As puppies go through the teething process this can be a very painful period much like the process that human babies go through when they are teething. As those adult teeth are pushing through, this is the time that your puppy may find things to chew on as the act of chewing helps to sooth their discomfort and helps to calm them down.

It is the time that if your puppy is not properly supervised, they may go for inappropriate objects to chew on such as chair or table legs, remote controls, glasses, shoes, slippers, and phones!  If this happens always remember that your puppy has no concept of right and wrong; they do not know it is inappropriate to chew on your new pair of shoes. If it’s there and within reach, they will go for it!  So how to do you prevent this? Answer --  Puppy Proof your home to set your puppy up for success in the same way that you would child proof your home to keep young toddlers from accessing things that could be potentially dangerous to them.

This means putting away shoes and items of clothing, and keeping phones and remotes up high and out of reach. Ensure plants are put up high or in a room that the puppy is not allowed to roam, and when you think all is safe what I have found helpful is getting down on the ground to see if there is anything hanging low that a puppy might be able to grab and if so, remove it. Remember this is not forever, it is just for a window of time, and it will keep your puppy safe and your items in the home free from puppy teeth marks!

Puppies are fun and are a ray of sunshine that can bring much joy, laughter and happiness to a family.  Just be prepared to put in the hard work when they are young, teach them in a positive way, socialize them to their world so that they are confident in their living environment both inside the home and outside and train them so that they understand their boundaries and learn what is appropriate.  Once you guide your puppy through the first year of their life you will have a very loyal and happy K9 member of the family.

Marker training is a scientific based teaching method that communicates to a dog that they have done the correct behavior desired by the trainer/handler and will therefore be rewarded.  It is also known as positive reinforcement dog training.

​In marker training you can either use a verbal marker such as “Yes”, “Click”, “Bravo”, “Nice” or you can use a device called a “Clicker” which is basically a toy-like mechanical devise with a button which when pressed will make a sound.

To teach your dog that your chosen marker has meaning you will need to “charge” or “load” the verbal marker or the clicker.  This is where you will have about 10 rewards to hand, say your verbal marker “Yes” and half a second later reward your dog.  Similarly, if using a clicker, you will click and half a second later reward your dog.  The timing and order of doing this is very important so that the dog is focused on hearing that marker to gain the reward and not just concentrated on the reward.

To then translate this into training the sequence will be, ask for the behavior for example a “sit”, when the dog goes into a sit you either say “yes” and reward your dog or if using a clicker, click and reward your dog.  Therefore, the sequence is, behavior = marker = reward.

A question I get asked a lot is “do I have to use a clicker or marker for the rest of the dog’s life”?  The answer to this is “no”. The more you work with your dog and the more fluid they become at doing the behaviors you have taught them this is where you will begin to give variable rewards, that is, not rewarding them for every single sit that they perform and instead reward them for every third and then sixth one and continue to do the same with all cues.  After that you can then begin to phase out the rewards.  The only cue that I suggest to clients that they always reward for is Recall.  That is when you call your dog back to you and they listen, especially when you are in an environment with a lot of distraction, for example a park, but your dog has chosen to come back to you.  That, in my opinion deserves a lot of praise and rewards to keep your Recall solid.

This is where a “no reward marker” will come into play.  A no reward marker is used when your dog has not offered the behavior that you are asking for.  It is a verbal signal such as “no” or “uh oh” or “Oops” that you will say in a neutral tone to communicate to your dog that they have not offered the behavior you want and need to try again.

I advise clients to use no reward markers sparingly in training as if you are teaching a dog something and they are trying to learn but are not quite getting it right, too many no reward markers can begin to stress the dog and what you do not want to associate in your dog’s mind is that training is stressful, quite the opposite.  It is important to note here that a no reward marker is NOT a physical correction to the dog it is simply a way to communicate with your dog verbally that they have made a mistake and will have to work a little harder to get that reward.

In essence marker training, whether you are using a verbal marker, or a clicker teaches your dog to problem solve.  The key to training is to find the thing that really motivates your dog which may be its food, dog treats, a special toy and use that to reward them when they offer behaviors you are looking for. 

A dog’s bark is its voice and it is their way of communicating with their human or with other dogs.  There are many reasons why dogs bark and it is important to understand this to help solve barking if it becomes a problem.

