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Are you ready for a new puppy?

are you ready for a new puppy

Assess Your Puppy Readiness  – Is your family ready for a new puppy?

Puppies are great. They spread joy, provide endless entertainment, and most could win cuteness contests all day long just by existing. But puppies are also fast-growing, potentially havoc-wreaking little learning machines. Nature packs in as much information intake as possible in those first few months.  And if you’re not prepared … your puppy may learn all the wrong things.  You could spend months—or years—playing catch-up, trying to recover from early mistakes.

Are you equipped?

Food, bowls, a leash, and a few toys won’t be enough. At a minimum, you will need:

  • A puppy crate.
  • An X-pen or baby gate.
  • Kongs and treat balls.
  • An ID tag, a flat collar, and a harness for walks.
  • Long and short leashes.
  • A canine toothbrush and toothpaste, nail clippers, dog shampoo, brushes.
  • A variety of toys.

Is your home puppy-proof?

Set up a confinement area (despite the name this is a cozy den for your puppy) for alone time and potty training. The area should be easy to clean and easy to close off with a baby gate. Think kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom. Furnish the area with a bed or crate, a water bowl, and several toys.

Are the house rules clear?

Decide on set routines and procedures for consistency before you bring your puppy home. If more than one person is responsible for puppy raising, who will be in charge of the house-training routine? Where will the puppy be allowed—on the bed? The couch? Who will walk the puppy? Take the puppy to classes? Practice homework?

Do you have good dog professionals lined up?

E.g. veterinarian, groomer, daycare facility, dog walker, pet sitter, and, of course, a top-notch dog trainer and puppy class. We can help you with your puppy or refer you to other certified, positive-reinforcement trainers, depending on your situation and location. The key is to plan well ahead for your puppy’s first year of socialization and learning.

Beyond the wonderful Instagram fodder, puppy time is a one-off opportunity to shape the dog you will live with for many years to come.

We can get you started with your new puppy!  Here is where you start…

Call us for more information…602-237-6775

Teaching Dog Table Manners

Tips for Teaching Dog Table Manners

Do you have a dog that begs?  Do you sometimes think it would be easier to not eat than to have to deal with your dogs head on your lap the whole meal?  Teaching a dog table manners can sometimes seem like an exercise in starvation!

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the stress of making it through without too many debacles. Having a dog in the house could lead to disaster, but with a little planning and practice ahead of time, you and your dog can have a wonderful holiday season.

Let’s take a look at some of the behaviors that make for a dog with bad table manners.

Counter-Surfing

We want to avoid things like dogs putting their feet and faces onto kitchen counters and tabletops. Not only is this a major problem, it is actually dangerous for our dogs. They could eat something bad for them, or burn themselves on a hot stove top. I like to remind myself that whenever my dog has a problem behavior, something I don’t want them doing, what I really need is a solution behavior, what I want them to do instead. In regards to counter-surfing I usually try to remove the temptation first, and have my dog stay away from the counters when they are covered in food.

Tip #1 Train your dog to wait outside of the kitchen, especially while you are cooking.

To accomplish this I train a boundary line at the entrance or entrances of my kitchen, and reward my dog for staying out of the kitchen. Try to start training in a way that makes your dog successful, so use a quiet empty kitchen initially. Once your dog has the hang of the idea, you can raise criteria and train for your goals. If the boundary of your kitchen isn’t obvious to your dog, try adding contrasting tape while your dog is learning.

Begging

teaching dog table manners, dog begging, az dog sports, dog training phoenixThose puppy-dog eyes can be hard to resist, especially for guests that don’t have to live with them year-round. Every time your dog earns a piece of food for drooling on someone’s lap, they are making a memory of how great begging works. Let’s give them a way better way to earn food, like laying politely on their dog bed.

Tip #2 Train your dog to go to their bed while you are eating.

You will need to build your dog’s ability to stay on their bed while you are doing something distracting like eating a yummy dinner, so practice rewarding your dog when you walk back over to them.

Jumping for Plates (and/or Joy)

Magic saucers of deliciousness flying above a dog’s head can be pretty hard to resist. Especially if your dog has never been in a situation like that before. When those two front paws leave the ground trouble can abound. It is a good idea to prepare your dog for that temptation, training in a way that makes your dog successful.

teaching dog table manners, az dog sports

Tip #3 Give your dog something better to do.

You can practice moving plates above your dog’s head, and rewarding your dog for ignoring the plates. (I suggest starting with an empty and non-breakable plate). When the house actually fills up, and the buffet line begins it may just be too much. Consider pre-filling a Kong or other food puzzle for your dog with fun frozen mixtures of treats and peanut butter. Your dog can enjoy their treat in another space, while you and your family enjoy yours.

