Sharing Custody of a Dog: To Raise Your Dog in a Way That is Right...

Sharing a dog is not easy, especially if you don't share the same rules. Much like sharing custody of children, sharing responsibility of a dog can lead to some concerns about the rules in your dog's "other home". If you and the other pet-sharing-owner do not agree on rules of behavior, you may notice some traits emerging that you simply don't tolerate in your home.

So what can you do to prevent confusion over the house rules? The first, and perhaps most important, is to develop your voice. This is the voice that you will use consistently when your dog is displaying unwanted behavior. Whatever you say in this tone will be understood to be heard, and paid attention to. Develop a tone, a vibe that your dog will understand, and use this each time you need your dog's attention.

Once you develop the tone, use it consistently throughout the day, guiding your dog through the rules once again. This may seem redundant to you, but your dog will soon remember the rules, and eventually, each visit will be much more pleasant. Following your rules will become more of an exercise in muscle memory, and with time, you will no longer need to remind your beloved pet of your boundaries. It will be a pleasant experience for both of you, and the whole pack will be happier in the long run.

Keeping Your Dog Under Control Around Guests - A Balanced Environment

When you have visitors or guests to your home, it is important for you to maintain a balanced environment - not only for your guest, but for your dog as well. Not only will your dog feel more comfortable, but your guest will appreciate that you are in control of the situation.

Typically, if a dog is aware that his or her owner does not have a situation under control, he or she will most likely try to take control. However, if the owner is respected as the "leader of the pack", then the dog will most likely trust that the situation is under control.

When a visitor arrives, there may seem to be a brief moment of chaos, and it's up to you (the leader of the pack) to restore balance in the environment before allowing the guest to enter your yard or home. You can practice "guest etiquette" with your dog by inviting a few neighbors, friends, relatives, or even some neighborhood kids to randomly knock on your door over a period of an hour or so, and going through the motions with your dog. That way when you do have actual guests, you will know exactly how to respond to your dog's instinctual behavior.

Tips:

• Try having your dog back away from the door when you let him or her out for potty or play, allowing you full control of the door. This is a key dominance area of the home, as it would seem logical in the dog world that "He who enters and exits the door first is the leader." Therefore, you should always by mindful to exit first when walking your dog as well.
• You could say "One Moment" through the door to your arriving guest, and then tell your dog to sit, lay down, and stay (if your dog is trained in these commands.) Once seated or lying down, proceed to answer the door - being mindful of your dog's willingness to remain seated.
  
• Do not allow your dog to jump on or bombard your guests. Not only will your guests notice and appreciate the respectful behavior of a well led dog, but they will feel at ease in your home knowing that you have your animals under control.
  
• If your guests feel comfortable, and your dog feels comfortable - you have succeeded in creating a balanced environment in your home, and with your pack!
  

Dog Whisperers are Springing Up Across the Country

Over the past few years, people have become more familiar with the work of Cesar Milan, the country's most famous dog whisperer. But while National Geographic has glorified the field of dog whispering and behavior modification, making it seem like a gift uniquely given to Cesar alone, people are increasingly becoming aware of local dog whisperers throughout the United States.

Most of these dog whisperers have been working in the field for many years, some with well over 20 years experience. Dog whispering, just like horse whispering, has been a form of successful form of behavior modification that involves an understanding of the specific species of animals that these people are working with.

While traditional dog training methods have long been the standard for teaching desired behaviors to dogs, dog whispering methods modify undesired behaviors in your dog. The difference between the methods are as different as night and day, but serve very different purposes.

When it comes to sit, stay, and fetch, dog trainers are usually fully qualified to teach your dog. However, when it comes to behavior problems and issues, such as aggression, fear, dominance, excessive chewing or destructive behavior, you're going to want the expert methods of a dog whisperer. In fact, you'll find that most dog trainers will avoid dealing with aggressive dogs, and encourage other dog trainers to do the same - typically for safety issues, and lack of proper understanding of how to deal with canine aggression.

If you have a dog that could use the expertise of a dog whisperer, there just might be one in your local area. NW Dog Whisperer works in the Portland/Vancouver metro area of Oregon and Washington, but there are many qualified whisperers throughout the nation.

