Dog Training to be a Great Dog Owner

I really want to be a great dog owner and am doing the best I can.  I know that I have to relate as a dog to my dog, but it is hard.  I am not a dog.  How do I know am doing the right things for my dog?

First of all, lets remember that this discussion isnt dealing with canine behavior, operant conditioning, and the like.  We are discussing if you are a responsible dog owner.  If this seems a little confusing to you, please let me give some ideas that will help you be the responsible dog owner:

• Get your dog spayed or neutered.  They live longer and have healthier lives.
• Provide proper identification.  If your gets out, you have a far better chance in getting him back if he has a dog or electronic tag.  There are also GPS products that fit on your dog’s collar.  These tools will send you a message when your dog leaves the area and will guide you right to him.  (He can run, but he can’t hide!)
• Make sure you get the appropriate training for both you and your dog.  This will help build the trust, respect, and bond between you and your dog.  Both of you will be better for it.
• Be sure to have regular appointments with your veterinarian.  Discovering problems early will provide your dog with a far better life and will cost you far less in the long run.
• Make time for your dog.  Schedule play dates and include him in your regular family activities.  Make sure that your dog feels like a family member.
• Exercise with your dog daily.  Exercise is one of the four major functions required for any dog.  Fetch, walkies, or any interactive exercise will keep him healthy and build a lasting bond between you and your dog.
• Provide your dog with shelter.  He should have his place where he can simply go and "hang out".  The best shelter is a dog crate.  This is the place where only he can go and where he will always feel safe.
• Whenever you travel for any distance, make sure that he is always safe in the car.  Always have him in a harness that is properly secure when driving.  Dont have him in your lap or the passenger seat!

It is your job to be a responsible owner for your dog.  Please follow the above guidelines to accomplish that.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Last Minute Tips Keeping My Dog Safe for Christmas

By now I have been given multiple tips to keep everything great for my doggie and guests during the Holidays.  I have had a few people over up to now.  The main event is about to occur.  Is there anything else I should think about now that we are finishing the tree and taking all the presents out of our closets and putting them around the tree?  EVERYONE is coming over on Christmas day, so it will be very busy and crazy.  What are my last tips?

The Holiday Season has been going on for the last few weeks, but for many of us, it is now “show time”.  Without trying to overwhelm you with an entire list of every possible thing you might experience, we would like to focus on just a few items.  These are the items that you and your dog are about to experience within the next two days.  So let’s get going:

• Your Christmas Tree: 
• Decorations…
• Now is the time that you are finishing decorating your tree with balls and tinsel.  If your dog is “ball crazy”, you could be encouraging him to “go after” your Christmas ornaments and try to pull or “catch” them.  This could cause your wonderfully decorated tree to fall over.
• Remove all Christmas ball ornaments from your tree to eliminate any “grab the ball” issues. Replace them with ornaments that aren’t round.
• If you see your dog focusing on the tinsel, remove it.  Your tinsel can also gain your dog’s attention when you have the tree’s Christmas lights turned on.  Check this too and remove the tinsel, if necessary.  You could use ribbons and bows to decorate your tree in place of the tinsel.
• Eating tinsel can possibly be harmful to your dog.
• Presents…
• Christmas presents introduce new objects and smells into the house.  Right about now, you are probably putting out the remainder of those presents around your tree.
• The sights and smells of the presents can stimulate your dog to investigate and possibly steal.
• If you are giving your dog presents, do not put them under the tree.  This will probably insure that he will explore and dig through everything under the tree.
• Give your dog his current toys on the other side of the room from your Christmas tree to redirect his interest.
• Place your presents tightly around the base of your tree.  This will minimize the visual distraction and will make it very difficult to “investigate through the presents”.
• If you see your dog approach the tree and presents, correct him with a low toned “No” and have him come to you.  Give him his toy and engage him for several minutes.
• Christmas Dinner:
• You do not want your dog bugging you and your guests for all the great things that will be on your plate.
• Do not feed your dog from the table or give him any of your “fixins” in the kitchen.  As soon as you have done it once, you have told him it is OK to demand food from you.  If he approaches, ignore him.  If he continues to bug you, stand up and tell him “No” in a firm, low tone.
• Do not leave food unattended.  Your dog will think that you are relinquishing ownership of the food and he can how have it.
• Feed your dog at the same time that you are having dinner.  This will redirect him away from you and your guests.  It will also fill his stomach so he won’t approach you because he is hungry.
• Remove foods that raisins and fruit cake from your menu.  These items, if eaten by your dog, could cause issues.
• Last Few Thoughts:
• Keep your dog on a six foot leash when everyone is over.  If he starts to go crazy or going somewhere you don’t want him, simply step on the end of the leash and guide him back to you.  You will maintain maximum control and focus with the minimum effort.
• Don’t let your nieces and nephews play crazy with your dog inside the house.  As the kids and your dog ramp up their playing, the adults will start to get them to stop.  This will simply increase the situation’s adrenaline and will increase your dog’s craziness. Chances are, things will be broken or spilled before you can get control of the situation.

Just use come common sense with your dog and you will have a great Christmas Eve and Day.  If you have any questions, please contact us at The Best DogTrainers in South Florida.

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Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your Furry children

December 25, 2010 by Minette Merry Christmas

Youve done!  You done with the holiday season.  I sincerely hope that you took every opportunity to spend as much time as possible with your favorite furry friend and lowered blood pressure!  I also hope that you could see and benefited from the recovery of many health that come with the animal property!

Today is a feast day and hopefully a little bit of recovery efforts and the stress that you have incurred this season.

Today, I want to take your dog for a short or long after dinner walk, you take advantage of the other company and spend time together quality!  Merry Christmas, happy holidays and hope you a blessed new year!

View the original article here

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