Do dogs age out of daycare?

It all starts with an adorable puppy. You decide to bring them to a dog daycare facility, and they love it! They enjoy playing with the other dogs, are always eager to get there and come home tired but happy. You continue to bring your dog to daycare as they age and grow, but is there a point where your dog may “age out” of the daycare environment?

Daycare should be an overall fun and rewarding experience for your dog. The question many clients ask is, when does daycare stop being fun for an older dog? It’s important to remember the structure of daycare as a whole, that your dog is given time to play in a room with other dogs. When your dog is a puppy or youthful adolescent, they want to play with everyone. The idea of having so many other dogs to play with excites them. At this point, new dogs mean new playmates and they love and crave time spent in their company. However, as your dog grows from a puppy to an adult dog, things can slowly begin to change.

As they age, your dog might still love playing with other dogs, but daycare can start to get slightly overwhelming. Your mature adult dog is now in a room with energetic youths who are looking to bounce around and play for hours. While your adult dog might enjoy being there, countless hours with rambunctious younger playmates can become overwhelming and not as fun as it use to be.

Picture it this way: to us, adult dogs playing with adolescent dogs would be equivalent to a 35 year old being invited to a 15 year old’s birthday party. According to WebMD Pets, a one-year-old dog is about 15 in human years and a four-year-old dog is about 36. In that time period, like us, dogs mature and start to play differently. 

The Dog Guru’s Susan Briggs and Robin Bennett recently published an article called “Ask the Experts – Is my dog happy in off-leash play?”, where they address the issue of age in daycare dogs. They say, “Generally speaking, dogs over 5-6 years of age will have a shorter tolerance level for off leash play with other dogs. This is true even if your dog grew up playing in dog parks and attending daycare. This doesn’t mean that older dogs shouldn’t play off leash with other dogs, but it does mean that shorter periods of play may be more fun for your older dog. If your dog (of any age) attends a dog daycare, make sure he gets some down time where other dogs allow him to rest or he is separated so he can sleep.”

It is important to remember that dogs do change as they get older. It is normal for you or staff at a dog daycare to notice a change in your dog’s behavior as they age. If daycare staff informs you that they have noticed a difference in your dog’s behavior, it should not be cause for concern. Instead, listen to what they have to say. They have your pet’s best interests in mind! Maybe your pet isn’t enjoying daycare like they used to, or the environment seems like too much for them. This does not mean that they dislike playing with other dogs, (they probably still love it!) but it does mean that your dog may be ready for a different environment.

At Morris K9 Campus, our goal is to make daycare a fun and engaging environment for all of our pets. Our visitors are all given down time to rest between play sessions, but for those aging pets who might prefer a lower key environment, our sister company Morris Animal Inn offers private daycare dedicated to personal one-on-one play. Each dog receives play sessions with a person, who can cater their playtime to whatever activities they like best. This could be a suitable alternative if your dog begins to tire of the daycare environment but you still need a place for them to visit.

If you get to a point when your dog’s daycare facility no longer recommends daycare for your older dog, remember that this is normal. Not every dog will like this type of play forever, and every dog will be different. Some older dogs can still enjoy their time in daycare. It’s up to you and your daycare to devise a plan that would work best for your older dog.

Dr. Ian Dunbar at Morris K9 Campus

Does your dog do something that you just can’t understand? Are you interested in learning more about dog behavior and how it pertains to your pooch? Join Dr. Ian Dunbar next Saturday night at Morris K9 Campus as he takes a rare opportunity to answer the questions you have about your dog. Dr. Ian Dunbar is a well-known veterinarian and animal behaviorist who has been a pioneer in both puppy socialization and dog training.

Dr. Dunbar graduated with his degree in Veterinary medicine from Royal Veterinary College at London University, and received his doctorate in Animal Behavior from UC Berkley. He also founded the basis for positive dog training and introducing positive methods such as luring, which replaces ineffective punishment methods. These training methods eventually lead to Dr. Dunbar founding the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, known as APDT. The association is aimed at providing dog owners with the tools and resources they need to find dog trainers and advice on raising your dog.

Dr. Dunbar created the world’s first off leash puppy class, a revolutionary approach to the socialization and training of puppies. His innovative puppy class is the basis and foundation for the weekly puppy class offered at Morris K9 Campus.

