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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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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
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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
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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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How to Teach a Dog to Pose for Photos

By Alina Jumabhoy

How to Teach a Dog to Pose for Photos

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Have you ever looked at photos of dogs posing beautifully, and wondered how on earth their owners managed to get them to sit so still?

Well, the steps to teach a dog to pose for photos are actually quite simple...

Here is everything you need to know to get started:

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR DOG KNOWS HOW TO “SIT” AND “STAY”

There are a few essential commands that a dog needs to know in order to teach a dog to pose for photos.

The first is the “sit” command...

How Do You Teach Your Dog to Sit?

This is one of the most basic commands, and is so easy to teach.

Simply hold a treat just in front of your dog's nose. Then, bend your elbow so that your hand, and the treat, moves upwards and towards you.

As your dog's eyes and nose follow this action, he should automatically sit down.

Make sure that you reinforce this command by saying the word “sit” while he is in the process of sitting down.

Then, give your dog lots of praise and a treat, before repeating those steps multiple times over several days.

How Do You Teach Your Dog to Stay?

Once you have the “sit” command mastered, teaching a dog to stay becomes much easier.

Begin with the “sit”, and then say the word “stay”, holding your hand out in front of you as a visual cue.

Wait for a couple of seconds, and then say your release command. This could be anything from “good boy” to “okay” to “free”.

Keep repeating those steps, but slowly increase the amount of time you ask your dog to stay for. You should also start taking a few steps backwards, ensuring that your dog stays rather than following you.

Keep working on this over a few days, increasing the distance between you and your dog, as well as the “stay” duration.

Make sure that you are patient. Even if your dog is taking a while to get the hang of these commands, they are essential basics for those who want to teach a dog to pose for photos.

Once your dog has a solid understanding of these two commands, you will find it much easier to get your dog into position. It also makes it easier to actually step back and take the photo. 

HOW TO TEACH A DOG TO LOOK AT THE CAMERA

Teach a dog to pose for photos by training him to look at the camera when on the beach
Photo by Show 131/ CC

Now that you have your dog sitting and staying nicely, how do you get him to actually look at the camera when you want to take the photograph?

There are a few ways of doing this...

The easiest is by using whatever it is that motivates your dog the most.

For example, some dogs are highly food-motivated, while others tend to prefer toys.

If your dog is food-motivated, simply ask your dog to sit and stay. Then, hold a treat above your camera, repeating the stay command. Your dog will most likely have his eyes fixed on the treat. This will make it easy for you to get a good photo.

If your dog is toy-motivated, repeat those steps but hold a toy above the camera instead.

The “Look at Me” Command

Another way to teach your dog to look at the camera when you need him to is by teaching him the “look at me” command.

Every time your dog looks into your eyes, say “look at me” and then give him a treat. After doing this multiple times, your dog will soon automatically start looking at you each time you say the command.

Use this command only when you are ready with the camera. This will ensure that your pooch looks over at just the right moment.

GO SLOW WITH THE FLASH

The flash on some cameras can sometimes be a blinding shock to humans, let alone dogs.

Allowing your camera flash to scare your dog will make it much harder to convince your dog to sit still for the camera in the future.

When you first begin to teach a dog to pose for photos, make sure that you keep your flash turned off.

You can then start to train your dog to get used to the flash by incorporating it into other activities.

For example, let the flash go off while you and your dog are playing. Or, try doing this before feeding your dog a treat. Take your time with this, especially if your pooch seems jumpy at the flash.

Ideally, try to keep your overall use of the flash to a minimum anyway. The flash can often be damaging to a dog's eyes, making other forms of lighting more appropriate.

REINFORCING CAMERA CONFIDENCE

Is your dog still a little wary of the camera, even after following all of these steps?

One way to reinforce that the camera is nothing to be afraid of is by tossing a treat to your pooch while you are standing behind the camera.

Soon, your dog will associate the camera with tasty treats. It won't be long before he looks up expectantly with a cute look on his face each time you bring the camera out! It is so important to ensure that your pooch is camera confident if you want to properly teach a dog to pose for photos.

TO LEASH OR NOT TO LEASH

It can be tempting to unclip your dog's leash to get a good snap while out and about.

However, make sure that you do not do this unless your dog has a solid understanding of the “sit” and “stay” commands, as well as good recall.

You should also never unclip your dog's leash in areas where dogs are required to be kept on a leash, such as national parks.

Plus, there is nothing wrong with including a leash in your photos. This just shows the world what a responsible dog owner you are! It can also make it easier to teach a dog to pose for photos with the use of a leash. 

Just make sure that you have untangled any knots in the leash and have straightened it out before snapping away. This will prevent it from looking too untidy in your photos.

