Archive for » September, 2010 «

Top Two Most Common Dog Training Myths

Breaking Dog Training Myths

When searching for dog training advice, there is ample information found on the web and communicated between dog owners.  But sometimes it can be tricky to decipher which dog training advice is true, and which are not.  One of the best ways to be certain is to ask a Florida dog obedience training instructor.  He/she will guide you through the most effective dog training advice.  In the meantime, we put together some of the most common dog training myths that are repeatedly told which need to be debunked.

If It Works for My Dog, then it must Work for Yours

This is not always true.  Each dog has different personalities, and characteristics.  Sometimes the breed provides specific traits.  So take the training methods on a case-by-case basis.  You cannot believe what works with one, works for all.   There are some basic commands taught similar across the board, but there are other times where the exact training utilized for one dog will not work for others.

You Cannot Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

This is false.  You can teach an old dog or a young puppy dog training techniques.  It just takes further patience to ensure the training sticks.  And do not blow off undesired behavior and dismiss it to age.  If you implement positive reinforcement, then any dog is teachable.

To find out more about proper dog training, talk to one of our k9 obedience instructors today!

How to Encourage Positive Kid Interaction

It is important to maintain a well-balanced household, which includes having your kids interact with the dog in the house.  There are games that are safe, develop socialization skills, and desirable behavior in your pet.  Your kid will be provided with the knowledge to initiate the play.  Here are the best and worst games for the child and pet to engage in together.

Avoid Aggressive Games

Any game that embarks in aggressive behavior, avoid.  This includes tug-of-war, chasing, wrestling and other rough-housing games.  These games could cause something negative to unfold that a child may not know how to handle.  Thus, avoid these types of play between a child and dog.

Encourage Thinking Games

Playing “fetch” is a thinking and physical game.  It allows your dog to expend energy, think, and focus.  This is a great game for a child and dog to play.  First, teach a child how to play.  Hand the child a dog toy.  Tell the child to toss the toy and say, “Fetch!”  This keys the dog in to understanding that the word is associated with the movement.  Then, have the child kneel down, and when the dog returns, have the child state, “Drop it!”  Once the dog does so, the child rewards with plenty of praise and pet treats.  Have the child repeat.  It is a fun game for both to interact and safely bond over.

To find out more about what games are safe for a child and dog to do together, talk to a Florida dog obedience trainer or a k9 obedience instructor today.

How to Find the Right Vet

When you are a responsible dog owner, you ensure your dog receives proper exercise, nutritious food, regular grooming, and exceptional medical care.  But finding an experienced, knowledgeable, and successful veterinarian in your area can be challenging.  Here are help you find the right veterinarian meeting your dog’s needs.

Initial Meeting with the Selected Vet

The first thing you may want to do when narrowing down your veterinarian selection is make an appointment.  This way you can review the facilities, staff, and make sure the space is clean, modern, and well-organized.  Find out how many veterinarians are on staff.  Find out about how many patients currently go this location, and what is the proper chain of command if the main vet is on vacation.  Also, find a veterinarian that you has excellent communication skills.  For when you bring your pet in, it may be under higth stress circumstances.  Therefore, you need to find a vet that is able to defuse the situation, listen to your dilemma, and fix the problem.  If a vet is lacking in the communications department, then the vet will not be able to execute these tasks successfully.

What to Ask the Veterinarian

Once you have narrowed down your veterinarian choices, there are a few questions you need to ask ensuring you found the right veterinarian for your loving dog.  The first is find out what type of accreditation does the practice possess?  Furthermore, what is the standard practice for pain management?  Some veterinarians believe in giving pain medications, while others give up on the dog too easily.  Furthermore, what type of training, education, and licensing does the technician and staff have?  These are all important questions to ask the veterinarian.
When looking for the best veterinarian in your area, talk to a Florida dog obedience trainer or a k9 obedience instructor to find out who he/she recommends ensuring you locate the best trainer possible.