Dog’s Best Friend now offers FREE group Pack Walks for owners and their dogs. These walks will be held every other Saturday and are open to the public. Check out our Facebook event page for more information! Hope to see you there!
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Disconnect From the World and Walk the Dog
I was driving around town the other day going from training lessons, dog walks, and pet sitting jobs. While passing through different neighborhoods, I was happy to see how many people were out on walks with their dogs, enjoying the beautiful weather. Anyone that has spent any time talking to me about training or dog behavior knows I value the importance of a good, structured walk. Sometimes convincing people to find the time to take their dogs for a stroll can be a challenge, so I was pleased to see people taking advantage of the sunshine. Then I noticed something… Almost everyone was “disconnected” from their dog. I’d say about 80% of people were staring down at their cell phones while walking! I saw a dog sniffing and zig-zagging wildly while one owner held the end of a leash and was looking at his phone (Facebooking?). I saw another dog with a prong collar pulling at the end of a 20 foot retractable leash while the owner was glued to her phone (texting?). I also saw a couple walking without a dog, but the husband wouldn’t put down his phone (Instagraming?). Another woman in a hurry was walking her Papillon who didn’t want to walk, so she stopped and began to hover over the dog and reprimand it. And trust me, there were more of these “disconnected” sightings. What does all this tell me? That people aren’t appreciating the small things as much anymore. I use my phone often and browse the internet all the time, but when I go for a walk (with or without dogs), my phone is in my pocket and my head is up taking in the scenery.
We have a choice when we walk our dogs: We can be holding our dogs back while they are tethered to the other end of the leash, or we can be their leaders – walking alongside them, and actually being with them. Anyone that has a dog knows what I’m talking about when I say our dogs look to us for guidance. A bored dog might stare at you while you sit on the couch, a nervous dog might check in on you to see how you are responding to something that puts him on edge, or an excited dog might try to demand your attention. The reason they do this is because they look to us for that guidance (leadership!). We can stay occupied all day long working, watching TV, scrolling through the internet, socializing with other people, reading a book, etc. Our dogs just wait for us. The very least we can do is be WITH them on the walk. No phones, no worrying about the stress in our lives… Just taking 30-45 minutes to clear our heads and walk alongside our dogs is the best therapy anyone can ask for – and it’s free! So next time you’re out with your dog, make a point of letting them know you are paying attention to them and enjoying the environment. You may see that by changing your perception on the walk, that your dog improves his behavior on the leash and on the overall walk because he knows you are now walking with him.
Winter Paw Protection
Winter is harsh and can harm our dog’s paws. Whether it’s from the elements (ice, snow, dry air) or toxic chemicals (various ice-meleting salts), paws can dry, crack, get frostbite, and be harmed from chemical burns.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your pup’s paws protected in this frigid winter weather.
Balms: Balms are great for preventing and restoring damaged paws. It provides protection against chemical salt, prevents ice/snow build-up, and soothes cracks and sores. One of the most popular brands, and what we use, is Musher’s Secret. It works great, doesn’t stink, and it doesn’t leave a stain or residue.
Before applying, there’s a little bit of prep work to do on the paw. First, trim the hair under and between the paw pads. This allows for balm to spread evenly and absorb onto the paw without getting caught up in the hair. The hair also gets snow caught up in between the paws, which can be uncomfortable and even painful to a dog. Little snowballs also form on the hair around the paws, so make sure no hair is dragging along the ground. Then, right before you head out for the walk, rub a thin layer onto your dog’s paws. When you get back from the walk, if there’s any salt or ice residue/build-up, wipe your dog’s paws off. If your dog’s paws are looking irritated or a bit dry, go ahead and apply another layer to the paws.
(Photo taken from testimonial on Musher’s Secret site, musherssecret.net)
Dog Boots: There are a ton of different dog boots out there on the market. They can be short or long, thick or thin, with treaded bottoms, or even rubber ones you use only once. They can be great to protect your dog’s paws in all types of weather and terrain conditions, but finding the proper fit is important. We’ve experienced dogs getting sores from friction rubs because the fit is slightly off. If you want to explore this option, you’re better off taking your dog into a store to try them on – I wouldn’t buy online unless you’re positive they fit.
