Bring Your Dog To Work

Do you bring your dog to work?

Would you like to, but are afraid she will make you look like a bad doggy parent?

If you are among the fortunate who get to bring your dog to work, you can preserve the privilege by turning your dog into Canine Employee of the Month!

Here are some helpful tips to make your day at work with your dog something you want to repeat:

Mind the manners.

Beef up on those manners cues. That is; make sure that Sit, Stay, and Quiet are nice and reliable.

Come prepared.

Your doggy day-pack should include food, treats and your dog’s favorite chew toy for the times she needs a snack or just some comfort from home. You should also bring a leash and poop bags for your frequent trips outside. Don’t forget a dog bed or blanket for when she is sitting quietly at your side. And just as a precaution, some pet-stain or odor remover in case of accidents.

Be mindful of others.

Not everyone is a dog lover and it’s your responsibility to keep Fido away from anyone who might not appreciate dog kisses, paw prints or a hair shower.

Take breaks together.

Schedule at least two breaks for your pooch to stretch his legs and go potty. If possible, spend your lunchtime together, perhaps with a nice walk.

Call us to get your dog some refresher obedience courses before you show him off at work! 602-237-6775

If you want some help scheduling a “bring your dog to work day” at your office, check out The Corporate Canine.

5 Fun Dog Gifts

5 Fun Dog Gift Ideas This Christmas

Wondering what to get the dog lovers on your holiday shopping list?

Or, are you looking for the perfect gifts from Santa Paws for your own pups?

Whether you are shopping for your own pack or looking to put a smile on a pet lover’s face this Christmas, there are tons of fun dog gift ideas you can choose from. Before you write your list and check it twice, check out these dog-friendly gifts.

Adorable Leashes and Collars

Collars are a great way to show off your dog’s style and personality, and that’s why they can make perfect gifts for your pets. You can find cute collars, harnesses, and leashes online to fit any size, shape, or personality of your pup. From light-up collars to keep those nightly walks safe to stretchy leashes that will protect your hands, you are sure to find the perfect Christmas gift for your pal. Before you make a selection, check out reviews so you know you are getting safe, durable products for your pet or any pet lover who makes it onto your shopping list.

Tasty Treats for Stockings

The way to most dogs’ hearts is through their stomachs, so you cannot go wrong with some delicious treats to stuff those stockings. If you are handy in the kitchen, you can use some festive treat recipes to make batches of biscuits, cookies, and treats to check off all the dogs and pup parents on your list. Whipping up some tasty mutt mints or peppermint treats will also leave your home smelling like the season, but if you prefer to purchase treats, there are many options to explore. You can find a list of the best treats to buy for dogs over at Business Insider, ranging from training treats to dental bones.

Tech to Keep Your Connected

If you really want to splurge on your dog or a dog lover in your family, you can check out some high-tech pet gear that is guaranteed to impress. Some of the more fun items on this list are interactive toys that allow pup parents to play with their furkids even when they are away. If you want to give your pup parents peace of mind, you can also opt for tech that helps keep their dogs safe. Pet trackers and GPS collars are becoming more popular, and there are a variety of models to choose from, so you can find one that fits your budget.

Cozy Beds for Multiple Naps

Dogs love to doze away their days, so why not get them a bed that will keep them comfy during those long naps? Beds make a great Christmas gift for the pets on your list, and you can easily find a bed for any size, shape, or health need. Small dogs will love cuddling into a little bed shaped like a bowl, whereas larger breeds may need something they can stretch those massive limbs out on. If you have any older dogs on your list, you may want to look for something that provides more support for achy joints. Orthopedic dog beds are a safe choice for older and larger dogs who tend to have more issues with pain and stiffness in their body.

Gear to Keep Pets Active

For those active pups and dog parents on your list, you may need to think outside of the box for Christmas gifts. Check out stores like REI for hiking and outdoor gear that will keep even the most adventurous dogs outfitted. You can pick up backpacks to help dogs carry their own supplies or specialty creams that will protect paws from exposure to ice, snow, and other elements. REI’s flexible exchange policy also makes it easier for recipients to make returns if something doesn’t quite fit on their pooch.

