Bark-Talk Dog Training

18/08/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Dog Adolescence....

One of the life stages our dogs go through is adolescence - depending on the dog it usually starts between 6-12 months and lasts until 18-24 months.

Adolescent dogs, like children, may start to test boundaries and display more independence in order to explore the world and learn on their own. They also, like people, may have questionable judgement and impulse control during this stage and become more easily distracted.

Be patient and maintain your warm, supportive and trusting relationship as well as sticking to a consistent schedule, rules and direction. They may need even more of your time and attention at this stage (depending on the dog and behaviors) in order to guide them through. Stay positive!

11/08/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Is it possible to walk/exercise your dog too much? Obviously, yes. Too much can lead to health issues and/or injury. So how do you know how much to walk your dog? It depends on the age, breed of dog and weight/health.

Also, if it's very hot, it's better to walk your dog first thing in the morning, in the evening, or on shaded paths. You may want to have water with you so they don't become dehydrated.
Be aware of the 3-5 second rule...If you cant keep your hand down on the pavement for that amount of time, it's too hot for your dog to walk without injuring their paw pads. If it's very cold, be aware of ice that can cut paw pads or slipping. If you do walk a lot, check your dog's paws on a regular basis for any cracking or extreme redness/soreness.

Be particularly careful when walking your puppy since their bones and joints are still developing and too much walking or rough play can lead to injury. If they don't want to slow down, you may want to make sure the time is limited.

Your dog will tell you if it's too much. You know your dog. Watch body language...If he really slows down, sits or lies down, starts limping and/or is panting very heavily it's time to go home even if you want to keep going!

04/08/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Resource guarding. It's not uncommon. It shouldn't be ignored because it could get worse.
What is resource guarding? Does your dog growl at you or even snap if you come near him when he's grabbed a sock, has a special toy or when he's eating? That's resource guarding...

It's not something to laugh at or ignore. It's your dog's way of warning you to back off. He's afraid of you or another dog taking his "stuff". All dog's can and will bite if provoked enough. Believe the warning.

So what do you do?
-Never punish your dog for growling. Recognize that it's his way of telling you he's not comfortable with something and punishing may make him more stressed and uncomfortable so that he may bite rather than giving a warning growl.
-If your dog lowers his head near a toy or while eating, or starts eating really fast when you approach, that's guarding. Don't try to approach or pet him while eating and definitely don't stick your hands near his bowl!

You can start by feeding a handful of food at a time by hand if you trust that he'll take it gently. Or, place a handful of food in his bowl and step away. Let him eat that and repeat until he's eaten his full meal. After doing this for a few weeks, your dog should let you approach and actually be happy with it!
If your dog guards his food from other dogs, make sure you feed them in separate rooms. You can get them used to eating together by having them sit near you (but not right next to each other). Give the non guarding dog a treat then give your guarding dog a treat. Keep repeating for a few days as they get closer to one another.

If your dog guards an object how do you manage the situation?
-put it away for a while.
-play with other toys/objects that he'll bring to you and give them to you. When he does, give him a treat. Eventually, re-introduce the special object and exchange with a very high value treat.

It's a process. Take it slow. Your dog (hopefully) will learn you're not a threat and will accept you being close .

19/07/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Tips to make the most of your walk with your dog...

Your daily walks with your dog give you special time together. It's time to enjoy and relax! It's an opportunity to build a stronger bond and to get to know/understand one another better. To get the most out of your walks:

-Please no phone calls! Attention should be between you and your dog. You're reading his body language and he's responding to you. It's a real give and take where he tells you his needs and you communicate yours.
-Take your time. Let your dog discover the world by sniffing. This tires him out and decreases anxiety. So if you're used to walking 15 mins (always feeling stressed), try to do 20 relaxing minutes!
-If your dog isn't happy greeting other people or dogs on the walk, don't force it.
-Try to do 3-4 walks a day if you can of 15-20 minutes. Change it up and go different routes through the neighborhood or go to a park and explore!
Have fun!

