Are You Prepared if Your Dog Suffers from Hearing Loss?

This week is Deaf Dog Awareness Week. As dogs start getting older, signs of their age tend to begin to show. One thing that a lot of dogs will face in their lifetime is a loss of hearing.  Most owners who have hearing dogs don’t fully realize that a good amount of their dogs will have hearing loss at some point in their lifetime. It’s best to prepare yourself and your dog in case anything were to happen to your dogs hearing.

Practice Hand Signals with your Pup

As your dog gets older it is best to start incorporating basic hand signals for common commands. Sit, down and come would be good commands to have hand signals for. As your dog begins to age, adding a hand signal in addition to the words would assure that if your dogs hearing did start to go, you would still have basic commands to use.

Have Patience

It can sometimes be difficult to realize your dogs hearing is going until it is almost gone, but remember to have patience with your pooch. You undoubtedly will have to teach your dog some new things in order to get their attention, for example since a recall is such a verbal command, a flashlight can be used during a recall with a deaf dog. Don’t lose your cool if you get frustrated easily; remember that your dog is going through a huge change as well.

Always Make your Presence Known

Your pooch will no longer be able to hear you when you enter the room, so it is important to make your presence known so you don’t startle them. A tap on their back or flicking on and off the light switch is a great way to let your dog know you have entered the room.

Reward your Dog with Food and Physical Affection

Since deaf dogs can’t hear you, it’s important to reward them with food and physical affection. When learning their new commands use food instead of verbal praise, this way your dog is actually being rewarded for what they are doing. As you continue through your training a nice belly rub or a rub behind the ears will do nicely for your pooch.

For dogs that live long lives, deafness can be inevitable for some of them. If you are prepared for it to happen, it can make the transition easier for you and your pooch. Be patient with your dog and remember that there are so many great resources out there if your dog is deaf, a trainer will be able to customize your training for your deaf dog. There are also many great internet sites and support groups, like DeafDogsRock.com, which is a great community of owners with deaf dogs, that provides great information about living with a deaf dog.

 

Dr. Ian Dunbar's Training Tips

Morris K9 Campus was proud to welcome Dr. Ian Dunbar, celebrated Veterinarian, Animal Behaviorist and Author, to our facility on June 15 and 16. Dr. Ian Dunbar’s workshop and Q&A were fun for both dogs and humans alike. Not only was the event enjoyable, it was also very educational. Dr. Dunbar discussed some crucial information about training your dog. Training is meant to be fun for both of you. It not only can strengthen the bond between dog and owner, it also can be beneficial for your dog to know commands for everyday situations.

One of the major points that Dr. Dunbar mentioned was, “it is okay to give your dogs treats, but you can’t have your dog’s behavior contingent on you having food in your hand.” Essentially, you want your dog to listen to your command the second you tell them to do something, regardless of whether or not you have a treat in your hand. Keep in mind that in order to get to that point in your dogs training, you will need to do a lot of training using treats first. You cannot expect your dog to do exactly what you want without them during your very first training session. 

Another point that Dr. Dunbar made was about dogs that do not eat food when they are being trained. If your dog has issues eating during training and doesn’t seem to be very treat motivated, there are things that you can do in order to get your pooch to eat. Dr. Dunbar’s first advice is to no longer let your dog eat out of a bowl; instead, every time they eat, they should eat out of your hand. He also recommended that you stop using high value treats, such as chicken, and only use kibble when working on training with your dog. If you only train your dog using kibble, the kibble will become a driving force for your dog and commands won’t be reliant on having a high value treat in your hand.  

Training should be fun and beneficial for you and your dog. When done correctly, it can help you in any situation. Training takes time and practice. If you are consistent and work hard, you and your pooch will both see the benefits. For training assistance at your pace, sign up for one of our Levels Training Orientation classes to learn more about how Morris K9 Campus can help you and your pet put Dr. Dunbar's training tips into action. Our training methods follow Dr. Dunbar's philosophies, and we agree, training should be fun! Call us at 973-212-5100 today!

