- Dog Training
- Contact Us
Dog Obedience Training Blog
Category : dog chewing
A Skill That Could Save Your Dog’s Life; Leave It!
This is a "Leave It" at its best! He did love fries!
In my humble opinion, the “Leave It” command is one of the most important things you can teach your dog! There are just some commands that may someday be invaluable in saving your dog’s life. Coming when called and leaving things on command could potentially be lifesaving.
Imagine you are standing in the kitchen getting your morning prescription medications together for the day, when you drop a couple of pills. What happens if your dog is typically a “Hoover” (floor vacuum-er)? Most human medications can be fatal for your pet. Even Tylenol is lethal for dogs and cats. That moment of panic when pills spill on the floor can be lessened if you teach your dog the “Leave It” command.
When I was training Service Dogs with an organization in Denver, CO I was told “Leave It” meant; do not touch, eat, or even look at the object and that definition has stuck with me. I think some people think it’s okay to at least look at a “Leave It” object but I think that can add difficulty to an already difficult proposal.
A “Leave It” means to completely ignore whatever the item or distraction is from a pill or a hot dog dropped on the floor, to a skateboarder flying past; Leave It means LEAVE IT! Read the rest of this entry »
You Taste Horrible; Aversive Dog/Puppy Training for Mouthing
Ick! You Taste Awful!
I get lots of complaints about young dogs and puppies that have biting or mouthing problems! Whereas I have written a few articles on the subject, I thought it best to write another with yet another point of view and one I don’t normally tend toward; aversive training.
A good dog trainer should have limitless tricks of the trade to use when needed, and this one is especially good for mouthy puppies! And, it is important to note that it is not aversive in a painful or frightening way! I would never recommend true aversive training; this is simply a bit of a mind game.
Aversive training is defined by the online encyclopedia as a form of behavior training or modification in which a noxious event is used to punish or extinguish undesirable behavior. I hate the word punishment, because punishment comes after the fact and is not effective even on humans who understand it (dogs don’t understand punishment)! But I do embrace the idea of “noxious event” because that is what I am shooting for in this scenario. Read the rest of this entry »
The Joys of Crate Training
Obviously a Dog that is Happily Choosing to Sleep in His Home
Some people will just look at the heading of this article and be emotionally turned off at the idea of “caging” an animal. Some of you have dealt with the negative connotations of crate training in the past, or have simply all the pessimistic implications and have made up your minds. I am hoping that today I can change a few minds with some truths about crate training and utilization.
Many dogs are alive, simply because crates allow them to be free from destruction and danger. Not only are chewer’s euthanized at an alarming rate throughout this country every day thousands of dogs die because of consuming the wrong things.
There are toxins all over the average household, cold and flu medicines, gum, nutmeg, batteries, and plants that are a death sentence for dogs that eat them.
Dealing with Destructo, the Not So “Wonder” Dog?
Do you live with "Destructo" a dog that should be the next part of the X-men/dog series? If so we have help, just commit to make a change or two!
I have spent most of my career in and out of shelters, adopting dogs and training them for people with disabilities and I have to say that chewing and destructive behavior is one of the major reasons dogs are relinquished to shelters.
Relinquishment often leads to euthanasia simply because there is not enough room in most local and county shelters to spare. Unfortunately the vast majority of shelters still do not temperament test and adopt dogs out as per their adoptability versus a simple space dilemma, so good dogs with great temperaments are being euthanized in huge numbers each day!
Chewing is a normal dog behavior. Most dogs at some point in their lives suffer from a destructive stage, typically due to a young age and teething. However, there are some dogs whose chewing habits far exceed the normal limits of puppyhood.
Separation anxiety does exist in a small number of dogs and will be addressed in a later article, if your dog’s chewing is also accompanied by urination, defecation, extreme destructive behavior and trying to break out of the house (i.e. breaking windows, eating through doors and sheet rock), screaming and the possibility of severe injury trying to break out of a crate, your dog may have separation anxiety. Read the rest of this entry »
Nose Work 1 an Introduction to Nose Games
Dogs can’t read books, they don’t watch television, (well at least not for very long), they don’t scrap book, or build things but they still need hobbies! If a dog’s mind is not entertained, he will find his own hobby to engage in, but often dogs choose inappropriate behavior such as; barking, digging, chewing, ripping up carpeting, eating drywall, chasing children, stealing, and other general naughtiness.
