K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) Dog Blog

How to Teach Voluntary Blood Draws: Lessons from Dolphins and Horses Apply to Dogs | Karen Pryor Clicker Training

2013-06-18T10:20:00.001-05:00

OK this video is amazing and YOU NEED TO WATCH IT!!!! I always talk about Cradle and Message See my article in the link below but this link takes my idea to the next level. It is truely amazing what you can do with an animal if you only take the time to do it. Please take the time to read the article and watch all three videos... Trust me your vet and groomer will love you for it!!!!!

My Article....Click Here...

How to Teach Voluntary Blood Draws: Lessons from Dolphins and Horses Apply to Dogs | Karen Pryor Clicker Training

Intelligence in Dogs, and How it Affects Training...

2013-06-18T08:35:00.003-05:00

Some people still believe in the old Alpha/Dominance ideas of dog training, and why not we see it on TV, and we have been using it for the last 40-50 years, right? Well there is a new idea in the research of dog intelligence that might just make these methods really easy to debunk… As many of you know I am definitely a positive reinforcement trainer I don’t believe in heavy handed treatment/or shock collars for training dogs and it appears there might just be scientific proof to back up my ideas…

Psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD has stated, that according to several behavioral measures, dogs' mental abilities are close to a human child age 2 to 2.5 years.

The intelligence of various types of dogs does differ and the dog's breed determines some of these differences, There are three types of dog intelligence: instinctive (what the dog is bred to do), adaptive (how well the dog learns from its environment to solve problems) and working and obedience (the equivalent of 'school learning').

Well if research it telling us that a dogs intelligence is similar to that of a preverbal human toddler I think that definitely points us into a different way of thinking about dogs and dog training… Let’s just take a look at several examples and see just how this idea holds up.

· My dog pees or poops on the carpet, so I rub his nose in it and tell him/her they are a bad dog and throw them outside...

· My dog growls at the neighbor, so I grab him/her by the scruff of the neck and pin them to the ground until they submit and then let them up…

· My dog won’t come back to me when I call him/her so I buy a shock collar and shock the dog to get its attention when they ignore me…

· My dog barks too much so I bought a bark collar that shocks them every time they bark so that they understand it is not appropriate to bark…

Ok now change dog with 2.5 year old child… Would you use these methods with a child? Look I don’t want to get over dramatic here but for years I have told folks that my litmus test for dog training methods is simple ask yourself if you would do the same to a small child. If the answer is no then you should probably not be doing it to your dog. Will these methods work? Have they worked and are they still being used? Sure they are but that really is not the question I am posing to you… Rather I am asking you what method you want to use.

All I want this article to accomplish is simple I want everyone reading these words to remember to ask questions when they choose their dog trainer. Don’t assume that the first trainer you talk to is the right one for you! I tell everyone I talk to that they need to contact at least three trainers and that the final choice should be to pick the trainer that they “Jive” with the best. If you don’t like or accept the way the trainer, trains dogs, then buying into the training is gonna be tough, if not impossible… So the moral of the story is simple, just how do you want to train your dog? The choice is up to you and you only!

Help us win a Pettie Award!!!!

2013-06-14T15:51:00.004-05:00

Here is the link to the Petties Nomination Page... If you feel this blog is worthy please nominate us for best dog blog! Without you guys and gals this blog would not be possible, I thank you all!

The URL of our blog is http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/ (You will need it if you nominate us)

http://petties.dogtime.com/nominations

Death of Dog while in Training Class at Petco.... Lots of Questions!!!

2013-06-13T14:39:00.001-05:00

OK so read about this on another blog and found the story to be a little one sided... I did some more research and found this news report and felt is was a little bit fairer in its reporting. Obviously jerking a dog by the leash is not a good way to train, period! And since my training career started with Petsmart (ending up as an Area Trainer) many years ago I know both companies are positive in their approaches to dog training but approaches are only as good as the trainers that use them. Could it be that this was a renegade trainer that jerked the pup? Maybe, or could it be a pre-exsisting condition as the news report mentions as another possibility? Sure... The fact is you must ask tons of questions and make up your own mind in the trainer you pick. I find that corporate trainers like the big boxes have great and not so great trainers, but also know they offer money back guarantees with their training and if you as a dog owner don't like your trainer or are uncomfortable with the methods being used, simply get a refund and leave the class. I just don't want any group of trainers lumped into one group. There is good and bad in everything and it is up to us to make the decisions not others... Hopefully I don't make anyone mad with these comments but I thought these things needed to be said. Click the link below to get more info on the incident!

