Shopping For A Dog On The Internet. Is It Love At First Sight Or Are You Being Scammed?

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Inger Martens

Looking for LOVE and how we find our best friend has been revolutionized over the last decade. The method of how we find “our dog” has morphed with technology. Finding a specific breed or that perfect “disney-like pup” has orbited into cyber space along with dating. Even in the unconditional love world of wet noses and wags, the internet has served as a double edge sword for many prospective dog owners. Unsuspecting and uneducated would-be dog parents can stumble upon puppy brokers guised within large internet companies that marked their territory by catering to fast demands of love-at-first site, no pun intended.

If you want a Jack Russell with one cute black eye, you can find it, buy it and have it shipped to you. The fast food-style of finding love in our new pup culture has it’s heartbreak. Sometimes years into the relationship of mutt-rimony issue’s can be revealed with health, temperament or impulse buys that become a mismatch of lifestyle. How do I know? As a long time dog trainer and pet expert, I have seen first-hand the issues and help resolve them empathetically.

The good new is that with people like Betsy Saul the co-founder of Petfinder.com the web can also change the face of animal welfare. Over 5 million people visit that site each month. The website is designed to find your designer dog (in a way) just like the other sites. The only difference is that you can really taylor it to you needs and rescue a puppy or older dog of your choice. Choose any color, size, age and even in your own state and viola you can find your match. They facilitate over 2 million adoptions a year. Since the website (and others) have been created, the number of adoptable pets being euthanized has dropped form over 16 million to an estimated 4 million. Congratulations and thank you!

Now that’s love! Happy Valentines Day

Your Pregnancy and the Family Dog: Are You Ready? 7 Questions…

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Inger Martens

Getting ready for baby may go beyond getting the perfect crib and proper car seat. To get your babe with big ears and a tail ready for the big day, may be become a source of anxiety. Most new mom’s to-be can have some concerns with how their dog is going to adjust.

Concern’s many parents to-be have range from wanting to teach their dog not to go into the new baby’s room and mark to craving a fix for pre-existing problems way before the baby arrives, so that everything is perfect. Issues can vary depending on the age of your dog and it’s socialization and training with and around children, and even training around food!

However, for most new parents the main goal becomes just wanting the “homecoming” of their new child to be “problem free.” The key element to initially address is establishing a routine for your dog. Having a routine helps organize you and your dog to the upcoming lifestyle change. The baby’s arrival means nighttime feedings, new people coming over to your house (to say hello to the baby) and basic overall adjustment to your lifestyle. Therefore, the best place to start with dog training is to begin with making a list of what you envision as to the new rules and what may need a makeover.

Is your dog totally housebroken?
Do you have a jumping problem with your pup?
Is he or she spayed or neutered?
Does your dog have issue around food bowls, toys or the bed?
Furniture, yes or no? Allowing your dog up on the couch can be a big topic among couples causing a debate.
Exercise? Is it enough, or does your dog need more?
Does your dog listen to you?

Solution: A good place to begin is to address one issue at a time, relating to your dog and training. The key to success sans anxiety is to get the list of issues articulated and clear especially to know “what” specifically they are, before your baby is born and comes home! Many owners aren’t clear they are either overly cautious or not cautious enough. Remember, your dog is a family member and could be great with you and other adults yet may need some new socialization training when it comes to being around small children. Start by answering the questions yes or no style, first. In the coming days, I will give solutions to the above questions in our Paws For A Minute® pregnancy and family blog dog series, throughout February, stay tuned! Happy Valentines Day!

Paws For A Minute® Lifestyle: Dog Boredom Buster Tips!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Inger Martens

Is your dog bored with his stuff or just chewing things he’s not supposed to? Here are a few things to spice up his/her life. Here are a few tips that will save you money and others your sanity.

The re-make of the old tennis ball. How? They used an orbe tuff material and put a whole through the bottom. Why? It makes a soft whistling noise that captures a dogs attention, making him want to chase it! Hmmm.. smart stuff.

www.planetdog.com

Yes, it’s a carrot. Not just for rabbit’s or a salad. Try this natural treat along with a few commands. Sit, stay and come! Great for his teeth and low-cal and best on the budget.

Sweet Potato Madness. Yes, it can be used as a great treat. A runner up to the carrot. Microwave or bake potato as you would for yourself. Dice or cut into small pieces. Cool, take off the skin and put into container and keep in the fridge. Dogs go crazy for this treat! Remember, a little goes a long way.

Forget the new toys. All dogs love to chew. For this boredom buster the best thing you could do is to buy a bully stick. It provides hours of crazy chewing fun and peace for you!

NYC. 2 Nights, One Best in Show. 136 Years of Westminster Dog Show

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Inger Martens

Televised since 1948, this year marks the 136th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show honor. Tonight at New York’s Madison Square Gardens over 2,000 dogs get narrowed down into group winners, which make up the ingredients for America’s Dog Show. Established in 1877, The Westminster Kennel Club is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of purebred dogs. It is the second longest continuously held sporting event in this country only second to the Kentucky Derby.

