http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 Weekly tips about dog training. en-us Fri, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips_details.asp?id=4&tipid=35
The best way to go about mending this training issue is to capture the dog’s behavior on a regular basis, whenever you “catch” her lying down quietly. ABC deems this the “opportunistic” or “natural” down. Capturing the behavior involves praising and treating the dog whenever you observe her lying in the down position. Some owners will find that treats, toys, or praise – whatever the dog finds most rewarding – are sufficient for capturing the behavior. Some owners may choose to also use a clicker to capture the natural down.

To capture the down behavior, place a handful of food treats between your dog’s front paws whenever she is calmly resting in the down position. If she does not find food treats rewarding, try giving her a favorite chew toy or verbal praise (“Good!”). Remember to do this every time you find her in the down position. She will soon learn that lying in the down position is beneficial to her and will offer the behavior more often. After repeated captures and rewards for her good down behavior, you will be able to associate a cue, i.e. the word “down,” with the behavior. Your dog will soon become much easier to coax into the down position.

For more assistance with training your dog, contact an ABC Certified Dog Trainer in your area by visiting ABC’s Online Trainer Directory. See ABC’s homepage for more information.]]> Sat, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips_details.asp?id=4&tipid=34

• Boarding kennels – Boarding kennels are brick-and-mortar businesses that have been established for the sole purpose of housing and caring for pets while their owners are away. According to the American Boarding Kennel Association (ABKA), there are approximately 9,000 boarding kennels in the U.S. and Canada offering services to more than 30,000,000 pet owners annually. To find a boarding kennel in your area, you may try an internet search, phone book, or better yet, personal recommendations from experienced friends or your veterinarian. Some veterinary facilities also offer boarding services. Make sure to book your pet’s stay as early as possible as boarding facilities can become booked up, especially during popular vacationing seasons. Also, check out the facility personally in advance to make sure that supervision, sanitation, and security are up to par. All boarding kennels should require that your dog is up-to-date on his or her immunizations. For canines, required immunizations are the DHLPP (distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and parvovirus) and bordatella vaccines. Inform the kennel staff of any special instructions upon booking your canine’s spot – for instance, if your canine is dog-aggressive and must be kept away from other dogs, this is essential for the kennel to be aware of in advance.
  
  
• Pet Sitters – For some dog owners, hiring a pet sitter may be preferable to boarding their dog in a kennel. A pet sitter is a person who comes to your home to feed, water, exercise, and watch over your pet while you are away. Some pet sitters offer the option of staying at your home for 24-hour supervision, though you can also choose to have them stop by once or twice daily instead, depending on your preference. One of the benefits of hiring a pet sitter is that your pooch or pooches can stay in the comfort of their own home during your absence. This can be especially comforting for the dog. You can also give more specialized instructions for care of your pet. It is recommended that you meet with pet sitters before choosing one to confirm their qualifications. Some pet sitters are certified through Pet Sitters International (PSI), meaning they are pre-screened by the association. These and other sitters can achieve certification in pet CPR as well, which can be an added comfort to an owner away from home.

No matter which option you choose, make sure to personally check out the facility or sitter before leaving on vacation. Also, ensure that your pet is essentially healthy, and if he or she has special medical needs, inform the kennel operator or pet sitter of required medications prior to your departure. ABC wishes you and your pets a happy summer!]]> Thu, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips_details.asp?id=4&tipid=33
It is important to consider that not all dogs can swim well enough to be completely safe when in or around water. Basset hounds, French bulldogs, and English bulldogs, for example, have very short legs that usually cannot move quickly enough to keep their bodies afloat. Also, dogs of breeds that naturally have a low body fat percentage such as Doberman pinschers and Boxers are more likely to sink. While many dogs love water and can swim without a problem, others do not like water or are afraid of it. This can inhibit their ability to swim. Any dog can drown, and hypothermia is always a risk.