CBS 2 Investigation: Did Heavy Handed Trainer Cost L.I. Couple Their Dog? - CBS New York

As a way to help I am re posting my article on how to choose a trainer below please take the time to read it and share it if you feel it merits that share...

Choosing a trainer for your pet

5 Basic Pet Dog Skills

My training is based around the idea that “Pet Dogs” must have 5 basic skills.

• Basic obedience commands

• Good mouth skills or bite inhibition

• Good social skills (they like people and other animals)

• Good leash skills

• Good understanding of recall or come when called

So there you sit, looking at a list of dog trainers on your computer screen. Your wife has made it perfectly clear…if you don’t get the dog’s “fill in the blank” behavior fixed, either you or Fido are going to have to find a new home. Just how are you supposed to pick a trainer and what is it that you and Fido need to learn? I bet you wish someone had gone over all this stuff before this “fill in the blank” behavior started…it would sure have made your home life a little easier.

Choices, Choices and More Choices

First we’ll start out with that huge computer screen of trainers and just how to make sense of all those choices! To limit your choices look for two things: 1. Does the trainer have certifications; and 2. Are they positive reinforcement based?

Certification

Unfortunately in dog training, anyone who wants to can claim to be a trainer and start their own business. If you are hiring a trainer, make sure they are qualified. They should have taking the time to pass a test to gain certification.

There are many trainers in this area who are certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers; the certification they earn is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer or CPDT-KA. An additional qualification is Canine Good Citizen Evaluators. Many trainers also have specializations. Some focus on helping people live happily at home with their pets!

There are many trainers out there, and each will train dogs differently. Who and what type of training you choose is up to you. A great place to start looking for a trainer is The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT). Look for the APDT logo on the trainers marketing material (ad, website, etc.)

Start with an Interview

As for the positive reinforcement aspect of training, interview at least three dog trainers and for goodness sakes ask questions! This is the only true way to gauge a trainer’s view on how to train dogs. Ask how they deal with pulling on the leash or what techniques they use to deal with puppy or play biting.

Specifically ask about your “fill in the blank” behaviors that are driving you nuts about your dog. One really simple litmus test — any technique that you use on dogs could also be used on kids. So if you are hearing things you would never use or try on a child…in my opinion you have not found the right trainer. Call the next trainer on the list till you find the trainer that relates to you and your dog the best. Let’s face it, no matter how good the trainer is, if you and he/she don’t jive together, then there is going to be very little learning going on for you or Fido.

Let’s Get Started

OK, so now you have picked your trainer, but now you have to choose between all these options of instruction type: group classes, in-home private lessons, one-on-one session with a trainer, formal obedience instruction, pet dog training, and so on. How on earth are you supposed to make this decision?

Well there are several things to consider; cost, time investment, severity of the problem, type of problem and even the location of the problem behavior. For example, if you have a young dog who has had little if any training, group classes are probably the best bet so that you can get the most comprehensive training possible.

Maybe, you have a dog who is very scared of strangers and barks at everyone in the house. In this case, private training is probably best, but you will want it to be at your house so that your trainer can see the problem behavior in the environment in which it happens.

What if on the other hand you have a problem behavior like potty training or pulling on the leash? These are problems that could easily be taken care of through a one-on-one session with your trainer at their facility, and that could save you money! You also have to consider the time investment.

Some behaviors will take a considerable time to correct or manage and others not as much. A trainer should be there to teach you and to instruct you in ways to correct the behaviors and teach your dog. Dog training should be about fixing behaviors, not starting therapy that takes years.

What About the Cost?

Last, you have the cost factor. While shopping around for the best deal is a great idea, in many cases you get what you pay for with dog training. Make sure to ask lots of questions including “why are you half the price of most trainers”?

In the end, choosing a dog trainer is a personal decision that you must be

comfortable with. I by no means know everything nor do I claim to, but I can tell you if you follow your head and your heart, chances are you will not go wrong! So get back to that computer screen and grab the phone. Start asking questions, become your dogs advocate and get busy fixing those “fill in the blank” behaviors that are wrecking the harmony of your happy home…Good Luck!

