4! Don't get me wrong, I love having more than one dog at a time, other than about a year after Reese passed before Tristan came when Tilly was an only dog, I've had 2 or more dogs since 2003. However, it does involve some extra challenges. So lets look at some ways to set your multi-dog home up for success!

Individual Attention

This is important for several reasons. If you want to teach your dogs something, it is best to teach them individually, then to practice with both of them together. If you've had multiple dogs before, you know how much they can feed off each other's excitement! Also, especially if your dogs are close in age, or littermates, individual time allows them to practice coping with things on their own, and builds their confidence. If you dogs are always together, and a time comes when they need to be separated (i.e. injury, illness) it can be very distressing for the dogs if they are not used to it.

My preference if I have two dogs and I'm taking one dog out for an activity/training is to leave the other dog with a special treat/toy/stuffed Kong to enjoy. If it is a training session, I'll then switch dogs and leave the other dog in with a special treat while we're out working. It makes me feel better, and I feel it helps the dog who isn't currently the focus of the training/outing.

Stationing

Summer Time Gatherings

6/3/2022

Summer time is often family time, and in some families, that means your dog may be joined by other dogs or kids they don't live with. Some advance preparation can help ensure a happy time for all. You will see I tend to err on the side of caution, as I find that if the first few gatherings go well, future gatherings are easier and less management is required as the expectations have been set from the start.

Arriving

Often emotions run high when we first get together. People are busy greeting each other, often hugging and exclaiming. Kids and dogs arriving may be full of energy after the trip. This can be a prime time for canine chaos. Therefore, consider how your dog might react in advance. If you think they will be extra wound up from the excitement, then consider getting the initial greetings out of the way before involving your dog in the mix. Perhaps a leash would be a good idea to prevent any jumping up or accidentally scaring kids - some dogs get very excited and forget their size, potentially knocking over kids from enthusiasm.

<<Previous