Happy Go Lucky Dog Training http://happygoluckydog.com Postitive methods. Rewarding results. Tue, 09 Nov 2010 22:06:22 +0000 en hourly 1 Dog Park Etiquette http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dog-park-etiquette http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dog-park-etiquette#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:41:54 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=618 Dog Park Etiquette: A Trainer’s Point of View Over the years at Happy-Go-Lucky we’ve seen countless dogs at play in our daycare (1999-2007) and classes. Our Certified Pet Dog Trainers have spent years observing dog behavior and interactions. From this experience we have put together some tips on determining if an off-leash dog park is right for your dog – and what you may want to work on to help them be polite, safe and comfortable at the dog park.

What we like about dog parks

  • give dogs a chance to socialize in safe environment
  • provide dogs with needed exercise
  • BUT...success of dog park depends on courteous and conscientious participants

What makes a good dog park dog?

  • a dog that has history of appropriate play with other dogs
  • a dog that is friendly toward all types of people
  • over age 5 months and spayed/neutered
  • strong bond with owner
  • some basic obedience skills, including solid recall
  • ability to share toys and food (no guarding)
  • some impulse control (no Tarzan behavior)
  • good physical health
  • demonstrated bite inhibition (gentle with teeth)

What makes a good dog park person?

  • strong bond with their dog
  • uses positive reinforcement to give their dog information and feedback
  • knowledge of appropriate play behavior
  • willingness to interrupt and interact with their dog while at the dog park
  • tolerance for different dogs’ play styles
  • comes prepared with water and poop bags to share
  • gives their dog other outlets for exercise and socialization besides the dog park
  • understands that 10 minutes of fun and/or one positive experience is better than 30 minutes of rude behavior and bullying (or getting bullied)

Some words of caution:

  • A dog park is not the place to see if your dog can “work out issues” (dog aggression, people aggression, etc).
  • A dog park should be for the mental and physical health of the dog.
  • A dog park should not be the dog’s sole opportunity to exercise and socialize.

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dog-park-etiquette/feed 0 Looking for a dog daycare? http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/looking-for-a-dog-daycare http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/looking-for-a-dog-daycare#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:27:17 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=610 Questions to ask when looking for a dog daycare The following questions are intended to help you decide on a dog daycare that’s right for you and your dog. Because there are so many differing opinions and levels of expertise, we encourage you to visit and observe each option you are considering before taking your own dog.

1. Screening Process

What are the steps in an evaluation? What are the qualifications of the evaluator? Do the dogs have to be friendly with strangers? Do the dogs have to be friendly with children? What if a dog is collar shy?

2. Supervision

How many dogs are allowed in the space? What is the ratio of people to dogs? Is there someone with the dogs at all times? What is the experience of the staff? Is there training involved? If so, what kind? Are volunteers allowed to supervise?

3. Behavior management

What kind of techniques are used to control the group? ❏ Name recognition and prevention (calling the dogs out and rewarding) ❏ Treats for appropriate behavior ❏ Shouting/yelling* ❏ Time outs (crate, pen, other room) ❏ Squirt bottles* ❏ Physical “correction” (alpha rolls, collar checks, muzzle grabs, etc.)* ❏ Bitter Apple/flavored deterrents* ❏ Electronic shock and/or citronella collars* *CAUTION: There are side effects to aversives for many dogs. You may want to research these fully. Are the dogs allowed to bark? What is done to avoid excessive barking? What is done about “bullying” behavior? What is done about “mounting” behavior? What is done about resource guarding (toys/treats)? How are small dogs protected? Are they supervised separately? Are the dogs able to run and/or play fetch? What kind of toys are allowed? Is there a nap time?

4. Cleanliness

Is there a designated “potty area”? Is it plumbed (able to be fully sanitized)? Where are the dogs allowed to eliminate? What happens if a dog has an “accident” inside? How often are the floors and walls cleaned? Smell check — Will my dog bring home the aroma?