Saturday June 15^th from 7:00pm to 9:00pm is your chance to ask questions about efficient ways of training your dog. Whether you have specific or general questions, this Q&A session can greatly benefit both you and your dog. We believe that learning effective training methods is so important that we want to invite our blog readers to attend this session for FREE. All you need to do is register online. Register on our website at www.MorrisK9Campus.com, enter the code DUNBAR13 for free registration and join us on Saturday the 15^th ready to ask any and all questions about training your pup! This Q&A session is for humans only.

In addition to the evening question and answer session, Dr. Dunbar will be hosting a Fun and Games Dog Training Workshop on Saturday and Sunday, June 15^th and 16^th. As a part of his east coast seminar tour, this workshop presents a unique opportunity to work side-by-side with your dog and Dr. Dunbar! Visit the event website at www.jamesandkenneth.com for more information and to register.

From his Q&A to his hands-on workshops, these events will be an experience that no pet owner is likely to forget! Take advantage of this unique experience and register now!

Dog Park Goes Digital: iPhone App for Taking Your Dog to the Park

With summer fast approaching, everyone wants to get outside with their four-legged friend. The dog park can be an enticing place, a wide open area where your dog is free to play off leash and with other dogs. But the dog park can also be a place for concern, where different dogs with different personalities come together with little to no supervision. By preparing with the necessary tools, however, you can set your dog up for success in this situation.

One great tool is an iPhone app launched and created by well known dog trainer and shelter advocate Sue Sternberg called Dog Park Assistant. The app is designed to help control the park environment that you have introduced to your dog. It allows you to better understand your dog’s behavior and play signals by breaking down specific play types, so you can see what category your dog falls into. It also points out behaviors that you as a dog owner should be following while at the dog park in order to ensure the safety of you, your dog and others at the park.

Before going to a park, you can set up a profile for your dog on the app. This will include their breed, age and size as well as their play type. When you get to the park you can check in, similar to how you would check in on an app like Foursquare or Facebook. This lets the app know that you are at the park. After a few minutes, you will start receiving push notifications to your phone in order to make sure that you are paying attention and staying focused on your dog. One of the major issues at dog parks is that owners treat them as socialization events for themselves. They meet new people and talk, completely disregarding their dogs. While there is nothing wrong with getting to know other dog owners, remember that you are bringing your dog to the park to socialize them, therefore your undivided attention should be on your pooch.

The app will also show you a variety of behaviors that may be encountered at the dog park, broken down into different behavioral threat levels, with the highest levels labeled as red alerts. Every behavior includes photos, a detailed description and a video in order to help you better assess your dog’s behavior. Do your homework before you go and read up on red alert behaviors, so when spotted, you can quickly break up play before things get out of hand.

Navigating dog parks can be tricky, and poorly managed parks can be dangerous to your dog. Professionally supervised play is always recommended, as it includes individuals who have been trained to read dog behavior and know how to handle all dog play situations. Morris K9 Campus offers supervised daycare Monday through Friday; call to schedule your dog a free evaluation today! 

Wanna Go for a Walk? Choosing the Right Harness or Head Collar

Spring has sprung, and your pup is probably anxious to pull you out the front door to go for a walk. Even if you don’t have a dog that pulls, choosing the correct equipment can make an ordinary walk with your dog safer and more enjoyable.

Choosing to walk your dog with a harness or head collar can have great safety benefits for your dog. Pet stores have a variety of different items to choose from, which can seem overwhelming. Luckily, there are three that Morris K9 Campus considers the best no-pull devices on the market today, and all of them are available for purchase in our lobby.

Freedom Harness: Made by Wiggles Wags and Whiskers, the Freedom Harness is specially designed to gently tighten around your dog’s chest to prevent them from pulling. The harness features clips in both the front and the back, and is designed for comfort featuring a velvet strap that goes under your dog’s chest to prevent chafing. The harness comes in a variety of different colors, so you can find the one that best suits your four-legged friend.

Austin, a terrier mix and daycare client at Morris K9 Campus, wears a navy Freedom Harness.

Gentle Leader: This product is made by Premier and is marketed as a head collar that stops pulling, lunging and other unwanted behaviors. The Gentle Leader goes around your dog’s mouth and the top of their head and prevents pulling by guiding your dog’s head down when they pull. The device allows for great control of your dog, and is highly recommended for anyone struggling with enforcing proper walking skills. Even though this product goes around the dog’s mouth, it is not a muzzle; the dog will still have free use of their mouth to sniff and eat.

Daycare client Reggie, a goldendoodle, shows off a gentle leader.