Dog tries to catch a baseball through the TV. [VIDEO]

2013-06-12T10:53:00.001-05:00

OK so watch this video....

Dog tries to catch a baseball through the TV. [VIDEO]

Now a repost of a very useful article.... Sorry the video made me think of this post... And Giggle!

Have you ever wished your dog could say please? Wouldn’t this be an awesome way for our dogs to show their manners? Imagine having a command that required your dog not only to ask for something but also to show the proper energy level when asking, before receiving permission to get or do something!

Sit is something every dog does, but we rarely take advantage of that behavior. We should be using it for more than a simple obedience command. I’m not talking about a Sit with the body vibrating or the tail dusting the floor, basically out of control. I’m thinking of a Sit where the dog is focused on you and what you are offering. Sit is usually the first thing we ask our dog to learn, but we never really use it to achieve anything else. So, how can we use this basic command to teach our dogs manners? Simple, from this point forward, we are going to use Sit as a way for our dogs to say “please”. This command will become a condition for our dog to receive our okay as well as controlling Fido’s energy level during everyday life. Sit will now be used for specific reasons…for example; to identify who controls the food, where Fido sleeps, where he is allowed to be and how he asks for things! Up till now we have pleaded, cried, and even screamed at our dogs to get what we wanted. Some people resort to manhandling their dogs to get a behavior. As we have likely figured out, forcing our dogs to do something they don’t want to do rarely yields positive outcomes. Why not try getting our dog to present proper manners and appropriate energy to get what they want? I promise I will go into much greater detail on leadership and resource control in a future post, but for now let’s just start with, DOGS DON’T GET ANYTHING FOR FREE! In addition to giving us a wanted behavior, they must also present an appropriate energy level. Simply put, they must sit “say please” with the proper energy level before they get anything!

Unlike many trainers, I don’t like to use sit as my primary stay or duration command. I find that when a dog is asked to sit/stay for longer than 30 seconds, many simply get bored and lay down (can't say that I blame them!) I tend to use Down for duration stays (future post on Down) and Sit for “please.” So why use Sit for Please? It’s all about leadership!

You need to be seen as the leader in your home, but leadership with dogs is created through resource control not some of the CRAP (excuse my choice of words) you have either read, seen on TV or been told. It does not necessitate scruff shakes, alpha rolls, pinning down a dog or staring them down. What this means is that before they go outside, get their food, get their leash put on, get some pets/love, or even hop up on the couch with you, they must SIT, with the correct energy, and say please! To walk you through how it works, let’s take a look at feeding time in the Deathe household. But, before we start, answer this question… if I leave food out all the time and do not require the dog to work for his/ her meal, who owns the food resource? Yep, you got it, the dog! This is not an issue for all dog owners, but if there is confusion over who owns the food resource, snippy/snarky behavior around their food and/or food bowls, can be a result! So what do we do? I ask my dogs for a SIT before I place the bowl on the ground. After setting it down, I cue the dog to wait (see blog on Wait vs. Leave It) and then release (all done) the dog to eat his meal. Fido has worked for his meal and has shown the proper energy level needed to be released to receive it. If feeding time is done correctly, your dog makes the connection that you, not him, control the food resource in this family. Where do you think the phrase “Don’t Bite the Hand that Feeds You” comes from? As time goes by, you will notice that Fido will offer this “please” (sit) command without being asked. This is basic Psychology…the cue becomes conditioned as a way for the dog to get the desired response (we get the manners and they get their reward.) I’ve taken this one step further by having my sons Donovan and Dylan do the daily feeding with the dogs. I do this because I feel the food resource is the easiest for a child to control. Let me be clear, at no time do I recommend a child be left alone with dogs! I oversee the process while my sons actually do the feeding. It is a great way to for me to bond with my kids and it’s also a way my sons can bond with the dogs. This is just one example of using Sit to control manners and energy levels. Here are some other times saying “Please” can be used.

· Getting the leash put on

· Going in and out a door

· The proper greet (upcoming post)

· Being allowed on a couch or Bed

· Getting pets/love

I am sure that as you begin this technique you will continue to find more everyday examples of how this can help you keep the family unit in the right order. Keep it up and don’t give in to your dog, otherwise you might have to ask yourself “Who is Training Who?” In the next post, I will specifically go over how to teach the Sit command both with hand signals and verbal cues. I will also talk about where and how to use the clicker, release word and treats.

