Mannerly Mutts Dog Training Blog - Mannerly Mutts Certified NADOI Dog Trainer in York Maine

Dog owner question: What do I do about my technology obsessed dog?

7/24/2017

Question from a pet dog owner and training client: 
Since you asked for questions, here is one that may not be common. Sally is obsessed with animals she sees on tv. She will charge the screen and bark. I'm afraid she will knock it over! She wears the ecollar and I stim her and say, "No" or "Get Away".
She sits in place and stares at the screen. I stim her again and she either scooches backward toward me or comes and sits on my feet. I want her to learn to ignore the tv and to do something like "place" on the couch. We used to enjoy Animal Planet, Westerns, hunting shows, lol! Now it is the Dreaded Toyota Dog Days commercial! She has memorized the music and comes running after two notes!
Thanks,

Small electronic dog equipment

7/21/2017

A controversial sector of Training equipment are the electronic training tools. These tools combined with all other tools of dog training (consistency, reward, correction, praise, motivation, ET AL) are what complete the entire training plan. There must be a training plan in order to train your dog to the level of acceptable obedience that I want from my human and canine client teams! Electronics are one option of a tool, but not a requirement by any means. TOOLS also do not equate training. You will work to train your dogs, these are not magic wands. You must know when and how to use them, and you must train your dog first before overlaying this on them for best success.

Human chain of responsibility in pet dog or working dog professions and ownership

7/12/2017

I love all dogs. I love behaviorally challenged dogs, "bomb proof" dogs, sick dogs, healthy dogs, old dogs, puppies, smart dogs, not so smart dogs, hunting dogs, guarding dogs, small dogs, big dogs, long haired dogs, and short haired dogs. A strength and a weakness that I have is a fondness for all things dog. Many other humans share this trait with me. Many organizations share this trait with me.

Whether it is a owner, rescue, trainer, family member, veterinarian, boarding kennel, or neighbor there is something in addition to the responsibility to our dogs that is our primary responsibility. That responsibility is to ensure the safety of other living things around us as well as our canine companions. If we can not do that, there are some tough choices that need to be made. They are not fun, they are not cool, and most of all they are not easy. Sometimes they are the right thing to do. Sometimes they need to be done because the canine owner has not met the dogs needs responsibility, and is not going to in the future.

Socialization strategies for pet dogs and puppies

7/11/2017

Puppies (and some adult or adolescent dogs) are in need of much learning and guidance. One of the most important things to do is to socialize your puppy well in the critical early weeks and months.

The first thing that you want to check is that your vaccinations are up to date, and that it is safe to take puppy out to areas with other dogs and puppies. Take a moment to have a discussion with your vet about the best plan.

How do you stop your dog barking in unwanted situations?

7/10/2017

When I am out and about a common question that comes up is "how do I stop my dog from barking?". As with just about any training question, this is not something that can be answered for their particular dog and situation in the line of a grocery store. I realize that even though many dog owners have been living with this problem (sometimes for years), they think I know a 10 second secret that I can share. There are no "magic wands" in any dog training (highlighted this because management and avoidance are different and separate issues) issue. This does not mean the solution is hard, but it is a situation in which training and communication are required. Therefore, you need to teach your dog when and how to stop barking, and what the cue is that communications the need to stop.

Question from dog owner: is this play or aggression?

7/7/2017

Question: " I have an 18 mo old dog that I simply cannot break of jumping. He is large and powerful and even when I turn my back to him he continues to jump, sometimes even biting my ponytail. Is this aggression or play? I feel like he is playing but it REALLY hurts."

Answer: Regarding is this aggression or play, it sounds like play. An 18 month old dog is usually still a puppy although an older and larger adolescent. As puppies grow up, they don't know the rules for appropriate human play without some training or guidance. Your dog is most likely excited, has a lot of pent up energy, and is visiting this unwanted play on you.

How to protect yourself before, during, and after a dog attack

7/6/2017

With our dogs on Long Sands Beach York, Maine.

How do you keep yourself and your dog as safe as is possible from a dog attack? I am by no means an expert, but I have some ideas about this due to my profession as the owner and trainer for Mannerly Mutts Dog Training.

Unfamiliar dogs can pop out at you on a walk around the neighborhood, at a dog event, in a dog park, on a hike or the beach and on your own property unexpectedly. Some are friendly dogs, some are excited dogs (sometimes overly so), and some are dogs out to make trouble (or in their mind do their job). Sometimes you need to watch out for all of these types, but especially for the ones looking to attack what they feel is an interloper. That may not just be your dog they are targeting, that may be you or your child as well. These instances don't happen that often, but they do happen enough. The best thing to have is a plan before going out with your dog in case something happens. Also having your own dog trained is the ideal situation (before an event like this occurs, which hopefully never will).

Pros and cons of owning a small pet dog

7/5/2017

Dobermans have been our breed since 1997 or so. They have ranged in weight from 50#s to 110#s.

Ziggy came to us after his owner became ill. Ziggy weighs 5#s plus a little something. He is our first dog of any other breed (besides our cats, Clyde and Mustache, who were well over 15#s). Luckily, I am a dog trainer, so I am very familiar with the special problems of smaller breed dogs.

Small dogs are awesome and need training just like large dogs to reach their potential. However, there are special considerations that go into owning and caring for a small dog.

Tips about your new puppy

7/4/2017

There are things that new puppy owners are almost always surprised or concerned about. If you haven't owned a puppy for a long while, there are some things you may have blocked from your memory, perhaps with good reason.

Puppies are wonderful, and if you go about raising them the right way, they will seem a little less demonically possessed at times.