Dog Training with Lisa

19/06/2024

Finn and Kenzie
Much loved dog training clients of mine.

19/06/2024

🐾

19/06/2024

DOG ICE CREAM RECIPE 🍦🍨

Ingredients:

~ 2 ripe bananas
~ 1 cup plain yogurt (unsweetened and without artificial sweeteners)
~ 1/2 cup peanut butter
(make sure it does not contain Xylitol, or Birch Sugar, which is toxic to dogs)

Instructions:
Prepare the Ingredients:

~ Peel and slice the bananas.

Blend the Ingredients:

~ In a blender or food processor, combine the sliced bananas, plain yogurt, and peanut butter.
~ Blend until smooth and creamy.

Freeze the Mixture:

~ Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or silicone molds.
~ Place the trays in the freezer and freeze for at least 3-4 hours, or until completely solid.

Serve:

~ Once the ice cream is frozen, remove the cubes or shapes from the trays.
~ Serve a piece or two to your dog as a special treat.

Tips:

~ You can store the remaining ice cream cubes in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.
~ If your dog is lactose intolerant, you can use lactose-free yogurt or substitute it with a dairy-free option like coconut milk (make certain it's safe for dogs and unsweetened).

Important:

~ Dogs who are prone to pancreatitis, such as Miniature Schnauzers, shouldn't be given peanut butter, because it's too high in fat, and could cause a pancreatitis attack. You can substitute some of their canned food for the peanut butter.

~ For dogs eating a prescription diet, you can substitute their canned food, with the consent of their veterinarian, who should approve the other two ingredients - bananas and yogurt.

Wishing you and your dog a fun ice cream experience. 🍦🍨

~ Lisa
Dog Training With Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingWithLisa/

17/06/2024

16/06/2024

Happy Father's Day!

15/06/2024

IMPORTANT PUPPY INFO

This xray is of a 2 week old puppy.

When you get your puppy at 8 - 10 - 12 weeks old, please keep this image in your mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around with big floppy paws and wobbly movement, because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, and ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together, or has a true socket yet.

When you run them excessively, or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period, you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.

But when you're letting your puppy jump up and down off the sofa, or bed, or you take them for long walks/hikes, you're damaging that forming joint. When you let your puppy scramble on tile floors, with no traction, you are damaging the joint.

You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing - BOTH, not just one.

Once grown - around 12-18 months, depending on their breed, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little puppies.

27/05/2024

Happy Memorial Day!

27/05/2024

Have an enjoyable Memorial Day with your dog! 🐾🐾

27/05/2024

Have a meaningful Memorial Day.

21/05/2024

Happy National Rescue Dog Day!

19/05/2024

TRIMMING YOUR DOG'S NAILS

Nail trimming is essential for maintaining the good health of your dog.

If a dog's nails are allowed to grow, they will curl under into a spiral shape, and walking will become increasingly painful. Uncut nails may curl so far that they pierce the paw pad, leading to infection and debilitating pain.

If you choose to clip your dog's nails at home, guillotine clippers work best.
If your dog has light colored nails, you can use a nail clipper with a light to see the quick, so you don't accidentally cut onto it.

Cut only very small pieces at a time. Each time you do, look at the nail to see if the quick is visible. The quick will appear as a small, round, white circle in the middle of the nail. You don't want to cut into it, or the nail will bleed.

Always have a bottle of Kwik Stop, or other styptic powder on hand when you're cutting the nails. If bleeding occurs, sprinkle the powder on the nail to coagulate the blood, and stop the bleeding.

If your dog won't allow you to cut their nails, you can take them to your veterinarian, or a groomer, to have them clipped. Some areas even have mobile techs who do nail clipping. It's also possible for you to train your puppy, or dog to accept their nails being clipped without a problem. Whatever you choose to do, try to have your dog's nails clipped at least every two months.

Wishing your dog good nail health. 🐾🐾

~ Lisa
Dog Training With Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingWithLisa/

19/05/2024

My little girl, Dot, and I spent yesterday outside, enjoying the beautiful weather. I hope all of you are able to get outside with you dog, and enjoy your weekend together.

12/05/2024

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

11/05/2024

I'm case you missed the Aurora Borealis last night.

(Photo by Diane Patterson)

11/05/2024

Happy National Dog Mom's Day!

09/05/2024

Here's Eden, a toy poodle puppy mill survivor, with her mom, on her second lesson with "Dog Training With Lisa", learning how to "come" for the first time.

I'm so proud of Eden. She's where I'd expect her to be in training as a puppy mill dog, because they move much slower than a normal dog, as they're mentally and emotionally damaged from their life as a puppy mill dog. Every puppy mill dog's advances in behavioral and obedience training are causes to celebrate.

Good girl, Eden!

08/05/2024

This beautiful little girl is Eden, a three year old toy poodle, and a puppy mill survivor. She just had her second lesson with "Dog Training With Lisa".

