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  • Common Dog Medical Care

    A responsible dog owner needs to provide lots of love and care to his/her pet.  Provide a safe environment and plenty of exercise and nutrition.  But this also means you need to pay attention to common medical care for your dog.  Here is a list of things to look out for regarding your dog’s health and advice on how to manage these situations.

    Spaying and Neutering

    If this is the first time for you to own a pet, then you may not be aware of the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet.  Spaying your dog erases the risk of an infected uterus from occurring at a later stage in life.  And neutering male dogs prevents prostate4 and testicular diseases from developing.  It also reduces certain types of aggressive behavior.

    Heartworms

    Heartworms are a parasite that needs to be treated right away.  It is passed along amongst canines through mosquitoes.  It can be fatal if left untreated.  Take precautions by giving a monthly pill to your dog during mosquito season.

    Bad Breath

    A dog’s breath is a symptom not to take likely.  It may be a sign of something terrible unfolding within.  For instance, if your dog’s breath smells like urine, then your loving pet could be suffering from a kidney disease.  If you suspect anything going on with your pet, then take your dog to the veterinarian immediately.
    To find out more information about what you need to know regarding owning a dog, talk to a Florida dog trainer or a Florida puppy class instructor today.

  • How to Prepare for a Storm

    Hurricane season is approaching.  Tropical thunderstorms keep showing up on radar in clusters and we need to prepare for the worst.  That means buying bottled water, canned foods, batteries, and more.  But within the midst of your preparations, did you remember to purchase items for your pets?  Do you have pet supplies to ride out a storm?  Here is a storm checklist for pet owners.  Be sure you go through it and start planning from now.

    Create an Emergency Pet Storm Kit

    You have an emergency storm kit for you, so why isn’t there one created for your pet?  Start by packing a full week or two of pet food.  You need to have it on-hand in case your pet gets hungry.  Also, pack a few garbage bags in case there is any waste or clean-up needed after a storm. You don’t want your pet to catch something from the post-storm debris.  The garbage bags will help achieve this goal.  Also, you need to have the pet carrier ready to go.  Make sure it is in good condition and lasts through a storm.  You don’t want anything to break off of it endangering your pet further.

    In addition, always keep your pet’s papers up to date, including identity tags, medical records, and your contact information.  Be certain these items are secure with your pet.  You need to be certain your pet is easily identified if for some reason you were forced to evacuate.

    To find out more about how to handle a storm as a responsible pet owner, talk to a Florida dog trainer or a k9 obedience instructor today.

  • Dog Walking Tips

    There are ways to make dog walking not seem so much like a chore, but rather time you both may enjoy together.  Here are some basic tips to keep you on the right track.

    Choose Your Leash Wisely

    You need to be sure to select a lease that coincides with your dog’s personality and habits.  If your dog is easy to walk even during high traffic, then a flexi-leash is fine.  It allows your dog to explore surroundings without feeling confide.  If your dog has the bad habit of biting on the leash, a chain leash may be more appropriate.

    Stay Off the Lawn

    Pesticides, fertilizers, various plants and flowers may all be dangerous to your pet’s health.  Stay away from these areas.  In addition, you don’t know what type of bugs or creatures could be looming within the grass.  There may be a poisonous snake or spider.  Just steer clear to keep your canine safe.

    Allow Your Dog to Say Hi…Within Reason

    If along the path other dogs and people wish to pet your dog, then wait and see how your dog reacts.  If your dog is known to remain calm and allow people to greet, then great.  Encourage it.  If your dog does not get along with others avoid the contact altogether.  You don’t want a negative situation to ensue.

    To find out more dog walking tips, talk to a Florida dog obedience professional or enroll in a k9 obedience class today.

  • How to Train a Chihuahua

    This little breed of dogs needs some extra care when training.  Of course, each dog has its own personality, but there are a few things to keep in mind regarding all Chihuahuas across the board.

    Adapt to Size

    Chihuahuas are tiny dogs, so when training use a leash and collar that won’t injure the neck.  Their necks do damage easily.  It is wise to avoid choke collars.  Try out a harness instead.  It would be safer on your canine and may assist in implementing dog training smoothly.

