Choosing a Second Dog

Going from a single dog household to living with multiple dogs can be a burden and a decision that some people regret, but it doesn’t have to be that way!  Last year we made a post about things to consider when thinking about getting a second dog, and I wanted to follow up that article with some more information, specifically what to look for in choosing a second dog.

Age – Depending on the current age of your dog, consider looking for a dog that is at least one year older or younger than your current dog.  Spacing out the ages of your dogs can sometimes help reduce competition and other problems that arise with dogs of similar age, similar to when you get two puppies from the same litter.

Male/female - The sex of a second dog really depends on some personality traits of your first dog.  Sometimes going opposite sex can be a good thing when getting that second dog, but in some cases it really doesn’t matter.  Knowing the right things about your first dog will help you make a decision about selecting the sex of your second dog.

Lifestyle – If you have an active lifestyle with your dog, make sure your second dog has the physical traits that can still support your lifestyle.  Here are some examples of my point:

• If you’re a runner and typically run 8 miles a day with your Belgian Malinois, don’t get a Basset Hound as your second dog and expect that dog to join you on your runs
• If you are very social with your dog and are around people, children, and other animals often, maybe a bully breed or typically protective and aggressive breeds should be crossed off of your list*

Personality – The personality of a second dog is very important, especially if you have a shy and nervous dog already.  A confident and outgoing “goofball” who is socially stable can greatly help a shy and nervous dog to gain confidence and be brave.  If you are getting a second dog to help your first dog, consider adopting a dog that is 2+ years old, this way you have a better gauge of their personality compared to a very young puppy.  Remember to always ask a ton of questions when rescuing a dog from a shelter.

These are just a few things to consider when choosing a second dog.  These tips are great, but the most important information and decisions should be based on your first dog in order to help make the transition go as smoothly as possible.

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* I have met plenty of great, stable, well-socialized dogs that belong to the “bully” category.  Training makes our dogs act and behave in certain ways, but breed traits should always be considered as well.  My point is to make stack the deck in your favor.

Does the Location of Your Dog’s Crate Matter?

The short answer to that question is “yes!” Now exactly where to put your dog’s crate is open for a bit of debate, and you may get varying answers depending on who you ask.  The type of crate and a suggested location for a crate may differ based on the needs of a particular dog, but here are some general guidelines that may help you and your family decide where to crate your dog.

• Make sure the crate is in a climate controlled area of your home and avoid areas that get direct sunlight throughout the day
• I personally don’t like my dogs to be crated in my bedroom, they need to learn to exist away from us and have a sense of independence
• If you are still working on potty training, have your crate near the door to help prevent accidents
• If you have a young puppy, consider putting your crate in a well populated area of your home
• Avoid locations where the dog can see outside of the home and practice unwanted behaviors like window barking

How about you, do you have any tips that you think should be added to this list?  If so, leave your suggestion in the comments section of this article.

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Tips for Riding in the Car with Your Dog

Life really is much more enjoyable when you have a dog who rides well in the car.  Trips to the vet are not stressful, rides to the park are a breeze, and why not bring the dog along for a ride to pick up the kids from school?  Of course in order to enjoy riding in the car with your dog you first have to teach them how to behave in the car.

Safety is the most important factor, both for you and your dog when in the car together,  so here are some key points to make your rides safe and enjoyable.

Do not let your dog travel freely from the back seat up to the front seat and vice versa while driving.

• The best skill to use while driving is a down for your dog.  Simply put, use a solid down-stay to prevent your dog from traveling freely in the car.
• If you are still working on a functional down-stay, try tying your dog’s leash to the head rest in the back seat to prevent them from being able to come up to the driver’s compartment.  Be sure to give them enough leash where they can safely maneuver within a designated area.
• If you have an SUV, consider getting a cage that separates the trunk area from the passenger compartment.
• Do not let your dog ride in your lap while driving, no matter how cute they are, this is a serious safety issue.

The last thing you want is a dog bolting out of the car as soon as you open the door.

• Teach your dog to wait and only enter and exit the vehicle with your permission.
• If you are still working on this skill, try tying your leash to a sturdy part of the vehicle so your dog can not bolt when you open the door.

Be sure to have your dog ride in the car with you.

