3 Keys to Successfully Training your Dog

It can be daunting when you first start to look into dog training. There are countless blog posts, articles, TV shows, and YouTube videos to help assist you. All of which seem to have different philosophies and techniques. How do you know where to begin?

I always tell my clients, if there is one thing you take away from our time together it is to remember the 3 keys of dog training. Consistency, Clarity, and Patience.

Consistency: Being consistent is when you repeat an action or process the same way over time.  This consistency builds a pattern for your dog, and dogs are excellent at picking up on patterns. If your dog can count on you every day before their meals to ask them to demonstrate the cues and behaviors they have been taught; those cues and behaviors get easier and more second nature for your dog.  Just like any athlete that wants to compete in a sport, the more they practice the mechanics of that sport the easier and more advanced they will become.

Clarity: We can often take for granted that our dogs understand us so well when they don’t have to ability to speak. It's important to remember that your dog is an animal, living in a human world. Animals can’t communicate the way humans do. Animals rely heavily on body language, tone of voice, and training to understand what humans are trying to communicate. It's important to look at what you are asking of your dog and examine if you are communicating with them clearly. Not just your words but your body language and tone of voice as well. If you are asking your dog to walk calmly beside you in a straight line moving forward, but your head and shoulders are turned to one side (usually looking at your dog or trying to maneuver the leash) that can be a confusing situation for your dog. Your body is telling them to focus in one direction while your words are saying another. This is just an example of how we need to be more aware of the clarity not only in our words but also in our tone of voice and body language. This will help us be clearer in communicating with our dog.

Patience: Training your dog is not a straight linear line towards progress. There will be ebbs and flows during your journey in training your dog. Just like humans, dogs have bad days too. It's important to not get discouraged during these days when you feel your dog is not listening. Remember to have realistic goals and expectations for your dog as well as for yourself during the training process.

By doing these 3 things when training your dog, you will be setting them up for success!

Emergency Preparedness for You and Your Pet

Did you know June is National Pet Preparedness Month! And living in California: where the ground shakes, and the hills burst into flames—it's the perfect time to get serious (but not too serious) about making sure you and your furry friend are ready to skedaddle at a moment's notice. So, here are my top tips to make sure you're not caught off guard.

#1 Pet Safety Stickers: Slap a sticker on your window to let first responders know there are pets inside. If you’re stuck at work while disaster strikes, you’ll want the heroes to save Fluffy and Fido. You can score a free sticker from the ASPCA at https://secure.aspca.org/take-action/order-your-pet-safety-pack. It’s like a “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” situation, but with pets.

#2 Trusty Neighbor or Pet Sitter: Give a spare key to someone you trust and your pets know. This way, if you’re stuck in traffic or having an existential crisis far from home, your pets can still be rescued. It’s like having a backup plan for your backup plan.

#3 Safety Kit for Your Pet: When you’re putting together your emergency kit, don’t forget the doggo or kitty. Keep everything in a waterproof container because, you know, disasters don’t care about your organizational skills. Here’s what to include:

• Extra pet food (and swap it out every two months unless your pet is on an intermittent fasting kick).

• Portable water and food bowls (because pets aren’t great at drinking from cupped hands).

• Extra leashes, collars, or harnesses (because losing a leash is like losing a sock—it just happens).

• Water bottles (again, swap them out every two months).

• A copy of your pet’s veterinary records (in case they need to prove their age for pet discounts).

• Portable pet carrier for smaller pets (or a miniature chariot, whatever suits your style).

• Blankets (because who doesn’t love a cozy blanket?).

• Disposable garbage bags (for cleaning up after your pet, or for impromptu fashion shows).

• Disposable litter trays (for cats who refuse to go au naturel).

#4 Pet First Aid Kit: Adding a pet first aid kit to your emergency stash is a smart move. Include:

• hydrogen peroxide (for those curious noses that get into trouble),

• gauze,

• non-stick bandages

• cotton balls

• Benadryl gel caps (for allergic reactions)

• antibiotic ointment spray (for minor wounds)

• milk of magnesia (for toxic ingestion)

• tweezers, scissors

• a soft muzzle (because even the sweetest pet can panic)

• a small towel (perfect for wrapping, drying, or making your pet look like a superhero).

#5 Update Microchips and ID Collars: Make sure your pet’s microchip info and ID collar are up to date. If you get separated, you’ll have a better chance of being reunited. Also, keep recent pictures of your pets handy, because, believe it or not, “I’m missing a black-and-white cat” describes about half the cats out there.

So there you have it! These tips should help you and your pet be ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Let’s hope you never have to use them, but it’s always better to be prepared. And remember, in the face of disaster, keep calm, stay safe, and don’t forget the treats.

If an unleashed dog or coyote approached your dog, would you know what to do?

Have you ever been on a walk with Sparky, when suddenly there is a bark or a growl that isn’t Sparky? Before you know it, the two of you are about to cross paths with a medium sized dog you’ve never seen before who is bounding at you with a ton of energy. 

