Training Tales

How many times have your heard or have said yourself, “My dog knows what he did”?
Sorry to nix the myth but it is highly unlikely that a dog makes a conscious decision thinking, “ I know what you want, but I won’t do it.” It has been noted by scientific studies that only ape, monkeys and humans are the only mammals that are able to be devious and plan actions. What’s in it for a dog to be “bad?” A dog’s non-compliance, not unlike a person’s, may be for a good reason. There is usually a logical, reasonable, understandable cause for a dog’s seeming “disobedience.” Let me use some analogies to understand this more:

Inattention: A person was driving a car and was changing a CD, checking the rearview mirror, or talking on the phone and didn’t see the light change.

Dog thought: Momentarily distracted, the dog missed the cue. In a ring situation, perhaps the wind blew a tent flap outside the ring and attracted the dog’s attention. Unpredictable distractions happen in real-life, too.

A mechanical/physical problem: The accelerator didn’t respond; the car stalled.

Dog thought: Something physical interrupted compliance. What if on his way toward you, your dog is stung by a bee? Or suddenly gets a stomach cramp, twists his toe or suffers some other physical discomfort? Chances are, you might not even know it happened. This category includes the dog reacting slowly because he is simply not physically capable of a faster response.

Danger: A car on the cross street is barreling toward the intersection, and clearly isn’t slowing to a stop. If you move, you know you’ll be hit, so you ignore both the green light and driver behind you leaning on his horn.

Dog thought: Something the dog perceives as dangerous prevents her response. Perhaps, in order to get to you, your dog has to pass by another dog that is clearly, unmistakably sending an evil eye message, “Don’t you dare come one step closer.”

Overriding instinct. You’re a young, healthy unattached man sitting at a red light. Standing on the corner of the intersection is a bevy of attractive women. The light turns green…but you wouldn’t know it.

Dog thought: Any powerful, hard-wired instinct that kicks in.

Insufficient practice: You’re driving a standard shift, stopped at the top of a steep hill with a car right on your rear. You’re not very skilled yet and you know you’re going to roll back when you take your foot off the brake.

Dog thought: Your dog is in a situation beyond their abilities. They haven’t had sufficient practice and training to comply under the circumstances.

Now that you are getting the idea, don’t be so quick to yell at your dog if they don’t respond. In fact, yelling only makes things worse and proves to them that you are not in control. If you speak to them firmly but calmly you will get a better response. Your body language, and your inter sense of control will pass through to your dog.
Working with your dog and not against them will create a deeper bond that will last forever.

What Are You Really Feeding Your Dog????

Check the labels on the dog foods in the stores. Do they have corn, wheat, soy, gluten in them? Do they contain BHA and/or BHT? BHA and BHA is chemicals that are used to preserve the foods. The foods you find in stores can sit in trucks for months before even getting to the stores. Then the food can sit in the back of the stores on pallets for months. Some are broken open and just taped and put on the shelves anyway. The trucks are not climate controlled so the food is setting in hot and cold weather. This can cause mold, can become bug infested and lot of other exposure.

Doesn't your pet deserve the best possible food? Pets have the capability of living over 20 years but with everything that is used in their foods takes away that option for them.

Why not provide them with a Holistic Human Quality Ingredient food. That is shipped directly to you. It is micro batched meaning small amount of food is prepared in order to provide the fresh healthy food. It is cooked at specific temperatures to ensure the best possible means of retaining the minerals and vitamins and quality of the food. The process is tested every day.

You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.
A holistic vet is the formulator for this food and use to work for the larger companies. But after see their greed and seeing the main focus was on the income not the health of the pet she backed away and helped start this independent company.
Check out her bio and other information for yourself. Go to my website http://www.trainingtailsllc.com and click on the nutrition tab. Watch the videos, do a food comparison. You pet deserves at least that much.

Until next time!

New Year, New Times

Ok, it is February already. What happen to January?
I have found that January is a very busy month for Dog Trainers. A lot of people get new puppies, Family pets are being merged together with couples that become engaged at Christmas or get married during the holidays so that is where January went. It is my favorite month, just to see all of the new excited puppies and teaching them to trust and respect their new family.

Potty training seems to be the biggest issue of course with a new puppy so let's talk about that for a moment.

Using a crate to assist with the potty training is the best thing you can do for your dog. They are pack animals; they love their dens if introduced to one correctly. Typically, puppies will not eliminate in their crate unless they are left in the crate for longer than they can physically "hold it". The crate must be the right size, if it is too large, the puppy will sleep in one section and eliminate in another section. The best way to judge the size is use their length and add another 1/2 of their length. This will give them room to turn around easily, lay with their feet out and sit up straight without bumping their heads. Use the crate at night, when you can not supervise and a few hours even when you are home. This will help them learn to use those muscles needed to control their bladder. NEVER use the crate as a punishment place. They will become fearful of it and not want to go in there. It should be a fun place to go and always rewarding. It is their place to get away, just like your favorite place in the house, you want to go there, and you enjoy going there. Well, the crate should be the same for them. If they begin to bark while in the crate, wait for a moment of silence before letting him out. Do not go to them at night and keep taking them out, ignore them and they will settle down if you know they do not have to go outside. If they do continue for more then 20 minutes, go in during a moment of silence, don't say anything but put your hand on the crate. Try turning a radio on for them or give them an old shirt with your smell on it. If you continue to go into the room and take them out they have won and know how to get your attention and it will never stop.

NEVER LEAVE A PUPPY IN THE CRATE FOR LONGER THEN THEY CAN PHYSICALLY "HOLD IT"
The rule of thumb for this is 1 hour per month. If they are 2 months they can hold for 2 hours, etc.