• Be careful of letting your dog stick their head out of the window, debris and other hazards can be dangerous if it strikes them in the face.
• I think this goes without saying, but please don’t leave your dog in the car during a hot or warm day, even if it’s just for a few minutes.  We all know that temperatures inside a car can quickly reach very high numbers quickly.
• Do not let your dog ride in the back of an open pick up truck bed.

What do you have to say, do you have any other advice for riding in the car with your dog?  We would love to hear your feedback, simply leave your advice in the comments section below.  happy motoring!

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Does Your Dog Window Bark?

We have been working with quite a few dogs that have some pretty serious window barking tendencies.  To some extent window barking is your dog’s natural role as a watchdog, but it’s not something that you want to encourage or allow to happen.  Many behavior issues result from this type of activity and it’s very difficult to fix when it has been practiced for an extended period of time.  Here are some common undesirable traits that can stem from window barking:

• Creates frustration which can easily be redirected onto other dogs and people
• Can create unwanted associations in social situations in and away from the home
• Can lead to territorial issues and other behavior problems

Just as with a lot of our dog’s behaviors, these dogs need to be interrupted and redirected in order to reduce the amounts of window barking incidents or prevent it from happening all together.  Here are some simple things that you can do to make sure window barking is not a problem for your dog:

• Don’t allow your dog to window bark when you are home, simply use a reliable recall to interrupt and redirect your dog
• Use reliable obedience to help change the dog’s state of mind
• Don’t allow your dog to window bark when you are not at home, kenneling your dog is always an option

Remember, it’s up to us to help shape our dogs and puppies, this is just another example of us molding our dogs into social and well adjusted animals.

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Using Agility to Build Confidence

We have been running into a lot of shy, nervous, and fearful dogs lately, a little more than usual.  In addition to strong leadership, a solid foundation of obedience, and socialization, these dogs need some confidence!

One of our favorite ways to build confidence in shy dogs is to teach them to maneuver over the agility equipment.  Not only does it help them feel a sense of accomplishment but you can see them start to become more outgoing and willing to participate after their initial exposure to the different obstacles.  These experiences absolutely start to carry over into other aspects of the dogs’ lives as well!

Agility is not only good at building some confidence in these shy and nervous dogs, but it’s a ton of fun too!  Whether you have a shy dog or an outgoing knuckle head who is just looking for a job, find out more about our obstacle training and confidence course by clicking here.

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Location Based Dog Training

Have you ever tried to have your dog lay down while at a friend’s house, or told your dog to come at a new park, or introduced your dog to a stranger in a place where your dog has never been before?    Whether it be a delay in response time, a display of fear or uncertainty, or the overwhelming urge to explore the new environment, many of us get a much different response from our dogs in new places.

We all know that our dogs can be very easily effected by environmental factors that you and I take for granted.  Simple things like new smells and sounds can have a big impact on our dog’s behavior, not to mention the other more obvious factors that are present in new locations. In order to advance our dogs’ training and overcome location specific training, it’s important to expose them to new locations and bring them out of their comfort zones.  Here are some tips to help your dog become used to working in new environments.

• Start by finding the right locations to work with your dog, instead of taking your dog for a walk along the same route everyday, explore new parts of your neighborhood.  If you are an Unleashed Unlimited client who usually comes to our Leander dog training location, try coming to one of our Austin dog training classes for a change of pace, and vice versa.  Meet up at a friends home or a park that they visit frequently and do a little training in their favorite locations.

• If your dog is having a hard time in a new environment, don’t get frustrated or mark the wrong behaviors, remember to stick to the core concepts of your training program, don’t panic!  Instead, take a step back and practice something a bit easier and let them be successful, then return to more challenging tasks.

• Remember to keep moving!  Movement is a great way to dissipate stress in dogs and it can help them regain their focus back on you.

By working our dogs in new environments we can constantly expand their comfort zone and increase the dog’s confidence and skill level.  The world is such a better place when we have confident, obedient, and well socialized dogs!

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Trainer’s Spotlight: Mike Loeshe of Homeland K-9

1. Can you provide a brief overview of yourself and your business and services?

My name is Mike Loesche. I am a graduate of National K-9 and have attended training at Robin MacFarlane’s “That’s My Dog” as well. I am the owner and head trainer of Homeland K-9 in Springboro, OH. I specialize in remote collar training and “board and trains”. Once a client’s dog completes a board and train with me they attend group classes in order to solidify the obedience around real world distractions. This builds confidence in the owner’s ability to be able to control their dogs in public. I also offer Puppy Preschool, Kinder Puppy, and Specialty Training such as Tracking 101, Fun Nose work, and Sport Protection.