Sensation Harness: Designed by Softtouch, this front connection harness is meant to prevent your dog from pulling while focusing on solving common behavioral problems typically run into by owners. Since the harness clips in the front, where the dog’s chest moves, their body will follow, eliminating pulling.

Oliver, another daycare client, models the Sensation Harness.

These items are made to prevent your dog from pulling and have safety benefits unlike other devices such as flat buckles, prong and choke collars, which can often cause physical damage to your pooch when not used properly or used for the wrong dog. A dog who repeatedly pulls on a regular collar risks conditions like a collapsed trachea with repeated wearing. 

These selections mentioned above should not cause damage, will help you while walking, and can greatly benefit both you and your dog. Stop by our lobby and have one of our experts fit your dog for any of them.

A pull harness can quickly improve your dog’s walking skills, however, training classes complement these no-pull harnesses and head collars nicely and do more to change the pulling behavior of your dog. For a list of our upcoming training classes, visit our website at www.MorrisK9Campus.com. 

Outdoor Dog Games

With beautiful weather finally arriving, it’s a great time to get out and be active with your dog. There are many different ways to play with your pooch. A fun game will not only help improve the bond between you and your dog, but it will also help stimulate your dog mentally and physically.

Playing with your dog doesn't have to be complex, and it is a great way for them (and even you!) to get some exercise. Every dog has a different activity that they love, so try out a few to see which one your dog prefers. Here are some of the most common ways to bond, exercise and play with your furry companion:

• Tag, You’re It!: Tag is a great game to play with your pooch that also reinforces good recall. The point of the game is simple; while your dog is distracted, give them a slight tap and run in the opposite direction. This will encourage your dog to run towards you, and reinforce their recall. You can also add in your dog’s name with the tap, which will only further reinforce this good behavior.

•  Puzzle Games: Puzzle toys provide a way to stimulate your dog’s mind. They force your dog to think as well as use their nose to solve problems. Puzzle toys can be indoor or outdoor games. They provide a great way to keep your dog occupied while you relax. Remember that it’s important to supervise your pooch while they are playing with puzzle toys; dogs who solve them quickly can turn the toy into a chew toy. For tips on creating your own puzzle toys, check out last week’s blog post on DIY dog toys, here.

•  Fetch: Fetch is a high-energy game that not only exercises your dog, it can train your pooch to learn the foundation for crucial skills like “drop it.” If your dog is known for taking the toy and running away with it after you throw it, play fetch with two toys. Once you throw the second toy, your dog is apt to chase that toy and drop the first one. Most dogs will learn to anticipate the second throw and begin to come to you and drop the toy regularly.
  

There are so many different games that you can play with your dog. These examples provide a good place to start. Try them out and see which one your dog loves, or make up your own fun game!

Keeping You Both Busy - De-Stressing Tip Four: How to Entertain Your Dog with Homemade Toys

Making your own dog toys can be an inexpensive and easy way to keep your dog entertained. Whether or not you consider yourself a crafty person, these toys are simple to make and can give your dog hours of enjoyment. For details on how to play with your pooch using everyday items, check out the instructions below.

Box Braid Tug Toy

You will need:

4, 4”x48” Fleece Fabric Strips (You can easily customize the toy by using different colored fleece or even strips of an old T-shirt!)
Scissors

Ruler

1. Use the ruler and scissors to cut your strips of fabric into 4”x48” pieces.

2. Tie the four pieces together in a knot at one end.

3. Lay the fabric down on the table, so the fabric falls in four different directions and looks like a lowercase letter t.

4. Fold the first vertical strand to the opposite side, creating a loop. Fold the opposing vertical strand to the opposite side, creating another loop.

5. With the other hand, weave a horizontal strand over the closest loop and under the next loop. Do the exact opposite with the last horizontal strand.

6. Pull the four strands tightly. (Pulling the top left hand side strand and the bottom right hand stand extremely tight simultaneously, and vice versa, will help you keep your box uniform.)

Continue steps 4 through 6 until you only have about a foot of fleece left, then knot the end of the toy. Now your tug toy is ready for use!

If you are not particularly crafty, there is another quick toy that you can make for your dog with everyday items that you probably have lying around your house. These toys are super easy and inexpensive to make and are a great way to occupy your puppy’s time.

Bottle Kibble Toy

You will need:

Old Bottle
Scissors or Exacto Knife

Small Kibble

1. Remove the cap of the bottle and throw it away.

2. Cut small holes in the bottle at different areas. (You can vary the size of the holes and the amount of holes in order to change the level of difficulty for your pooch. Smaller and more infrequent holes will make it harder for your dog to remove the kibble.)

