Dog Training Information from Sunrise Florida about Bike Safety

When You Ride Your Bike

I was up in Sunrise yesterday with a new dog training client and her Boxer who had a jumping problem and loved to run out the front door.  We resolved those problems pretty quickly and I was finishing up the lesson and planning what we would to at the next lesson and when we would return.  She had another dog issue that didn’t refer to her Boxer.  

She loved to ride her bike around the neighborhood but the local dogs loved to chase and bark at her.  She could never get in a full bike ride because of all these doggie distractions.  I mentioned that I had worked on this issue years ago and came up with some very interesting observations and suggestions for bike riders and “dog chasers”… 

Dogs love to play "tag, you are it".  In fact, this is one of the natural submissive/dominance that they naturally play as puppies to learn proper canine socialization.  When we ride past dogs on our bikes, they chase us, and we speed up, we are encouraging the idea of "tag, you are it". Here are some suggestions:

• When you are biking towards a dog or a group of dogs, slow down to a "crawl". Peddle as little as possible. Look straight ahead and move past them in a very slow, deliberate manner. The dogs should read your "non adrenalized and uninterested body language" as "I dont want to play" and ignore you completely.
• If the dog or dogs begin to chase after you, slow down and come to a stop. As soon as you have stopped moving, you have taken away the "I want to play" language from your movements. The dogs will normally slow down and approach you in a non interested manner.  They might be wagging their tails and give off a few “hello” barks.  Stand still and don’t stare at them.  They should quickly turn around and go back to where they came from.  (No fun here.)
• If the dog(s) approach you in an aggressive manner (jumping, showing their teeth, assertive barking), stop and get off your bike. Place your bike between you and the dog(s).    Do not make any sudden moves that would encourage or stimulate adrenaline in the dog(s).  Slowly back away, continuing to show an uninteresting distraction.  The dog(s) should loose interest in two to three minutes and leave.
• I have ridden my bike past a large number of dogs and have used these techniques and my bike rides have always been enjoyable.

For more information about bike ride suggestions with dogs or general dog training, please call us at (954) 424-0170 or The Best Dog Trainers in Sunrise and South Florida.

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More Quick Tips When Walking Your Puppy

There are so many things I have to remember when walking my puppy.  What is a quick safety tip that I could be overlooking?

Down here in South Florida it is hot and humid most of the year.  Because of this, we have a lot of standing water and mold.  Little puppies love to sniff and lick just about anything.  The one thing you dont want them to do is to ingest mold and run the risk of stomach infections, loose stools, or even worse.  Here are a few, simple suggestions you might employ while walking your little puppy, Wolfie:

• Always be aware of your environment and avoid standing water or really dirty sidewalks.
• Walk at a brisk pace and stop only when you think it is safe for Wolfie to sniff and just be a puppy.
• Dont just blindly look off into the distance when you are walking.  Always keep your eye on Wolfie to make sure he is keeping his nose and mouth off the ground.
• Walk Wolfie on a short leash.  This takes away a great deal of the opportunity for him to get into trouble.  It also make is easier for you to keep him in control.

Always be observant of Wolfie when you are home.  If you see he is having loose stool, becomes listless, or his eating habits change, give your Veterinarian a call right away and discuss the problem.  It is our responsibility to keep our little puppy safe for his entire life and part of that is just being a smart and observant leader.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Training the dog owner

A couple of days ago a gentleman called me about training his dog. It is a bull terrier mix of unknown origin. It had just shown some aggression towards a child and an adult. No biting, just aggression.

I explained to him how Manners in Minutes training de sensitizes a dog to behavior that triggers aggression, and where aggression in dogs comes from. I then told him about how we build behavior training from one command to another so that when we are done, the owner has on, off, and dimmer switches that controls the dog’s behavior.

His comment was he was sure when we finished I could control the dog, but when he went home he would not be able to control the dog.

He hit on one of my pet peeves about dog trainers. A lot of people who become trainers started out in someone else’s class (as I did) and did well with their own dog. From that they got the idea that they could train dogs. And, in a way, they can.

Most dog trainers are natural alphas. They never really had a problem with their or anyone else’s dog because dogs recognize their alpha qualities and do not challenge them. I don’t know how many times someone has told me to watch out for Spike because he hates everyone. I then have to tell them fine, but get Spike off my lap because I’m getting tired of rubbing his tummy.

Now I have a huge advantage. I spent twenty four years as a Deputy Sheriff working the streets. After walking into more than one situation where you either take control or end up in the Emergency room, you learn to be a very effective alpha with people. If you can own a bar full of drunks who want to fight, being the pack leader to a dog is not that hard. So it would be very easy to amaze people with how well their dog does with me.

