Garbage digging, trash raiding, or dumpster diving — whatever you call it, it’s both annoying and dangerous. If you’re lucky, you’ll clean up the mess and your dog will just have a mild case of diarrhea from his dietary indiscretions, but the consequences of this behavior are potentially much more serious, even fatal, if your …
Even the best dogs make occasional mistakes, or have momentary lapses in judgment. Sometimes their mistakes stem from following their natural instincts, but just as often, misbehavior has been reinforced in some way. Nature or Nurture? Dogs are naturally curious and thoroughly explore their surroundings, usually with their noses first, but also by sight. When …
If you’re one of millions of people who travel with your dog, you’ll not only want to travel safely, but you’ll also want to make your trips as pleasurable for yourself and your canine companion as possible. Along with being fun and exciting, being away from home can also be stressful, but there are some …
Trick training is more than teaching your dog cute behaviors. Like all training, trick training helps your relationship with your dog, improves your timing, and reinforces your dog’s other training. And if you do therapy work with your dog, your audience is likely to be very appreciative of even the simplest tricks. Capture It Shaping …
Pet-assisted therapy has become more popular in recent years. There are a variety of types of pet-assisted therapy and venues in which to pursue it. In some facilities, therapy work is primarily an entertainment source and stress reliever for the patients, but in others patients are put to work in some fashion with the dogs. …
Outdoor activities that you can enjoy with your dog abound. Depending on the energy and fitness level of your dog, and his individual proclivities, outdoor fun might include simple backyard games like Frisbee, swimming, or hiking, but could also include more exotic activities, like skijoring (see the info on skijoring later in this chapter). The …
The more time you spend with your dog, the more ways you’ll find to play with her. Some games will be discovered, and some invented. Some of the games will be physical, while others will be mental. Some of the best games combine physical and mental play to keep your dog engaged and productively occupied. …
If you watch dogs interact, you’ll notice an almost ritualistic array of physical communication. Some behaviors are displayed to calm or defer to whomever the communication is aimed toward. Other displays indicate an alert, assertive frame of mind, or even an invitation to play. Facial Expressions Dogs have an array of facial expressions. A relaxed …
There is quite a bit of controversy over whether or not playing tug games with your dog is a good idea. For the average dog, teaching her to play tug by the rules is a great way to let her have fun, in addition to giving you exquisite control of her mouth. For many dogs, …
The ultimate game of cooperation, fetch (or retrieving) is a terrific way to both build cooperation and wear your dog out. Some dogs are natural retrievers, but most dogs with even a slight interest in toys can be taught to enjoy retrieving. The Two-toys Game The two-toys game is a great way to get your …
There are lots of ways to play with your dog: physical games, games with toys, and mental games. When you play with your dog, it’s important to play in a way that doesn’t undermine your dog’s training or your relationship with him. The way to do that is to control the games, both what games …
There are an abundance of activities that kids and dogs can enjoy together. From organized and competitive events to backyard fun, you’re sure to be able to find something that both your child and your dog will enjoy. Just for Fun Give your kid a clicker (or teach her how to use a verbal CR, …
Sometimes kids’ natural affection for dogs can get them into trouble. Your child needs to understand that not every dog is friendly or safe, and that even the cute ones can be dangerous. There are several simple precautions for your child to take when approaching or being approached by strange dogs. Unattended Dogs Unattended dogs …
Bringing home a new baby is of course a time of joy, but it can also be very stressful for new parents as well as their dogs. From the time a new baby comes home, everything is different — the schedule, sights, sounds, and smells. Last but not least, the lion’s share of what was …
You already know how important leadership is for dogs to be happy and well behaved. Leadership is just as important for kids, both to model for them how to treat your dog, and to ease your dog’s mind that someone is in charge of the miniature (and often loud, erratic, and quick-moving) humans in their …
Some dogs are extremely tolerant of even rough handling by children, and will happily accept being used as pillows, or being dressed up in baby clothes and wheeled around the neighborhood in a stroller. However, dogs, even those that are considered to be members of their human families, are animals first, and will defend themselves …
Now that your dog has some understanding of the leave it command in very controlled circumstances, it’s time to kick things up to the next level, incorporating more realistic scenarios into your training program. During this time, you’ll teach your dog that paying attention to your command is more rewarding than paying attention to what …
After several days of random object exchanges, your dog should be happy to see you approaching him when he has something in his mouth, knowing it means a good deal for him. At the very least, he’ll get something good in exchange for what he has, and he might even get what he has back …
Dog aggression, particularly on leash, is an unfortunately common problem in today’s world, where dogs often suffer from lack of socialization with their own species. Some dogs who have forgotten how to speak dog well, decide on a “the best defense is a good offense” strategy when dealing with other dogs, just because they don’t …
Predators that they are, moving objects are always of special interest to dogs, and cars are no exception. Herding breeds, terriers, and the bull breeds especially have reputations for car chasing, trying to grab moving tires, or both, but any dog can be vulnerable to this potentially fatal obsession. Leave it, sometimes combined with an …
You’ll teach your dog the leave it command with treats, and then transfer the meaning to other things he would otherwise pursue with abandon if unimpeded by your command. During the process of teaching your dog to “leave it” on command, you’ll also teach your dog to “take it” on command, so this is really …