Leave it VS. Wait

2013-06-11T17:08:00.002-05:00

OK so I found this pic in my "Funny Pics" File and it reminded me of my issues with the difference between the commands WAIT and LEAVE IT... Many trainers use the commands interchangeably, but I think there is a huge difference... So Along with this really cute pic, is a repost of my thoughts on the subject!

Enjoy.... Mike

Ironic that the pic uses the word STAY which is a totally different ball game :-)

So is there really a difference between “Leave It” and “Wait”? You better believe there is! I think both commands (cues) should be taught. The difference is that with “Wait”, the dog will eventually get the object in question, where “Leave It” means the dog will never ever, ever, ever (am I being clear?) ever get the object in question. Why the difference…because dogs always try to jump the cue. Think about it. If you taught your dog “Sit”, then “Down”, how many times has your dog gone from a “Sit” (the command you ask for) to a down without permission? The dog figures why wait, I will just go ahead and lay down since that is what you are going to ask for next! Fido figures that skipping ahead just shows how smart he is. So, if you teach “Leave It” as a command where the dog eventually gets the treat, what happens when the “Leave It” object is dropped medication, or a half eaten sock? If the dog tries to jump the cue here the results could be disastrous. The solution is to teach “Wait” for those items they will eventually get (food, toys, going through a door or going up or down stairs) and “Leave It” for those things they are not allowed to get, this list could include almost anything (small children, cats or the porter house steak you dropped, etc).

So how do you do this? In the beginning, we will be using a clicker. This is simply a noise maker that uses a click noise to tell the dog what they did right. We are going to start with the clicker in our right hand and 7-10 treats in the left hand. You are also going to need one more treat to play the part of the “Leave It” object. Start in a kneeling position to place the “Leave It” object on the ground in front of your dog. Each time your dog attempts to take the Leave It object, I want you to cover it with the hand holding the clicker (right hand), and say the words “Leave It”. I want you to be clear and direct with the dog, but not overly loud or aggressive when giving the command. I guess the easiest way to describe the voice I want you to use is "the voice" your mother has! She never really raised her voice but boy oh boy did you know what she meant. If you go much past this with your dog you will only scare them, and that will not result in learning! As you are saying “Leave It”, keep a close eye on your dog. The moment they look away from the “Leave It” object, click and reward them one treat from your left hand. Make sure to move your left hand as far away from the “Leave It” object as possible. We not only want the dog to leave the treat alone, but also learn to move away from the object as well! So moving the hand you are treating with as far away from the hand blocking the “Leave It” object is critical. Within minutes you should start to see your dog getting it! At this point, begin shaping the behavior of your dog from looking away from the “Leave It” object to looking at you.

The goal is to have a dog, who when they hear “Leave It”, will ignore the object and look to their owner for direction. As you progress, you can go from a kneeling position to standing up. Instead of placing the “Leave It” object on the ground, drop the treat in front of the dog and if necessary block the treat from the dog with your foot instead of your hand. Again, wait for the dog to look away when you say “Leave It” before you click and reward. Then shape the behavior of your dog to looking at you before you click. Once you have it down, move on from treats to toys, thrown balls, cats, chewing on the chair, etc. The more practice you can get with ever more distracting items, the stronger a “Leave It” command you will get. Ironically this exercise does not need a huge amount of time, but it does require a ton of consistency. If you practice 15 minutes a day 5-6 days a week, you will be amazed at where you can be in a month. Another trick is to incorporate practice time each day within your every day schedule. The more you can make the practice real life, the faster your dog will learn.

OK So this has nothing to do with dogs but WOW... Black Bears near KC?!?!?

2013-06-10T16:48:00.001-05:00

OK So this has nothing to do with dogs but WOW... Black Bears near KC?!?!?

Black bear spotted about 90 miles from Kansas City | fox4kc.com

Observations from a Trade Show....

