Monday, December 28, 2009
Heat for cold days
According to Weather.com I have a temperature of minus 4 to contend with in a moment!
Now I might be horrified at the thought of leaving the sofa, and wishing for more layers if I really have to, but the dogs don't care. Yes it's cold but there is walking to be done and they want to be out there taking part!
So imagine how impressed I was when I found there are such things as heated gloves you can buy!
I know Christmas has come and gone, but buy a pair of these for a long suffering dog walker and you'll be their friend for life! Promise! You can even buy battery powered heated gloves!
Heated Gloves Link
Now I might be horrified at the thought of leaving the sofa, and wishing for more layers if I really have to, but the dogs don't care. Yes it's cold but there is walking to be done and they want to be out there taking part!
So imagine how impressed I was when I found there are such things as heated gloves you can buy!
I know Christmas has come and gone, but buy a pair of these for a long suffering dog walker and you'll be their friend for life! Promise! You can even buy battery powered heated gloves!
Heated Gloves Link
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Separation anxiety...
There is no quick fix for this. You need to work with your dog in short sharp bursts. For example: if he howls when he's left home alone, start by putting your coat on and taking it off again seconds later until he's no longer anxious about it. Then pick up your bag and keys too. Then when he's used to that, go to the front door. Progress to opening and closing the door... and so on. Practice the routine you'd normally follow before leaving the house, adding each step until your dog is accepting each step in a calm manner. You might need a week of taking your coat on and off before he's calm and you can go on to picking up keys as well. That's fine, have some patience! Never go back to him or take that coat off whilst he's noisy. Always wait until there's a break in the noise before you go in. It may take time, but soon enough he'll be quiet as he'll be trying to hear your return ;-)
Improving your training success rate:
1)Reduce the fuss.
Never play or pet an anxious dog right before leaving the house. In fact, ignore him for a good 10 minutes before you leave. Go through your leaving routine calmly, with as little fuss towards the dog as possible.
Make no big deal of coming home, either. Ignore your dog until both you and him are calm and ready to welcome each other.
2)Regular exercise works wonders for reducing anxiety.
A tired dog is less likely to have the energy for fretting and/or destructive behaviour. Do your very best to walk every day with your dog, especially before leaving him.
3)Consider trying leaving a radio on for company.
4)Toys (Kongs!) may provide distraction. At the very least you might get lucky and have him distroy his own stuff rather than yours!
5)Ignore attention seeking behaviour when your are home together. Barking and jumping up should ALWAYS be ignored. Affection should be on your terms and in your time, not your dogs.
6)Keep training up to date. Work on the basic training commands often and if your dog is interested, play scenting games or teach little tricks. A mind that is worked is a tired mind, and once again, likely to be a content one and more likely to sleep.
7)Consider crate training. When a dog is crate trained correctly and kindly he'll love his own private space!
Improving your training success rate:
1)Reduce the fuss.
Never play or pet an anxious dog right before leaving the house. In fact, ignore him for a good 10 minutes before you leave. Go through your leaving routine calmly, with as little fuss towards the dog as possible.
Make no big deal of coming home, either. Ignore your dog until both you and him are calm and ready to welcome each other.
2)Regular exercise works wonders for reducing anxiety.
A tired dog is less likely to have the energy for fretting and/or destructive behaviour. Do your very best to walk every day with your dog, especially before leaving him.
3)Consider trying leaving a radio on for company.
4)Toys (Kongs!) may provide distraction. At the very least you might get lucky and have him distroy his own stuff rather than yours!
5)Ignore attention seeking behaviour when your are home together. Barking and jumping up should ALWAYS be ignored. Affection should be on your terms and in your time, not your dogs.
6)Keep training up to date. Work on the basic training commands often and if your dog is interested, play scenting games or teach little tricks. A mind that is worked is a tired mind, and once again, likely to be a content one and more likely to sleep.
7)Consider crate training. When a dog is crate trained correctly and kindly he'll love his own private space!
