What To Do When Doggie Sitting a Friends Doggie

I know that I am a "push-over", but I just agreed to doggie sit my friends dog while he is away over Thanksgiving.  How can I make sure that Wolfie isnt going to go "Cujo" on the dog?

The good news is if Wolfie doesnt have a history of being unsociable with other dogs, you have a fighting chance of making this work.  With that said, you cant just throw them in the same room and hope for the best.  What you must do is to initially socialize the dogs and then establish boundaries (Hey!  Dont use my toothbrush!).  Here is what you do:

• Before your friends dog comes over to stay, have his dog and Wolfie meet several times in a neutral territory.  Have them both on leashes and allow them to sniff and exchange doggie pleasantries.  Take them for walks and even play catch with them.  This builds up  a social understanding between the two dogs regarding their individual levels of assertion and respect.  This is important when you bring them into your home.
• When your friend brings over his dog to your house, have the dogs meet outside and let them sniff and play for a little while.  Now, take Wolfie inside to the family room.  Make sure he is on a leash.  Have your friend bring in his dog into the family room on a leash.  Let the dogs sniff and walk around.  Drop the leashes and have everyone "just hang out" for about 30 minutes.  If the dogs show any sign of aggression, correct them and have them sit by their perspective masters for a minute or two before releasing them again.  If Wolfie is over-possessive with any particular toy or object, it would be a good idea to remove them during your friends dogs stay.  
• If everything is fine after about 30 minutes, it is time for your friend to be on his way.  Dont have your friend make a big thing about leaving.  He should just get up and leave.  
• During the stay, remember these simple rules:
• Feed the dogs separately.
• Never leave the dogs together, unattended for the first few days.
• Never leave the dogs together if someone is not going to be home.
• Be sure to let them out and have a good amount of supervised play time every day.
• Never allow your friends dog in Wolfies crate, on Wolfies bed, or in your bedroom.
• If your friends dog has a potty accident in the house, be sure to clean it up immediately using an enzyme cleaner or vinegar & baking soda.
• Give equal amount of attention and love to both dogs.

Follow these simple rules and your friends dogs stay should be happy and uneventful.  And remember that now, your friend owes you!  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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How Do I Get My Dog From Running Out The Door

Every time I try to leave through the door to the garage, Wolfie is always at my feet trying to get out ahead of me.  Many times I have to get to work and sometimes I am late because I have to try and catch him and put him in another room so I can leave.  There must be a better way!

Dogs running out an open door is a very common and really annoying problem that many dog owners face every day.  It is a big problem because is gets us mad (and we dont need that in todays world), hampers our relationship with "our best friend", and poses a safety risk for Wolfie.  So, what is going on here?

As a trainer, I always tell my clients to check out the world through Wolfies eyes.  Wolfie watches our body language to constantly try and get clues as to what we are saying and what we are allowing him to do.  A large part of body language is posture and one of the key factors of that is whether we are facing Wolfie or if we have our back to Wolfie.

When we face Wolfie, we are in a dominant stance.  We are telling him that we are in charge of the room.  He needs to watch us and wait for our commands telling him what to do.  When we show our back to Wolfie, we are telling him that we are submissive and even playful.  Wolfie can take this as a "follow the leader" game, chase after us and pass us (out the door).

With this in mind, lets get an idea of what Wolfie is seeing when we go to the door to the garage.  Normally, we say "goodbye" to Wolfie.  We are facing him at this point.  We pick up our keys, coins, etc., and then walk to the door.  Guess what?  We now show Wolfie our back.  We are now in a submissive, play mode.  We are telling Wolfie that we are no longer in charge so he doesnt have to obey and respect us.  We are also asking Wolfie to play.  No wonder he isnt listening to us and running out the door.  So, what do we do?

We need to let Wolfie know that we are in charge as we are leaving.  We do this by facing him and backing up to the door.  As soon as he starts to move towards the door, tell him "no" in a very low voice and hold our hand out like a policeman telling a car to stop.  Slowly back up to the door so that your movement does not generate any adrenaline in Wolfie.

Open the door slowly, continuing to face him.  Correct him again if he begins to move towards you.  Now, step through the door and close it slightly.  In a high voice, tell him "good boy" as you finish closing the door.

What you have done is to use the body language Wolfie is expecting from a good leader to clearly communicate to him what is right and wrong.  Your actions were simple and consistent.  Practice this for about two or three weeks and Wolfie will understand that your leaving through the door to the garage is not a game.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Should I Let Wolfie Walk Without A Leash

I see other people walking their dogs on the street with no leash.  I am thinking about walking Wolfie without a leash.  How do you do that and is that a good idea?

You might get an idea of my answer by looking at the picture above.  The reason that I am on this subject today is because of a consultation I had with one of our clients this morning.  She told me that she would often let her dog off leash in the front yard.  Things were normally fine, but this morning her dog suddenly took off down the street chasing a truck.  Luckily there wasnt any other traffic at the time and she finally could get her dog back about a block away with the help of a neighbor.  

"This kind of thing has never happened before", she told me.  "He plays next door with the neighbor dog and I can play fetch with him at the park across the street and he always walks right back into the house after me when we are done.  He has seen trucks before and he has never gone after them in the past." 