5. Safety/Environment

Are there double entries and exits? Is the fencing safe for small dogs? For jumping dogs? Is fencing and/or windows exposed to passers-by (bicyclists, joggers, children, etc)? Are electrical cords kept out of dogs’ reach? What is done in case of veterinary emergency?

6. Special Needs

What if my dog has allergies? What if I am late to pick up my dog? What if my dog is extremely shy with other dogs?

7. Customer Service

What kind of “report” do I get at the end of the day? What other services are available? What are the payment options? Will the staff make training recommendations?

8. Reasons for Expulsion

What gets a dog “kicked out” of daycare? Happy-Go-Lucky opened Portland's first daycare for dogs in 1999. We sold to one of our staff members in 2007, and it now operates (in our building, but as a separate business) as Ruby's Daycare for Dogs.

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/looking-for-a-dog-daycare/feed 0 Home Alone Time http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/home-alone-time http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/home-alone-time#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:54:43 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=555 Home Alone Time Dogs are social animals which can make home alone time difficult. Dogs that cannot manage being left alone are anxious and as a result may be vocal, destructive or have potty accidents inside. Our responsibility is to teach our dogs to cope and relax in our absence. There are a number of things you can do to help your dog learn to be alone:
  1. Exercise your dog before you leave. He’ll be happier and more likely to relax if he’s burned off some energy. “A tired dog is a good dog!”
  2. Provide a safe area for your dog to spend time alone so he can’t be practicing inappropriate behaviors (chewing on the furniture, barking at windows, eliminating on the rug, etc.). Use a crate for up to 4 hours max, an exercise pen or a dog-proofed room with a baby gate for longer periods of time. (See crate training for specifics.)
  3. Provide your dog with safe toys/activities during your absence. Some ideas: stuffed Kong toys, Buster Cubes, treat balls, Nylabones, hidden treats, etc.
  4. Begin with short absences and build duration with success.
  5. Play the radio or turn on the television. These are noises associated with your presence and will also help to mask noises outside.
  6. Keep your departures and arrivals calm and unemotional.
  7. Do not let your dog out of confinement if he is being vocal or out of control. Reward your dog with freedom when he is quiet and relatively calm.
As your dog matures and is handling home alone time well, you can increase his freedom gradually. If your dog experiences difficulty at any point, go back to limiting his space for awhile. If you encounter problems or have questions, please contact your trainer.

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/home-alone-time/feed 0 Crate Training http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/crate-training http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/crate-training#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:28:59 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=547 Crate Training Crate training is a wonderful aid for a variety of reasons. It's helpful for short-term confinement of your dog (up to 4 hours max) when you can’t supervise him. If he’s in his safe, quiet crate relaxing with a stuffed Kong®/chewie, he won’t be practicing “inappropriate” behavior – like chewing on the wrong things, having potty mistakes, barking at windows, etc. Crates can also make traveling a safer experience for driver and dog. In addition, crates are a good option if your dog is wound up and over-stimulated. Sometimes dogs just need a break (and so might you)!

Size & variety

There are many different types of crates to choose from. Some are made of tough plastic, others are made of metal. Plastic crates are lighter weight and are easier to transport. Exercise pens (made of metal) are another option for confining your dog. Exercise pens are similar to a playpen and you can adjust the shape and/or size accordingly. If your dog is a jumper, you might want to consider purchasing a lid for the pen, or just use a crate instead. If you are house training your dog, make sure your dog doesn’t have enough room to sleep on one side and potty on the other. Remember, dogs have a natural instinct to keep their bed clean. The crate should have enough space for your dog to comfortably stand, turn around, and lie down. If you want to save money in the long run, buy a crate for your dog to grow into and block part of it off to make the space smaller. This will help prevent potty accidents from occurring inside the crate.