07/07/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

A friend or relative is visiting with their dog. Are they playing together or fighting? This question came up with a client this week. It's common to be concerned when introducing dogs for the first time. Usually, if your dog isn't reactive to other dogs when walking or through the window, it should be fine. BUT, there are no guarantees so always watch. If you're really concerned, sometimes it's best to "meet" in a neutral place and walk behind one another on a leash and then at a distance (both sides of the street) where they are aware of one another without a negative reaction.

Once introduced off leash, dogs often play in a way you might consider to be "rough"....lots of growling noises, "biting", a pause and then back at it! One dog may even seem a little more dominant. Is it a problem or are they just playing as dogs play? There are general behaviors of typical, happy dog play but you know your dog best and can tell if things are getting to be too much.

-When dogs are playing together they pause every once in a while then go back to it. This doesn't happen in a fight.
-Always watch...if one dog yelps, does the other dog respect that and back off ? It might only be for a second and that's OK.
-If your dog seems a little uncomfortable for the first few minutes, it might be that this is something new and he might need a little more time to relax completely. He may move away a little and take a pause but as long as they both, mutually, go back at it and they appear happy ( playing, pausing, jumping, nipping, growling) then it's normal play.

Watch and enjoy! Nothing better than watching dogs play hard and have fun together!

25/06/2024

The products, sold under the brands Barkworthies and Best Bully, were distributed between February and May in U.S. stores and online.

22/06/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Important reminders

07/06/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

"My dog is so stubborn! He doesn't listen to me...just does what he wants!" Sound familiar?

Dogs aren't usually "stubborn". He may not respond because he's too distracted, doesn't understand what you're asking, is stressed out or is afraid of consequences of what you're asking. Our relationships with our dogs should be a partnership. Generally, when we ask our dog to do something, they should do it because they want to not because we said so (unless it's a dangerous situation). So why don't they always listen?

-There may be a physical issue. Something bothering them that makes them uncomfortable to do what you're asking.
-Is he stressed by something in the environment?
-Does he understand what you're asking?
-Are their too many distractions? Noises, smells, activity, other dogs, people, etc....

Think about these things before you label your dog "stubborn". He might just "shut down" and refuse to listen or move when you ask but there's usually an underlying reason for the behavior.

25/05/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Training is critical to build the bond between you and your dog. There's no one magic way (each dog/owner are different). There are different ways to teach your dog certain cues. They all learn differently (like kids) . Try to figure out what works best for you and your dog.

There are certain things that can be counter-productive to your dog's learning and cooperation:

-Repeating a cue. ("sit, sit, sit") We've all done it and heard it. You lose your patience, feel your dog is being obstinate on purpose and he still doesn't do it! Try to give your verbal cue once (if you know your dog has heard you). You may use your hand signal again but really try to give your dog time to process...we expect an immediate response but often we need to give our dogs time to figure out what we're asking. Raising your voice will backfire and likely make your dog more anxious.
-So, try not to get impatient. It takes dogs longer to learn some things than others (like kids learning to read or do math). Your dog reads you and picks up on your frustration. This will delay his understanding and cooperation.
-Use the right treats. Higher value treats for more difficult cues. Also, remember to take into account how much/many treats you're using throughout the day to train and adjust food intake if necessary. You can take some of the daily kibble and use it for training but don't forget about all the other treats/rewards. Try to use food/treats that are soft and can be broken into really small amounts. That's all your dog really needs for a reward, especially if you're training and repeating numerous times.
-Train throughout the day as the opportunity presents itself (sit at the door, for example) but keep training "sessions" short and sweet. They should last about 5 minutes maybe 2 to 3 times a day. Don't try to cover everything at once. Dogs have fairly short attention spans so don't overdo it. You're training for success, not failure!
-ALWAYS end on a good note. If he doesn't get it, don't get angry. Go back to what he knows, do that, and praise happily. And have fun together!!

05/05/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Does Your Dog Eat Really Fast?

