NY Walk & Train

Luna's Picks of the Litter - she must have it

2010-04-13T19:36:00.000-07:00

Luna is my lady of..
1. Leisure
2. Laughs
3. Smells (both those made by her and those she likes to roll in)
4. Tastes (those she likes to nibble on as well as her refined canine style)

Don't get me wrong. Luna is in her heart of hearts a completely goofy and lovable country gal who just happens to keep one paw anchored in NYC's canine fashion...

Here's her most recent ear marks...

Luna has bins full of collars. Admittedly, I went a bit nuts in her first two years of life. There has since been a family intervention for my frivolous collar spending, but every once in a while....well, splurge. My...errr...her eye is currently set on this prize.

Paco collars are all handmade and they guarantee the hardware for life; which is important for my not so petit beefcake. You can even request that they turn the collar ininto a bracelet after your pooches passing (we won't go there). Find it at www.pacocollars.com

We love this company, Harry Barker. They have a great sense of simplicity, and are equally as style conscious as they are mother earth conscious. Check out their vintage inspired bowls. Pretty, right? They do leave our cat questioning her civil liberties, but whatever, she can use a bit of a dethroning.

Luna is a fan of sleep. Similar to me, she has two settings; 75mph and bouncing off walls or totally zonked out. Bedding is important to us two speeders.
The bed she's photographed on above was an etsy.com purchase by Bowwow Beds.
Etsy served us well again on this one! This bed is a cover only. It is made of 100% cotton duck canvas. No zipper closure, you just take your own filler and stuff it. In my case we used bed pillows, but as of late..we're thinking of switching to memory foam. Beauty is pain. So is age (hers..not mine!).

Her OTHER bed of choice..lambskin rugs. These lovies are easy on the eye in terms of interior decor and so soft and scrumptious. Like her bowwow bed cover, easily washed too (throw the entire thing in the machine).

Slobber
xoxo
Me & Lu

Dog Walker of the Moment: Kelly Fox

2010-03-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Where do we start? She's the formerly cruise ship sequined, singing, cupcake making, cartoon drawing, writer, actress, dog walking extraordinaire. Oops, left out athlete; Kelly's training to run the NY marathon too.

She's the jack of all trades, multi faceted dog walker. Her parents argue genius, but it could just be dog crazy. Either way, it works for her clients that absolutely rely on her talent with and care for their dogs; and often sing her praises. Kelly has mastered the basics of obedience with her clients, and thus far the only place she's fallen short...getting the pups to practice a 16 bar cut with her (huh!?).

Kelly is so inpsired by her pooch posse that she is currently writing and illustrating a children's book about Ella, a NY Walk & Train client.

Check out Kelly's website at www.kellyjfox.com.
And if you were looking to sponsor a dog loving actor, singer, writer, artist, cupcake maker, possibly genius, but maybe just dog crazy runner for the NY marathon...please bark up! We ain't too proud to beg!
Woof! Woof!

See an interview with Colleen on Dogtipper.com

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Colleen talks about the start of NY Walk & Train and Far Fetched Acres, how to choose a boarding facility that's right for your dog and her newly launched radio show!

Click the link below to see the interview:
http://www.dogtipper.com/blog/2010/03/colleen-safford.html

Colleen Safford is the host of The Family Pet on Pet Life Radio

2010-03-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

As mother to a menagerie of both the furry and furless kind, Colleen sheds light on how to create a safe and harmonious household for each of your family members.

Colleen and a panel of guest experts will discuss appropriate family pet selection, keeping pets and children safe, child-pet management systems, and child-friendly training tips, introducing your new baby to the fur baby and more.

Come! Sit! Stay tuned to The Family Pet on Pet Life Radio!
www.petliferadio.com

The telling tail. A wagging tail is not always a sign of a happy dog! Learn a tail or two!

2010-03-23T19:00:00.001-07:00

The tail is only one of many communicators on your dog's body. As a trainer, I often hear, "BUT his tail was wagging...when he bit me!"