Introducing the crate

Introduce your dog to the crate in a positive, upbeat way. Leave the crate door open and toss in delicious snacks for your dog. When your dog goes in to eat the treats, praise and continue to drop snacks into the crate while your dog remains inside. Keep these initial training sessions short. You can also feed your dog his meals in the crate. Once your dog is willingly going into his crate, stuff a Kong® toy or get an exciting chewie, show it to your dog, toss it into the crate, and then shut the door (with your dog still on the outside). Hopefully your dog will be dying to get into his crate. Open the door, allow the dog in and while he’s happily chewing shut the crate door. Open the door while your dog is still enjoying his toy and give him the opportunity to come out. With each training session, see if you can extend the amount of time the door remains shut. After some positive training sessions, your dog should start to look forward to crate time. If, however, your dog starts to complain (bark, whine, etc), ignore the behavior and wait until he is quiet for a few seconds before you let him out. If you open the crate door when he’s loud, he’ll learn complaining is an effective strategy to gain freedom and will probably be louder and more persistent in the future. If you encounter problems or have questions, please contact your trainer.

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/crate-training/feed 0 Socialization http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/socialization http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/socialization#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:23:16 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=541 Puppy Socialization

New Puppy? Now’s the time to socialize!

Puppies socialize much easier than adolescent or adult dogs – so get started! Expose your puppy to a variety of people, animals, sights, sounds, surfaces, places, etc. to insure he develops into a confident, stable adult with a wonderful temperament. Inadequate socialization can result in a dog who is ill-equipped to deal with life. These dogs are stressed, lack confidence and, as a result, may bite and/or fight. Early, thorough socialization can help avoid these problems. If you wait until your pup is grown up, you may have to play “catch-up” which can take a long time and be less successful. As many people as possible should positively interact with your pup, giving him treats, playing with him, petting him, etc. All of these interactions will teach your dog that humans are fun to have around. If your pup seems shy or fearful, get to work as soon as possible! These pups need help boosting their confidence. Use treats, praise and petting for all brave behaviors. Ignore fearful behaviors. Let your shy guy progress at his own pace. Make a concerted effort to socialize your puppy while he is young, but continue the process once he has grown. If you stop exposing your dog to things, over time he can become unsocialized. Socialization must be an active, positive and pleasant experience for him. Puppy Kindergarten is a great place to start!

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/socialization/feed 0 Exercise http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/exercise http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/exercise#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:55:58 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=527 Exercise

“A tired dog is a good dog.”

All dogs need and deserve adequate mental and physical exercise. If their exercise requirements are met, they will be more likely to be happy, healthy and well-behaved. Dogs with an excess of energy can become stressed and/or develop behavioral problems such as destructive chewing or excessive barking. Create both mental and physical workout programs for your dog so he doesn’t invent his own!

Physical exercise

A 15-minute walk once or even twice a day is not enough for most adolescent/adult dogs. Try to schedule two physical exercise sessions for your dog daily. One session should occur in the morning and the other in the late afternoon or evening. Each session should generally last around 30 minutes (or longer for some dogs). Playing fetch uphill, running around in a fenced tennis court, calling your dog back-and-forth while increasing distance, or playing with other dog pals are all heart-pumping activities that can wear out your dog. You can even make a toy — like a ball hanging from a rafter or tree, or a fluffy toy on the end of a horse whip — to give your dog something to chase. Any way you do it, that tongue should be hanging out at the end of a session! Important note for puppies: Puppy joints have not fully developed, so do not allow a lot of high impact activity (ie: jumping/running, especially on concrete) or long bouts of physical exercise. If your dog is out of shape, make sure that you condition him slowly (just as you would if training to run a marathon). Elderly dogs need exercise to stay healthy too, but they generally won’t need as much as younger dogs. Ask your vet if you have questions or concerns.

