Monday, December 19, 2011

Introducing a new dog into your home

Congratulations on your new canine member of the family!

Getting a new dog can be exciting, but the best way to introduce your new dog to your home, your family, and other dog members of your family....is with little to no excitement at all!

In order to establish a great foundation of how daily  life is going to be in your household, DAY ONE is the most important day to set the lifestyle and boundaries. I suggest taking the new dog straight from the car to out on a nice long, quick paced walked.  If you have another dog, this should be a PACK WALK.


There are different variables to consider that may change my prescription;  age of each dog, immunizations up to date, any previous aggression, etc.  However, a good long walk is still going to be the best introduction to new dogs, your neighborhood, and your home.

Walking a dog properly is always important. Please read our other blogs on LEASH WALKING to ensure the walk is packed with benefits.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Rainy Day Dog Survival Tips

Rainy Day Survival Tips
    Rainy days can cause a commotion for dogs and their owners. Muddy paws and extra energy mixed with indoors is not favorable to most people. I get tons of calls on rainy days about dogs that are usually potty trained that are having accidents on the carpet.

    To ensure survival throughout the rainy season, of your carpet AND your sanity, realize that a rainy day does not eliminate your pups play drive and energy source. If we did not trek our self to the Gym, only because of the rain, it would not stop the calories from settling in on our hips.

    Accessorize yourself with a raincoat, and explore the outdoors with your dog. Not only will it drain excess energy, for both of you, but will give your dog an array of new smells that the rain stirs up. By being with your dog, it will reassure you that your dog has eliminated outside. By completing a walk, and witnessing the potty outside, it will allow you, and your dog to have a restful rainy day.

   
    If your California skin just can't walk in the rain, take some time to work with your dog on basic obedience in the house. A training session usually exhausts the dogs brain and the body, when done properly. Remember not to hype the dog up, but to give directed and focused commands with only rewarding successful behaviors. Make your dog think, and make him work.

   Enjoy the rain, and your dog, because everyday is a Dog Gone Good Life!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Promoting a calm dog

What you see is not always what you get. As humans we are constantly working on improving ourselves. people wear clothes that flatter their figure, do exercises to accentuate their physical characteristics, take speaking classes to improve public speaking, even life coaching classes to make sure we are being the ultimate person we can be. I feel it is the same with dogs.
I can work with any dog and have them become the best of their potential. It does not mean i am going to certify every dog as a service dog, but every dog can learn to behave. Yes, every dog!
Although there are variations of each dogs success, they are still capable of learning our expectations. I say that unless the dog is in hospice, they are still willing to learn! Some personalities may challenge the boundaries more persistently in the beginning, but in time, and with your patience, all will succeed in improving their behavior.
Good behavior and well mannered does not eliminate personality.
The personality you adore in your dog will always exist, and when a dog has respectful manners the personality is much more appreciated.
It's a Dog Gone Good life!