Some dogs love to be photographed, while others will run and hide. Of course, if you have a dog that does the latter, this does make it much harder to teach a dog to pose for photos, but don't give up! Take your time with your training, making sure that you and your pooch have plenty of fun along the way!

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Socializing a Puppy: Why, When and How

By Alina Jumabhoy

Socializing a Puppy: Why, When and How

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Socializing a puppy is something that you need to do from the very first day you bring your pup home.

How exactly do you go about doing this?

Here is everything you need to know...

WHAT DOES SOCIALIZING A PUPPY MEAN?

Socializing a puppy means that your puppy should be meeting as many new people and animals as possible. It involves exposing your puppy to different environments, sights and sounds, making these experiences as pleasant for your puppy as possible.

Why It's Important to Socialize a Puppy

Socialized puppies grow into dogs that are comfortable with the world around them.

Proper socialization when young means that a dog is less likely to develop any behavioral problems. On the other hand, pups who are not socialized properly can often develop fear or aggression issues when they are older. This is particularly the case when the dog is exposed to something new.

WHEN SHOULD YOU SOCIALIZE A PUPPY?

Your puppy goes through what is known as a socialization period between the ages of seven weeks and four months.

The socialization that takes place during this period will have a permanent impact on your pup's personality and character as an adult.

It goes without saying that this is the most important time to socialize a dog.

Of course, if you are buying a pup, you won't be bringing him home until he is about eight or twelve weeks old...

This is why it is so important to buy a puppy from a responsible breeder. They will know how to socialize the pup during this time, and will start doing so from when the puppies are just three weeks old.

HOW TO SOCIALIZE A PUPPY

Socializing a puppy by introducing him to children at the park
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When it comes to socializing a puppy, there are a few basic steps that everyone should follow:

Exposure to New Things

The world will seem like a strange place to your puppy, and an important part of socializing is exposing your pup to all of this.

Here are some examples:

  • Different people – including men, women and children of all ages. Exposing your puppy to people wearing different types of accessories, such as hats and umbrellas, can also be helpful, as can introducing your puppy to people in wheelchairs or men with big beards

  • Different animals – such as other dogs, cats, chickens, other birds and livestock

  • Different floor surfaces – including carpet, tiles, laminate flooring, marble, grass, mud, sand and wood

  • Chaotic environments – such as train stations, school playgrounds, crowded markets, construction sites

Involve Family and Friends

When it comes to socializing a puppy, this is something that the whole family should get involved in.

Your puppy needs to learn that these new experiences are safe, no matter who he may be with.

It can also be useful to have your puppy accustomed to being handled and looked after by other family members. If you need them to watch your dog while you are away, your pup won't mind this one bit!

Puppy Classes

Signing your pup up for puppy classes can also be a great tool when it comes to socializing a puppy.

What do puppy classes involve?

They will help you to teach your pup everything from basic commands to fun tricks. They are a great way for your puppy to meet other dogs and people in a safe environment.

Keep It Fun

Not only should your puppy be exposed to all of the above, but you need to also make sure that each experience is a positive one for your pup.

Keep your socializing time fun and playful, bringing along treats and toys to distract your puppy if he becomes fearful of anything. Reward positive behavior as much as possible. 

SOCIALIZING A PUPPY WHO IS UNVACCINATED

Socializing an unvaccinated puppy by carrying him around
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Well-bred puppies will naturally have antibodies from their mothers, but many veterinarians advise that puppies do not walk in areas where unknown animals may have walked. This is to prevent them from picking up a disease before their full course of vaccinations has been completed.

However, this doesn't mean that you can't socialize your pup...

You can still expose your pup to all of the suggestions mentioned above. Just hold your puppy in your arms, or purchase a bag that makes it easier to carry your pup around. Even allowing your pup to see the sights, sounds and smells of the world from an open car window can make a huge difference to his development.

HOW TO SOCIALIZE A SHY PUP

Whether due to a traumatic experience, genetics, or their breed being particularly sensitive, some puppies are simply more shy than others.

This can make socializing a puppy quite the challenge...

A shy pup will react fearfully to new situations, but this makes socialization even more important.

However, you do need to make sure that you take it at your puppy's pace. If your pup seems fearful of something, put more distance between your pup and the object, and allow your puppy to explore it in his own time.

Your pup's body language will tell you when your puppy is afraid. Signs of this include:

  • Shivering

  • Excessively salivating

  • A submissive posture

When your puppy is showing signs of fear at a new situation, try not to provide too much comfort.

This can be hard to do, but you want your puppy to gain the confidence to deal with those types of situations on his own.

However, this doesn't mean that you can't reward your puppy. This is especially important when they have made any progress and shown their braver side.

While it is important to keep socialization fun and positive for any dog, this is even more the case with a shy pup.