So many dogs gobble down their food as if it's their last meal! But, this can have health consequences especially if you have a larger breed, deep chested dog. They are more prone to developing a life threatening condition called "bloat" (GDV which is when the stomach twists. This is pretty uncommon but something to be aware of.

There are many reasons your dog eats very quickly:
-He eats too fast so his brain doesn't have time to register that he's full (kind of like us!) so he may whine and beg for more. Try not to give in if you know you've fed the proper amount since it can lead to too much unhealthy weight.
-There may be a medical reason like hormone or thyroid issues or parasites. Check with your vet if you suspect this especially if the change has been sudden.

Usually though, your dog eats too fast because it's a behavioral thing.
-You may have another dog that he feels he has to compete with for food or feels threatened the other dog may eat his food.
-It may be an old behavior learned when with the litter competing for his mother's milk.
-There may be a little resource guarding going on so even if you walk by, he speeds up his eating thinking you may take the food away. Watch this if it escalates to growling when you approach.

So what do you do?
Be creative with how you feed your dog. There are so many options available today so you don't have to use the old bowl:
Use a slow feeder bowl
Use a Licky Mat
Use a puzzle toy
Use a Kong
(or a combination of all of these)
Besides slowing him down, these newer options provide mental exercise which has been shown to be great for calming and tiring your dog!
Also, there's no rule that says you have to feed your dog twice a day. Give more frequent smaller portions using the above methods if it works for you...Just be aware not to overfeed but to use the amount recommended for your dog.

29/04/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Important info from Dogster

Knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on dogs can safe your pup's life. Our vet explains the step by step of the Heimlich maneuver for dogs.

12/04/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Do you sometimes feel like you're a "bad" leader for your dog? Hear all sorts of advice...what to do, what not to do...and feel confused or that you're doing things wrong?

Don't worry about it! Your relationship with your dog is YOUR relationship. What's best for you and your dog may not be what works for your friends and neighbors. OK. Don't sweat it. There's no one "right way" to have a relationship with your dog. The best one is when you both understand each other and are comfortable together giving love and support.

So when some people say...
-dogs shouldn't be on the furniture
-your dog should always walk right at your side
-your dog shouldn't sleep with you
-your dog should eat after you've eaten (I never understood that one!)...Don't worry about it! This stems from an outdated way of thinking about our relationships with our dogs which stresses dominance. Dogs don't need to be dominant or be dominated by us. Just loved.

Figure out what works best for you and your household. If you want the dogs on the furniture. Fine.
In bed, fine. Unless you have allergies! And, always check for ticks!
Walking on the leash ahead of you is fine as long as the leash is loose and they're not pulling.

You choose ...set your expectations for behaviors that work for you.

30/03/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Does your dog have some "annoying" behaviors like barking, chewing (especially when you leave him?), jumping?
These are all anxious behaviors that may stem from loneliness, too much energy, boredom, separation anxiety or a bunch of other things. What to do?

First, take a breath and try to determine what's causing this behavior. When does it happen, when is it worst?

Jumping is common and normal. They jump because they're excited, they want to greet you or they want attention. Don't punish or yell at your dog, push him away, sq**rt with water, etc...That just escalates the level of excitement. You can:
-ignore him. Turn around and wait for a sit. Reward the sit...
-I teach gently moving into his space, say "off" then "sit"...reward the sit. Stay calm and be consistent. Only interact when he has all 4 paws on the floor!

Chewing is common if your dog is anxious, bored, has too much pent up energy or maybe has separation anxiety. Take the time to figure out what his trigger(s) might be so you can address them.
-Stay calm. Don't scream and punish. When you find the mess it's usually after the fact and he won't have any idea why you're scolding him.
-Make sure your dog is getting enough exercise. Both physical AND mental!
-Keep him in a confined area if he's destructive when you leave. Or, make sure you keep things out of reach or put away! Give him his things to chew like a kong or nylabone.
-Teach a good "drop it" to use is you catch him in the act. Grabbing something away and pulling becomes a game, might lead to a bite, or teaches your dog to run from you!

