Ohana Dog Training

08/10/2024

PLAY WITH ME…..there is no puppy

08/06/2024

HELLO - It’s Robin and Galaxy here welcoming you back from a long hot summer. We hope you and your pups enjoyed time relaxing with family and friends either in or out of town. NOW it’s time to get back to training. While I've been working with Galaxy on practicing her skills for the Out About Town class and titles, we’re still not quite ready for this class; I am certain that you are though.

This class specializes in creating a well-rounded dog who is ready for their next level. Whether that’s agility, scentwork, rally, or just going with you when you eat out, we give you strategies to get you to that goal.

The next classes start on August 24 with a ZOOM orientation on August 23. There are still a few slots open so sign up before they get taken. We’re looking forward to seeing you Out About Town!

https://ohanadogtrainingnc.com/

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08/04/2024

Nap time on a rainy Sunday!

07/04/2024

Happy Birthday USA! Even the sun displayed an early morning light show. Albeit the saying goes “red sun on morning sailor take warning”. Stay cool everyone & keep your pups safe from fireworks & heat today. See my posts on both at OhanaDogTrainingNC

06/28/2024

The Fourth of July is such a fun time of year. The cookouts, the time with friends and family and of course the fireworks! It can be a very stressful time for your pups though. So here are a few things I always do for my anxious babies.

1. Create a safe, calm haven for them. A quiet dark room for them with a favorite toy or chew bone.
2. Make sure they are wearing a collar with identification and have been microchipped.
3. Exercise them early before any events start.
4. Keep their schedule as normal as possible, including feeding schedules. And no human food scraps from the party. It’s too salty, fatty or could be toxic.
5. If needed, contact the vet well in advance for any anxiety medications.
6. Keep the poison control and emergency vet numbers handy.

Remember, not all dogs respond well to lots of noise and lights, so if they have never seen fireworks, taking them to a big display might not be a good idea. I’ve had several pups that display different forms of anxiety during fireworks like:

• Excessive panting or drooling
• Pacing
• Trembling
• Dilated pupils
• Aggression
• Hiding away
• Inappropriate urination or defecation
• Refusal to eat
• Destructive behavior
• Excessive shedding or grooming, even just the appearance of dandruff

Here’s a link for more information:
https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/when-your-dog-is-afraid-of-fireworks-what-to-do/

06/21/2024

HEAT

Wow is it HOT!

Heat not only affects humans adversely, it also affects our pups. Some breeds, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are more tolerant of heat than Siberian Huskies because they originated in Africa and not Alaska. There are lots of ways we can keep our dogs safe in extreme heat, just like we keep ourselves safe. Here are a few tips for you to do just that.

Shade | even resting under a large tree in the grass allows your dog to cool off. Make sure they have shade if they are outside during the hottest hours of the day (generally 10AM - 6PM). If possible, bring them inside an air conditioned space during these times.

Water | make sure it’s kept cool, but not cold, and there is a lot of it. You can also pour water on your dog to help cool them.

Exercise before 8AM | The hottest part of the day is around 2PM; and after the sun has risen the heat starts accumulating. Even if the day is cloudy, heat still accumulates over time. Hardscape surfaces, like sidewalks, driveways, roadways will hold the heat longer than natural surfaces. Walking your pup in a park with lots of natural trails and grass would be better too.

Paw protection | Dogs sweat, but they sweat a bit differently than humans. Dogs have two types of sweat glands: merocrine glands, which are similar to human sweat glands, and apocrine glands. Merocrine glands are located in dogs' paw pads. Sweating through their paws helps dogs cool down. So, if you are walking on a sidewalk or other hardscape surface make sure it’s not too hot for the paws. RULE OF THUMB – If you cannot lay your hand on a surface for more than 7 seconds because it’s too hot for you then it is also too hot for your dog.

Never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the windows down. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 100 degrees in 10 minutes. On a 90-degree day, it can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes—and 130 degrees in 30 minutes. This can be fatal.

Heat Exhaustion / Stress | Dogs do experience heat stress, exhaustion or even heat stroke just like humans. Because dogs primarily pant rather than sweat, they are much more sensitive to heat than humans are. Reference: https://www.noahsarkvet.com/11-symptoms-of-heat-exhaustion-in-dogs

How to detect heat exhaustion.

1. Excessive panting or difficulty breathing. If your dog is panting constantly or faster than normal (hyperventilation), they could be overheated. Dogs with flat faces like pugs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion because they cannot pant as efficiently.

2. Dehydration. Signs of dehydration include dry nose, visible tiredness, excessive panting, and sunken eyes.

3. Excessive drooling. Keep an eye out for lots of drool, or drool that is thicker and stickier than usual.

4. Fever. If your dog’s nose is dry and hot instead of wet and cool, they could have a fever. A body temperature above 103°F is considered abnormal.

5. Bright red, gray, purple, or bluish gums. If your dog’s gums are a different color than normal, they could be dehydrated.