I also spent twenty of those years as a Field Training Officer. If I can teach a twenty one year old young man or woman how to deal with that bar, making you the alpha dog in your pack just isn’t that hard.

When your dog goes home with you, I’m not there to enforce the rules. So if I fail to train you to be in charge, I’ve failed you and the dog.

And sadly all too many trainers just do that. The dog is fine with them and at the training center, but you go home with the same old dog. Before you pick a trainer, go watch them train. If they don’t spend more time with the owner than the dog, find another trainer.

After the first Manners in Minutes session I tell owner the dog doesn’t need to come back for the follow up, the owner needs to come back.

Doug

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Five Great Things a Good Dog Owner Should Do for Their Dog

I really want to be a great dog owner for Wolfie and there are so many opinions and suggestions of what I should do!  Are there some general things that I really need to focus on?

There are bookstores and bookstores full of dog books.  We could spend the rest of our lives just reading about what we should do with our dogs.  Since we probably dont have time for that, let me cut to the chase and give you the five "you really shoulds" for your dog:

1. First, good dog owners walk and exercise their dogs. Most dogs love to run and play. It is both a physical and mental release and helps keep them physically strong and emotionally happy. 
2. Yearly check-ups. Ensuring that your dog has yearly check-ups to help identify any medical problems before they become problems is a very good habit. During the yearly exam, your veterinarian will also determine if your dog requires any vaccines, flea control or heart worm preventative medications. These measures will help to keep your dog healthy and comfortable. 
3. Good daily care. Daily monitoring of your dogs appetite, urinations, bowel movements are a part of be a good responsible dog owner. Healthy dogs have a good appetite, normal urinations, healthy bowel movements and maintain an ideal weight. Any abnormalities should be noted and any persistent changes should be reported to your veterinarian. 
4. Feed a good quality food. Good nutrition is one way a dog owner can proactively make a difference in their dogs health. Over the past two decades, there has been a lot of research and scientific information used to properly formulate dogs foods to optimize health. Many of the foods that we recommend have these enhanced formulas that helps burn fat, develop muscle and promote healthy digestion. They were developed by nutritionists and veterinarians, so these complete, all-in-one diets have the right balance of proteins, fats and fibers to help protect your dogs health. Please do your own research and select a great food for your dog.
5. Daily grooming. Monitoring your dogs nails and trim them when needed, brush his teeth at least every other day and daily brush his hair are important ways to prevent unnecessary problems such as dental disease, torn nails, matting, and needless shedding around your home.

Do these things and your dog will thank you with better health and months, if not years added to their lives.

For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.. 

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Neighborhood Packs

Earlier this month my wife and I took our annual vacation. We like to pick somewhere we haven’t spent time before and head there to explore the region. Since neither of us had ever been to Williamsburg VA we headed out that way.

We were fortunate enough to be invited to visit Pat Rock who lives in the area. Pat is the president of the United States Lakeland Terrier club and a long time breeder.

The visit was wonderful. We talked about dogs, and got to meet all the dogs in her kennels, including two of our Tag’s pups. And much to our surprise, we found out Pat has Chicklet’s father. That will have to wait for another blog but led to some wonderful discoveries.

In one of our conversations we discussed the behavioral problems in dogs today. One of my observations is that more dogs than ever seem to need training.

Pat said that one of the reasons is that there are no longer neighborhood packs. When she said that a light bulb lit up.

I grew up in the late fifties and early sixties. As soon as she said that I remembered the neighborhood in Arlington, Texas where we lived while I went to grade school. One of the differences between that neighborhood and the one I live in now was that almost no one had fenced yards. You could step out our back door and look north to four or five open backyards. We had enough room to play football.

As a result there were always three packs running through the neighborhood. One was all the boys, one was all the girls, and the other was all the neighborhood dogs. The dog pack usually traveled back and forth to the two human packs.

There weren’t any leash laws back then. And people were much more careful about not letting intact dogs accidentally breed (I can’t remember a single litter in the neighborhood).

When a new dog came into the neighborhood, there was already an existing pack to join and rank had been established. The new dog quickly figured out its place. And if it was foolish enough to challenge one of the neighborhood kids, the pack quickly put it in its place. I can remember the occasional fight but not once was any blood shed.

And as I am writing this I suddenly remembered that the one dog we were all afraid of lived in one of the few houses with a fenced back yard. When he got out their was all kinds of confusion. Because he was not socialized to the various packs, he simply did not know how to act.

When a dog finishes its primary training here in our center, it goes into group sessions to make sure that both the owner and the dog know how to handle themselves around other dogs. What I am forming is a neighborhood pack. And as a result, these dogs are learning what the dogs from so long ago knew.

I kind of wish I could pull down some fences in my neighborhood.

Doug

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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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