Does My Dog Need Behavior Counseling?

 

A lot of dog owners wonder, "Does My Dog Need Behavior Counseling?". It is a common question and you are not alone. We offer solutions for dog behavior problems.

Some behavior problems can be very troubling, and owners often feel powerless in their attempts to fix them. This does not mean your problems are unfixable, if just means you have not found the proper solution yet.

Behavioral problems are the number one reason dogs are rehomed or surrendered to shelters. But most behavior problems are very solvable with proper training.

Don’t give up!

If your dog is showing signs such as aggression, fear, anxiety, phobias, or other strange behaviors, please consult with a qualified professional trainer for further information.

Many of these problems are training issues beyond the scope of your local obedience class instructor, making behavior modification training the best choice for resolution.

Schedule a call today to discuss if your dog needs behavior counseling and if our comprehensive program may be the solution for you.

Salty Dogs

"Why is my housetrained dog having accidents in the house?"

After spending ten years raising future Assistance Dogs, I know accidents can be one of the most challenging problems dog owners face.

Luckily, the problem sometimes has a very simple solution!

Dogs tend to get more treats during the holiday season; either as gifts or to distract them from the holiday hubbub of visitors and other activities.

Pig ears, smoked bones, rawhide, hooves and similar treats are usually very high in sodium. And increased sodium consumption can increase thirst which leads to increased water consumption.

Increased sodium consumption can increase thirst
which leads to increased water consumption.

And if you increase the intake, there is going to be an increase in output! Some dogs are unable to contain themselves as well as they normally would in this situation.

These kinds of treats can also give your dog an upset stomach and cause another kind of output that is even more unpleasant!

So, if you find yourself asking "Why is my housetrained dog having accidents in the house?", first consider possible dietary causes if your dog has been getting those kinds of treats.

Try limiting the suspected treats for a week and see if the accidents decrease. If so, consider switching to raw or un-smoked treats.

If the accidents do not decrease, consult with your veterinarian to rule out urinary tract infections, kidney problems or other more serious causes.

Some of the special treats I use include raw beef marrow or knuckle bones (available from your local meat market) or stuffed Kong toys. You can also freeze the stuffed Kongs to make them last longer for your dog.

I reserve these higher value raw and stuffed treats for special occasions and usually offer them when the dogs are crated to make sure there are no jealousy issues.

For day to day use, I offer antlers, Nylabones or Kong toys like the Kong Dental Stick . 

I hope you find this information helpful!

Why Did the Dog Trainer Cross the Road?

I know how to safely cross the street!

Never have I been hit by a car or even had a near miss when crossing the street on foot. (While biking is another story!)

I know that you generally wait for the traffic light to turn green which also activates the WALK signal.  But I don't really need the walk signal. I know how to read the traffic pattern and can safely cross the street even if there isn't a traffic light or WALK signal. 

However, I recently learned I do not know how to cross the street while in Paris.

We did not have a car so we spent a lot of time walking. I knew they drove on the right side of the road like we did so thought all would be fine.

Well, let me tell you, I was wrong!

First off, Paris traffic is cray-cray! Take a look at this!

In the US we generally stop our vehicles outside the crisscross portion of the intersection. 

Some Paris intersections are set up to stop cars travelling in both directions right at the crosswalk where people are crossing.

Another thing about Paris is that people have a very small space bubble. The first few days I thought they were trying to run us over.

But they always stopped but only as far away as they needed to be.

It is not because they are rude.

A couple of times I stepped off the curb totally in the wrong and the driver stopped and insisted I continue. (Mercí beaucoup!)

French traffic lights are different from ours and are generally off to the side somewhere.

There are often two WALK/DONT WALK signals. One to get you to the island in the middle of traffic and another to get you the rest of the way across.

So, there is lots going on and then add in the distractions of being a tourist to one of the most beautiful and interesting cities in the world. I was a total country mouse in the city!

It was all very confusing! A lot of thought went into getting it right when it came to doing something I have taken for granted. I walked when the walk sign was green and didn't when it wasn't.

