Pet Emergency Contact Sheet

Do you put much thought into choosing a pet-sitter for your furry friends?
How much research do you do?
What kinds of questions do you ask?
Do you get your pets approval?

Choosing a pet-sitter should not be taken lightly. Your pets are part of your family and they should be treated as such. Here are some things to think about when looking for a pet-sitter:

Interview the candidates, at your home (or theirs, wherever the sitting will take place) so you can see how the interaction will play out with your pet and the new sitter.
Check references! We cannot stress this enough…ask for a list of people who you can call to get references, and then call them!
Make sure your pet-sitter is licensed, bonded & certified.
Leave as much information for your pet-sitter as you can. In case of an emergency, they won’t be left guessing what to do.

Print out this re-usable resource to use every time you leave your pets in the care of someone else.

PET-SITTER
INFORMATION SHEET

SPEAK UP! Talk To Your Trainer

The More You Ask, The More You Know

If you are one of the many people currently taking an obedience class or fun activity class with your dog, you are to be commended for that choice! Your dog will bond with you and enjoy learning new skills and activities. As for the human component of the equation, don’t be afraid to try many of the varied dog sports, tricks, scent work and agility you can.

Trying different trainers can also be fun, and it may challenge your level of knowledge.

There is so much to know, and so many ways to learn. Many people are confused when a new trainer suggests a method they are not familiar using. At our training center in Phoenix, AZ, we have 10 trainers; all with different specialties. The common thread is that all the methods are linked to science based training, and our preference is using positive reinforcement. The differences are as varied as the trainer’s personalities.

How to pick the right trainer for you and your dog

If you are not an outgoing, gregarious person, you may prefer to be taught by someone whose teaching style is more in line with your personality. Maybe a calm, soft spoken and intentional trainer is a better fit for you. If you are extroverted, and more willing to try new skills; maybe a high activity class with lots of action is more your style. If you like structure, precise directions and planning details, you may not want a trainer that focuses on the big picture and varies exercises extemporaneously. Try to pick a trainer that you feel comfortable interacting with who can help you with trying new strategies and methods.

Asking Questions Improves Learning

We encourage that you express any concerns, questions and opinions with your teacher after class. When students are in college they frequently challenge their professors by offering opposing opinions or asking questions in class. In adult education, we rarely see that because many students presume that they are learning from “the expert” and they generally defer. Any trainer worth their weight, will want you to ask for clarification or add information that may be pertinent to improve the approach to learning.

While I am not suggesting that you argue with your trainer, I do think it is good to question why one method is better than another. A person may need clarification to implement a technique. I find that all too often students feel intimidated or unable to ask a question in a non-confrontational way. Well-thought-out questions are valuable to any teacher, and make them better at their profession.

Yes, dogs can question too

It is an important part of the learning process that trainers, handlers and even dogs get to ask questions as to what is expected from them. If your dog does not understand what you are asking of him or her, try a different approach. It is the least you can do, and the most proactive way to participate in the success of your pet training. All trainers have varied creative methods to improve your enjoyment of your life with your pet.

Make the most of the fact that they all have something to teach you if you are willing to try.

Why Do Dogs Roll In Grass?

What makes a dog find a grassy spot to roll in?

When you head out of your house with your pup to go on a walk…be prepared! Your dog may have a completely different idea about what is about to happen than you. You are probably looking for a stroll/walk/run and expecting to move on at a nice clip…while your pup wants to stop every 3 feet to “investigate something”.

Most dogs have this habit to some extent. He/she might just want to follow a smell, get in a good shoulder-first roll in a patch of fresh grass with all its hidden secrets, or take a nosedive into a freshly manured field! Watching your dog and learning his/her behavior patterns can help to create a better bond between the two of you. But why? Why do dogs find certain places unavoidable and dive right in for a roll? And is it dangerous?

Dog Behavior Explained

The behavior of rolling in certain areas is called scent rolling and researchers speculate that it originated as a way to bring information back to the pack. Of course, dogs have had much time and adaptation to make the behavior their own, so it’s likely dogs roll in grass and other interesting materials for a number of reasons. One is to get rid of unwanted smells, for example that doggie shampoo you enjoy but that Fido does not appreciate. Itchy skin can be another cause for frequent and vigorous rolling, so look out for fleas, tick bites, or tell-tale signs of skin conditions such as scabs, redness, rashes, or bald patches.

Should I let my dog roll in the grass?

Rolling in grass is not dangerous in itself. Just be sure your dog has flea and tick protection, and be mindful of potential hazards like pesticides and herbicides that might be on the grass. Even absent any foul-smelling residue on his coat, your dog may need a good rinse post-roll.

Be mindful of your dog’s behaviors while out on a walk….but please don’t avoid walks with your pooch because of his behavior. It is very important for dogs to get daily exercise. So, get out, enjoy this cool weather that we (finally!) have in AZ with your pooch! LET HIM ROLL!

DON’T FORGET…

AZ Dog Sports can walk your dog for you if you don’t have the time!

602-237-6775

Puppy Proofing Your Home

We adopted a 4 month old Border Collie Mix. The lady at the foster agency where we got her said, “This is great! Her energy level will keep up with your 3 kids energy levels as they get older!” This excited me and made me smile. Our kids were 2, 4 & 6 at the time so I thought, “Great, they need someone to tire them out each day.”

