Fun Press

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Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

So Chewy is going to be making a brief appearance on an upcoming segment of Psychic kids. The disadvantage of having no TV is that I had no idea what they were asking for when they wanted a pet detection demo. It is actually more of a TV show than real information about recovering lost pets. But Chewy was a good sport about the whole thing. Filmed in Frederick County.

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Bluestone’s TV Debut

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Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

Luckily for Bluestone they needed a handsome face not a rocket scientist for this part he is playing for a Train commercial. We have to give credit to his part to the coaching and work of Carol Rosen, of the
Positive Dog Training and Animal Actors, LLC. She is the one that put’s it all together.  It was quite a hike from CLarksburg but worth the drive in such a beautiful setting.

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Fefe learns to pull

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Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

Bracing is the first thing I teach the skijoring or mushing dog. Mostly because I am such a klutz that they spend most of their time helping me back up!

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LJT Has Moved to Clarksburg Maryland in Montgomery County

We are bringing the same commitment to helping people with their dogs and puppies.  Obedience training, behavior consultations, and entertaining activities with the family dog.

The in-home training program is new and exciting. It offers something for everyone if you are looking for a little direction and coaching, or you are looking for help getting the dog trained while your working and taking care of your other commitments.

We are partnering with Great Canines of Mount Airy to start “The Positive Dog Trainers” a training club in Frederick MD.  For everyone that is looking for quality group class training, to people looking for opportunities to spend quality recreational time with their dogs and puppies.

I am looking forward to working with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation to bring snifferdog sport to the community.  Snifferdog sport is a recreational activity that you can do with the family and the dog.

Give me a call or send an email anytime I’m always happy to chat about your dog!

Laura

lauratotis@gmail.com

(410)236-2788

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The New Addition

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Originally uploaded by Laura & the pack.

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ADDITION

Congratulations on your new addition, there is nothing like a new puppy! If this is your first pup or if it has been a while since your last puppy you will find the community offers a lot for the new puppy owner. Many services are available for example doggie day care, dog walking, yard clean up, to make the management and quality of life for a new puppy in a busy household possible.

Because of better veterinary care our pets can be expected to live longer healthier lives. Your veterinarian will be a wealth of information throughout your pup’s life. New and improved techniques for training dogs enable us to teach and train more efficiently. We can start teaching puppies as soon as they come into the new household. In the past, when dog training was primarily based on compulsive techniques, it was advised to wait six or more months before we even started formal training. It really is a lot easier to teach the puppy right the first time than to have to undo bad habits that may have developed in those first six months. So start your puppy learning the household rules right from day one. There are opportunities for sports and activities you and your pet can participate in that were unheard of a decade ago. There is something for everyone regardless of age or physical ability.

At LJT Training inc. our mission is to help people enjoy their pets. We want help provide life-enriching opportunities for pets. This booklet is intended to address some of the most frequently asked questions and concerns that we have addressed from people with new puppies in the household. While it does not compare with the individual coaching of a trainer it should help you with getting started.

If you opened your home and heart to an adolescent, older, or rescued dog you should find this information helpful also. It has been my experience that it is best to introduce household rules to any new dog coming into the house just as you would to a new puppy. That way you can start out on the right foot from day one making the transition easier for everyone. You will find that a dog that has had previous training will pick up your new rules a lot faster. If not, don’t despair it is in fact possible to teach old dogs new tricks we do it every day.

