Is Your Dog A Beggar?

Posted on April 14, 2012 by Inger Martens

Barking for biscuits, nudging and in some cases, down right table surfing are a few examples of BAD behaviors that many owners want to solve. A dog that becomes a compulsive beggar generally begins by having an irresistible cuteness and charm which sometimes develops into a bossy “got to have it now” demand! How is it that many owners end up learning to whine the word “no” in attempts to get their dog to stop begging!

How do you know you are in trouble? If your daily dog training routine involves chanting “No, go lie down,” or “I already gave you some,” and “I can’t believe he got the whole sandwich off the counter!

Manners are taught, not instinctual. Are you sending your dog a mixed signal?

First, admit to yourself what you want to solve the issue and then commit. Like any rehab, the solution begins with you! The mixed signal is interrelated between you and your dog. Surprise! Could it be so simple?

Paws For A Minute® Quick tip: Dogs/ Stealing Food And Begging

1. Don’t reprimand your dog after he has taken the food off the table. It doesn’t work. Oh, he knows you’re mad and may react as if he knows, but he doesn’t know at what? Besides, he already took the food. The trick is to teach him not to in the first place! It’s best to start with simple basic steps to create a long lasting solution.

2. Stop feeding your dog from the table or couch. Create a different time to give your dog praise and a treat.

3. Begin a new ritual. Feed your dog first, before you eat dinner and make his meal delicious! Some owners feel guilty if their dog doesn’t want to eat their own food.Timed feeding your dog is a great way to ensure he eats in one sitting. If your dog doesn’t finish his food pick up the bowl after about 15 or 20 minutes. Sometimes begging for human food can be a sign that your dog is holding out for better stuff. Don’t worry, your dog will not go hungry, he will just eat all of his own food during the next feeding.

4. Try a 10 minute dog training exercise while you eat a sandwich. This may seem like a hassle to some, but it’s best to isolate the issue. If the issue is human food then redirecting your dog to be good during mealtime is key. The leash helps you redirect your dog to “sit” and eventually lie down next to you while you eat. Be careful not to have too much eye contact with your dog while you’re eating. Eye contact between you and your dog is part of the culprit of learning to beg. If you both stare at each other you are creating an anticipation as you take a bite of food and that’s what signals the whining.

If you are having problems doing this exercise. That means your dog needs exercise! Make sure he is fed, walked and watered before creating this new ritual. Remember, it takes about 6 weeks to change a behavior, yours and your dogs!

Bone-a-petit!

Save Money And Have Your Pet Live Longer.

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Inger Martens

Is there a new wave of dog dog owners who have overweight pets? With everything going retro, what happened the good old fashion brisk walk? Maybe the outbreak of overweight dogs is simpler that we think. A past article in the WSJ suggests that maybe this phenomenon coincides with the dream of owners “managing to find time.”

I believe there is a simpler answer. Could it be as simple as flipping less chips to our dogs? Less human food leftovers, more dog owner self control, and just organizing your daily or weekly routine to include a 20 minute walk or 10 minute game of fetch.

So, is it merely a matter of finding the time or is it really just making the time?

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

More than half of US dogs and cats are overweight or obese
Obese = 30% above normal weight
20% of dogs and cats are obese

Research suggests that pets fed less over their lifetime can live significantly longer

New efforts are afoot to stem what many vets believe is the single most preventable health crisis facing the country’s 171 million plus dogs and pet cats. They include software for doctors to track a pet’s “Body Condition Score”, a blood test that could quickly determine animals’ body-fat percentage, Weight Watchers-type pet diet plans and doggie treadmills. Utah-based Pet Zen Products LLC makes “Dog Tread” treadmills ranging from $599-$999.

How to tell if your pet is pudgy:

Can you feel the pet’s ribs easily? If you have to dig around, the animal is likely too heavy
Look at the animal from the side –You should see a tucked abdomen. A hanging belly indicates excess fat.
Look at the animal from above. You want to see a moderate tapered “waistline,” not a broad, flat back.

What to do:

Calculate calories — See petobesityprevention.com
Measure meals –Don’t just fill the bowl. Talk to your vet, take charge and look for a low calorie food. Look out for over treating and substitute vegetables and fruits, such as sliced carrots and apples, dogs love them.

Exercise daily –For dogs, 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking. You’ll both look fabulous before New Years! Go figure, self control, save money and exercise, exercise, exercise. Now you have a partner in crime.

Dogs And Food. 3 Things I Bet You Didn’t Know.

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Inger Martens

What does dog food have to do with dog training? The answer is… Everything! I know, it’s a billion dollar industry with an enormously expanding menu of options. It gets very confusing for dog owners to decide which food to buy, and why, when and how to feed it.

What does that mean in regards to training your dog? How, when, where and what your dog eats can have direct impacts on peeing and pooping in your house. How your dog gets along with other animals in your house is often food oriented, at least may become so over time. And an array of other behavioral issues, health concerns, as well as, potential allergies (leading to medical bills) may become food related over the course of your dogs life. Even how your dog interacts with your children! It all begins with you– No pressure.

O.k. so let’s get to the meat of it: dog training, dog food, how it correlates and why? It can get really confusing to many owners. Many behavioral issues can develop in dogs and stem from how owners feed them. Here is a little Q and A to wet your appetite on the subject matter.

When do you stop puppy food and when to start feeding adult food? Generally speaking when your dog is a year old, make the switch to adult food. This can vary according to size and breed. But make the switch slowly over a few days gradually adding in the new food.

Why should I time feed my dog? This is really helpful for finicky eating dogs. Time feeding your dog helps housebreaking issues.

What if my dog is a pig? Dog’s that eat their food as if they were vacuum cleaners also have issues. There is something called bloat to look out for as an owner. This is cause for concern and it has to do with feeding your dog. What is bloat? Please ask your vet for more information on this topic. According to my research and first-hand experience, it is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. The technical name is “Gastric Dilatation Volvulus” or (GDV). This is where the dog can swallow too much air while eating rapidly. Drinking water or stress can be a significant factor in swallowing air. As the stomach swells, it can twist and obstruct the veins leading to shock, damaging the internal organs and quickly killing your dog. The breeds of dogs this can affect may surprise you.

Dogs that are at risk for bloat are usually deep rib caged breeds, big and small. German Shepherd Dog, Golden Retrievers, Labs, Dachshunds, Pekingese, and even Miniature Poodles can be at risk! The point is, even if a dog does have a healthy appetite could benefit from training tips. It could save its life.

Training your dog to eat slower is a healthier option. Finicky eaters need to learn to eat in one sitting which will in turn help with housebreaking issues, potty accidents, child safety around dog food bowls, and will ward off potential dog fights in multiple dog households. Just dome food for thought, and a treat from your trainer!