Dog Safety: Dog Bite Prevention

This week is national bite prevention week, and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States alone. If you know how to read a dog’s signs and educate young children on how to properly greet a dog, those numbers could significantly change. There are two things that every owner should consider when their dog encounters a situation with new people or situations that make them nervous. Remember that you are your dog’s voice, and you must interpret what the dog is trying to tell you.

One: Remember to be your dog’s advocate. Know when they look stressed, and be ready to remove them for the situation when necessary. Most dog bites are preventable and dogs show signs before resorting to biting. Look out for signs of stress in your dog that could lead to them eventually to biting. A great reference for this an article about reading stress signs in your dog. Don’t be afraid to appear like the “bad guy” in situations. This just means you are being an advocate for your pooch and you are making sure you don’t make the dog feel like they have to handle the situation themselves.  Preventing a negative incident is as simple as taking your dog away from a situation or not allowing someone to meet your dog.

Two keep in mind that, every dog has the right to say no. Know that every dog has a certain limit; know that no matter how squishy your dog is there may be a person that frightens your dog when they meet. If your dog is saying “no,” you have to respect that. You don’t want to force your pooch to meet people in situations where they are clearly trying to get away. Read your dog’s body language and let your dog be able to tell you, “no I don’t want to meet that person.”

It is important to educate yourself on ways to prevent dog bites, which would include knowing the proper way of greeting a dog. If you have young children it is also important to make sure that they know how to properly greet a dog as well. The more we educate ourselves and others on proper dog etiquette, the more efficient we will be at preventing dog bites. 

Stages of Fear: How to Help Your Dog When They're Afraid

Dogs tend to wear their emotions right on their, well, paws. A happy dog is easy to spot, but can you tell when your dog is even the slightest bit afraid? Once you have learned to read the signs of stress in your dog (see our blog post “Happy or Stressed Dog: Do You Know the Difference?”), you can begin to tell what their fears and phobias are as well as how to properly deal with them. Severe stress in dogs can be caused by both fear and phobias, but it is important to know the different signs depending on the dog.

A phobia is when a dog is anticipating something and experiencing unease during the build up. For example, if your dog had a bad experience with a dog on a particular road and now won’t go down that street or barks and thrashes when taken to that area, that has become a phobia.

A stuffed Kong toy can be a good distraction for a dog that is beginning to show signs of fear.

Fears are when a dog is afraid of a current situation. For example, when a stranger comes into your home and your dog barks and backs away, that is a clear sign of fear in your pooch.

There are different stages that dogs go through before their fear becomes extreme. These can be broken down into four general stages, but it’s important to recognize that some of the stages can be more complex, and not all dogs will display or feel all of them.

Many people can recognize when their dog is feeling fearful, but you can help your dog feel safer in unsure situations by learning to recognize the early signs of mild fear. You can start by learning to understand the process and stages that your dog’s mind goes through when facing this kind of situation. The stages start with avoidance and go all the way down through shutdown.

Avoidance: When a dog turns away from what they are interpreting as “bad.”

Tolerance: A tolerating dog will withstand the “bad,” and is willing to put up with it for a good amount of time. The dog is coping, but doesn’t like it. It’s important to be able to tell the difference between enjoyment verses tolerance; just because your dog is tolerating something doesn’t mean they are actually enjoying themselves in the situation.

Enough Already: A dog in this stage will display a negative reaction to the “bad” thing. They may become aggressive or lash out, leading to negative consequences. You do not want your dog to get to this stage if you can prevent it, which you can do by picking up on your dog’s signs in the earlier stages.

Shutdown: You will essentially get no reaction from your dog in this stage. A dog that is shutdown will appear to have a complete disconnect from the situation. This is where your dog turns off and shows no signs whatsoever.

All dogs don’t react the same way, so signs can be different in different dogs. The best way to help your dog is to recognize the signs at the beginning stages and address your dog’s issue before they move to the next stage. Recognizing fear is crucial in order to help solve the issue that your dog is facing.

Thundershirts aren't just for showers... these cozy coats help nervous dogs feel secure. Hood optional!