To cut to the chase, we do not condone having dogs off leash at any time.  The reason is that the real world is full of thousands of distractions that will engage Wolfie.  Since we cant plan and train for each of these unique distractions, we cant unequivocally state that Wolfie wont take off down the street. Since we cant guarantee Wolfies safety, we strongly encourage our clients to always have their dogs on a leash when outside.

We live in South Florida where things are always busy with trucks, crazy drivers, bikes, motorcycles, golf carts, joggers, and a whole bunch of other things.  Now, if you lived in the country or a small town, I would probably answer this blog in a different way.  The reason is that there are far fewer distractions that we have to deal with.  But, this is a topic for a future blog.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Picking up Little Wolfie

Sometimes when I pick up Wolfie, he gives a little whimp or tries to give me a little nip.  What can I do to make sure that Wolfie is fine when I pick him up?

The most important aspect of picking up Wolfie is to make sure that you are not hurting or startling him.  He must feel comfortable during the entire process and be assured that you are always keeping him safe and secure.  Here are some qeneral tips:

• Never let small children pick up Wolfie.  Wolfie might squirm and they might drop him.  They might also squeeze him and he might nip to tell them that he is being hurt.
• Dont pick up big dogs.  They can easily squirm and you will drop them.  If you need to get your big dog into a car or on a bed, build a ramp or get some "doggie stairs".  This will assure that Wolfie will kept safe and you wont hurt your back.

Now, lets discuss how to pick him up, assuming that Wolfie is a medium to small dog and you have the ability to pick him up:

• Lightly stroke Wolfie to make sure that he has no sores or aches.  Trying to pick up a doggie with painful spots is not a good thing.
• Slowly approach Wolfie and calmly grab him around his belly.  Picking up a dog by grabbing them under their front legs can, at times, be painful.
• Wait for a moment and then slowly lift him up to your chest.  Once he is there, praise him with a high pitched "Good Puppy".
• Turn him and hold him against your chest while holding him with both arms.  He should be "right side up" so that his belly is resting in your forearms while you have one arm holding him in place.
• Slowly pet him by taking your hand and stroking him down his body.
• Keep the environment calm and quiet.  Loud noises or fast movement might startle him and you might drop him.  This is not good.
• If Wolfie displays any anxiety or begins to squirm, put him down immediately.
• When you are ready to put him down, return to holding him with both hands under his belly.
• Slowly lower him, letting him see where his feet will touch the ground.
• Once both feet are on the ground, praise him with a high pitched "Good Puppy" and let him loose.

Picking up Wolfie is a process of bonding and trust that is critical in the relationship you are trying to create with your dog.  Doing it correctly helps create a great experience.  As dog trainers, we have seen that improper grabbing and picking up of dogs can create lasting behavior issues.

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I Want Wolfie to Stop Jumping on My Friends

I just dont get it.  Wolfie seems to be such a good dog, but I cant keep him from jumping on my guests every time they come in the front door.  It was cute when he was a puppy, but now he is over 100 lbs.  What gives?

This is a classic "annoying problem" that, unfortunately, we bring on ourselves.  It is so great when you get your little puppy.  They are so full of life and just wanting affection all day long.  We have them jump on us and we give them hugs, chase them around the room, play with them when they bring us toys, pet them when they nudge our hands, and a whole lot of other "puppy things".

The problem is that we are now socializing them to particular behaviors.  We are teaching them how to jump, chase, and demand attention.  The problem is that Wolfie learns in a very black and white method.  If we teach him to jump, it is OK to jump on everybody all the time.  If we teach him to demand attention, he can demand attention from everybody all the time.

As we interact with our puppies or dogs, we must understand that whatever we ask them to do, from their perspective, they can do with anyone all the time.  "Wolfie can jump on me, but not my guests" is something that we might be able to understand, but Wolfie will not understand.  All Wolfie can understand is "I can jump".  So if Wolfie is performing any action that you would not allow him to perform anytime with anybody, you must teach him that is not what you want him to do.

The bottom line is to think of your rules, or what you want Wolfie to do through his eyes. Examples of what your rules might be are:

• No jumping.
• Off the furniture.
• Not in babys room.
• No counter surfing...

When things are simple and straightforward, Wolfie gets it.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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How to Safely Deter Wolfie from Chewing Nipping Mouthing etc

Wolfie just had some surgery and the Vet told me that he isnt allowed to lick or chew at his stitches.  I tried that funny "cone collar thing", but it just drives him nuts.  What else can I do that I can keep on him, protect the stitches, and not drive him nuts? 

We recommend the Italian Basket Muzzle.  "Muzzle!  Muzzle! Are you nuts?!  I would never muzzle my dog!"  I can hear some of you saying that right now.  That is because most people are only familiar with the standard nylon dog muzzle.  This muzzle covers the dogs nose like a straight jacket.  The dog can barely pant, bark, drink water, etc.  If left on too long in a warm environment, it can cause the dog to overheat, dehydrate, and possibly die.

The only thing in common between the nylon dog muzzle and Italian Basket Muzzle is that they both have the word "muzzle" in their names.  The Italian Basket Muzzle does not constrain the dogs nose in any way.  He can still pant, bark, drink water, etc.  The only thing he cant do is to use his mouth to nip or bite.  The only places the muzzle actually touches the dog is at the crown of his nose where a soft leather strip positions the muzzle on the nose and at the back of the neck where a fitted strap holds the muzzle in place.  Most Canine Professionals actively acknowledge the Italian Basket Muzzle as the most humane way to teach and deter a dog from nipping, chewing, and biting.

