I would like to introduce you to a dog named Jake. He is in what in human terms most psychologist would call passive aggressive. Only in terms of how he displays his affections, though! I don’t mean to make light of this situation because any aggression in a dog is not good. However, what I’m about to share with you is important for dog owners to realize and learn. Sometimes slight gestures and reactions or even non-reactions on the part of the dog owner can contribute to your dogs behavior! What do I mean? Well.. keep reading some of this information may ring a bell for you or someone you know that has a dog with similar issue’s.

In Jake’s case he is never aggressive with food or while going or on trips to the park.. of course! At least those were the words used by Jake’s owner to describe the unwanted behavior he wanted to change in his beloved dog. So after hearing the many stories of how Jakes greets the mailman I decided to delve further into investigation as to how, why and when this behavior happened.

Sweet most of the time, but Jake’s energy range goes from energetic to slug at different intervoles throughout the day and then suddenly when the mailman approaches psycho-dog! Then like clockwork, the mailman approached. Jake was in his usual “lounge lizzard” position draped over his usual chair, and then like a rocket, jumped out of the chair, and fired off his machine ( I’m gonna kill you) bark, upon hearing the rattle of the mailman open the mail box. Needless to say, this was not good.

O.k. so a lot of issues, right? I think many dog owners could use a basic understanding of how these behaviors develop and then that can the cure. Firstly, many (not all) dogs are not so mailman aggressive one would think. Actually, it’s the noise of the chain or opening of the mail slot they are hearing and usually barking at. In Jake’s case, he was not able to see the mailman, he just heard the mail being dropped in slot. So what to do?

Here are a few suggestions that I gave Jake’s owner. Dog’s respond to repetition and consistency in both the positive and the negative sense. Jake’s owner did not correct this behavior. Sure he said no, but after the fact. What was needed was to change the place Jake hung out on a daily basis, at least during the few hours a day that the mailman comes. By using a baby gate and creating a new space in the kitchen or hallway, just for a few hours, creates a positive boundary. Secondly, music would help drown out the alert cues of Jake’s hobby of listening to the mailman coming. A third option was to create a mail basket instead of opening the slot. If a behavior is allowed to be repeated such as daily barking then over time this can get out of hand and a really bad accident can happen. Dog owner awareness is key!

P.s. If you, as a dog owner, find that your dog is “over the top” aggressive toward people approaching your yard or property always seek professional help from a dog trainer in your area.

Ahh yes.. the tea cup or toy breed (aka) the tiny little dog and the infamous housebreaking issue! I know, many owners feel it’s hopeless. Some feel it’s not possible and others feel these little dogs are not capable.  The truth? Of course it’s possible and yes they can learn to go potty outside!

O.k it’s true they don’t lead the blind or do police work, but they are just as smart as any breed of dog. Now, having said that, the owners of these toy breed dogs, on the other hand, need to realize a few things. Firstly, that teaching your pup formally, to go outside potty means taking him out “formally” and regularly, on a leash to go potty! That means first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day and evening. Now, I’m not trying to be disrespectful or rude in saying such an obvious task, but what happens to toy breed dog owners is they forget or become inconsistent. The truth is that when you own a large breed puppy, you simply don’t forget. The potty accident is huge! Taking your dog out becomes the main focus when raising a large breed dog, who is 45 lbs at the age of 4 months. Therefore, those dog owners get on a routine of going outdoors pretty fast.  Another thing to remember is that toy breed dog owners often play indoors with their pups. This can give a dog a mixed signal when holding the urge to potty. For example, they play fetch down hallways and in living rooms. Owning a big dog you just would not do that, you can’t or furniture would go flying. Of course, there are many steps to housebreaking a puppy or solving a chronic housebreaking problem.

However, the key points remain that toy breed owners need to become more aware of when they wake up take they need to take their dogs outdoors first, also before initiating any kind or play indoors. Potty first, then play! Getting your dog on a schedule and awareness is the start to solving this issue and the main philosophy of this post. Stay tuned for more tips on this topic and please pass this along to any toy breed owner who needs to understand this stupidly simple but sometimes not so obvious dog owner tip!