Finding the perfect present for the pups and pet owners on your shopping list doesn’t have to stress you out. You can check out reviews and product lists online, so you are sure to get gifts that will put a smile on any dog or dog lover’s face.

~Thank you to Cindy Aldridge of ourdogfriends.org for this guest post

Make Sure Pets Are Safe

Make sure your pets are safe this holiday season!

Family comes into town, friends come over.

Commotion stirs all around the house.

New decorations come out.

The hustle and bustle of a busy time can leave your dog feeling a little anxious or just flat out bored!

Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your pets are safe through this holiday season and get nothing but compliments from friends and family.

#1 Make sure your dog is extra exercised!

Play a good game of fetch with him.

Take longer walks or more involved and fun training sessions before your guests arrive. (Did you know if you incorporate training while out walking with your dog: it requires them to think harder, resulting in more mental energy burned vs. just physical energy!)

#2 Preparing a special dog area

Use your dog’s crate or a separate bedroom where you can send your dog to go relax and to tell guests to give the dog some space to nap. (Or to keep Grandpa from slipping Rover turkey dinner underneath the table.)

Trainer tip: I like to prepare some frozen Kong’s, raw Marrow bones, or pick up some bully sticks so my dogs have something to do while I’m busy entertaining guests.

#3 Train them, don’t blame them!

Did you know these training commands can save your dog’s life?

LEAVE IT – A strong leave it command can stop counter surfing before it even starts and keep your dog from eating things they shouldn’t be.

STAY – A good stay can keep your dog from door dashing out the front door when guests arrive.

COME – A solid come command can bring your dog back if they do make it outside without your permission.

PLACE – A go to your kennel/ go to your bed can help your dog feel more comfortable having his or her own area out from underneath your feet and table.

Please keep pets safe this holiday season! Avoid these Holiday dangers:

Do NOT feed dogs any type of cooked bones. They can break off into small pieces or shards and cause serious damage to your pets. (Safety note: never induce vomiting if a pet has ingested a sharp object, please contact a vet right away if you think your pet has consumed something dangerous.)
Skip out on giving leftovers or scraps to your dogs. Avoid spicy, sugary, fatty foods and bones all together that can cause upset tummies. (xylitol – an artificial sweetener, and chocolate can be extremely harmful to your pets.)

Keep our feline friends safe too! Please be aware:

Holiday plants can also be deadly to pets. Be careful if you are bringing any new plants into your home this season.
Tinsel, shiny things and cords can become a danger to our pets this holiday season. Be aware of what decorations might just look like a fun toy to our furry friends.

Preventive tips:

Take out the trash right away (or get a trash can with a lid) to avoid any bad behavior from occurring. Your dog will not understand why you are throwing away all those good smelling scraps!
Prevent counter surfing by keeping dogs out of the kitchen. Keep temptations far enough away from the edge so that your dog cannot get to them.

Be a good dog manager!

Put up pet gates near the front door/ or kitchen if your dog has a hard time with door dashing or counter surfing.
Monitor children and dogs to ensure everyone’s safety.
Take advantage of a great time to train your dog when guests come over!
Have your dog on a leash. Have your treat pouch ready to capture all those good behaviors your dog will offer. Good behaviors like laying on their dog bed, not jumping up, staying inside when the guests are coming in and out, etc.
Tell guests ahead of time your dog’s rules. Maybe even post a sign on the door reminding guests we don’t pet and reward our dogs for jumping up on them or feed them from the table. (GRANDPA!)

More commotion and activity means your dog will probably be drinking more water as well. Always provide extra fresh water during these times.

The best gift you can give this season is a well-trained dog! We offer all types of dog training packages for the pooch in your life to get them started on the right paw! If your dog is already trained, she can continue learning with some fun classes we offer!

May your holiday season be filled with love, thanks and pet safety!

-Devan Johnson CPDT-KA

Dog Trainer Certifications

What do all those letters behind a dog trainers name actually mean?

CPDT, APDT, KA, ABCDT, CATT…and there’s SO many more!