Barking can be really annoying but it's your dog's way of communicating. They bark to alert you to something, out of fear or boredom. Try to figure out what your dog is trying to tell you. Again, don't punish. Stay calm and try to read your dog's body language. Is he barking to tell you someone's at the door, or another dog? Or, is he barking at you to get your attention? Does he just want to play or does he have to go out?
There are many ways to handle barking depending on what's causing it.

23/03/2024

Happy National Puppy Day!!!
Enjoy, snuggle, play and have fun with your woofies!!🐾

22/03/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Does your dog sleep with you? Should he?!
Obviously, it's a personal decision. About 75% of dog owners let their pets sleep with them. It's often comforting to the owners and to the pets. But, there may be reasons to keep them off the bed...

-If your dog shows any signs of conflict aggression (food guarding, toy guarding, uncomfortable being approached and pet on the head) then it might be a problem if you inadvertently roll over and touch/push your dog. They may feel threatened and bite you even if you're asleep.
-If you have allergies it probably isn't a good idea!
-If your dog snores it might disrupt your quality of sleep.
-If your dog moves around a lot or is large, they may also get in your way and disrupt your sleep.

Also, in the spring, summer and fall you want to make sure your pet is up to date on flea/tick medicine and do daily tick checks on them. Don't want that in your bed!

20/02/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Treats...too much of a good thing? How do you know if it's too much? It makes our dogs happy and it makes us happy but obviously, too much of a good thing isn't healthy for our dogs.

Generally, treats should make up about 10% of your dog's diet. So, because we tend to use a lot of treats for training, I recommend a soft treat that can be broken into the tiniest pieces to train. And once the dog is "getting it", it's important to decrease treats until ultimately, they really become something special. You don't want to have your dog become treat dependent. In fact, you can also try to use kibble to train. It just might not be special or high value enough!

Think about what and when you're treating. You don't have to give your dog a treat even though he's looking at the treat jar and drooling! You can also use veggies like carrots or green beans (you'll have to experiment to see which veggies your dog likes). Try not to give in to your dog if he's pawing, barking at you or whining for a treat. Ignore him. This may happen if you develop a habit of giving your dog a treat at the same time every day. (Unless, of course, this is something you like to do with your dog)

09/02/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

Training can be frustrating...your dog doesn't focus on you, runs around crazy, barks, chews, jumps...I could go on and on. Does that mean you've failed? Absolutely not!! Don't dismiss your dog or your success. You just may need to look at the way you're communicating and mix it up a bit.

-Pay close attention to what you're asking(your cues/body language), what the dog does, and how you react. For instance, you ask for a sit. The dog sits but when you give a treat, a pet or praise, the dog has stood up. You're no longer reinforcing the sit but might be rewarding a behavior you don't want. Pay attention to body position when training.
-Are you overtreating and your dog only "cooperates" if there's food involved? Using treats is a great way to train but once your dog is getting the behavior, you have to back off the treats until you don't really need them at all and can use them intermittently as a special reward!
-A lot of "cues" we teach our dogs involve a learning progression. You probably can't teach stay and expect your dog to immediately stay in that spot for a long time and/or if you go out of sight. Dogs learn in baby steps so make sure you're not skipping any. If your dog doesn't get it, go back a step, review that and then move on.
-Do you sometimes ask your dog something and he looks at you without responding? Try to make sure you're asking in a way he understands. Dogs read our body language so sometimes there's a small signal we're giving that they pick up on and we're not even aware of it. There's not one magic way to teach everything so try something different if he doesn't get it. Be creative and have fun!
-We have to teach clear expectations and be consistent with our training to get solid behavior. Go slowly (start inside or in a quiet environment) and have success there before you expect your dog to listen when there are more distractions. Our dogs hear and smell much more than we can so there are a lot of things getting in the way of learning and listening that we're not even aware of.
-Training "sessions" should be short (maybe 10 mins) 3-4 times/day. Work on only one or 2 things for a few days, then as your dog is successful, progress to either new things or a more difficult step of the same cue. But, in addition to training "sessions" train throughout the day as it comes up...sit before eating, to put on the leash, etc...Use and reinforce what you're teaching and they're learning.