    Socialize Your Pup

    A small dog tends to react in an aggressive manner out of fear towards other animals and people.  However, this may be rectified by socializing your puppy at a young age.  Do this by taking your small dog around town during errands and drives.  Allow your puppy to interact with others.  Your dog will become accustomed to others preventing a negative behavior from developing.

    Use Treats, Patience and Love

    First, never attempt to train your dog if you are feeling anxious, tired or short-fused.  It won’t help the training session.  Your dog is an extension of you, and if you carry any of these negative emotions into your lesson, then the dog will react poorly.  But if you are positive, happy, and a good leader, then your dog will react accordingly.

    For more tips on how to train your Chihuahua, talk to a Florida dog training instructor or a k9 obedience professional today.

  • How to Train Herding Dogs

    There are certain breed dogs that need to herd animals.  It is part of their make-up.  They are happy when they are herding providing a sense of fulfillment.  But how do you train a dog to herd?  What do you need to know?  Here is a basic breakdown of what you need to know about herd training.

    Use Other Herding Dogs as Examples

    If you know other dogs that already herd, then it is a good idea to pair up your dog with adult herding dogs.  However, know the herding dogs’ traits.  Reason being is if there are negative traits you do not wish your dog to pick-up then ditch this idea immediately.  Pick only herding dogs you want your dog to emulate.  Your dog retains the negative and positive habits, so be selective in your choosing.

    Train One Dog at a Time

    You may have an experienced dog with yours showing the ropes, but you do not want to train more than one dog at once.  It could become confusing for your dog to translate the praise when this occurs being unsure who the positive reinforcement is directed at.

    Correct Your Dog along the Way

    During training, your dog will make mistakes.  It is natural.  But you also do not want your dog to start developing bad habits.  Thus, the best thing to do is to repeat the same tasks until they are completed correctly before moving on.  It may seem mundane, but it is necessary ensuring your dog and the herd is safe in the future.

    To find out more information about herd training dos and don’ts, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

  • Easy Steps to Teach Your Dog Swimming

    Dogs need exercise, and one way for your dog to attain this goal is through swimming, but you need to take the proper steps to show your dog how to swim.  You do not want the introduction to water to be a tough transition.  Throwing your dog into water and hoping your dog knows what to do is a huge no-no in swim training.  Your dog will become frightened, and never wish to enter the water again.  Instead, use these tips to teach your dog to swim in an upbeat manner leaving a long lasting positive water impression.

    Introduction to Water

    Regardless of your dog’s age, find calm, shallow water for the introductions.  Then slowly have your dog inch his/her way into the water.  Be sure there is a long leash on your dog, and walk into the water alongside.  Provide lots of praise so there is no panic on your dog’s part.  Show your dog that it is okay and a positive experience.  Once your dog is comfortable, your dog will begin to show swimming abilities.  Just keep it light.  If your dog appears to be mastering the art of swimming, and enjoying it, then go into deeper waters.

    What to Remember When Going Swimming with Your Dog

    Remember to always bring fresh water for your dog to drink.  Your dog needs to stay hydrated as much as you do.  If you are swimming in an ocean, do not let your dog swim into currents.  In addition, do not let your dog to jump into deep water.  You do not know what can be lurking in the waters without gradually entering it.  Prevent any accidents by gradually entering the water of choice.  These are actually good reminders for you, and your dog.

    To learn more swimming tips, talk to a Florida obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

  • How to Remove a Tick from Your Pet

    The idea of discussing how to remove a tick is not pleasant for anyone.  Truth be told, I’m a bit grossed out by the entire topic.  But it is something that needs to be addressed.  Summertime is here.  You are outside more often than during any other months increasing the odds of ticks leaching on to your pets.  So you need to learn how to quickly, effectively handle the situation preventing further complications from arising.  Here are a few tips on how to remove a tick from your pet.

    Wear Gloves

    Never remove a tick with your bare hands.  Always wear gloves.  The reason being is a tick carries nasty, infective agents that penetrate through your skin and seep into your body causing havoc upon your system.  Prevent this from happening by just wearing gloves.

    Find a Place to Put the Pest to Rest

    The best place to put the tick after removal is an airtight, screw on top jar filled with rubbing alcohol.  Throwing it away does not kill it.  You need to keep it in a place where it cannot escape or cause further harm to your pets and others in the house.