2. What advice can you give a potential dog owner who is looking to adopt from a dog/puppy from a shelter?

When most people decide to adopt a dog, the first thing they think about is how cute the dog is. They also often want to know if the dog has any obedience training or is housebroken.

I believe the two most important things to consider are is the dog confident, and is the dog sociable with humans and other animals. The answer to these questions are not always evident just by seeing a dog at the shelter. My recommendation is to take the dog outside and away from the kennel area to see how they interact with you and your family. I would also bring a ball or tug toy to see if the dog has any drive. This is going to be important for positive obedience training. Remember, a dog can always learn obedience commands and be housetrained with consistency after they are adopted. However, if a dog is super fearful or unsociable a new owner may find it difficult to turn this dog into a desirable member of the family. It would take a very patient owner to adopt a dog with these characteristics.

3. From your experience and in your opinion, what are some of the most common mistakes dog owners make?

I think the biggest mistake I see is owners believe bonding with their dog means spoiling their dog. In fact, it is just the opposite. Dogs need someone in charge. This comes through obedience training and rules. Your dog will love and respect you more if they have boundaries and leadership. Do not make your dog an equal by allowing him/her to sleep in your bed, eat people food, and get on the furniture. I am not referring to owners who buy small dogs for the purpose of having a “lap dog” as this is OK. However, Even lap dogs should not be in bed with you or treated as if they were a human child.

Another major mistake that I see is that for most dogs, when they are purchased or adopted it is like hitting the mega millions overnight. Everything is free for the dog. They have to do nothing to survive. I try to teach my students that the dog needs to work for everything he/she wants. For example, food, toys, going outside, getting praise, etc. This can be accomplished by doing something as simple as making your dog sit before going out the door or laying down before feeding. This will not only make your dog’s obedience more reliable but also teaches the dog that you are in control.

4. What is the most remarkable thing you have seen a dog do?

I personally did not witness this, but found this story amazing, click here for the story.

5. In your opinion, what is the single most important command you can teach a dog and why?

I believe all basic obedience commands are important, however the command “look” or “watch me” command is probably the most important. Whether the dog is hyper, aggressive, fearful, or whatever, if the dog learns to focus on his/her owner when told he/she is not paying attention to his surroundings. This reduces the possibility of the dog acting in a manner that the owner does not want. Saying this, I will say that without a lot of consistency most owners have a hard time solidifying this command around distractions.

A lot of owners are concerned about having flashy obedience. This “flash” is usually not used. In actuality they probably use the first command they ever taught their dog 99% of the time. For example, when you go into your vet’s office and there is a dog in the lobby that is barking and pulling on their leash at your dog. What is the first thing you are going to ask your dog to do? Sit…. This is more than likely the very first command you taught your dog. A solid, basic foundation around distractions is extremely important and is more useful than tricks and the flashy obedience.

6. Can you provide any useful information, advice, or tips for dog owners who frequent off leash dog parks?

Some of you are probably not going to like the answer to this, but in my opinion, a big reason why people frequent a dog park is to have their dog play with other dogs. However, I think that the biggest reason people frequent these parks is so that they can allow their dog off leash in a fenced in area.

I personally am not a big fan of dog parks. I want my dogs to be socialized with other dogs, however I have seen dogs develop bad habits at dog parks such as dog aggression and fear. These behaviors develop because, let’s be honest, not all owners who take their dogs to dog parks are responsible. If every dog at the dog park was current on their vaccinations, obedience trained and well socialized, the risk of these behaviors developing would be minimal. Unfortunately, you cannot guarantee the owner next to you is as responsible as you are. If you are going to be at a dog park, my advise is use lots of supervision, and if anything becomes questionable with your dog’s behavior or another dog’s behavior, you need to leave for the day. You want to be sure that you do not allow something to develop that will make the park a negative experience for your dog.

I think that most owners have a goal of having off leash control in any environment. Why take your dog to a dog park when you can use this same energy to take them to an open field, camping, hiking, etc. As a dog owner and professional trainer I want my dog to have more fun with me than with anything else in life. This might seem crazy but lets think about it….with training, if your dog is used to being leashed up to go to the dog park and run with other dogs, how eager are they going to be to leash up and work with you? In comparison, where do you fall? Socialization with other dogs is important but I believe it should be controlled by me as the owner.

