1. Get a suitable training collar for your dog and learn how to use it properly.
2. Get a good quality dog crate and use it whenever your dog is unattended. Note: No collars or harnesses in the crate!
3. Supply a bed or mat other than the dog crate for your dog to use when not crated. This should be their destination when they are sent to go lay down unless you specifically point them elsewhere.
4. Keep your dog off the furniture unless they have been specifically invited up.
5. Consult your veterinarian for a specific food recommendation suited to your dog’s age, breed, fitness and health needs.
6. No free feeding. Instead, distribute their daily feeding among 1 or 2 mealtimes and stick to them. Allow 5 to 10 minutes to eat and then remove any remaining food. Note: Always allow free access to water when your dog is not crated unless specifically advised otherwise by your veterinarian.
7. If your dog has come to expect treats for a specific task, break that cycle today by using natural affection in place of your treat giving.
8. Go for at least one long walk with your dog every day.
9. Get your dog a saddlebag style backpack and put it to use on your walks to get them even more exercise.
10. Never allow your dog to jump up to greet a person. After sitting politely for a greeting they should only be allowed up if invited.
11. Socialize the heck out of your dog. Whether you have one dog or many they should be able to greet all new dogs in a friendly manner.

I’ll be going into more details on this list soon. Until then put these tips into action and ask any questions & share your experiences with us in the comments.

Dog parks are great treat for any pooch & in an urban environment they are nearly essential to maintaining a well balanced dog. Many parks go beyond a simple fenced enclosure to offer a real community for dog owners. To be able to really participate in that community you should know what’s expected of you and your dog. The bonus is that by following proper dog park etiquette you’re sure to enjoy your time with your four legged friend at the local dog run just a little bit more.

The Basics

• All dogs should be licensed (most towns require it) & up to date on all vaccines (Bordatella, Rabies & DHLPP)
• Dogs must wear a collar or harness (with proper ID & tags)
• You must have a leash handy for each dog
• Never bring a dog that has aggression issues
• Spaying or neutering is recommended
• Never bring a bitch in heat or puppies under 4 months old
• Discourage any excessive barking
• No mounting other dogs!
• Bring bags & immediately clean up your dogs poop
• You are responsible for all the dogs you bring and anything they do, so never bring more dogs than you can handle & stay alert!

Going The Extra Mile

• Meet & greet - Make it a point to introduce yourself & your dogs
• Bring spare poop bags, old tennis balls & extra toys to help replenish park supplies
• Many urban dog runs are user supported. Donate your time, money or effort to maintaining the park.
• Be proactive and alert for any escalating tussles between any dog & help when possible
• Keep your dog well clear of the gate when others are entering or exiting

Did I miss any? Please feel free to add your etiquette suggestions in the comments.

(reposted with permission of Milo’s family)

Dear friends who have heard and asked about Milo or seen him through his last days,

Milo died early this morning.. He died peacefully, as we had hoped, lying in his bed with his pack around him. We were holding him and petting him and telling him he was a good dog as he slowly stopped breathing. At first I kept saying, “please keep breathing until Rose gets here next weekend,” but soon it became apparent that he couldn’t last. This morning he crashed right after he went outside and Paul picked him up and carried him to his bed. Milo lay there slowly gasping for breath for some time, but without that terrible struggle he’d been having before, and then after a final rough breath, he was still.. We sat with him and cried for a long time and then took his body to the vet, where they’ll send him to cremation and give us the ashes, which I’ll bring to Amherst. We’ll spread them in the woods on one of his favorite walks. Spotty is crying and keeps looking toward the door.

I’m relieved that Milo died at home with us and that we didn’t have to “put him down.” He was so alive and so himself until the final moment. Last night, he trotted out for his walk, sniffing all the dogs he met along the way as though he wanted a good whiff of life — dog butts that is — to say good bye.. He also blissfully got to eat all the cooked skin and fat of the chicken from the soup i made this week, and for his leftovers last night — pizza — another favorite. We used to call him “Mr. Id” for his lust for life’s basic pleasures. He was a loving and lovely dog. It’s empty here without him.

Hope this isn’t too much mushy information. Thanks for your concern.

Love,

Amy, Paul & Spot

This time of year is a beast in the city. Hot & sticky isn’t exactly the weather that pulls us out of the house to be active with our dogs. Here in Philadelphia we are lucky to have so much great parkspace to enjoy. Don’t let it the greenspace in your area go to waste! A quick jaunt to a dog park in your neighborhood like Clark Park, Schyukill River Park, Seger Park, Mario Lanza , or another such city park may seem to be all you can manage, but you can do better than that.

It’s not that hard to pick one evening or weekend day and take the pooch on a true adventure to a bigger, greener park than usual. Try a hike in the Wissahickon Valley or just enjoy a long walk along Kelly Drive. You’ll get out, get some exercise & meet people and their dogs… and so will your pooch.

