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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.

How to Train a Dog – Dog Training When Life Happens

How to Train a Dog – Dog Training When Life Happens

Terie Hansen

 

You’ve been consistently training your dog, things are going well and then life happens. Whether your dog is the friendly, exuberant, overexcited type or the reactive, growly, lunging, and possibly biting type, life will throw you a curve ball now and again and you are best to be prepared. How to train a dog when life happens…

dog training stop dog jumpingA friend or family member visits, and although you’ve asked them to ignore your easily excitable dog, (who is, clearly one acknowledgement away from losing it) your friend reaches toward your dog, speaking in a high pitched voice, encourages your dog’s excitement and allows him to jump all over them. Your attempts to corral your dog are followed by, ”Oh, I don’t mind! I’dog training in publicm a dog lover.” from your friend.

At a local pet or home improvement store, while working on your dog’s public access skills, a stranger approaches, outstretched hand, swooping in to pet your dog without so much as asking permission.

reactive dog training on a leashWhile walking your dog, an off-leash dog approaches seemingly out of nowhere and a fight ensues.

Your puppy, who you’ve been training diligently, spends a week with Grandma because of work travel. Upon returning home, it’s as if you never trained him at all.

These are all things that can happen through no fault of yours. Your best defense? Think ahead for scenarios that could come up while training with your dog and be prepared. how to train a dog.

[Read more…]

Dog Training Tips for Teaching Thresholds

Dog Training Tips for Teaching Thresholds. Do not pass unless invited to do so!Dog Training Tips Teaching Thresholds

Do you own a “Door Dasher”?

 

Thresholds at it pertains to dogs is an important but oftentimes overlooked area of training with many owners and dog trainers. Teaching a dog NOT to move through a threshold unless invited  to do so can be lifesaving. A threshold is a door to the house, car door, crate door etc. So many times, I hear of dogs escaping through a door only to get lost, or worse, hit by a car or engage in dog fights. [Read more…]

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…]

Ticks, 2017 Worst Summer on Record for People and Pets

2017 Worst Summer on Record for Ticks

As reported by Nancy Hinkle, a veterinary entomologist at the University of Georgia’s Department of Entomology, “We’re seeing tick on dogticks in greater numbers than we have seen in the last decade.”

With shorter, milder winters and longer, warmer summers the tick population grows. The black legged tick, also known as the “deer tick” is common in Georgia and can live longer than you might expect. During its lifespan of 2-3 years it only needs to feed three times! Contrary to popular belief, the tick spends most of its time in the leaf litter, underbrush or on grasses and plants. NOT on a host. [Read more…]

Training Your Puppy or Dog to Accept Handling By You and Others

How to Train Your Puppy or Dog to Accept Handling.

Can You Touch Your Dog? Anywhere?

One of the most important things you can teach your puppy or dog training dog to accept handling by groomeris to allow handling and touch to any and all of his body parts. Teaching him that being touched either by you, a pet professional or accidently in an inappropriate way such as a pull on the ear by a child is no big deal or better yet is good. Training can help keep him calm and prevent aggression. Aggression can result in your dog having to be muzzled and/or sedated at the vet or groomer. This is no fun for your dog or the professionals that have to interact with your dog.

Using treats and a marker word (yes!) or clicker you can speed up the learning process.

[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…]

5 Spring Pet Safety Tips

5 Springtime Pet Safety Tips

Spring is just around the corner and with it a host of hazardous things for your pet to get into! Here are some tips on keeping pets safe this spring.

Plants are springing forth and unless you know exactly what’s what, keep your dog poisonous plants for petsfrom eating, chewing and even digging around plants, mushrooms etc. Things like daffodil bulbs, crocus, Lily of the Valley, Hyacinth, Iris and more are all spring blooming and as such pose a threat to your pet. For an in depth poisonous plant list click here.

Snakes Alive! It’s hatchling season and you may have noticed that baby snakes are out and about. Snakes are obviously dangerous for your snakes and petsdog or cat but baby snakes are even more dangerous because they haven’t yet learned to regulate the amount of venom they inject when lashing out to defend themselves against an unsuspecting dog or cat. So typically they inject all they have. Yikes! This can be deadly for your pet. If you suspect a snake bite get your pet to your veterinarian immediately and take a photo of the snake if possible as this will help your vet determine an anti-venom. [Read more…]

Canine Flu-6 Steps to Protect Your Pet

Canine Flu- 6 Steps to Protect Your Pet

 
All this talk of the canine flu. What is it and how do we prevent it from affecting our pets?
 
There are two strains of the canine flu virus. The first one is the H3N8 strain which was first reported in the U.S. In 2004. There is a vaccine available for this older strain.
The second and newer strain is the H3N2 which was first reported in the U.S. pet insuranceLast month. Currently there is NO vaccine available for this strain.
 
Symptoms may include coughing, runny nose, eye discharge, lethargy, fever, loss of appetite and weight. However some dogs don’t exhibit any symptoms.
 
If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms seek veterinary care immediately. Although this is a virus and as such there is no specific treatment, a secondary bacterial infection is possible and medication can be prescribed.

[Read more…]

Pet Insurance, Life Saver or Scam?

Pet Insurance, Life Saver or Scam?

What is Pet Insurance? Pet insurance is health pet insurance lawrenceville, gainsurance for pets. There are plans that cover everything from routine vet visits to catastrophic illnesses. There are plans that only cover major medical events and accidents as well. There are varying levels of deductibles and most if not all are reimbursement plans. The good news is you can use any vet you like.

If you own a mischievous puppy, an active dog or a dog that seems to get pet insuranceinto everything pet insurance can save a life not to mention your wallet!

Here is a true story of my own dog and how pet insurance has helped my family tremendously…

Our dog Cole was 3 months old when we adopted her from a local shelter. As part of their program she came with a 30 day insurance plan [Read more…]