7. What skills/concepts do you find dog owners have the most trouble with, and what advice do you give them?

I do not use a remote collar as a correction tool, but rather use it to prompt and motivate the dog to perform a command. In remote collar training, the biggest problem I see is owners who stop using the collars too soon. Two weeks into an obedience class I see the owner not pushing the button to get their dog to perform a command. When I ask them why they say “I don’t have to push the button anymore to get my dog to sit”. I tell them that it is very important to keep your dogs conditioned to the collar and the training. If the owner is not consistent with the training I find that they then begin to use the collar incorrectly (as a correction). This results in the dog associating the collar with a punishment rather than a prompting tool.

8. Do you have a product, event, video, organization, or something else to promote that you feel our readers can benefit from?

I am currently sharing Remote Collar Training Secrets with dog owners through my newsletter. I want to take the secrecy out of using a remote collar properly. Readers can register for the newsletter here.

I am also currently taping a documentary on How to Raise a Puppy…the First 120 Days. This documentary won’t be released for about 6 months but will instruct owners on how to have a confident and friendly, obedient, off leash dog in the first 120 days. It will be available on my website.

I am also in the process of developing a trainer’s school. My hope is to have our first class available before the end of the year. I am very excited about this opportunity.

9. Is there anything else you would like to add or share with our readers?

I appreciate Paul Sulinski of Unleashed Unlimited for the opportunity to be featured on the Trainer’s Spotlight.

I would like to extend a big thank you to Mike and the rest of the Homeland K9 family.  Be sure to check out Mike Loesche’s website and sign up for his free newsletter. Thanks, Mike!

If you enjoyed this entry, don’t forget to subscribe to our dog training blog. You will be automatically notified as soon a new entry is made. Also be sure to check out our Facebook Fan Page and follow us on Twitter.

Trainer’s Spotlight: Renée Lamoureux of Follow Me Dog Training

Q:  Can you provide a brief overview of yourself and your business and services?

A:  My name is Renée Lamoureux, and I own Follow Me Dog Training LLC in Richmond, Virginia. My business is mostly private lessons, board and train programs and group classes. Although I will add on more selective classes as needed. I’ve been training since 1996. During that time I have owned two businesses and was a trainer/instructor for That’s My Dog! Inc. I specialize in training with remote collars but really feel that my training is a mixture of many different methods to get the job done. Having fun with my clients and their dogs is important as long as during that fun time, they learn as much as they and their dog can handle. In my opinion, if you have a dog you should be able to do anything and everything you want to and that comes from a foundation of communication and a healthy relationship.

Q:  What advice can you give a potential dog owner who is looking to adopt from a dog/puppy from a shelter?

A:  Do your research and take someone with you. I know of a lot of clients that walked into a shelter and saw the cutest dog and said “That’s it, that’s the one” and they didn’t think about what their needs for a dog where or take the time to get the dog out a couple times to see if there was a match. Also take someone with you, an impartial friend and if you have one, one that isn’t a big dog fan. Sounds crazy but sometimes they can put perspective on the dogs you are looking at. Adopting a dog is a great thing to do and I currently have an adopted dog. But I thought long and hard about the size, look, temperament, and age of the dog that I wanted and I encourage everyone to do the same. Lastly, ask a trainer to go with you…they might ask some of the best questions.

Q:  From your experience and in your opinion, what are some of the most common mistakes dog owners make?

A:  As a dog trainer I feel as though I deal with lot of mistakes, but my job is to help people have a wonderful life with their dog and mistakes happen so I try to acknowledge what they have done and no longer think of them as mistakes, but learning experiences for the owners. There are some that stand out though that I will immediately address. One of the biggest I see is when someone brings a dog or puppy into their home, they don’t realize that establishing some house rules and a schedule are the top two things to do. I talk to people all the time that adopted a dog and waited six months for the dog to “acclimate” to the house and family. Or they get a puppy and treat it like a human baby, once more letting it “acclimate and grow up” If you start out on the right foot, your dog will love you more. Another mistake I often see is the owner that brings home a second dog “for their first dog” This never works out like we want it to. If you are getting another dog for your first to play with, spend time with, get exercise with and to have as a friend, in my opinion you usually end up with two fuzzy forces of nature working against you. Another common mistake is how and what kind of exercise a dog needs and how the family can accomplish it. Dogs need exercise that is the bottom line, big or small they need both mental and physical exercise and it makes our lives and theirs better if we take an active part in providing our dogs with exercise.

