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Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

By Alina Jumabhoy

Get Your Dog’s Prey Drive Under Control

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Prey drive varies hugely in individual dogs. While some dogs naturally have a low prey drive, others simply cannot resist chasing every moving thing around them.

It goes without saying that this can be extremely difficult to deal with...

Fortunately, you don't need to worry too much. By putting some time and effort into training your pooch, you will soon be able to get that prey drive under control.

KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEASH

It may be tempting to un-clip that leash so that your dog can have a good run, but this is something that you need to avoid doing until you have managed to gain some control over your dog's prey drive.

Keeping your dog on a leash gives you much more control to begin with. You should also make sure that your dog does not have any access at all to prey animals.

Each time your dog chases an animal, this reinforces the behavior. This means that your dog will be even more likely to do the same thing again in the future.

By putting a stop to this right away, you will notice results from your training much faster.

REDIRECTION

Redirecting your dog's attention is one of the most important strategies to learn when trying to control prey drive.

What exactly is redirection?

It means being able to shift your dog's attention away from the prey and onto yourself. It is much easier to do this before your dog fixates on the prey, or very soon after. If you wait too long, it will be difficult to break your dog's focus.

So, how do you redirect?

Each time you notice a prey animal in the distance, simply go in the other direction. Keep things positive, rewarding your dog for following you.

What happens if you have no choice but to go in the same direction as the prey animal?

Make sure you have a squeaky toy or a high value treat to hand. Use this to distract your dog, making sure that you only pass by the animal once your dog is fully focused on you. Once you have made it past, you can then reward your dog with the treat or toy.

Ideally, you should work on redirecting from a distance. Once your dog understands that it is more rewarding to stay focused on you rather than the prey animal, you can then shorten this distance and practice this at a closer range.

A clicker can help your dog to pick this up even faster. Simply click and treat each time your dog focuses on you rather than on the distractions around him.

BE AWARE OF YOUR DOG'S BODY LANGUAGE

As mentioned above, you will have much more success at controlling that prey drive if you catch it in its early stages.

There are five main stages to prey drive:

  • Searching for the animal

  • Stalking the animal with the eyes

  • Chasing the animal

  • Grabbing the animal

  • Biting to kill the animal

Ideally, you want to get yourself involved at the very first stage, before your dog manages to latch his eyes onto the prey. This means that you will need to continuously be looking around you, so that you can spot any prey animals before your dog does.

You will notice your dog's eyes scanning the environment when the two of you are out. Keep interrupting this, encouraging your dog to focus on you instead. Make sure that you reward him heavily each time he does.

If your dog's ears have pricked up, and his eyes are focused on something in the distance, then this means he has moved on to the eye stalking stage. You will need to tighten your hold on your dog's leash and work even harder on redirection.

WORK ON IMPULSE CONTROL

Prey drive is an impulsive behavior.

Fortunately, impulse control is something that dogs pick up on quite quickly.

There are certain commands out there that are really useful for this, such as:

  • Leave it

  • Look at me

  • Place

  • Come

  • Drop it

These are vital commands to teach to a dog with high prey drive.

You will need to begin by working on these commands in a calm and controlled environment. Slowly introduce distractions, such as balls and frisbees. Dogs with a high prey drive will want to chase these just as much as they will want to chase a prey animal.

Once your dog has mastered the above commands, you can then move on to practicing them around a wider range of distractions.

One thing to keep in mind...

Make sure that you remain calm throughout your dog's prey drive training.

If you end up shouting a command or getting too excited, your dog will quickly pick up on this energy. It will likely lead to over-excitement and hyperactivity in your dog, which will only slow down his progress.

KEEP YOUR DOG MENTALLY STIMULATED

Many people think that if they exercise their dog enough, then prey drive will be reduced.

However, physical activity alone is not enough to help with this...

Instead, you need a good mix of both physical and mental stimulation.

When it comes to mental stimulation, nose work is always beneficial. Even hiding treats around your house or garden, or providing a sandbox for your pooch to dig in, can help to tire that brain out. There are plenty of other mental games out there too, especially if you get creative. 

You should also be opting for plenty of variety when it comes to the physical, in addition to walks. Try taking your dog swimming or hiking uphill, as these are great forms of exercise. Keeping the physical activities varied will mean that your dog gains mental benefits from them too.

If you do not do anything about your dog's prey drive, it will not be long before this gets out of control. Make sure that you start managing these behaviors as soon as you notice them, because this will give you a much happier and more well-balanced dog in the long run.

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6 Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

6 Tips for Walking a Reactive Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Is your dog reactive when the two of you are out and about?

Whether this reactivity may be triggered by other dogs, people, cars, or anything else, here are six tips to keep in mind when walking a reactive dog:

1. Set Off With a Calm Frame of Mind

Do you often feel stressed and tense before you even begin walking your reactive dog?

Well, this is something that your dog will be able to pick up on. This will put your dog on guard, making him worried that there is something around him that is concerning.

Beginning your walk in a calm and positive frame of mind can really make a difference. This may seem easier said than done, but this just means that you will need to spend some time finding a few ways to instantly de-stress. For some, this may be listening to music while others may find deep breathing exercises helpful.

Of course, the calm frame of mind applies to your dog as well as to you...

Make sure that your dog is calm before the two of you set off.

If your dog is over-excited or showing signs of anxiety, work with your dog to deal with these issues before you begin your walk.

2. Avoid Triggers When Walking a Reactive Dog

Yes, you do need to teach your dog how to overcome the obstacles that trigger his reactivity, but you need to do this gradually, in your own time.

In the meantime, avoid those triggers as much as possible.

If your dog is dog-reactive, try to walk your dog in places where other dogs don't frequent. This may also require you to adjust the times at which you walk your dog in order to avoid others.

Of course, completely avoiding all triggers is near impossible...