Taking care of your dog’s paws in the winter is a relatively simple task, and it will make them a lot more comfortable and happy this winter.
Happy 2015!
2014 was an exciting year for Dog’s Best Friend – we became CPR and Pet First Aid certified, and Cathy went to Maine and became certified in SATS Perception Modification. We attended a workshop on how to incorporate the game tug into training, and we attended another workshop on different training tools and techniques and understanding realistic expectations with rehabilitation of different problem dogs. We also attended the International Association of Canine Professionals annual conference in Alexandria Virginia, where we learned a ton of priceless information and got to see training friends and meet new ones. And the biggest, most exciting event – we moved to the ranch. Where we plan to offer lessons on-site, do group socialization, pack walks, puppy preschool, and more coming early this year.
We hope everyone had a great 2014, and that we all have a successful and fulfilling 2015!
Dog Ranch!
This past week has been a busy one – Dog’s Best Friend has moved! We are now out of the house and onto a ranch, within minutes of Perimeter Loop in Dublin. Now when your dog stays with us for training, they will be able to take advantage of acres of fenced in land, backed up against Glacier Ridge Metro Park with miles of walking paths. We will be offering brand new services coming early next year – so stay tuned!
“I Let My Dog Act Like a Dog”
I hear “I let my dog act like a dog” every now and then, and it is usually referring to a very energetic, stubborn dog. When someone says this, they believe that some dogs will inherently jump all over people, run off, bark nonstop, chew things up, tear up the yard, and many other rowdy behaviors. It’s part of their personality; it’s what makes them an individual. To make an attempt to curb such behaviors would be crushing to their spirit.
Right?
What if I told you that while these might be common behaviors in a lot of the dogs you know, they aren’t normal behaviors. A lot of the rambunctious things dogs do aren’t representative of their personality, it’s a symptom of a lack of structure. When I address a lot of issues, I focus on foundation work: obedience commands, structured walk, socialization, and general rules and boundaries around the house. Without directly addressing any of the unwanted behaviors, they end up going away on their own. A dog might dig in the yard because it doesn’t have a job. A dog might chew up furniture because it doesn’t get sufficient exercise. A dog might jump all over you because it doesn’t respect you. (Of course, other factors can be at play for these issues). If a dog is allowed to continue these behaviors, then it means we are doing a disservice to them.
So what can be done?
Give your dog the exercise they need – Challenge them mentally and physically while getting them out to see the world. After all, we get stir crazy if we don’t get out of the house.
Set rules and boundaries for them – Set rules and stick to them. Be consistent. If you let them jump all over you when you’re in your sweats, don’t get upset when they do it when you’re in a suit or dress. It also wouldn’t be fair to blame the dog when he jumps up on a child or an elderly person. I can understand the logic, but a dog won’t.
Give them a job – We get so much stimulation throughout the day. We interact with people, go to work, browse the internet, watch tv, have hobbies, exercise, etc. What does the typical family dog do throughout the day? Giving new tasks to keep them stimulated is fulfilling to them. Doing some obedience commands or tricks, a dog sport, taking them out with you – all great ways to build up their self worth.
Show them they have a purpose within the family and they will stop trying to find something to do on their own, because we all know – dogs have some pretty bad ideas sometimes when it comes to what they should do. Not to mention the fact that furniture and landscaping can be expensive!
Our First Blog Post!
Hey guys –
This is our new blog. We decided to start one as a way to periodically get some dog training advice out there to our clients and anyone else that wants to learn how to make the most out of their relationships with their dogs. You can expect to read training tips and tricks, see demo and how-to videos, photos, and hear about any deals or upcoming events we’re offering.
We hope it’ll be informative and you enjoy!
Dog’s Best Friend
Training and Pet Care