Behaviors from Stress

Thanksgiving and Christmas are favorite seasons for a lot of people, but strangers and strange items entering the house can be scarier than Halloween for our dogs. You might see odd behavior this time of year as the weather changes and our own stress levels rise. To head this off, consider signing up for a holiday training at AZ Dog Sports. You and your dog will have fun re-learning how to apply their training to the real-life aspects of a full house and Christmas meals.

Tip #4 Take the Holiday Manners class at AZ Dog Sports (Thursdays at 9am)

AZ Dog Sports is offering their Holiday Manners class, where the final exam involves working around a table laden with food. Our trainers are also available for one on one private in-home lessons to address specific concerns where they happen.

Extra tips for teaching dog table manners

The holidays can be an exciting and stressful time. Keeping your dog on-leash in the house can help keep them safe and successful with the extra commotion. Family visiting means more trips in and out of the house, and a higher likelihood of someone leaving the door open. Keeping your dog nearby will help them feel more secure, and actually keep them secure.

 

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10 Tips For Bringing a New Dog Into My Household

What’s the best way to bring a new dog into my household?

I am a proud hu-mom to a total of five critters, four of whom live full time in my house. I have three dogs, a horse and a cat (who hasn’t decided on his official species designation.) Through my career as a trainer I’ve spent countless hours working on bringing a new dog into my household.

I have always had success with incorporating new animals, and it isn’t only because I’m a professional.

The secret to bringing a new dog into your household is simply, being properly prepared.  In today’s world, families are as dynamic as the weather.  Children moving back in with parents, dating couples just starting out with their first home, or blended families learning how to peacefully cohabitate…are just a few examples of situations where dogs must learn to live together with other dogs.

No matter your life situation, these 10 tips can help ensure any new puppy additions happen smoothly.

Consider the entire family when deciding on a new member

Once the decision has been made about where this new dog is coming from, consider the ages of the household and how this new energy will impact the pups and people already living there. A puppy can breathe new life into a senior dog, or be a source of constant agitation. The impact the new dog has on your established pets will depend a lot on your preparedness. You need a plan in place to make sure everyone can get along through the various growing pains. One of the best ways to make sure everyone gets along is to take time to make your decision, meet the new puppy or dog several times, and have them meet your entire family before coming home.

Choose a neutral environment for the introductions if you can 

This will look different depending on the age and temperament of the dogs involved. If you have a dog who is unsure of new dogs, having the dogs meet in an environment your dog already enjoys may be a good option. Your front yard or somewhere in the neighborhood can work too, just try to eliminate extra stresses like barking dogs or noisy yard work. With a new puppy who needs to be careful until fully vaccinated, meeting in the backyard usually works.

Make your environment as successful as possible

This may mean removing items that your current dog or the new dog might become possessive about. Pick up dog toys and chew bones before giving the new member a chance to explore with their new housemates.

Spend time bonding with all of the dogs in your house

Giving each dog one-on-one time will help keep your relationship strong, making the transition of sharing you much easier.

Find something everyone enjoys

This could be playing fetch, or even getting belly rubs. Having a dog watch another dog enjoy an activity shows them that dog is fun.

Play the name game

Teach each dog what their name is, and make it clear who you are talking to and rewarding.

Don’t be afraid to keep the new dog on-leash

Yes, even inside the house when you aren’t going anywhere or doing anything except living in your house. By keeping the new addition close by and having them follow you around for a few days, you are showing them exactly HOW to behave in your house. You are right there to redirect them from behaviors you’d rather they didn’t do, and most importantly reward them for good behavior and good choices.

Play it safe initially

Even with a new puppy, it’s a good idea to make sure feeding time goes smoothly and no one feels crowded. Feed your new dog or puppy in an enclosed space such as their kennel, but where the dogs can still see each other if it’s safe to do so. Establish your normal routines early on, and have the new dog follow the feeding routine you already have in place.

Go for walks together

Dogs love to travel together, and this is one of the ways they establish bonds. Even with a puppy who cannot yet go for walks, you can practice walking together in the backyard, which will help make walks more fun when you do venture out the front door.

train my dog, az dog sports, dog training phoenixWork with a professional trainer or behaviorist

A professional trainer can help you evaluate the pets in your home, and the temperament of any new potential additions. They can suggest specific positive reinforcement training to help you navigate this new addition.

If you have questions or need assistance evaluating or bringing a new dog into your household, please give us a call.  We can help!

602-237-6775

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Dog Games – Solving Boredom in Your Dog

If you have an active dog (or dogs) like I do, the hot summers of Phoenix are extra brutal. My dogs and I come down with summertime cabin fever, but we are trapped in the A/C most of the time.  Insert…Dog Games! I had to learn to change my own perspective on exercising my dogs to find options for safely tiring out my high-energy dogs without having to leave the house.