I'm very pleased with Eden's progress so far. Puppy mill dogs don't progress in training like normal dogs would, so while Eden's taking small steps, they're really huge steps in the scope of things for a puppy mill dog.

When I first met Eden, I saw she had a very sweet side and was learning to love affection but she was also fearful, insecure, and reactive to the point that she'd become aggressive. She was also controlling, and demanding. She barked excessively when she wanted something. She had separation anxiety from her mom, and was showing aggressiveness toward her dad, and human sister, to the point of biting.

Eden is receiving behavioral modification for her behavioral issues, along with obedience training. The dynamics of the household are being worked on so as to let Eden know her place in the family structure. Her confidence, self-esteem and sense of security, will be built up, so she can develop some independence, and lose her fears and reactivity.

Eden should do well with training, and will learn to enjoy her life to the fullest. Welcome to your wonderful new life, Eden!

And many thanks to Eden's mom and dad for being willing to adopt a puppy mill dog, and wanting to do the best they can for her by having her trained.

Puppy mill dogs, dogs with severe fears and anxieties, and highly reactive dogs are my specialty. It's so rewarding to work with a puppy mill dog and watch them learn how to be a normal dog, and thoroughly enjoy their life.

04/05/2024

GARDENING SAFELY WITH DOGS

It's gardening season, and many of you are choosing plants to put outside in your garden. To those of you who garden, and who also have dogs, be careful not to get plants that are poisonous to dogs. I'm a Master Gardener, and I carefully choose plants that aren't poisonous to keep my dog safe.

If you want to have outdoor plants that could potentially make your dog sick, put up dog proof cages around these plants, and only let your dog near them when supervised. For instance, dogs shouldn't eat green tomatoes, as they could make them very sick, and could even have fatal consequences. So, put up dog proof tomato cages around your tomato plants.

Remember that any chemicals you use on your plants can be poisonous to dogs. I do "Integrated Pest Management" (IPM), taking a holistic approach when dealing with diseases, or pests, that my plants may have, so as to be kinder to my plants, and the environment, and keep things safer for any dogs, or wildlife.

Keep any poisons you use in your garden locked up in a shed, or on a shelf in your garage, where your dog can't get to them.

If you do use chemicals in your garden, keep your dog out of the garden until you've had a good, soaking rain. The rain will drive the chemicals into the ground. However, be aware that run off can occur, and keep your dog away from any close water sources, such as a creek on your property. You don't want your dog drinking, or absorbing through their skin, any dangerous chemicals.

I use "companion planting" to help with deterring pests, and to help bring in beneficial insects. This is when you plant two different types of plants together to get one to protect the other from pests, provide habitat for beneficial insects, and promote pollination. This usually cuts down a great deal on having to do anything invasive in regards to pest management.

Be aware that lawn chemicals like Round Up, used to kill weeds, have been linked to 'paw cancer', a very serious, potentially fatal cancer, in dogs. You're better off using a dog safe homemade spray, which also happens to be incredibly cheaper. Here's the recipe of the spray I've used for years, with great success:

1 Gallon of Vinegar
2 Cups of Epson Salts
1/4 Cup of Dish Soap

I use Dawn dish soap. I think it works best with this recipe.

Put the ingredients into a sprayer. Spray the weeds in the morning, after the dew has evaporated. It's important to do this on a day you know the sun will be shining brightly, not on an overcast day.

I've found this recipe works great, and friends I've recommend it to were surprised by how fast and efficiently it worked, telling me it works better than Round Up, and it's so much cheaper. If it doesn't work, you probably didn't choose a sunny enough day, so just try it again when you know the sun will be out.

Don't use rodenticides to kill any mice, or rats, in your garden. They're highly toxic to your dog. Even if you keep them away from your dog, the dog could find the dead rodent, eat it, and be killed by the poison the rodent consumed. Many dogs, and large numbers of wildlife, die this way every year.

You can keep rodents away by using peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella, cloves, cayenne pepper, etc... Just remember to keep these things out of your dog's reach, so they don't ingest them, and get sick.

We all want to enjoy our gardens, and feel that our dogs are safe around our plants. By thinking things out in advance of planting, and being careful in all the steps we take in managing our plants, this can happen.

So, here's my check list for you:

1. Don't buy any plants that are poisonous to dogs whenever possible.

2. Put up cages around any plants that could potentially be poisonous to your dog, and only let your dog near them when supervised.

3. Put any chemicals in a locked shed, or on a shelf in your garage, where your dog can't get at them.

4. Try to cut down on using chemicals in your garden by doing companion planting.

5. Try not to use chemicals like Round Up at all, so your dog doesn't get paw cancer. Instead, to get rid of weeds try the recipe I put in this post. It works!