So, what do you do if you unintentionally come across a trigger when walking your reactive dog?

You put as much distance between that trigger and your dog as possible.

Try to block your dog's view of the trigger, whether this means turning around and walking the other way, or even darting behind a tree for a minute or two.

3. Turn Triggers Into Positive Experiences

Turning a trigger into a positive experience takes quite a bit of time and effort, but it really does pay off.

The key is to take things very slowly, beginning with a large distance between your dog and the trigger. Practice teaching your dog to focus on you, rather than on the trigger ahead.

How?

You can do this in a number of ways. Treats are great for food-motivated dogs, while a squeaky toy is a great distraction for toy-motivated dogs. You could also teach your dog to target your hand or another object, as this can be a very effective method for diverting their attention.

As soon as your dog focuses on you, provide plenty of praise and rewards.

Work on this for a few more sessions, before gradually decreasing the distance between your dog and the trigger.

What happens if your dog starts reacting again?

Then this means that you are moving too quickly in your training. Take a step back, putting more distance between your dog and the trigger, and work from this distance again for a while.

4. Enlist the Help of a Friend

If walking your reactive dog is something that you usually do on your own, it will surprise you how much of a difference it can make when you have another person with you.

So long as you choose the right person, they will likely have quite a calming influence over both you and your dog, while also instilling a greater sense of confidence in yourself.

Try walking your reactive dog in between you and your friend, so that you are both on-hand to reassure or distract your dog when you see an approaching trigger.

5. Keep Walks Fun and Interesting

Since your dog's reactivity will likely limit you when it comes to your choice of walks, you need to make sure that your walks are still fun, exciting and relatively unpredictable for your pooch.

How?

There are a number of ways you can do this, even if you can't take your dog to many new places.

Try simply switching up your pace on your walk, sometimes going slower and sometimes going faster. Changing directions at random times will also keep your dog guessing. Don't forget to shower your dog with plenty of praise whenever he follows your lead.

You could also try bringing a new toy on your walk with you. Stop at a random point for a quick play session.

Treats are also great, especially if you use a mix of both high value and low value treats. These are pretty much a necessity anyway when walking a reactive dog, but you could also stop mid-walk for a quick training session, using the treats as motivation.

6. Don't Be Afraid to Stand Up For Your Dog

When walking a reactive dog, there will be certain situations in which you will need to stand up for your dog.

For example, if your dog hates strangers touching him, you may need to be quite firm when it comes to well-meaning dog lovers reaching out to stroke your dog. In the heat of the moment, this could even come across as you being rude, especially if you need to raise your voice to get your point across. However, don't be afraid to do so – you are the only person who can really advocate for your dog.

The same applies with dogs who are dog-reactive, and are being approached by an off-lead, out of control dog. Even if you need to shout across a long distance at that other dog's owner, do what you need to do to keep your own dog safe and protected.

Walking a reactive dog is rarely easy, but, so long as you take things slowly, there will be plenty of small victories along the way. Make sure that you celebrate these as a reminder of how far you and your pooch have come, as these moments will provide motivation for all of your future walks.

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8 Ways to Keep a Dog Cool in the Summer

By Alina Jumabhoy

8 Ways to Keep a Dog Cool in the Summer

Photo by Show 131/ CC

While some dogs take the summer heat in their stride, others really struggle with this.

Wondering how you can keep a dog cool in the summer?

Here are 8 ideas to try:

1. Cooling Mats and Damp Towels

You want your pooch to be able to comfortably relax in the summer, which is where a cooling mat comes in.

These mats contain a special self-cooling gel that draw heat away from a dog's body, helping to keep their body temperature down.

Don't want to splurge on a cooling mat that your dog may not use?

Try placing a damp towel down instead. If your dog gravitates towards this and seems to enjoy lying on it, then, chances are, a cooling mat will go down well too.

Of course, you can skip the cooling mat altogether and just use damp towels. However, keep in mind that you will need to continuously dampen the towel in order to keep it cool throughout the day.

2. Provide Some Shade

When trying to keep a dog cool in the summer, it is essential that you provide plenty of shade.

An outdoor thermometer can help you to identify the coolest spots around your house, and you can then work on adding a bit more shade to these areas.

Natural shade, such as trees and shrubs, are great. However, if you don't have any of this in your garden, it may be worth investing in a collapsible shading tent, or even an umbrella, for your hot pooch to lie under. Bonus points if you also place a cooling mat or a damp towel in this area too!

3. Icy Treats

You probably love cooling off with an ice cream in the summer heat...

Well, your dog would enjoy something similar too!

Yes, there are many ice cream brands out there designed just for dogs. However, if you want to save some money but still treat your dog to an ice cream on a regular basis, you could make your own instead.

Try freezing some blended bananas, mixing this in with a dollop of peanut butter for extra flavor. You could also make icy treats with meat, kibble, or anything else you have to hand. Simply place these into a mold, add some water, and then freeze.

Don't have time to whip up some icy treats for your pooch?

Try adding a handful of ice cubes to your dog's water instead. Many dogs also like playing with ice cubes, making this another great way to keep a dog cool in the summer.

4. Cold Water

Speaking of ice cubes in water...

Make sure that your dog always has cold water available in the summer.

It is so much easier for a dog to dehydrate in the heat, meaning that your pooch will need plenty to drink to keep his hydration levels up.

If the two of you are out and about, make sure that you bring a few bottles of water with you so that you can keep your pup cool on-the-go.

5. A Cooling Dip

Many people think that the best way to keep a dog cool in the summer is by putting that dog into some cold water, whether this may be a pool, a pond or a lake.

This does work quite well, but, it can also be dangerous if your dog is too hot...

How?

Because this will lower your dog's surface temperature very rapidly. This may sound like a good thing, but it is actually your dog's core body temperature you want to lower, not the surface temperature. Lowering the surface temperature too quickly only causes the internal organs to heat up even more, which is where the danger comes in.