That is the trick of the tail! Somehow we silly humans have come to believe that a tail wag is THE sign of a happy dog.
Because we've bred our dogs to be very social, most tails you encounter will indeed be happy, but along the way, you will see some that are nervous, and others that are ready for a throw down (watch out!).

Here's how to read that tail of the moment:

Happy Tail: This coffee table's nightmare is accompanied by a loose, relaxed dog. Similar to a rubber band or cooked spaghetti, the body is wigglin' and movin'. The tail can be high or level with the plane of the back and very widely and loosely wagging back and forth.
This tail is welcoming a greeting from you! Go for it! "HELLO DOG! I'm Dog Lover! NICE to meet you!"

Nervous Tail/Unsure Tail: Is carried below the plane of the back and maybe even tucked between the legs. Only the tip, if anything, is moving. This pup is slinking along either toward you or away. This dog is still likely social, just not sure what to quite make of you. Be gentle, go slow and be calmly reassuring. Let the pup approach you.
"Hey there Fella, it's OK. I'm Dog Lover. Aww..good boy."

This is an unsure greeting ---->
A hunkered down body and obvious lifted paw.

Aroused/Aggressive Tail: Is high over the plane of back. It is tightly waving, just at the tip, erratically. It is accompanied by a stiff dog, who's body appears "frozen still."
"Alrighty then Fido, let me give you a WIDE berth. I'm Dog Lover & I'm outta here."
This is not a friendly greeting ----->
Notice the blur in the phot0..just at the tip of the tail. Tight wagging.

We should all know how to speak dog effectively. Increasing our ability to understand what dogs are telling us, keeps both us and them safe!

Be sure to pass on this information. Tell your tale of being fluent in dog tail!
Warm-wiggly wags to you!

album 03\09\2010 (48 photos), by Colleen Safford

2010-03-14T13:09:00.001-07:00

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Teaching Fetch! Even our Retriever friends can use help perfecting this one.

2010-03-04T09:31:00.000-08:00

Fetch is a great form of both mental and physical exercise. Structured properly fetch is a wonderful way to practice impulse control and consistent obedience. Structured inappropriately and fetch can turn into a game of keep away and chase me (neither of which should be promoted with your dog)! Here's how to keep your fetch fantastic!

Supplies:
1. Two balls (or two of the same objects)
2. Long line or flexi- leash (this is one of the only times I think about using a flexi; never for walking in the city!)
3. Plan to practice in 5-15 minutes sessions to begin.

Getting Started:
1. Attach your dog to a long line or flexi leash. This will prohibit your dog from grabbing the ball and dashing off away from you. It will also keep him closer and more attentive to you making for a more efficient training sessions.
2. Take out and show your dog one ball. If necessary, wave the ball around a bit to excite your dog (skip this if your dog is a ball nut!).
3. Cue your dog to "sit."
4. As soon as your dog sits, say, "yes!" and toss the ball 4-5 ft from you. By keeping the distance short , you are able to practice a high number of reps in a shorter timeframe thereby teaching this behavior more efficiently.
5. When your dog collects the ball, calmly praise him, turn your body sideways, slap your thighs and move away a little bit. Encourage your dog to follow/come back to you.
**Turning sideways and moving away has proven to encourage dogs to come, so this is important!
6. As your dog is coming back to you get your second ball out, but keep it from view his to begin. If your dog does not drop the first ball upon returning, present the second ball. Your dog will release ball one for ball two!
7. As soon as your dog releases the ball from his mouth, say "yes" and toss the ball in your hand 4-5 ft from you.
8. As your dog is running after that ball, pick up the first (dropped ball).
9. Repeat steps 5-8 again and again!

Getting rid of the second ball:
1. After a few sessions, instead of presenting the second ball to elicit your dog to drop the first ball, just wait your dog out. When your dog comes back to you with ball in mouth, just stand there and look at or away from your dog. Don’t talk, just wait! It might take a few seconds or longer. WAIT!
2. When he/she drops the ball, immediately say "yes" and throw the second ball (that was out of view). You are now teaching your dog that by dropping the ball he earns the presentation and toss of the second ball. His actions (dropping the ball) have good consequences (another opportunity to chase the ball!)
3. After a few sessions and once your dog is reliably, coming back and automatically dropping the ball upon return, you can stop using the second ball.