Make sure that you do not intimidate or raise your voice at your pup. You need your pup to learn that he can really trust you. 

Remember, always set your puppy up for success.

Properly socializing a puppy is absolutely crucial if you want your pup to grow into a healthy, happy and well-balanced dog. The socialization period is not very long, so make sure that you put extra time and effort into ensuring that your pup gets as much socialization as possible during this time.

What are some of your favorite ways of socializing a puppy?

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Dealing With Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

By Alina Jumabhoy

Dealing With Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Image courtesy of dramitkarkare @ Pixabay

One of the most common behavioral problems that dogs experience is separation anxiety. This disorder affects between 20% to 40% of all dogs, and can be quite challenging to treat. However, separation anxiety will only worsen when left ignored, making it important for you to take the steps necessary to deal with your dog's separation anxiety as soon as possible.

WHAT EXACTLY IS SEPARATION ANXIETY?

Separation anxiety is exactly what it sounds like – anxiety experienced by a dog when he has been separated from his owner.

Dogs are social animals. They naturally want company, whether this may be from a human or another dog.

This means that life can seem quite difficult for them when they are left alone, leading to them becoming extremely anxious.

This anxiety can manifest in a number of different ways, with the most common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs being:

  • Going to the toilet in the house, even if the dog is toilet trained

  • Destructive behaviors, such as chewing, digging or destroying items around the house

  • Pacing around the house

  • Escaping, whether this may be from a cage or from the house itself

  • Excessive panting

  • Excessive barking, whining or howling

As you can see, separation anxiety isn't much fun for your dog. It causes so much distress to both dog and owner, making this a problem that needs to be solved quickly.

GETTING YOUR DOG USED TO BEING ON HIS OWN

Dog at home without separation anxiety
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The first step in tackling separation anxiety requires you to go back to basics.

Before your dog can be comfortable with being left on his own for a few hours, he needs to be happy being left on his own for a few minutes.

Begin by preparing the area you normally leave your dog in, in the same way you would when you leave the house. Put your dog in the area, preferably with a tasty treat, and then leave him to it.

Give him two to three minutes on his own before returning. It is important to ensure that you return while your dog is still quiet and happy, before the anxiety starts to build.

Repeat those steps a few times each day.

Once your dog is okay with being left alone for a few minutes, you can gradually increase this time. Go from five minutes to ten, and then twenty, before working your way up to an hour.

What should you do if your dog starts showing signs of separation anxiety while you are following the above steps?

This just means that you need to slow down a bit. Take a step back and go back to the amount of time your dog was comfortable being left alone for. 

Keep working on this and increase it at a slower rate than you did before.

COUNTER-CONDITIONING

As mentioned above, leaving your dog with a treat whenever you leave the house can be quite a useful little trick.

How?

Because this helps your dog to associate you leaving with something more positive.

Ideally, you should try to use a treat that will keep your dog occupied for as long as possible. Stuffed Kongs or food puzzle toys are great for this.

However, keep in mind that this will only work for dogs with mild separation anxiety.

Why?

Because severe separation anxiety causes too much stress for a dog to eat.

CRATE TRAINING

Research suggests that it only takes between five and ten minutes for an anxious dog to calm down when placed inside a crate.

When used in the right way, a crate is a cozy little den in which a dog will feel completely safe in. Placing your dog in a crate before leaving him alone can help to keep your dog calm while you are away.

Is your dog not crate trained?

This is usually something that they pick up on quite easily. Make sure that your dog thinks of the crate as a positive place, rather than as a punishment. Try feeding your dog in his crate when crate training, and make sure that any special treats are given in the crate too. All of this will help your dog to associate the crate with positive feelings.

DE-SENSITIZING

If your dog has separation anxiety, you will likely have noticed that symptoms begin showing before you have even left the house.

How does your dog know that you are getting ready to leave?

Because there will be a number of cues that tell him so, and this then triggers the anxiety to begin. Anything from putting your shoes on to picking up your keys can cause worry for your dog. This will then escalate as time goes on. 

The best way to put a stop to this is by de-sensitizing your dog to these cues.

This means that you may need to put your shoes on several times a day for a few weeks. You may also need to keep picking up your car keys before putting them back down. You should also practice leaving your dog in the place you keep him while you are away. However, make sure that you do not actually leave your dog alone when working on de-sensitizing him.

MUSIC

There is quite a bit of recent research out there that shows how music is able to really help calm a dog down.

In fact, it does this to such an extent that many dog shelters are now playing music to help keep their dogs happier. This also means they are more likely to be adopted. 

Calming tunes tend to be best, but just about anything will do. Try leaving the radio or TV on before leaving the house. This should provide enough background noise while you are out to help your dog settle. 

