Training isn’t just for Puppies

Did you just adopt an older dog or do you have an older dog who just won’t listen to you?  As you may already know, it is National Train Your Dog Month, and in honor of that we would like to assure you that just because your dog didn’t come home with you as a puppy (or maybe learned a few bad habits since puppyhood) doesn’t mean that he is not just as capable of learning new tricks.

Ersula Gomez of Corona adopted her Miniature Pinscher for the Riverside animal shelter when he was already 2 years old. "He was taken from the home of a hoarder.  I give him extra love every day to reassure him that he will never have to go back to that life or the pound." Unfortunately, that extra love has led her little pup, Ace, to believe he runs the house.  "When he is with me, like on my lap, no one can touch me.  I know it's a problem when my kids are around but I just feel so bad for him after all he's been through.  He's my little baby." 

As Cesar Millan and any other trainer will tell you, dogs live in the now (the present).  They aren’t thinking about the life they use to have before you adopted them, or how they got in trouble last week for digging; all of that is in the past.  So, the first step to getting a well-behaved dog is to change the way you think about your dog. Think about your dog in the present.  What is he?  Is he a child? Is he a war veteran? Is he a nurse?  No, he is a dog.  While he may depend on you like a child, may have been rescued from an abusive home, and may stay by your side while you are sick, none of that matters in the present.  Those are experiences that have happened in the past and not the dog that stands in front of you today. 

I know a lot of pet parents do not believe that their dog’s past life does not affect him.  But I can tell you from experience, it only affects your dog because you hold on to it, not because your dog does.  If you want to see real changes in the way he behaves, you have to let go of his past and start from scratch. Sometimes dogs do become psychologically skewed (and not just from abuse) and that damage needs to be undone before you can move forward.  So, if you want your dog to become the perfect model citizen (which you should) then you have to be willing to put in the time, energy and effort it takes to go back to the basics.  Join me as I go back to the basics next week.

Hint to treating your dog like a dog: Your daily walks should not include a dog stroller.

National Train Your Dog Month

Did you think you were off the hook for not following through on your New Year’s resolution with your dog?  Well, we aren’t giving up on you yet; so to help you stick with it the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) officially made January ‘National Train Your Dog Month’.  This means it’s time to stop making excuses and start making changes.  If you set realistic goals and be consistent in your training, by the end of the month you will not believe you are working with the same dog you started with.

The APDT says, “We selected January as the perfect month because so many dogs and puppies are adopted or purchased from breeders and brought home during the winter holidays.  Our desire is to help these new parents start off the New Year right with their newest family member.”  And it doesn’t hurt that it coincides with New Year’s resolutions as well (for those not so new pet parents that need to take a different approach on training).   

Training a dog is a very important part of responsible dog ownership.  And while we all think it’s a no brainer not many owners realize that they have replaced training with extra love and treats.  Then, when the dog does something bad, he gets screamed at and possibly punished, but the bad behavior is never corrected and he never understands what he did wrong, so the bad behavior continues.  To avoid these incidents, a dog should begin his training as soon as he comes home with you, puppies included. 

Just like children, puppies are like sponges.  They can begin learning commands and tricks as young as eight weeks old.  Cesar Millan discusses this in his book, Cesar’s Rules, and says “the socialization period – from about three weeks old to twelve weeks old – is a crucial window for learning.  During this time, social play with littermates and guidance and discipline from the mother (or human pack leader) help to shape the proper behavior of a well-behaved adult dog.”  

Renowned veterinarian and behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar is no stranger to California living and our love for our dogs.  In addition to his extensive education, he received his doctorate in animal behavior from the University of California in Berkley, where he spent ten years researching olfactory communication, the development of hierarchical social behavior, and aggression in domestic dogs.  He also happens to be the founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT).  When Dr. Dunbar was looking for a training class for his puppy, Sirius, he was told by several trainers that they did not train puppies under the age of 6 months.  Dr. Dunbar knew that was absurd and believes it is very important for puppies to start training and interacting with other dogs at a young age to help them learn dog-to-dog socialization, human socialization (being handled by different people), and more reliable off-leash obedience.  As a result, Dr. Dunbar started his own off-leash behavior class for puppies called, SIRIUS® Puppy Training.  His training classes incorporate unstructured puppy play with regular interruptions of short training sessions.  Once play is interrupted with a command, the puppy is rewarded for good behavior (carrying out the command) with “go play”.  Overall, the goal of any puppy training is (and should be) prevention. “Prevent the problem when your dog is a puppy,” says Dr. Dunbar.  

While we can all agree, teaching a dog when it’s young will make your life (and his) much easier in the long run, what about all those adopted dogs that weren’t trained as puppies?  Well, not to worry, because those old dogs can learn new tricks.  Check back this week for more.   