What makes this dog show interesting is it is America’s first and only “Champions Only” dog show, with entries limited to 2,000 dogs only the top in each breed get to compete. Seven groups of dogs: Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding, Sporting, Working and the Terrier and the breeds that make up those groups get narrowed down to one winner.

This evening will conclude the groups and tomorrow evening “Best in Show” judging will take place Tuesday Feb 14th. 2012 8-11 p.m (ET) live on the USA Network.

www.westminsterkennelclub.org

Looking for LOVE? Los Angeles PetSmart Stores Hosting National Adoption Weekend

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Inger Martens

Are you looking for some LOVE and sweetness this Valentines Day? If in Los Angeles, check out PetSmart’s National Adoption Weekend. All stores throughout the city will be hosting adoptions. The entire weekend will be benefiting more than 2,000 animal welfare organizations; each will receive $35 in adoption- reward grants from PetSmart Charities® for every pet they adopt in stores during this three-day event.

Last year, more than 66,000 pets were adopted into loving homes across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Bye the way, a much needed new PetSmart location is opening at 330 South La Cienega Blvd. (cross 3rd St) in Los Angeles. Check out the pups, shop and who knows you might even meet your match and find some muttri-mony?

Preparing Your Dog For Toddlerhood- 5 Must-Have Tips

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Inger Martens

Preparing your dog for your child’s toddlerhood is really important! Depending on your dogs age, previous exposure to children, food, toys and chew bones will help determine where you need to focus your dog training and socialization. Assessing these points will help you determine safety. Just because your dog is nice and gentle with you and other adult people doesn’t mean a child can’t become a target, by accident!

Dog owners can deem their dog good with children or fine with the baby but with toddlers, I think special a “wild card” factor can happen. No matter what size or breed of dog you own taking the right precautions, educating yourself, and having foresight in certain areas in your home can be a great preventative to an accident. Remember, a toddler can mirror what I call the “loose squirrel” in the house effect, and in those moments add to a parents fantasy to self medicate. Unpredictability to say the least! Parents often adopt a mesmerizing chant declaring “be nice” to the doggy and watch with discernment. This does not protect the dog, which as a parent, you need to factor in to your observation. No matter what size, age or breed, dogs see a child as they would another dog. They operate in a more predictable manner than you image.

Paws For A Minute™ Quick tip: Preparing Your Dog For Your Child’s Toddlerhood!

1. Review all “on leash” commands. This is a great way to tune up your dog. Basic commands like heel, sit, stay and come on leash builds the bond. Never did that before? Then now is a great opportunity! Leash training is a great way to create eye contact between you and your dog and it reinforces praise. What it does very effectively is creates a bond and an understanding that simply off leash repetition and cookie’s don’t accomplish in the same way, It is so fun for a dog. If you do this exercise in the house for 5 minutes a day, it can really tune up your relationship. A few minutes a day will help communicate volumes to your dog and create trust, especially with a new creature that’s crawling and falling all over there territory now!

2. Hand feed you dog, occasionally a few servings. This helps determine any food bowl issues and get your dog used to being interrupted while eating. If your have issues of territorial behavior in this area of life, you must seek professional training.

3. Bring your dog to the vet for a check up. Dogs that are 5 years and up should be checked for lumps and bumps. As your Toddler begins to poke and pat you want to make sure all is well with your dog health wise. Some times older dogs don’t feel well and YOU would never know it.

4. Boundary’s are a great thing. Get your dog used to being baby gated once in a while. This prevents self induced insanity by trying to control your toddler and protect the dog, all at the same time. The gate will allow your child and dog to see each other yet not be the center of attraction. However, the gate’s main purpose in this lifestyle circumstance is to prevent your dog from seeking cover from the child itself. Allowing your dog to seek cover underneath furniture (from your child) is where the danger lies. Going under furniture is a dangerous practice and one that parents/owners need to be aware. Gating your dog prior and then allowing your toddler play time is a better way to teach both how to interact.

5. Brush your dog’s coat. During dog time ( without your toddler) put your dog on a leash and gently brush his coat for a few minutes. The leash helps your dog not wander off during the massage. Associating a treat during this process is also a great thing. Brushing your dog is a great way to get him used to being touched, everywhere even the tail!

More Mutt-rimony to come… Have a great day!

Renting An Apartment And Owning Dogs. 8 Must-have Tips

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Inger Martens

Even if your dream apartment does not allow pets, there may be a way to get around it. Begin by creating a resume for your dog. Sound stupid? It worked for me! I once lived in a one-bedroom apartment, in a building where pets were not allowed, with not one but two German Shepherds!

Moving itself is a pain finding an apartment that allows pets can be impossible. Many landlords can and will make an exception, if you make it easy to say yes. Here are some helpful tips.