In my 13 years of experience, I have encountered stray and loose dogs, and even coyotes approaching me and the animal(s) I am walking. For those who have not had this experience, it can be both unnerving and scary! You're instinct may be to run away, or to try and confront the animal. But what is really the best thing to do? You don’t know if the other animal is aggressive, and if it’s a coyote, that chance is high. Living in California, I felt it was imperative to share with you some tips that have worked for me when put in these situations.

1.     Try and remain calm: Often, our first reaction is to tense up and become anxious. However, the animal you are walking will sense that and will more likely become anxious as well. This can increase stress for the animal (and you!) and your animal can become harder to control. The best way to stay calm is to take a deep breath or two and know that you are prepared for what may happen next…

2.      Don’t run: Many animals, especially pets, will take that as a clue to play (or attack) and start chasing you. Instead, avoid sudden fast or large movements and back away slowly from the oncoming animal so as not to alarm it.

3.      Step in between your pet and the approaching animal: You can square your hips and shoulders toward the oncoming animal and place your body between the two. This body language reinforces your self as a dominant figure.

4. Make loud noises: Or give out commands such as,  “No!” “Sit!” or  ‘Stay." A loose dog may recognize those commands and stop from approaching you.

5.     Carry SprayShield, and use it if necessary: SprayShield is a pet deterrent spray.  The active ingredient (citronella) is a natural essential oil that has been used in human, animal, and environmental applications for thousands of years. Although it can cause discomfort in certain individuals with allergies to citronella, it is considered safe for the vast majority of people and animals.

6.      Get your animal to safety as fast as possible: This is if you have encountered an extremely aggressive dog or coyote.  If you have a smaller dog, pick them up and try to find a safe place to put them (the bed of a nearby truck, behind the fence of a neighbors yard) If you have a big dog sometimes it is best to let go of the leash to have them try to run to safety.

7.      Protect yourself: Once you know your animal is safe, protect your throat and neck area. You can use your arm to be a shield to protect those vital areas of your body.

For all intents and purposes, the information here does not serve as any guarantee. These are just some tips that have worked for me over the years. I strongly encourage you to do your own research on these concerns, so you can also be prepared for the unexpected! Let me know in the comments what has worked for you! 

Edited by Tara Rico

Benefits to In-Home Pet Sitting

Living in Southern California, I have many friends and acquaintances I’ve crossed paths with who say they would love to rescue a dog or a cat but don’t have the time to care for it. Well, I agree; if you don’t have the time to tend to a pet, it is better to wait to take one on. However, I also believe there are too many animals today in shelters, in negligent situations, or on the streets. I would often wonder, how could I help? By making pet-care easier for the animal and the owner, I believe we can help mitigate some of these issues, and make the world a little bit better.

As a pet sitter, I am often asked, “What are the advantages of in-home pet sitting?” In my experience, animals are most comfortable in their own environment where they are around familiar sights, smells, and sounds. They can sleep in their own bed, and walk around their own neighborhood. All of these factors help eliminate the stress your animals can feel when you are away. Doggie Dreamz is designed to maintain our clients’ schedule as much as possible while caring for their needs. Animals are most comfortable with routine, and maintaining that routine gives them a sense of ease and comfort.

If you have an animal with anxiety issues or who is not socialized with other animals, in-home pet sitting is ideal for someone like you. Your pet sitter is only focused on your animal and can give him or her the undivided attention and care they need. In-home pet sitting is also ideal if you have an older animal or animal with special needs. Often times, the sleeping quarters at boarding facilities are small and do not accommodate for special animal-mobility and other needs. Additionally, kennels and boarding facilities sometimes carry diseases such as Canine distemper, Canine influenza, kennel cough and heartworms. (AVMA.ORG).  Without the stress of a foreign environment at a facility or in someone else’s home, you are less likely to experience your animal running away, getting into a dangerous situations, or just being lonely and upset when you are gone. Even a walk a day from a pet-sitter can help alleviate behavioral issues with your animal. These are some the reasons why I believe in and only offer In-home pet sitting through my company.

 As an animal-lover and dog-enthusiast, it is my passion to help pet-owners provide compassionate and quality care. A dog or a cat in a home is an animal off the streets, out of a shelter, and in a loving environment. So, helping people manage that responsibility is my mission! In wanting to help others care for our animal community, I have cultivated a company that operates with compassion at it’s heart and with your pet’s best interest in mind. In addition to utilizing the most comfortable environments for your pets, I ensure each of our pet-sitters are trained in CPR and first aid for animals. Also, all of our pet sitters are insured and bonded. Finally, I personally interview and hire each of our pet-care representatives, making every effort to ensure our pet-sitters are passionate and professional when it comes to our business. 

Now, not all pet sitters are the same. That is why it is very important to choose the right pet sitter for your animal and you. I’m excited to discuss this more in our next blog post, and how you can find the right pet sitter for you. If this was helpful, leave a like or a comment below!

Mia Enos

Chief Canine Officer of Doggie Dreamz