2013-06-10T09:44:00.002-05:00

I did a trade show this weekend and talked to a ton of folks over the three days! Apparently folks enjoy the opportunity to pick the brain of a dog trainer when given the chance… You know what I learned over the three days? People are just plain unprepared to own a dog… Now don’t get mad, I don’t mean that as an insult but rather a way to show the difference between folks who do research before getting a dog and are proactive and those who on a whim adopt or buy a dog and are forced to be reactive to all those wonderful doggy behaviors that drive us nuts…

Now I don’t really think there are people in the world who think dogs don’t poop, pee, bark, chew or jump up on people but I do think there are people who simple on an impulse fall in love with the idea of having a puppy and that is where their thought process ends until the newness of having this little ball of fur wears off. Let’s face it owning a dog is a lot of work and if you and your family are not ready for that work you are in for a world of disappointment.

My solution… Quit calling dog trainers to fix problems and instead start calling us to help you with decisions like what type, size and age of dog fits your family. Or maybe helping your family decide if you are in a place in life where getting a dog is even a good idea? A good dog trainer can even come into your house and have an honest discussion with your entire family on who is gonna be responsible for what and help put together a plan for success to make everyone’s life a little easier…

Look I know from time to time my articles can see a little preachy or pointed but trust me if you had seen the number of families in heartbreak that I have once they decide that they cannot commit to the time or effort of owning a dog you would better understand my perspective. All I really want you to get from this article is realization that the best time to get a dog trainer is not after you have gotten a dog but rather before you do, so that I and all of the other great dog trainers in the world can get you going down the right path and choose the perfect pet for you and your family…

Remember Keep it Simple Stupid,

Mike

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Dog Poop | Dogster

2013-06-10T09:18:00.001-05:00

Interesting takes on the age old topic of dog poo and what to do with it??? I think the article is worth the read but would love to know what you think when done. Check out the comments apparently this is more of a hot button topic than I expected....

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Dog Poop | Dogster

Our new book, Forever Home... Dog Training 101 & How to be a better shelter volunteer is done!!!!!

2013-06-06T09:22:00.001-05:00

The new book is done and ready for purchase at Amazon.com! Here is a brief description....

Writing this book has been a challenge and a pleasure all at the same time. As I read and edit it (for what seems the 150th time), I realize it is way more than a book on how to be a great shelter volunteer. It is really a book about dogs, dog training and the ability to relate to your dog without malice, over the top control or even dominance. I am very proud of the ideas here, and really hope that all the people that read this book rush out to their local shelter, sign up as a volunteer and make a difference. I also realize this book has the potential to help people inside their own home with their own dogs, leading to a happier home for everyone involved. Even at the time of writing this last chapter, I have no idea what the title of the book will be. It was originally to be titled "So You Want to Be a Shelter Volunteer", but in looking at the final product I think it covers way more than that. I can only hope that you, the reader, agree. I ask you to take this information, share it, find someone to help or maybe even decide to go out and join the group of us that are lucky enough to work with dogs and their owners for a living. (Dog Trainer is really not accurate, since we are first and foremost people trainers!) Every author thinks, or at least hopes, that everything they write will be thought of as a "masterpiece"! I hold no such hopes. I know there are as many different ways to train a dog as there are types of dogs in the world. Rather, I hope you found a nugget or two in this book that you cannot wait to try. Thank you for supporting Keep it Simple Stupid (KISS) Dog Training and go out and make a difference with your own dog or others' dogs. In the end, it is all about saving more dogs and finding them their forever homes. I hope you find few ideas to try along the way. Mike Deathe CPDT-KA

Please Nominate KISS Dog Training for a Petties Award.....

2013-06-03T15:40:00.002-05:00

Nominations for DogTime.com Petties Awards is back!!!! Please consider the KISS Dog Blog for

Best Dog Blog

You will need our URL: http://muttzmembers.blogspot.com/

Last year you all helped me get my name recognized and I really appreciate it! Lets see if this year we can take it to the next level. Thank you all for all you do to support me and KISS Dog Training....

Mike

PS if you like our blog please share this with your friends :-)

Click Here to Nominate Us....

The 3 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds Revealed! – Pit Bulls? Rottweilers? You’ll Be Surprised…. | Dog Reflections

2013-06-03T10:11:00.001-05:00

You need to guess the three breeds before you read the article...

The 3 Most Aggressive Dog Breeds Revealed! – Pit Bulls? Rottweilers? You’ll Be Surprised…. | Dog Reflections

2013-06-03T09:40:00.000-05:00

Based on an average life span of 11 years, the cost of owning a dog is $13,350. So let's at this point just agree that owning is dog is quite the financial and time commitment! I really don't want to discourage people from getting a dog but here are just a few things you family unit should consider...