Mental exercise

Mental exercise for your dog helps to keep his mind busy with appropriate activities. Instead of feeding your dog solely out of a bowl, fill interactive toys like Kongs or Buster Cubes with his meal. Hide dry food in the yard or house, put food in a pop bottle (as long as he won’t eat the plastic!), or use his food to practice his obedience training. Be creative! Playing games with your dog like “find it” or “hide and seek” can also be a good mental workout. (For more games and descriptions, see Appropriate Play) Remember, a dog that receives enough physical and mental exercise is much more likely to be well-behaved. So get out there and have some fun with your dog!

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/exercise/feed 0 Housetraining http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/housetraining http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/housetraining#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:38:10 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=516 Housetraining When a puppy is with his mother and littermates, he learns to eliminate away from the sleeping area. We can make use of this natural instinct when housetraining our puppies. Your job will be to teach your puppy where and when to eliminate.

Careful supervision is key!

Supervise your puppy to avoid accidents when your puppy is allowed freedom in the house. Don’t let your puppy develop bad habits! If you can’t supervise your pup, put him in his short-term confinement area (crate, exercise pen or, if you’re in the room, a leash attached to a couch leg) with a stuffed Kong or chewie to keep him occupied. His area should only have enough room for him to rest in it. If puppies have too much space, they may sleep on one side and eliminate on the other. Learn to recognize your pup’s “potty signals” (sniffing, circling, raised tail, etc) and hurry him outside before he has a chance to make a mistake. Know approximately how often your pup needs to go out and accommodate his schedule as much as possible. For example, if your pup needs to eliminate every 20 minutes, make a point to take him outside every 15 minutes. Use a timer if necessary. As your pup is successful, slowly start increasing the amount of time between potty breaks. When outside, introduce your potty command such as, “go potty” or “hurry up” immediately before your pup starts to eliminate. After your pup has done his business, reward him with praise and a treat. Eventually, your pup will be conditioned to potty on command. If your pup does not potty outside and you think he should have, return him to his crate and try again after 10-15 minutes.

More tips for success:

  • Take your pup out after he eats, sleeps or plays.
  • Feed your pup at the same times daily. Your pup’s digestive system will be on more of a schedule.
  • Remove the water bowl approximately 1-2 hours before bedtime (except during hot weather).
  • If your pup has an accident inside, eliminate the odor with an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature’s Miracle®.
If your pup starts to potty inside the house in front of you say “oh-oh” and rush him outside. Punishing your pup for mistakes is ineffective and counterproductive. If your dog must be left for longer periods of time, you should set up an area with your pup’s bed, stuffed Kong®/indestructible toys on one side and a potty area (newspapers, potty pads, doggie litter boxes are some possibilities) on the other. This area should have a non-porous floor that cleans easily. Dog walkers can be hired to let your dog out for a play and potty session in the yard. As your pup gets older, you can expect that his bladder and bowel control will improve and you can remove the indoor potty when appropriate. Many people find dog doors to be helpful. Just make sure that your dog is safely contained and protected in the yard.  

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/housetraining/feed 0 Playbiting http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/playbiting-mouthiness http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/playbiting-mouthiness#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:28:22 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=510 Playbiting & Mouthiness Puppies explore their world and initiate interactions with their mouths. This is normal puppy behavior. When puppies play, they bite one another. If a play bite is too hard, one of the puppies will yelp and stop playing. This teaches the rough puppy to inhibit his bite if he wants play to continue. We can do the same thing with our puppies to teach them bite inhibition with people.

Step 1: Teaching bite inhibition

You can ignore the soft mouthing, but as soon as the bite is too hard say, “OW!” and time-out your puppy. A time-out is the removal of your attention and should not last more than a moment or two. A few different types of time-outs include: turning away from your puppy and ignoring him, placing your puppy in a crate or puppy-proofed room, or you can leave the room (be careful to make sure the room is puppy-proofed). Once you’ve given your puppy his time-out, begin interactions with him again. If your puppy is biting you, you can also redirect him to an appropriate toy. Appropriate and consistent use of “OW!”, timeouts and teaching your puppy appropriate games and toys for their mouths will make a big difference in your puppy’s understanding of bite inhibition.