So, how do you use it?  

• First make sure that it fits properly and that your dog cant easily "paw it off".  It should be snug without your dogs nose touching the end of the muzzle.
• Now, start to socialize your dog with the muzzle.  Put it on for short periods of time while you also have him attached to a leash.  As soon as he starts to go for the muzzle, give a slight tug on the leash and tell him no.
• You can also put a little goodie inside the muzzle to redirect his attention as it is going on.
• Do not make a big deal about the muzzle.  Your dog should become aware that it is just another part of life.
• Extend the time your dog wears the muzzle until he becomes used to it.  This is the same way that us "glasses wearers" got used to wearing our first pair of glasses so long ago.

Bingo!  You now have solved your "stitches problem".  As you can see, this tool is also valuable with any issue where you have a nipping, biting, or chewing issue.  The great thing about the Italian Basket Muzzle is that it allows your dog to do everything he wants, except to nip, bite, or chew.

Please understand that this is a tool only.  Some biting, chewing, or nipping issues will also require the assistance of a qualified training professional to ultimately resolve the issue.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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When Wolfie is Sick

Every once in a while, Wolfie gets an upset stomach and throws up his food.  Do I need to always rush to the Vet?

If you are a new dog owner or if Wolfie is a small puppy, I would at least call your Vet, explain the situation, and ask for their advise.  If you believe that they have come in contact with anything poisonous (click here for more details), wash their mouth out and take them to the Vet.  If Wolfie isnt a puppy and you have had dogs before, I would use my common sense and experience to decide what to do. 

The big thing is observation.  After they have thrown up, are they still active?  Do they still have an apatite?  Are they hydrated?  (You can tell this by pinching their fur and see if it bounces back or stays in that "pinch".  If it bounces back, they are hydrated, if it doesnt, they are dehydrated and need to go to the Vet.)

If they are still active, have an apatite, and are hydrated, it might be a good idea to continue watching them.  This "upset stomach" might have been a one-time thing and they will be fine.

The one thing that you should do during this time is to change their diet from their regular, dry food to something more soothing for their stomach.  Just like us, we suggest white rice with a cut up boneless chicken breast.  Make sure they have all the water they want.  After about a day, everything should be fine and they can go back on their regular food.

If, from your observations, they continue to throw up, become listless, or dehydrated; off to the Vet you go!

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How To Help Wolfies Fear of Storms

I thought that Wolfie was fine with our summer storms, but he is whining, panting, pacing, and just driving me crazy!  I try and comfort him, but it just seems to get worse!

Remember that I am always saying that we should not treat our dogs like humans?  Remember that I am always saying that we should treat our dogs like dogs?  Guess what!  You are treating him like a human, again.  

We have to understand that the sights, sounds, and even the drop in barometric pressure could be very strong negative stimuli on Wolfie.  This will cause him to become unsure and scared of what he thought was his safe environment.  Naturally, he comes to us to reassure his safety.  Here is where the problem begins.

When Wolfie comes to us, whining and getting under our feet, we instinctively go down and pet him and talk to him in a high, "baby voice" tone trying to sooth and console him.  If Wolfie would be our young son or daughter, that might work.  But Wolfie is a dog and he needs to reassured of his safety in a manner consistent by a strong, canine Alpha Leader.

Here is what you do in order to reassure Wolfie of his safety in a manner he requires:

When Wolfie comes to you, stand up, face him, and ask him to sit or lie down.   Give him a "good boy" when he does.  Continue with your work.  If he starts to whine again, stand up, face him, and give him a firm, low toned "No".  Ask him to sit again, praise him, and go on with your work.  

If Wolfie starts to whine again (what a persistent little guy!), take your leash, hook it on his collar, and briskly walk him around the room or the house.  Return to where you started, have him sit, and return to your work.  What you are doing is to correct and redirect Wolfie away from his perceived fear and to have him focus on you.

You are the boss and your appropriate presence should be all the reassurance he needs to maintain his safety.  As you are communicating with Wolfie, you are standing and facing him.  In the canine world, this is a sign of assertion and leadership.  

Give this a try and see how it works for you.  I have used this technique with our dogs for years and it works like a charm!  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfie is Protective of His Food and a Little Aggressive

It is kind of strange.  Wolfie is normally a great dog, but sometimes he gets protective and aggressive with his food.  I dont want this to continue because I dont want anyone go get hurt by mistake.  What can I do to help Wolfie over this?

Aggression with any animal is not a great thing.  The good news that we can offer with canine food aggression is that we have a clear set of actions that can be taken to minimize or eliminate this issue.  We first have to think about the reasons Wolfie might be food aggressive and/or possessive.  

If Wolfie was a stray or a rescue, that could naturally cause possessive aggressive actions regarding food.  In this case, his food was a limited resource that was critical to his safety and health.  Naturally, he would act in such a manner to protect such an asset.  If Wolfie was starved intentionally or through neglect, that could also be a cause for his aggressive and/or possessive attitude towards food.  In this instance, the root cause could stem from poor nutrition.  