3. Add treats to the toy, and give it to your pooch for them to enjoy.

Make sure that you supervise your dog when you give them their new kibble toy. It’s easy for a destructive chewer to get through a bottle quickly. In order to make the toy last longer, you can use sturdier bottles. Although water bottles will work fine, a thicker plastic will be harder for your pup to chew through.

For a quick, easy and inexpensive way to keep your pooch entertained at home, making homemade toys is a stress-free way to go. Looking for more ideas? Take a look around your house; the closet, the garage sale box, even the recycling bin! You’d be surprised how many potential homemade toys are already at your fingertips.

February is Responsible Pet Owner Month

February is responsible pet owner month, and to kick it off we are starting with your young four-legged friends.

So you just brought your new puppy home. The question is what makes a responsible pet owner and what can you do to allow your canine friend to live their best life? It is important to realize owning a dog is a long term commitment and should not be taken lightly. It’s also important to choose the right type of dog that is conducive your life style. Consider the time you have and the space available as well. Make sure you are prepared at home before bringing a new dog home.

Socialization is a key because as a puppy your dog will gain experiences that will determine what type temperament your dog will have as an adult. Morris K9 Campus offers a free puppy class on Saturdays, which is aimed at providing your dog a place where they will be introduced to anything that they may encounter in their adult life. It’s not only important to socialize your dog, but it’s extremely important to socialize your dog properly. The free puppy class provides the opportunity, to social your pooch in a controlled setting.

Puppy Dos and Don’ts:

Do:

• Do Train: Begin training your dog when they are a puppy, it’s better to train so you don’t have problems, rather than beginning once the problem occurs.

• Do Take your Puppy Everywhere: Introduce your dog to as many social situations as possible, keep in mind that a well socialized dog doesn’t just mean a dog that plays well with other dogs, it includes interactions with different people and social situations.

• Do Puppy Proof your House: It’s important to puppy proof your house, sure that anything eye level and below if your dog is standing on its hind legs.

Don’t:

• Don’t Scold your Puppy: It’s important not to frighten your puppy, instead of scolding them for bad behaviors, teach them proper behaviors.

• Don’t Leave your Puppy at Home: An under socialized puppy, can create a fearful adult dog.

• Don’t Leave your Puppy Alone Unsupervised: It’s important that if you puppy is unsupervised they are kept in a crate. It makes sure that your puppy stays out of trouble, so you can breathe easy when you leave them home alone.
Remember that being a responsible dog owner is the key to having a good pooch. It’s important to find the right dog for your life style and it’s your responsibility to help your puppy become a great dog. All Febuary long we will be looking at ways to help people become more responsible pet owner, so check back next week for more advice.

Three Most Important Things to Know About Housetraining Your Puppy

1. Crate Training***

The crate is one of the most important training tools in the development of your puppy. Some benefits are:

• If used as a training tool combined with a schedule, it makes potty training very easy.

1. It allows you to schedule and monitor patterns of bathroom habits
2. It helps your dog learn where going to the bathroom is acceptable
3. It reinforces housebreaking in such a way that it builds their ability and capacity to “hold it” when they are alone for longer

• A crate helps your dog learn how to self-soothe or gaining the ability to calm themselves and find comfort in being alone.

• It provides essential management during the “chewing” phase. 

Piper is getting the reward of playtime because she went to the bathroom outside successfully.

 2. Feeding Schedule

Having a regular feeding schedule is vital for the puppy and human when trying to housetrain:

• A feeding schedule and bathroom breaks should be timed together - realistically scheduled around the owners life schedule



• It gives you a bathroom “time period”, alternative to a dog that may go to the bathroom at any hour of the day unpredictably

• This helps predict when number two will most likely happen

3. Routine/Consistency

Dogs thrive on routine. Many things that a puppy experiences and learn will carry through the rest of their lives. This is essential because:

• It makes a distinct potty pattern for your dog

• It becomes a method of “accident prevention”


• It takes away confusion of outside vs. inside bathroom habits as to what is allowed and what’s not

• If you live in a multi-person household it is imperative that a routine is followed so that every member can follow it and leave no room for unplanned accidents.

Morris K9 Campus offers a Monday to Friday weekly program to help do this for you. Call us at 973-252-5100 for more information or visit http://www.morrisk9campus.com/puppy_housebreaking.asp.


Caesar taking time out for a quick photo.



