Doggy Stuff

Top tips for dogs

Managing your environment

you can only realisticly correct a dog within 2 seconds of an innapropriate behavior for the correction to make sense in the dogs mind. When at home, keep your dog either crated or in the room with you so that his behavior can be monitored at all times. Keeping a short training leash on the dog when indoors can prevent games of chase over slippers etc.

Exercise

your dog needs both physical and mental stimulation, make sure you do both!

All dogs need a daily walk of at least 45 minutes as part of their routine. Ensure your dog gets aerobic exercise to get his heart rate going and release some pent up energy (ball games are great for this!)

Tug off war (providing it is played with clear rules) is brilliant for releasing energy and providing mental stimulation. Remember however that the tug belongs to vou!

Throwing a handfull of treats out in the garden and releasing the dog to 'find it' will allow your dog to have fun utlising his fabulous sense of smell! this can be played indoors as well.

5 minutes of obedience training a day will improve the bond between you and youor dog whilst providing vital mental stimulation for your dog.

Leadership

Dogs are essentialy pack animals in fantastic new outfits and for this reason respond well to leadership. In the absence of a clear leader, the dog will almost certainly attempt to fill this space automatically.

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Being a pack leader does not require physical force, you can elevate yourself to leader by controlling activities, resources, movement and basic needs of your dog. Following a 'nothing in life is free' policy, asking for basic obedience in return for freedom, food, water etc works extremely well.

Rather than using physical punishment, ignore the behaviors you disslike and concentrate on the timing and consitency of you rewarding the calm behaviors you desire.

Toys are easily the best way to reinforce desired behaviors.

Nutrition

A small amount of garlic in your dogs diet will act as an effective natural antibiotic

A small amount of olive oil in your dogs food will keep a gleaming coat.

Choose a food that uses chicken or lamb meal rather than chicken or lamb by products

Socialize your dog - Dogs are social animals and benefit from contact with other dogs.

IMPORTANT: If in doubt, get in touch!