Is this product safe? Years ago these treats had some issues and unfortunately a few dogs choked and died. The treat is now new and improved with a soft, chewy texture that is easier to digest. They are now so soft that they are even bendable. The gummy texture helps remove tarter from a senior dogs teeth! Older dogs sometimes stop chewing things like chew bones, and dental cleanings are expensive but become necessary. However, like with any treat or dog chew you have to be a mindful dog owner! You really need to know your dog, ask your vet and think about when you give treats.

Seriously, I mean when you buy a treat for your dog, think about your dog and circumstance. Do you have multiple dogs? Does your dog gulp treats? How old is your dog? You are probably thinking, why should I ask myself all of these questions before giving my dog a treat or a chew!? Well, all of these questions have to do with safety and ultimately safety will save you heartache and vet bills. These treats like other treats and dog chews can be great if you read the packaging and get the proper size of treat for your dog. The main thing is that your dog does not gulp or hoard treats. If that’s the case this type of treat may not be right for  your dog. This treat is now new and improved to be chewy and easy to digest helping to clean teeth and has vitamins galore.

Paws for a Minuteâ„¢ safety tips for treats!

1. If your dog gulps treats, this treat is not the best. Beware of your dogs chewing behaviors. Check with your vet, first.

2. Read the packages and think before you buy a chew bone or treat!

3. If you own multiple dogs don’t give them all a chew bone or chew treat all at the same time. This creates a “shark effect” and frenzy that can cause choking.

We discovered this trailer of an independent film soon to be released. Check it out! It looks amazingly well done.

Released Date: Opens Sept 1, 2010

Background Info/Cast:

Beautifully animated and featuring the voices of Christopher Plummer, the late Lynn Redgrave, and Isabella Rossellini, My Dog Tulip is a bittersweet retrospective account of author J. R. Ackerley’s 16-year relationship with his adopted German Shepherd, Tulip.

The distinguished British man of letters, Ackerley hardly thought of himself as a dog lover when, well into middle age, he came to adopt Tulip — a beautiful, yet intolerable 18-month-old German shepherd. To his surprise, she turned out to be the love of his life, the “ideal friend” he had been searching for in vain for so many years. In vivid and sometimes startling detail, the film reveals Tulip’s sassy, often erratic behavior (and very canine tastes) and Ackerley’s fumbling but determined efforts to ensure an existence of perfect happiness for her.

A profound and subtle mediation on the strangeness that lies at the heart of all relationships, My Dog Tulip was written, directed and animated by award-winning filmmakers Paul and Sandra Fierlinger and is the first animated feature ever to be entirely hand drawn and painted utilizing paperless computer technology.

Based on the book MY DOG TULIP by J. R. Ackerley. The book is available from New York Book Review at booksellers nationwide.

CAST (Voice)
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER
LYNN REDGRAVE
ISABELLA ROSSELLINI
PETER GERETY
BRIAN MURRAY
PAUL HECHT
EUAN MORTON

www.MyDogTulipFilm.com

What’s new? I am  excited to announce our  shop and new look  coming this September! The Paws for a Minute team and I have been checking out cool pet products all year long!  I have hand-selected the  coolest dog beds, collars, leashes, bowls and accessories to show you! We are a few weeks away to our launch. So get ready to shop! Tell your friends and keep checking back for the announcement date. I have been been consulting, training and shopping for my celeb clients for years and now I’m going to share it all with you. I promise you that you’ll love our fall collection. Coming soon!

This week’s product pick is Pup Orboâ„¢ with Treat spotâ„¢ I love this toy for puppies and senior dogs too! It’s bouncy, minty and specially formulated for teething puppies. It’s the best non-toxic chewy toy on the market for small toy breed dogs and very young 8 to 16 week-old pups. Here’s the best part senior dogs love this toy too! Finally, a great toy for older dogs. Older dogs may have teeth that may be getting fragile and therefore stop chewing and sometimes playing. This toy seems to give them a little pep in their step again! It’s made from a unique formula that encourages chewing, gnawing and is recyclable. My dog Daisy just turned 14 years old and she loves this thing!  She turns into a playful, feisty puppy upon seeing this toy, it’s lovely to watch.

Mark your calenders in just 2 weeks Paws for a Minute is opening our on-line store!  This toy and so many other cool, bed’s collar’s, bowls and more will be available. Stay tuned!