It was not unusual to be waiting for the WALK signal and there would go a Parisian strolling into the crosswalk without a care on the world.

That is because the locals can do more than just read the pedestrian signal. They know the traffic pattern; is this is a one-way street and how many of those six lanes of traffic are going to be headed this way. They also know where and when the cars are going to stop.

So, while I am pretty darn good at safely crossing the street in Traverse City Michigan, that is not a skill I have mastered in Paris.

With time and perhaps some instruction from a native who is fluent with the local customs, I would have made much faster (and safer!) progress.

And it is like that with dogs sometimes.

If you welcomed a new dog into your family recently, they may be struggling like a traveler in a strange land. Do think you might need training help for your new dog?

If so, I can help! I am fluent in canine AND human and can help eliminate confusion and frustration on both sides.

If you are ready for a Fresh Start with your new dog, you can schedule a complimentary phone consultation with me and avoid getting lost in translation.

Halloween Safety Tips for Dogs

Trick or Treating can be a lot of fun.

For people.

For dogs is can be a very scary time!

He is a pure bread dog!

There will be an unpredictable parade of odd-looking strangers yelling outside of your front door and maybe even knocking and ringing the doorbell. If your dog’s front door behavior is not so great on a regular day, it is likely to be even worse with all of the extra excitement of Trick or Treating.

When afraid, dogs can act out of the ordinary and may growl, snap or even bite at visitors. With all of the noise in the neighborhood, they may also bolt out the front door or escape your yard. Make sure your dog is wearing an ID tag with your current contact information just in case.

Consider crating your dog in a quiet room with some background music or television until the commotion of trick or treating is over. A treat-stuffed Kong or other special goodie may help distract your dog.

Chocolate can be harmful to dogs. If you are giving out treats instead of tricks, keep an eye on the snacks. And if you have trick or treaters in your family, make sure their loot is stored in a dog proof location. (It would probably be safest if Mom and Dad just went ahead stowed those Reese’s in their bellies! You know, for safety reasons!)

If your dog does ingest chocolate, contact your veterinarian immediately!

And if you like to dress up your dog for the holiday, make sure the costume doesn’t block their vision or prevent them from moving comfortably.

I hope these hints will help you AND your dog to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

So you Want to Become a Dog Trainer?

So, you want to become a dog trainer?

Yay!

The world needs more dog trainers who can help struggling dog owners resolve their problems with their dogs. There are more than enough families having a hard time with naughty dogs!

But how do you actually become a dog trainer?

You could work your way through the 115 million! results on Google about how to become a dog trainer if you have the time and the patience.

But here is how to quickly become the best dog trainer you can be: Let The Universe always catch you training dogs. The end.

Start with Sit, Down, and tricks to get the hang of timing your rewards and corrections.

Train your dog, friends' dogs, relatives' dogs, shelter dogs, foster rescue dogs, raise service dog puppies, etc., and get good at addressing the three most common behavior problems: jumping up, pulling on the leash, and not coming when called.

Do not spend your time studying dog training; spend your time doing dog training. You will not be very good at first, but if you keep learning, you will get better.

At first, train dogs for free if you have to. When you can get better results, you can get better pay.

Create a social media page for your new business. Don't worry about a fancy name or a logo. "Jenny's Dog Training" is enough to get you started. Make videos and show your work so people can get to know, like, and trust you.

You do not need to attend a fancy dog trainer school, join a franchise, or get a "certification". There are many successful dog trainers out there who freely share their knowledge. Most aspiring dog trainers will not act on their advice. Be one who will take action!

Hint: If you love dogs but hate people, please do not become a dog trainer. Struggling people need trainers who can be kind and empathetic. Be prepared to learn how to deliver great customer service and run a business.

Speaking of running a business, business coaching is just as important as learning how to train dogs. Programs like Molly Rouse's P.E.A.K. Marketing Program for Dog Trainers can give you the tools to build a successful business while helping you focus on what you love—training dogs. I have personally used this program, and it has been a game-changer for my career.

The demand is high and the need is great, so let's gooooooo!

