One of the most frustrating things about getting a new puppy is their drive to chew. But, you must remember that it is, in fact, a drive. Dogs do not chew things out of spite or malice, they do so out of boredom, loneliness, frustration, teething pains and a compulsion to have fun. Your job as their owner is to give them positive outlets they will prefer over destructive chewing so that they don’t chew inappropriately and cause problems at home.

One of the first main mistakes people make when they bring home a new puppy is to give them free reign of the house. Bad idea. When you have brought home an untrained puppy, you can not yet trust him with the responsibility of free reign of the house.

The first step you should take to properly training you new puppy is to give him a designated area of the house that is his to play in. A guest bedroom, a small bathroom, a garage or a basement are all good options if they have been properly puppy-proofed. This is the area he will stay in when you can’t keep an eye on him and you can not put him in the yard.  Even better is a crate so that you can house train and avoid the chewing habit at the same time.

Dogs often chew out of boredom. To keep him entertained, litter his “room” with all sorts of dog toys that he can safely chew on. There are all sorts of toys out there, from those that are bones or rawhide to those that look like stuffed animals or those that you have to bat around to retrieve treats out of. Make sure he has plenty of positive chew options and no negative options in his room. He will have no choice but to chew on his appropriate chew toys and will associate them with what is allowed to chew on.

One thing to keep in mind is that once a dog chews something and finds that it is pleasurable to do so, it is nearly impossible for him to learn that, so first impressions about chewing are important. Keep anything small enough for your puppy to chew up and put away from him or keep him in an area where those things aren’t.

Additionally, make sure that the things you want your dog to chew on are very exciting to play with. You can smear peanut butter into grooved toys, soak rawhides or bones in chicken broth and let them dry out, find toys that are very engaging to play with. Make sure your puppy has a good reason to play with his toys!

Oftentimes, puppies chew near the end of the day, right before you get home from work. They are ready for you to be home to play with and just about can’t take it anymore! They are frustrated from anticipating you and have the potential to do some destructive chewing. So, your job as their supportive and smart owner is to harness this frustration. Teach your dog to bring you their toy when you get home. When you walk in from work and they excitedly greet you, do not pay them any attention other than to tell them to find their toy. Help them find their toys if they need to for the first few days. Once they have gotten that part down, do not do any happy greeting at the end of the day until they have brought you their toy. Then praise them excessively. They will learn that you do not say hello unless they have a toy for you and they will be encouraged to play with their toys close to the time you get home, right when they are most prone to chewing on inappropriate things.

Until next time….

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Ear infections occur all too frequently in dogs. You know the signs:

• Red, inflamed ears
• Dog scratching and rubbing at ears
• A bad, smelly odor from the ears
• Dark debris in the ear
• Ears possibly swollen
• Signs that your dog’s ears are painful to him

Any of these signs can indicate that your dog has an ear infection.

Ear infections are more common in dogs with long, floppy ears and in dogs with lots of hair around their ears. That also means that longhaired dogs are often more susceptible to ear infections. If you take your dog swimming you could be setting him up for an ear infection unless you carefully dry his ears after he gets out of the water.

Ear infections can be bacterial or grow from yeast organisms in your dog’s ears. In either case, the infections love to grow in a dark, warm, moist environment — which perfectly describes your dog’s ears. For dogs with long, floppy ears and long hair around their ears, air flow into the ears is cut off, which encourages yeast and bacteria to grow. That’s why dogs with prick ears, which stand up straight and open to the air, have fewer ear infections.

You can help your dog have fewer ear infections by keeping the hair around his ears trimmed or plucked so air can get into the ear. Trimming the hair with clippers or scissors works fine with many breeds. If you have a wirehaired breed such as a Schnauzer or a Terrier, plucking the hair around the ears works well. It may look painful but plucking this ear hair is no more painful than plucking eyebrows for a human.

You also need to clean your dog’s ears regularly. That means cleaning at least once a month. Once every week or two is better. Use a good ear cleaner from your vet or from a pet supply store.

To clean you dog’s ears simply follow this procedure:

• Put a few drops of the ear cleaner in your dog’s ears
• Let the cleaner go to the interior base of your dog’s ear
• Gently massage the cleaner to loosen wax and debris.
• Take a small cotton ball and wipe inside your dog’s ear. Don’t dig around with it.
• You may need to repeat the cleaning process once or twice until the cotton ball comes away clean.

With regular cleaning and keeping the hair around your dog’s ears trimmed, you should be able to avoid ear infections. However, some dogs may get ear infections as the result of allergic reactions to ingredients in their food. If your dog’s ears are clean and he still has recurring ear infections, try changing his food. Switch to a dog food that doesn’t contain some of the common offenders such as corn or wheat. Changing your dog’s food to one that’s better quality and which contains fewer grains or less common grains often clears up ear infections due to allergies

If your dog has an ear infection that won’t go away you should see your vet about the problem. Your dog may have a yeast infection which can be hard to treat. Even with your vet working on it, yeast infections can be hard to get rid of, but your vet will have access to prescription medications that may work.