So what can we do to alleviate Wolfies food aggression?  There are several actions that you can immediately perform.  Lets discuss some of them now:

• Be sure you are the one who decides when mealtime will take place.  If Wolfie can boss you into feeding him when he wants, he will not see you as the sole provider of the food.  He will not recognize that you are not the one responsible for his well being.
• Try scatter-feeding Wolfie.  Take his food and scatter it on the ground or in the yard.  He now is focused on grazing across a large area and not protecting an exact spot.  Hide some food behind a chair or under a plant so that it will take extra time to find it.
• Teach Wolfie basic obedience such as "leave it", "stay", and "wait".  Exercise these commands during feeding time or even when giving him a little treat.  This will direct Wolfies focus to you as the provider of food.  It will also direct him to wait until you allow him to take the treat or have his dinner.
• If you need Wolfie to move away from his food, never directly approach him and his food bowl.  This is a naturally aggressive act and might trigger Wolfie to respond. Call Wolfie to you.  You are redirecting his attention to you and when Wolfie responds, you are enforcing that you are his care giver.  The food is not as important as obeying you.
• If needed, use the leash when feeding.  This will help you redirect him away from the food, if needed, without becoming physical.
• Never feed Wolfie in a corner.  This limits his options if anyone approaches him and also heightens any aggressive or protective tendencies he still may have.
• If you have multiple dogs, feed them separately until you can resolve the food issue.  Introduce them back together one at a time.  Always be present and between them to assure them that you are the provider and you will guarantee that they all have the nutrition they need.

When there is an issue with any form of canine aggressive/possessive behavior, the important point is to take it slow.  You are setting the scene to allow Wolfie to come to the conclusion that everything is fine and he is safe.  He needs to learn this at his own pace and in an environment where he has the ability to learn.  This is not set on a specific time table.

If you need additional information on anything we have discussed, please feel free to go to our web site for more information or to gain our direct contact information: South Florida Dog Trainers. 

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Bufo Frog Threat to Your Dog

As we start to get more rain down here in South Florida, I am seeing more and more baby frogs under bushes, by the back gate, and even sitting in the middle of the street. Some of my friends say they are really bad, but arent they just frogs?  They just hop away when you walk by and eat flys.  Right?

You couldnt be more wrong!  Bufo frogs in South Florida are incredibly dangerous to our dogs and other pets! 

This is the first time that I have ever used red, bold lettering in one of my blogs, but I am really serious on this one.  If your dog gets into a tussle with a Bufo frog, he could be dead in a matter of hours!

Like many of the other "out of control" animals and plants in South Florida, Bufo frogs were introduced with poor foresight and zero planning.  They were originally introduced in Palm Beach County in 1936 to try and control sugar cane pests and were reintroduced near the Miami Airport through 1955.  They generally range up to nine inches in width, but can grow larger and can live up to ten years.  They have very few natural enemies and are quickly replacing the native (calm, timid, perfectly safe) toads in South Florida.

Here comes the problem.  Bufo frogs secrete a toxic fluid that can kill your dog in a matter of hours.  The fluid is located in glands that are behind its head and that also coats its skin.  It can also shoot this toxin from its glands in the form of a white, thick venom.  They can attract dogs to them by making short, fast hops when they move and do not jump away when the dog comes to investigate.

If your dog has come in contact with a Bufo frog, you will first notice listlessness, foaming a brown substance from the mouth, heavy drooling, falling down, and even seizures.

So, what do you do about these horrible, little green monsters?  Walk your yard on a regular basis, looking for them.  If you find a Bufo, remove them from the area.  Always perform a "Bufo Patrol" at night before you let Wolfie out to do his business.  Watch him when he is outside.  Immediately investigate if he gets excited over something.

If you see that Wolfie has encountered a Bufo or you think that he might have encountered a Bufo:

• Wash his mouth out immediately with a hose.  Dont by shy, really give it a good wash.  
• Keep him as calm and quiet as possible.  
• Watch him like a hawk for the next several hours and make sure you have the address and phone number of your 24 hour vet.  
• Call the vet for any advice.
• If you see any signs of vomiting, stiffness of the body, or listlessness, get him to the vet NOW!
• If, for any reason, you arent sure about his condition, get him to the 24 hour vet!

As you can see, I am really serious about this.  The next time you visit your regular vet, please talk to them about Bufo frogs.  I am sure that they can provide you with more detailed information about these nasty Bufos.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfies Potty Problems While On The Road at Our Cabin

I just dont get it.  Wolfie has been potty trained for years, but when we are on a trip, he makes accidents!  What gives?

Well, our family, along with our four dogs, was on a vacation trip recently and we ran into this exact problem.  Our dogs that never made accidents for years began to have accidents in our rented cabin.  We quickly realized that we had to remember our initial potty training with each dog and the environment/schedule that we finally set up for our "pack".  It then became quite obvious that what we had established as the "norm" in their life was now drastically changed.

We went out hiking in the morning, ate at strange hours, were in and out all the time, had them in and out on our schedule, and just didnt give them the focus that we normally did when we were at home.  We broke the main rule of potty training, we were not "listening" to them telling us to let them out.

Well, when you are on a traveling vacation, it is sometimes difficult to always pay attention to your furry friends.  We had do think of something different so that we werent loosing our "cleaning deposit" at every place we stopped.  Here is what we came up with:

We went back to the basics.  We established a schedule based on our activities for the day.  Whenever possible, we tried to get them out every three hours, even if we had been playing with them earlier.  Also, we kept them in their crates when we left the cabin.  Since they really didnt want to go in their crates, it helped to strengthen the encouragement when we took them out.