6. Lack of urine. If your pet has trouble producing urine, they could be dehydrated or overheated.

7. Rapid pulse. The easiest way to take your dog’s pulse is to place your hand on their chest near their front elbow joint. If their pulse seems elevated, they could be overheated. (Normal pulse rate depends on the size of your dog—bigger dogs tend to have slower pulses, while small dogs and puppies have very quick pulses.)

8. Muscle tremors. If your dog is shivering or shaking regardless of outside temperature, it may be caused by heat exhaustion.

9. Lethargy or weakness. Overheating can cause dogs to nap more than normal or having trouble standing up or walking.

10. Vomiting or diarrhea. Abnormally soft stool, or stool with blood in it, is a big warning sign for heat exhaustion.

11. Dizziness. If your dog seems to have trouble walking in a straight line or keeps bumping into furniture, they might be lightheaded from dehydration or heat exhaustion.

How to treat Heat Exhaustion

1. Take your dog to a cooler area (preferably indoors) immediately.

2. Lower their body temperature by wetting them thoroughly with cool water. Do not use cold water! It seems counterintuitive, but cooling too quickly can actually be just as dangerous as heat exhaustion. For very small dogs or puppies, use lukewarm water instead of cool.

3. Apply more cool water around their ears and paws. This helps reduce fever.

4. Put them in front of a fan to dry off. If you have a pet thermometer handy, check their temperature every few minutes (note: don’t use a glass thermometer that your dog might bite and break). Once their temperature drops to 103 degrees (F), remove the fan and stop applying water.

5. As they continue to cool down, provide them with small amounts of lukewarm or cool water to drink. Again, not cold water, and no ice!

6. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, they may need to be monitored for shock, dehydration, kidney failure, and other possible complications of heat exhaustion. Your vet will be able to advise you about next steps.

If your dog loses consciousness or seems severely ill (vomiting, seizing, etc.) get to a veterinary hospital immediately.
Reference: https://www.noahsarkvet.com/11-symptoms-of-heat-exhaustion-in-dogs

Have fun with your pups this summer, but also keeping them safe from the heat will make it even more fun.

Stay tuned for July 4th tips coming next week.

06/16/2024

Summer Vacation: Traveling with your dog(s)

Summer, when the kids are out of school and work isn’t very busy, is an excellent time to take a vacation and travel. You may be including your dogs on this trip. Perhaps you’ve taken the pups with you often, or perhaps it’s your first time. Here are a few tips to make the trip enjoyable for them too.

Pre-planning | I always review the area to which we’re traveling to see if there are fun doggie things like a dog friendly park or swimming area, hiking / walking trails or beach, and sporting events. I also review rules and restrictions for the same areas to ensure safety. My review will include local veterinary offices, especially emergency vet offices – where I note the name, location, and phone numbers. Other useful information | ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center - (888) 426-4435 (there may be a fee).

Packing checklist:
-- Food – dry and wet
-- Medicines
-- Treats – especially high value
-- Harnesses / leashes / longlines
-- Travel crates (for the hotel or rental place)
-- Ex-pen(s) or barriers to block access
-- Toys
-- Dog beds or blankets
-- Dog towels
-- Cans of green beans and pumpkin

I often pack all this in a separate container to make them easy to find.

Travel Days | These days can be stressful for you and your dog, especially if it’s their first time taking a long drive in the car. They may not be used to traveling on a highway or through stop and go traffic. My pups travel in crates to ensure comfort and safety. Depending on the dog I may give them a chew bone or medication to help keep them calm. Please check with your veterinarian for recommendations. I also plan stops about every 2 hours to let them out for a potty break and to stretch their legs. Generally I spend at least 15 – 30 minutes at each stop, so I try to make sure there’s a doggie area that can be away from traffic. While these breaks may make your trip a little longer, it will help your pups acclimate to riding for long periods of time.

Arrival | When you arrive at the new place let your doggo’s explore both inside and outside. Keep an eye on them for the first hours so ensure they do not eliminate where they shouldn’t or eat anything foreign. Safety first! Your pup might display stress by pacing or panting more than usual, but remember that this may be their first time in a new place and they will not acclimate as quickly as you. Also, another sign of stress may be that your pup doesn’t want to eat for the first day or so. Do not worry too much about this as long as they are drinking water. This is also where the wet dog food comes in handy. For non-normal digestion problems I use green beans for constipation and pumpkin for diarrhea – also signs of stress. However, if either condition lasts for more than a day then having those vet phone numbers may be useful.

Remember – vacation is FUN and a time to relax and enjoy the family. With a few planning tips I hope it’s just as much fun for the poochies too!

Look for my next post about SNAKES!
Cheers
Robin and the pack

06/09/2024

The Dog Days of Summer

What are the “dog days of summer” you ask? According to the farmer’s almanac the dog days of summer are between July and August in the northern hemisphere and are period of particularly hot and humid weather. In ancient Greece and Roman times this time of year was during the drought season, bringing unrest to men and dogs. This period also coincides with the rising of Sirius (the dog star) which ancient cultures used as a marker for the upcoming seasonal changes – a “watch dog” so to speak.