If you think your dog may be over-heating, allow him to stand in cool water for a couple of minutes, rather than placing his whole body into it.

Wading pools designed for children are great for this. They will help your dog to regulate his temperature safely, without the chance of over-heating.

You could also try creating a mist for your dog to lie in. This can easily be done if you have a hose pipe – misting attachments are readily available and reasonably priced.

6. A Light Breeze

If the air around you is extremely still and muggy, then chances are that your dog would benefit from a light breeze.

Wondering how to create that breeze?

All you need is a fan!

This will help to keep your dog cool, and can be used both indoors as well as outdoors.

7. Shave Them Down

If your dog's coat could do with a trim, this is a great way to keep a dog cool in the summer.

However, not every dog should be shaved...

Does your dog have a double coat?

This means that there is a dense and woolly coat close to the skin, with a longer coat above this.

If your answer is yes...

Then shaving isn't the answer for your dog. That double coat helps your dog to regulate his body temperature, keeping him warm in the winter but cool in the summer. If you shave it off, you interfere with this process, and your dog may end up feeling hotter than ever.

If your dog has a single coat...

Go ahead and get those clippers out! Your pooch will likely thank you big time once all of that extra hair is off.

8. Don't Over-Exercise

Yes, exercise is so important for a dog, but, if you are trying to keep a dog cool in the summer, you need to make sure that you don't overdo this.

Save the exercising for early in the morning or later in the evening, once the sun isn't quite as strong. Make sure that you also allow for plenty of breaks to prevent your pooch from over-heating.

Want to do a quick dog walk in the middle of the day?

Make sure that you check the pavement first.

How?

Simply place the palm of your hand down onto the pavement and hold it there for a while.

Does it feel too hot to handle?

If so, then it will be too hot for your dog's paws too.

Don't worry if your dog seems to really be struggling with the heat – it really doesn't take much at all to keep a dog cool in the summer. Simply give some of these eight tips a try, and you will soon find that your dog is looking and feeling much more comfortable!

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How to Teach a Dog to Stay

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Teach a Dog to Stay

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Looking for how to train a dog to stay?

The “stay” command may seem simple, but there are actually several steps involved when it comes to teaching this. It does take some time and effort, but this is a part of basic obedience that is definitely worth mastering. From choosing cue and release words for dogs to an advanced stay, read our guide to perfect your technique.

Choose Your Cue and Release Words

Before you begin training a dog to do anything, you need to decide on your cue words. In terms of the “stay” command, this means having a distinct beginning and end.

Examples for beginning to learn how to teach a dog to stay would be, simply, “stay” or “wait.” For the release, you could use “okay,” “done,” or “release.” A hand signal to accompany each cue word is also useful.

Once you’ve decided on your cue and release words, you’re ready for the next step in how to train a dog to stay.

The First Steps

To start, put your dog into a sit or down position.

Then, give your dog your stay command. Immediately after this, say your release word for your dog and then reward them. Encourage your dog to move around after you say the release word using praise, treats, or whatever motivates them most.

How to Reward Your Dog

When learning how to teach a dog to stay, the reward is important. The specific reward depends on what motivates your dog the most. Some dogs are happy with praise and attention, while others need a treat to convince them to listen to you. You could also try a quick game as a reward if your dog is toy-oriented.

Another important part of how to train a dog to stay is keeping the training durations short. Dogs have short attention spans, especially puppies, so practice the stay for one minute at the most when you’re just starting out. As they learn, you can gradually increase the time of training, as well as the duration, distance, and distractions.

Increasing the Stay Duration

fluffy white dog sitting on tile
Photo by Show 131/ CC
When you’re learning how to teach a dog to stay, you need to gradually build up the amount of time for which your dog is staying.

Begin as above, putting your dog into the sit or down position, and then telling them to stay. Then, count to three in your head before saying the release word for your dog and rewarding them.

Then slowly increase the time in two-second intervals. Make sure you don’t go too quickly; it’s important to set your dog up for success, not failure! Adding too many seconds to the stay can lead them to frustration, which is not good for either of you.

What to Do if Your Dog Moves Before You Say the Release Cue

As you teach a dog how to stay, it’s inevitable they’ll get up before you say the release word. The key is to not get frustrated. Simply put your dog back into the sit or down position and start again. However, this time, don’t leave them in the stay for as long before saying the release word.

Extending the Stay Distance

The distance as you train a dog how to stay refers to how far away you are or move from your dog while they’re in the stay. You can teach your dog to stay while you walk hundreds of meters away, but it all starts with just half a step.

Position your dog in the sit or down position and then give them the stay command.

To teach a dog how to remain in the stay, move just one foot backward and lean back slightly before stepping forward to your dog again. Immediately give the release word for your dog and reward them.

The next time you do this, take a full step back before immediately returning to your dog and releasing. Carry on in this way, just one step at a time.

While you may be tempted to call your dog over to you to release them, avoid doing so for now. It’s fine to do this once in a while, but make sure that you also practice returning to your dog before releasing them, too.

A Note About Using Treats

If you’re using treats to teach a dog how to stay, make sure that your pooch can’t see these while you’re walking away from them.

Why?

Because the treats will act as a lure, encouraging your dog to stand up and follow you rather than remaining in their stay position.

Working with Distractions

As you train a dog how to stay, they’ll likely pick up on all of the above pretty quickly, especially if you’re working on this in a calm and quiet environment. However, add some distractions and everything could change. It’s important to add distractions because there will be many natural ones when you use the stay command in a real-life setting.

When you are learning how to teach a dog to stay, you should only start working with distractions once your dog has a pretty solid understanding of the stay command. Also, ensure they obey the release word for dogs you chose.