It can be easy to try to ignore separation anxiety at first, believing that your dog's behavior will get better on its own. However, more often than not, the opposite is true, and symptoms will only get worse as time goes on. Although there is no quick fix to dealing with your dog's separation anxiety, consistently working with your dog on this by following the steps above can really help your dog slowly adjust to being left on his own.

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Muzzle Training Your Dog

By Alina Jumabhoy

Muzzle Training Your Dog

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Image courtesy of Pranidchakan @ Pexels

The majority of people out there who own a friendly, happy dog think that muzzle training is pointless, because muzzles tend to be associated with aggression. However, there are a number of reasons as to why your dog may need to wear a muzzle at some stage in his life, making muzzle training one of the best things that you can do for your pooch.

WHY WOULD MY DOG NEED TO WEAR A MUZZLE?

Even if your dog may not be aggressive, you may need to turn to a muzzle at some stage in your dog's life.

Reasons could include:

  • An injury – a dog may bite when in severe pain

  • Grooming – even if you desensitize your dog to the grooming process, he could still experience a negative situation at some point in his life that may require you to keep him muzzled when being groomed

  • Laws – these could be due to breed specific legislation, or even geographical location

  • Preventing unwanted eating while out – many dogs love to eat the strangest things while out on their walk, but this can often be dangerous. A muzzle prevents this from happening

If, for whatever reason, your dog does need to wear a muzzle, you want this to be something that your dog is happy to do.

Don't think that your dog would ever be happy wearing a muzzle?

Think again...

It all comes down to how you muzzle train your dog.

CHOOSING A MUZZLE

Before you begin muzzle training, you need to first choose a good muzzle for your dog.

There are several different types out there, but the best tends to be the basket muzzle. This is usually made from plastic or rubber, and fits like a basket over the dogs nose and mouth.

Why are these muzzles best?

Because not only can you easily slide treats through the gaps in the muzzle, but its shape and size enables your dog to drink and pant as well. Panting is extremely important, as this is how your dog cools down. 

Whichever type you choose, you need to make sure that the muzzle fits your dog properly. Check that it isn't rubbing against your dog's face anywhere, especially the nose and the eyes.

If you are buying the muzzle online...

Make sure that you take the time to properly measure your dog. The wrong size could lead to painful chafing.

GETTING STARTED WITH MUZZLE TRAINING

There are a few different stages involved when it comes to successfully muzzle training a dog.

Keep in mind that all dogs progress at different rates, so be patient and consistent in your methods.

Begin with Treats

High value treats are key when it comes to muzzle training. Make sure you have something that your dog absolutely loves, such as cheese or meat. This is important when it comes to helping your dog associate the muzzle with positive experiences.

Then, follow these steps:

  • Show your dog the muzzle and then immediately give him a few treats

  • Hide the muzzle behind your bag for a few seconds

  • Bring it back out, show it to your dog, and give him more treats. Verbal praise is also important. Repeat this a few more times

  • Place some treats inside the muzzle and allow your dog to eat them from within the muzzle

  • Once they are finished, repeat that step a few more times

Keep going over those steps over several different training sessions. This will really help to cement your dog's positive reaction to the muzzle.

Adding in Vocal Cues

As your dog slowly begins to learn that the muzzle leads to treats, you can begin to add in vocal cues.

Say the word “muzzle” when your dog is about to place his face into the muzzle. The more you do this, the quicker he will learn what you want him to do when you say the cue word. This will make it so much easier to place the muzzle onto your dog in the future.

Securing the Muzzle

Once your dog gets excited at the sight of the muzzle, you can then move on to the next stage.

After your dog has placed his face into the muzzle to eat the treat, gently fasten it behind his head, but then unfasten it and take it off straight away.

Repeat this a few times, making sure that you are still placing treats into the muzzle for your dog. It could be worth mixing up the treats that you are using at this point, adding in a few different high value treats to keep your dog interested.

As you continue on, slowly start leaving the muzzle on for longer periods of time. Begin with 15 seconds, then 30, then 45, and so on.

Aim to have your dog happily wearing the muzzle for around 15 minutes by the end of your training. However, make sure that you always do something fun with your dog, whether this may be a walk or play, while he is wearing the muzzle. This will help him to see the muzzle as a good thing.

SHORT BUT SUCCESSFUL TRAINING SESSIONS

Whether you are muzzle training your dog or trying to teach your dog anything else, it is important to keep your training sessions short and sweet.

Why?

Because you don't want your dog to get bored or frustrated. This will only bring negative connotations to whatever it is you are trying to teach.

You don't need to muzzle train for more than a few minutes at a time. You can then repeat these sessions several times throughout the day.

Don't forget...

Always set your dog up for success. If you don't think that he is progressing enough, start again and go back to basics. It is so important to make this fun for your dog throughout the whole process.