Want to fast-track your journey? Check out the P.E.A.K. Marketing Program for Dog Trainers. As an affiliate, I may earn a commission if you join through this link, but I truly believe it’s the best way to grow your business and make a real impact without burning out.

(And if you are local, send me a PM and let's meet for some dogs and coffee networking!)

Toddlers Don’t Blow Up Mailboxes

And why you don’t need puppy training. Yet.

It’s true. They may be a little mischievous or get into trouble because they don’t know any better sometimes, but toddlers usually do not commit felony criminal mischief. Oh, we joke about the Terrible Two’s and the Tyrannical Threes but toddlers are mostly just cute little dickens.

This is what I keep in the back of my mind when people are telling me how well behaved their new puppy is.

The puppy follows them everywhere, pays attention to everything they say and other than mild behavior problems like chewing on things or not yet knowing where to go to the bathroom, they are mostly just cute little dickens.

But then the day comes when things change.

For puppies, this is usually right around sixteen weeks of age when they enter the exploratory development stage. They have realized that there is an amazing world out there full of fun things to explore. They start to exert their will and act independently.

Answering the Call of the Wild

This all makes sense when we look to the dog’s wild canid cousins. Young wild canids are tasty little snacks for all of the hungry predators in their world. There is safety in numbers so they tend to stick close to family members and don’t stray far from the den.

But once their motor skills are developed, off they go to explore the world! Not such a problem for wolves and coyote puppies; big problem for domestic canine puppies.

That puppy that used to follow you around the front yard is now darting across the street to visit the neighbor or to follow the jogger going by the house. Left unchecked, this behavior can turn into a game of chase, bite and wrestle. This is not the way you want to meet the neighbors! Or your local animal control officer.

When you bring your new puppy home, there are two possible courses of action. You can enjoy all the cute and fluffy adorableness of your new puppy and deal with the problems as they come up later.

OR. . .

You can get ahead of the curve and prevent problems before they even begin.

Learning Machines

Young puppies are wired for learning! Think about how much they have learned from birth until the time you take them home. And they can keep on learning! The first sixteen weeks of your puppy’s life are magical. This is the time to teach them what you expect from them as a full-grown dog.

You can teach many of these things on your own and the process is pretty simple. Reward the behaviors you want to see in your adult dog and correct the ones you don’t. There is no need to be overly harsh; just find a way to get your message across that is meaningful to the pup.

If your pup has gotten the jump on you and you want help getting back on track, we would love to talk to you. You can schedule a phone consultation with us here to talk to us about the problems you are having with your new puppy.

Our Fresh Start Puppy Training Program has helped Traverse City puppy owners just like you!

How to Hire a Dog Trainer Who isn't Us

While we welcome new clients, our Fresh Start Program is very unique and not a good match for every dog owner.

So even if we aren't right for you, here are some things to keep in mind as you search for a dog trainer who is a good fit for you and your dog.

• A reputable dog trainer should be as nice to humans as they are to dogs. The last time I checked, dogs cannot write checks nor can they drive themselves to training. If a trainer tells you, “I love dogs, but I hate people!”, run away. If a trainer says they only use positive methods with dogs but is openly hostile or demeaning to humans, run away!

• A reputable dog trainer should be willing to let you observe a training session or class. This will allow you to see how they interact with their clients; human and canine.

• A reputable dog trainer will have some kind of a social media presence; either a website, a blog or Facebook/Instagram/Twitter, etc. where you can learn more about them.

• A reputable dog trainer should be able to demonstrate prior success with the problem you are experiencing. This will often be demonstrated on their social media page. If you have a reactive or fearful dog, a trainer who primarily teaches puppy class or basic obedience may not be qualified to help you resolve your problem.

• A reputable dog trainer will be honest about their ability to help you. And if they are unable to help you because your problem requires a solution above their skill set, a reputable dog trainer will not recommend euthanizing your dog as the only solution. Just because *they* can't help you doesn't mean there isn't a solution out there for you.

Whomever you choose, I hope you find a trainer you love working with and who gets great results for you with your dog!