Types of Distractions to Add

pack of dogs sitting in park with leashes held by walker
Photo by Show 131/ CC
If you’ve been working on the stay command in the house, move outside.

Once your dog is responding well outdoors, ask a friend or family member to do something around the yard while you’re training. Your dog should be able to listen to you while completely ignoring the distraction.

You can then start working on how to teach a dog to stay in different environments. However, make sure that any setting you choose is a safe one; you don’t want to be training this command by the side of a busy road, for example.

The Advanced Stay

You’ve already worked on duration, distance, and distractions when learning how to train a dog to stay, but there are always ways in which you can improve on each of these. This will help to cement the stay command in your dog’s head.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Duration – have your dog stay while you’re doing different activities around the house. Try watching TV, cooking, or anything else. Make sure that your dog only moves upon hearing their release word.

  • Distance – teach your dog how to stay with varying distances. Try moving behind them or diagonally away from them and going completely out of sight.

  • Distractions – try providing a few distractions yourself while working on stay. You could run circles around your dog, or even throw a ball around. It may also help to ensure that your dog knows the “leave it” command before trying this.

It does take quite a bit of time and patience to teach a dog to stay, but this is a command really worth working on. Not only is it useful, but it could also prove to be essential to your dog’s safety if you’re in an environment in which they shouldn’t run freely.

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Put a Stop to Puppy Mouthing

By Alina Jumabhoy

Put a Stop to Puppy Mouthing

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of congerdesign @ Pixabay

When a puppy is still young, puppy mouthing is completely normal behavior. After all, this is how a puppy explores the world, interacting with different objects.

However, while puppy mouthing may be necessary during the earliest stages of your pup's life, this isn't something that should continue on into adulthood.

Why?

Because an adult dog is much stronger and heavier. What used to be gentle puppy mouthing can unintentionally cause injury as a dog grows up. Plus, puppy teeth themselves can be quite sharp, especially if they come into contact with a child's skin. This is why it is so important to put a stop to puppy mouthing once your pup is a couple of months old.

Bite Inhibition

Bite inhibition is the ability that a dog has to control how hard he mouths and nips. This is usually something that a pup will learn from his mother, as well as his littermates.

How?

Well, when a puppy bites another pup too hard, that other pup will usually let out a yelp and immediately stop playing. This causes the first puppy to stop playing too, teaching him that biting too hard puts an end to the fun.

This is a method that you can copy when teaching bite inhibition to your puppy...

When your puppy mouths you, yelp in the same way that a pup would. Make sure that you immediately stop playing too, leaving your hand to go limp.

Your dog will likely stop too, if only for a second. Make sure that you quickly praise your dog as soon as he has stopped, and then immediately carry on playing.

It will take quite a bit of repetition, but it won't be long before your puppy soon learns not to mouth.

Already tried this method with no success?

Instead of letting your hand go limp, try putting a stop to the play altogether. Walk away from your puppy after you have yelped. Then, wait for your pup to remain calm for about half a minute or so, before returning to play.

This will help to reinforce the idea that mouthing is bad, but playing in a gentle way is good.

Provide a Safe Alternative

While many puppies mouth while playing, others do this simply because its an instinctive behavior. Puppies have a natural urge to chew and bite.

If you don't want this urge to be carried out on you, or any of your belongings, then you will need to provide your pup with a safe alternative.

What sort of things should you give your pup to gnaw on?

Try some of the following:

Don't forget, every puppy is different when it comes to the things he enjoys chewing on. Make sure that you try a few different chews and toys until you have found some that you know your puppy genuinely enjoys.

Remove the Temptation

Many puppies only mouth when they are playing certain games.

So, to prevent puppy mouthing, simply stop playing those games. For most pups, these involve rough play games, such as wrestling.

There are many other non-tactile games that you can substitute this with. Try playing tug of war, or a game of fetch. Introducing your dog to other pups his age will also help your pup to release all of that energy, making him less likely to mouth you when you get home.

Make sure that you also never tease your puppy with your fingers or your hands. Even using an item of clothing can only end up encouraging the mouthing.

Is your puppy mouthing your belongings as well as your skin?

This is another temptation that you should remove.

Make sure that all of your belongings are well out of your puppy's reach, in the same way that you would baby-proof a house if you were bringing a new baby into it. Baby gates and other types of barriers can also be useful to limit your pup's access to certain parts of the house until you have the puppy mouthing under control.

Basic Obedience Training

Giving your pup a treat or a toy as a distraction is always a good idea, but what happens when you don't have a treat or a toy around?

This is where basic obedience training comes in...

This will give you an extra tool when it comes to distracting your pup. By teaching your puppy various commands and tricks, you will be able to use these to encourage your pup to control his impulsive behaviors.

Wondering what basic obedience training involves?

Teach your puppy the following commands:

  • Sit

  • Stay

  • Lie down

  • Recall

  • Leave it

When it comes to puppy mouthing, the two most-useful do tend to be “sit” and “leave it”.

Once you have these commands cemented into your pup's brain, your puppy should automatically listen to you each time you say one of them, even if they happen to be mouthing at the time.

Don't forget, each time your puppy stops mouthing to listen to your command, make sure that you provide plenty of praise, and even a treat. This will really help to reinforce that good behavior.

Don't Punish Puppy Mouthing

As mentioned earlier, mouthing is an instinctive behavior.

Your puppy isn't doing this on purpose, meaning that puppy mouthing isn't something that can be stopped immediately.

For some pups, it takes quite a bit of time to ease away from the mouthing. Punishing your puppy for not learning this fast enough will definitely not help the situation. Instead, it is likely to just make your puppy fearful of you, especially when your hands are near your pup's mouth. This could make certain situations quite tricky in the future, from vet visits to being able to remove a dangerous food item from your dog.