You never know what may happen in life, which is why it is always important to be as prepared as possible. Muzzle training your dog may not be something that you have considered, but could really make a huge difference in your dog's life further down the line. Muzzle training is easy, as well as fun, so go ahead and give it a try!

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A Dog Collar Versus a Dog Harness

By Hope Hammond

A Dog Collar Versus a Dog Harness

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy of Juzal @ Pixabay

When you walk your dog, you'll likely use a type of collar or harness to attach the leash to your pet. This pet accessory is vital to maintaining control of your dog while outside and is also essential for ensuring your dog's safety. However, many people aren't sure which is really the better option. Each serves a purpose and may be better depending on your needs.
Let's start by looking at the different kinds of dog harnesses and collars.

Different Types of Dog Harnesses

Dog harnesses are growing in popularity among owners. These tools allow pet owners to walk their dogs securely without the risk of choking them. Many harnesses are also designed to train dogs not to pull on the leash or walk in front of their person. Harnesses are preferred for certain breeds, such as pugs, which already have short muzzles and restricted airways.  
There are a few main types of dog harnesses that you might want to review before selecting one for your pet:

Front Clip Harnesses

These harnesses feature the clip for your dog's leash on the front of the harness near the throat. Many trainers recommend this for pet owners who want to keep their dogs from running ahead.

Back Clip Harnesses

These feature the leash clip on the dog's back. It is more convenient for pet owners to attach the leash to their dog. Back clip harnesses are meant primarily for older dogs and those who are already trained to walk calmly.

Control Harnesses

When your dog really pulls hard on the leash these harnesses help remind him or her to slow down and refocus attention on you. One type of control harness has a clip and a special leash with two leads. The leash attaches one end to the front of the harness and one to the back of the harness so that the dog is pulled sideways towards you when it tries to walk ahead of you. Another type of control harness is a tightening harness that tightens and adds pressure when the dog pulls away from you.

Head Halter

Not a harness, but the halter is designed to attach to the dog's head and go around the base of his or her muzzle. This harness is designed to help speed up the training process and help keep your pet from lunging at other animals and people. The harness will physically pull your dog's head and muzzle down and towards you, which makes it difficult for your pet to keep moving forward. This is a very gentle tool to slow down dogs that tend to lunge and strain at the leash.

Different Types of Dog Collars

By far the most commonly seen form of fashion on dogs are collars. Even dogs who wear harnesses during their walks may still wear a collar the rest of the time. Dog collars serve double-duty these days as a place to attach a leash, and to hold a dog registration tag and their rabies license. Collars should really only be used for walks when your dog is calm and well-trained. Otherwise, he or she will have a tendency to strain against the collar and leash dragging you wherever they want to go and potentially hurting themselves.
Let's take a look at some of the more popular dog collars on the market!

Flat Collar

Made from woven fabric or polymer threads, these flat or rolled collars are soft and flexible. This makes them comfortable for dogs to wear all the time. A flat collar attaches to the dog's throat via a buckle or a clip. Be aware that flat collars can catch on brush and fencing and even tighten accidentally around the dog's throat during rough play-housing with other pets.

Choke Chains

The choke chain is intended only for use when training a dog. It is a metal chain that can be tightened and released quickly as a corrective measure. Most trainers are moving away from this particular device. The current practice is to focus on rewarding good behavior, as opposed to punishing bad behavior. Plus, you should never leave a choke chain on a dog. The chain can get caught on fences and other objects by accident and tighten around the dog's throat.

The Prong Collar 

Another training tool that looks almost medieval, the prong color has metal prongs along the inside of a chain collar. The prongs apply even pressure to the dog's throat when jerked on, which keeps the dog from pulling. Not many trainers actually recommend this type of corrective collar.

Pros of a Dog Harness

There are two main reasons for using a dog harness over a collar. The harness is a better option for your dog's health if he or she tends to pull hard on the leash. Straining against a collar can put pressure on your dog's throat. It even raises intraocular pressure, according to a 2006 research study that appeared in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association. This can potentially damage the eyes of dogs with glaucoma and weak or thin corneas.
The dog harness also helps combat pulling at the leash, such as with the front-clip harness. You'll have greater control over your pet and have the opportunity to start training him or her to walk calmly.

Pros of a Dog Collar

The dog collar makes a great holder for dog ID tags. It is also easier to put on your dog compared to a harness. You can leave the harness on 24/7 with an adult dog. However, it's not recommended for puppies. They can get caught on something or even hurt their teeth chewing on it. Plus, many pet owners feel like they should remove the harness some of the time, such as at night, for their dog's comfort.
Some dog breeds with very soft, long, or fine hair may have hair thinning on spots where the harness rubs over time. Properly fitted dog collars don't usually have this issue.
If your dog pays attention during walks and doesn't pull, then a flat collar is a fine choice. If you are still leash training, or the dog has problems with pulling, a harness may be a better option. Of course, it's always a good idea to try a couple options out. Over time, you'll discover which works best for you and Fido.
 