You can lower the stress by removing your dog from the situation, removing “the bad,” pairing the bad with something good, and doing things that you know calm your dog. Remedies can range from ThunderShirts, which a dog can wear to help them feel secure, to calming music to stuffed Kongs. Many of these products are available for purchase in our lobby at Morris K9 Campus If your dog has high anxiety and you can’t seem to solve it, it is always best to consult a trained professional. Taking your dog to private lessons can help pinpoint your dog’s fears and help you both to move past them. Call us at 973-252-5100 or visit our website to learn more about our private dog training today.

Happy Dog or Stressed Dog: Do You Know the Difference?

It’s no secret that dogs don’t speak English. So how do we communicate with our pets? Understanding your dog’s body language is key to a good pet-owner relationship. Reading the signals that your dog gives off is important to determine what they are trying to tell you, whether it’s that they are happy, stressed or annoyed.

Dog signals can be complex, but they can be generally broken down into a few categories; “enjoyment,” “stress” and “enough already.” If your dog is exhibiting 3 or 4 behaviors from a category, chances are they are feeling that specific way. Analyzing your dog’s behavior can help you determine whether or not your dog is enjoying a situation or should be removed from it.

German Shorthaired Pointer Jezzabelle is displaying happy &
enjoyment features, including soft eyes and relaxed mouth.

Enjoyment

Your dog is having fun and seems comfortable with the situation.

• Soft eyes 
• Relaxed mouth
• Side to side movement (wiggle)
• Loose body posture  
• Engaging

Stress

Slow down, your dog is uncomfortable with something. Be prepared to remove them from the situation.

•   Lip licking 
• Yawning 
•  Ear Flick   
• Shaking off 
• Blinking  
• Avoidance
• Panting

Border Collie Gabriel is shown here displaying stress signals. 

Which signals can you pick out?

Enough already

Your dog has had enough. Stop the interaction and remove the dog or give them space.

• Freeze  
• Whale eyes or half moon eyes
• Ears pulled back 
• Trembling  
• Drooling    
• Teeth Flash  
•  Lunge  
• Pacing
• Tail Tuck

Dogs speak with their bodies, and it’s the owner’s job to interpret that language accordingly. Remember that if your dog is showing 3 or 4 signals from a given stress level, chances are that is how they are currently feeling. Also keep in mind that all dogs will display different signals, so look out for a broad range; one dog might lip lick when they are stressed and another might shake off.

Once you begin to understand what different dog body signals mean, you will be able to comprehend what your dog is trying to tell you. It is your job to step in and speak up for your dog by responding in the appropriate way.

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.

Bark all about it! De-stressing tip three: How to stop "give me that" barking

Do you have a dog that tends to bark in order to get something from you? There are lots of reasons why dogs bark, as it is their dominant means of communication, but this persistent “give-me-that” barking is when a dog continuously barks at you until they get what they want. As stressful and annoying as this behavior can be, “give me that” barking can be an easy thing to correct. Eliminating it can be simple, but the key is to be consistent.

The most common times your dog will bark are during dinner (to beg for food), playtime (to get you to throw a toy) and just before going outside (when seeing a leash), all in order to get your attention. Let’s break down these specific examples of “give-me-that” barking, and what tools you can use in order to discourage the behavior.

Barking for playtime: If your dog drops a tennis ball on your lap and starts to bark at you to get you to play, it is a prime example of “give-me-that” barking. You want to discourage this behavior by taking the toy away and ignoring your dog until they calm down. Once they stop barking and are calm, the toy can be brought back out, at least until they bark at you again. Keep repeating the same steps until your dog will play with you without barking. It is important to be on top of this behavior and reward your dog by initiating play while they are calm, before they get to the point of excited barking. A dog that is already wound up will tend to bark more as a way of releasing their energy.

Barking when putting on a leash: If your dog begins to bark at you when you are at the door with their leash in your hand, it’s important to put the leash away and sit back down in order to get rid of the behavior. Once your dog is calm, you can get up to bring your dog out again, but you must keep repeating the behavior until they stop barking. The process may seem long and tedious at first, but repeating this action will be worth it when you consistently get the desired behavior from your dog.

