TrainingTip: No Free Lunch!

As a part of basic doggie manners I teach all my clients doggie and human the importance of the Nothing In Life is Free (NILF) protocol.  Basically the dog sits (or whatever other behaviour you like) in exchange for a reward, resource, valuable article whatever you want to call it. I look that this as being the dog saying "please" for his dinner, to go outside, for affection, to get his leash on, for a cookie, to play a game like retrieve or tug. It's just good manners and it instills not only polite, calm manners in your dog, it also a great, non-aversive way for the human in the partnership to be considered the one in charge.

One of the most valuable things to teach a dog within the NILF program is to "Wait" at an open door until released by a verbal cue.

This from a politeness point of view alone should be enough to want to teach it, but let me make it a little more enticing for you. How about safety, yours and the dog's?

I have four dogs and going for a walk it a highly valued resource for them (as it is for most dogs but with four, large canine pals, well that's 16 legs, plus mine and a combined weight at the door of over 300 lbs not including mine, wanting to get out into the great beyond). So it's dangerous for me in a very big way.

My front door leads right into our street (doesn't yours), which means that any dogs who plough past me through the door will go right out onto the road (albeit not a busy one, but it only takes one car right). So it's dangerous for the dogs.

To teach the "Wait", leash your dog (one at a time if you have more than one dog, kennel the other dogs) and go to the door. Saying nothing at all, wait for your dog to default to a sit, all you need to do is wait which will be difficult for you as being human we just love to talk, but don't, just be silent and wait.

When the dog sits (ignore any and all other behaviour) move your hand to the door knob, your dog will likely get up, so take your hand away from the door knob and again wait for the sit.

When you get the sit, hand goes to the door knob, remove hand everytime the dog breaks the sit. Once you are able to put your hand on the knob, trying opening the door a crack. Your dog will probably get up again from the sit, close the door and wait for the sit again.

Repeat over and over again, opening the door only a crack at first so you can easily close it if the dog breaks the sit and you won't catch Fido's nose or paw in the door.

The object is to get the door all the way open and then use your release cue to allow the dog out of the sit and through the door way.

Just a refresher - your release cue is the cue/phrase that you use after your dog provides you with a requested behaviour such as a sit. It lets the dog know that he is no longer on your time, there's nothing worse than a dog who does the sit and then walks away as he warrants. My guys have all been taught a formal stay but they also know that when asked for a sit or lay down, they stay in the requested position until I say "all done". Your cue could be "all done", "ok", "that'll do" or "banana cream pie", dogs don't speak english to say what you want, just make sure you say it and say it consistently.

It doesn't matter if you go through the door first, the dog does or you go through together, what matters is that the dog doesn't go through until you give the release cue.

Now both you and your dog's are safe, plus they are well mannered and calm.

Reprinted from Canine Minds and Manners Calgary Dog Training, a blog by Kirsten Rose, Certified Professional Dog Trainer


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Do You Know Your Dog Breeds?

Created by PetsDirect.co.uk


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Shiloh and the Gang Celebrate

Shiloh the yellow lab had a lot of ummmm.... participation? with her birthday treat.

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Puppy House Training

House training will most likely be one of the first tasks you will tackle when bringing a new puppy home. House training a puppy has a similar structure to potty training a child, although there are some instances that can appear well after the basic ideas of house training have been learned. Basic house training is all about establishing an allowable “dog toilet” area for your pet. This may need to be reinforced should submissive wetting and marking occur. Submissive wetting is urination occurring upon greeting, disciplining or high excitement; during puberty some dogs, male or female, will mark their territory.




House Training:



House training should only take approximately two weeks to establish as a routine provided. The process will go quickly if you are consistent and committed, prepared to train right away, and maintain a schedule. Retraining a previously trained dog can take up to six weeks.



Before you get started, have your puppy checked by a vet as soon as possible. A check-up can tell if your pup has any medical conditions or complications that make house training more difficult. Situations such as intestinal upset, intestinal parasites and urinary tract infections can make house training difficult to impossible.



The designated toilet area can be as general as outside of the house or as specific as a particular corner of the backyard. A specific plan should be set up in advance; you can't teach the dog what is acceptable if you're not sure yourself.