If it takes 12 years (we hope) to get kids ready for college you should not be thinking a 6 week course at the pet superstore will train your dog
You can not potty train a dog while you are at work, or watching TV. Expect a minimum of 30 days to build rudimentary understanding
You might just have to put your pooch in doggy daycare if you can not take time off from work to help with potty training and puppy behaviors
Expecting your kids to train the dog is a pipe dream ( you already know this, but sometimes we just need to hear it again
Dogs are social animals, so if you are planning on crating him/her in the basement or leaving the dog outside, think again
Puppy/ Juvenile dogs can be destructive, if you do not have time to manage them continually expect bad things to happen

OK these are only a few of the things that popped in to my head this morning as I wrote this little note... Dogs are not easy... Not every child, family or individual needs to own a dog and trust me I see it daily where folks dont think through this decision and well everyone in the family ends up in tears as they drop the dog off at the shelter. If I could leave you with just one piece of advise... It would be simple:

Think outside the box and be that person that hires a dog trainer before you get a dog. Let a professional talk to your family about this decision from every direction before you just go out and pick the first cute (by the way they are all cute) puppy you see int the window.....

Mike

2013-06-03T09:15:00.002-05:00

People always ask about where the best place to buy a dog is??? How do they know if the dog came from a puppy mill? Well in truth you don't and never will but if I were to make a blanket statement it would be, if you are in a store selling puppies chances are they came from a puppy mill!

Here is a great blog post about this topic read it and let me know what you think????

Mike

Click Here for the Entire Article.....

Check out a great new website!

2013-05-24T22:54:00.001-05:00

I am employed by Petocracy as a Resident Pet Expert and to be honest it has been a blast!!! Please take a look and sign up and friend me, we can talk dog :-)

About Us | petocracy

How Many Breeds of Dogs Are There in the World? | Psychology Today

2013-05-24T09:39:00.001-05:00

Interesting article and great blog to follow!!!! Love this guy.

How Many Breeds of Dogs Are There in the World? | Psychology Today

Books By KISS Dog Training....

2013-05-24T08:58:00.002-05:00

OK so the new book is out and well I wanted you all to get a chance to check it out! I have also included a link to our other book as well... I really loved writing them and hope you all enjoy reading them... Please share the links with all of your doggy friends and remember next to training people and their dogs my next favorite thing is talking to groups about dog and dog training!!! If you know of anyone looking for this kind of speaker introductions would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Tag Archives: largest dog breed

2013-05-23T15:56:00.001-05:00

All the breeds I love so..... and several who have shared their worlds with me! Love them big dogs....

Tag Archives: largest dog breed

Fourth grade class starts petition to get Chicago puppy mills banned - Lansing Pets | Examiner.com

2013-05-16T15:43:00.001-05:00

Now there is a class activity I can support....Way to go kids!!!!!

Fourth grade class starts petition to get Chicago puppy mills banned - Lansing Pets | Examiner.com

Doggie Day Care and Relearning to Speak Dog

2013-05-16T14:48:00.000-05:00

This article is about why using a doggy day care can be useful, not whether it is better or worse than a dog park… I know there are some out there love dog parks and take their dogs regularly, but let’s face it, dog parks are only great for certain dogs! Not to mention they are only great when the owner actually pays attention to their dogs and as we have all probably seen, many owners are the problems in dog parks! That all being said this article concerns my thoughts on doggy day cares and why they can become a big part of your dog’s education… So off my soapbox and on to the article J

When I was in college I took Spanish each semester, in fact I even tried a conversational class my senior year. Let’s just say that by that time I had a pretty good grasp on the language… However as life continued and I got a job, got married, had kids and so on, my skills in Spanish began to fade away! The fact is I did not use those skills and over time forgot them… What does my lack of remembering how to conjugate a past present form of an “AR” verb in Spanish have to do with dogs? Well honestly a lot.

In many ways dogs are the same; way we bring them into our home and their socialization stops we don’t take them out into the wonderful world of distraction and allow them to meet new and unfamiliar dogs and slowly they forget how to speak dog! They forget what a play bow means or what it means when another dog yawns or licks its lips (stress signal). Dogs have a very distinctive way to let other dogs know they are uncomfortable and unless they stay in practice they will forget how to relate to other dogs…

This is where a good doggy daycare comes in!