Advancing your fetch skills:
1. Begin to increase the distance that you are throwing the ball.
2. Remove the leash only once you know that your dog will safely return to you.
3. Begin adding obedience commands in between each repetition. Cuing your dog to sit after releasing the ball and before tossing it again. Your dog is now earning and being rewarded with each and every toss.
4. Work up to sit-stays and releasing your dog to chase the ball.

Good luck! Have fun!

I can't take this face. Nothing more to say! Just CUTE!

2010-02-19T07:54:00.000-08:00

Walker of the Moment: Kayleigh Stevens

2010-02-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

We love our walkers, but more importantly, OUR CLIENTS love our walkers! Here's the latest compliment paid to our wonderful walker, Kayleigh Stevens.

"I assume you know this, but just in case you don't, Kayleigh is terrific! She is usually a few minutes early for pick ups, as she was this morning, even with the horrendous snow. She's just super reliable, you can set your clock by her. She dresses for the weather, no matter how bad, and she never complains. She's great!"
-Marsha

Kayleigh and Samson (owned by Marsha) pose for a shot above.

Thank you for all you do, Kayleigh!
WOOF! WOOF!

Far Fetched Acres: Snowy Play

2010-02-10T19:57:00.000-08:00

FAR FETCHED ACRES: Friends at play!
Check out what all our guests are barking about at www.farfetchedacres.com

SNOW! SNOW! SNOW!

Honda has gone to the dogs (totally over used..i realize)

2009-11-24T14:17:00.000-08:00

Check this out!
Honda has developed a dog-friendly Element. We tried to buy an element for Far Fetched Acres (b/c of the great "plastic" washable interior), but it was just too small for carting numerous dogs.

This is a great buy though for a dog owner!
I LOVE that car manufacturers are responding to the dog loving market.

Now, I just wish the rest of the industry would respond to the earth loving market too! : )

Click here to see Honda's page for details:
http://automobiles.honda.com/element/dog-accessories.aspx

Must haves for your Manhattan mutt

2009-11-11T08:04:00.000-08:00

I am a dog parent who loves to lavish my pooch with the latest and greatest in the market. Some of the things I splurge on are flat out, silly. The list below while extremely trim, covers the bases in safety, exercise, chewing, treats and training. No splurges here. Just practical must haves for your city pup.

1. Sense-ation Harness – This “no pull” harness is a great tool for city walking. The design diminishes pulling and gives you more control over your dog’s strong body. www.softtouchconcepts.com

2. The Tricky Treat Ball – Ditch the bowl and use this enrichment toy to entertain, pacify and nourish your pooch. Fill this ball with your dog’s favorite treats or entire meal. My favorite thing about this toy, it passes time! Instead of gobbling a meal in two minutes flat, your dog will work and burn energy for at least twenty minutes. www.dogtoys.com

3. Martingale Collar – As a neurotic nervous Nelly dog parent, I worry about my dog (and every dog we care for) slipping out of the collar. This “no slip” design ensures safety for your dog and peace of mind for you. Check out www.premier.com

4. Natural Balance Dog Roll – Hands down the best training treat and toy stuffing. Similar to beef jerky in smell and sausage like in texture, this food can be diced into the tiniest of training bits, dropped into enrichment toys or smooshed and stuffed into hollow sterilized bones.

5. Biodegradable Waste Bags – We are all making strides to lessen our eco footprint . Why not shrink your dog’s eco paw print by using biodegradable waste bags? Poop today. Gone tomorrow.

6. Dog Duvet – Washing a dog bed (particularly a large one) in a city laundry mat or your home machine is a total bummer. Designed like a bottom sheet, Dog Duvet covers are easily removed and washable. Here’s a tip; layer a wee-wee pad under a dog duvet. Instead of washing the entire bed (which is now protect by the wee-wee pad) you can just wash the duvet. This lightens the load for you, the washer and the environment.