Your attitude is very important in training. The dog doesn't know what is wrong, so if there is an accident tell them "no" but don't be too severe with discipline. There needs to be a balance for the training to be successful. When the dog has gone in your designated area, praise them and let them know they did well.



Scheduling:



Create a schedule that is practical for you to maintain. If you can't stick to your schedule, your dog can't be expected to, either. Do not let your dog free feed until house training has been established.



Try to avoid giving too many dog snacks or dog foods that may upset your pet's stomach. Set a bed time and wake-up time for your dog (this also includes naps); the closer you stick to this, the less nighttime accidents there will be. You should always let the dog out after waking up and before bed. The dog may also need to go out after situations where it may be badly scared or wound up after a rowdy play session.



Within two to three days most dogs will be able to keep control for 8 hour intervals at night, but keep your daytime schedule flexible.



Supervise in the House:



You can avoid accidents by knowing where your dog is and what he is doing around the house. If play abruptly stops and you notice that he starts looking for a "good spot" then he needs to go. If an accident does happen, firmly but quietly say "No" - don't yell, then take the dog straight to his bathroom area. You need to pay attention to your dog until they have significant bladder and bowel control.



If you can't supervise the dog for a period of time, put the dog in a confinement area prepared with papers, or confine him to the room where you are. Try to keep the dog with you when you're watching TV or on the computer.



When you can't be with your dog, provide the same confined room with papers. Don't leave food or water in the room or give them too many dog treats. Try to feed your dog two hours before you leave so he has time to digest and go before you leave. Don't leave the dog unattended, without water, or unable to relieve itself for more than 8 hours.



Taking the dog out:



Take your pet on dog leash to the designated "toilet area." Stand quietly so that the dog can find the right spot without being distracted. Do not praise the dog during his search. If after about five minutes your dog hasn't gone to the bathroom, return him to the house, but keep an eye on him; after half an hour try again.



As the dog starts to relieve himself; calmly praise him. When the dog has finished relieving himself, praise him more enthusiastically, letting him know that you are very proud of him.



Remember your dog's routine. Some dogs will go two or three times per outing in the morning, but only twice per outing in the evening. Urination is often followed by defecation, while some dogs will do the reverse.



Even if the weather is bad, don't let your dog know that you don't want to be going outside with him. This will teach the dog that even in bad weather he needs to go outside.



Catching the dog "in the act":



Without yelling, firmly say "No." If you still don't have the dog's attention, clap your hands. Get the dog outside, to the designated bathroom area. If the dog relieves himself outside praise him. Proceed with the general routine.



It's important to use a cleanser with a deodorizer, if the dog smells his own scent as having been used as a bathroom area, the dog will continue to use the area. Here's a helpful tip - If the cleanser is not able to eliminate enough of the scent so that the dog can not detect it, you can help mask the scent over with vanilla extract. Just one or two drops will make it impossible for the dog to smell any lingering odor.



If you find a mess after the fact:



Don't punish the dog. Accept the fact that you were not paying attention. Don't show the dog that you are upset. Calmly put the dog on his leash and bring him to the location of the accident. With the dog at your side, firmly scold the accident; do not scold the dog.



Blot up some urine, or pick up some stool with a piece of paper and take it to the designated bathroom area. Place the paper on the ground and with the dog watching praise the potty for being in the "right" place. Temporarily leave the paper there; remove it when the dog isn't watching.



Clean up the remaining mess in the house as outlined above.
Reprinted from dog.com website

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This Dog LOVES Snow!

Don't have a sled?  Improvise!

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Doggie Bad Breath

It's perfectly acceptable for your dog's breath to smell like dog food or a treat they recently ate, but what about when it smells like old food or worse?  Since dogs don't brush their teeth or chew gum like we do, it's up to us to make sure they have healthy gums and teeth.

Depending on how passive and well-adjusted your dog is, you may be able to brush their teeth regularly to help remove stuck food and give them crunchy treats that help prevent plaque build-up.  However, if your dog isn't ok with sitting still and having his/her teeth brushed, you may have to opt for having a vet do a cleaning.   Even if you brush regularly, your dog's teeth will need a deep cleaning/scraping by a vet at least every couple of years in order to keep gums healthy.