Rather than punishing your puppy for unwanted behavior, focus on rewarding your puppy for positive behavior instead. This will give you so much more success in the long run.

Although puppy mouthing is a natural behavior, this is something that you need to take control of quite early on. Fortunately, with plenty of consistency, it doesn't take long at all to put a stop to puppy mouthing, even for the more playful pups out there!

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How to Groom an Aggressive Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Groom an Aggressive Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Oritslama @ Pixabay

While some dog breeds barely require any grooming at all, others need this very regularly, and they don't all enjoy having this done.

So, how do you groom an aggressive dog?

Here are a few tips to keep in mind...

Learn the Dog's Triggers

Dogs are aggressive for different reasons.

For most dogs, the reason behind their aggression will be fear. This means that it is up to you to eliminate that fear if you want to groom an aggressive dog.

How do you remove that fear?

You need to take things slow.

Begin by giving the dog time to get used to you, as well as your touch. You can do this by slowly running your hands over their body, paying particular attention to sensitive areas.

Once the dog is happy with you touching him, you can then start to introduce some of your grooming tools. Let the dog have a good sniff of these first. Then, run them gently over the dog's body, making sure that the tools are turned off.

Use these tools to pet the dog, and give the dog a treat each time he does not react. Ideally, you should be treating the dog throughout the whole process.

What should you do if the dog is still uncomfortable?

Stop, and take a step back.

This whole process of acclimatizing a dog to being groomed can take weeks. This can seem frustrating, but it is so much better to spend this time encouraging the dog's comfort, rather than forcing the dog into a negative situation.

Restraints, Muzzles and Medication

You are probably thinking...

What if I don't have weeks to acclimatize a dog to the grooming process?

This is common, especially when it comes to rescue dogs who are in a bad way with their coats.

Well, in these cases, you will need to use restraints and muzzles.

Now, most groomers already use restraints on their grooming tables. These help to keep dogs still while they are being groomed, ensuring that the result is neat and even and that the dog doesn't run the risk of being cut by the clippers or scissors.

However, when trying to groom an aggressive dog, you will likely need a few extra restraints, as well as a muzzle.

You should always be careful when muzzling an aggressive dog, once again taking this as slow as possible. The muzzle you use is important too – it should be one that still allows the dog to pant, drink and accept treats, but should not enable the dog to bite. The muzzle should also be the right size for the dog – a muzzle that is too big or too small can result in even more discomfort and injury for the dog, which will only make him act more aggressively.

Try not to leave the muzzle on for too long. After all, you want to try to build up positive associations with the grooming process as much as possible.

Is the muzzle not helping you to groom an aggressive dog?

In very serious cases, you may need to turn to medication, usually in the form of a sedative.

However, this is something that should only be done under the advice of a vet.

Long-Handled Grooming Tools

Grooming tools are available in so many different shapes and sizes, with many of these featuring long handles. These are most commonly found in the form of combs and brushes.

These long-handled tools are perfect when trying to groom an aggressive dog. They allow you to reach those sensitive spots while keeping your hand far enough away to ensure that you don't end up bitten.

Don't forget...

You will still need to spend some time at the beginning allowing the dog to sniff your long-handled tools. This will make him much more receptive to the tools touching his body.

Short Grooming Sessions

Trying to groom an aggressive dog can be difficult, especially since you need to try to keep the experience as positive as possible.

One way to do this is by keeping the grooming sessions short and sweet.

You don't need to do a full groom the first time around – instead, pick an area of the dog and focus on getting that part groomed. This could be the face, the paws, the stomach, or anywhere else.

Make sure that you end each grooming session on a positive note. This usually involves plenty of praise and treats.

The more you do this, the more you will notice that the dog becomes increasingly receptive to the grooming process with each session.

Enlist the Help of an Assistant

You don't have to do it alone when trying to groom an aggressive dog.

In fact, finding someone to help you can make the whole process so much easier.

Your best bet would be finding someone who has experience in handling aggressive dogs. There are certain ways in which an aggressive dog can be held by your assistant, so that you can carry out the groom without having to worry about being bitten.

However, as you can imagine, this can be dangerous unless your assistant is well-experienced in this.

Stay Firm and Calm

Dogs quickly pick up on the emotions of the people around them.

If you are feeling nervous or unsure, an aggressive dog will take advantage of this, and will likely intimidate you even more.

While it may be difficult, it is so important that you remain firm and calm throughout the whole process.

What should you do if you are feeling nervous?

Take yourself out of the situation and give yourself a few minutes to calm down. Only return to the dog once you are feeling confident again.

If you can't seem to find that confidence, you may need someone else to do the grooming for you.

It can definitely be difficult to try to groom an aggressive dog, but it can be done. It does require plenty of behavioral knowledge, along with patience and determination, but, so long as you take things slow, it won't be long before the dog soon becomes accustomed to the grooming process.

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Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

By Alina Jumabhoy

Is Your Dog a Picky Eater?

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of Daria @ Pexels

Is your dog a picky eater?

This can be so frustrating to deal with, and is something that can affect dogs of every age, size and breed.

So, how do you encourage a picky eater to eat?

Here are a few tips...

Establish a Routine

Dogs thrive on a routine, and this includes mealtimes too.

Since your dog is a picky eater, you may want to feed your pooch just once a day. This can actually be better for your dog's digestive system than being fed more than once.

Try to stick to the same times when it comes to your dog's meals too.

Put your dog's food out at the same time each day, and leave it down for half an hour.

What do you do if your dog hasn't eaten it after half an hour?

Remove it and feed it to your dog again at his next mealtime.

This may seem like tough love, especially if your dog scavenges around for treats after not eating his meal. However, your dog won't let himself go hungry, making this one of the best strategies for encouraging a picky eater to eat his meals.