Dog Walker of the Moment: Jen Vaughn

2009-11-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

NY Walk & Train is giving four paws up to Jennifer Vaughn. Jen is a fantastic care provider and nurturer. Her background as a vet tech and experience working with animals ensure that her clients have one amazing dog walker. Jennifer recently jumped in to aid in a very serious dog run scuffle (thankfully not involving any of our clients). She gave it her all, helping a severely injured dog while also consoling a traumatized owner. Thank you for being such a wonderful team member and care taker! Thank you for being you! WOOF WOOF!

NYC's Annual Halloween Dog Parade, Saturday October 24th

2009-10-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Hot Dog. Ghost. Shark. Bumble Bee.

What do all those things have in common?

Nothing! Other than being adorable halloween costumes surely to be seen at this year's annual halloween parade for dogs in Tompkins Square park.

Don't miss out on all the fun and treats! Be there or be square.

Tompkins Square Park Dog Halloween Parade

When: Saturday, October 24th, 2009 (rain date is Sunday, October 25th, 2009)

Time: 12:00 to 3:00 pm

Where: First Run is located inside NYC's Tompkins Square Park

Admission: $5 raffle ticket

For more information you may visit http://www.firstrunfriends.org/

p.s. - Looking festive Doug (the dog shark) and our very own Lisa Siriporn (just a cute girl) pictured at the Brussels Griffon meet up.

Dress your dog for success! How to use "dress up" as a training exercise

2009-10-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

The fall is upon us with beautiful colors and crisp air. It's that time of year when pooch parents begin thinking about dog wardrobes. Some are thinking about the latest in doggy fashion, others are thinking of ways to trump last year's halloween costume and there are those that are just thinking about keeping their pup warm. Whatever the reason, done properly, dressing your dog can actually be used as a beneficial training exercise.

Each year, your dog will routinely visit the vet, the groomer, and will be required to be handled by various strangers. Developing a dog who happily accepts (or minimally, tolerates without stress) his or her body being touched and handled is extremely important.

So, before grabbing that coat or sweater and just slapping it on, follow the exercise below!

A. Grab a handful of your dog's favorite treats and a toy.
B. Show your dog his/her item of clothing and give your pup one piece of treat.
C. Pop your dog's head through the sweater or put the coat on your pup's back, calmly praise and reward.
D. Gently place each leg through the item of clothing, calmly praise and treat your pup for EACH one.
E. Once your dog is dressed, give a big excited praise and toss the toy for a little fetch session or game of tug.

Taking the extra 10-30 seconds to turn this daily dress up routine into a fun exercise will help teach your pup that being handled is pleasurable, fun and rewarding.
PLEASE NOTE: If your dog is averse to having his/her paws or ears touched, being placed in a bag, please contact a trainer to give you more detailed advice and exercises.

Happy fall. Happy fashion. Happy training!

Join us on facebook!

2009-08-26T13:44:00.000-07:00

We thought it was time to share our wonderful team and group of clients with the world.
We've gone the route of social networking and created a facebook page.
Join in on our fun! Post pics, make (nice, hilarious) comments etc!
Hope to see you there! Woof!

Click on the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/NY-Walk-TrainFar-Fetched-Acres/121649816027

Far Fetched Acres: A day at dog camp www.farfetchedacres.com

2009-08-21T15:11:00.000-07:00

A day of play at Far Fetched Acres!

Cosmo enjoying some rock climbing during a hike.

The party is pool side! Who's in?

Sadie, Bui and Zoe enjoy a lounge in the pool.

Pupsicles! A cool treat to beat the dog days of summer.

2009-08-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dogs and heat are a tough combination.
The internal cooling system of your fur kid is not as efficient as yours in it's ability to release heat. Your pup releases heat through his/her paw pads. When those paw pads are tromping on the city's hot cement it's difficult to actually keep cool.
Be sure to keep exercise to a reasonable amount during the dog days of August.