    Grab Tweezers

    Grab a pair of tweezers or find a tick removal kit for pets, and start removing the tick from your pet’s hair.  Try not to turn the tick or squish it for the fluids inside may be released and harm your pet.  The idea is to minimize additional infection from occurring.

    For more tips on how to remove a tick, talk to a Florida dog obedience instructor or a k9 obedience trainer today.

  • How to Discourage Digging for Entertainment

    Dogs dig for different reasons.  They dig to bury stuff, stay warm or remain cool during the summer. Then there are dogs that just enjoy digging.  They dig for entertainment.  This type of dog makes resolving the digging issue a tough one.  You have to think about how to stop the behavior in a means that will put the digging to a halt.  Here are some tips to help you along the way.

    Place Noisy, Safe Products

    The idea is to deter your dog from digging.  One way to do it in a safe manner is by placing items that make loud noises in the areas where the dog likes to dig.  But the products have to be safe to the dog.  This takes a little research.  There are dog-training items, which appear like mousetraps, make similar sounds to mousetraps but do not harm anything.  Alternatively, you could place these same products near your flower beds ensuring your dog does not dig up freshly planted flowers and leaves the vegetation alone.

    Install Fencing

    If you pride your garden and wish your dog to stay out of it, construct fencing.  It will protect your flowers, plants, vegetables and fruit from being destroyed by your dog’s digging.  In addition, if a dog sees fencing, then an internal debate occurs regarding if it is worth climbing over or going through just to dig.  And normally a dog decides the physical effort is not worth it and moves on.

    To find out more information about how to stop your dog from digging, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

  • How to Prevent a Couch Potato Dog

    Have you noticed there is a slight increase in the number of overweight dogs lately?  If you walk along the streets, there seems to be noticeably heavier dogs than in the past.  I am no scientist.  I have no statistical research, but it seems our dogs are left entertaining themselves solo more than in prior times.  It makes commonsense.  People are working longer hours at further jobs making up for financial loss that occurred during the recession.  Thus, we are away from our homes for extended durations.  And when we do this our dogs may be hanging around doing nothing, unless we provide our dogs with activities.  Here is one way to prevent your dog from turning into a couch potato.

    Use Puzzle Toys

    I have briefly discussed this before, but it is important to discover puzzle toys.  Puzzle toys are toys that are stuffed with food or your dog’s favorite treats, but takes time for your dog to discover where the treat is located inside the toy.  It is essentially a puzzle.  Hence, the name puzzle toy.  This engages your dog in mental and physical activity.  Sometimes it takes your dog one hour or two to solve it.  It is a great way to keep your dog from just lying around sleeping while you are gone from the house.  It provides your dog with a chance to develop skills further, even while you are away.

    This is one way to prevent your dog from turning into a couch potato.  For more tips, talk to a Florida dog obedience training professional or a k9 obedience instructor today.

  • How to Teach Your Dog to U-Turn

    When taking your dog out for a walk, there are many distractions along the way.  There are other animals, traffic, and people enticing your dog’s instincts to chase.  At these moments is when teaching your dog to turn around comes in handy.  It keeps your dog safe, still and prevents your dog from running after others while outside.  Here are a few tips on how to teach your dog do a turnaround.

    Start Walking with Your Dog on a Leash

    To begin, start walking in a straight line with your dog on a leash.  After a couple of footsteps, use the command, “This way!”  At the same time, hold a treat with cheese, chicken, or your favorite dog’s treat in front of your canine’s nose.  This will get your dog’s attention.  Once your dog pays attention, start leading your dog with the treat out front and turn around.  Your dog will follow.  Just do this in a smooth movement.  Do not tug on the leash.  After your canine follows, take a few more steps, and give your dog a treat as a reward.  Provide praise.  Repeat these movements.  Your dog will begin to associate the u-turn around with the reward.

    Repeat Sequence

    Keep this lesson fresh in your dog’s mind by practicing.  Then start weaning your dog off the treats during the turnaround.  Give your dog the treat after two turnarounds, then lower the frequency.

    To find out more information about how to teach your dog to u-turn, contact a Florida dog obedience training professional today.