Don't Feed Table Scraps to Your Dog

It may be tempting to share a small bite of your meal with your pooch, but this will only encourage his picky eating. Not only will this mean that your dog won't be quite as hungry when it comes to his own mealtime, but human food always tends to be more appealing to a dog than dog food.

This is something that the whole family needs to get on board with...

The whole household needs to be consistent about this. You need your dog to learn that human food is for humans, and the only food that your dog should be eating is his own food.

Cut Back on the Treats

Does your dog get treats throughout the day?

If so, this could be why he has become a picky eater...

He simply isn't hungry!

Try cutting back on the number of treats you feed your dog.

What if your picky eater is in training?

You can always use some of your dog's food as part of his training treats. This is easy if your dog is fed on a kibble. If your dog is on a raw or home-cooked diet, you can still use part of his meal allowance as treats. This could be in the form of cooked meat, dehydrated meat or vegetables.

Make Sure That Your Dog Isn't Dining Elsewhere

Picky eater bulldog stealing food
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Do you have a cat? Or how about any other pets?

Dogs can be sneaky and clever, and often end up eating other types of pet food behind their owner's back.

If you do have other pets around the house, make sure that your dog is not able to access their food. This will not only help with your dog's picky eating, but will also prevent the whole host of health problems that could arise from your dog eating unsuitable food.

Add in Some Variety

This can be tricky, and is only something that you should do if you are willing to carry this on in the long term.

Would you like to eat the same food every single day?

Chances are, you'd get bored pretty quickly.

Well, the same applies to many dogs!

If you feed your dog a kibble, it could be worth trying some different flavors, alternating these with each mealtime.

You could also add in some fresh foods, whether this may be fresh meat, vegetables, eggs or anything else that would be beneficial to your dog.

Topping off a meal with some bone broth will usually encourage even the pickiest eater to eat, and will also provide your dog with so many health benefits.

If your dog is only eating the extra additions that you are adding in...

It may be worth considering a food change. It could be that your dog simply isn't gaining the nutrition he needs from the food that you are feeding, or maybe he just doesn't enjoy it. Many kibble-fed picky eaters often find their love of food when switched to a raw or home-cooked diet.

Make Sure That You Are Feeding the Right Amount

Do you know how much food your dog should be eating?

This not only depends on your dog's breed, but also his weight, age and energy levels. The amount of food that you should be feeding your dog will change as your dog progresses through life.

Many owners often end up over-feeding their dogs. If your dog is eating, but doesn't finish his meals, this could be because you are feeding your dog too much food.

Make Mealtimes Fun

If a dog is stressed, he will find it difficult to eat.

One way to overcome this is by making mealtimes fun.

How?

Try turning the meal into a game of hide and seek. Hide small portions of food around a room and let your dog sniff these out and eat them. This will appeal to your dog's instincts of having to work for his food.

Of course, you don't want to have to be doing that every day...

Fortunately, it doesn't take long for a dog to realize how much fun eating can be with this method. You can slowly hide smaller amounts of food, ending the game with the rest of your dog's food in his bowl.

When to Go to the Vet

Sometimes, there can be a medical reason behind a dog who has suddenly become a picky eater.

How do you know if a vet visit is in order?

Here are a few signs:

  • If your dog refuses to eat anything, and hasn't eaten anything for more than 24 hours

  • Your dog has suddenly lost weight

  • Your dog is vomiting or has diarrhea

  • If your dog is sluggish or lethargic

It can be difficult to know how to deal with a dog who is a picky eater. Rather than giving into this, try some of the above tips to encourage your picky eater to eat his own food, as this will be so much better for your dog's health in the long run.

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6 Top Tips to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

By Alina Jumabhoy

6 Top Tips to Help Your Dog Lose Weight

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Is your dog overweight? If so, it is extremely important to take the steps necessary to help your dog lose weight. This will prevent a number of weight-related health conditions from arising, whether this may be arthritis and heart disease or high blood pressure and cancer.

Want to know how to help your dog lose weight?

Here are 6 tips to get you started:

1. Measure Out Your Dog's Meals

Do you often “guesstimate” when it comes to filling your dog's bowl with food? Or perhaps you choose to free feed, allowing your pooch to help himself to a full bowl whenever he feels hungry?

Well, while both of these methods of feeding may be convenient, they need to stop.

If your pooch is overweight, the very first step to take to help your dog lose weight is to measure out his meals.

How Much Should Your Dog Be Eating?

Prepared to measure, but no idea what the ideal measurement should be?

This depends on a number of factors, such as:

  • Your dog's age

  • Your dog's size

  • Your dog's energy levels

  • The food being fed

Most commercial foods will have guidelines on the back of the box to tell you how much to feed. If you have been over-feeding your dog, drop this down to the recommended amount. If the amount you have been feeding has been about right, cut back on this slightly until your dog has reached an ideal weight.

Alternatively, ask your veterinarian to calculate how many calories your dog needs each day. You can then use this to work out a more specific daily food measurement.

2. Make Sure That You Are Feeding a Quality Dog Food

Have you ever taken a look at the ingredients list of your dog's food?

If not, do it now, as you are likely to be surprised...

So many commercial dog foods containing a surprisingly high amount of carbohydrates, and this is something that dogs definitely do not need.

Raw diets are great for having better control over your dog's weight. If you would prefer to feed a commercial food, look for one that has more protein than carbohydrates.

3. Increase Exercise 

In addition to controlling your dog's food intake, upping the amount of exercise your pooch gets is another key way to help your dog lose weight.

If your dog naturally has quite an active personality, this shouldn't be too difficult...

Simply increase the frequency of your walks, or even just the length of your walks. Allowing your dog to run around off the leash will really help him to get his muscles moving, but only do this when it is safe. Try adding in some varied terrain too – running uphill on sand, rather than running on flat grass, will give your dog even more of a workout.

You could also try playing some active games at home. From flirt poles to bouncy balls, there are so many dog toys out there that will help to convince your dog to get moving.