Most often when I hear my clients complain about these behaviors I wonder if the dog is truly mentally and physically stimulated at home. If I was locked in a room with 4 white walls and one sofa with nothing to do for days on end, sooner or later I would shred the sofa too! You must find ways to entertain your dog’s mind to help him stay well behaved.
A dog’s sense of smell is 2000 greater than that of a human. I often liken reading a book or watching a movie to a dog following a scent or even digging through layers of ground scents (although we consider this naughty, each layer of ground has a new and different story for your dog’s nose)
Beaver Dog
courtesy of www.thefunnydogs.com
Abandoned as a young whelp, he was taken in and reared by a family of beavers! They must be so proud…
Poisonous Plants to Your Dog
We can all appreciate the beauty of plants. But, did you know that there are a number of plants that are toxic to your dog, if ingested? Some serious problems can arise from eating the seeds of some of these plants, or from chewing on some of the leaves, or some can even come from chewing the bulbs or roots of the plant. So, before you plant this Spring, be sure you know how to protect your dogs from accidental poisoning.
Avoid these Poisonous Plants for Dogs
findavet.us/blog
Spring is just around the corner. If you’re getting ready to plant a new garden or dogscape your backyard, the ASPCA warns that you should be sure to avoid the following plants that can be highly toxic to dogs.
Sago Palm: Although the entire plant is poisonous, the seeds or “nuts” contain the most toxins. Even if your dog only eats a seed or two, serious effects including vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure can occur.
Tulip/Narcissus bulbs: These bulbs contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.
Azalea/Rhododendron: These plants contain grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
Biting Off More Than You Can Chew…
courtesy of dogblog.dogster.com, One of the two chewed police cars/chew toys, "Chattanooga Times Free Press"
I’ve heard of dogs that love ‘chasing‘ cars, but ‘chewing‘ cars! Check out the bumper on this police car. Give the poor dog a good chew toy for goodness sake!
Talk About a Dog With a Chewing Problem…
by Maria Goodavage,dogblog.dogster.com
You think your dog’s chewing is destructive?
Don’t talk to Nancy Emerling, of Chattanooga, Tenn. Her bulldog made four cars — as in real-deal automobiles — into chew toys this weekend. And two of the cars happened to be police cars.
Behaviors to Encourage
We all want a dog that behaves well, don’t we? So, when you see your dog exhibiting a behavior that is a ‘good’ one, be sure that you reinforce that behavior. Read this article to find out one way to do that.
What dog behaviors should I encourage?
by Nicole S. Silvers, March 3, 2010, dogstardaily.com
Most owners know that they want their dogs to SIT, DOWN, STAY, COME, HEEL. When it comes to general behaviors, owners have little idea of what behaviors they even want to encourage, let alone how to accomplish the encouragement. By contrast, ask an owner what they are trying to stop, and there are multiple answers. Even the most mannerly dogs’ “rap sheets” tend to be read out when meeting other dog people.
Brain Toys for Your Dog
.jpg "dogtoy")
courtesy of www.examiner.com
Dogs can easily become bored and may need more to entertain them than just the occasional chew toy or chasing a ball. Here are some interesting options to help stimulate your dog’s mind and release all that pent-up energy.
Nina Ottoson toys get your dogs brain working
posted by Nicole Martin, 2/22/10, www.examiner.com
Most pet dogs are chronically under-stimulated, especially in the cold winter months when their owners are less active. Food puzzle toys come in all different shapes, sizes and styles but one of the best that I have found is a line of toys made by Nina Ottoson. They are games designed to truly entertain your dogs body and mind. Available in both plastic and wood versions, there is one to suit every dog or owner. Your dog simply moves the parts to reveal his treats. Except, they aren’t quite so easy. You can gradually increase the level of difficulty so that your dog remains engaged. This search for treats or food bits simulates the hunting behaviors that your dog needs to find an outlet for. The wooden versions are definitely recommended for larger dogs or those who can be a little overzealous in their foraging.