I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but really, are you giving your dog the right types of things to chew? When a client complains to me about their dog chewing shoes and furniture the first thing I do is look on the floor to see what types of dog toys are laying around. Usually there are zillions of toys, but no chew bones. Young dogs need to chew! Chewing is a function of a dog not a behavior. It may become a behavior to chew the wrong things over time, though. So what you need to know is that chew bones like bully sticks and hooves are key! Sure toys are fun and all but they do not satisfy a young dogs need to chew, therefore… trouble.

Make sure when you get your puppy the right size chew bone. Always check with your vet to make sure your dog can handle the type of chew bone you choose. However most dog quality chew bones are still more digestible  than shoes!

Is your dog hyper, out of control and just plain crazy when you leave the house? Whining, crying, scratching the door pacing are behaviors that may happen when you leave to go to the movies. Are these dog behaviors human induced? How can this be? Well, from a training and behavioral standpoint your dog is always looking for direction from you and behaviors always take time to develop, they never get created over night. If your dog has separation anxiety understanding how anxiety gets created is half the battle of solving it. All new dog needs structure! What’s structure for a dog? Dogs are den animals by nature and the thrive on a routine. Hence the crating process for a dog provides a small den like space which creates a relaxing space for pups. Crating or gating a dog while your home for an hour or so really helps calm dogs down and helps establish a pattern of relaxing rather than following you from room to room. If you allow you dog to sleep with you and free roam in the house 24/7 from the beginning of your relationship (even though that may be the end goal) your dog may derive his sense of security from you rather than becoming secure on his own. Get it. So begin slowly to start a new pattern by teaching your dog to be gated or crated for an hour while your home. That way you can say no to the separation anxiety and correct it while teach your dog to chill. Music helps too.

There are medications are available for severe cases of separation anxiety. Med’s can be affective when combined with some form of behavioral therapy in extreme dogs.  Every case of separation anxiety can vary in it’s degree. Therefore, it’s a great idea to get a private trainer ( in your area)  to examine your individual case. Obedience training is very helpful in developing trust and a language between you and your dog.  Always check with your veterinarian for referrals and additional advice.

O.k. I know, it’s annoying. You own your great dog, you’re doing the right thing day after day  going on the daily walks, even when you don’t really feel like it. Once out on the streets it begins to feel kinda nice on that walk. You begin to really enjoy this walk. Then it starts. The barking, lunging and you pull the leash tight and struggle past the other person with their dog, apologizing. How do you get your dog to stop lunging at other dogs?

Actually there are 3 steps that I recommend. Firstly, don’t hold the leash tightly. Have your dog walk on your left hand side while holding the leash in your right hand. Walk with a rather loose leash. Before your dog is able to lunge and the  other dog and person approach, begin saying the word heel. As you begin walking  give repeated  gentile tugs on the leash and say heel  in a up beat voice, all while walking. The gentile tugs on the leash and the word heel combined creates eye contact from your dog to you and gives him a task.  This is a really positive way to redirect your dog onto the positive action of heeling next to you, rather than lunging at the other dog. Many dog owners brace themselves for the lunge and outburst and end up hold on the leash with dear life.

The key is to keep moving past the distraction. The second thing owners do is the say no. No what, don’t be a dog. You want to think redirection instead. Secondly, keep moving. Another trick is to quickly pivot in the opposite direction. This way your dog become more interested in following your moves rather than lunging at the other dog. Thirdly, keep your voice happy as your moving. It helps your dog remain more interested in what you’re doing rather than the other dog. Finally an option is to let your dog say hi to the other dog. You just need to make that decision, not your dog.

Have a great day!

Many owners of guard dog breeds know that their dogs are sweet. However, training and socializing these types of breeds ensures that they are and remain that way. People who own German Shepherd Dogs, Dobermans, and many other breeds are drawn to their protecting and guarding drive but are they really safe? Dogs that are bred to guard, heard and protect  generally have high prey drive and need a lot of exercise and well..education. Owning these types of breeds requires a sense of responsibility to educate yourself and your dog. It’s a must. If not, overtime accidents can happen. As a dog matures he/can get more protective over his territory and/or a gate gets left open by mistake, for example. This can lead to a jogger passing the gate or a mailman walking past a driveway and a misunderstanding occurs. The dogs fault? Not really, this is owner error. A big one. If you are going to own a guard dog type of breed. Please educate yourself , train and socialize them to be amazing safe dogs.