Barking at the table for food: Barking at the dinner table in order to get food can be extremely common with dogs. Not only is it an annoying habit, but it can be very stressful for the owner. As with other “give-me-that” barking, eliminating this behavior can be easy if you regularly follow the same steps. If your dog is barking at the table, you can try consistently giving them a time out, a small 30 second period where they are away from the family, until the behavior subsides. Another option is training your dog to do something else during your meals. A great example would be “spot,” or training your dog to go and stay in a particular place (preferably away from the table) until you release them.

If your pooch fits into one of these pesky barking habits, remember that this kind of training takes patience and consistence. If all else fails, consult a professional for advice! Morris K9 Campus offers training to help correct this behavior. Call 973-252-5100 for more information or visit www.MorrisK9Campus.com.

How Do I House-Train My Newly Adopted Dog?

Unfortunately dogs typically don’t come from shelters or breeders house-trained, and it is important to immediately begin working on the behavior once you get your new dog home. It is also unreasonable to think that a dog coming from rescue, that is stated as house-trained, will immediately come into your home knowing what to do. The sooner you can put your pooch on a potty schedule the higher the success rate will be.

A dog that is not house-trained is the number one reason why dogs are returned or end up in shelters. However, house-training is something with a little structure can usually be solved; it is up to the owner to implement the right tools. When potty training your dog, it is important to keep long term goals in mind, whether your goal is to train your dog to make it a few hours or longer period of time while at work. Once you have a specific goal in mind, you can then put a plan in place to obtain it.

Creating and following a schedule will help them be successful. Dogs tend to do things routinely so a schedule is essential. This means feeding your dog at the same time every day, as well as potty them at the same time every day. When you begin potty training it’s important to notice trends, so for example if your dog eats at the same time every day, chances are they will use the bathroom at the same time as well. It’s important to also realize that puppies will not be able to hold it as long as adult dogs, and no adult dog should be expected to hold it longer than six hours.

Remember that the crate is your friend; a crate can be a great tool that can help facilitate potty training. It gives the dog the capacity to physically and reasonably build their ability to “hold” their urges. However, dog doors are not your friend; they are not the solution to your house-training problem, they might be the reason for it. Dog doors give no structure to your dog’s potty plan and it can be an unsafe situation when a dog is outside unsupervised.

Your dog counts on you to set them up for success. Be realistic about your expectations and understand that adjusting to a new home, new routine, and new lifestyle takes time. Plus, Morris K9 Campus is always here to help!

Chew on This

Is your dog a destructive chewer, ruining everything you own? Hopefully this week’s De-Stress Fest will help relax you. It’s all too easy for your dog to be the reason you stress out. For the month of March, every week we will be taking a look at common ways that your dog can stress you out, and help solve them. This week we are taking a look at destructive chewing and ways that you can help occupy your pooch.

When a dog is chewing, one reason can be a lack of exercise. Every dog has a different energy level and therefore needs a different amount of exercise. If your dog is excessively chewing at home, getting out could do them a lot of good. It’s important to create an exercise plan that sets a minimum amount of time each week that will be devoted to your dogs exercise schedule. Consistency is key in order to keep your dog active. Just because you consistently bring your dog to the park one week, and keep them home the next because of the bad weather, doesn’t mean your dog is getting an adequate amount of exercise. Daycare can be a great option that allows your dog to be social with other dogs, while allowing them to expend their energy. 

Treats above are sold at Morris K9 Campus.

It’s important to have the proper tools for the proper situations. For example it is important to introduce your dog to toys that they are allowed to chew on, such as antlers , himalayan chews, stuffed bones or Kongs. This can keep your dog occupied and distracted from chewing on the furniture or other household items. It’s also important to make sure you have tools in place when you leave the house. Interactive toys are great, and keep your dog occupied while you are gone. However it is important to only allow your dog to have these types of things when you are not there. When you leave the house get the toy out, and when you come home put the toy away. It puts a value on the toy which can make your dog more interested in it. Eliminating your dog’s behavior that is stressful to you is crucial; it will allow you to live a better life for both you and your dog.

