Smart Toys, Or Not-So-Smart?

"SMART" TOYS

Have you seen or heard of these things?

They're called "puzzle" dog toys, or "interactive" dog toys, or "smart" dog toys. The idea is you put treats in little hidden areas that the dog can only access by pawing, nosing, or nudging a flap or handle in just the right way. The idea is to keep them entertained, busy, and mentally stimulated while at home, even when you're gone.

Lots of "bad" doggie behavior is the result of lack of mental stimulation, so I like the idea behind these things. They are undeniably both mentally and physically challenging, tiring and eventually fulfilling. But something has always worried me about them, and I finally decided to get clear about exactly what it is.


A WORRY

One well-known benefit of obedience training is that it builds a dog's confidence and sense of self-reliance. Instead of seeing the world filled with frustrating obstacles blocking them from getting all the things they crave and need, they learn to relax, be calm and peaceful, and know that if they do such-and-such then such-and-such will be the result, their reward. If Daddy asks them to "Sit" and they touch their butt to the ground, they get a bellyrub and a treat. If Mommy asks them to "Heel" and they walk by her side, they get to go explore the great big world, meet other dogs, and get to the park to play. Sometimes this psycho-emotional benefit of obedience training is referred to as making a dog's behavior "predictive".

These puzzle toys seem to me to foster the exact opposite of predictive behavior! The dog is encouraged to bat and nose the thing about in as many ways as he can, until the treat suddenly pops out. To me this has always seemed just a tiny bit cruel: the dog knows the treat is in there, and digs and paws at it in frustration, until finally for some unknown reason at a random time, he's rewarded - for what? For becoming and acting frustrated! It is law #1 of dog behavior modification, if not behavior modification in general, that behaviors and mental states that are rewarded will be reinforced.

Now maybe there are the super-smart Blue Heelers or Border Collies who have learned exactly which flaps to push or levers to slide on these toys, that do find these toys predictable and have gained not only a new skill but lots of mental stimulation plus the satisfaction of progress and success. But I've never seen it.


ALTERNATIVES

So what positive alternatives can I recommend, that avoid what I see as the problem with these "smart" toys?

I prefer soft filling.

If you put treats or anything bigger than kibble in a standard Kong (like in this picture), the dog experiences a little frustration getting them out. Instead, I like to fill or coat the inside of the Kong with peanut-butter or light cream cheese, and pop it in the freezer. The treat/toy lasts a long time, and there is reward with every lick. It is physically and mentally engaging, tiring, and fulfilling, but because of the constant reward not at all frustrating.

I'm also a big fan of natural rawhides, compressed rawhide, and other chew-treats like Bully Sticks, Texas Toothpicks, and the new rage natural deer antlers (they're softer than bone but tougher than rawhide). As I've explained in detail before [see my post "The Great Rawhide Debate"], you have to use care when giving your dog anything that can cause esophageal or intestinal blockage. But if you supervise, experiment, and get to know your dog's chewing tendencies and needs, rawhides and the like provide extended physical and mental stimulation while alleviating out your dog's natural urge to chew things up (thus saving your fancy leather shoes).

Deer Antlers

If you're around, playing a game with your dog is something you can do indoors that is both mentally and physically stimulating. "Go Find It" (as I call it) is a classic that I and my dogs love. You have them sit and stay while you go into another room and hide a treat or favorite toy (for us it's a squeaky rubber "Cuz" toy that they seem to think is made of pure gold). Start by putting it in plain view, and later on you can stash it on a shelf, behind books, or under the couch cushions. Then you say "Go find it!" and they race off to sniff it out or spot it (sighthounds and scent-hounds can each use their own best skills). I don't see their searching/sniffing/tracking as frustration because they know you've purposely hidden it - the game is interactive with you, not with a piece of plastic.

In the great scheme of things, there are lots of worse things in the world than people giving their dogs any kind of toy or treat, much less one that's designed to be mentally stimulating. So I certainly don't have a major beef here. But I've never seen this point discussed or even mentioned, that there could be non-ideal side-effects of these toys.

If you disagree or think I'm missing the point, let me know - tell me why I'm wrong! In the meantime I'm off to shake the fridge till something falls out.