Guess what?  It worked perfectly.  As soon as we put this in place we had zero accidents.  All we did was to go back to the basics of potty training.  We put them on a schedule, tried to observe them as much as possible, and crated them when we couldnt watch them.

Even though this is simple advice, it will surely help you keep your cleaning deposit the next time you travel with your pooches!  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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When I Correct Wolfie and He Cowers What Then

I know that I need to tell Wolfie that he is doing something wrong and I am not hitting him or using those shock collars on him, but he is still cowering and hiding in the corner.  I dont want to scare my dog every time he is doing something wrong, but what can I do?

We have faced this situation many times where the Wolfie is overly fearful or has experienced a traumatic experience in his past were a straight correction, even slight, can cause a fearful reaction.  As dog trainers, we are not trying to scare a dog into obedience, we are trying to teach them what is the right thing to do and to build a positive relationship between Wolfie and his owner.

So, lets clean the slate of all those other correction methods and figure out what we can do with Wolfie.  Remember, we still need to show him what is right and wrong...

The bottom line is that we want to use an alternative method than the standard correction to let Wolfie know he is doing something wrong and we will teach him what is right.  As opposed to a correction which we know isnt working on Wolfie, we suggest an alternative method known as a redirection.  We still want to tell Wolfie he is doing something wrong and to teach him what is right, but we will use a more passive method.

First, you need to get a leash and click it on Wolfie during the day.  Take the leash off him and put it back on at random times so Wolfie doesnt associate the leash with a particular event or time of day.  You dont need to hold the leash, let him drag it around with him.  This will eliminate the leash as a special event and turn it into "simple white noise".  Please remember, you can only have the leash on him when someone is home and within earshot of Wolfie.  If he gets it caught on a chair leg, you must be able to release it quickly to no harm will come to Wolfie.

After a few days, Wolfie will be wandering around with the leash and will pay no attention to it.  Now you are ready to begin to use the leash as a tool of behavior modification through redirection.

Here is an example of how this works:

If Wolfie starts to act up such as running around the house like a crazy boy, dont chase him or yell and scream.  Simply approach the end of the leash which is six feet away from him.  Since you are not directly approaching him, you will not be adding to the adrenaline of the moment.  Calmly put your foot on the leash.

Wolfie will stop and look back to see what happened.  He thought he was in control of the room and could do whatever he wanted (run and go nuts).  For some reason, he lost control.  He sees you and you are calm & still, not approaching him, and standing tall.  This is what Wolfie expects in a good leader and teacher.  You passively told Wolfie that he couldnt run and go nuts and he needs to obey you because you are his leader and teacher.

I want to make it clear that you still told Wolfie "no", but you allowed him to come to that conclusion  by defusing the situation in a direction of your choosing.  You broke his focus on doing the wrong thing and drained his adrenaline fueling his inappropriate actions.  The end result is he is now doing what you want him to do.

There are many other nuances to this technique and we would be more than happy to review your specific issues to determine if this educational process would be most appropriate in your situation. For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Travel Safety this Summer with Wolfie

Hey, it’s Summer Time and time to hit the road or air for our family vacation.  I think I know what to do to make sure Wolfie is OK, but I want to be sure…

Whether you travel by car, truck, plane or train, help ensure a safe and pleasant journey with your pet by taking these safety precautions:

General Travel Tips:

• No matter what your mode of travel, the single best safe practice you can employ to keep your dog safe during the journey is to keep him restrained.
• Affix current identification to your dog. Even better, have him micro chipped, which provides a permanent form of I.D. to help ensure he is returned to you if he becomes lost.
• Carry a recent photograph of your dog to make it easier for others to help you look for him if he gets lost during the trip.
• If your dog is prone to anxiety or motion sickness, consult with your veterinarian about using pet tranquilizers for your dog appropriate for the particular type of travel you will take.
• Feed your pet his usual meal one to two hours before travel. (If your dog is prone to motion sickness, feed him two to four hours before travel.) Do not give him food or water during travel as it may spill, forcing him to lie in a mess during the trip.

Cars and Trucks

• No matter how long or short the journey, your dog should be restrained. An unrestrained dog is dangerous to himself and others. He can become a flying projectile that can injure you, your passengers or himself.
• Secure your dog in the back seat (dogs riding in the front seat can be seriously hurt if the airbags deploy) with a pet travel safety harness or car seat, or in a pet carrier fastened to a seatbelt. If you drive an SUV, install a pet barrier to keep the dog in the back area of the vehicle as well as securing him in his harness and attaching it to the hooks in the floor.
• If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, use a crate or carrier secured to the truck bed to prevent him from being thrown into traffic at a sudden stop.
• Do not allow your dog to ride with his head out the window. Road debris and other flying objects can injure his eyes.
• Before you set out on your journey and after arriving at your destination, give your dog plenty of exercise. This will help him be more relaxed and able to acclimate to his new surroundings.
• When stopping for a break and before you open the car door, attach a leash to your dog’s collar so he can’t escape. Even the most obedient pet can become disoriented when traveling. Always use a leash to walk your dog.
• On a long car ride, stop every four hours or so to allow your dog to relieve himself (be sure to clean up after him), stretch his legs, refresh himself with a small drink of water, and help him understand that he’s going to another environment.
• Watch for temperature extremes. Your car is like an oven under the blazing sun and a freezer in the bitter cold.