Maintenance of your's dog's diet is important for his/her breath.  If your dog eats wet food, try tossing in some crunchy kibble to help eliminate the possibility of old food getting stuck in the teeth.  Some dog foods even contain ingredients that help control bad breath.  You many want to switch to a higher quality food than you're feeding, one that has no fillers.  On the other hand, too much meat can create unnecessary deposits of food.  Look for a balanced commercial food with meat or fish, grains and vegetables.  You can also cook for your dog (again essential ingredients are a balance of animal protein, grain and vegetables).   Dogs are omnivores, so they need a mix of several kinds of food.  You can also try adding vegetables to commercial foods; also, make sure the food bowl is cleaned between meals so there are no deposits of old food.  Spoiled food can give your dog both bad breath and diarrhea!

Some dog treatas contain parsley and mint that can help clear bad breath and improve the health of a dog's digestive tract.  Sometimes bad breath is the result of poor digestion, so talk to your vet about changing your dog's brand of food or his/her whole diet.   Your dog's diet should support healthy coat and skin, and normal pee and poop.  Regular exercise can also help maintain a healthy digestive tract; and drinking water regularly loosens up particles of food stuck between the teeth.  However, if you notice red or swollen gums, brown, stained, or loose teeth, make a vet appointment for a dental check-up right away.  You'll be glad you did.

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Pixi the New Puppy

The little white puppy is Pixi and she doesn't take any guff!  Only 15 weeks - imagine a year from now??

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Awesome Holiday Moment

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Three November/December Birthdays

Ruby turned 6 on November 21st but we just got to do her birthday today.  She was so eager for her treat that it was difficult to get her party hat on!

Bailey the blond mix and Louie the boxer were glad to have a birthday party for two.  Louie was more excited about his treat than Bailey who has a thing about looking gift (horses?) in the mouth.

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Pre-Thanksgiving Workout

Today the pups in the medium dog play room decided to work off some weight to make room for turkey.  Take a look!

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Chester Draws a Crowd

A guy gets popular fast when it's birthday ice cream time.  Chester was hard to get focused, but once he got the jist, he was 100% party boy!  And he had LOTS of friends.

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Archie the Handsome Puggle Turns 1 Year Old

Archie is a debonair fellow who loves the good life.  Look how he enjoys his birthday Frosty Paws!  At first he wasn't happy about having to share, but he came around, at least for a few licks.
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Howlereen at The Doggie Den

Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at preparation for trick or treating at The Doggie Den.  Some pups are hams, some get embarassed, and others head for the hills!  It was a fun day.  HAPPY HOWLEREEN EVERYBODY!

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Canine Influenza Can Cause Lung Damage: Vaccination Helps

Reprinted with edits from The Pet Care Services Association newsletter "Boarderline,"  Oct. 2010

A new study in Veterinary Biology is the first to confirm that canine influenza virus (CIV) H3N8 easily spreads from infected dogs to other dogs.   It also showed that CIV can cause more serious forms of respiratory disease in dogs, such as pneumonia, that often go undetected in clinical practice.

Cyndy Crawford, DVM, Ph.D., University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor of Shelter Medicine, and a leading expert on CIV, said, "This study is important for several reasons.  First, it provides clear evidence that CIV H3N8 is highly transmissible between dogs, confirming field observations recorded during naturally occurring canine influenza outbreaks in confined populations of dogs.  Second, the finding of subclinical pneumonia in nearly all infected dogs in the study underscores the virulence of this virus in both the upper and lower respiratory tract, predisposing many dogs to serious overt pneumonia requiring hospitalization."

In addition, researchers confirmed that the excretion of the virus (shedding) precedes the manifestation of clinical signs.  This is significant, according to the study, because it demonstrates that apparently healthy dogs can infect dogs they encounter at kennels, clinics, shelters, training settings, shows and other locations where they congregate.  Researchers also found evidence of "rolling" infection, which makes if difficult for infected kennels and shelters to eliminate the infection unless they close down, and keep new, uninfected dogs from entering, according to the researchers.  These locations can also become sources of disease with the potential to spread to other facilities.