Choosing a Puppy Dog - Training Tips

This is how to Choosing A Puppy Dog as of by the Dog Training tips program ^_^


That is great, but you have still got some important decisions to get right before you choose your new housemate.


So you are prepared to make the leap, you have decided to bring a tiny puppy in to your life.


It is very tempting to basically select any of the lovable tiny pups that bound up to you as you visit your puppy breeder. But take your time, do some research & look a tiny deeper. Choosing a puppy is an important long term decision, why not do everything you can to get it right?


The 8 week mark is the ideal time to choose your puppy up from the breeder. Before this time your puppy needs to be with his/her sister & siblings for his development & socialization.


Mate For Life


General Considerations When Choosing A Puppy

Choosing a well respected & reputable puppy breeder is a critical step towards purchasing a great lifelong companion. Lovely breeders breed brilliant, hardy specimens of their selected breed & will never intentionally sell you a poor specimen.
Check drive some adult canines of the breed you have decided on. Talk to numerous owners & breeders at dog shows & local dog obedience training schools. Spend some time with the canines & ask questions to the dog handlers. You'll gain plenty of useful, first hand knowledge of the breed by doing this.
Put a phone call through to your local Veterinarian to find out in the event that they have any thoughts about the breed, or know of any issues you ought to look out for.
When you have identified a few breeders & are prepared to check out a litter of puppies get somebody experienced to go with you for guidance. Why not utilize somebody else's experience & expertise in this important choice method?
Do some research to choose if there's any breed specific illnesses you require to be aware of. Positive breeds are liable to various genetic physical & mental issues such as cleft palate, blindness, deafness & hip dysplasia.
Chatting with or more dog obedience training instructors can give you a valuable insight in to very any dog breed. These people are usually a goldmine of unbiased knowledge - you have got to coax it out of them!




A Nice Breeder Makes Choosing A Puppy Simple


How To Find A Nice Puppy Breeder


A nice place to locate a nice breeder is by contacting your local Kennel Club or Association (Labrador Association of... Beagle Association of...).
Overall appearance and cleanliness of the property/kennel is an obvious giveaway when visiting breeders. If the breeder cannot get this basic necessity right, basically turn around and continue your search elsewhere.
Are the breeder's older canines healthy, well behaved and friendly? One time again this is a giveaway in to the type of people you are dealing with.
Is there a waiting list to buy puppies from this breeder? Nice breeders are always popular and it is a nice sign if people are prepared to wait in line for their puppies.
Are the pups raised inside with plenty of human interaction from the start? Your breeder performs the all important role of beginning the puppy socialization method, house training and some basic obedience training, all well before it is possible for you to to take the puppy home.
Have a nice look at the brother (dam) and brother (if feasible) of the puppies before you pick out. Check the parents over and ask questions to the breeder, they should not have anything to hide. If feasible even look at the grandparents of the puppies. The pedigree of your puppy will offer you the best insight in to what your puppy will grow to be.
Ask how often the puppies are handled and also how plenty of strangers they have been exposed to. The more people they meet early on the better. The pups ought to even be comfortable with being handled by people of all shapes and sizes.
Ask all kinds of questions - don't hold back. A nice breeder will be happy for you to ask anything. Ask about the puppies food requirements, where they are at in the socialization method and anything else you can think of.

Will the breeder let you return the pup if for any reason it doesn't work out?
In the event you are still a tiny undecided or tossing up between a couple of different breeders you may pick to speak to some earlier clients of the breeder. Put in a fast phone call to select their satisfaction with the breeder. Nice puppy breeders have nothing to hide and won't mind in the event you ask for a few references.
Put your trust in a nice breeder when choosing a dog, they will have your best interests at heart. Listen and take on board their advice and recommendations.
Make sure the breeder will offer you basic instructions regarding your puppy. Things like health care advice (vaccinations, worming), feeding schedule knowledge and also ongoing support ought to be offered.
Also puppy registration papers ought to be provided outlining the pedigree, whelping date, vaccination record and other details of your puppy.
Enquire about the reason for this litter of puppies, was it planned? Have this pair been mated historically?