Most dogs love physical exertion, but all dogs need mental stimulation.  I have discovered over the years that if you can achieve mental stimulation and really make your dog think hard you are also physically tiring your dog. I know that my dogs find exercise reinforcing, so I want to make sure I’m rewarding the right mindset when we exercise.

Option One: Go for a walk around the house.

Just because it’s too hot to go for a walk outside doesn’t mean you can’t go for a walk at all. You can give your dog a mental and physical workout by teaching them to follow you as you maneuver around obstacles in your house. The bonus of this game is that it improves your dog’s loose leash skills overall.

  • Exercising the mind is just as important as exercising the body.
  • Play loose leash walking drills inside that teach your dog to follow you.
  • Add extra effort to simple trips outdoors with dog-parkour behaviors.

In Phoenix it gets too hot to walk our dogs even with dog-boots and waiting for nightfall. Walking inside the house can allow you to exercise your dog while improving their loose-leash skills and overall body awareness.

Option Two: Making the most use of your space for activity and exercise.

dog game, solving boredom in your dog
Game One : My three dogs and cat searching for food in the grass, or something similar.
dog game, solving boredom in your dog
My Bordercollie using her nose to find kibble.

No matter how tiny your condo, there really is a way to find room for activities! Like with Game One, we’re focusing on working our dog’s brain even more than their body.  You can make obstacle courses and puzzle games out of almost any interior.

  • Long hallways are super useful for “send-away & return to me” games.
  • Grass in the yard is a built-in snuffle mat. Toss a handful of kibble across the grass.
  • Pool noodles make inexpensive and safe obstacles for your dog to jump over or crawl under.
solving dog boredom, dog game
DIY Obstacle Course in my hallway with pool noodles.

Option Three: Your dog can work for their food.

Your dog will actually love it. Working for their food helps give them purpose or fulfillment. Our goal is not to frustrate our dogs, nor to limit how much their eating, but instead to challenge them in a fun way.

  • DIY food dispensers, like this one here.  Or this one here.

Meal time can become training time. Have your dog search for their food or take half for a training session. You can practice your dog’s wait, or have someone hold their collar while you carry their bowl around the corner to a hiding spot.

Option Four: Set a new goal for you and your dog.

This could be a new sport or even just a new trick. Having something specific to work on will help you stay engaged with your dog. Taking a class at an indoor training facility is a great way to make sure you and your pup follow-through on your new goals. I’m working on canine freestyle tricks with one of my dogs, and taking indoor agility classes at AZDS.

Get crafty. If you have a Pinterest account then you don’t have an excuse for not making tons of simple DIY options for new treats, toys, and puzzle games. Variety is the spice of life, mix things up for you and your dog.

Last but not least, remember that the summer can only last so long. In just a few more weeks outdoor training classes will start up again, and the blacktop will stop being hot enough to fry eggs. We’ll be watching the rest of the country surviving winter on the news again and having fun with our dogs in the Valley of the Sun.

 

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How I Became a Dog Trainer…

How I Became a Dog Trainer…how i became a dog trainer, Jaymie Cardin, dog trainer phoenix

~ By Jaymie Cardin

I became a dog trainer because it’s the only thing I have ever wanted to do. Well, maybe not the only thing.  I toyed with the idea of zookeeper or dog groomer; but that was before I knew dog training could be my sole career.

The Seed Is Planted

In high school, when I first thought I wanted to become a dog trainer, I started by taking service dog training classes. This is where it all began. After that first class, I knew there wouldn’t be anything else that could give me that kind of high.  After high school, I found it was difficult to continue in a dog training career because all the options were either too far away, meaning across the country; or they only offered online classes without the hands-on experience. I wanted something hands-on where I could go study in person.

In the meantime, I gained experience in other ways.  I volunteered at Power Paws assistance dogs and helped train other people’s dogs. This was good experience but I was still missing the crucial part of a classroom study.

Dog Trainer Schools

Then I found AZ Dog Smart Academy.

AZ Dog Smart Academy is a hands-on school dedicated to helping you become a dog trainer. The best part about this program is the ability to learn from multiple trainers with different backgrounds. During my time here I was encouraged to find other opportunities outside of the Academy. They recognized that I couldn’t learn everything from them, so they helped me find supplemental learning options from other high-quality dog training programs.

My New Dog Training Career

I have been with AZ Dog Smart Academy for over a year now. With my previous experience, dedication and other classes, I have now graduated to an instructor. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t found AZ Dog Smart Academy, but I’m glad I never have to find out!

Read more about how you can become a dog trainer like Jaymie here!

azdogsports@msn.com

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