Ronan is Ready for Snow!!!
Keep it safe tomorrow! Don’t let your dogs stay out too long or eat too much snow.
Westminster!
Last night! Don’t miss it! LOVE it!
Can My Dog Sniff on his Walk?
I get asked this question a lot. Some people believe that a walk should be for the dog’s enjoyment – sniffing, pulling, and wandering wherever his nose may take him. Others think that a walk should always be strict, with the dog constantly at their side moving briskly with no funny business. So which is correct? I think they both are!
Some researchers have brought up the idea that we humans are trying to suppress one of the dog’s most natural and important instincts – sniffing. Even the AKC recently posted that we should let dogs sniff on their walks. After all, sniffing is the main way dogs learn intricate details about their environment and who/what has recently passed through it. According to numerous sources, a dog has more than 220 million olfactory receptors in its nose (we humans only have about 5 million!).
But on the other hand, what about the pulling? Some dogs pull so much on a walk that it can be difficult for the human to maintain control. Being pulled down on a walk is no fun, not to mention dangerous! And what about the fact that a walk should be a good form of exercise for both of you?
So…why not have two types of walks? That’s my favorite answer! Teach your dog a specific type of structured walk using a specific command (some use the command “heel”). During this type of walk there should be no sniffing, pulling, lagging, marking territory, greeting…basically your dog is at your side and you are in charge.
After a short time of the structured walk, you decide when it’s time to give your dog a break. Now he may do doggy stuff, wander, eliminate and sniff, sniff, SNIFF until his heart’s content! That is, until you decide it’s time for the structured walk again. And back and forth between structured walk and fun walk so your dog learns the difference between the two.
There is a time and place for both types of walks. When you take your dog for a hike you want your dog to sniff, explore and enjoy the beautiful landscape. But when someone has 3 dogs and is approaching you at a narrow pathway it’s time for the structured walk. Use the command that you’ve dutifully taught to get your dog back under strict control and pass the passersby. What a great way to have a great hike and avoid an unpleasant incident!
Yes, dogs can absolutely learn different types of walks, and as far as I’m concerned they should!
Practice practice practice!
Yours in good training,
Stacie & Ronan
Merry Christmas!
Ronan & I hope you all had wonderful Christmas and are enjoying the holiday season!
Here’s looking forward to 2018!
XO,
Stacie & Ronan
Let it Snow…
…but don’t keep them out too long!
A few safety tips:
- Dogs don’t always know when they’ve had too much, especially if they are having fun! Give them frequent breaks to thaw out and warm up.
- Dogs who don’t have a thick double coat may need that coat or sweater. It’s not a fashion statement, its for the health and safety of your dog!
- Keep the hair trimmed out from between the pads. It’s a common place where snowballs form which can be painful and damaging to the foot! Frequently check to see if snowballs are forming and clean them out.
- Thoroughly dry your dog after a romp in the snow.
- Don’t let your dog eat snow! It is a common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. That snow contains all of the chemicals that it passed through on its way down, plus whatever else lands on it.
Have fun!
Stacie & Ronan
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Ronan’s dreaming of turkey!
Give it a Year (or two…)
So, you finally did it – you got a puppy! Congratulations! But things aren’t going as smoothly as you planned? Here are a few tips:
- Invest a solid year or two in training and allow some time for natural maturing and settling down. Get a solid plan in place and stick with it! They don’t mature mentally as quickly as they grow:) Some may not mature before 3 years!
- Don’t pay much attention to people who say things like “my puppy was house broken in 3 days…” “or my puppy knew all of his commands by 12 weeks” (which I highly doubt). They are feeling proud and boastful, and don’t realize that their words may make you feel as though you are not as good of a puppy parent as they are. Your puppy is an individual and like children, it is not fair to compare one to the next. Help your puppy to mature and learn at his pace. This isn’t a short race – this is a long-term investment!
- Don’t ditch the crate! Let me repeat myself. Don’t ditch the crate! Not only does it help with house braking, training, keeping your puppy safe, keeping your stuff safe, setting boundaries, (the list goes on…), but it can be a source of comfort for your dog throughout his life. It is, after all, the ONLY place in your home that is HIS!!!
- Be creative. Running through the same old training routine in the same old order is not only boring for you but it can actually get your dog to stop listening and thinking. Many times I have asked someone to get their dog to sit, and the dog sits, paws, downs, and rolls over because “that’s how we taught him”. Yes you taught him but is he listening and responding to what was asked? Mix things up. Play games. Introduce some puzzles or rainy day activities (hide and seek, hint hint).
- Be patient. Know that puppies can sometimes be annoying (yes, I said it), frustrating, mouthy, jumpy, overly energetic, sneaky but they are also worth the time and effort you put it. It’s ok to occasionally say “I’ve had a really lousy day and am just not up to training tonight”. Give yourself a break just not too often!
- Enjoy. Laugh at your puppy and yourself. Mistakes are a necessary learning tool. They happen so we can learn from them and improve.
- Appreciate your dog for the amazing individual creature he is!
- Love this wonderfully frustrating time! They aren’t puppies for very long.
Put the time and effort in and you will have a wonderful companion. You won’t be sorry!
Stacie & Ronan