The following is a list of the most common reasons why dogs bark.

As a trainer one of the many reasons I get asked for help is because of dogs barking a lot in the home.  My main task is to ascertain what is causing the behavior and then teach my clients ways to work on this.  But I always remind people that a dog’s bark is their way of communicating to us in the same way we communicate with our fellow human beings.  So, it is always important to ascertain why they are doing the behavior and by working through things with patience and consistency they can be taught an alternative behavior.

The Holidays is a lovely time of year with beautiful decorations adorning our homes and plenty of delicious savory and sweet food on the menu!  In order to have a safe festive season for all the family including your dogs please keep in mind some of the things that can be harmful and dangerous to them.

Here is a list of things to keep your dogs away from to keep them safe:

Décor:

• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas lights
• Tinsel and ribbon
• Plants and flowers such as lilies, poinsettias, and amaryllis
• The needles on fresh Christmas trees
• The water that the tree is standing in
• Mistle toe
• The berries on the holly

Food Items:

• Dark turkey dark meat, turkey skin, and turkey bones (white turkey meat is ok)
• Onions
• Grapes, raisins, or sultanas
• Fruit cake or mince pie since they contain raisins and sultanas
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Sweets and sweet wrappers
• Alcohol

Be proactive in knowing the number and address details of your nearest 24/7 Emergency Clinic should you need to rush your pet to the vet.

If you want to treat your dogs as you tuck into your festive meals, remember there are lots of different recipes that you can find to fill a Kong and freeze it for their treat, or spread on a Licki Mat and remember to get your dogs out for walks!  The fresh air will be good for them and good for us after our delicious meals.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Best wishes for a healthy and safe New Year, 2022!

Coyote attacks on pets might increase during the mating season when coyotes are more territorial. Research suggests that male coyotes in particular are not more aggressive. While not as pack-centered as wolves, all coyotes in a pack may defend their territory if they felt something was going to endanger their young, which is why during these periods it is important to NOT have your dogs’ off leash, in particular in wooded areas.
​
There are natural habits where coyotes are more likely to have their dens, in places such as hollowed out logs, rock formations, or dense shrubs or bushes. If your dog innocently goes sniffing near a den that is when they are more likely to be attacked. It has been shown that attacks on medium to large dogs increase at this time as coyotes see them as more of a threat especially when they are near to their den with young pups inside. Viral and bacterial diseases flourish more in coyotes than almost all other carnivorous wildlife due to their diverse diet and and wide array of habitats.

Research also shows that coyote attacks on smaller dogs or cats can increase during the pup rearing season (May through to August) rather than the breeding season. This is largely due to the need for more food for the young coyote pups. ​

Do not let small dogs or cats outside alone, even within a fenced in yard, during the day or during the evening hours, unsupervised. If you do, avoid doing so from dusk until dawn. As I had mentioned above, do not let your dog run off-leash in the woods, especially during winter or spring. If your dog doesn’t stay close to you when off-leash, there is a greater danger that they could run into a pack of coyotes. During mating season, coyotes might be more territorial, and during pup rearing season, they may defend their den or pups. Instead you should opt for putting them on a longer leash allowing them to roam a little farther out. Having the safety of the leash attached to them allows you to keep them close and get them back to you should you need to. This is especially important if your dog does not have a good recall.

Do not leave food scattered around outside such as residue from bird feeders or unsecured garbage especially at night. This will encourage them to come to your yard and coyotes that regularly eat human food are more likely to have conflicts with humans or pets.

Lastly, have a strategy in place in the event that you go into your backyard and see a coyote, or if you are out walking your dog and see or sense a coyote. The most common advice is to make loud noises to  frighten the predators. I carry a Birdie personal safety alarm which has a 130 dB siren, something as loud and noisy as that will scare them away. Alternatively, you can purchase a whistle, inexpensive and again a loud noise that will scare them away.

These animals are a protected species in our environment and are part of the natural wildlife. It is important to preserve them but to respect the fact that they are wild animals and to live in harmony with them follow the guidance to keep yourselves, your children and your pets safe and free from harm.