Don't forget to also have lots of snuggle time and play time! Have fun together!

05/02/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:

We usually just take our dogs to the vet yearly for an annual checkup unless something unexpected happens. But, just like we check ourselves during the year, we can also check our dogs ourselves for something that might be developing. You don't have to check every day, or even weekly. Just once in a while while you're having snuggle time...

-It's nice to have your dog get comfortable with being handled calmly all over. You can give him a good "massage" going from to to bottom....rub the ears, the neck/throat, legs, feet, up and down the spine, back end near the tail, legs, and of course, a good belly rub is always enjoyed! Once your dog is comfortable with touching, you can check periodically for something that might come up.

-Check ears. They should be clean with no odor. If they're inflamed, bright red, have a discharge or you see your dog itching a lot, you may want to have it checked.
-Then go to the eyes...they should be clear and bright. If they're swollen, there's a discharge, they're discolored in any way, the dog is squinting or has a small bump on an eyelid-take him in.
-Check the mouth. Gums should be pink. Not dark pink or white but light pink. (unless you've just exercised rigorously or on a hot day!) Remember to brush teeth on a regular basis (at least weekly). Really bad breath may signal something going on.
-Your dog's nose shouldn't be running or have any sort of discharge. Also, if your dog is sneezing a lot it could be allergies and might need a check in.
-Check their feet...between the toes and the pads. There shouldn't be any cuts or swelling. Sometimes, dogs can tear their claws (especially the dew claw) which can be very painful and lead to infection. Remember to trim nails frequently.
-Check overall for any lumps and bumps that might be new. Make a note and keep an eye for any changes in size or if it's bothering your dog. Also check for cuts or scabs.
-Lastly, if you see changes in your dog's weight but you haven't changed the food you're giving or exercise habits, you may want to check on it.

28/01/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
We train our dogs to teach them to live with us comfortably in our "human" world and environment. What does that mean?

Training involves teaching but mostly involves catching them being good and rewarding that behavior rather than constantly reacting to undesirable behaviors. It all has to do with communication...setting up expectations, being consistent and communicating (calmly) so your dog understands what you want from him. Dogs don't misbehave because they're mad at you or want to get back at you. They "misbehave" because they may not really know what you want or expect OR they're having a hard time themselves.

If your dog has some unwanted behaviors (they all do...how can they not?) trying to stop it with punishment doesn't help build a bond/trust between you and your dog so they want to please. Instead, it can lead to anxiety, avoidance or even aggression. Punishing also doesn't help get the desired behavior because they don't really know what you want them to do (or what they should do instead).

What to do?
-Be clear with expectations. Train consistently. If they don't understand, try it a different way.
- Be proactive. Teach your dog what you want him to do and then catch him being good. Reinforce the behaviors you want. For instance, reinforce when he looks at you, or sits/keeps 4 paws on the floor!
-Manage the situation...think about what you can do to prevent behaviors rather than reacting. For instance, if your dog charges the door when someone comes over, use a gate or a leash so he can't get to the door or the person. Get him to focus on you and sit. Reward this behavior.
-Reinforce (treat, praise) calm behavior. Teach him to go to a mat or a certain place to settle. Reinforce!
-And stay calm!

23/01/2024

Did you know that every opportunity is a training opportunity? There is a common misconception that dog training is too time consuming or difficult to do at home, but it doesn't have to be. Incorporating dog training into your daily routine improves your dog's behavior, strengthens your bond, and creates a happier and healthier pet. Consider practicing the following behaviors with your dog.

🐾For practicing "Sit", ask your dog to sit before doing the following:
* Putting the food bowl down.
* Going outside.
* Being petted.
* Before throwing a toy.

🐾For practicing “Leave it”:
* Drop something on the floor and ask the dog to leave it.
* While watching TV, toss something on the floor and ask the dog to leave it.