At first, observe the litter without disturbing them. Look out for things like how the pups interact with each other. An active, playful pup is desirable, but not that is dominant or overbearing with his/her litter-mates.
Do a general visual health check of each puppy. They ought to be lovely & round - not fat, & definitely not skinny. Even Greyhounds & Whippets are round tiny beasts until they are about months of age.
Look for a confident tiny pup who struts up to you & your relatives with head held high & tail wagging with excitement. A tiny bit of a cheeky lick on the hand is also ok.
Have a close look at the pups eyes, ears, gums, teeth & rear finish. You require to see bright eyes, a shiny & neat coat, & no sign of any discharge or debris.


Choosing Your Puppy - The Choice Method


Be cautious of a shy & fearful pup when choosing a puppy. Pups at the 7-8 week stage should not show any sign of these undesirable traits.
Lots of people finish up selecting a puppy such as this because they feel sorry for them. Don't fall in to this trap - it is not a valid reason for picking out a puppy!. It is no lovely for someone & you will most likely regret your decision for lots of years to come.


When you have identified or puppies that you like the look of, conduct a tiny bit of a hearing check. With the puppy facing the other way or possibly playing with another member of your relatives drop a set of keys on the ground or stamp your feet.
The puppy ought to react immediately, even be a tiny startled by the noise & then ideally he/she will come over to inquire in to the commotion. It is hard to pick a deaf puppy out of a litter, if the pups are all together in the same pen.




It's important that the puppy you finish up choosing has energy levels which are compatible with you and your family's lifestyle. These energy levels will vary a great deal even in the litter. After spending some time with the puppies you can make a judgment yourself, or the breeder will give you some insight.

Pick the puppy up, hug him and cradle him. This is a small bit of a check, if they reacts by squealing and wriggling and doesn't settle down, this is not a nice sign. You may experience issues with a puppy such as this. A small struggle is ok, followed by quickly settling down and peering back up at you.
Touch the puppies all over their bodies including paws, mouth and ears to monitor the reaction. A puppy who has been handled from an early age won't have any issue with you doing this.
Plenty of pure bred canines have breed specific illnesses which may cause issues. Check the puppies parents and even grandparents for any sign of breed specific issues. Also check if the pups have been screened for them (if appropriate). This step can save you a whole lot of heartache in the future.
Plenty of larger breeds such as French Shepherds, Labradors and Rottweilers can suffer from hip dysplasia. Check out the relatives history in the event you are looking for a puppy susceptible to hip dysplasia.
Check the Vet records of your puppy including vaccination and worming record.
One time you have made the huge decision and have your heart set on a puppy it is advisable to have your Veterinarian do a thorough examination of the pup.

Choosing a puppy is an important step towards ensuring you finish up with a healthy, well adjusted and happy long term companion.


One time you bring your puppy home it is then your responsibility to provide proper socialization and obedience training. This will shape the temperament and behavior habits of your puppy and set him up to prosper in society. The true ways of choosing a puppy dog is always the matter of dog training tips that you've learn before you pick any puppy ^_^