Choosing Appropriate Play Toys and Chew Toys

Choosing the appropriate toy for your pet can be important for safety and behavior. It is essential for you as the leader of the pack to know which toys are right for certain activities, and which items you should not allow to be used as toys at all.

Chew Toys: Something your dog can chew on UNATTENDED. This means that your dog should be able to chew on the toy without you around, without fear that your dog will suffer injury or choke on the toy, and that you can be sure the dog cannot chew parts off of the toy.

Play Toys: Something that you will be playing with or using WITH your dog. This means that you can play with toys you would not otherwise allow your dog to play with unattended. For example, squeeky toys are not toys that you should allow your dog to play with alone, however they make wonderful fetch toys or training tools.

Toys that cause Confusion: Stuffed animals, old shoes and socks are often used as toys, but this can lead to confusion, and could get your pup into trouble! Your dog can't tell the difference between your brand new shoes, socks, and a child's favorite stuffed animal - and that old knotted sock give your pup - and what you are saying is that it's okay for him or her to chew on your clothes, shoes, and other random household items!

Quieting a Barking Dog

Sometimes a barking dog can not only drive the neighbors crazy, but the owners as well. Dogs bark for many reasons, some are less of a problem than others. Often, dogs will bark to let people know of their presense. This doesn't mean that you are necessarily neglecting your dog, but just that your dog is either very social and needs continuous attention, or that they are very protective and need to let others know that they are guarding the yard or house.

One way of solving the problem of continuous barking is to get the dog's attention, and let it know that you have things under control. This works well for dogs that are protecting the yard, by saying "It's okay," you are letting your dog know that you are aware that people are near your yard. But this doesn't work for many dogs, and some more creative tactics are often needed to quiet the barking.

Try keeping a squirt gun on the porch, perhaps if you have a large yard, you would need a high-powered super-soaker type. Make sure that it is full of water. Next time your dog is barking, call his or her name to first get the dog's attention. If the barking continues, squirt the stream of water OVER the dog, so as not to directly wet the dog. However, by aiming above the dog, surely a drop or two will land on the dog, and he or she will realize that it has done something you do not approve of. Once you have the dog's attention, immediately follow up with a command, such as "NO" or "QUIET" in which you will use each and every time your dog barks obsessively. After one or two squirting incidents, you will be able to simply call your dog's name from a window rather than going outside to halt the noise, and again - use the command to stop the barking. If you need to, aim the squirt gun at the dog, but don't squirt. Your dog will soon learn that the behavior isn't good, and learn to bark only when necessary. Don't worry, if there is an intruder, your dog will surely let you know!

Is There a Difference Between Whispering and Training?

We've had quite a few emails recently asking the difference between Dog Whispering, and Dog Training. There is definitely a difference, however, neither is more correct than the other. Each is just a different method, each with its own success.

Dog Training: Obedience training uses sounds and rewards to encourage the dog to perform or present certain actions. From the dog's perspective, it is in control of the trainer, because by presenting specific actions, it will get a reward. There are several common forms widely in use today, and most involve treats as the "bribe" to get the action desired, which is considered "positive reinforcement," and often a clicker to keep the dog focused. This method works well for training a dog to perform specific actions, and with show dogs.

Dog Whispering: It is a behavior science based on OBSERVATION and understanding of the type of animal you are working with. By understanding the dog as a pack animal, one can begin to see and feel how a dog communicates, and learn to communicate with them by using only body language. It begins with watching dogs in the wild, and being able to discern a kind of "dog language" in which the dogs use body language, eye contact, and sounds, all non-verbal forms of communication. Whispering uses the dog's natural tendencies toward socialization to gain trust. This method works well for behavior issues in the home, for performing specific actions, and obedience.

In comparison, both methods work well for teaching a dog to perform certain very specific, commanded actions. However, treats and bribes does nothing for the behavior problems that many dog owners experience. In fact, a great deal of misbehaving dogs have been to dog trainers and obedience training in the past, only to return to the same behavior. Remember, dogs are pack animals. It is entirely possibly for you to gently and respectfully gain the dominant "alpha-dog" status, and become the leader of the pack.