Aging is a very natural process of a dog’s life. As dogs get into their golden years, they can have less energy, their sight or hearing may be impacted, and they have a higher risk of developing kidney or liver disease, diabetes or become obese. Additionally, you may find that they can seem confused or disorientated, or more prone to being anxious or fearful of loud noises than they used to be.

Walking
As dogs age, they can slow down and their exercise needs may change. The dog that used to be your jogging partner may no longer be able to keep up with you anymore. Be sensitive to that, and instead of expecting them to be by your side as you run at a steady pace, swap to low impact exercise such as a leisurely or brisk walk, allowing them to sniff and smell more and therefore get mentally stimulated.

Physical exercise is still very important for them to maintain a healthy body and a healthy mind. Be mindful on walks of steep inclines that may become difficult for your dog now that he is older and also going down a steep hill. Some dogs as they age may develop muscle atrophy and their legs will not be strong enough to always cope with steepness or a sharp slope. Senior dogs can also be more sensitive to the climate, so be sure that they seem comfortable on their walk.

If their exercise needs have changed, it will be time to change their diet to one that is lower in fat and less calories to prevent weight gain as this can lead to obesity and trigger such things as diabetes. If this is the case, it’s a good idea to talk to your Veterinarian to get their advice on what you should be feeding your senior dog.

​Grooming
Regular grooming remains important. As dogs age their coats and skin change. It can be drier, flaky and irritated, which if not cared for properly can become worse. Brush them regularly to keep an eye on this, removing any mats or tangles and if you notice changes, talk to your veterinarian.

Veterinarian check-ups
These become more important as a dog gets older to give your veterinarian the chance to determine if something is wrong and if so, be able to implement a treatment plan straight away. Just like humans as dogs age they can develop ailments such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, or joint problems. If left untreated they can be very painful conditions for your dog to live with and can affect their mood, appetite and overall quality of life. 

Dental hygiene for your senior dog is something that you need to be vigilant about and your veterinarian will keep a check on this, as poor dental care can have an impact to the health of other organs of their body, just as it can for humans. Therefore, regular brushing, oral chews, or oral teeth care products that you can put into water bowls are all ways to keep their teeth in good condition.  Regular vet checks at least twice a year is therefore a good idea and keeping up with flea, tick and heart-worm treatments (depending on where you live) are still necessary to keep your senior dog healthy.

​Changes to their home environment
When your dog was a puppy you probably had to puppy proof your home! Now as your dog is older to enable him to get around the home with ease you may have to make some accommodations such as ramps for them to get onto chairs or into the car especially if your dog has joint problems, muscle atrophy or arthritis. Heated mats or beds are a good idea for achy joints. If your dog becomes visually impaired having easy access to water bowls is important plus keeping furniture in the same place will prevent your dog from hitting into things which could result in injury.

Spend time with them
Finally, as our dogs age it is very important to spend time with them. Older dogs can become more anxious especially if they are hard of hearing or their sight becomes impaired. But by keeping to a routine with them so that they know what to expect and when, that helps to alleviate anxieties. Give back to them what they have given to you over the years, loyalty. It may be a little extra work, but it is very rewarding.
 
While writing this particular blog I do so with my two West Highland White Terriers in mind who are now 13 and 11 years old. They have given my husband and I such joy over the years and continue to do so. They have also shown how robust and adaptable they are with the many times during their lives with us that we have had to move from country to country. They always travelled well and adapted to their new surroundings very quickly just taking on what life threw at them and embracing it.

​The Holidays is a lovely time of year with beautiful decorations adorning our homes and plenty of delicious savory and sweet food on the menu!  In order to have a safe festive season for all the family including your dogs please keep in mind some of the things that can be harmful and dangerous to them.

​Here is a list of things to keep your dogs away from to keep them safe:

Décor:

• Christmas ornaments
• Christmas lights
• Tinsel and ribbon
• Plants and flowers such as Lilies, Poinsettias, Amaryllis
• The needles on fresh Christmas trees
• The water that the tree is standing in
• Mistle toe
• The berries on Holly

Food Items:

• If your dogs are sharing in the Christmas turkey only give them the white meat.  No dark meat, skin and no cooked bones
• Onions
• Grapes, raisins and sultanas
• Fruit cake and Mince pies as they contain raisins and sultanas
• Chocolate
• Macadamia nuts
• Sweets and Sweet wrappers
• Alcohol

​If you want to treat your dogs as you tuck into your festive meals remember there are lots of different recipes that you can find to fill a Kong and freeze it for their treat and remember to get your dogs out for walks!  The fresh air will be good for them and good for us after our delicious meals.