When leash training remains a challenge, it might be time to get some guidance. The 'Training an Untrained Dog' video series provides visual examples and in-depth advice that you can use right away to stop your dog from pulling on the leash.

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Crate Training a Puppy: Suggestions for Success!

By Hope Hammond

Crate Training a Puppy: Suggestions for Success!

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy: PourquoiPas @ Pixabay

You have a new puppy. Great! Now, you need to give your canine friend the love, attention, and training needed to thrive. However, introducing a puppy to the domesticated lifestyle takes time and patience. Your new pet has a lot to learn about living in a human household. There may even be multiple steps involved in learning the basics, such as housebreaking. Sometimes, pet owners opt for crate training a puppy to teach them bladder control and keep them from destroying the house.
When done properly, crate training can be a positive experience and beneficial process for pets.

Create a Den-Like Space

The key to making your pets crate a place they want to be is to turn it into a den. Animals naturally want to have a hideaway where they can seek shelter and feel safe. This is true even for domesticated pets within your home.
Think about the placement of your pet's crate, how big it is, and what kind of objects you'll put into the crate. It's a good idea to put your pet's crate in an area of the home that is used frequently. Dogs often like to spend time with the pack and you are part of their pack. If you stick them in a crate in the back room. The dog will feel left out and may whine more.
Of course, where the crate is positioned within the room is also important. You don't want the dog to feel exposed or trapped. Consider putting the crate along a wall or in a corner where they can observe the entire room.
Ideally, the crate should be large enough for your pet to enter and exit freely, and even turn around inside. However, you don't want it to be so large that they can move around. The extra space may seem like an optional area where they can go to the bathroom. This is a big no-no when you're trying to house train your pet.
Give your pet some nice bedding to sleep on, such as a comfy blanket or even pillow. You may also want to pick up a light throw or blanket to place over the top and sides of the crate. This will create a more protected and cozy feeling when crate training a puppy. Just remember to leave the front exposed so your pet can see what is going on in the room.

Make Slow Introductions When Crate Training a Puppy

Avoid bringing the crate home and just shoving your pup into it right away. This is a scary new experience for dogs who are only familiar with cages at the pet store or animal shelter. Instead, take the time to introduce your pet to their crate.
Try setting the cage up and leaving the door open. Then, walk away and let your puppy investigate this new object at their leisure. You might want to give them in a day or two to get used to the presence of the crate before moving forward.

Make a Positive Association with the Crate

The next step is to help build a positive association with the crate for your pet. Try placing a few treats inside the crate to lure your pet in for a snack or their favorite toy. Remember not to close the door or force the puppy to stay in the crate. At this point, you're simply getting them used to being inside and thinking of the crate as a place where they find good things.
Every time your pet enters the crate or when you place a treat inside, you might want to associate this act with a command, by speaking it out out loud. The command can be 'go to your crate' or something as simple as 'kennel'. This helps gradually train your dog to recognize the word or phrase with entering their crate.
Be careful not to give the puppy rewards for leaving the crate. For instance, praising your dog after they come out of the crate. Instead, put the focus on entering the crate and being inside it.

Gradually Increase Time in the Crate

As your dog gets used entering the crate, you can start increasing the time they spent inside. Begin with short increments, such as 10 minutes or so. You might even want to give your pet his meal in the crate and close the door while they are eating. Be sure to stay close and open the door as soon as the dog finishes, so he or she is free to leave.
Increasing time in the crate is a tricky process. If you push too far, your pet gets upset and starts crying. He or she may even start to associate the crate with negative things, such as being restrained. When this happens you might want to cut the time back until your pet feels comfortable again.
Ten minutes at a time can gradually be increased to 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, and so on. You may need to practice crating your pet several times a day at first. Feel free to experiment with leaving the room for a few minutes at a time to see how your pup does. Just remember to stay close enough that you can hear and let your puppy out if they get upset.

How Much Time is Too Much?

There are people who leave their pets crated all day when at work. However, leaving the dog crated for up to eight hours at a time is not good for your pet. Dogs can become anxious, upset, and even go a little stir crazy when trapped in a confined space. This tool is really meant for crating rambunctious pets overnight, when guests are over, and for short periods of time when you are housetraining a puppy.
Well-behaved, house-trained adult dogs probably don't need to be crated when you are at work. However, it is always a good idea to teach them the command and have the crate available should the need arise for visitors, or trips to the vet.
To ensure that your pet grows up to be a truly happy, friendly dog, you might want to consider further training. The Obedience Training video series uses the RAPT training method to show you specific techniques and methods for a better human-dog partnership. You'll even receive a bonus 30-minute video, the "Secrets Behind Crate Training" when you order.