The first rule was advice dad used to give me regarding automobile care. “If it is not broken don’t fix it.” After all you are the one living with the puppy, if you’re not breaking a law, and you do not consider the behavior a problem then it is not one.
Plan ahead, how do you want your adult dog to act? If you know now that the adult dog will not be allowed in the bed or to jump on you or guests, then simply do not allow the puppy to do it. Knowing what your goal is will help keep you consistent with your puppy.
The more consistent you are the faster your training will progress. If everyone in the household agrees to the goals and rules there will be less confusion for the pup.
Focus on improvement not perfection; this will reduce a lot of frustration especially when we are talking about puppies that still need to do a lot of growing up. We do not expect our children to perform complicated calculus exercises before they understand counting or adding and subtracting. For some reason dog training is supposed to be accomplished in less than two months try a longer-term approach and focus on the puppy’s foundation first.
Try to think and communicate in positives to the pup. For example dogs have a much easier time understanding the positive concept of “do something” rather than the negative concept of “stop doing something”. So instead of telling the pup to “stop jumping”, try telling him to “sit” when company arrives.
Dogs do what works for them. If your puppy has discovered that he can manipulate you into a game of tag just by showing you a shoe or your sofa cushion in their mouth then you are in trouble. If your pup is being “bad” as a method to solicit your attention give him some appropriate ways to get you to play with him instead. Ecourage him to bring you the shoe then have him get and his toy and spend the time playing with that instead. BTW a little management will go a long way here. Leave appropriate dog toys out and put away the shoes, so that when he is making that choice he really only has the right choice initially.
Never do anything to damage your relationship with your pup. “You are always the good guy”. That does not mean nothing bad will ever happen to the pup it just means that you are always on your puppies side. Try to avoid confrontation which can make a puppy defensive. That doesn’t mean do not set rules and limits and insist on them. It means that we insist nicely without turning the lesson into a battle of wills.
Take the time to enjoy your puppy! This is really important they grow up and then they grow old way too fast. Pick up anything that would be unforgivable if broken or destroyed, then enjoy those puppy zoomies and the cuteness that is what makes a puppy a puppy.

House training

Manage the pup to prevent accidents in the house.Teach the pup to ask you when he needs to go outsideTake the pup to the same place in the yard every time (this will make pick up easier also)Give a cue word as the pup begins to goIf you reinforce for going outside give the treat as soon as the pup goes. (Rewarding after he comes back inside is rewarding the wrong behavior.)Feed at regular intervals if you know when it goes in you can predict when it is coming out.Do not give too much freedom too soon. Your pup needs to be accident free for a month before you can consider him housetrained.If your pup does the submissive or excited peeing don’t yell that will usually make things worse.If your pup seems to be having too many accidents consider a trip to the veterinarian it is almost impossible to housetrain a pup that has a bladder infection or parasites without treating the problem first.

Mouthing & Chewing
It is normal behavior for puppies to put each other in their mouths all the time. The pouncing and biting is how puppies play with each other. Sadly those little puppy needle teeth do not endear themselves to humans. Cute wears off fast when your feet and legs and hands are full of little puppy teeth holes.

Teach an incompatible behavior (for example kiss kiss to lick instead.Be consistent any time you feel teeth stop the game and give the little one a time out.Have puppies and children play interactive games instead of letting puppies get away with bullying your children. Control the pup with a leash if necessary.Encourage play with toys not hands.Hold a chewy in your hand while the puppy chews – This lets him do his normal bonding thing but allows you to control what he is chewing on.

I have a dog named “chewy” and not after the cute “Starwars” character either. So we understand that some dogs have a little identity problem thinking that they are actually beavers not dogs. The good news is that the mouthing behavior usually stops naturally once the adult teeth come in. The bad news is that once the adult teeth come in is when the destructive chewing starts.
If you have small children and a house full of kid toys give the puppy his own toys that are nothing like children toys. (Made out of different material.)

Give your pup appropriate chew items but not all at once rotate them so your pup has some new things.Don’t retire your crate too soon.There is no rule that says puppies need to be fed out of a bowl. Portion your pups’ meals into stuffable kongs and let him work the food out while getting plenty of chewing exercise.

Jumping
Jumping up to greet you either with joy at seeing you or as a greeting to get close to your face is a natural behavior for dogs. For the little guys it is almost the only way they can compete for attention.

Do not ever pet or greet your little puppy until all four feet are on the floor.Do not let your pup jump up knock children down then play roughhouse games. End of game both child & dog get a time out from play.If your pup is greeting company at the door by jumping all over them either put them on a leash or put them away before you open the door. (Interestingly I have never heard of anyone insisting the door be opened immediately if you say “wait a minute I need to put the dog on a leash first.”)