This Weekend

With everyone recovering from the holidays, January is off to a slow start.  When it comes to things to do this weekend the official events are few and far between (literally).  But that doesn’t mean you have to stay cooped up with you pup.  Here are a few things to do this weekend…

Dog Beach

Even if your dog doesn’t like getting a bath he may be like my dogs and love the beach.  Going to the dog beach is a great opportunity to let your pup run, play, socialize with other pups, and get his energy out.  This is an activity for the whole family too!  Bring some lawn chairs, towels, and lunch and make a day of it. 

Huntington Dog Beach is located in Huntington Beach, Ca, off Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), between Seapoint Ave. and 21^st Street.  You will have to find street parking across the street from the beach. 

Long Beach Dog Beach (Officially renamed Rosie’s Dog Beach) is located between Roycroft and Argonne avenues in Belmont Shore, Long Beach (zip 90803). It is a few blocks east of the Belmont Pier and Olympic pool. You can park in the parking lot on Bennett Ave.

Ocean Beach Dog Beach is located at 4933 Voltaire Street, San Diego (zip 92107).  The Dog beach can be found at the northern end of Ocean beach and you can park in the parking lot off West Point Loma Blvd.

Every dog beach requires that owners be responsible and pick up after their dog but some beaches have more/different rules so be sure to know them before you visit.  There are also several public beaches that allow dogs, even if they aren’t specifically a dog beach.  If you plan on visiting a beach that is not specifically a dog beach, check their website to be sure that dogs are allowed.  The beach may only allow dogs during off-peak times of the day, especially during the summer months. 

Hiking

Dogs love to explore, and what better way to do that then take your pup for a hike.  Living in California affords us the luxury of living near many different mountain ranges.  Cooler weather is a great time to take a little day trip to the mountains since larger animals (like mountain lions and bears) are not likely to be seen and smaller creatures (like snakes and ticks) are not high in numbers.  Just remember to take plenty of water for you and your pup and always take a first-aid kit with you on any hike.

Southern California is littered with hiking trails, from the Newport marshes and Carbon Canyon to the Cleveland National Forest and San Bernardino mountains.  Check out Trails.com to find trails in any zip code (also lists the length of the hike as well) to find the best hike for you and your pup.

Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve been having and turn a boring weekend into a great little getaway for you and your dog.  “We live in a world full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” - Jawaharlal Nehru         

New Year’s Resolutions

Do you have a resolution this year? 

Eileen Santos of Norco says, “To lose weight.”  Emily Fischer of Riverside says, “To become debt free.”  Tanya Cisneros of Riverside says, “To stop biting my nails.”  Whether it’s to stop biting your nails or to buy a house this year, we typically only think about resolutions as a human thing and not about our dogs.  Even if you decided not to have a resolution this year, you might want to consider one for your dog; especially if he has a few extra pounds or a few bad habits to kick. 

Believe it or not, a lot of dogs deal with weight and behavioral issues because they don’t get enough daily exercise.  Dogs were born and bred to work, so without regular exercise and mental stimulus they are known to be more destructive and ill-behaved due to boredom.  And unlike humans, dogs cannot substitute the benefits they get from being active with other hobbies (like reading or painting).

Benefits of Regular Exercise Include:

·         Strengthens the immune system

·         Increases blood circulation

·         Reduces the risk of heart disease and other illnesses

·         Reduces or eliminates digestive problems

·         Reduces susceptibility to urinary infections

·         Reduces stress and the likelihood of depression

·         Keeps dog from becoming obese which could result in depression and/or diabetes

·         Reduces the chance of arthritis in senior years

·         Reduces boredom and therefore bad behavior such as chewing, digging, and excessive barking

·         Helps to build confidence

·         Reduces anxiety which may cause a dog to become aggressive or territorial

·         Calms hyperactive dogs

It is recommended that smaller breeds get a daily workout of about 20 – 30 minutes and 2 -3 walks per day.  Larger Breeds are recommended to get 40 minutes of an intense cardio workout per day.  

If your dog is over-weight, exercise may not be his only problem.  Take a step back and look at what he is eating on a regular basis.  Does he get spoiled with treats? Are his meal portions too large? What is in the dog food he eats?  A lot of dog treats and kibble on the market are made up of fillers and products that were never in your dog’s natural diet.  This and over feeding (especially with treats) can cause your dog to gain weight, just like when humans over eat and eat things that aren’t healthy.  

