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No, You Can’t Pet My Dog

advocate for your dogQuestion… Do you let random strangers come up to you or your child, get into your personal space and touch you or your child? No, of course you don’t. Why? Because you don’t know them, because it would be uncomfortable, because it would make you feel nervous, anxious or even scared. Because it’s just plain weird. Well, it’s no different for your dog. Having someone they don’t know approach them and come into their personal space, make direct eye contact, touching them, talking to them etc… makes most dogs uncomfortable.Can I pet Your Dog?

You may not know this because you are unaware of the myriad of dog body language cues that you don’t know how to read. Such as, just because a dog is wagging it’s tail doesn’t mean it’s happy.

Dogs wag their tails for many reasons, even right before they attack. There are many very subtle body cues that dogs give off when they are uncomfortable. Some thing as simple as turning their head away, or looking away, or yawning or licking their lips are just a few of the cues they display. With repeated exposure to strangers your dog can become reactive (growling, barking, lunging, biting etc). 

But you can learn to advocate for your dog. Advocating simply means protecting your dog. When you advocate for your dog, you strengthen the bond of trust and help your dog to feel its safest and secure. And when you are around strangers, whether in your home or out in public, that can be as simple as not allowing people to interact with your dog. You may ask, “But what about the dog that is excited and looks happy and pulls towards other people they don’t know?”  That dog can become reactive as well out of a overarousal and excitement.

Remember, it’s your dog! No one has the right to invade your personal space, ever. If you feel awkward saying no, here are some pleasant and polite ways you can respond when someone asks,

“CAN I PET YOUR DOG?”

“No, he’s in training, but thank you!”

“No thanks, he isn’t friendly.”

“No, he needs his space right now.”

“No, my dog wouldn’t be comfortable with that.”

“No, we are working on ignoring people today.”

“No, not today, but thank you!”

Remember, you wouldn’t let strangers approach your child, let alone touch them! Speak up and advocate/protect your dog from entitled, albeit well meaning strangers. It very well may save your dog from going down the road of reactivity.

Dog Shock Collars ? The Truth About Contemporary Remote Collar Dog Training Off Leash K9 Training

Dog Shock Collars? The Truth About Contemporary Remote Collar Dog Training Off leash k9 training

Terie Hansen

When most people hear the words “Shock” collar it can be both scary and offensive. The “Shock” collars of old are nothing like the contemporary Remote Collars of today. Dog shock collars off leash k9 training.

dog shock collar off leash k9 training

While many people think that the dog is being “shocked” into submission, the truth is, contemporary trainers, using high end remote collars apply a “pressure” that is neutral, mild and based on the same technology as TENS machines used for physical therapy in humans.  Dog shock collars off leash k9 training is freedom!

Remote collars do not “burn” a dog’s skin and in fact many quality systems of today are completely water proof! Dog shock collars off leash k9 training equals freedom for your dog.

Low level remote collar training done properly, communicates to your dog with a mild sensation that is not harming to them mentally or physically. Even at higher levels while the sensation is enough to get your dog’s attention to deter negative behaviors, won’t harm your dog or your relationship. It is non-combative in it’s approach which is especially important for reactive dogs. It owners to communicate in a fast and effective manner. In fact, shared training sessions will actually improve your bond with your dog.  [Read more…]

Dog Training How To, Patience, Persistence and the Right Tools

Dog Training How To, Patience, Persistence and the Right Tools. 

In dog training as in many things you have to have the right attitude and the right tools (whether they be actual tools or techniques) in order to get the job done. Ask 10 dog trainers how to teach a dog any one specific command or behavior and your likely to get 10 different answers. [Read more…]

6 Potty Training Tips for Puppies and Adult Dogs

6 Potty Training Tips for Puppies and Adult Dogspotty training tips for puppies and dogs

I receive many calls regarding potty training both for puppies and adult dogs. With the holiday season there will be many more calls as puppies and dogs are high on the Christmas wish list.

Most people know that a puppy must be potty trained. When adopting an adult dog, you may think that they should already be potty trained. However, if the dog is being adopted from a shelter

[Read more…]

Pet Suffocation, Snack Bag Dangers

Suffocation by Snack Bags, Is Your Pet at Risk?

Recently a pet sitter of ours arrived at a client’s home for their daily dog walk only to find that sadly the dog had passed away. She found the dog at the base of the stairs with a potato chip bag stuck firmly on his head. She started Cpr immediately but it was too late. Cause of death, suffocation by the snack bag.

When a pet sticks their head in a bag or box to get the food, their pet suffocationbreathing creates a vacuum and the bag tightens until they can’t get it off and they suffocate.

Imagine the horror. Imagine how the sitter felt, as she has known this dog for years. This however, is nothing compared to what the owner felt when our pet sitter called to inform her of what had happened. Utter devastation are the only words to describe this situation. [Read more…]

Marker Training Dogs Effectively, Speeds Up Training

Marker Training Your Dog to Speed Up the Learning Process.

Marker training is simple and effective. A marker isMarker Training Dog a sound (either from a clicker or a word such as “Yes!”) that marks the exact moment an animal performs a desired behavior. When charged up, the marker tells your dog that they did something good and that a reward is coming.

I like to use the word “yes!” because it eliminates the need to carry a clicker around wherever I go. (I always have my mouth with me!). [Read more…]

4 Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Dog’s Basic Commands

4 Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Dog’s Basic Commands

It’s easy to have your dog become really good at performing the basic commands of sit, down, stay & come when called. Working these basic commands into their daily routine ensures that when you actually need them to perform one of these skills, your dog will be very good at it. This can be a lifesaver!

Think about it… if I taught you a new skill but you only had to use it once in a while, you would most likely not be very good at it. However, if you used that new skill every day then you would be quite excellent at it and could perform it whenever you needed to. It’s the same for dogs! [Read more…]

Bad Dog or Bored Dog? 10 Tips to Increase Good Behavior in Your Dog

Bad Dog or Bored Dog?

Is your dog bad or just bored?

If you ask me, there are no bad dogs, really. They are either bored and/or maybe justbad dog or bored dog haven’t been taught desirable positive behaviors. Dogs don’t want to misbehave. Quite the contrary, they want to make you happy. However, even when they have been taught/trained basic manners, if they are not getting what they need in terms of daily mental stimulation and physical exercise they may vent that energy in undesirable not to mention, negative ways.

 

See if any of these behaviors sound familiar…

[Read more…]

Dog Parks, Good or Bad? 4 Simple Tips

Dog Parks, Good or Bad?

dog walking at dog parks in lawrenceville, ga with max

Walk your dog prior to the dog park.

To dog park or not to dog park that is the question. A hotly debated question that I am frequently asked “ Is it ok to take my dog to dog parks?”. My answer “yes and no” depending on your dog. A dog park is for socializing (learning how to interact with other dogs) not exercising. Will your dog get exercise while at the dog park? Of course they will but never take a fully energized dog into a dog park or you could be setting your dog up for failure. Over excited dog = bad doggie manners = possible dog fight.

Take your dog for a nice walk before taking them into the dog park. They will be calmer, better behaved and make better social decisions. [Read more…]