***Keep in mind that Morris K9 Campus recommends that no adult dog should be crated for more than six (6) hours. Depending on a puppy’s age, we recommend that you follow the one (1) hour per every month of age method, based on housetraining progress. Adjustments may need to be made based on how well or not your puppy is doing with their potty training.

JOIN US FOR FREE PUPPY CLASSES!

Did you know there is a wrong way to socialize your puppy? It is possible to overwhelm or frighten them and cause lasting damage. Morris K9 Campus hosts free puppy classes in order to help introduce them properly to new dogs, places, people, children, sounds, objects.

Does your puppy need training for chewing, mouthing, jumping or potty training? Start your puppy off right.  Puppies 8-20 weeks are perfect to attend these classes. The schedule for free socialization and training are below.

Saturdays - 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM

11/10/2012

11/17/2012

11/24/2012

12/1/2012

12/8/2012

12/15/2012

12/22/2012

12/29/2012

To learn more details and to register for FREE puppy classes, click here.

Fall Dog Walks for You and your Dog

Looking for fun and active ways to spend time with your dog this fall? What better way than to participate in a dog walk? It's a great way to enjoy the beautiful autumn weather while supporting a canine cause! We've put together a list of upcoming local dog walks.

Mutts Marathon - September 16, 2012 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM
400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ
The Mutts Marathon benefits the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc. Activities include a Dog Walk, Dog Costume Contest, parade, vendors, a BBQ and more!

19th Annual “Grateful” Dog Walk and Pet Fair - October 6, 2012 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM
Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ
The entrant with the most pledges for the "Grateful" Dog Walk will be featured as the 2013 Honorary Chairdog in next year’s logo, on t-shirts, bandanas, promos and billboards throughout Monmouth County!

16th Annual Hounds and Harriers Run - October 7, 2012 at 9:30AM
South Mountain Reservation, Crest Drive, South Orange/Millburn, NJ
This 3 mile run takes place on shaded park roads. Many prizes will be awarded by size of dog, veteran dog and more! A Paws from the Past run will also take place for those older dogs who can no longer run 3 miles due to age or disability.

St. Hubert's 5K-9 Run and Walk - October 13, 2012 from 9:30AM to 12:00PM
434 South Street, Morristown, NJ
Benefitting the St. Huberts Animal Welfare Center, the 5K-9 run and walk is 3.1 miles long and takes place on the trails of Loantaka Park in Morris Township. Entrants receive a T-shirt, dog bandana, and goody bag while supplies last.

FOSRAS Heart and Sole Shelter Walk - October 14, 2012 from 10:00AM to 2:00PM
Duke Island Park, Bridgewater, NJ
This 3 mile will take place in the Apple Grove Section of Duke Island Park. Top fundraiser will receive a $250.00 gift card and second pace will receive a $100.00 gift card!

9th Annual Dog Walk - October 14, 2012 from 11:00AM to 3:00PM
Community Park North Brunswick, Route 130 South, North Brunswick, NJ
This event is rain or shine and activities include a Dog Walk, games and a costume contest!

2012 Howl and Hike Dog Walk and Family Fun Day - October 14, 2012 from 12:00PM to 4:00PM
Horseshoe Lake, Succasunna, NJ
Along with the scenic trip around the lake, this entertaining day includes crafts and games for all, the Bow Wow Bazaar with vendor shopping, the Pet-I-Cure Boutique for the Pooch Spa, the Smooch A Pooch Booth for some doggie kisses and Adoption Alley to meet pets for adoption.

Bark for Life of Morristown - October 27, 2012 from 12:00PM to 3:00PM
Sunrise Lake, Lewis Morris Park, 270 Mendham Road, Morristown, NJ
This non-competitive dog walk and event is in an effort to raise funds & awareness in the fight against cancer.

Back to School: Dog Style

It's that time of year again and there's no use denying it, September is right around the corner. Summer is winding down and we begin to see more and more advertisements for Back to School. While your children (and most adults too) try to pack some final summer activities into the next two weeks, keep in mind that it's time for Sparky to get ready to go back to school as well. Morris K9 Campus offers a variety of training classes for puppies and adult dogs so all members of your family can celebrate their academic achievements this year.


Morris K9 Campus Levels Training is a 4-level obedience training course. Each level introduces new skills for your dog while continuing to practice previous skills with more and more distractions. Training classes begin after an Orientation session with four levels of flexible classes, allowing your pup to learn at his or her own pace while learning new skills.


Training classes this fall begin:
Saturday, 8/25/2012, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM -- Click here to enroll!