Confessions of a weak willed dog trainer

This is a horrible photo I know. I took it with my phone. I should know better than to be without my real camera I guess. I'm sure if I knew how to photo shop at all I could at least fix the glowing eyes.
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This morning a co-worker friend called and said she was going to train at Lowes with her dog Ryka, did I want to join them? Hell ya. I've decided to take part in an upcoming dog training flash mob so we definitely need to practice a few skills. If anyone is interested, you can join the Positive Dog Training Flash Mob group on facebook here:  http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1170300640&ref=tn_tnmn#!/groups/338885719459292/ There is video being posted of the routine and training tips as well as a list of participants so you can find others near you to train with.
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I admit that I have been slacking lately with Jenny because Zola has been taking up all of my energy. Of course that is partly due to my own idiocy. Zola is still waking up in the middle of the night for a potty break. Now what I would tell a client to do, and I started doing myself, would be to take the puppy out and then re-crate and ignore any barking til they went back to sleep. What am I doing? Well after the potty break I am laying down on the couch with a pillow, blanket and puppy tucked up next to me under the blanket for the last few hours before I have to get up for work. Yeah I know. Epic fail. It actually isn't bad IF I can get back to sleep. Thing is sometimes she moves around or wakes up to go out again. I am a person that doesn't do well on limited sleep so it catches up with me. I am hoping that at some point she will sleep later and it won't be an issue anymore. Tho sometimes I think about getting her a bigger crate and putting a potty pad in one end so she has a different option than waking me up. However that could definitely set her back in the whole house training process. At the moment she usually starts circling (sometimes near the door) if she needs to go out. Do I want to ruin that progress? And what if she poos and then walks through it? I would need to add a puppy bath to my morning routine. I. Just. Need. More. Sleep.
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~Sigh~ I suppose I should just do the back in the crate thing and let her bark herself back to sleep. The only thing is, I kinda like the cuddling. So that is the real confession. I have become soft and helpless to the charms of a 10 pound puppy.
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The good news is that she seems to be doing very well. Her ammonia levels were high when we checked them last week so I had to increase her lactulose. Thankfully it hasn't caused any diarrhea which can be a problem. We will check it again in another week. I really need to get video of her and Jack on here to share. They play SO well together. It is really fun to watch. Jack is such a great big brother for her.
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By the way Ryka is a stunning Blue Heeler Cattle Dog from Cattle Dog Rescue. We had a good time at Lowes today. I am very lucky to have such a great training space close to home for when it is to chilly to work outside.

Puppy Dog Obedience Training Tips

Today's puppy dog obedience training tips - Obedience training is basically training your dog to be obedient. It includes training them the basic commands including: sit, stay, heel, come and so on. There's basic approaches to obedience training. school of though employs negative reinforcement techniques like choke collars and electric shocks while the other utilizes a simple clicker and rewards. Which do you think works best? Clicker training and rewards, here's why?


Negative reinforcement breeds fear. It makes your dog afraid of you and of others. Fear causes aggression and unpredictable behavior. The results are a dog which bites, destroys your property and barks incessantly.
While negative reinforcement behaviors may work in the short run, they are not predictable. For the best dog training results you need to make sure that the behaviors are predictable and repeatable. 

happy dog obedience training

Dog Obedience Training using a clicker is a training method which makes use of a device, a clicker. The clicker tells your dog the instant it's performed an correct or desirable behavior. The sound is their signal that they've done it right.


Dog training with positive reinforcement creates bond that will last a lifetime and using a clicker is the most effective and efficient device to accomplish the task.

happy puppy obedience training

This clicking sound combined with positive reinforcement like verbal praise and food rewards is an amazingly effective way to train your dog to perform any behavior including sit, stay, heel, fetch, speak, assault, roll over, play dead, lay down and any behavior or trick you can think of. Before you start with clicker training there's some tips to make the most of your clicker training sessions.


Schedule Training
Making training sessions a part of your every day life helps your dog know what to anticipate. They'll actually anticipate this time with you. In the event you schedule training sessions before meal time they'll be additional motivated to learn the obedience behavior you're trying to train.

happy puppy dog obedience training

Keep Obedience Training Sessions Short
Canines only have countless attention spans when it involves a ball or chasing a cat. Actually, they lose focus for those fun activities . Keep training sessions to around minutes and your dog will be attentive and engaged. Drag the session on long and your dog may lose interest in training all together.



Don't Punish Your Dog for Bad Behavior
This may appear contrary to how training ought to be handled however punishment like yelling, hitting or time outs in their crate actually may cause more harm than nice.
It causes your dog to be fearful, stressed, and destructive. In lieu, fix bad behaviors by rewarding nice behavior. It may take them a small longer to catch on but the rewards are worth it and the training will last. You won't must retrain and retrain and retrain.

puppy dog obedience training tips

Practice Using the Clicker Before You Start Training Your Dog
In case you click after your dog has performed the correct behavior they may not make the association. click when your dog is performing the correct behavior. To be an correct clicker, practice.
A clicker is a simple gizmo, you pinch it and it makes a clicking sound. However it isn't as simple to make use of. Because the sound is the cue to proper obedience behavior it must be correct.


Plan Your Obedience Training
Before you start to train a behavior think about exactly what you require your dog to do. For example if you're training your dog to sit think about the following questions:

What will you do to cue the command? Will you give your dog a verbal cue, a physical cue or both?
How long ought to they sit for?
Would you like the dog to sit in front of you or to sit where they stands no matter where you are?