A good time will be had by all.

One of the happiest times for any dog owner is the day they bring their new dog home. It can be a time of great excitement & joy (not to mention a bit of chaos & turmoil thrown in for good measure). Your dogs are likely used to a daily routine and a certain level of attention from you and the other members of the family. The addition of a new dog can change these patterns and upset even the most even-tempered dogs. Often dogs will suddenly exhibit territorial behavior or separation anxiety after the introduction of a new dog. If you take the time to prepare yourself & your current pets you’ll have a smoother, less stressful transition for everyone involved.

Tough Question

First and foremost you need to make sure you are actually ready for another dog. Don’t fall into the trap of listening to your emotions over logic. You need to consider all of the space, time, financial & energy commitments that an additional dog will involve. Be sure to think about not only the immediate burdens but also the continued responsibility throughout the life of the dog. It’s all too easy to get carried away in the excitement of getting a new dog and forget the reality of the long term. There will be more vet bills, sacks of dog food to buy (and carry), hair to vacuum off the carpets & of course poop to scoop. If all of that sounds doable to you then it’s time to make sure your pack is as ready to accept a new companion into the fold as you are.

A Solid Pack Foundation

The experience of bringing home a new dog will go far smoother if you’ve taken the time to build your dogs into a solid pack foundation. If you aren’t already using NILIF start using it as far in advance of bringing home the new dog as possible. You’ll especially want to focus on walking, dinnertime & door/greeting behaviors. On your daily walks start limiting urine marking to a few select stops & if you already have more than one dog encourage combined stops. You should also enforce sits at all stops and down/stay at all extended stops. Dinnertime and guests at the door should also be a chance to run your dogs through any commands you choose. By applying a sit, down, rollover etc. (never use a begging posture as a dinnertime command) you are cementing in your dog that you are top dog and nothing comes to them without your say so. During this time you should also use the power of NILIF to uber-socialize your dogs. Enforce sits and polite behavior at any meet & sniffs with other dogs and calm behavior at dog parks. You are now taking full charge and filling the shoes of the alpha dog role, lessening the chance that there will be hierarchy struggles once a new dog arrives.

Build Up From There

With the proper preparation your dogs should now be following you in your new leadership role and be fully accepting of all friendly dogs and humans you present to them. All of the hard work you put in will now pay off with a well balanced dog that will be able to handle the stresses of a new dog’s arrival. Moving forward the key is get all the dogs active together. They should all be going on walks, playing, eating & sleeping together. Use the power you have as the pack leader to quell any puppy uprisings and help them form friendships.

I’ll be covering additional tips and techniques for introducing a new dog to the home in a future article. I would go on in more length now but I think I’ll go take a hike in the woods with G.O.D., Kilroy & their new packmate Yolanda.

Canine separation anxiety can show itself in many ways, from your dog following you around the house the moment you grab for your keys to barking constantly at the door after you leave, destructive chewing or soiling in the house while you’re away. The result can be quite a frustrating experience that can put stress on the relationship you have with your dog. The good news is regardless of how bad things may seem there are steps you can take to lessen or even solve your dog’s anxiety issues. The real challenge is standing your ground through the process as dealing with a dog with separation issues can be much like dealing with a crying child. With that in mind let’s get to work.

1. Introduce Your Dog to Crate Training

The crate is one piece of apparatus many dog owners are reluctant to use thinking that “putting my dog into a cage is cruel”. In fact the exact opposite is true, many dogs will find comfort in the enclosed space that the crate provides. Dogs feel safe and more at ease in a den like sleep/rest enclosure. The side benefit of crating a dog experiencing separation issues is it removes their ability to destroy and lessens the likelihood of them soiling. The flip side is that a dog with separation issues may feel very isolated when first introduced to the crate. The crate use must be encouraged gently but firmly and never used as a punishment. Remember persistence and consistency are the key.

2. Never Say Goodbye

Stop making such a big production out of leaving your dog. If your dog looks to you as the pack leader (which is the ideal) then it will take it’s emotional cues from you. If you make a big fuss petting and “comforting” them as you head out the door then they are far more likely to make a fuss once you’ve gone. (This of course goes for returning home as well) The best method for leaving is a casual exit after a command (sit-stay is a good one here), or a simple nonchalant scratch on the ears on your way to the door. Use your judgment to find a style that won’t prompt the negative response you are trying to avoid in your dog. In general your departure from the house should be no more of a production than simply leaving the room would be.

