The teenage stage can be the most trying of all for some dog parents. You may find yourself doggedly challenged. Are you experiencing any of the following behavioral responses?

• Stubbornness

• Erratic behavior

• Inexplicable aggression

• Unwillingness to cooperate

• A propensity to be easily distracted

If you think I’m talking about your dog, think again. I’m talking about you! What I’m describing is the type of dog owner who is prone to find fault with training techniques. They think their dog is too stubborn or stupid to learn.

Many first-time dog owners are doggedly challenged. They feel as though their dog is purposely destroying things to get back at them for going to work. The listed behavioral responses begin to apply to the owner’s behavior, not their dog. You may have a family member or a spouse who fits into this category.

The doggedly challenged often complain that their puppy exhibits behavioral problems, not realizing they may not be meeting their dogs needs, either by not giving the dog enough exercise or proper chew bones.

Your puppy’s chewing and exercise needs can change within a few months as he matures from toddler to adolescent. If you don’t keep up with the changes, the result could be occasional destruction. What I mean by keeping up is buying more chew bones and providing enough exercise. What the owner sees as stubbornness or random acts of destruction on the part of his new pup is simply the growing pains of puppyhood, or a symptom of the owner’s inconsistency.

Do not give your dog items to chew like old shoes. Your dog does not know the difference between new and old. This inconsistency, or laziness, just confuses your dog. It is up to you to show your dog what to chew.

Keep in mind that chewing is simply a stage of development, not bad behavior directed at you. Your puppy may begin to need more exercise and stimulation before being gated or left alone while you are at work.

There are sprays available to help protect furniture and cabinets that detour puppies from chewing on things that they shouldn’t. In addition to puppy proofing in your home, you need to compensate by providing more exercise and training. If anything, this is the most crucial time to keep the training going. Hang in there, it does get easier! Give your dog the benefit of the doubt, and stick with the process of training. Sometimes the only way to get around something is to go through it.

YES!

Why? Because neutering your male dog can prevent certain testicular cancers and make for a better family pet.

6 great reasons to neuter your pet!

1. It is the responsible thing to do as a pet owner.

2. Generally, neutered dogs make better pets and are easier to train.

3. Neutering will NOT alter his personality or make him fat or lazy. That’s a myth!

4. Neutering can prevent certain possible cancers in the future.

5. It can tone down overly boisterous behavior and frequent urination known as marking.

6. It allows you to socialize your dog with other buddies with less potential aggression.

Name: GiGi

Nickname: GeeBee, Gigerson, Squir Grr

Breed: Toy Poodle

Age: 2 years, owned since 8 weeks

Location: North Carolina

Dog Owner Issues: Occasionally pees in house, downright aggressive at the groomer’s, beggar for human food

Partner In Crime: Alex the cat

Baths and nail clippings are OK with this doggie diva, but GiGi has issues with getting a hair cut. She growls, bears her teeth, bites the groomer, and wiggles and tries to get loose–but only when her body is being shaved–not her face. Her owner drives her 3 hours just to be groomed by the only groomer who will accept her. She has been turned away from several groomers and told never to return! Now when being shaved, she has to be given a sedative.

A loved and pampered girl with a bad hair day! GiGi’s owner has even attempted to shave her at home–the end result being a wiggling, biting ball of poodle that ends up looking like the photo to the right. Glam gone wrong!

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… Quick tips for grooming!

1. Long walks or a massive amount of exercise at the dog park will create a mellow dog and work better than a sedative.

2. Use foresight (a leash) and a little reverse psychology (dried liver doggie treats work wonders–a little goes a long way)

3. Have clarity. Be prepared. Practice brushing your dog. This gets your dog used to being touched and the leash gives you control. Take short breaks and reward with a small bite of a treat. Use a happy voice while directing your dog to stand. If she growls, shows her teeth or snaps, say “No!” firmly with a quick tug on the leash. The quick tug acts like a tap on someone’s shoulder. It creates eye contact and suggests that you mean business. Then in a nice voice praise your dog and continue the grooming.

Part of the problem of dogs who do not like being groomed is that they are allowed to have the power. Everyone backs off when they are unhappy. Divas love being pampered. Setting up the process differently will send a message of a spa treatment–not a torture trip.

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… Creating positive energy in your house through play!

1. For small dog owners: Take your dog on a quick potty break before and after playing fetch in the house.

2. Play fetch, not tug of war. Fetch is a better exercise and doesn’t promote growling.

3. Have your dog seek you out instead of chasing him.

4. It’s better to throw the ball out and away from your dog, never up. Throwing the ball high up in the air can cause injuries in most breeds such as a torn cruciate ligament in the knee, which is very painful and expensive to fix. Definitely not worth it.

5. The Hulk Hogan style of wrestling in your living room promotes biting/growling. You’re better off creating a jogging partner to let off steam after work.

Your daily quick tip!

Paws for a minute and check this out! Put your dog on a leash for just a few minutes, every so often, and walk around your house. This is a great way to achieve eye contact and practice heeling without any distractions!

Occasionally, stop and say “sit” while gently lifting up on the leash. I know it sounds a little crazy, but it really works.

Simple. No treats. Just focus and love.

Paws for a Minuteâ„¢… Fido Facts for HUMPING!

1. Spay and neuter your dogs! Both males and females can do this doggie dominance dance. Fixing your dog is the healthy way to go. It may take months for your dog’s hormone levels to drop.

2. Don’t let this act become a behavior over time. Feel free to step in and stop the madness. This equal opportunity dance should be discouraged. Saying a simple, firm “No!” and then guiding your dog to sit will avert his behavior from humping to focusing on a positive command.