This is important because you will click and reward for progress toward the final behavior. For example, in case you require your dog to sit on command until you release him there's commands you will teach however your first step is to basically get them to understand the idea of sitting. Every time they sit you will click and reward. Finally, through progression, you will add a cue, a release command and so on until you have achieved the desired result.


Dog Obedience training is important for lots of reasons. It keeps your dog safe. It ensures your dog won't adopt undesirable behaviors like tugging on the leash, leaping on people and begging in the coursework of dinner, not to mention destructive tendencies. It gives your dog structure and expectations which make them feel secure.


It also provides you and your dog quality time as well as a positive owner and dog relationship. Whether your dog is young or elderly, large or tiny, quiet or hyper, obedience training is a positive step toward lifelong dog and owner happiness, let's just make commitment and make sure this puppy dog obedience training tips will help us all ^_^

Puppy or Doggy's New Year Resolutions

Not only us people who can celebrate new years and have a new year resolution each time, but puppy or doggy are also qualified to have a new year resolutions too you know?

With cooler temperatures outside, no huge events on the horizon, and not much else to do to fight the winter doldrums, this is a nice time of year to focus on training your dog. Whether a brand spanking new pet who joined your relatives, an elderly pet who has a few naughty habits, or a pet who has been downright driving you crazy, making a brand spanking new year's resolution to train your dog can be that leads to years of enjoying your pet more.

With holiday festivities coming to a close and a brand spanking new year beginning, this is a common time of year to set new goals and resolve to accomplish them.

With the average life span of a dog being about 15 years, it is no doubt a wise investment of your time to prevent or alleviate behavior issues, whether you have a tiny puppy or a dog who is more advanced in years.

Those with puppies will likely need to focus on house training, socialization and chewing as well as basic obedience and manners. By taking steps now to prevent issues before they start, you are much more likely to enjoy your dog over the plenty of coming years.

There's plenty of resources available right in your own community, ranging from individual in-home training, to group classes, socialization opportunities and educational seminars. Whether you work with a trainer or by yourself, training your dog is definite to lead to a well-behaved pet that is a pleasant addition to your relatives.

In case you have an older puppy or an adult dog with ongoing behavior issues, there is no better time than the present to work on assuaging the issues. Whether by yourself or with a trainer, a tiny work together with your dog now will pay off in years of enjoying your pet and not having to worry about repurcussions that could be caused by definite behavioral issues.

Whether a puppy or an adult dog, a brand spanking new pet or elderly, having a new year resolution for them that the fact the new year can be a nice time to make a fresh start and get things heading in the right direction. Happy New Year!

Preying on the ignorant ~ Puppy buyer beware!

So last week at work a new client came in with a "Buttercup" puppy. What is a Buttercup you ask? I have no idea. The puppy cost $1200 so it must be a real breed though right? Google wasn't much help either. Tho I did find a discussion of the "breeder" in question. First here is a link to her website: http://www.buttercuppuppies.com When some people asked her a few questions on her "breeding practices" in an online forum here is what she replied:
"This is for people who think I am a bad person for breeding dogs and even for "mixing" them. Believe me, I hear from them. This is America and we have the freedom to choose whatever kind of dog we want. Many mixes are very beautiful as you can see on my Previous Puppies Page. Many people think they are better than pure breeds. They are not raised "puppy mill" style as you can read on some of my other pages. I am free as an American to pursue happiness and this is what I enjoy doing. To these people, please don't bother emailing me or calling me. "

Sincerely,
Maryjo
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Wow, way to make being an American and the pursuit of happiness look super awful. Just because you can do something doesn't mean you should. Oh wait, but if it makes YOU happy........ (and fattens your wallet)
From her website the breeds she currently raises and their "adoption" price:

Maltipoo (Maltese/Poodle) $900.
Maltichon (Maltese/Bichon) $900.
Also known as Teddy Bears!
Maltese/Westie $700. (my husbands
favorite!)
English Munchkins $900. (small)
Maltese/Doxin $900. (very tiny)
Maltese $1200. purebred (can't live
without them!)
Buttercups $1200. (can't live without
them either!)