Airline or Train Travel

• Whether he will go in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold, your dog will need to travel in an airline (or train) -approved carrier.  Check the airline (or train line) website for requirements.
• If your pet will travel as cargo, check for restrictions on any health/immunization and other requirements.
• Use direct flights to avoid mix-ups during transfers or the possibility of delays in getting your pet off the plane.  Ask the airline if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold.
• Upon arrival at your destination, open the carrier as soon as you are in a safe place, and then clip a leash on your dog so you can safely examine him. If anything seems wrong, get him to a veterinarian right away.

Follow these precautions and Wolfie will love your family vacation too.  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Is It OK For Wolfie To Be In Bed With Me

I hear all these different things about having Wolfie on the bed with me or it is bad having him on the bed with me.  I would really like him to sleep with me, but would that be sending some sort of bad message?

As dog trainers, we hear this kind of question all the time with all sorts of home grown explanations regarding pros and cons to your dog being on the bed.  The bottom line is it is up to you.  If you dont want him on the bed, you will have a standing rule that Wolfie is not allowed on the bed.  Every time he attempts to get on the bed, you will correct him and guide him off.  

If you would like to have Wolfie on the bed with you, you should take the following items into consideration:

• If Wolfie is currently showing signs of aggression or heightened dominance, you should not allow him on the bed until he has been properly trained to minimize or eliminate these traits.
• If Wolfie is still undergoing potty training, he should not be allowed on the bed.  Even if he has been "holding it all night" while he has been in his crate, you shouldnt  allow him on the bed.  When Wolfie is in his crate, he becomes and remains calmer with a reduced metabolism.  This will allow him to hold it longer.  When he is on the bed with you, his excitement will naturally be greater along with his metabolism.  This will decrease his length between potty times and could possibly cause an accident on your sheets.  (Not good!)
• If Wolfie nips or growls when you ask him to move or get off the bed, his bed privileges are revoked.  You can train this "out of him" by:
• Put a leash on him when he is in bed.
• When you want him off the bed, you must stand up and get out of bed.
• Grab the end of the leash and give him the command "Off".
• If he doesnt jump off, tug the leash slightly until he gets off.
• Tell him "Good Puppy" for obeying you.
• Never play rough with Wolfie while you and he are in bed.   This will simply cause him to believe he can play rough with you on the bed at any time. 
• Never eat in the bed with Wolfie.  Since you and he are at the same level, this could send the wrong message to him that the food is for both of you.
• Check Wolfie for fleas and ticks every few days.  You dont need these in your bed.
• Bathe Wolfie more often than usual.  You dont want your bed to get a "doggie smell".

Again, it is up to you if you want to invite Wolfie on your bed with you.  We have four dogs and three of them sleep on the bed with us.  Our fourth dog is too old to get on the bed, so he sleeps on the floor by my side.

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

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Quick Tips on Doggie Allergies

Wolfie was scratching and chewing himself and I knew it wasnt fleas.  A friend of ours  mentioned that he might have some skin allergies and suggested to feed him grain-free food.  I gave it a shot and he is still scratching.  What next?

I first want to make it quite clear that I am not as qualified as my Veterinarian to diagnose solutions for skin allergies and the like.  I simply want to pass on some information that my Vet told me to "try first".  

The "quick and dirty" and inexpensive solution for canine skin allergies is to switch to a grain-free food.  Many times this will solve the problem and wont incur large medical expenses.  The one thing we forget when we switch to a grain-free food is the "hidden grain" that might still remain.  A local natural dog food supplier recently provided us with an epiphany that makes perfect sense.  

When you switch to a grain-free dog food, make sure that chicken is not the meat in the food.  For most chickens, their main food is corn.  So when you have chicken in your dog food, you are also adding corn.  Pick another meat such as lamb, duck, salmon, etc. as the main meat ingredient and you will eliminate that "hidden source of grain".

As always, talk to your Vet concerning any health issues with your dog.  This is the advise given to us by our Vet and natural dog food supplier.   For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Should My Kids Train Wolfie

We got a dog and I want to make sure that my kids are involved in his training!  First, I dont want him to be my sole responsibility, but I also want to teach my kids responsibility...

We get this question (request) a lot and the answer really depends on the dynamics of the family and the current issues with the dog.  Lets just walk through some scenarios that we have experienced and we will explain what needs to be done.

The kids dont want anything to do with Wolfie:
The first thing that we would do would be to get your kids involved with Wolfie around the house.  

• Ask them to take Wolfies bowl to him at feeding time.  
• Have Wolfie and your kids together with you as you are giving him s treat.  Show your kids how to do that and then ask them to try it too.  
• You can also ask them to "babysit" Woolfie while you are making dinner or on the computer.  You are still in sight of them, but you have given them a chore that involves passive interaction with him.

After they are OK with him, start involving them with come simple commands like COME and SIT.  You do the exercises first and then you invite them to join in.  You are always there to encourage them and guide them when they arent getting the exercise done correctly.  Never let them become angry or hit Wolfie.

As your kids see that Wolfie "will do what they want", it will give them a feeling of accomplishment.  Now, start to move on to other commands like STAY and WALK.  Again, this is all taken slowly and always in an atmosphere of having fun.