Bacteria and yeast organisms are present on our dogs at all times. It’s only when the circumstances are right that infections will gain a foothold. Keep your dog’s ears clean, feed your dog a healthy dog food, and keep the hair around his ears trimmed and you can avoid most ear infections.

Until next time….

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Adopting an older dog has many advantages that will make him a wonderful addition to your household. Unfortunately, if he is set in his ways, you’re facing a bit of a challenge when it comes to training. Whatever his situation, you can teach your older dog new tricks; the following tips will help.

1. Keep the sessions short and sweet. Start with a ten minute lesson and simply introduce the dog to the learning process. Simple commands and positive interaction will show him that training is something to look forward to and not dread. His attention may waiver or he could tire quickly, so never force him to keep going when the signs indicate resistance.

2. Be consistent in your training methods. Your dog must understand exactly what it is you are asking of him, otherwise you can’t expect him to succeed. Always use the same verbal commands for the same tasks and keep your tone even unless you are praising or correcting. Try and train in the same place every time and make sure it is free from distractions.

3. Make it fun for the dog. Your dog should consider this extra quality time with you; shower him with affection and praise both when beginning and ending each session. Buy new toys that you can use to play once the work is out of the way and partake of his favorite activity, such as a walk to the park or extra long fur-brushing session.

4. Take your dog to the vet for persistent problems. If your dog is non-responsive to training, there may be something going on with him. Rule out any medical issues by visiting your vet and discussing the situation in-depth. He may have a deficiency that is causing him to be tired or something else that you can’t see. Ask the vet about his diet while you are there, to make sure it’s appropriate for his age, weight and nutritional needs.

5. See it from the dog’s point of view and be patient. Pay close attention to his reactions and try to determine what he is thinking: Does he simply want to get back to his nap? Is he afraid of not being able to do what it is you’re asking? Does he expect punishment to come out of this? Having a little empathy for him can serve you both well in that you can modify training to better suit him and achieve the success you both are looking for.

6. Never punish your dog for not getting it right. No matter what comes of each training session, don’t be too hard on him. Punishment will lead to fear and he will never be able to focus on the task at hand. So long as he knows you still care for him, he will be willing to try and try again. It’s up to you to formulate a plan that works for him and to reinforce that program with positive rewards that are worth the effort he has to put in.

Hopefully these tips give you a big jump-start on training your older dog. With time and patience, he will adjust well and be a healthy, happy addition to the family.

If your old dog needs help learning new tricks feel free to contact me at www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com or 615-776-9663.

Until next time….

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

Some of you emailed me and asked what can I do if I can’t take my dog with me so here’s an article about boarding your dog, just for you .  You better hurry though because if you need reservations for Christmas the boarding facilities are all filling up quickly.

You’ve been planning a family trip for the holidays for weeks.  You have booked your airfare.  You’re going to have a wonderful time, right?  Then why do you feel so guilty?  Is it because you’re leaving your dog behind?  Every year people travel and have a less than perfect time because they are worried about their best friend at home.  Perhaps it’s not even a vacation.  Maybe you have to travel for work.  What’s the answer?  Leave your dog with a neighbor who may forget to give him his pills or accidentally let him get out.

Fortunately there are other alternatives.  For some people the answer is a boarding kennel.  Far from being a cold, sterile prison-like environment, many boarding kennels these days offer amenities that make your pet feel like he’s on vacation himself.  Some boarding kennels are almost like spas for pets.

When you begin considering boarding kennels in your area you should begin by visiting the facilities in person.  Check for cleanliness.  Does it look and smell clean?  Is it well-lit and ventilated?  Is this a place where you would like your dog to spend a few days?  Is it pleasant and warm enough?  Or is it properly cooled in the summer time?  Are the kennel runs large enough?  How are the people?  Do you like them?  These are the people who will be caring for your dog so your impression of them is very important.  Ask if the kennel is accredited by the American Boarding Kennels Association (719-667-1600).  The association can tell you if the kennel meets accepted standards and is accredited.

After you have visited the kennels in your area and chosen one you can begin to prepare your dog for his stay.  You will need to have your dog’s vaccinations up to date.  Kennels won’t allow your dog to stay unless he is current on his rabies vaccination.  Your dog will also probably need a bordatella vaccine for kennel cough.  Kennel cough is a respiratory illness similar to a cold in humans that is often spread among dogs in a kennel.  It’s passed around something like the way colds are passed around in airports.  There’s not much you can do to prevent them, even in the cleanest facilities, but the bordatella vaccine can lessen your dog’s chances of catching a cough, and the vaccine is recommended.

If possible it’s a good idea to take your dog by the kennel to let him see the place before you plan to leave him.  Let him meet the staff and become familiar with the surroundings.  Even a brief visit or an overnight stay can help your dog become accustomed to the place before his longer visit.