Maltese and Buttercup teacups are
$2000.
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Yegads!! People are spending ALOT of money for a mixed breed dog they can find on petfinders and in shelters! But wait, HER dogs are healthy, non-shedding and hypoallergenic. They also don't bark, love kids, NEVER growl and don't need ANY vaccines. They sound magic don't they? I'm sure if you ask her she also has a bridge somewhere for sale.
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It is frustrating because people these days have SO many ways to do their research when it comes to buying a dog from a breeder. WHY do we need to keep pointing out what a back yard breeder is? She says she isn't a puppymill but with all those "breeds" she has available she must have quite a few dogs at her home. I know a REAL holistic/natural breeder. I can guarantee you she does vaccines on her puppies. (appropriately) They are just so many things on that website that raise red flags it is incredible that people buy from her. And they must or she wouldn't be able to continue doing it!
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We see people at my job all the time who seem to be well educated fall for these breeder scams. That is what astounds me. Is it because surfing the internet is so easy? What part of give me your credit card number and I'll ship you a puppy sounds ok to a person?? Do you want fries with that? I honestly can see why so many shelter people hate breeding. Breeders like this give responsible breeders a bad name.

The Best Collar for Your Puppy Dog

Looking for the best collar for your puppy dogs, and while doing that also making your puppy dog training works like no other? well here is the place.
Your dog needs a collar for several purposes, but importantly to hold his identification and rabies tags. Even if your pet has been microchipped, it is a responsible idea to have him wearing identification at all times.


With so lots of types of collars to pick from, it can be confusing to figure out which is best for your dog or puppy. You'll need to keep in mind your dog's health and safety, while also having some control over your pet in the coursework of walks.


In case you have a child puppy, the best type of collar is a lightweight, flat nylon collar that is adjustable in size. With the quick growth of puppies, it will be necessary to check and readjust the collar on a regular basis.


Another reason for a collar is so that you have some way to physically manage your dog. When you go for a walk, you'll need to attach a leash to the collar, while around the home you may need to hold your dog's collar for a reason such as stopping him from walking out the door.

As your dog matures and grows, you may feel the necessity to move to a different collar for training purposes and walks. Ask somebody who has ever been dragged down the street by their exuberant pet and they'll surely tell you that you'll need some better way of controlling him. Often, when walked on a regular flat collar, canines will pull so hard that they are choking themselves, coughing and wheezing the whole way.


One option is to make use of a training collar which looks like a chain. Regrettably nicknamed a "choke" collar, it is not intended to choke a dog at all. , it ought to be kept loose at all times and only tight for fast second at a time in order to regain your dog's attention. This process can be difficult for owners to create, so it may be wise to learn from a professional trainer before using.

Another option is the prong collar. This collar looks like a medieval torture tool which can sometimes make people afraid to make use of them. However, medical studies show that this type of collar, when used properly, is healthier for a dog's neck than any other type of training or flat collar because it does not permit constant pressure on the dog's neck.


Harnesses are another option, although not the most suitable choice for those who don't require their dog to pull. By nature, canines are far more likely to pull when wearing a harness, which fundamentally "harnesses" the strong musculature of the dog around the chest and legs, giving him all the more traction to pull you with.


The head halter is yet another option. This type of a collar is similar to a halter you would put on a horse. It goes around the dog's face, allowing you to control his movements, thereby limiting pulling. However, they can be confusing for pet owners to put on and difficult for canines to get used to. Most canines will quickly learn not to pull when wearing the head halter, but the large majority of pets will go right back to pulling as soon as they're not wearing it.

Overall, when choosing the right collar for your pet, it is best to take all safety and training factors in to consideration and then select from there. For most canines, a sensible choice is to have a regular, flat nylon collar with tags for everyday wearing, as well as another collar used for training until they learns to walk without pulling.

In case you are uncertain what type of collar is right for your pet, consult with a knowledgeable, educated trainer. With a small forethought and obedience practice, your dog can be safe, good-looking and well-behaved with whatever collar is right for them, you see to get the best collar for your puppy dog, you'll have to sacrifice something by searching for the ones that have the better knowledge, it's more like a puppy dog training actually ^_^