Of course, make sure that you start off slow with all of this! This is especially important if your dog is in his senior years. You don't want all of the extra exercise to be too much for your dog, so begin gradually to give your dog's body and muscles some time to grow accustomed to all of the new activity.

4. Healthy Treats

A dalmation snacking on fresh fruit to lose weight
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Treats aren't an essential part of owning a dog, especially if your dog is already overweight.

However, if you have been working on training your dog, then treats will usually be required.

Biscuits, small chunks of cheese, and other calorie-laden bites are usually what most owners turn to. Of course, in order to help your dog lose weight, you need to avoid all of these.

So, what are some healthy treats that you can feed instead?

Try some of the following:

  • Raw fruit, such as sliced apples and bananas

  • Raw vegetables, such as carrot, cucumber and broccoli chunks

  • Dehydrated sprats or sardines

  • Dehydrated meat, without any filler ingredients

These may not sound very tempting to you, but dogs tend to love the crunchy texture that all of those snacks provide, making them a fantastic training treat.

Of course, when feeding your dog treats, don't forget to deduct those calories from your dog's daily allowance. Extra treats mean that you will likely need to feed your dog less food at meal times.

5. Find a Mentally-Stimulating Edible Chew

Looking for a way to keep your dog entertained for a few hours, without involving high-calorie foods?

There are many edible chews out there that you could look into. These are usually low in fat and long-lasting, giving your dog a taste of food without actually piling on the calories.

Antlers, dried tendons, raw bones and steer sticks are all great options.

Make sure that you stay away from rawhide, as these chews contain so many dangerous chemicals that you definitely don't want your dog consuming.

6. Keep Weighing Your Dog

It is important to keep your motivation up when trying to help your dog lose weight.

This is why it can be helpful to keep weighing your dog at regular intervals.

How much weight should your dog be losing?

This all depends on how overweight your dog was to begin with. Generally, aim for around 1% of your dog's body weight per week, which should work out to between 3% and 5% a month.

You can either take your pooch in to your local veterinary clinic to have him weighed, or do this yourself at home.

Are your scales too small?

Weigh yourself first. Then, pick your dog up and stand on the scales. Simply subtract your own weight from the weight of the two of you combined, and that will give you your dog's weight.

More than 50% of the dogs in the USA are overweight, making it no surprise that dogs are now facing such an array of different health problems. If you want to keep your dog as healthy as possible, make sure that you are always keeping track of your dog's weight, and that you know how to help your dog lose weight if you ever need to.

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How to Bond with a New Rescue Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Bond with a New Rescue Dog

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Purchasing a young pup from a breeder usually means that you begin with a relatively clean slate. However, adopting a rescue dog, even if that dog may be quite young, means that that your new pooch will likely come with a bit of baggage.

This can make bonding with a new rescue dog quite challenging, so here are a few tips to speed that process up.

SPEND TIME WORKING ON OBEDIENCE TRAINING

Even if your rescue dog is already trained in the basics, spending some time going over obedience training together can really help you and your pooch to bond.

How?

Because obedience training requires two-way communication. This makes it a great method for teaching a dog and a new owner how to work together.

The two of you will be fully interacting when training, and this is something that will help your rescue dog to feel more comfortable in your company.

COMMIT TO PLAYING

Just about every dog owner out there is guilty of sitting back on the sofa and watching TV, while absent-mindedly tossing a ball around every few minutes for their dog to catch.

Well, don't kid yourself...

Your dog knows very well that he doesn't have your full attention!

This may not seem like a big deal, but playing is an activity that enables your dog to let loose and really enjoy life. You want your dog to associate this with you as much as possible.

So, make sure that you commit to properly playing with your dog a few times a day. Get moving with your pooch, giving your full attention to the game the two of you are playing.

Showing your new rescue dog that his happiness is important to you will help your dog to associate your presence with happiness and fun.

DAILY WALKS

Woman with her rescue dog on top of a mountain above the clouds
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Walking is one of the best ways for an owner to bond with their dog. The fact that daily walks tend to be the best part of a dog's day is an added bonus for your pooch!

Dogs love being able to explore new places and sniff exciting scents. Having you at the other end of the leash will help your dog to feel safe and secure with you around.

Of course, off-leash time is important for your pooch too. However, you never quite know what may trigger your rescue dog to go speeding off into the distance, so keep your new pooch on a lead for at least the first few weeks. Making sure that your dog has a solid understanding of the recall command is also vital before unclipping that leash.

Getting bored of your daily dog walks?

Try mixing things up a bit!

Take your dog along different routes as much as possible. Not only will this be more interesting for you, but it will also help to keep your dog more mentally stimulated. 

If you aren't able to keep trying new routes...

Make your own route more exciting!

How?

Try hiding some treats along the way for your pooch to sniff out, or invite another four-legged friend to join you on your walk.

THE IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT WITH A RESCUE DOG

Positive reinforcement means rewarding your dog when he has done something good.

When it comes to a new rescue dog, emphasizing these positive reinforcements can really help to strengthen your bond.

How should you go about doing this?

Try rewarding your rescue dog for all of the small, but good, things that he does.

This could be any of the following, plus more:

  • Sitting down to wait for something

  • Not barking

  • Being affectionate

  • Showing confidence

  • Being calm

What should you be using to reward your dog?

Treats are usually the best thing to use. Make sure that you hand feed these rather than tossing them on to the floor. This will encourage your dog to trust you and be more comfortable around you.

The treats could be anything from dried liver bites to pieces of your dog's usual kibble. Try to keep your treats varied, as this will ensure that your pooch stays interested and alert.

Physical touch, from a belly rub to a pat on the head, can also be a good way of positively reinforcing certain behaviors. This is also a key aspect of bonding, but make sure that your dog is comfortable with this first.