(...) one of the authors of the study said, "We know that canine influenza, a new disease for many veterinarians, is often under- or misdiagnosed because clinical signs are often similar to other respiratory diseases.  Our research further suggests that infected dogs may have serious lung damage that goes undetected because it does not manifest as pneumonia."   Study authors concluded that many more dogs with CIV are likely to have lung damage not being detected clinically in veterinary practice, particularly compared to canine cough, which rarely leads to serious respiratory disease.
Dr. Crawford also noted, "Since clinical trials have demonstrated that canine flu H3N8 vaccine significantly reduces virus shedding, and the presence of subclinical pneumonia, the findings of this new study suggest that vaccination may greatly reduce the potential for rolling infections and pneumonia, thereby protecting facilities from full-blown outbreaks and individuals from hospitalizion

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Cleo the Timid of October

Cleo is our October Dog of the Month.  She's a very special, beautiful Great Dane.  Also the very definition of a gentle giant.  She loves to lean against you and be loved, but only once she gets to know you.  And  that usually takes weeks!  Definitely a conflict avoider too with her puppy pals. 

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Cuba turns 10

Cuba is the sweetest girl in the world.  Her 10th birthday is Oct 21st, but we goofed and celebrated today, Oct 4th.  She saw the Frosty Paws treat and was too smart to correct our mistake!  Anyway, Happy Birthday for all of October, Cuba!

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Doggie Den Yorkie Turns 5 Years Old

Belle is one of a family of two yorkshire terriers.  Her brother is Milo.  She recently turned 5 and Milo and her Doggie Den playpals were there to wish her many happy returns.  She was a gracious hostess, allowing everyone a taste of her treat.

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Loyal blog follower

Hi,
My name is Duke and I follow this blog, NOT because I'm loyal.  Because I gotta know what's goin' on!  My playpals get treats, ice cream, movies and facetime; and if'n I dint watch out I'd never know.  Susan knows I'm on the lookout now, though.  Where's mine, Susan??

BTW, you can see I'm a very tough guy.

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Doggie Dry Nose - Sign of Illness?

My dog's nose is dry. Is he sick?

Guest Post By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM,



Learning to observe what is normal and and what is not in patients that can't

talk is the first step to observant pet care. A "dry nose" is often seen as a

sign of illness in dogs and cats, but is it? The purpose of this FAQ is to serve

as a basic guideline to know when to consult your vet to see if an examination

is in order.

Answer: The "warm nose myth" has many pet owners feeling that their pet has a

fever (or otherwise sick) if the nose is warm and dry. A dog's (or cat's) nose

may be very wet and cool one moment then be warmer and not-so-moist the next.

All in the course of a day. All perfectly normal.

Changes in texture (crusty, flaky) and color (loss of pigmentation) of a pet's

nose should be looked at by your veterinarian. A prolonged dry, cracked nose,

particularly with loss of pigmentation, scabs or open sores should be examined

by your veterinarian sooner rather than later.

An ill animal will often have a warm, dry nose in addition to other symptoms,

such as: lethargy, decreased or absent appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

In the absence of other physical signs, there are a host of dermatological

(skin) problems that can be seen in this area, such as Pemphigus Foliaceus.

Other nose conditions to be aware of



Contact sensitivity

Allergies and sensitivities to plastics and dyes may also manifest as changes

on the nose and muzzle area on pets fed from plastic dishes. I recommend using

stainless steel bowls to eliminate this potential problem. Glass or ceramic

bowls are also acceptable, provided that they are study and on a solid surface

to prevent breakage.

Nasal discharge

Anytime your pet shows signs of a "runny nose" -- one that has discharge

coming from the nostrils -- should be examined by your veterinarian. Coughing,

sneezing and difficulty breathing can be signs of anything from a respiratory

infection to a nasal foreign body to a tumor in the nasal passages. Animals

that show these signs (more than an occasional cough or sneeze) should be seen

by your veterinarian.

Black spots

Owners of orange or calico cats often note black spots on their cat's nose and

lips as the cat ages. This is called lentigo simplex, and is a normal change

seen commonly in orange tabby and calico cats.

Sunburn

Dogs, cats, horses, and other species are prone to sunburn (also known as

"solar dermatitis") and subsequent skin cancer on noses, ear tips, and around

eyes. Light coated, pink-nosed animals are at greatest risk. Check with your

veterinarian about providing sun protection for your pet if they are in this

category of risk.




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Little Dog Lie-Down

After a busy morning of play and hourly forays to the outdoor pee pen, the little dogs take a nap in the afternoon.  In case anyone wonders if dogs are pack animals, you might notice how they're practically on top of each other, with just one tiny Furby girl enjoying a big couch!

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