Wolfie seems to be a little aggressive and nips at the kids:
Usually we see a dog nipping and automatically label them as "aggressive".  Although we always suggest contacting a professional dog trainer for specific advise, this situation is normally caused by Wolfie demanding attention.

The first thing you have to do is to establish your dominance over Wolfie so that he gives you the respect and focus you require.  Have Wolfie on a leash around your kids.  As soon as he approaches them and begins to nip, correct him and direct him back to you.  You will very quickly notice the proactive signs of Wolfie wanting to nip (get attention) your kids.  Correct him ahead of time.  Wolfie will quickly learn that he cant perform that behavior.

Now, ask your kids to call Wolfie over to them in a calm manner.  Have them pet him and give him treats.  As you see that Wolfie is no longer the one demanding attention and your kids are no longer threatened by Wolfies nipping, you can start with some simple COME and SIT obedience commands.

My kids are small and Wolfie is twice their size:
I dont want the kids training Wolfie in this instance.  They can play with him under controlled visits with you always present.  Under no circumstance do you leave them alone.

The reason that I am so adamant in this situation is that I dont want Wolfie knocking them over.  It isnt that I think that Wolfie is mean or would want to hurt your kids, but they are kids and dogs.  Bumping and falling happens.  When they are small, this could scare them and make them afraid of dogs the rest of their lives.

The bottom line whenever you want your kids involved with your dog is to have them properly socialized first.  Any of the cases that we have discussed above first involves proper socialization so that a level of respect is built between your kids and Wolfie.

As I mentioned above, if you have any concern regarding your kids interaction with your dog, call a professional dog trainer.  You can reach us at http://www.BarkBustersSouthFlorida.com.

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Wolfie is Destroying the Bed in his Crate!

Wolfie is chewing up his bed in the crate at night or when I leave him to go out.   What can I do to stop this?  Those beds are expensive!

Notice how Wolfie is sitting in his crate all happy and nice?  Well get to that in a second, but first...

Over the years I have been asked by clients how to get their dog to stop destroying the bed in their crate.  This normally happens when the client is asleep or away from the house.  The answer is quite simple.  Take the bed out of the dogs crate.  

We humans think like humans and believe that our dog must live in a human world.  At night, we get into our soft, fluffy bed and go to sleep.  When we are watching TV, we lay down on the sofa.  When we are outside, we find the lawn furniture and stretch out for a nap in the sun.  Now, lets look at Wolfie.  Wolfie sleeps on the tile floor in front of the TV.  He sleeps on the grass or on the rocks under the flowers outside.  Wolfie has no problem sleeping on hard surfaces and sometimes even prefers them to soft surfaces.

So when I tell you to take the bed out of Wolfies crate if he is chewing it up, it is not punishment, simply removing an inappropriate distraction.  When we arent there, there is now way we can correct Wolfie in the act of destroying the bed so there is no way we can effectively communicate to him that it is wrong.  All we are doing is to continue to replace the bed.  All Wolfie sees is that we are giving him more stuff to destroy.  

This is not a good thing.  Eventually, Wolfie will turn to our furniture and start to chew that up.  And, why not?  We have continued to tell him it is OK to chew up his bed and have even rewarded him by giving him a new one.  Wolfie will see no difference in chewing up the bed and destroying our two thousand dollar sofa.

Bottom line:  If Wolfie is destroying the bed in his crate, take it away.  For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfie Eats Too Fast

Wolfie is like a vacuum cleaner when it comes to his food.  Nothing I try can slow him down and I am afraid it is going to hurt his stomach...

There are a lot of things out there you could try to curb a dogs "speed eating".  The most popular are the special doggie bowls that have bumps and sections in them to make it harder to get the "big bites" into Wolfies mouth.  We think we have a better way.

We would like to suggest a way to slow Wolfies "speed eating" while adding a bit of entertainment to the process.  The other good thing about this is that you dont have to buy a thing to implement it today.


Dogs, like many animals, are foragers.  They are always looking for things on the ground, on tables, chairs, etc.  We suggest combining their hunger with their natural foraging instinct.  We implement this through a process we call "scatter feeding".  When it is time to feed Wolfie, measure his food and put it in his bowl.  Instead of putting the bowl down, give him a command such as "meal time, food, eaties", etc. and then toss some of the food on the ground.

Wolfie will now go after the kibble that is now scattered on the floor.  As he is finishing up the last bit, repeat your meal time command and toss some more food on the ground.  If he is eating the food too fast, scatter the kibble in a larger area and make the portions slightly smaller.

This is an instinctive way that Wolfie naturally eats and a process that he can easily understand.  You have taken charge by managing how fast the food is presented to him and Wolfie is having a great time foraging for his food on the ground.

Give this a try and I am sure you will get some great results.

One note of caution.  If you have multiple dogs in your household and food aggression is displayed, you must make sure that the other dog(s) are separated before you begin to scatter feed with Wolfie.

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

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Stupid Things We Humans Do When Walking Wolfie

I just dont know... Sometimes when I walk Wolfie, everything is fine and we have a great walk.  Other times, the walk is just a nightmare. Is there something I am missing?

Many of us think that walking our dog is just throwing a collar and leash on him and then "away we go".  This is not the case.  As dog owners, our dogs need to look up to us as the ones that are keeping them safe and caring for their needs.  We have responsibilities and tasks in order to accomplish this.