For more information about Morris K9 Campus's Daycare please follow this link http://morrisk9campus.com/daycare.asp

Dog Training

Wrapping up the final week of Responsible Pet Owner Month, it’s time to take a look at what Morris K9 Campus believes it one of the most important things any dog owner can do for their pooch, dog training. Whether training your dog in group lessons, or in private sessions, it is important for your dog regardless of age or breed to go through training in order for them to become an outstanding dog. With training it is important that your dog begins training before you encounter an issue. It is very common that people only bring their dogs to training once they start having an issue, but if you bring your dog before you can correct issues before they even happen.

Training can greatly improve your dog’s behavior and can dramatically improve your dog’s quality of life. When you have a dog that is well trained, it allows you to bring your dog out into situations that you couldn’t have before. Dog training is important because it puts the tools that you need in place, and they are there when you need to use them. It’s important to learn how to properly motivate your dog, to make sure that you aren’t giving anything away for free and that you know what properly motives your dog.

Morris K9 Campus offers classes multiple times during the week, where the methods that we used are designed for all breeds and age of dogs.

Being a responsible pet owner means learning the proper skills in order for your dog to have the best quality of life possible. A great life for a dog starts with a good basics of training that allows your dog to do so much more. Morris K9 Campus offers a variety of different training options for you and your pooch including, group classes, private lessons, boot camp and much more. Whatever type of dog you have the perfect program is waiting for you.

Remember that being a responsible pet owner, isn’t just about one thing. It’s a combination of skills and tools that you use in order to make your dogs quality of life as high as possible. It also means not only respecting the needs of your dog, but respecting the needs of other dogs and humans. Hopefully this month gave you tips in order for you to become a more responsible pet owner.

This Sunday, February 24, Morris K9 Campus hosts a Pet Training Orientation from 5:00-6:00pm. Register at http://www.morrisk9campus.com/levels.asp.

Canine Etiquette

Responsible Pet Owner month continues and this week is a look at canine etiquette, with a focus on space etiquette and proper greetings involving your dog and other dogs. Have you ever walked your dog around the neighborhood when you suddenly encounter another dog and were not quite sure what to do?

When encountering another dog on a walk or in public and your dog is excited, usually you want to let the dogs meet. It’s important to remember that just because you have a friendly dog, doesn’t mean that every dog that you encounter will be friendly and want to meet your dog. Part of being a responsible dog owner means handling situations where your dog encounters other dogs appropriately. The biggest chance you are taking by letting your dog meet another dog on leash is assuming that the other dog wants to meet your dog.

DINOS, Dogs in Need of Space, is aimed at teaching people that it is their responsibility to ask permission before their dog approaches another dog. They also stress that just because your dog or another dog may need space, doesn’t make them a bad dog, they just need a little room. There is also the Yellow Dog Project which is an organization trying to get all dog owners to put a yellow ribbon on your dog’s leash to let other people know you have a dog that needs space.

If you do have permission for your dog to meet another dog on a walk, it is important that you take the proper steps in order for the greeting to go smoothly.

1. When meeting on leash, you have to make sure that you have a dog that responds very well to their name, as well as a command like leave it.

2. It is also good to put a command on the action of your dog being allowed to meet another dog, such as “ go say hello,” so the dog knows it’s okay to meet the other dog.

3. It’s also very important to make sure that you only allow your dog to greet another when your dog is calm. An overexcited dog is more likely to react inappropriately to the situation.

When it comes to proper etiquette while walking your dog, not only is your dog’s interaction with other people and dogs important, but also being aware of leash etiquette. It is crucial that you obey local leash laws, if your dog is off leash in an area where leashes are required, it’s not only illegal, but you are also putting the safety of everyone else in jeopardy including your own dog.

It is important that you and your dog exhibit proper etiquette when in public, and as a dog owner it is your responsibility to show them how. Check back next week for another way to become a more responsible pet owner.