Here's a recipe to keep your hot pooch cool.
You can play with the measurements based on your knowledge of your dog's digestive system.
If your pup is a "less is more" kinda dog, then add/increase water (vs. yogurt) measurements.
If your pup's belly adjusts to most anything added to his/her diet, be creative!
Here are some ideas below.
This recipe will create about 2-3 trays of pupsicles..that can be transferred to a handy freezer bag.

1 cup plain fat free yogurt (can substitute with low or full fat per your dog's needs/tolerance)
Optional: 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter (we use organic, no sugar added version)
Variety of ingredients to consider: add diced apple, blueberry or carrots and peas. These are ingredients commonly found in high quality dog foods. I also like adding diced up Natural Balance Dog Roll or bits of chicken, lamb, turkey or beef.

If you have an extremely diet sensitive pup, consider using your dog's dry or wet food blended/liquidized with water.

Prep: you can add your ingredients to a blender and liquidize it. I just do it the old fashioned way in a bowl (less parts to clean). Mix all ingredients in a bowl and spoon into ice cube tray or mini muffin pans.
Freeze overnight.
Remove from trays and store in freezer back (now you can make your own ice cubes again).

In the spirit of training: be sure to ask your dog to sit before giving him that yummy pupsicle.

If you are too busy or unskilled for the homemade version try; http://www.yoghund.com/

Enjoy the summer!

Happy Fourth of July! Beaches, BBQs Fireworks (and Noise Phobia?)

2009-07-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July! It's the quintessential American summer weekend.
This fun filled holiday brings family & friends together for classic summer celebration.

While most of us humans love the hoopla that comes with beach weekends, bbqs and fireworks; a majority of our furry family members feel quite the opposite. So, do yourself and your best pooch a favor this weekend by leaving him/her AT HOME if you plan on attending fireworks.

The loud and unpredictable sound of fireworks can often induce fear in our dogs.
This fear is referred to as general noise phobia by dog trainers and behaviorists.

According to Karen Overall, VMD, PhD, ACVB, "Noise phobias are best defined as a persistent, excessive fear response to a sound or escape from the sound [Shull, 1994]."

Studies have shown that noise phobia can gradually worsen over time and a dog will begin to generalize fear to other stimuli. For example, a dog that is fearful of thunderstorms can become fearful of rain alone.

Luna (my own prized pooch) is a victim of noise phobia. This is something we have been working on since she was 16 weeks of age. Needless to say, the unprecedented number of thunderstorms this month have been rough on her. Over the years, her phobia has led her to become fearful of the wind, that predicts the rain, which predicts the thunder! This is a classic pattern of generalization to other stimuli. This weekend's fireworks are the rotten icing on her fear cake this month.

So what's my plan this weekend? Medication, food stuffed toys galore and an Anxiety Wrap (http://www.anxietywrap.com/anxietywrap.htm).

Because this is something we have struggled with for eight years, Luna is medicated during thunderstorms/fireworks. After trying various approaches, I have found that Xanax (generic) is the best medication for her.

Studies have shown that pharmacological medications to be more successful with treating noise phobia than counter conditioning or flooding. The latter two are key components in addressing noise phobia, but medication should be considered if your dog shows a strong and persistent fear.

I plan to off set the fireworks by medicating and treating Luna to fresh burger from the grill dispensed through stuffable toys!

If you are not sure whether or not your dog is fearful of fireworks/thunder, it's best to err on the side of caution.

Here's what to do:
1. Stock your cabinets or your dog's suitcase with a variety of stuffable toys.
We love the kong, busy buddy twist n treat, tricky treat ball and atomic ball.

2. Visit your local pet store or grocery to purchase high quality treats, like Natural Balance Dog Roll, Bully Sticks and deli meat (like chicken, turkey and hamburger).