Thursday, 9/6/2012, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM -- Click here to enroll!

Tuesday, 9/18/2012, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM -- Click here to enroll!



Morris K9 Campus also offers Daytime Classes and Orientations as well to utilize time with your dog while kids are in school.

All classes take place at Morris K9 Campus located at 1 Aspen Drive, Randolph, NJ.

Please contact (973) 252-5100 for information on these classes.

Register at www.MorrisK9Campus.com

Learning Has Never Been So Much Fun!



PUPPY PLAYTIME!

Playing is a pivotal part of the developmental process of a child. The same goes for dogs. If your puppy spends most of his or her early weeks confined to the inside of a crate, there is little to no development. The best way to raise a puppy is with plenty of socialization. Socialization is introducing your puppy to anything they will encounter in their adult life in a positive way. This should include different environments, sounds, textures, other dogs and most importantly people. Read on for tips to help with the socialization process of your puppy.

ACQUAINT

Once your puppy has their age-appropriate vaccinations, it is crucial to introduce your furbaby to other puppies, dogs and even cats. The more you familiarize your pooch with other furry creatures, different breeds and sizes of dogs, the more natural and less threatening they will become for your pup. As your puppy grows into an adult dog, they will be well prepared for the vast array of animals they may encounter in life, making them less likely to become frightened or aggressive. It is important to also introduce your puppy to different people, familiarizing them with the sights and smells and with the varying pressure of their touch. Puppies should be introduced to at least 100 people (of all shapes and sizes) by the time they are 16-18 weeks old. After that age, the socialization window closes and it becomes increasingly difficult to introduce your puppy to new things.

STIMULI

Just as critical to acquainting your dog with other creatures is the necessity of introducing your pup to various stimuli. This can include things as miscellaneous as an umbrella, balloons or a chair. Those these objects may seem benign and non-threatening to us, from your puppy's lower vantage point and limited knowledge, they can appear very frightening. By introducing these objects early on and in a positive way, your puppy learns not to be afraid of these things and will grow up with less fear and anxiety about the world around them.

FREE PUPPY PLAYTIME!

To help with the socialization process, Morris K9 Campus is offering Puppy Playtime sessions for puppies ages 8-16 weeks old with age appropriate vaccinations. Our socialization sessions will include letting the dogs play off-leash to help puppies learn the appropriate way to play, proper bite inhibition and develop good puppy skills. Special emphasis will be on meeting strangers and introducting them into new environments. Our FREE Puppy Playtimes are an hour long and will be scheduled for the following Saturdays:
3/31/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
4/7/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
4/14/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Click here to sign-up.

PUPPIES AND SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety can be more difficult to cure in older dogs since it is a learned behavior. Last week we provided some tips to help cure this problem in older or mature dogs even after it has already developed. When it comes to puppies, it is possible to avert this problem altogether. Prevention is key and it is up to you, the pet owner, to ensure your puppy does not develop this behavior later in life. If you have a puppy, here are some steps you can take to prevent this issue from developing.

Alone Time
Though this may be extremely difficult, like resisting free samples of chocolate, it is important to limit the amount of time you spend with your puppy. It is not necessary to be by your puppy’s side 24/7. When your puppy is sleeping, let him or her be, don’t hover. If you need to clean your basement, do it. If you need to buy more milk, run out to the store. You don’t need to call a puppy sitter to come for a half-hour or an hour. Leave your pup periodically and they will adjust to this alone time in no time!

Create a Comfy Nook

Again, it is vital to designate an area for your puppy while you are gone. It can be the laundry room, the kitchen or a crate. This will ensure your puppy does not soil the fancy Persian rug or start chewing on sockets and wires as though they were rawhide. Deck your puppy playroom with comfy blankets, toys and a treat or two! Have your puppy spend time in this designated area when you are home as well, so that he or she can adjust to it and not associate the crate with your absence.

Condition

As soon as you get a puppy, it is crucial to acclimate him or her to alone time. This takes a certain amount of conditioning that goes as follows: Put your puppy in their crate and sit close by in the room with them. Read a book or spend time on your laptop. Ignore your puppy if she or he gets anxious, squirms, or tries to get out of the puppy playroom. Praise your pup with sweet words, a treat, and attention when calm. After a while, move back further and continue the same thing; praise for calm behavior, the cold shoulder for fussing. Continue until you are able to move about the room without your puppy creating a scene. After an hour, give your pup a potty break. Next, leave the room. Enter when you pup is settled. Increase the amount of time you are out of the room from five minutes to 10 minutes to 15 minutes and so on. This will show your playful pup that you will return. Progress with this routine until you can step outside the house and even hop in the car and drive around the block or to the local supermarket. Take it slowly and don’t jump ahead until your puppy gets used to each step of the conditioning process and no longer creates a commotion. If you follow these steps your puppy will develop into a confident, self-assured dog that understands when you leave, you will always return to them.