Sources:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilita/6577001349/in/photostream

http://dogsinneedofspace.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/dinos_psa_poster.jpg

http://www.theyellowdogproject.com/The_Yellow_Dog_Project/Home.html

Health and Nutrition of Your Canine

With February being Responsible Pet Owner Month, this week the focus will be the health and nutrition of your four-legged friend.

When a dog is overweight it poses a serious health risk for the pooch. Not only are they more susceptible to seriously health problems, it can vastly cut your dog’s life short. These problems can be greatly reduced if you focus on your dogs health and nutrition. This way you improve their quality of life and possibly increase their life span.

Dogs aren’t able to control what they are eating themselves, so it is the responsibility of the pet owner to make those decisions for them. It is crucial that they are eating something that is nutritious, healthy and beneficial to them. Just remember that spending an extra few dollars on a high quality dog food can save you hundreds of dollars in medical bills. According to PetMd.com, a recent survey indicates over 50 percent of America's pet population is overweight or obese. Just like people, overweight dogs can face a litany of health issues. The potentially devastating consequences of obesity include:

• Trouble breathing

• Greater risk for heat stroke

• Pancreatitis

• Diabetes

• Orthopedic concerns

• Compromised immune system

• Reduction in life span

• Mammary tumors (particularly in un-spayed females)

• Skin conditions

• Heart problems

• High blood pressure

If you are feeding your dog dry food, The Whole Dog Journal recently published a list of their “approved dry dog foods of 2013.” Their list this year of dry food has expanded to what you can find at your local pet store, instead of having to only go to a pet specialty store. The Whole Dog Journal sites the reason for the change is due to consumer demand. Dog owners want better dog food and the pet food industry listened. Visit our lobby to ask for your copy of the approved list of food.

Treats can be a great reward for your dog, but remember that,” treat” implies that a dog doesn’t get it regularly. Treats should be used in great moderation, and if you are rewarding your dog every day, make sure that the treats that you are giving your dog are healthy and falls appropriately in their diet.

Just like humans, it is important for your dog to get the appropriate amount of exercise, in order to maintain a well balanced and healthy lifestyle. Whether you take your dog on a brisk walk, or taking a specialty class with your dog, exercise can be extremely beneficial to your dog.

Keep your dog on a well balanced diet and having a good exercise plan. It is up to you to keep them on the right track. Once again, if you would like to see the Whole Dog Journal’s approved Dog Food List for 2013, please visit our Lobby so we can give you a copy! Check back next week as we continue to look at how you can be a responsible pet owner.


Sources:
- http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_2/features/Top-Quality-Dry-Dog-Food-Review-2013_20688-1.html

- http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/overweight-dogs-and-canine-weight-loss-diets?page=3

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.

It's a De-Stress Fest! Come Relax, Revive and Rejuvenate at Morris K9 Campus!

Need to de-stress and want to do it with your pooch? Morris K9 Campus is hosting a “De-Stress Fest,” for you and your dog on Friday, March 1st , so save the date. From 6-9 pm, head over with your pooch for a little R&R.

Doga

The fest will feature Doga (Yoga that is beneficial to both you and your dog). Doga is a great way to calm both you and your dog. Attending this event and class is the perfect way to get introduced to a new fitness routine that is becoming popular across the country.

Chair Massages

The event will also include other activities for you, from chair massages, and foot baths, glitter hair strands for you from Alora Spa. Your pups will get their own pampering with dog stenciling and retail goodies.

Dog Stenciling

Creature Comfort Pet Therapy will be in attendance, providing more information on how your pooch can become a pet therapy dog.

While you are here don’t miss the opportunity to enter for a chance to win a gift basket, valued at $100.

Bring your dog down and give them an opportunity to socialize with other canine friends, while you and your dog enjoy refreshments.

The event is for everyone and entry is free. The first 50 attendees will receive a goody bag, so get your friends together and bring your pooch on March 1st, where you all can relax, revive and rejuvenate! Call 973-252-5100 with questions.