How to greet is one of those behaviors that it is much easier to teach right from the beginning than to change later in life.
Socializing

Socializing is all about building your puppies confidence. This is the opportunity for your puppy to learn what works and how to deal with new or stressful situations. Good social skills are a necessity for all dogs. That includes people, dogs and other kinds of animals.You want to enjoy the process be comfortable with the people you are letting your puppy meet.Let your pup approach the person. The enthusiastic people will sometimes overwhelm a sensitive puppy.Don’t let your pup mug the people. Teach him to sit for greeting and keep his teeth to himself. Sometimes enthusiastic puppies can overwhelm people.If your pup wants to move on and explore other things let him.Puppy parties are great but don’t forget to provide the opportunity for down time and rest for the guest of honor.A few good experiences are better than a whole bunch of poor ones.If your puppy appears to be unusually afraid or reacts defensively or aggressively toward new things, people animals etc you may want to consult with a trainer or behaviorist in this case sooner is usually better than later.

Handling & Grooming
The time to get your pup used to handling and grooming is while he is still tiny. Even while your little one has nothing but puppy fluff that does not need brushing or clipping. This way you are under no time pressure to get the job done. Instead just go through the motions of grooming and restraining your pup.

Often groomers offer an inexpensive puppy visit it is mostly just to introduce the pup to the idea of grooming and the environment.Your veterinarian and groomer will appreciate it if your pup is comfortable with the whole physical exam thing. If you can put your pup up on a table, get him comfortable with you looking into the mouth, ears, feet, hold the tail up, and move it to either side.I schedule the first visit to the veterinarian is just a physical w/o giving the puppy shots or invasive and possibly scary treatments let your pup make friends with your veterinarian.

Copyright Laura Totis Feel free to copy and disseminate this material as long as you include credit the author and the website address. www.ljttraining.com

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About Dog Separation Anxiety

Dog Separation Anxiety HELP- A Dreadful Anxiety Situation

Dog separation anxiety is a dreadful problem to be addressed in the canine world. The following article discusses the ways to treat separation anxiety. One of the greatest joys of dog ownership is the bond you and your dog share. Your dog is one of the social animals that require love and affection and sometimes this affection and love can cause harmful consequences. If your dog is attached to you in more than the required manner, then he may start behaving in a weird manner when sensing your absence. If dogs become too reliant and dependent on you, then separation anxiety can develop.

Dog separation anxiety is an enormous and critical problem to address and over 10% of all puppies and dogs get this syndrome. If you as a master do not take steps to conquer the situation, then there may be a situation when you have to leave your pet in an animal shelter. Therefore, it is important to proceed through a step by step plan that can treat your dog. First ascertain your symptoms, causes and then discover the ways to treat it.

Dog separation anxiety is not an easy syndrome to cure but if you can get to the root cause, fixing it becomes easy. One need to understand the problem from your dog’s prospective, let us try and do it. Dogs are social animals and seek their owner’s company all the time for more than one reason. Given a choice your dog will want to spend every bit of their time with you. So, it is common that when you leave, your dog can experience varying degrees of behavioral changes when you aren’t around. People around the whole world are searching for ways to treat their dog of this dreadful problem. There are however many ways to treat your dog and restore his mental balance.

There are many ways to help your dog and treat this syndrome. Some of the ways you can help your dog are:

· Medication and exercises will really help your dog ward off his mental stress. Exercises such as walking, running and playing will tire your dog and your dog will definitely want some time alone to rest. Medication therapies will help your dog practice behavioral changes and implement them efficiently.

· Make a place exclusively for your dog, this will help your dog to relax, play and be in that place when you are out of house.

· Do not let your dog show you excess love, ignore him whenever possible but keep in mind that you notice him after some time. Repeat this practice for a few days or weeks, depending on the severity of the condition.

· Where the situation worsens, send your dog for behavioral modification and obedience training at the first instance.

· Do not ignore your dog too much; doing that will trigger his anxiety level to the supreme.

Dog separation anxiety is an condition that can be effectively cured if and only if you as a loving owner help your dog to the core.