🐾For practicing “Stay”:
* If the dog is already lying down, ask them to stay while you grab your evening snack.

🐾For practicing “Wait”:
* Ask your dog to wait before eating his meal.
* Ask your dog to wait before allowing them to go outside.

Remember that training is an ongoing process. Even after your dog has mastered the basics, continue to reinforce their skills, and introduce new challenges to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Always make training a positive experience, and tailor your approach to your dog's unique needs and personality.

If you encounter specific behavior problems, enlist the help of a positive reinforcement dog trainer. Use APDT's trainer search at locateatrainer.org to find a trainer near you!

21/01/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
You always hear how important it is to socialize your new puppy (or new rescue dog if they haven't been socialized). But what does this mean?

Socializing your dog means getting your dog used to and comfortable in the human world around him. That means:

-All sorts of people...babies and toddlers, male/female, different races, different sizes, people in uniform, older people, etc...
-Different animals like cats, squirrels, deer and maybe horses, chickens, goats if you live with or near them. This is more difficult and may take more time since instinct and prey drive play a big part in this.
-New places like other houses, the vet, pet stores, the car, parks...
-Surfaces- make sure your dog is comfortable walking on different surfaces like pavement, gravel, grass, carpet, sand, shiny/slippery floors, tile....
-Things that move like bicycles, wheelchairs, skateboards, golf carts, cars, kids running and screaming, motorcycles and fire trucks. The last 2 might be particularly tough because of the loud noise associated with them.
-Everyday noises around the house such as vacuums, hair dryers, the doorbell(or knocking), trucks going by or back up beeping, wind or thunder...
-Other things such as someone running by, using garden/lawn equipment, elevators...

There are tons of things that our dogs/puppies may be exposed to that we don't think will bother them but may cause anxiety. The goal is to expose them slowly without stress so that it's not forceful or overwhelming.

15/01/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK:
Does your dog seem to bark all the time at nothing? What's going on and what does all that barking mean?

First off, your dog has a reason for barking. They don't bark for no reason but we may not be aware of a smell, a sound, they're excited, need something, are telling us something ( a warning, they're lonely) etc... All these different types of barks have different sounds and sometimes duration. It's your dog's way of communicating.

When do dogs bark and what does it mean?
-A territorial bark is excited and noisy. A dog may bark when someone is approaching your house or may just react to other dogs barking in the neighborhood. He'll join in to make sure they know he's there and this is his territory. Dogs can hear and smell way better than we can so often we think it's nothing but there really is something they're barking at. We're just not aware.... Could be a mouse in the walls or an animal outside.
-A play bark is just that. Excited and higher pitched when playing with you, a toy, or another dog.
-A dog left alone that may have separation anxiety is barking because he feels abandoned and anxious. Talk to your vet and a trainer to help with this situation and ease the anxiety.
-A deeper bark with low/deep growls is one to watch. The dog feels threatened and is telling you to back off or a bite is coming.

06/01/2024

YIP OF THE WEEK;

Want more success with training? Are you trying to change some of your dog's more undesirable behaviors like jumping on visitors (or you), barking, etc...

What's going on and what to do? Most of these behaviors are calls for attention. Sometimes, they may stem from anxiety or even habits formed as puppies that were never changed. The dog was never shown or taught anything different. We react to these behaviors by pushing the dog away, or raising our voices and increasing anxiety for us and our dog. Success!! Your dog has your attention (even if it's negative, it's attention) and you've continued to reinforce the unwanted behavior.

You have to learn to manage the situation in order to control these behaviors and try to reinforce a good behavior instead. This is done through training. Ask for the behavior you want and praise. Try to ignore undesirable behaviors and catch them being good! Define your expectations (through training), recognize the behavior (catch them being good) and reward. It's not easy and doesn't happen overnight but with patience and consistency you will see some success.

23/12/2023

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL! 🐾

Holidays can be stressful for dogs. The following tips will help you prepare your dog so you can both enjoy the coming holiday season.