Paws For A Minute® Quick Tips for pet owners and renting:

Go see if you like the place first. Then scope out if you like the neighbors and enquire about pets. Also, check to make sure it is close to a park and the neighborhood is suitable for dog walking.
A great idea is to be professional and it can help to go over the top in effort. Compose your dog’s resume. Be sure to include:
Your dog’s name, age and breed.
A letter from a former landlord or neighbor attesting to your dog’s good behavior. Ask the writer to include a phone number, too.
A letter from your vet might be over kill but helpful nonetheless, it might help. Describing your dog’s health and the flea control products that are used can ensure that you are a responsible person.
A dog training certificate from a group obedience class or letter from a trainer, stating that your dog has completed basic obedience and has no housebreaking problems or separation anxiety or barking issues.
A picture of your pup.
Meet the prospective landlord without your dog. If you like the landlord and feel you can approach the issue, give him or her the resume and ask if the rules can be bent.

Having this all prepared when you fill out the rental form may just give you leading edge. Moving can be an all together new issue so stay tuned for more info…

Housebreaking A New Puppy: Do’s and Don’ts

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Inger Martens

Housebreaking a new puppy or dog happens in stages. The dog owner training is what needs to happen first! Since your puppy or new dog is looking to you for guidance, I figured I would help you understand the basic philosophy behind the housebreaking concept.

Paws For A Minute® Housebreaking a new puppy Philosophy

Dogs are den animals and they love small spaces. Your first mission as a new dog owner is to create a small space within your home for your new pup. Use a baby gate to create an area. This can be achieved with a corral pen too. Within that gated space put a crate and keep the crate door open. This allows your new puppy to go in and out of the crate at it’s leisure and slowly learn to self soothe. It’s important for a new puppy to be able to learn to be independent from you while you are HOME and yet still see out. This helps establish a pattern and a system of being able to see you walk around the house yet still be in a puppy proofed space. Sure you can allow your puppy to have free time with you but while you are acclimating your new dog to your lifestyle and home it’s important to teach your puppy to be able to be alone and respect the boundary of a baby gate. Your puppy will quickly learn to relax in the gated area.

The gated area will ultimately help aid teaching your puppy to hold the urge to go to the bathroom and help create a schedule. However, the first stage of housebreaking is to teach a puppy to except the boundary of the gated space, learn to naturally den in the crate by allowing him to go in and out of the crate by himself with out shutting the crate door on him. The first week of owning a 8 week-week old puppy it’s okay to have puppy pads at one end of the gated area for the first few days.

Don’t stand over the gate or corral and talk baby talk at your new puppy. This will make him jump up on the the gate and eventually teach him to want to get out. Never shut a door on a puppy or a new dog. This creates anxiety. Even if that’s the end goal with a trained dog. More housebreaking tips to come…

Quick Dog Training Tip

Posted on December 23, 2011 by Inger Martens

Many owners often complain that their dog has tuned them out. Puppy’s and teenage dogs have their own issues, as we know. The mature dog, however, grows to know you and your household like any old soul but even with perfection every know and then some kinks can creep in to your relationship. Sometimes, like with most fabulous friendships familiarity can breed… well you know, contentment. Another word that could be used is flat out laziness! So how do you spice things up again, other than to use bribery of the T.R.E.A.T?

Paws for a Minute® Quick Dog Training TIp 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. Then have a love fest. I know your dog may look at you like you are loco but there is a method to this madness.

The leash helps connect your voice to movement and helps reemphasize the eye contact for your dog. A simple 5 minute exercise you can do in your home that will have a huge impact within a few weeks! It is also a short exercise that can help re establish the connection to action. Your dog will go from lazy too Lassie in a matter of a few weeks. I know it sounds a little crazy, but it really works. Simple. No treats. Just focus and love.

Oxytocin And Dog Training: Owner Rehab

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Inger Martens

Paws For A Minute® Inspiration

It’s the cuddle chemical and it’s findings have forged studies for decades. You know, oxytocin it’s the human brain and stimulant that emotes empathy, trust and of course, the hug. Dog’s provide this in massive quantities for owners and all dog owners definitely understand this high.

The wet nose, the unconditional hello, the crazy tail wag and total excitement to see you creates a feeling in us that is fantastic for our well being. It’s the cuddle chemical in our brain that is evident with pets and it mirrors the same bond that baby have with their mothers. That powerful punch that creates the warm fuzzy feeling of euphoria. The love drug.

So can training your dog actually make you feel better after a bad day? Actually, yes.

As a matter of fact, oxytocin levels probably remain higher and longer with the tail wagging family members then with some others. As a dogs life span averages over a decade, dog ownership can this carry this particular confection of brian chemistry into addiction. Puppy love can outlast some marriages, and trump the endorphins required to endure long days at the office. So if you want to feel better after a long day, get the leash, your dog and practice a few sits, a stay, or even the come command. End the commands with eye contact and the word “okay” and watch the love and happiness pour out of both of you!

The prime ingredient: a leash, a great walk, a few commands and an occasional cookie. What more could you ask for?

* Not to be confused with oxycontin which might be needed if your dog doesn’t get trained to ease the pain of the destruction and doggie demolition that could occur.