Step 2: No teeth!

After practicing this for a few weeks, the rules should change slightly to become: any puppy teeth on human skin ends all interactions. Note: If you pay attention to your puppy when he bites too hard by grabbing his muzzle, angrily yelling at him, pushing him away, etc the biting may get worse. All of these corrections can reinforce your puppy for biting. Remember, puppies that bite when they play are trying to get your attention. If your puppy is biting/snapping with serious intent, notify your trainer immediately.  

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/playbiting-mouthiness/feed 0 Leadership http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/leadership http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/leadership#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:16:15 +0000 john http://happygoluckydog.com/?p=504 Leadership All dogs need owners to provide leadership so they can be well-adjusted and polite family members. Without a leader to provide structure, guidelines and training, dogs may become pushy, out-of-control, prone to tantrums, stressed...you get the general idea. Being a leader does not mean being rough or harsh with our dogs. We can get the message across in a very friendly and firm manner. Being a leader to our dogs will help foster a relationship based on trust, respect and cooperation.

A dog's leader should…

  • be clear about expectations
  • set limits
  • train by teaching what is appropriate
  • be consistent, firm and fair
  • be calm and confident
  • NOT resort to physical punishment
  • control a dog’s valued resources (treats, play, petting) and use them as rewards. This means your dog has to do something for you to get one of these “life rewards.” Some examples: sit = dinner; come = playtime with dogs; down = belly rub; sit stay at door = go outside, etc. Your dog should work to earn the things he wants!
  • follow through. If you ask your dog to do something, make sure he is successful.
  • provide consequences for undesired behaviors (ie: dog tries to bolt out door = door closes, dog jumps up on you = dog is ignored, dog jumps up and snatches at treat in hand = treat goes away, etc.)
  • not bribe (“Sit, sit, sit...oh, ok here’s a treat… Now will you sit?").
  • ignore pushy behavior (shoving toys at you, pawing at you, etc.). Leaders begin and end interactions with their dogs.
Being your dog’s leader will help him become a confident, calm and well-mannered companion. Your direction will help pave the way to a happy, healthy and successful life together. Please contact your trainer with concerns or questions.

Recommended Reading

How to be Leader of the Pack, and have Your Dog Love You For It! by Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D.

©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.

]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/leadership/feed 0 Dogs & Children http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dogs-children http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dogs-children#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 21:14:51 +0000 admin http://happygoluckydog.com/wordpress/?p=246 Dogs & Children Dogs and children can have a wonderful time together with proper guidance and supervision. Left to their own devices, however, safety can become a major issue. Boisterous and loud children can be threatening or overstimulate a dog. Children can hug too hard, pull or poke and dogs can respond with a defensive bite. Yearly, countless children receive bites that could have been avoided. It is up to us to look out for the safety and well being of both dogs and children.

Its the adult's job to...

  • Introduce their dogs to lots of quiet, calm children at a variety of ages who can offer treats on a steady, flat palm.
  • recognize signs of stress in the dog and remove him from the children if necessary.
  • teach children to remain calm around the dog and play appropriate games like fetch.
  • teach children to ignore (time-out) the dog if he gets too rough or excited.
  • teach children to help with the dog’s training. Include trick training!
  • teach children to ask before petting a strange dog.
  • teach children how to pet/handle a dog.
  • teach your dog to accept and like being handled and restrained in a variety of ways (gentle ear tugs, hugs, head pats, feet touched, etc)
  • NEVER leave dogs and children unsupervised.
Dogs and children can learn to behave appropriately with each other only if we educate and manage them. All of their interactions should be as positive as possible. If your dog is showing signs of shyness, defensiveness and/or aggression toward children, please contact your trainer.   ©2009 Happy-Go-Lucky Dog Training. All rights reserved.]]> http://happygoluckydog.com/tips-and-tricks/dogs-children/feed 0