3. Music Soothes the Savage Beast

Pretty much everyone enjoys a good tune from time to time. Why should your dog be any different? In our home we use our PC speakers to play a rotation of dog friendly music through iTunes while we’re away. A good choice is instrumental tracks of various tempos and energy but nothing too raucous. The idea is to provide white noise and mask other sharper noises that may trigger a reaction from your dog. If all goes according to plan your dog will be awakened by a noise only to be lulled back to sleep by Bach.

4. Mix Up the Normal Routine

Your dog is likely far smarter than you think. In the time you’ve known each other they’ve learned most of your daily routines. They know what it means when you put on your running shoes or grab your keys and wallet. You’ve trained them to know what step comes next. The trick is to randomize the normal “heading out” procedures so they are no longer indicators that you are really leaving.

5. Wear Them Out!

One step needed to solve ANY behavior problem is so simple yet so effective. Exercise, and plenty of it. Most dogs can benefit from some moderate exercise as part of their daily routine. So ask yourself if your dog is getting enough exercise and if not (less than an hour per day of “active mode”) then step it up & get them out and active. Be sure to also provide the mental exercise they need in the form of NILIF or another discipline regime.

Every dog wants to be active. Yes, even yours. It may not be how your dog acts now but trust me, deep down she yearns for a jog through the neighborhood, a hike in the woods or to come along for some cross country skiing. Beyond that desire being fulfilled, the many benefits of having an active dog far outweigh the “ease” of spending your time lounging around with a canine couch potato. The main result you’ll see by keeping your dog physically fit will be a greatly improved quality of life throughout their entire life process. And when your dog one day encounters old age they’ll be much more able to maintain a mobile, alert and enthusiastically active lifestyle. This higher quality of life, throughout the entire life, is well worth the effort for you and your dog. Simply put, any physically active dog will be far better off than one that leads a lazy, sedentary lifestyle. A regimen of regular exercise and an overall fit lifestyle have the same beneficial affects in dogs as they do in us humans. It will keep unwanted weight off & builds the lean muscle dogs should have naturally. Another important benefit that regular exercise will have on the dog is the positive effect on its mental well being. It also goes without saying that a lazy, sedentary dog will have a much higher risk of general health problems than their more active canine counterparts.

Beginning An Exercise Routine

The first step before you begin any drastic changes in your dog’s activity level is to consult with your veterinarian. You should get her a full physical check up, make sure all her vaccines are up to date and that she’s on a quality heartworm/flea & tick preventative. Be sure that you also make your vet well aware of the activities you have in mind for your dog so that the doctor can confirm she’ll be fully capable of participating. Once you’ve got the vet’s approval you’ll still not want to jump your dog right into a heavy activity. If your normal daily routine is to run a 10k you’ll need to ease your pooch up to that level. Start with short jogs around the neighborhood to gauge how far and at what pace you can run her. Remember to pack along a collapsible bowl and extra water for your new training partner, hydration is key. It’s always a good idea to pace water intake for your dog to avoid the discomfort that can occur if they guzzle on a “hot belly”. Once you get your dog accustomed to the new increased level of activity you can begin to step it up for her. In no time you’ll have her joining you on those 10k runs you love so much.

Variety Is The Spice of Life

No one loves cross training as much as dogs do, but they will perform best when they are under the illusion that exercise time is playtime. Mix up your activities and you’ll see the appreciation from your dog. More than a human exercise partner your dog will really respond to your words of encouragement in any new activities. Be sure to take advantage of seasonal opportunities to include your dog in everything you do. Whether playing catch or Frisbee in the park, jogging through the neighborhood, running along while you cycle or swimming along while you canoe, your dog may just surprise you with what she is capable of.

Where the Zen Comes In

One of the activities most dogs enjoy to wind down a bit is creating zen sand paintings. No, not really. The “zen” in this case is the residual effects you’ll notice in other areas of your relationship with your dog. Combining a regular active routine with your practice of NILIF will simply help you create a very well balanced canine. She’ll get to know her place in your “pack”, be hungry at mealtime and calmer for you in the house. This is the type of zen that will definitely help you chill out… but first your dog wants to go jogging.

The Nothing In Life Is Free (NILIF) regimen is well suited for most dogs because it’s effective for such a wide variety of behavior issues. A shy, withdrawn or timid dog becomes more self assured by knowing that they no longer have anything to worry about, you’re in charge of everything. A dominant, aggressive or anxious dog that may be pushing too hard to become the pack leader will learn that the position is simply not available and life will be so much more enjoyable without the title. Nothing In Life Is Free is also successful with dogs that fall anywhere between those two extremes. The regimen is not hard to implement and not very time consuming for you (especially if your dog already knows a few basic obedience commands). While the changes in behavior can be more profound in some dogs than others Nothing In Life Is Free rarely fails to bring about a positive change in k9 behavior. While most people start the regimen for it’s behavior modification benefits, it is also suitable for a dog that has no major behavior problems and simply needs some fine tuning and balance.