Let’s start at the beginning.

How does a dog trainer become certified?

There are a lot of ways to become a certified dog trainer, and some do it without any formal certifications. Some trainers have various degrees and some do not. Some have years of apprentice experience training next to other leaders in the industry and other branch out on their own with what they learned in school. However one decides is the best route for them, the letters behind their name can lend credibility to them and give them accountability to an organization much larger than themselves.

Dog Trainer Certification Requirements

While there is no specific certification requirements to be a professional dog trainer, the proof is in the pudding. Remember the old adage, the more you put in the more you get out? This is true for dog trainers. When you see those letters after a trainers name, you can be assured that they take their profession seriously. They have put in the time and effort it takes to become the best that they can in their field.

Certified? By All Means…

Here is a list, taken from an article published by APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers) that spells out everything you need to know.

AABP-CDT: AABP Certified Dog Trainer through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
AABP-CABC: AABP Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
AABP-CDBC: AABP Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
AABP-CPBC: AABP Certified Parrot Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
AABP-CCBC: AABP Certified Cat Behavior Consultant through Association of Animal Behavior Professionals
ABCDT: Certified by (graduated from) Animal Behavior College
ASMA: Member of Animal Behavior Management Alliance
ACAAB: Associate Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
ACDBC: Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
AHT: Animal Health Technology program.
AKC CGC: American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator
ANWI: Associate Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
AS-ES: Certification from the Equine Science Society.
BA: Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from an accredited college or university
BCBA:- Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board
BEd: Bachelor’s of Education from an accredited college or university
BFA: Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Degree from an accredited college or university
BS (or BSc): Bachelor’s of Science Degree from an accredited college or university
BFRAP: Bach Foundation Registered Practitioner
BVetMed: Bachelors of Veterinary Medicine, awarded by the University of London, UK
CAAB: Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist by The Animal Behavior Society
CABC: Certified Animal Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CAP1 and CAP2: Competency Assessment Program Levels 1 and 2 (through Kay Laurence, United Kingdom – www.learningaboutdogs.com)
CBATI: Certified Behavior Adjustment Training Instructor
CAT T: Certified American Treibball Trainer from the American Treibball Association
CBCC-KA: Certified Behavior Consultant Canine through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, www.ccpdt.org
CCAB: Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist through the Association for the Study of Animal Behavior
CCA-CDT: Certified Dog Trainer from the Canine Club Academy
CCBC: Certified Cat Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CCDT: CATCH Certified Dog Trainer through the CATCH Canine Trainers Academy
CDBC: Certified Dog Behavior Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants
CDT: Certified Dog Trainer (various schools use this designation – check with individual trainer for more information).
CDW: Certified Dog Walker through Dogtec.
Cert AAH: Applied Animal Herbalism Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert ACN: Advanced Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CBST: Canine Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CF: Canine Fitness Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert CN: Canine Nutrition Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert DDC: Dog Daycare Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert DT: Dog Training Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute, www.casinstitute.com
Cert FBST: Feline Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert PBST: Parrot Behavior Sciences and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert PDTST: Professional Dog Training Science and Technology Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Cert SRW: Shelter and Rescue Work Certificate from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
CFI 1 &2: Certified Freestyle Instructor from the Canine Freestyle Federation.
CNWI: Certified Nose Work Instructor through National Association of Canine Scent Work
CPDT-KA: Certified Professional Dog Trainer- Knowledge Assessed through Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers
CPDT-KSA: Certified Pet Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills assessed through Certification Council for Dog Trainers
CTBC: Certified Training and Behavior Consultant from the Dog Training Internship Academy
CTC: Certificate in Training and Counseling – previously run through the San Francisco Academy for Dog Trainers and now via the Academy for Dog Trainers
CTDI: Certified Trick Dog Instructor from Do More With Your Dog!
CVT: Certified Veterinary Technician – Information on credentialing available at the NAVTA site
DACVB: Diplomate American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
Dip ABT: Diploma in Animal Behavior Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Dip CBST: Diploma in Canine Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
DIP CCBT: Diploma of Canine Counseling and Behavior Training from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Dip FBST: Diploma in Feline Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
Dip PBST: Diploma in Parrot Behavior Science and Technology from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute
DVM: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an accredited college or university
DWA: Dog Tee Dog Walking Academy Graduate from www.dogbizsuccess.com
IACP-CDT: Certified Dog Trainer through the International Association of Canine Professionals
IACP-CDTA: Certified Dog Trainer Advanced through the International Association of Canine Professionals
JD: Juris Doctorate (law degree) from an accredited college or university
KPA CTP: Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner through the Karen Pryor Academy
LCSW: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
LISW: Licensed Independent Social Worker
LVT: Licensed Veterinary Technician
MA: Masters Degree from an accredited college or university
MAT: Masters of Arts for Teachers Degree from an accredited college or university
MBA: Masters of Business Administration from an accredited college or university
MEd: Masters of Education from an accredited college or university
MLA: Masters of Liberal Arts from an accredited college or university
MPH: Masters of Public Health from an accredited college or university
MRCVS: Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (United Kingdom)
MS: Masters of Science from an accredited college or university
MSW: Masters of Social Work from an accredited college or university
NADOI: Endorsed by National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors
OSCT: Operation Socialization Certified Trainer
PhD: Doctoral Degree from an accredited college or university
PMCT: Pat Miller Certified Trainer through Pat Miller’s Peaceable Paws
PsyD: Doctor of Psychology from an accredited college or university
RN: Registered Nurse
RVT: Registered Veterinary Technician – Information on credentialing available at the NAVTA site
D: Doctor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university.
VSPDT: Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Trainer, www.positively.com

