Who's in the lead?

The biggest mistake many people make in their relationship with their dog is that they don't "take the lead". Dog's in general are GREAT followers. Most don't want to be in charge, they just want to get through the day with minimum conflict and maintain their personal safety...just like most people. They are happy to be led as long as they trust the person making the decisions. The problem is lots of people are not clear about making decisions and thus their "leading" leads to much confusion for the dog. People generally are not clear about showing their dog what the expectations are. Often people don't follow through. They simply don't bother to say what they mean and then mean what they say.

For example, you ask your dog to sit and the dog does not comply. What you do next will determine your leadership skills. Do you keep repeating the command while the dog continues to ignore it? Or do you insist the dog follow through?  If you keep repeating yourself over and over the consequence is that the dog learns to tune you out while doing whatever he so desires. A leader would take the time to insist the dog follow through. This may mean taking a hold of the dog’s collar or leash and simply holding it steady UNTIL the dog puts his butt to the ground. It might mean lightly touching his rear end and exerting slight pressure until he sits...but for certain a good leader would not have ignored the dog’s non-response to a known behavior. Nor would a good leader yell or lose his/her temper. That does not help to create a strong, respectful relationship with the dog. Anger has no place in training; instilling fear is not leadership. 

Implicit in leadership is a congruency between words and action. I often speculate about a nervous or shy dog's thought process when the human on the end of the leash says, "let's go" but is obviously apprehensive and uncertain about how to get the dog to follow. I think the dog must look up and think, "if you don't know where we're going, there's no way I'm following you!" To face forward, look straight ahead and just walk is a far more confident action. There is truth to the old saying, "fake it, till you make it". At least 'act' like you believe your dog will follow you! Calm and assertive guidance is the essence of leadership. No one wants to follow a wimp or a bully. Keep that in mind as you interact with your dog. 

Lisa's Handsome Boo

How to change dog foods quickly when your brand is recalled

Ain't Misbehavin' recommends Fromm Family Foods because it is a small, family owned company that has never had a recall. It is a bit pricey but our dogs thrive on it. It is well worth the cost!

When your brand of pet food is recalled you have to quickly take your pet off that food, unlike the gradual process of transitioning your pet from one food to another. As your dog’s digestive system is used to a specific formula of food, you have to take precautionary steps to ensure a smooth, quick transition.

Steps to Take When Switching Pet Food Immediately:

Find a Similar Formula

Choose a food that closely matches your pet’s previous food formula. For instance, if your pet was on a lamb and rice diet, switch to a pet food that uses lamb and rice in the formula. The new food should be mixed with one of the following to ease the switch on your pet’s digestive system.

Mix With Chicken & Rice

Make your own mixture of 20% chicken and 80% rice. Cut chicken breast meat into bite-sized pieces and cook. Then cook the rice and mix it with the cooked chicken. Use this mixture in combination with the new food you are transitioning your pet to.

Pumpkin

Purchase canned pumpkin—not pie mix—and mix with the new pet food. The fiber content in pumpkin is very effective in the treatment and maintenance of digestive health for pets and can ease the quick transition in foods. Mixing a small amount of pumpkin with your pet’s new food (1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the pet's weight) can help to ensure your dog or car doesn’t experience a case of diarrhea. In fact, often a veterinarian will prescribe pumpkin as part of the treatment for intestinal malady, as well as simply a healthful dietary supplement.

Plain Yogurt

The active cultures in yogurt will repopulate your pet’s digestive system with healthy and soothing bacterial flora. Mix a small amount of plain yogurt with your pet’s new food to ease in the transition on his or her digestive system. If you have any further questions or concerns contact your veterinarian for further information.