Reversing Attention On Demand

The program begins by eliminating your dog’s control over you. When your dog comes to you and nudges your hand, She is saying “pet me! pet me! NOW!” You must resist the urge to succumb to her demand. Don’t tell her “no”, don’t push her away. Simply pretend you don’t notice her at all. This has worked for her before, so don’t be surprised if she tries even harder to get your attention. When she figures out that this is no longer working, she’ll stop. In a natural dog pack situation, the top ranking dogs demand attention from the lower ranking ones, not the other way around. When you give your dog attention on demand you’re telling her that she has more status in the pack than you do. A shy or timid dog can easily become stressed by having this power and may become clingy. This creates a vicious cycle. They’re now never sure when you’ll be in charge so they can’t relax. What if something unexpected happens, like a stranger coming to the house? Who should handle that? The timid dog ends up on edge a lot of the time because she ends up with more responsibility than she can handle.

Dogs see receiving attention whenever they demand it as confirmation that they are the alpha dog, then they become difficult to handle when told to “sit” or “down” or some other demand is placed on them. It is not their pack status that stresses them out, it’s the lack of consistency. Dogs are happiest when the pack order is stable. Tension for them is brought about by a perceived fluctuation of pack leadership roles.

The Last Hurrah

The way it stands your dog already knows that your attention is available at her whim. As of today, it no longer works, but she isn’t aware of that yet. We all try harder at something we know works when it suddenly stops working. In this case you can expect much more insistence from your dog demanding that attention. If during those peak times of increased demands you cave and give him attention you will have to work that much harder to get her turned around again. Telling her “no” or pushing her away may not be the kind of attention she’s after, but it’s still attention. Completely ignoring her will work far better.

The Power Is Yours

To make the regimen really work you must control all of the resources in your dogs life. Playing, attention, food, walks, going in and out of the door, going for a ride in the car, going to the dog park must all be under your control. Anything and everything that your dog wants must come from you. If she’s been getting everything for free there is no real reason for her to acknowledge your leadership or your control of these things.

To implement the NILIF system of dog training you simply have to make your dog earn her use of your time & resources. She’s hungry? Not a problem, she simply has to sit before her bowl is put down & wait until released with an “OK” before eating. She wants to play fetch? Great! She has to perform a good “sit” or “down” before you’ll throw the ball. Want to go for a walk? She has to sit to get her lead snapped on and has to sit while the front door is opened. Going for a ride in the car? She has to sit and wait while the door is opened and listen for “OK” to get in the car. When you return she has to wait for the “OK” even if the door is wide open. Don’t be too hard on her right from the start. She’s already learned that she gets to make all of these decisions on her own. She has a long history of being able to get what she wants when she wants it. Enforce the new rules consistently, but keep in mind that she’s only doing what she’s been conditioned by you to do and she’s probably going to need some time to adjust to it all.

Your Job Won’t Be Easy

You’re going to have to pay attention to little nuances that you probably haven’t even realized happened before. If you feed your dog off your plate at dinnertime, do you just toss her a green bean? Not anymore. She has to earn it. You don’t necessarily have to use standard obedience commands, any kind of action will do. If your dog knows “high five”, “rollover” or “speak” use those commands. Does your dog prefer to sleep on your bed? Supply her own bed for your bedside or consider using a crate. At the minimum you must teach her that she has to wait for you to say “OK” to get on your bed and she has to get down the moment you say “off”. Teach her to “down” in a designated spot. When she goes to her spot and lays down tell her “stay” and then release her after a short pause and follow with praise. Having a particular spot where she stays is very helpful for when you have guests or otherwise need her out of the way for a while. It also teaches her that free run of the house is a resource that is always under your control. There are many other things that your dog values as a resource that I haven’t mentioned here. Be creative.

The interaction should not be long or drawn out. All you need to do is administer a simple command before allowing her access to the thing she wants. Dinnertime, for example, can be a short interaction that consists of nothing more than a “sit”, then “good girl!”, putting down the bowl and simply walking away. If she follows you return her to the eating area and point out the food and let her know it’s time to “eat”.

Playtime & Activities

Now that your dog is no longer in control & calling all the shots you need to make an extra effort to provide her with playtime & activities. The difference now is that you are the one who initiates the activities and begins the playtime. She will depend on you now more than ever to see that she gets what she needs. What she will need most is active quality time with you. This would be a good time to enroll her in group obedience class or seek one on one consultation. If her basic obedience is already nearly top notch, see about joining an agility class, fly ball team or simply go for some hikes on a local wooded trail. Remember that Nothing In Life Is Free doesn’t mean you have to limit the amount of attention you give your dog. You simply cannot allow her to be in control of the interactions. Go ahead and call her to your side 1000 times a day if you really want to. Just be sure to get the fee.