Remember to provide as much information as possible about your dog to the staff.  Make sure they know about your dog’s medications and dosages; allergies; special food; how he gets along with other dogs; and whether or not he is afraid of certain things.  Most kennels invite you to bring your dog’s food from home for him if he eats a special brand.  If your dog is afraid of loud noises, such as thunder or fireworks, be sure to mention this or any other phobias to the staff.  If your dog is afraid of black dogs or cats or anything he may encounter at the kennel, be especially sure to mention this fact to the staff.

You may also make special requests about who your dog is housed with or allowed to exercise with.  Boarding kennels typically house two dogs of similar size in each kennel run, but they want to make sure that the dogs are compatible.  If you are taking two dogs and they are friends, be sure to request that they are kenneled together.  If your dog has any particular dislikes as far as other dogs go, or if he’s afraid of some dogs, make sure you mention this to the staff on behalf of your dog.

Don’t forget to supply the kennel with the name, phone number and address of your veterinarian so he or she can be contacted in case of emergency.

You can make your dog feel more at home by bringing some items from home with him.  Bring a special toy or his favorite blanket.  You can even take something that belongs to you, such as an old shirt to help comfort him while you’re gone.  No need to wash it.  You want it to carry your scent so it will remind your dog of you.

As you’re getting ready for your trip remain cheerful and calm.  If you are excited and hectic in your packing you’ll alert your dog that something is going on.  By the time you’re ready to take him to the kennel he’ll be feeling the stress of the trip.  Instead, get his things together in advance and take him to the car as you would for any car trip.

When you take your dog to the kennel on the big day it’s important that you try to remain calm and positive.  Your dog will take his cues from you.  If you are emotional and tearful your dog will be upset about you leaving him.  Try to avoid long, sad goodbyes.  The best way to handle things is to hand your dog’s leash to one of the staff, let them distract your dog with something, and quietly slip away.  Your dog will feel much less stress if you leave quietly.

If you travel a lot your dog will get used to visiting the kennel and become familiar with the staff and the whole experience.  He will start looking forward to seeing other dogs and playing with the people at the kennel.  Many kennel staff know their doggy guests well and look forward to seeing them again.

After a few trips to the boarding kennel you and your dog will become familiar with the whole experience.  Your brief separations will not seem nearly as stressful.  You can relax while you’re away knowing that your dog is being well cared for; and your dog can rest and play, knowing that you will soon be home.

Until next time…….

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com

With the holidays right around the corner many of you will be traveling and some of you will bring your dog along for the ride.  Here are a few things that might make the trip just a little bit more enjoyable.

Taking your pets along for the ride when you head out on the road can be a fun and memorable bonding experience. However, without the proper precautions, it can also be extremely trying. Here are a few ways to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Bring your dog’s favorite blanket and keep it accessible. If they are traveling in a crate, place the blanket in with them. If your pet is free in the car, the floor in front of the back seat makes a great location for a makeshift bed. Having something familiar and carrying their scent will make your pet more comfortable and relaxed during the trip.

Don’t forget food and water dishes. Unlike their human counterparts, dogs do not have the ability to snack on a sandwich straight from the ice chest, so don’t forget dishes for food and water. If their dishes from home are too large or unwieldy, look into collapsible dishes specially marketed for travel. These are usually either made of waterproof fabric that can be compressed or durable plastic that folds. This can save valuable space in your vehicle.

Stop frequently. Try not to spend too long on the road without stopping at a rest area or park. These breaks are essential for your dog to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs, especially if they are not used to spending many hours without exercise. Remember, unless you want a mess, smaller dogs will need to stop more frequently, as they also have smaller bladders.

Pay attention to your pet. Talk to your dog and don’t forget to pet them. Your dog doesn’t understand what is going on and could become stressed or scared without your reassurance that everything is fine. Don’t coddle, as this can sometimes backfire and make them think there is something to be afraid of, but don’t ignore them either. Simply talk to and treat them exactly as you would if you were at home.

Prepare for potential carsickness. Just like people, some dogs may experience some motion sickness when traveling. Unless you travel with your dog frequently, there is no way to know in advance if they will become ill, so it is best to be prepared just in case. Line their area of the vehicle with an old towel for easy clean up, and bring along a few extras in case that one becomes soiled. A roll of paper towels or some baby wipes will also make clean up easier.

Let fresh air in. Try to keep at least one window cracked open to let some fresh air in. Not only will it be refreshing for both driver and dog, your dog will enjoy the many new scents to be experienced along the way. A word of caution though, be careful that you do not have the window open too wide unless your dog is secured in a harness or crate. You don’t want to risk your dog jumping or falling out of a moving vehicle!

Bringing your pet with you on a trip does not have to be a stressful experience. It is a wonderful opportunity to bond with your pet and expose them to new people and places.

Have a safe trip this holiday!

Until next time…….

About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of Canine Behavior Specialists in Nashville, TN.  Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network, www.K9-University.com