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Dog Anxiety Treatment: 10 Easy Tips to Try

By Hope Hammond

Dog Anxiety Treatment: 10 Easy Tips to Try

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy: Winsker at Pixabay

It's so frustrating to see your dog's anxiety, like trembling, pacing, and even tearing up the furniture, and not being able to help your pooch calm down. Calling to your pet and even trying to give him or her food may not work, as animals tend to ignore food when upset. However, you might be able to prevent anxiety and disrupt the cycle with some easy dog anxiety treatment tips. Consider trying out a few of these changes in your home to see if they help your pet relax and enjoy life again.

1. Minimize Loud Noises

One of the most common triggers for anxiety in dogs is noise, especially if it is related to something else unpleasant like a thunderstorm or fight between yourself and your spouse. If you can, minimize the noise level in your home to see if that helps ease your dog's anxieties in the short term. When there is a thunderstorm or fireworks outside, close all the windows, and take your pet to an interior part of the house.

2. Make Sure Your Dog is Eating Regularly

If your dog's meal schedule is irregular, or the food has a lot of chemicals in it, there may be some kind of nutritional cause to your pet's behavior. Irregular or small meals may trigger food guarding and other kinds of nervousness. High carb meals or meals without enough nutrients may even be affecting their physical health by leading to the development of diabetes. If you can, get your pet checked out with the local vet to ensure there are no physical problems that could cause behavioral issues.

3. Give Your Pet a Chance to Rest

If you like taking your pet with you wherever you go and maintain a busy lifestyle, it may be stressing your pet out. Dogs can be high-energy at times, but going from place to place and meeting different people can put a lot of pressure on your pet. Give Fido a break in the form of a few days a week spent relaxing in his or her pet bed at home.

4. Make Sure Your Dog Gets Regular Exercise

On the other hand, you may not be exercising your pet enough. They can have too much energy and no appropriate way of venting it. Every dog needs at least 30 minutes of exercise, preferably in the form of a nice long walk or playtime each day. This wears out your dog, reducing the amount of energy they have to worry or pace, and making them less likely to be destructive.

5. Change Your Signals

Pets pay very close attention to their owners. When you are nervous, tense, or anxious, your dog can pick up on this via your body language. In turn, this makes your dog nervous or more alert about their surroundings. Some owners even tense up in situations that they know triggers their dog's anxiety, which only makes the dog more nervous, leading to a self-perpetuating cycle. If you feel yourself anticipating something negative from your pet and beginning to tense up, take a breath, and force yourself to relax.

6. Change Your Routine

Separation anxiety is another major issue for dogs. It can leave your pet barking, crying, and generally tearing the house apart when you are away. This kind of anxiety is sometimes triggered by cues that your dog notices, such as seeing you get ready to leave the house. If this happens to your pet, try changing up how you get ready to leave each day. Maybe put on your shoes about an hour before you go out, rather than right before, and go sit on the couch to watch some television. Also, avoid making a big deal of going out the door, as this can make your dog more anxious. Simply pick up your coat and bag and go outside without any fanfare.

7. Distract Your Pet

It may be possible to break the cycle of growing anxiety by distracting your pet from whatever is causing it. Set aside a special toy that your pet really likes playing with, and only bring it out during those tense moments. For instance, some pet owners give their dogs a KONG toy filled with treats just before leaving the house. This helps ease separation anxiety by keeping your dog busy during those crucial moments before and after you leave.

8. Minimize Exposure to New People

Some dogs are people shy and may not like meeting strangers or having them come into the home. If your pet is like this, he or she will not want to stay in the same room as a new person. Don't force your pet to meet someone when they aren't ready and give them plenty of places to hide out

9. Give Dogs Their Own Space

Help your pet feel more comfortable in your home and give them a place they can go to relax when they feel anxious or nervous by creating a personal area for them. A dog bed in a nice corner of the room where your pet can observe everything while feeling secure is a good idea. You might even want to have another dog bed in your bedroom if your pet is used to sleeping with you. Instead of letting him or her sleep in your bed, encourage the dog to use his or her bed.

10. Play Soothing Music or Television

Some pet owners find that their dogs are more relaxed if there is some kind of gentle, soothing sound in the room. This can include leaving the radio on with the volume turned low or playing ocean sounds for your pet. You can even turn on Pet TV channels geared towards keeping dogs and cats entertained while you are away.
When anxiety makes your dog act out it can be hard to help them calm back down again, even with these tricks and tips. Obedience training, such as the "Training an Untrained Dog" video series can help you better communicate with your pet, which in turn makes it easier to soothe anxiety and tension.