5 Dog Training Myths Debunked!

Prong collars, dominance theory and puppies, oh my! With dog training television shows, books, and the internet, pet owners are inundated with a plethora of training information on a daily basis that is enough to make anyone’s head swim. Unsure of which methods to adopt? We’ve tackled some of the confusing theories you might encounter.

Myth: Puppies younger than 6 months of age can't be trained.

This concept took hold back when collar corrections were all the rage and punishment was acceptable. Modern dog training relies heavily on positive reinforcement which can easily be applied to a young puppy. Puppies are eager little learners and though their attention spans may be short, they are easily motivated by healthy treats, attention or play. Set aside short chunks of time to teach a desired behavior several times a day and keep providing those rewards!

Myth: All interactions with dogs are either dominant or submissive.

In recent years, dominance theory has become a bit overblown. Dominance theory classifies interactions between dogs and owners as either dominant or submissive. However, we feel that this approach is too simplistic and doesn't take into account the myriad dog behaviors that have little to do with dominance or submission. If your canine exits the door in front of you before you go on a leisurely walk, that doesn’t mean your dog is trying to dominate or control you. Your dog is probably just excited to get going! If your dog acts out in an uncontrolled way like eating scraps off the table or pulling on his or her leash for walks, simply teach the correct behavior and reward rather than blaming it on dominance.

Myth: An old dog can’t learn new tricks.

This is an old adage that many people choose to believe when they experience training hurdles. Just because you adopt a mature dog or your pet has carried some bad habits into adulthood doesn't mean training is a lost cause. Treat your mature dog as though it were a puppy; start from square one. If your dog isn't housebroken, begin by taking your dog outside to go to the bathroom and reward afterwards. Teaching new skills and reinforcing old ones is beneficial to dogs at any age and is a wonderful way to keep your dog’s mind young.

Myth: Your dog will seek revenge if you leave him alone.

Though guilt, revenge, and payback are all actions and emotions that exist far too often in the human world, they have little or nothing to do with the realm of our furry four-pawed friends. If you leave your dog alone for a long period of time and return to find the contents of your garbage strewn across the kitchen floor, rest assured that it was not done with vindictive or malicious intent. Our lovable pups are blissfully unaware of those turbulent emotions. Instead, your dog is likely to be acting out in response to anxiety and boredom. If your dog has issues being alone, refer to our previous blog post for some helpful tips.

Myth: Crates should only be used for punishment.

Just because a crate has bars on it does not make it a prison. Crates are an excellent tool for potty training, quiet rest time, and are essential for traveling. If you only use a crate as punishment, it will be very difficult to use the crate when other situations arise, like traveling cross country or even using it as a safe haven for your pet during a thunderstorm. Make your crate comfy with blankets, familiar with toys, and appetizing with treats, food, and water, and your dog will associate pleasant thoughts with the crate. This way, if you are having guests over and don't want your dog getting underfoot, you already have a secure and comfortable place to let Fido rest for a while. 

Truth!

Though it is great that our dog-loving society has no shortage of training information, it can certainly make the training process a mystifying one. Morris K9 Campus is dedicated to staying on top of the latest training tips and techniques while simultaneously incorporating tried and true strategies that have proven effective over the years. If you feel overwhelmed or perplexed by the practice of dog training, consider visiting Morris K9 Campus for guidance on the training process. Our motto is that a well-trained dog is a happy one! 

What dog training myths have you discovered? Which techniques have proven particularly effective for you and your dog?

Sources: http://www.good-dog-care.com/dog-training-myths.html

http://www.apdt.com/petowners/choose/myths.aspx

How to Adjust Your Puppy to Alone Time

Is there anything more irresistible in life than a warm, fuzzy, sweet puppy? Squirmy, playful, and innocent as a newborn there’s no better way to pass the time than to watch a puppy play, jump, sleep, breathe…just about anything! We understand the difficulty of actually getting up off the floor and leaving your puppy’s side to brush your teeth let alone leave the house. That said, we also understand alone time is a pivotal step in a puppy’s maturation process and crucial to healthy development. In order to prevent separation anxiety down the line for both you and your pet, we have outlined some baby steps and tips to help you confront the issue with minimal effort.