3. Keep your pup as far from fireworks as possible.

4. Play music or leave the TV on to help drown out the noise.

5. Look up local fireworks schedules so that you are aware of when the noise will begin!

6. BEFORE the fireworks begin, stuff and have your toys ready to go!

7. Withhold your dog's dinner that night to encourage hunger. This will make your food stuffed toy all the more enticing! You may feed your dog the equivalent of his dinner portion through his/her toys. What a holiday treat!

Your goal is to prevent your dog from ever panicking. This means it's wise to give your dog his/her stuffed toy just before/as the fireworks begin. Replenish the toy as necessary throughout the fireworks show.

Do NOT wait until AFTER the fireworks begin to see if your dog will panic.
It's hard for a truly anxious dog to "snap out of it," once the fear begins.

The fireworks are over....phyew!
If your dog showed no signs of fear, excellent! Your pup will thank you for the great toys!
Keep up the good toy stuffing in the years to come!

If your dog showed signs of fear even with the food stuffed toy, this may be an indicator that the noise phobia is strong enough to warrant consideration of medication. Scheduling an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss medication possibilities is advisable.

We also have numerous clients who have had success with homeopathic remedies such as; Rescue Remedy, Melatonin, and Pet Calm. These are easily purchased at your local drug store or pet supply store.

This weekend should be enjoyable for all. Surely, if your dog is unhappy, you are unhappy!
So, stuff'm toys and be prepared!

Have fun on the beach, spit a watermelon seed and eat a ear of corn for me!

Happy Fourth of July!
Woof!

Doggy Daycare: Is It The Right Choice For Your Pup?

2009-06-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Thinking About Daycare?
Read an interview with Colleen on http://www.jennaandsnickers.com/ .

Daycare is a great option for some pups and owners. It is NOT suitable for all dogs though. This is a decision worth time and an honest "doggy assessment."

We love our dogs and treat them like family. Often we think it's"unfair" to have a pup staying home all day alone. It is true that for some dogs daycare can provide a healthy option for socialization and exercise.

For other dogs, staying at home is the better choice. It's time to ask yourself, "is daycare right for my dog?"

See the interview here:
http://jennaandsnickers.com/

NYC daycare we recommend:
http://www.dogspa.com/

Why we recommend The New York Dog Spa:
For us, it boils down to the owners, Dale and Naresh. If Luna were going to daycare, she'd be going to The Dog Spa. Dale and Naresh are stand up guys who want what's best for your dog. They are honest, approachable and work hard to maintain a clean facility & stress free environment.

Keep this in mind: Your dog (who has limited color vision) is NOT impressed by fields of green or murals of forests painted on a wall. The people and other dogs that your pup will interact with during each visit are the most important part of your dog's overall experience.

The NY Dog Spa has two locations in NYC. Visit http://www.dogspa.com/ for more information.

Woof!

Copyright NY Walk & Train 2009

Memorial Day weekend!

2009-05-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time again - a dog sitter's favorite - the holidays! The best time for pups to spend some quality time at their home away from home. While they miss their mums and pops terribly, they too get to go on their own mini vacation up to the country or get a chance to check out a different part of the city.

This weekend Monster, a delicious little Yorkie, and Fuji, a sassy Shiba Inu, come to lovely Williamsburg, Brooklyn to make friends with the local pups at Cooper Park, sunbathe and picnic at McCarren Park, and sniff out all the neighborhood BBQs!

That scruffy mutt you see in the background? That's my main man, Douglas. Also known as Doug, Doogie, Doogan, DooDoo, Booger, Bubby, and about ten other aliases on any given day. He gets just as excited for the holidays because he knows there will be new pups to clown around with.

While Fuji prefers to rough house with any pup who'll have it, Monster would rather take it all in from the best seat in the house for any proper yorkie - a lap! To each their own!

Happy Memorial Day!