When we walk Wolfie, he must feel safe and understand that, whatever happens, we are in charge and he will be fine.  Wolfie must be focused on us to provide him the proper signals and we must be aware of the changing environment of the walk in order to provide Wolfie with the security he needs.

I would like to give you a scenario of a walk and what you should be doing in order to have a successful and productive experience...

• No Extension Leashes.  I have commented on this over and over again.  The extension leash only allows Wolfie to be away from you without providing you focus and you providing him direction.  Get a regular, six foot leash!
• Leashie, Leashie, Walkie, Walkie, Crazy, Crazy.  If Wolfie goes crazy every time you pull out the leash for a walk, you already have a nutty dog before you begin.  Put the leash on at different times during the day while you are home.  Just drop it on the ground and let him walk around with it.  Wolfie will very quickly learn that the leash doesnt always mean he is going on a walk.  He will no longer react to the leash in a crazy manner and you will have an easier time getting it on him and starting your walk.
• No Running Out The Front Door.  The beginning of the walk is not the start of a race.  If it were, we would call it a "race" and not a "walk".  Go to the front door and have Wolfie sit.  Open the door and step out first.  Once you are outside, invite Wolfie out and tell him to sit again.  Once he is calm and sitting, you can start your walk.
• Wolfie Watches You.  Have Wolfie on a slightly loose leash walking by your side.  If he is walking by your side, you only have to give him about a foot of leash to allow it to be loose.  We want him to be in position to have you in his peripheral vision so that he always knows you are there to keep him safe.
• Be the AWAC.  Always be scanning the neighborhood ahead of you and behind you for potential diversions that might make Wolfie feel unsafe or spike his adrenaline.  Squirrels, neighbors with their dogs, bicycles, large trucks, and gardeners with leaf blowers are a few examples of potential issues. Direct Wolfie away from them and capture his focus as they pass.  If needed, go in a different direction or make a large circle around them.  You want to allow Wolfie to experience them from a distance or stance where he feels safe.  It is your job to make that happen.
• Sniffie, Potty, Play Time.    A walk is more than going around the block until you get back home.  It is a time to bond with Wolfie.  The important fact is that you are in charge of Wolfies actions.  Stop and have Wolfie sit.  Then give him a command like "Free" or "Go Potties" indicating that you are allowing him to engage in an action he wishes.  Remember, you are allowing him to do what he wants.  You are still in charge.  When the "free time" is over, have him come to you and sit.  When you are ready, give him the command to walk and continue your trek.
• Oh, Can I Pet Your Dog?  If Wolfie is a cute dog, other people will always want to pet him.  Remember, you are in charge and must keep Wolfie safe.  
• If the other person is overly animated, they cant pet Wolfie. 
• If you get the "heebie jeebies"  from the other person, they cant pet Wolfie.
• If you see Wolfie back up or put his tail between his legs, they cant pet Wolfie.  
• If the person seems fine to you, you can invite Wolfie to approach them.  If Wolfie doesnt easily walk to them on a loose leash, no petting.  
• Have the person put the back of his hand down low and allow Wolfie to smell him.  If Wolfie is still calm, ask the person to take his hand around Wolfies chest and slowly stroke the back of his neck.  
• Never let the person move his hand directly over Wolfies face or lean over Wolfie.  
• When you are done, have the person stand still and allow Wolfie to move away.
• Arriving Home.  When you get back home, it is not the end of a race.  Have Wolfie sit at the front door.  Open the door and step through.  Call Wolfie to come inside and sit.  Close the door and release Wolfie from the sit.

Your walk is now done.  See, there are a lot of things you have to remember and do on a walk.  When it comes to walking with our dogs, it is far more involved than just a "lets go".  For more information, please contact us at The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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Wolfie Is Nuts

I read all the books, watch all the dog training shows, ask for advice from all my friends, and Wolfie is still nuts.  What gives?

I bet you are wondering what the picture of Marge, Homer, Bart, and Lisa has to do with doggie issues.  Surprisingly, it depicts one of the most important issues you need to take into consideration when Wolfie isnt listening to you; or Wolfie is crazy; or Wolfie is nipping you; etc.

We all must remember that Wolfie is a member of our family, or in his eyes, a member of the pack.  If the pack is weak, inconsistent, or always fighting, it is not the pack that Wolfie can trust and respect.  Because of this, he will not listen or pay attention to anything you ask of him.  Some examples of families who show this inappropriate tenancies are:

• Kids always bullying parents.
• Parents going through a divorce.
• Strong difference of opinion of how to deal with Wolfie.
• General "insanity" within the household...

Unfortunately, some of our clients are experiencing these activities and, because of it, they are having issues with their doggies.  General canine obedience or behavioral exercises are not enough to get Wolfie back in line and for him to become a happy member of the family.

What we tell our clients is that they must first build a strong, consistent, and calm environment within their human family.  It is only at this point that they will provide Wolfie with the perspective that he is part of a pack that will keep him safe.  It is only at this point that he will provide the respect and focus that is necessary to be a good dog.

So, now lets get back to the picture of Marge, Homer, Bark, and Lisa.  If your family looks like that, your ability to instruct Wolfie in being a good dog is just about nonexistent.

You must be happy, calm, respectful, and consistent among each other in order to have Wolfie understand that it is time to learn.   For more information, please contact The Best Dog Trainers in South Florida.

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