To ensure that your canine is comfortable in water prior to taking him/her out on the water, begin by assessing his/her skills in a swimming pool or just off the shore of the lake or ocean. Never throw your dog in the water – introduce him/her to swimming slowly without encouraging a negative reaction. If he/she seems happy and proficient at swimming, you can attempt an outing on your boat or at the beach, but keep your first outing brief.

You may consider purchasing and using a canine personal flotation device (PFD) as this can help them to float in case they fall off of a boat or get pulled out into the ocean. Many manufacturers have created PFDs for dogs that come in various sizes and colors. Bring your canine with you when purchasing a PFD so you can try it on him/her for correct sizing. PFDs for canines often come equipped with a handle on the back of the vest that allows the owner to lift the dog out of the water if necessary. You may want to choose a vest of a color that stands out, such as neon yellow or orange. This can help you to find your dog in the water.

Remember that the sun’s rays and heat are harmful to not only humans but dogs, too. Dogs can get sunburned (especially those with short fur and/or pink skin) and can suffer the severe repercussions of heatstroke just as humans can. Early heatstroke symptoms include heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling, bright red gums and tongue, and standing four-square in an attempt to maintain balance. White or blue gums, lethargy or unwillingness to move, uncontrollable urination or defecation, labored, noisy breathing, and shock are all signs of advanced stages of heatstroke. You can cool your dog down by applying rubbing alcohol to his/her paw pads, applying ice packs to the groin area, hosing him/her down with water, and allowing the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water. Pedialyte to restore electrolytes is also recommended.

Have a ton of summer fun with your dogs!]]> Wed, 27 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips_details.asp?id=4&tipid=32

1. Determine what gets your dog to paw at you and utilize it to get her to lift her paw. If she is not prone to pawing, try scratching her chest, holding a treat in your fist at nose height, or touching her toenails your finger. Try using your outstretched hand as a prompt. Once the dog’s paw is in the air, immediately click and treat.



2. Repeat this process 15 to 20 times or until the dog is readily offering her paw.



3. Leave your hand outstretched for the dog’s paw and wait it out without prompting. As soon as she lifts her paw, click and treat.



4. If the dog is not lifting her paw after a few seconds, repeat a few more repetitions as described earlier until she associates lifting her paw with the click and treat.



5. Try connecting the cue (your outstretched hand) with the behavior (the dog offering her paw) by showing your hand and clicking and treating when the dog stretches out her paw.



6. Once the dog is offering the behavior on a regular basis, you can add the verbal cue “give your paw,” “paw,” “shake,” or whatever you choose. Remember to be consistent.



7. Practice this trick in a variety of places and under several different circumstances. If the trick is not working, simplify things once again by practicing at home with few distractions. Be careful not to overwhelm your dog.



8. Avoid repeating yourself over and over; give one cue, wait for the dog to respond, then click and treat.

If your dog is not responding consistently every time, try practicing more repetitions under low-stress conditions. Set your dog up to succeed and she will learn to do this trick consistently.]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips.asp?id=4 http://animalbehaviorcollege.com/tips_details.asp?id=4&tipid=31
According to the Humane Society of the United States, the following foods are harmful and even potentially deadly to canines:

• Chocolate, coffee, tea, and other products containing caffeine
• Alcoholic beverages
• Fruit pits and seeds
• Bones from fish, poultry, and other meat
• Fat trimmings from meat
• Any candy containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol
• Grapes and raisins
• Onions and onion powder
• Garlic
• Salt
• Macadamia nuts
• Mushrooms and mushroom plants
• Hops
• Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves and stems
• Yeast dough

Moldy, spoiled foods, such as those found in garbage, are another source of toxins that can cause illness in a dog. Garbage often contains multiple toxins that can induce vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, other organs and systems are affected and the damage can be permanent and severe. This is yet another reason to avoid feeding your canine table scraps. If you insist on spoiling your canine companion from time-to-time, remember that table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and should never exceed 10% of his diet.]]> Wed, 25 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700