Bring on the sunshine - the whole team at New York Walk and Train would like to bid a fond farewell to the season by shedding our jackets and boots and welcoming in our shorts and tank tops so we can start working on our summer coats! (don't worry - we won't forget the SPF)

- woof, woof!! -
Lisa :)

Doh! Common Mistakes in Dog Training

2009-05-12T11:59:00.000-07:00

So you've got your new pup or dog, now what?
Training, of course!
Hiring a professional , searching the internet and reading positive reinforcement based training books are all great ways to get off on the right paw.
In developing and solidifying a strong training program for your dog, it is important to recognize and avoid these common dog training no-nos.
Below are some of the most commonly made mistakes in dog training:

1. Ignoring Desired/Wanted Behavior
As the trainer, it is your job to clearly communicate to your dog when you like what she is doing. It is equally important to reward your dog for good behavior whether or not you have asked for it.

Rewarded or acknowledged consistently, your dog will learn that particular behaviors bring good things (treats/toys, being petted, hearing you say "good dog!") and he will begin offering these behaviors more frequently and reliably.

For example, if a young puppy collects a chew toy (instead of your shoes or furniture)and heads to her bed to lie down calmly (instead of jumping on the couch or racing around), it is extremely important that you provide her with information that you like what she is doing. Taking good behavior for granted is the quickest way to lose it.

Think of your behavior at work. If you were not paid, given performance feedback or raises, how motivated would you be to set that alarm every morning?

2. Rewarding unwanted/undesired behavior
The best examples I can give of rewarding unwanted behavior are demand barking and jumping as a form of greeting.

Owners often believe they are correcting or dissuading their pup from jumping or barking by responding to these behaviors with a stern look and "no," while brushing the dog from their leg or grabbing the dog to calm him.

In both cases, the jumping or barking dog is seeking attention. The response described above (eye contact, hearing a voice and being touched) gives the dog (almost) exactly what he/she is craving.

While it may seem counter intuitive, ignoring undesired behaviors and responding only to calm behavior is an extremely effective way of training your pup. Don't be confused though, this does NOT mean you should allow your dog free roam to practice bad behavior.

3. Too much freedom and inconsistency:
Simply put, puppies that chew shoes...were given access to shoes! Dogs that jump are allowed to jump. It’s really that simple.

By allowing a dog too much freedom or the ability to practice undesired behaviors, an owner enables him/her to develop bad habits. Prevention and management are easy and will reduce the likelihood of behavior problems down the road.

If your dog is a jumper for example, she should be on leash when guests come over. If your puppy is fully not housetrained, he should not be given free roam of the house, but rather placed in a crate when unsupervised.

Some examples of prevention and management tools: crate, gate, readily available and enticing chew toys, leash, closed doors, safety latches on cabinets, secure fencing.

4. Assuming the dog "knows" a behavior too early
People will come to puppy class confidently announcing their smart puppy knows "sit." Twenty minutes into class they declare that their puppy knows what "sit" means, but is stubborn at times and will not offer the behavior when outside of the house or when excited.
The puppy is not stubborn. The puppy is simply learning "sit" and has not mastered the behavior enough to generalize it to all places and situations.

Dogs are great at picking up particular cues from their routine environment. This means that while in your quiet apartment, while you are holding a treat, you’re pup knows "sit." Change the situation (when guests come over) or environment (like adding city noise) and all bets are off.
This is extremely normal dog behavior. Strong behavior is only built over a long period of time. Before you can assume your dog knows anything, you must first do lots of practice not only in your home, but in numerous environments.

5. Moving too fast – Setting goals too high
People expect dogs to learn fast. They assume because their dog is "smart" that he should stop exhibiting unwanted behavior or learn a new behavior almost instantaneously.

Compare this to you learning a new skill. How many times before you will master a black diamond hill loaded with moguls? How hard was it for you or a friend to stop smoking, biting your fingernails (ewww) or stop eating the chocolate that is in your cabinet?

Be fair to your dog and set training goals that are easily attained. Taking 100 baby steps forward will be much faster and more productive than taking leaps back and forth.

Your dog will need to receive AMPLE FEEDBACK (praise & treats) OFTEN about his behavior in order to learn. Set too high, you and your dog will be left frustrated and confused with goals that are simply unattainable.

The training you and your pup do should be fun and easy for both of you. Being mindful and working to avoid these mistakes, you and your dog will be on the fast track to building a trusting and enjoyable relationship (and good manners too!).
Good luck!

