Walk Safe

Walking with your dog can be a great way to bond with them as well as getting exercise. However there can be some dangers related to the walk that you should be aware of. First off is safely handling the leash, make sure that the leash isn’t wrapped around your wrist or hand. If you do you could break the small bones if the dog would pull too hard or if they tangle you can’t always drop the leash quickly enough. Have the leash looped over your thumb once and then back and forth in your palm like an accordion, you’ll have strength but can switch the leash from hand to hand easily (see picture). Have treats that your dog just loves will also help for training opportunities or emergencies in an easy to get place (such as a treat pouch). 

Next watch what your dog is doing; are they going to trip you up or did they lock on a squirrel down the block. Being aware of them leaves you less likely to be caught off guard and getting hurt by them pulling on you or tripping you up. Training a great 'watch me' will help to disengage your dog from outside stimuli, such as that other dog barking in it's yard or a child playing (see picture below). In addition you can see if they will get hurt themselves like the grates over the sewers which can catch the dog’s toes or paws and lead to injuries. Or if they are picking up garbage on the walk; train a great 'leave it' and you won’t have to take gross items out of your dog’s mouth.

On top of watching your dog also be aware of your surroundings. I know it sounds easy but often we focus on one item and suddenly another dog is flying out of their yard to meet you. Or you see a car coming but miss the jogger coming up behind you. Being aware can save you from dangers around you and give you time to find other paths or have your dog do a different behavior to get through it. So if you notice a crowd of people walking towards you; you can make choices such as moving out of the path and doing a stay or making your dog heel closely.

Remembering basic weather issues, such as hot tarmac or salty sidewalks, and bringing poop bags will make it all the better. Have fun with your dogs and they will love you all the more! If you feel like you just don't have the training tools for a safe walk get in contact with our D.O.G. Trainer Josey and she can lead you to the easy path for you and your dog(s). Call 651-308-9399.

Helpful Dog's Tricks

Most people will train some obedience and manners into their dogs, and sometimes a cute trick or two. That is a great thing for a dog, but how about a trick that is useful for the home; even better.

There are many tricks out there, it’s about finding one that the dog can physically do and that you would like them to do. Personally I don’t want to teach my dogs to open the cabinets for me because I think they would get into trouble but closing them would be a good ‘trick’. This is really an easy trick as all you have to do is get them to target a nose touch or paw touch to the vertical surface of the cabinet.

You can also get your dog to put away their toys, you most likely have to back-chain this behavior by starting with dropping a toy in the box. After you get them to do that have them get a toy and bring it to the box to drop; lastly they have to find the toys to bring to the box. This would be broken into many steps but can be easily trained on a motivated dog.

You can also have your dog find your items, from car keys to tissues. Each item requires a cue and training on how to pick up and get to you (sometimes the box of tissues are better than one). Or if they don’t fetch well, perhaps just a marker of a point or bark that it’s right there. Most dogs love finding people, so start naming them and have your dog search for their favorite people and you can send messages on their collars or have them hold a note.

With any trick it doesn’t just have to be cute it can be useful too. Look up more online or check out what service dog do and see if you can get your dog to that high of a degree. Enjoy the little things inside that work your dog's mind as well as body!

Winter blues

Remember during the winter your dog still needs some stimulation to keep from getting on your nerves. These should be both exercise and mental actives to do with your dog during the cold season. If you still walk your dog outside, make sure to rinse their feet off when you come home, between the pads can collect ice or chemical salt and the pads can become dry too. If it’s cold for you it might be too cold to them, watch for winter warnings before long periods outside.

Mekos loves to shove his whole head in the snow to sniff.

If you don’t like walking outside and your dog likes fetch try playing up and down stairs in your home, this way the dog has to work harder to get that ball or toy and back to you. My dogs will also do tricks or obedience between each throw, so making your dog do something to get what they want is never a bad idea. Although they might be a little excited at first you can get them to think while they are excited that’s even better.

Play hide and seek with your dog by putting them on a stay and calling them once you’ve hidden in a different room, or if you have many people tell them to ‘find mommy’ or ‘find daddy’ and see if they can make it to the correct people. Remember to play or treat them once they found you so that they will be reinforced for the behavior.

Mekos's first winter, he loved to find anything buried in the snow.

I also like to train a hard trick that can be done inside. This can be something useful as ‘Put away your toys’ or as cute as ‘break dance’. Find a trick online and think of a way to break it down and make many simple steps that you can work on bit by bit before adding them all together. Remember though only try tricks that your dog is capable of doing; you can’t teach a cow to climb a tree nor can you expect your dog to open or pick up something they can’t lift.