3. FYI – allowing your young, spunky dog to hump older dogs in dog parks can lead to fights! On-leash training of basic commands (regularly) creates eye contact and offers praise for your doing something fantastic. Respect and communication levels rise and you become the big boss over your dog. This is a great way to get the hump de hump to stop.

Have a great Wednesday!

If you live in the St. Louis area, make sure to tune in to “The Carney Show” on KMOX 1120 AM at 10:40 pm central time tonight! Looking forward to solving doggie dilemmas in the midwest!

Why?

1. Fetch is a great aerobic exercise that takes the edge off.
2. Playing fetch before walks can make training techniques gel.
3. Combined with walks and proper feeding, it can slim down overweight dogs.
4. Once a ball-o-holic, dogs become calm.
5. Fetch induces play outside, rather than in your living room.

Get:

1. Special ball (used for fetch only). Little dogs/puppies=small squeaky ball. Bigger/adult dogs=regular tennis ball. Senior dogs=soft plush ball.
2. Multiple dog owners: each dog should have their own ball.
3. Keep ball in a special drawer. Bring out for fetch only.
4. Treats. See what works. Dry, chewy treats are best, rather than crunchy treats.

How?

1. Formalize this game!
2. Play with one dog at a time.
3. Put treat in your pocket.
4. Get dog and the ball.
5. Be excited!

Creating the Ball-O-Holic:

1. Hold the ball in your hand and gesture the letter “J” and say “Sit.”
2. In an excited voice say “OK!” and toss the ball!
3. Crouch down and once your dog gets the ball begin clapping your hands.
4. As your dog comes to you with the ball, reach into your back pocket (getting the treat) and suddenly stand up saying “Sit!”
5. Your dog will spit out the ball for the treat. Reach for the ball and give your dog the treat.
6. Begin process again.

When?

1. Play fetch before a walk.
2. Play fetch before a meal, then wait one hour to feed.
3. Always take your dog to the potty before and after fetch, formally on a leash.
4. Play fetch before guests come over to your house to have a tired, calm dog.

Key:

1. Only toss ball twice the first day.
2. Second day three times.
3. Third day four times, and so on…
4. Always put the ball away in a special ‘fetch drawer.’

WARNING!

1. Play fetch, wait an hour, then feed your dog.
2. DO NOT feed your dog and then play fetch.
3. Monitor water intake after fetch. Large rib caged dogs (big and little, including: Golden Retrievers, Dachshunds, German Shepherd Dogs, Pugs, etc.) can gulp water and get air trapped causing BLOAT.
4. Monitor time of day and heat. The best time to play fetch is early morning and late afternoon.

Does your pup really know what he’s done wrong? The answer to this is no! There are many myths, random techniques and confusion as to whether to, or how to reprimand or your puppy for having a mistake in your house. I will cover this topic often. Again, your dog may look like he knows exactly what evil deed he’s done, but I assure you, he is merely responding to your voice inflection and body language! Oh yes, he may know you are mad, however, he is not understanding what you are mad at!

Why is this true? Dogs associate through smell. They are also pack animals. Therefore they need to be guided and the leash helps all dog owners guide their dogs–rather than hoping they follow them. Many households include children and other animals which creates built-in A.D.D. for a puppy. It’s better to be a little smarter than your dog!  Often people have the impression that dogs either ‘get it’ or don’t and look too much to their dog to indicate their need to relieve themselves. You need to be the one to teach him, not hope that your pup miraculously gets the concept of peeing outside.

Paws For A Minute â„¢ quick tip: 5 steps to potty success!

1. If your puppy has had an accident in the house, do not say a word!

Yup, stay silent. Why? Because going to the bathroom is a function of a dog. Everyone has to go to the bathroom. Where they go to the bathroom becomes a behavior over time.

2. Crouch down–this body language will get him to come over to you.

3. Put the leash on your dog. This helps to guide him over to the mistake without resisting and isolates the issue. Get paper towel to clean the mistake.

4. Guide your pup on  leash over to the scent of  urine or poop. Silently, guide him over to where he had the mistake and put his nose near the mistake, NOT in it. Your puppy will resist a little, however, you are isolating the scent and directly communicating to your dog with your voice by saying in a firm, low voice the word “NO!”

5. Clean up the mistake a little and then say “Outside!” in a really happy voice and guide your puppy outdoors. This indicates the route outside!  Hello! How else would he know? Just  saying the word “No!” to a puppy is not enough. You can clean up the rest of the mess later. Oh, and don’t forget the Natures Miracle brand carpet cleaner to sanitize the mistake so your dog doesn’t return to the spot later.

I promise you that putting your dog in a crate or outdoors to think about “what” they have done wrong as a punishment does nothing! Your dog may know that you are mad, but not “what” you are mad at. I hope this makes logical sense to you. You must put a positive spin on the ending of a reprimand with a dog. Guiding your dog outdoors on a leash shows your pup where you want it to go to the bathroom. I know your puppy may look at you like you’re from planet Mars, but I assure you that over time this process will work!

I’m so excited to be invited to this evening’s cultivation of a new, young and energized philanthropic group—T.A.I.L.S-Towards Animals In Loving Spaces under the Mayor’s Alliance of NYC.

The Mayors Alliance is a coalition of foundations, rescue groups, shelters and the ASPCA that are united for the single purpose to end the killing of healthy and treatable dogs and cats at Animal Care and Control of New York by 2015. This collective effort, originally founded by Maddie’s Fund, The Pet Rescue Foundation in 2002, now has 160 Alliance Participating Organizations each contributing their own voice and dedication to a common cause.

I hope to bring my own experience and expertise to the infrastructure of this new organization to convey the message of ADOPT but to also educate the community as to why these shelters are overflowing in the first place.

Kudos to New Yorkers for this initiative and on setting an example for what is possible in other cities around the country!