Featured Walker: Lyna - West Village, Chelsea

2009-05-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

Lyna is an "upstate Manhattan" residing up north in Harlem. Lyna is a long time fur lover who began professionally working with animals in 2004. Lyna's vast experience includes working and volunteering in animal shelters, veterinary hospitals and daycares. Lyna knows dogs in all boroughs.

Lyna loves every minute of her time spent with animals. The one thing she knows for sure...she can't be a vet tech. It's not the poop, blood, or emergency situations that scare her off. It's a disdain for science!

Considering herself a serious musician, Lyna played bass about seven times a few summers ago. She admits to once singing so terribly that a dog got angry. Please rest assured, she is not singing to our furry clients.

An important note about Lyna...this lovely lady keeps her fingernails long for butt scratching and the dogs love it too!

Pictured above: Lyna and Mitzi (arguably the cutest Maltese in Chelsea!)

Patience is a Virtue! Two Minutes a Day to Creating a Patient Pup

2009-05-08T07:59:00.000-07:00

Creating a patient pooch is important both for the relationship you have with your dog and your dog's own safety.

Unless instructed, your dog will act like....well, a dog. Acting impulsively, he will jump up for the things he wants, bark when he is frustrated, and run after anything that appeals to him. This is NORMAL dog behavior.

Since we expect a refined furry companion for domesticated living, it is our job to teach our dog exactly what we expect from them in routine daily interactions and situations.

Developing patience in your dog, like any other skill, takes a bit of pratice. With the tiniest effort on your part however (literally just a couple minutes each day), you will see dramatic behavior changes in your pup. Practiced consistently , these skills will begin trickling over into all facets of your pup's life. You will have developed a well-behaved and patient dog who offers routine calm behavior.

Offering a "sit," is a great way for your dog to say, "please" or express to you that he or she wants something.

I imagine that your dog, like most dogs, would like access to some (if not all) of the following:

1. Attention and Petting (a greeting when you come home from work or maybe a seat in your warm lap)

2. A Favorite Toy

3. Food (whether it's in a dish, stuffed in a toy, or a tasty treat from your hand)

4. Access to his/her friends (at the dog run, on the street)

5. Access to the great outdoors (whether on leash or off leash in your yard)

As loving owners, we tend to give our dogs everything for "free." Instead, ALL of the items above should be used as rewards in your dog's life. You need to work for the things you want in life, right? Well, it's time to get your pup working too! Your dog may have any of the above items, but first he must do something...like sit. Once your dog sits (or says "please!") you may give him what he wants.

To begin, your pup might need some "think time." If he has never been required to say "please" for the above items, it will take a little time before he starts to understand the new rules. BE PATIENT AND CONSISTENT! IT WILL HAPPEN! Once your pup begins to understand the new rules your interactions together will become much smoother and enjoyable.

How to create a patient pooch:

1. Food/Treat Access: While holding your dog's food/water dish or treat in your hand, ask that your dog "sit" before lowering the dish to the floor or giving that treat to your pup. **This seems to be the only one most owners do daily!

2. Attention: Before petting or picking up your dog, let him get all that excited energy out. Ignore all the hoopla (turn your back on and walk away from any jumping) . The moment your pup settles a bit ask him to "sit." Begin petting when your pup sits. If he jumps up again in excitement...repeat. Wait out the excitement and only offer attention when he is sitting.

3. Play with other dogs: Upon arrival at the dog run, ask your pup to sit as you approach the gate. The leash is unclipped and the gate opens only after your pup has offered a sit for you.

4. Access to the outdoors: Whether on leash or off, your dog should "sit" before any door is opened for him to walk through. If you are leash walking your dog (who likely becomes excited at the sight of the leash) require that your he sits calmly as you put the leash on.

These very easy exercises only add a maximum of two to three minutes to your daily routine!

As devoted and loving dog parents, I think we would all agree that a few minutes each day are well worth a life-long solid relationship our furry best friend!

Woof!