But Wait! Before you begin, make sure that your baby dog has had a recent potty break and some food in the ole’ belly so that if puppy starts whining, you know it’s not for those reasons.

Puppy Play

Engaging your precious little pal in games and activities that work both their expanding minds and muscles is just as essential to their overall well-being as food and bathroom breaks. If you don’t want your pooch to be upset, you need to provide them with an outlet. Romp in the yard, play fetch, try training techniques like Morris K9 Campus’s puppy on-off leash class; all activities that get your puppy’s body moving and their brain thinking. If you provide this activity before leaving, they will be exhausted and less likely to be upset. If you engage your puppy after you’ve been away it proves you will return and a reward is on the way. It’s a win-win!

Photo courtesy of Barely Fitz

The Crate is Your Best Friend!

Andrea Arden, animal behavior counselor and pet expert suggests taking advantage of your growing pup’s need for ample rest time by adjusting your dog to sleeping in a crate. In the beginning, keep the crate close to you or other family members. Gradually move the crate further and further away over the course of a few weeks. Need to get some chores done around the house? Want to try that new workout DVD? Place puppy in the crate and tackle your to-do list with vigor! Your puppy will probably whine which is normal in the beginning. Simply listen to music or turn up the volume on your workout DVD. Don’t forget, you also deserve your own attention as well! After 30 minutes to an hour, let your pooch out. This demonstrates to your dog that after a certain extent of time, you will return, which will ease their little minds.

Note: Baby gates placed in designated areas can often be just as useful.

Toyland

Photo courtesy of Bowi the Boxer

When life calls and you must leave, toys can take your place amazingly well! Just make sure they are safe toys that won’t cause a choking hazard (for more information read our blog article The Hunt for the Best Dog Toy). Kongs® filled with treats can be appetizing and engaging and chew toys can aid in the teething process.

We understand that raising a puppy is both a joyously wonderful experience as well as a little overwhelming. If you follow these tips both you and your puppy will be better for it. If you need more assistance raising your puppy, Morris K9 Campus is standing by and eagerly waiting to lend a paw.

Sources: http://dogtime.com/5-tips-teach-pup-to-be-alone-andrea-arden.html

When a Stranger Calls

The early morning garbage man, the mail carrier, or even the occasional Girl Scout selling those delicious cookies is often enough to send Fido into a barking frenzy. No doubt, for safety alone, alerting us to the presence of a stranger is a valuable benefit to owning a dog.

However, if your pooch takes it too far by displaying aggression, don’t worry; there is no need to hide your little Cujo in the spare bedroom. The following tips are provided by Dr. Sophia Yin, a veterinarian and animal behaviorist, in a guest blog for Dogster.com.

Womb to Tomb

If your dog was never properly socialized from the early stages of tiny furry cotton-ball to adult fuzzbucket, it makes sense that random people and other dogs might frighten a pet with little outsider experience. Make every attempt as your dog develops to introduce him or her to new people, places, and other pets. This will ensure your canine doesn’t develop a fear of unfamiliar people, places, or situations. Just keep in mind that some breeds are naturally more sociable than others.

Body Language

Learning to read their body language provides critical clues into dogs’ thinking and how they are likely to react to certain situations. According to Dr.Yin, “Fido may be tense with eyes darting back and forth or his gaze looking away while he's cowering. Or he may be yawning, licking his lips or panting when he shouldn’t be hot.” All these signs should alert you to your dog’s discomfort and give you time to warn eager petters about the possible danger. Look for the same signals when approaching dogs that you have never met and always remember to ask before petting an unfamiliar dog.

Small Steps

Once you’re fluent in your dog’s body language, take little steps to eradicate unfavorable behavior toward strangers. Invite guests over one at a time so as not to overwhelm your dog. Have the acquaintance come in the house, but don’t let them pet or even look at your dog. Provide your guest with treats so Fido will associate this new person (and new people he or she meets in the future) with a positive reward. You can also try distracting your dog from his or her fears by asking your pet to perform tricks, focusing on you rather than the stranger.

Until you are absolutely confident in your dog’s behavior toward new people, do not allow any petting. Simply work on providing constructive and pleasurable experiences for your dog so that guests feel pawsitively welcomed by not only you, but your dog as well!

Is your dog ready to meet new people this spring?

Sources: dogster.com “Dogs and Fear of Strangers.”