Happy Holidays Everyone!  Best wishes for a healthy and safe New Year, 2021!

written by Aurora James, Reprinted with permission.

The pandemic has made nearly every aspect of our lives more complicated. Individuals and businesses everywhere have had to figure out new ways to survive. This is as true for pet shelters as it is for anyone else. Shelters have had to deal with running on a skeleton crew in order to keep staff and volunteers as safe as possible. Many are stretched thin with no sign of relief. This is hard on shelter workers and the animals they care for.
 
The good news is, you can help. Adopting or fostering an animal during COVID-19 makes a huge difference. If you take in a dog, Chitra Walmsley can help you figure out the best training techniques for your new pal. Here are some more tips for welcoming a new pet into your home during the pandemic.

Choosing a Pet 
It's important to pick a pet that's a good fit for your home and family.

• High-energy, outdoorsy families could do well with a younger dog.
• Cats are a great first pet for teens, since they’re affectionate, don’t need much training, and can handle some space.
• If you have younger kids, it might be wise to avoid senior pets or pets with health issues, who often need space and gentle interactions.

Gearing Up
These tools will make your pet journey smoother.

• For dogs, basics include a collar, leash, and crate. It’s also wise to install a fence so your pal can roam safely in your yard.
• Cats need a litter box, scratch-safe surfaces, and climbable structures.
• All pets need appropriate, high-quality pet food, including treats.

Mutually Beneficial
Bringing a pet home is good for you, too.

• Many people are facing social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19.
• Pets are a great source of comfort and company.
• It doesn’t just feel good to have a pet around - they actually reduce rates of mental illness and can even improve physical health.

Pet shelters need adopters and foster families to stay functional during the pandemic. When you bring an animal home, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, you make their job easier, and that animal’s life better. Plus, there’s a very high chance they’ll make your life better, too.

New dog not behaving as well as you’d like? Reach out to Chitra Walmsley for training advice and guidance.

Author: Aurora James
Website: http://dogetiquette.info
Email: aurora@dogetiquette.info

Photo Credit: Pexels

As well as working with clients “virtually” when shutdown began in March 2020 I also continued my growth and education in the dog training and behavior field and am now a proud graduate of the Victoria Stilwell for Dog Training and Behavior Academy!

As many of my clients know, continuing my education in the field of dog training and dog behavior is of paramount importance to me so that I keep my knowledge and skills fresh and current.  I do this each year by attending conferences, webinars, reading books by renowned trainers and each year choose a course that I feel with further my development.
​
This year I chose to do the Victoria Stilwell dog training and behavior course.  I have followed Victoria for many years and am a great admirer in her belief of positive/force free training but also of the huge work she does both here in the USA and the UK to really drive this training philosophy forward.  She also does a lot of work to promote and support rescue and shelter dogs, something that is very dear to her heart.

The Victoria Stilwell Academy is the world’s premier institution for professional dog trainer education founded by renowned dog behavior expert Victoria Stilwell, and graduates of VSA have been individually taught in-person by Stilwell and other VSA faculty. All VSA graduates are rigorously assessed at the highest level for both skills and knowledge in the areas of dog training, behavior modification, canine ethology, creative problem-solving and more.

Additionally, great emphasis is placed within VSA’s industry-leading curriculum upon effective and empathetic human communication skills. This unique focus results in professional dog trainers who are prepared not just to train dogs successfully using powerful force-free, positive reinforcement-based tools and techniques, but also to help dog owner clients to learn how to truly transform canine behavior and set their dogs up for success using the latest in modern behavioral science methods.

I throughly enjoyed doing the course and am delighted to be part of the Academy where I will continue to receive good input from fellow trainers and a support network.  The course also kept me focused during what has been a very stressful and difficult time for us all!

For any aspiring dog trainers out there I highly recommend this course, details of which can be found below.

https://www.vsdogtrainingacademy.com/