You need to find a place that will

1. Allow you to tour the facility

2. Has ample staff for the playgroups

3. Limits both size, temperament and number of dogs per play group

4. Has an educated staff (or even better a trainer on staff)

What you don’t want is

1. A room full of dogs (more than 10) allowed to just mingle

2. Groups of dogs that are allowed to interact without temperament/energy level evaluations

3. A place which expects one person to observe huge groups of dogs by themselves

4. A place where the daycare area is a small piece of concrete where to many dogs are expected to interact in tight proximity

If you don’t do your due diligence in picking out the doggy daycare you alone could be making your dog worse, but if you choose wisely after a short period of time you are going to have a more tired (in most cases better behaved, tired dog is a good dog) and a dog that speaks his native language quite well and enjoys time spent with his own kind…

(Another aspect of a great doggy daycare is one that will tell you, your dog is not cutout for daycare without thought of their bottom line)

A final word on wearing out your dog… I had a really nice client recently who was an elementary school teacher enlighten me on Gym and Recess in schools…

What she said really stuck with me, “Gym and recess are not there specifically for the kids, in fact they are also there to burn off energy and make the kids more focused” With that being said ask yourself what you are doing to keep your dog more focused?

Mike

The New Book is Done!!!!!

2013-05-15T08:56:00.004-05:00

The Book is finally done... I can finally take a breath (at least for a minute, already have the outline for the next one done) but today is gonna be a very happy day!!!!!

I need volunteers for reading the new book and giving me a reviews on Amazon, iTunes and Barnes and Noble??????

Baby on the way??? What do you do Next???

2013-05-10T07:05:00.000-05:00

Does your dog listen to your voice commands? If you haven't taught your dog this, now is the time. Obedience training is critical to having your dog stay well-behaved around your new baby. At a minimum he needs to know "sit", "stay", "off" (or "down"), touch, lie down and "leave it" - these are all going to come in handy as you juggle both the baby and the dog. If you will be walking your dog as your push your baby's stroller, we also suggest you learn Loose Leash walking and walking at heel. This is going to be useful.

Does your dog play bite or get mouthy? If so, make it stop. Your dog must learn to be careful with his mouth!

This might sound mean, but it's necessary: start reducing the amount of attention you give your dog every day. This does not mean to ignore him or stop loving him, but you are going to be very busy with your new little one, and the dog is not going to be able to get as much attention as he is used to. So by starting ahead of time you can get it better prepared.

Start introducing your dog to other babies. Do this safely, and pull out all the stops when it comes to rewarding good dog behavior around babies, infants, and toddlers. Give him his favorite treats and love. Let your dog know that these little human beings, while looking different, are not something to fear.

Have you ever watched a child interact with a new object? They Chew Lick, Smack, Mouth, Poke, Prod and even fall on it. One day your little one is going to do that to your dog. Start getting your dog used to having it poked, prodded, nudged, and "messed with. This is what we call cradle and message; get the dog used to being touched in all those areas dogs commonly don’t like being touched…

Some dogs can get snarky around the food bowl. This is where resource controls (hand feeding the food and moving to bowl feeding) comes in... We can even get into the habit of surprising the dog with treats being dropped in the bowl as he is eating which will make him happy to have folks around while he is eating! Get Fido used to being around him while eating in all forms now is the time to teach not when the baby comes home…

Get the dog used to being in the nursery and get him a blanket or bed that is located in that room. Now teach the dog a park it command! That way they are used to the room and used to being in their space and good with the command stay!

Smells are important to dogs. They are how dogs identify other animals and people. So before your baby comes home, bring home a blanket from the hospital that has the baby's scent all over it. Get him used to it and only reward calm behavior…

Keep the dog's routine as normal as possible. Remember dogs with rules and routines will think of how to make the owner happy vs. thinking like a dog!

Do not mix dog toys and baby toys, or let the dog play with the baby's things. Again this starts now not when you bring the baby home…

Go get a cabbage patch doll or other doll that is the correct size and look of a real baby! Start carrying it around. Your dog will notice the difference immediately, you will walk different, stand different, and move different when carrying a baby. You will also have way less use of your hands (remember you are now holding a baby) the use of a doll will give the dog a chance to get used to these changes.