Behavioral issues will be reduced with regular exercise but they won’t disappear.  Bad habits like chewing, jumping, digging, and excessive barking take regular training sessions as well as exercise.  While many behavioral issues are similar, every dog is unique and every circumstance is different, so if you need help ask a professional dog trainer for advice on where to start.  Of course, there are tons of free resources online to help you get your dog into behavioral shape.  Just remember, it takes patience and consistency, but it is worth every minute.

It’s time to get serious about turning your dog into a shining model canine citizen.  Talk to your veterinarian about the best place to start with your dog.  Does he need a new diet?  What is the best exercise regime for him and your family’s lifestyle?  And if your vet can’t answer your questions, well then you may want to make another New Year’s resolution to find a new vet.  

‘Paws’ to Look Back on 2011 (Part 3)

 

Another year is quickly coming to an end.  This is the time when most people sit and reflect on the year’s progress, setbacks, and accomplishments.  We’ve seen dogs raising funds and awareness for The American Cancer Society, work to change the way we travel, and win the title for “Fastest Wienie in the West”. It’s been a spectacular year for canines so far; let’s see how the rest of the year turned out. 

Ten years have passed since one ordinary day became the day that changed the world.  This year we observed the 10^th anniversary of September 11^th and we focused on celebrating the lives of our loved ones and the brave souls who risked their lives to help others.  Of those brave souls, we cannot forget the brave dogs who served as well.  This year the American Humane Association did a six month search where hundreds of dogs from all 50 states were nominated for the title of American Hero Dog of 2011. While there were deserving nominees from all walks of life, the winner was Roselle, the 9/11 Guide Dog.  Roselle was recognized for her heroism in guiding her blind master safely down 78 flights of stairs following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center.  She was truly an amazing dog and we owe a debt of gratitude to her and all the search and rescue dogs that worked endlessly after the attacks to help find people in the wreckage. 

The 11^th annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade and Adoption Fair was held in Long Beach, California (as it is every year).  This dog Halloween event is already the world’s largest Halloween event for dogs, but this year they went a step further and broke a world record for having the most costumed dogs in a parade.  With over 600 costumed dog participants, this year’s parade not only broke the record, it demolished it.   The event is put on each year to help raise funds for local spay/neuter programs, local rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws (collecting toys and blankets for homeless pets in local shelters) and local service projects.  While the money raised t the event does go toward a good cause, the dogs who participate in the parade are also competing for prizes.  The costume contests include Best Costume, Best Float, Best human Costume, and Best group.  Check out Hautedogs.org to see this year’s winners.

December was a month of giving as thousands of people came together and made donations to the needy homeless animals in shelters around Southern California.  While there are always a handful of groups collecting blankets, food, and toys for animal shelters in need, two donation drives stood out this year.  Presents for Paws drive and Operation Santa Paws collected a Fur-nominal amount of needed supplies for many animal shelters and rescue groups in Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond.   The Desperate Paws of Orange County dog club started their 2^nd annual Presents for Paws donation drive in November, seeking blankets and toys for homeless pets.  They organized 17 drop-off locations throughout Orange County and coordinated a handful of volunteers to help collect and sort the thousands of donations they received.  Justin Rudd (founder of the organization Haute Dogs) started Operation Santa Paws in 2001. The 10^th year running, this donation drive started in the beginning of December and had 37 drop-off locations in Los Angeles, 22 drop-off locations in Orange County, and 9 various drop-off locations scattered around California.  They also had 21 other states participating, from Arizona to Maine.  Both groups distributed the donations on December 17^th to the Long Beach Animal Care Services, Long Beach spcaLA, Seal Beach Animal Care Center, and Orange County Animal Care Services; giving hundreds of needy homeless pets a toy, a treat, or a nice cozy blanket to curl up with.          

What a year it turned out to be.  I hope the achievements of this year will inspire someone to exceed our expectations next year and continue to better our community and enrich the lives of dogs everywhere.  Wishing you and your pack a very happy New Year!

   

‘Paws’ to Look Back on 2011 (Part 2)

Another year is quickly coming to an end.  This is the time when most people sit and reflect on the year’s progress, setbacks, and accomplishments.  We’ve seen record breaking floats, dogs winning over hearts everywhere on Valentine’s Day, and heartbreaking reports of abandonment.  But how did the middle of the year turn out? 

There are always good causes to support and great fundraisers to participate in each year.  This year’s noteworthy campaign came from The American Cancer Society.  Cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of death in the United States.  Approximately 1 out of every 3 woman and almost 1 out of every 2 men in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime.  And 1 out of every 9 dogs in the U.S. dies from cancer each year.  Organized and run completely by volunteers in the community, The American Cancer Society Bark for Life™ is an opportunity for individuals and their dogs to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer as well as honor cancer survivors, the many service dogs who assist cancer patients, and those who have passed away from cancer (human and canine).  A Bark for Life walk event was held in Riverside County (Corona) and Orange County (Costa Mesa) this year, with great turnouts and amazing fundraising results, all benefiting the fight against cancer. Simply Fur-nominal!   