Q:  What is the most remarkable thing you have seen a dog do?

A:  Hard to say. I’ve seen police K9’s doing their job and that is amazing. I’ve seen SAR dogs do their job. I’ve witnessed a handicap assist dog and the power of a therapy dog. I’ve seen smiles appear on the faces of people of all ages because of something their dog has done. I’ve seen athletes of the dog world compete in their sport. I think all of these things are remarkable! But since you asked what the most remarkable thing was I would have to say the unconditional love and understanding of our closest friends in a time of need. I recently lost my oldest dog to cancer and her grace and fortitude in her last moments were impressive, but what my other dogs did for me as we went through the first stages of mourning was the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.

Q:  In your opinion, what is the single most important command you can teach a dog and why?

A:  Come. If your dog knows how to come to you no matter what, 100% of the time you can save them from so much and you can give them so much. A solid recall means I can do more with my dog, take them more places, trust them around distractions and know that they will be safe with me when I need them to be.

Q:  Can you provide any useful information, advice, or tips for dog owners who frequent off leash dog parks?

A:  I’m not a huge fan of dog parks. I used to go to one a long time ago when they were becoming popular and it was a lesson in discouragement. Now with more understanding under my belt I see the need for them and understand the reasoning for taking your dog to a dog park. So the advice I give everyone is this: If you choose to take your dog there, your dog is your responsibility. Make him earn his time with proper behavior into the park and once you as the owner take off the leash, KEEP MOVING! Don’t get caught talking to friends or sitting on a bench. The movement helps dissipate stress and allows your dog to move comfortably and come check in with you. Also make sure your dog has a solid recall, no matter what. And last, don’t let your dog be a bully and don’t let other dogs bully yours. There should be no food or toys in a dog park and make sure you scoop your poop!

Q:  What skills/concepts do you find dog owners have the most trouble with, and what advice do you give them?

A:  One concept I see owners struggling with is the concept that once that new dog (usually a rescue) is in your house they are no longer an abused, abandoned animal. They are yours and you are responsible for everything that happens to that dog from now on. If you stay stagnant in the thoughts of “oh my dog was abused and can’t do that” or “my dog is afraid because this happened to him” you are wasting time with your dog who just wants to be yours. So I find that the owners have a hard time realizing this is their dog and they have the ability to do anything the owners teach them.

Q:  Do you have a product, event, video, organization, or something else to promote that you feel our readers can benefit from?

A:  I offer a free evaluation to anyone that is interested in my services. Give me a call and let me tell you about the things we can do with your dog.

Q:  Is there anything else you would like to add or share with our readers?

A:  Owning a dog is a responsibility but it can be rewarding and a heck of a lot of fun. I hope that I have helped as many dogs and their owners as they have helped me. I look forward to continually learning and having fun with my dogs and any that I meet.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Renée Lamoureux!  If you or anyone you know is looking for quality dog training in Richmond, Va, be sure to check out Follow Me Dog Training LLC.

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Keeping Your Dog Cool in the Summer

As we covered in a previous post, Should You Shave Your Dog in the Summer?, we learned that dogs do not feel cooler when shaved.  Since that is the case, what can you do to keep your dogs cool in the summer?

Here is a short list to help keep your dogs from over heating during the warm weather:

• Make sure the dog has plenty of access to fresh cool drinking water
• Never leave your dog in a parked car
• Make sure your dog has access to shade, and do not leave them outside when you are at work or away from home
• Set up a baby pool or a sprinkler in the back yard, or play some games with one of these
• Instead of pouring water on the dog’s back in efforts to cool him off, apply some water under the dog’s front armpits, belly, and inner rear leg
• If your dog has a dual layered coat, have a groomer brush out the undercoat to help insulate your dog
• Be sure to decrease the intensity of your play sessions, walks, and runs during extreme heat
• Be aware of your dog’s paws and pads when it comes to walking them, the street and sidewalks can get very hot
• Be sure to apply sunscreen to fair skinned dogs with fine coats
• Plenty of naps on the tile floors

Dogs are not only uncomfortable on hot summer days, but they are vulnerable to heatstroke and heat exhaustion which can be fatal, especially for overweight and older dogs.  Regardless of your dog’s age, weight, breed, or habits, please keep an eye on your pets and make sure they have as much fun this summer as we do!

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