Next start putting the doll on the ground on a blanket and teach the dog to be calm and used to having the doll on the ground… Use the baby carrier, Johnny jumper, slings and all other contraptions that will hold the baby with the doll now don’t wait till the baby comes home! If you see behaviors that make you feel uncomfortable we want to know now not when the baby comes home. Now is the time to call trainers, practice and make sure everything is good!

Smells are critical also make sure to use baby lotion, baby oil, diaper cream and powders now around the dog! Pair all of these smell with feeding time or treats so that the dog becomes accustomed them now not when the baby comes home…

Lastly sounds get a cd of baby noises and start the desensitization process now! Once again pair with food or treats and spend time each day getting the dog used to these sounds. I have even been known to wrap a doll in a receiving blanket with a portable cd player in the blanket so I am carrying a crying baby… Remember you are only going to get one chance to prep for the little ones arrival take it seriously and work now not later…

Lastly if you see anything that makes you uncomfortable please call a trainer now don’t wait till the baby comes home. I have seen this go horribly wrong for baby and dog… Just get help if you need it!

Below are links to two places where you can get these cd’s

http://www.dogwise.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=dtb865

http://www.babysoundsforpets.com/

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

2013-05-09T07:09:00.000-05:00

Well that all depends on what kind of dog is trying to change the light bulb... But we did interview many different dogs and these were just some of the responses...

Afghan: Light bulb? What light bulb?

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. And I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.

Dachshund: I can't reach the stupid lamp!

Toy Poodle: I'll just blow in the border collie's ear and he'll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Rottweiler: Make Me!

Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dahling. I have servants for that sort of thing.

Lab: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh?

Malemute: Let the border collie do it. You can feed me while he's busy.

Springer Spaniel: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?

Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I'm just as cuddly in the dark.

Collie: While it's dark, I'm going to sleep on the couch.

Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.

Problem Behaviors and Punishment

2013-05-08T08:13:00.001-05:00

Ever wonder whether you should employ punishments with your dog, in training? Well that depends on your definition of punishment and just what you plan on doing... Want my opinion here is a video of me during a seminar on just that topic, enjoy!!!!

Click here to see the video.....

Top 5 Things To Consider When Potty Training A Dog

2013-05-07T22:52:00.003-05:00

1. Don’t get a dog if you don’t have time to potty train the dog…

This is especially important to consider when you are thinking of buying a dog as a gift especially around the holidays! Dogs are a serious investment of time and responsibility… After all, we have enough dogs in shelters right now. We don’t want to add another once you decide potty training is too much work!

2. Use a crate….

No one ever thought using a play-pen on your kids was cruel… If you cannot actively watch them or pay attention to them they belong in their crate. Dogs do not and will not (unless they physically cannot hold it) poop or pee where they sleep. Crate training is the first and most important step in potty training your new furry four legged friend!

3. Don’t rub a dog’s nose in an accident….

Most current research suggests that dogs have a similar intelligence level as that of a pre verbal toddler… In other words a two to three year old. So if you think it is Ok to rub a dogs nose in their accident, ask yourself if you would pull a dirty diaper off a three year old and rub the diaper in the child’s face saying “See what you did, you bad child”???

4. Use Potty/Poochie Bells….

These are simply bells that you hang on your back door to train Fido to ring when he needs to go outside and “relieve” himself! One of the most common mistakes in potty training is to miss or simply ignore Fido’s signals that he has to go outside. All dogs give signals, period! Unfortunately some dogs don’t send us very clear signals, so why not teach him to ring an obnoxious bell to let you know (while you are watching American Idol and not paying attention) that he has to go to the bathroom???

5. Don’t give your dog freedom in the house until he earns it….

Another common mistake is giving Fido too much freedom too soon! After a week or so we decide to let Fido roam the house with all the freedom of a 2-3 year old dog because we are tired of training and managing Fido’s potty training habits. Human learning theory says we have to do something 21 times before we can consider ourselves having a new habit. Why on earth would we think after 10-12 days Fido is done with his “potty training”? I tell people that it will take at least 30 days of Fido going in the right spot without a mistake before correct potty training can be considered done… While you might think 30 days sounds like a long time the average dog lives about 10-11 years, so ask yourself which sounds better 30 days of training on the front end or 10 years of potty training mistakes on back end…