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How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch

By Hope Hammond

How to Teach Your Dog to Play Fetch

Photo by Show 131/ CC

Courtesy: Pexels @ Pixabay

Do you feel jealous when other dog owners throw a frisbee and their pets go running after it? Have you tried to engage your dog in a similar game of fetch and he or she just stares at you? Sure, your dog might not be interested in the game. It's much more likely that there is a miscommunication going on. Your dog simply might not know how to play fetch. So, it's up to you to figure out how to teach your pet to play.

Finding the Right Toy

Almost every dog is interested in some kind of play object. This could be:

  • Knotted Rope
  • A Frisbee
  • A Ball
  • A Stick

First, you'll need to figure out what kind of toy your pet loves the best. It's important that Fido likes chasing and tugging on the toy. Buy a few different things and try them out with your pet to see which one they like chewing on the most. If you already know what kind of toy they like best, great! The next step is starting with the basics.

Tug-Of-War

Once you have figured out what kind of toy the dog is highly focused on and interested in, you can initiate a game of Tug-Of-War. This is an instinctive form of play for many dogs and they really enjoy fighting with you over that play object. Do your best to get them interested in the toy by placing it in front of them or waving it enticingly. Most dogs will want to grab and pull it to try and get it away from you.
Don't let go of the toy. This helps keep the dog engaged and focused on getting that object. Plus, as soon as they get it your dog will be less likely to want to let go, and may even run away from you. The game of tug should be ongoing, and you might even do your darndest to keep the object away from your pet. If it looks like the dog is starting to lose interest, slowdown, and place the object in front of them again to get their attention. Try to keep the game going as long as possible.

The Art Of Letting Go!

You'll want to start incorporating the "Let Go" command into your Tug-Of-War games. A good round of fetch can't happen unless the dog knows to release once he's brought the toy to you. One way you can start incorporating the idea of letting go of the toy is to just hold onto it firmly and not move or encourage your pet. You may even want to make eye contact and stare him or her down until they let go and back off a little.
You won't be making the dog upset. This just forces him or her to refocus their attention to you to see what's going on because you're no longer playing tug. As soon as the dog does this, you'll start waving the toy again and try to your pet back into Tug-Of-War.
Repeat this process a few times until your dog understands and is willing to let go at the signal. You might want to start saying, "let go" or, "release" when you want the dog to stop biting the toy. Eventually, your pet will associate the words with your desire to stop playing tug.

The Throw

Once the dog is familiar with playing Tug-Of-War over the play object, you can start to add the element of throwing the object into the game. Don't throw the toy very far, because that may confuse your dog. Instead, just toss the play object a few feet away and see if your pet goes for it. Your pet should be very focused on the toy before you proceed to this step.
If you have a frisbee, try rolling it on the ground. That kind of movement helps catch a dog's attention, so they'll be inclined to chase it. Continue doing this until your dog is so engaged that he's willing to run after the toy and pick it up.

The Return!

Gradually increase the distance you throw the object as the dog gets better at chasing after it. Do your best to resist the urge to chase after your pet too. Instead, start calling to your pet as soon as he or she picks up the object. Make the calls positive, light, and encouraging. Your dog might come to you right away.
However, this isn't always the case. Once your dog has gotten the highly valued play object, he may want to keep hold of it or may even run off and try to initiate a game of chase with you. Thankfully, there are a few ways to deal with this behavior.

#1 Backing Up

If your dog comes to you, but stops a few feet away, try backing up while encouraging your pet. When your dog reaches the spot where you were initially, you can come back to meet your pet with lots of praise. Soon, he will figure out that you want him to come all the way up to you.

#2 Leash Method

If you own a dog who likes to run off with that toy and doesn't seem to hear you when you call, you might consider using a training leash. These are extra long leashes that give dogs plenty of room to roam, but not get away from you. Keep your dog on a leash and throw the object to a distance that's within his or her range. When your pet picks up the toy, slowly pull the leash in while calling out in a positive way.

#3 Alternative Treats

Should your pet continue resisting your call, add some other type of positive reinforcement. Bring along a to a second toy that your dog really likes and keep it hidden behind your back until your pet picks up the first toy. Show your dog the second toy, while encouraging him or her to come towards you.
Food is also a good potential reward for a pet who comes all the way back. Just keep in mind that if you use treats often your pet may start to expect them as a reward for a trick, rather than learning how to play a game with you.
With time and plenty of practice, your pet will understand the basics of fetch. But, the first method you try doesn't always click. When the game isn't happening, you might have more success using the RAPT method of dog training. It will help you learn how to build a better bond and start Playing Games With Your Dog today!

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