DEVELOP A ROUTINE

Dogs thrive with a routine, making this so important when it comes to helping your new rescue dog settle in.

Try to involve your dog in your own routine as much as possible, while also setting aside set times for dog-related activities.

This could mean:

  • Feeding your dog at the same time each day

  • Walking them at the same time

  • Playing with them at the same time

  • Cooking your own meals around the same time each day

  • Leaving for and returning from work at the same time each day

It won't be long before your dog knows what to expect from each day. This will help them to understand your needs too, which will enable you to bond so much better.

KEEP YOUR EXPECTATIONS LOW

No matter how much success you may have had with dogs, or even rescue dogs, in the past...

It is important to keep your expectations low when adopting a new rescue dog.

Why?

Because every dog is unique, meaning that every relationship will take its own individual length of time to build.

Feeling disappointed that your experience is not going how you expected it too will only be a barrier when it comes to bonding with your rescue dog.

Many rescue dogs have gone through tough times in the past. This means that they require so much more time and effort when it comes to bonding, compared to other dogs who will immediately give you their whole heart.

With some rescue dogs, owners form an instant bond, but, with others, the bonding process can take quite a bit of time and effort. It is important not to give up, even if progress seems slow, because your dog will eventually come around and start to see you as his new best friend.

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7 Must-Have Dog Toys To Keep Your Pet’s Mind Active

By Hope Hammond

7 Must-Have Dog Toys To Keep Your Pet’s Mind Active

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy: dfaen @ Pixabay

They say that idle hands are the devil's playthings. The same could be said of an idle dog. When they are left in a nice, safe, but empty house for most of the day, it's bound to make them a little stir-crazy. This can cause your pet to get into trouble, such as tearing up the couch or going through the garbage. How can you stop this from happening? Keep your pet's mind engaged and distracted with some great dog toys.
There are very clever toys on the market that can be used as part of your bonding time or even given to pets before you leave for work.

#1 Interactive Treat Dog Toys

One of the best ways to give treats to your dog is through an interactive toy. These toys are designed to work like puzzles, giving treats a little at a time as a reward for your dog's persistence. One of the most popular on the market is the classic KONG rubber toy. This interactive treat toy looks a bit like a squashed red snowman with a hole on the side. Your dog can chew on the toy, nose it, flip it around, and anything else he likes to do. Every now and then a treat will fall out of the hole and give your pet some incentive to keep playing.
These work well as solo toys for when your pet is alone or when you want to keep him distracted, such as when you have guests over.

#2 Ball Launchers

Extend your reach beyond your grasp with a ball launcher. There are a wide variety of these simple devices available on the market. Most commonly seen launchers are just long rods with a cup on the end to hold the tennis ball. These launchers allow you to throw balls much further and really give your pet a workout. There are even a few set up to look like Nerf guns that shoot Multiple balls out of the barrel, which is a great feature for those with more than one dog.
Of course, this is an essential tool when playing with your pup down at the dog park.

#3 Balls

Some breeds have a ball obsession going on and pet owners need to keep lots of these toys on hand. If you have a Border Collie, German Shepherd, or golden retriever, it's likely you have several torn up tennis balls lying around the house. Pick up a few different kinds to give your pet some variety. There are specialty squeaking tennis balls to help keep your pet engaged and also very durable rubber balls that have a lot of bounce. But, these won't break apart as easily when your pet feels like chewing.

#4 Comfort Toys

From puppyhood to old age, every dog needs a comfort toy to drag around the house. You could give your pet a traditional stuffed animal, but they aren't as well-stitched as these dog toys. Plus, comfort toys are made with very little to no stuffing so you don't have to deal with clean up in case your pet inadvertently tears his toy apart. Comfort toys are available in a variety of styles and designs from bears to chickens and a few even have squeakers inside that make noise.
This is a great solo toy that will help your pet feel more secure when sleeping or left alone in the house during the day.

#5 Knotted Rope Dog Toy

There's nothing like a tug-of-war with some knotted rope to really strengthen the bond between human and dog. These dog toys are made to last and certainly to resist being pulled or chewed on. Some also help to keep your pet's mouth clean by acting as a flosser when they chew or gnaw on the specially made rope material. Look around for knotted rope toys that are aimed at dogs. Homemade rope toys can break easily and small pieces may hurt the soft tissues inside your pet's mouth.
This is a lovely toy to keep on hand for trips to the park, but if your dog really enjoys chewing it may also work well as a solo toy.

#6 Nylon Dog Bones

If your pet loves chewing it may be time to give him or her a nylon dog bone. These are ideal because they last a long time as opposed to a rawhide chew. You won't have to keep running to the store to buy a new chew toy for your pet. Nylon bones are also made in a variety of sizes and flavors. Some are meant to taste just like jerky, mint, or peanut butter. Even better, nylon bones also help keep your pet's teeth clean. During chewing, the nylon material breaks up into bristle-like projections that act to scrape tartar off of your pet's teeth.
This is a good toy for pets to work on solo whether you're at home or out for the day.

#7 Rubber Frisbees

Some dogs just love to run and the best way to work off all of that energy is to get a game of frisbee going. Frisbee is a more advanced sport, so it may take some time to teach your dog how to play. However, the effort is well worth it to see your pet leap up and snatch that flying disc in mid-air.
Do your furry friend a favor and pick up a specially made rubber frisbee. Hard plastic frisbees can cause your pet's mouth some damage when he chomps down on it. These are flexible, but strong discs that won't crack and break in a dog's mouth. Frisbees are a good toy for bonding at the park.
Toys are just the start. It takes practice and some training to really enjoy play time with your pet. If you're having some trouble mastering games, consider getting some help. The Training an Untrained Dog Series includes lessons on Playing Games with Your Dog. Learn how you can interact with and communicate with your pet on a deeper level.

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