The dog days of summer is an excellent time to keep your training skills sharp in preparation for future classes and outings. Keeping your dog acclimated to the outside temperature is important too, especially because they can be inside most of the summer in the air conditioning.

What training you ask? Tricks are a great way to keep your dog focused and bonded with you. Plus they are fun. Check out Kyra Sundance’s book 101 Dog Tricks. Keeping obedience skills sharp is also important especially if your going to take your pup on vacation with you.

Look for my post next time about summer vacation with your dog.

Cheers
Robin and the pack

05/23/2024

Sleeping FINALLY. For just a second..

05/18/2024

Training at the park today. Trains, geese p**p & kids OH MY!!

05/15/2024

Border collie-papillon mix wins Westminster Agility!!! Rock ON

The border collie-papillon mix got a round of "app-paws" for her surprise win after finishing the race in under 30 seconds. She is the first mixed-breed and first 12-inch dog to win the competition.

05/11/2024

Just some training with these rock stars in downtown Raleigh today. Lots of city noise, different textures and even urban rats!!!! And of course kids and their parents at the museums.

05/10/2024

Co-training with Edrie Greer and Klaatu today! Both Tu and Galaxy did great. Such a joy to see pups able to handle the URBAN environment

05/08/2024

A rainbow at the end of a crappy day makes the day worthwhile

04/30/2024

Proud Godmother to this awesome person. Masters in Chemistry from Yale & a new PhD candidate! And she loves dogs too. I can’t wait to see what she does next!

04/21/2024

Yesterday, April 20, 2024, these outstanding teams graduated from the Out About Town class: Izzy + Jeff; Barley + Donna; Sitka + Katelin; Pi + Shelby; Brutus + Ann. The final evaluation was conducted at The Village District (formerly Cameron Village) where the 75th Anniversary of the Village was being set up and started. There is NO substitute for real life situations like this where the teams have to use all their skills and training around unusual noise, movement, and crowds.

Three of the teams earned their CGCA (community) and CGCU (urban) titles; two of the teams had already earned these titles. I am so proud of each of the teams. Izzy for becoming more confident in public places and doing her 3 minute down stay! Barley and Sitka for learning that NOT jumping on people earned them more attention. Pi for learning that other dogs are friends and Brutus for just being himself.

I am also very happy to have this FIRST graduating class for Ohana Dog Training. Thank you teams for supporting me. Many Thanks to The Outdoor Provision Company for letting us test in the store and to Ajasi Sushi for feeding us lunch afterwards.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

04/15/2024

Class at North Hills during the first Farmers Market of the summer. These teams did great and are ready for their CGCA and CGCU tests next weekend.

04/15/2024

Class at North Hills during the first Farmers Market was incredible! These teams are ready for their CGCA and CGCU tests next weekend!

04/08/2024

Spring into training!

Are you looking to get your dog into agility or scent work or rally? A great way to make sure they are “ring” ready is by introducing them to new and different environments and locations while reinforcing their obedience skills. Ohana Dog Training provides this service.

We’re offering a 10% discount on classes starting April 27, 2024. To sign up for a 9AM or 10AM class go to: https://ohanadogtrainingnc.com/ -87b3-4822-bd1a-87a4bb28087b

Space is limited to 6 dogs per class, so don’t wait to sign up and keep your training on track.

04/08/2024

Last weekend we went to the park! Awesome day for it, not too hot or cold and the sun was shining. What's really cool is that there were a lot of sounds and people and the doggos were really resilient. I mean they worked passed a convert goose who was stalking them. Let the train go past quite a few times - whistle and all. Stood still for pics in front of the molting swans. And best of all Barley got love without jumping.

04/03/2024

Just some pics from the last outing in Raleigh with the class! Fun times in downtown.

02/28/2024

Out About Town class starts March 2 with online orientation March 1. There are still openings in the 9AM and 10AM classes. Registration open until 5PM on March 1. Tell all your friends.

02/23/2024

NEW Evaluation Options added to the website!! If you are looking for just CGCA and CGCU evaluations for the titles we now offer those too!

01/29/2024

This is one of the last pictures of me and Jennifer. While she lived another few years, she was with my father in VT and I had moved away and couldn't have her in an apartment. I think she had been swimming on this day. She would follow the canoe around the lake until we pulled her in and then she would ride like a queen!

01/22/2024

Jennifer was a black lab | springer spaniel mix. She followed me everywhere and was my constant companion. She loved the woods and running along with me when I rode the horses.

01/16/2024

Our class offerings and schedules are live on the website. See www.ohanadogtrainingnc.com

Positive reinforcement techniques only.

01/15/2024

And yes there were goats - just not on our farm! They were so cute.