GOP Congressman, Jason Chaffetz, of Utah, calls for more dogs in the airport rather than body scanning machines.  Most of us know how inconvenient and annoying it is to travel by plane anymore due to airport security measures and the invasion of privacy that comes with the body scanning machine.  Well, Republicans like Congressman Chaffetz are irritated at the amount of money being spent on such machines when there are more useful, capable, and reliable alternatives, such as a well-trained bomb-sniffing dog.   And while Congressman Chaffetz is certain that bomb-sniffing dogs would do a better job and be more cost effective than the body scanning machine, the dogs do not have lobbyist pushing for them like the machines do.  While TSA says it sends out more than 800 bomb-sniffing dog teams in more than 80 airports (like LAX) around the country they do not seem interested in replacing the body scanning machines with these dog teams.  Will we ever see the end of body scanning machines? Only time will tell if this one will go to the dogs.

Who can forget the adorable race held each year to name the annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener champion? This year marked the 16^th Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals held in Los Alamitos, benefiting the Seal Beach Animal Care Center.  Each year thousands of fans come to watch the wienies race, and this year they came to see 98 participants compete for the gold.  The participants were broken into 12 heats, running a distance of 50 yards, and the winners of each heat went on to the championship race. But of 98 Dachshunds, only one could be the winner of the prestigious title “Fastest Wiener in the West”.  This year’s title goes to wiener #2, Penny Lane, for the second year in a row.  Way to go Penny Lane!

It’s been a busy year in the dog community, and it’s still not over yet!  Check out ‘Part 3’ to find out how one dog was honored for her bravery, a group of dogs broke another world record, and how other dogs were blessed this holiday season.

‘Paws’ to Look Back on 2011 (Part 1)

Another year is quickly coming to an end.  This is the time when most people sit and reflect on the year’s progress, setbacks, and accomplishments.  This is also the perfect time to reflect on the big dog events of 2011.     

The year started off big for canines as Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance® Pet Foods, Inc. broke a Guinness World Record® with their float in the Tournament of Roses® Parade on January 1^st.  Natural Balance® broke a Guinness World Record® in last year’s Rose Parade, having the longest float ever.  This year’s goal was to break the record for “Heaviest Float” ever, and indeed they did.  Their float weighed a record breaking 84,000 pounds.  How did they do it, you ask? By filling their float with water – 4,000 gallons of water to be exact.  This year’s float featured a pool, for dock diving dogs to jump into, and a water way for dogs to skimboard across during the parade.  The dogs who got to show off their moves included Tillman the skateboarding Bulldog (named “World’s Fastest Skateboarding Dog” by Guinness World Records®), and the winners of a contest held last November by Natural Balance®.  Happy pups splashing, slipping, and sliding to “Who let the Dog’s Out”, quickly turned this float into a fan favorite.  The crowd loved it, the float received awards, such as “Exceptional Merit”, and most importantly, they broke a Guinness World Record®.  Paws-itively Delightful!

Dogs kept the ball rolling into February by beating out husbands for Valentine’s gifts.  In February, Google search trends showed Valentine’s Day searches for “Personalized Dog Gifts” were 10% higher than “Personalized Husband Gifts”.  Overall, Google searches for “Valentine’s Day Dog Gifts” increased by 30% this year compared to last year.  Searches for “Flowers for dogs”, “Red dog collars”, and “Chocolates for dogs” also increased this year by 10%, 10%, and 20%, respectively.  Watch out men – You seem to have a little competition.  

Not all news from this year has been good news.  Every year passes with heartbreaking stories of animal abuse or neglect.  Riverside County had seen steady growth during the 90’s into the early 2000’s.  So much so that Corona was the fastest growing city from 2000 – 2004 which caused the sprouting a new city, now known as East Vale.  But what goes up must come down, and the current state of the economy has left hundreds of homes abandoned due to foreclosure.   But homes were not the only thing being abandoned this year.  As families were forced to move into apartments or living situations that do not allow dogs, they decided to abandon their dog with the house.  If the dog was lucky enough to be noticed by a neighbor, he might have made it to a shelter or rescue group and may have found a new home.  Sad as it is, this problem is not isolated to California and has been happening across the country, creating an even greater burden on the already overcrowded animal shelters.  This is why it’s more important than ever to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue group.

 That was just breaking news from the beginning of the year.  Check put ‘Part 2’ to find out how dogs raised thousands of dollars for The American Cancer Society, are working to change laws in Washington, and are becoming National Champions.  All that and more, coming up this week.