Winter is a coming - Tips for keeping your dog's paws safe in the snow

Cold Weather Tips:

In the winter many homeowners and businesses use rock salt and chemical de-icers to clear the ice and snow from sidewalks. These products can irritate your dog's paws. Many dogs will quickly start whining, biting or lifting their paws after just a few steps. If this occurs to your dog while out on a walk gently rub the bottom of his paw to remove the salt. When you return home inspect the paws, making sure to check between the pads and examine the foot for cracks. To help prevent ice balls in between the pads, trim the hair around your dog's paw pads. Also check for snow that can cling to longhaired dogs. There are many pet safe, veterinarian approved nontoxic balms and ointments that protect dogs' paws from ice balls and stinging available at most pet stores.  Dog booties may also be beneficial if you walk your dog in heavily salted areas. If you are a homeowner there are also a number of pet safe salt products that melt the ice without causing irritation to your dog’s paws. After battling the elements don’t forget to take care of yourself as well. Pour yourself a large glass of cabernet and count the days until Spring!

Thoughts on training

Thought for today -

If you want a well-trained dog, it is important to view every interaction with him as an opportunity to incorporate some aspect of training !

Why pay a dog trainer to train your dog if you are not going to follow up with daily practice? It always amazes me that so many people think that they need not participate in the training process to have a well trained dog.  Do they not ‘get’ that in and of itself, training means nothing to a dog. Therefore if it is not reinforced daily and consistently,  a dog will just as soon forget about it and behave in a manner that, in the dog’s mind, works best for what he wants and needs.  Like-wise, training doesn’t exist in a bubble, by which I mean it must be incorporated into the day-to-day business of living.  If you practice for short periods each day but fail to incorporate the training by utilizing it through practical application as you go about your daily routine, your dog will never generalize the training skills learned outside the practice sessions.

Happy Halloween!!

Only the beginning...

Too often this is the case. Learn when to start eliminating the treats so that your dog is obeying your commands, not for food, but simply because YOU SAY SO. Call Ain't Misbehavin' to discuss your training needs. Our goal is to teach you how to make your misbehaving dog a well mannered pet!

Some of the nicest dogs I know!

Fearful dogs

A dog with fear issues is usually a poorly socialized dog. Often this occurs because the dog, when a young pup, was not exposed to a variety of enriched environmental and social stimuli that is necessary to ensure sound emotional development. There are other situations resulting in a fearful dog of course; however in my experience, most fearful dogs are a result of the lack of proper early socialization.

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Keeping it simple