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Getting ready for some fun in the sun this summer?
Stay safe with these tips:
Road Trip:
Taking
a trip this summer?
Buckle up yourself and your dog.
Even a minor accident at 25 miles per hour can throw your dog
into the front seat, risking injury to both of you. A doggie seat
belt is inexpensive and a great way to teach your dog learn to relax
and not bounce around in the car.
A small dog riding in your lap or a best buddy riding shotgun
will likely not survive if your airbag goes off.
Your dog will be happier and more relaxed in the back seat so
you can both enjoy the ride.
Exercise:
You
may think your dog can run all day, but think again.
Dogs cannot sweat to cool off like we do; they can only
dissipate heat by panting and through the pads in their feet.
Keep your pup in the shade and apply cool water to his tummy
and neck if he appears overheated.
Signs include rapid panting with tongue way out, red lips and
tongue, and a reluctance to walk or run further with you.
By the time your dog shows these signs, he is already in the
danger zone. Bear in mind your dog’s breed and body type.
A short-legged dog does not want to jog 2 miles with you.
Remember, your dog’s loyalty and strong desire to be with you will
override his sense of self-preservation and he will literally go
until he drops.
Water
Sports:
Is your dog a
water baby? For maximum
swimming enjoyment, fit your dog with a life jacket just for him.
Even breeds that are traditionally good swimmers can become
dangerously fatigued. Many dogs have drowned unsupervised in
backyard pools. A life jacket is great to teach a dog that swimming
can be a joy. His level of
confidence rises as he feels the lift of the jacket and he can relax
and enjoy being with you in the pool.
At the beach, beware of your dog swimming off to investigate
something like a bird or a boat, as he can get turned around and
panic, not seeing the shore. Got a boat?
Your dog would love to accompany you, just make sure he is
secured when you are cruising, preferably by a helper, not tied. A
life jacket is a simple solution and is a must for a well-dressed
pup on the beach and in the boat. Watch his eyes light up when you
put it on him!
The Down command
Would you like your dog to lie down at your feet while you watch TV?
Sit in a chair with your dog on the floor in front of you. Make
sure he is wearing his leash. Hold his leash in one hand, and a
favorite toy or treat in the other. Ask him to Sit, then say “Down”
only once, then move the toy or treat slowly down past his nose to
the floor between his front legs. Slip your foot over the leash,
leaving a little slack but so the dog cannot just walk away. Keep
the treat covered up in your fingers until his elbows touch and he
is down. This could take a couple of minutes, so be patient. Keep
the toy or treat down between his front legs until he decides to lie
down. When he does, praise him and open your fingers to give the
reward. At the same time, take your foot off the leash and allow
him to stand up if he wants. To be successful at this, try it when
your dog is in a mellow mood, not when he wants to play.
Jumping up
Does your dog leap on you gleefully when you come home,
putting paw prints on all
your clothes?
When
your dog jumps on you, teaching her to “Back up” will discourage
this behavior, because she won’t be able to balance on you with her
front paws. As she jumps up on you, immediately say “Back up” and
walk two steps directly into her. She will step out of your way. By
jumping on you, she is violating your personal space, and by walking
into her, you are re-claiming that space.
Jumping on your guests
Does
your dog greet people coming into your home like a cruise missile?
Jumping up
on other people can be alleviated by re-directing your dog to
another command. Re-directing means that you are changing the dog’s
mind about jumping up and giving him another, more satisfying
activity. The Come command is most effective for this. Hold the
leash, but allow your dog to greet another person without
restraining him. When he begins to jump up, say “Come” and back up
with a treat in your hand to coax him toward you. Praise him as he
turns from the person and comes to get his treat instead. Allow him
to immediately go back to greeting the person, and interrupt the
jumping up again with the Come command. With practice,
your dog will learn to greet briefly, then come back to you.
The
“Wait” Command
Does
your dog pull you down the street like an Iditerod champion?
You
can use the “Wait” command, where your dog will be required to stop
her forward movement and put slack in the leash until you say “OK”.
When she pulls too hard, stop and say, “Wait”. As she stops with
you, reach forward just a few inches to put slack in the leash. If
she still wants to forge ahead, say “Nope” and start over with
“Wait”. Offer slack again. Encourage her to turn toward you. When
she does, say, “OK” and proceed. Practice “Wait” at least 3 times
on each walk, sprinkling in a Sit or Watch command occasionally, and
your dog will start to interact more with you on your walks.
The “Watch” command
Does your dog have a short attention
span, or seems like she just won’t listen?
This command
is designed to get the dog’s attention onto you.
Your dog will learn that looking at you, and paying attention to you
makes good things happen for her.
Hold a tasty
treat or favorite toy in one hand, and the leash in the other. Say
“Watch” in an animated tone and bring the treat or toy up to your
face, pointing to your nose. If she looks away, make a funny noise,
like a kissing or clucking sound to get her to look again. The
instant she looks at you, praise her and give her the treat or toy
with the same hand that brought it up to your face. Timing has to
be good: Praise as soon as she looks.
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