Tips & More

A PET'S 10 COMMANDMENTS:

  1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
  2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
  3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
  4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments— but I have only you.
  5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your tone of voice when speaking to me.
  6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
  7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet I choose not to.
  8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I've been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
  9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
  10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you.

You will cherish your dog for years to come, and for that reason choosing a dog trainer is a very important decision. Choose an experienced dog trainer with a proven record of success... choose Obedient Dogs and More.

To have a good dog, you must meet their basic needs. Problem behavior in dogs results when we do not meet these basic needs, which are:

  • A sense of security: Dogs need a steady routine and owners they can count on for love and safety.
  • Companionship: Dogs are pack animals. They need attention and interaction with humans.
  • Understanding the hierarchy: They need to know their owner is the leader. When two or more dogs are in the home, owners should choose the hierarchy.
  • Surprises and excitement: Bored dogs find ways to entertain themselves by digging, chewing, and barking. Treats, walks, and other stimulating exercise motivate good behavior.

~ Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters. ~

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Tip:  Rawhide chews pose potential health risks. Rawhide can cause either vomiting or diarrhea from the many pieces still sitting undigested in the GI tract. If large pieces are swallowed they can lodge in the throat and cause choking. Large pieces can also scrape and irritate the throat and esophagus. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, rawhide may create a physical obstruction. Some rawhide may create a risk of Salmonella or have an arsenic-based preservative.

Tip:  Your dog's training should be based on its individual personality, past and present behavior, aptitude for learning, breed characteristics, social development, and most importantly your family's goals. Not every dog can fit into one "method" of training and therefore it is important to find a trainer that has the ability to modify your dog's training based on your dog and your goals. Your dog's training should be designed to teach your dog useful obedience commands, good manners, and acceptable behavior patterns. Your dog's training would not be complete without you, the owner, learning how to properly handle and effectively communicate with your dog.

Tip:  It's important to have your puppy accustomed to being handled by people from the day he comes home. This will greatly influence his grooming routine and help with grooming and veterinarian visits. He must accept being handled on all parts of the body. A massage is a good way to train your puppy to be touched. Be sure to praise your puppy when cooperating. Keep initial massage sessions short, but don't end sessions when the puppy squirms or protests. Unfortunately, many owners stop at the first protest. You should continue handling, otherwise your puppy will learn that struggling will get him his way. It's important that you, the owner, decide when to end the handling.

Tip:  Practice the 3 D's... When working with your dog, all commands are given so you can extend the duration held, the distance you can move away from the dog and still hold command, while adding distractions.

Tip:  Workouts: Keep workouts short so dogs do not get bored or overly tired. It has to be fun for both you and the dog.

Tip:  Rehabilitation: Changing a dog's behavior is not about "fixing it". It is about you creating an understanding for what you want, not what you are feeling. Dogs pick up on feelings of fear, doubt, or worry— and they move to fill them by attempting to become dominant.

Just as children need discipline, so do dogs. Don't expect more from the dogs than you do from the kids. Give them rules, limitations, and boundaries as well as love.

Dogs are not human... before love and affection, they need direction and leadership. There are only two types of dogs, Alpha and Follower. If humans fail to lead, they will.

Tip:  Crate training is the easiest way to prevent misbehavior such as inappropriate chewing or housebreaking accidents with your new puppy. These "playpens" prevent a puppy from hurting himself or getting into trouble when you are away or cannot supervise. Do not use your puppy's crate for discipline or punishment. Feed your puppy in the crate to allow a positive association to form. Never leave your puppy in the crate wearing any type of collar, and remove potentially harmful objects.

Tip:  It is important to prepare your dog(s) for the arrival of a new baby as soon as possible. Even a well-trained and mannered dog may show signs of jealousy if the change is made abruptly. Consult with a trainer and start preparation exercises no less than two months prior to the expected arrival of the baby.