Fast forward 2 weeks….

Mommy is on the floor of the closet crying because the dog was tiring ME out everyday!

Getting a new puppy is very exciting! Puppies are naturally curious creatures with a lot of energy to go around. They get into everything and try everything once. Just like small kids, they need boundaries and protection.

We quickly got our puppy into a puppy training class and things started to change right away! Just a little bit of discipline can go a long way! Part of that discipline plan is making your house safe for your new pup. It’s very important to keep your puppy safe while concurrently teaching him/her how to behave in these new surroundings. Here are some tips on puppy proofing your home…

Puppy Proofing Your House

The whole house

Hide electrical cords. Puppies love to chew and electrical cords can cause burns, shock and even death if chewed on. You can run your cords through PVC pipe to hide them from you puppy.

Hide small objects your puppy can chew or choke on.

Get guardrails for stairs, low windows, and balconies.

Invest in mats or runners for slippery hallways.

Place poisonous plants in high spots—or give them away.

Keep puppies away from fireplaces and space-heaters.

Cords that hang from draperies or blinds can cause strangulation. Either tie up the excess cords, or cut the loop in the cord.

Watch behind you when going through doors, puppies love to follow close behind.

Keep puppies out of the cat litter box. Both cat feces and the litter itself can be a health hazard to your puppy. Get a lid for your box, create a private space for the box that your puppy can’t get to or put it behind a baby gate.

Puppy Proofing Your Kitchen & Bathrooms

Dangers lurk everywhere

Put safety latches on any cabinet with cleaning supplies or poison.

Keep your dog away from human food scraps. When in the kitchen, put food away immediately so your puppy is not tempted to steal it. Dog-proof your garbage. Do not feed table scraps to your dog, this can be an annoying and a dangerous habit.

Keep plastic bags out of your puppy’s reach, and secure your garbage can.

Keep the toilet lid closed. This is for two reasons, the discourage drinking and prevent accidental drowning.

How To Puppy Proof Your Backyard

The whole yard

Make sure your yard is escape-proof.

Don’t leave your puppy in the yard unsupervised.

If you have a pool, put a fence around it.

Check your garage and any sheds to make sure chemicals, fertilizers, and sharp garden tools are off-limits.

Constant Puppy Supervision Is Key

That’s indoors and out. If you can’t supervise, put your puppy in a confinement/safe area with a toy.

And, YES we did keep the dog…still have her 4 years later. She is the best thing that ever happened to our family now!

Does A Dog’s Personality Affect Training?

Nature vs Nurture – How A Dog’s Personality & Temperament Affects Training

~Darcy Rohats, CPDT-KA

I have an announcement to make! There has been a darling addition to my household in the form of a five-month-old Chihuahua-mix girl, now named Rio. Rio is fitting in nicely and getting to know her new “brother,” a comparably-sized Papillon named LG. It has been great fun to witness their antics and reactions to new situations, such as in beginner agility class. The two are as different as night and day! So, does a dog’s personality affect training?

For me, the experience has really driven home the importance of individual personality in how these little characters see the world and how that, in turn, influences the successful training approach. Let me share an example from agility class the other day:

Temperament & Personalities in Dog Training

LG: Someone is always out to get me, that’s why I am paranoid!

My little Papillon, LG, has been working at agility for some months. He tries to focus on the task at hand, until he hears something or catches a scent, which invariably sends him into a tizzy and he winds up a worried bundle of nerves. The other day, I was working the teeter with him, very gently with limited motion. LG was trying very hard and was getting there, but with such caution, he seemed almost paralyzed. Try as I might, I couldn’t get him to move past the tipping point at the middle of the teeter. Finally, I let him rest to remove the stress the “Little Guy” was obviously feeling. Then I thought, oh heck, let’s see what Rio does.

Rio: Out of the way! I’ll try anything once!

Rio’s reaction could not have been more different. She wasn’t worried one wit! She trotted up and over the teeter, and as the board dropped, she crouched and rode it down before scampering to collect the little piece of cheese I had placed on the end. She even paused at the bottom, not jumping off until I released her. That was fun and pretty cool! She repeated it for me a few more times and then I let her rest.

Understanding Dog Temperament

My little LG is starting to get the obstacles down, but as soon as strangers are present, he refuses to perform what he knows: He’s too worried. This will be another phase of LG’s training. And Rio…. well, she may learn the sport of agility well, but I can see her running a course and suddenly dashing off to say hi to the judge and then mooching off the pole setters. Two minutes later, she will remember I am there! Night and day!

Thinking about what happened with the teeter, I realized it was a good thing that dogs have different personalities to work with because if dogs were all the same, few would need a dog trainer!

Why Training Helps All Breeds of Dogs

As trainers, we are there to help dog owners understand and communicate with their dogs. Just like us, our canine kids are all different and that means different teaching methods and approaches will be needed. That’s what we do at AZ Dog Sports!

Understanding your dog’s personality provides information helpful to you in training. Some dogs have personality issues to work through first, before they can comfortably learn new things in a group environment. The trainers at AZ Dog Sports can help you identify issues and put you and your canine buddy on the fast track to a mutually rewarding and fun learning experience, no matter the dog’s personality!

AZ Dog Sports • Dog Training Gym

602-237-6775

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