6. If you do use chemicals, don't let your dog near your garden until you've had a good, soaking rain.

7. Don't use rodenticides. Instead try natural ways of repelling rodents.

8. Enjoy your garden with your dog! 🙂

Wishing you, and your dog, many happy moments in your garden.

(Pictured with the daffodils is my little girl, Dot.)

~Lisa
Dog Training With Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingWithLisa/

04/05/2024

The best way to choose fabric to reupholster your furniture. 😊

04/05/2024

DOG BIRTHDAY CAKE RECIPE!

Ingredients:

For the Cake:
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
For the Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating (Optional):
Dog treats
Shredded carrots

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour and baking soda.
In another bowl, mix together the peanut butter, vegetable oil, shredded carrots, vanilla extract, honey, and egg until well combined.
Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by beating together the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and place it on a serving plate or cake stand.
Frost the top and sides of the cake with the prepared frosting.
Decorate the cake with dog treats and shredded carrots as desired.
Serve slices of the cake to your furry friend on their special day.

Please Note:

~ Choose a peanut butter that doesn't contain Xylitol, also known as Birch Sugar, as it's poisonous to dogs. Carefully read the label on any peanut butter you buy.

~ If you have a dog who's a breed that's highly prone to pancreatitis, such as Miniature Schnauzers, don't use peanut butter, as it's too high in fat, and can cause a pancreatitis attack. You can substitute their canned food, if that's what they're eating, or a quality can of dog food that's low in fat, or sliced cooked chicken breast.

I hope your dog enjoys their cake, and has a wonderful birthday!

~ Lisa
Dog Training With Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingWithLisa/

30/04/2024

True! 😊

29/04/2024

Thank you to all the wonderful veterinarians in the world, and a special thank you to my dog's fantastic vet.

25/04/2024

CAN YOUR DOG EAT STRAWBERRIES? 🍓

It's strawberry season, and you may be wondering if your dog can share some of these delicious berries with you.

Yes, it's ok to offer your dog some strawberries. Dogs love the sweetness of them, and they have great health benefits, making them a wonderful treat.

Strawberries are considered a sort of "super fruit" because, although they're small, they contain lots of vitamins and many other beneficial compounds. Strawberries contain: Vitamin C, Vitamin B-1, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin K, Magnesium, Folic acid,
Potassium, Omega-3, etc...

Strawberries are high in water and fiber. The antioxidants in strawberries, including vitamin C, can support your dog's immune system, helping to keep them healthy. Strawberries may also help lessen inflammation, and guard against high cholesterol. Strawberries contain malic acid, which is an enzyme that increases saliva production and thus can improve your dog's dental health.

Strawberries can be a safe treat for dogs with diabetes, as they offer a range of nutrients and antioxidants that support blood sugar management, and have relatively minor effects on blood sugar when consumed in moderation.

The best, and safest way to give strawberries as a treat to your dog is to first remove the leaves and stems, and wash them thoroughly. Then cut them into small pieces to prevent your dog from choking and make them easier to digest.

Keep in mind that non-organic strawberries are pesticide-treated fruits. It's best to buy organic strawberries, or pick them fresh from your garden.

You should never feed your dog canned or processed strawberries, strawberry preserves or jam, or anything with artificial strawberry flavoring. These products can contain harmful or even deadly preservatives, food coloring, and artificial sweeteners, such as Xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.

It's possible for some dogs to be allergic to strawberries, so if your dog develops symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, itching, hives, and swelling, soon after eating strawberries, stop feeding them to your dog, and contact your veterinarian. The first time you give your dog a strawberry, start by only feeding a small amount to see how your dog tolerates it.

Very small dogs can have one strawberry a day, cut up into small pieces. Small dogs can have two strawberries a day. Medium sized dogs can have four strawberries a day. Large dogs can have six strawberries a day. Keep in mind that your dog's fruit intake should only be 5% of their daily food intake, and the rest should be a good quality dog food, home cooked food, or raw food.

If your dog has any medical issues, it's always best to check with their veterinarian before feeding any new kind of food, or treat.

Wishing you and your dog many happy moments sharing strawberries together. 🍓

~ Lisa
Dog Training With Lisa
https://www.facebook.com/DogTrainingWithLisa/

25/04/2024

Some recommendations from clients for "Dog Training With Lisa".

24/04/2024

Happy International Guide Dog Day!

Today marks the 96th anniversary of Seeing Eye co-founder Morris Frank meeting his and the world’s first Seeing Eye dog, Buddy.

How better to celebrate this great anniversary than by watching Morris and Buddy work as a team? Go to:
https://youtu.be/gwYHXNItSks?feature=shared

Second picture: A twenty-year-old Morris Frank wraps his arm around the first Seeing Eye dog, Buddy, a German Shepherd, in harness.

24/04/2024

Who can relate to this? 😊

22/04/2024

Happy Passover!
To all our clients and friends, who are celebrating Passover, we wish you peace, love, and happiness.