Stop My Dog Chewing On Things (and Me!)

How can I stop my dog chewing and biting things (and me!)?

Those little puppy teeth are just that; little. Little and cute, and sweet, and even fun at first.

It’s not until your new dog is chewing your baseboards into sawdust that you realize it’s not so cute anymore.

If you are having a problem with a dog biting and chewing on things, Devan Johnson of AZ Dog Sports has some tips for you.

Finding a solution for your dog chewing on everything

Type of Dog

Higher drive dogs need more stimulation then a lower drive dog. Every dog, no matter what, loves to chew. The type of dog you have will determine the level of effort needed on your part to alleviate this issue.

Amount of Exercise Your Dog Gets

Determine how much exercise your dog is actually getting in a day and how much training you do with them each day. A dog should be getting anywhere from 30 min-2 hours of physical exercise daily.

Keeping Your Dog Occupied

Teaching your dog fetch, or tug, playing with them. Giving them mentally stimulating things to chew on such as Kong’s, fun treat dispensing toys, bully sticks, cow hoofs, antlers, Nylabones, raw bones; are all good options to keeping a dog busy. (Make sure you monitor your dog when chewing bones, small pieces can break off so make sure your dog knows a drop it command first.)

Keeping Your Dog Safe

Crate training is a great way to make sure a new dog or puppy is safe and not chewing on things that can harm them.

Redirect! Redirect! Redirect!

When you are playing with your dog and they start to bite; try not to move your hands and body around like a fun toy, stand still and slowly remove yourself if your puppy thinks you’re a chew toy. (A pen area is a good place to make sure you can get away from him/her if they chew on you.)

If your puppy knows a marker word you can redirect them by introducing a toy. Show them the toy, and when they show interest in it, mark and reward near the toy so they learn good things happen when I chew on my own toys.

Extra Tip For When You Are Getting A New Puppy

Always have a toy handy when going to pet a puppy, they want everything to go in their mouth, that’s how they learn and explore their new world! Set them up for success and make sure they are properly exercised and have something to teethe on. You can even freeze some toys to help soothe sore puppy gums.

Remember, all dogs love to play, chew and run! Give them proper outlets for these activities and you will have a happy dog and happy household!

~ by Devan Johnson

AZ Dog Sports has new puppy classes starting all the time!

If you think your dog is too old to learn a new trick….you might be wrong! We also have beginner obedience classes starting all the time for those dogs over 1 year old.