Tail Up, Tail Down, What's Your Dog Feeling?

A wagging tail does not always mean you're dealing with a happy, friendly dog. Sometimes it can actually be a sign of aggression. You've got to assess the body language of the entire animal, not just the tail. Think of the dog's tail like a flag. There are high flying flags, and flags that fly half-mast. But the dog with his tail between his legs is definitely submissive and nervious. This type of dog is not relaxed, or happy, which is an issue that can be worked on.

Half-mast tails are a good thing, along with relaxed ears, posture, and shoulders. His walk should be relaxed as well, eyes and forehead relaxed. This is how you want your dog to be, and if this is achieved, your dog will be most likely well behaved and generally obedient. It is the attitude you would like to see when training your dog, and the best attitude for your companion. Your dog will probably show you respect, as well as respect for other humans. This is important, for the dog's safety and happiness, as well as yours and the people around you.

If your dog is flying his flag high in the air all of the time, and walking with shoulders up, fixated stares, or even hair standing up between the shoulders and the head, the dog is ready to go into full force, and is behaving as the alpha-male, or the dominant one. This is a dog that can tear up your belongings, bite or nip - even attack a human, and will generally not respect you or other humans. This is not necessarily a good thing, and should be worked on to correct the issue.

Choosing a Breed that's Right for You

Before you go out and adopt the first dog you see, or buy that cute little puppy, you just might want to research breeds a little bit, especially if you don't know anything about your "favorite" breed. Many people choose a pet based on the "cuteness factor". This can lead to all sorts of personality conflicts, as well as behavior and training difficulties. Some breeds aim to please, however, others can be very stubborn, and much more work is involved when trying to change undesirable behavior.

Your first decision should be whether or not you wish to go through puppy potty-training, which can test the patience of even the most forgiving human! If that is not for you, consider adopting an adolescent or adult dog, and be sure to ask all of the right questions. If you have pet peeves, you should make a list of them and ask about all of them, this involves "choosing" a member of the family, so choose wisely.

Be mindful of the personality traits that are common to certain breeds, and match that with your personality and habits. If you are an active person, who enjoys walking (a lot), then you may do well with a working breed. However, if you lack the gumption to get outside and get a little exercise, you'll definitely want to look for a less active breed. All dogs should be walked daily, or least several times a week. But some breeds will tear your apart the house, your things, or the garbage, and even could display other negative or aggressive behavior if you don't give him enough exercise. Some breeds are particular to certain types of weather, and can become sick in weather that's too hot or too cold. Others don't like water, and refuse to potty in the rain. Some breeds are extremely stubborn and hard to train, others display a desire to do anything you wish. These may sound like simple personality quirks, but some quirks are more prevalent in certain breeds than in others.

Walk Your Dog - Don't Let Your Dog Walk You

When you walk your dog, it's extremely important that you walk with "purpose". In otherwords, don't just let your dog pull you along, taking you all of the places he'd like to go. You've got to let your dog know that you are in control, and the dog must submit the control to you. It sounds harder than it actually is, but you've got to do it. Otherwise, you'll end up in some really strange places!

Make sure that you have a sturdy leash and collar, especially strong if you have a large, pulling dog. Use the chain and leash with caution, you're never trying to hurt the dog, it is only a tool to let the dog know you're trying to get his attention.

Walk confidently, with your head up. Stop often, and have your dog sit down. Do not leave until you are ready, and your dog should be able wait in sitting potition until you are ready. Once you start walking again, if your dog strays in front of you, tug gently but quickly upwards on the leash. Not in a way that will hurt your dog, just a signal to your dog to stay focused on the walking process.

You are leading the way, and if that's not happening, try switching directions often, allowing the dog to see you "in front" as the leader of the pack would be. Walk a few yards in any direction, then switch and say "Come". Repeat this every few yards or so, establishing that you are the leader, not the dog. That's an important thing to establish, and once you've conquered walking with purpose, you'll find that you have much more control, and a happier dog.