Animal Wellness Magazine.
Training is necessary, and the lessons you teach him should be practiced regularly. Here are the five best times of day to do it.
Finding the opportunity for training can be a challenge, but this article will help with useful tips on the five best times to work on your best friend’s training and obedience.
Training Time: First things first – the three “E”s
There are three things dogs want to do in the morning: eliminate, eat and explore (the three “E”s). Use this time to practice training by asking your dog to sit, lie down or stay before granting his desires. This category is related to “Best Time 3”, but is especially important so it has its own category.
Training Time 2: During the day “captures”
Capturing the behaviors your dog spontaneously performs is one of the easiest and quickest methods you can use to train him. Simply watch him, and whenever he does something you want, praise him and toss him a treat. Over time, he will start offering the behaviors more frequently. Then it’s simply a matter of weaning him off the treats.
The six “capture” behaviors we stress in our training classes are:
Sitting
Lying down
Going to bed
Picking up a toy
Walking by your side
“Checking in” (the most important — whenever your dog glances up at you before doing anything)
Remember to jackpot the “aha” moment when the dog finally “gets” what the game is. An example is when a guest walks in the door and your dog, without being asked, pauses, lies down and looks at you. Super praise and multiple treats should rain from the heavens! That’s a jackpot.
Training Time 3: During the day “cues”
You don’t want to have to carry treats around with you for the rest of your life. Thus it’s important to ask your dog to do one of the behaviors you’ve been capturing throughout the day and use “life rewards” instead. Life rewards are anything your dog wants that isn’t food:
Want to go outside? Sit first.
Want to chase the ball? Lie down first.
Want to get on my bed? Go to your bed first.
Want to sniff the fire hydrant? Walk ten steps by my side first.
Training Time 4: Immediately after an unwanted behavior
If your dog steals food off the table, runs out the door or jumps on you, it indicates one of two problems — the behavior has not been properly managed/prevented, or you haven’t taught the dog an appropriate substitute behavior. Prevention and management refer to the proper use of tethers, baby gates and exercise pens. Substitution simply entails teaching the dog what you’d like him to do instead.
The 60 seconds immediately following an unwanted behavior is the perfect time for training – it’s fresh in your mind and in your dog’s. Taking one minute to teach your dog to “leave it” when food is placed on the table, or to lie down and stay when the door opens, helps both of you become more aware. In short order, the new behavior becomes more reliable.
Training Time 5: The witching hours
Parents often call the hours between 4pm and 9pm the “witching hours” because they notice a real energy uptick in their children. In the canine world, it’s called the “crepuscular” time. Think of it as the time of day when Mother Nature is screaming in your dog’s ear: “Your ancestors were wolves! Go hunting!”
The trick is for you to harness your dog’s sudden burst of energy and use it as a training opportunity. Take your dog for walks or runs, play hide-and-seek or fetch, and teach him to hunt treats around the house or yard. All these are easier when your dog is already geared for action.
How do you turn the switch off when it’s time to settle down for the night? Just because you’re ready to stop doesn’t mean your dog is. The easiest way to teach a dog an “off switch” is to say something like “that’s it” or “all done” and have him run to his bed and lie down. Then get a long-lasing treat like a good quality bully stick or a treat-filled Kong. The dog’s chewing will actually help dissipate that last bit of energy.
Taking advantage of these ideal times for training will keep your dog sharp and well-behaved, and strengthen your bond of friendship.
Happy the shih tzu had to be completely shaved after he was discovered.
A Bournemouth vet has been struck off for the “chronic and prolonged neglect” of her two pet dogs.
Kerstin Vockert, 56, was director of Ark Aid Veterinary Centre and received a £620 fine for failing to meet animal welfare needs in May 2015.
RSPCA inspectors found cocker spaniel Millie and shih tzu Happy with matted fur “covered in urine and faeces”.
Now the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has said she should never return to practicing as a vet.
Inspectors visited Vockert’s home in Sopley, Hampshire, in September 2014 and found the dogs. When they returned the next day, Vockert had put Millie down.
Happy, who had to have an eye removed and is blind in his other eye, has since been rehomed.
‘Impaired clinical judgement’
In a report the RCVS said the coats of both dogs had been in “an appalling condition” for “a prolonged period of time”.
It said: “[Vockert made] a conscious decision not to groom the animals because she considered that they found the grooming process unpleasant.
“The committee considers that it was not only wrong but wholly misconceived.
“The committee is very concerned that, as a veterinary surgeon, she allowed her clinical judgement to be so impaired.”
The RCVS added there was “a potential risk to animal welfare” if Vockert was ever allowed to return to practicing.
Although it said it had taken into account her “long and unblemished career” prior to neglecting her two dogs.
Dog Walk along the River Allen and saw the Signets hitching a ride …
What a wonderful sight on the River. Max who I was walking stopped and watched them too!
Just to add I saw the Otter again.
Being a Dog Walker has so many special moments!
Suggested Dog Walk for a rainy day! Willett Arms to Broadstone, nr Wimborne, along the Castleman Trailway
Willett Arms
Starting from the car park at the Willett Arms Pub (on the road into Wimborne from Gravel Hill, Poole) you walk to Broadstone through Delph Woods and back to the pub via the Castleman Trailway (which is the old railway line).
Lots of natural shelter and the dogs will love it!
Dogs are safe off the lead but do look out for the occasional cyclist.
Depending upon the weather the previous few days the woods could be a bit muddy but the trailway will be fine.
It’s a flat walk with a few small inclines. The walk is about 2.5 miles.
Dog friendly bar area in the pub, where you can eat or just have a nice hot drink!
Enjoy your walk!
Our Summer Dog Show 2016 will be on Sunday 22nd May.
We are changing from a two day show to a one day show.
To be held at
Canford Magna Garden Centre,
Magna Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 3AP
There are major roadworks on the A338 from Ashley Heath roundabout to the Blackwater junction nr Christchurch and Bournemouth. Ferndown and Wimborne can also be busy.
Please allow extra time for your journey.
We wish you a safe journey and an enjoyable day at our show.
Visit their website http://cnfcs.webs.com/summer-open-show-2016.
Yes
Bananas – rich in potassium and vitamin C
Blueberries – high in antioxidants
Kiwis – good source of vitamin C and potassium
Pineapple – try frozen for a cool treat!
Strawberries – high in finer and antioxidants
Yes, but …
Apples – don’t let them eat the seeds
Lemons – he may not like the bitter taste
Oranges – they’re high in natural sugar so give in moderation
Peaches – remove the pit as it can cause internal blockage
Water Melon – remove the rind first
No
Avocados can cause vomiting
Cherries – can cause cyanide poisoning in large quantities
Grapes – can cause kidney failure
Raisins – can cause kidney failure
A police dog has died in a “tragic accident” after he was hit by a vehicle while chasing suspected criminals.
Four-year-old Rebus was struck by a police 4×4 while involved in a pursuit in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Colnwick, Nottingham, police said.
The German Shepherd-Belgian Shepherd cross was given emergency care at the scene but died of his injuries with his handler by his side.
Chief Inspector Andy Hall, of the East Midlands Operational Support Service (EMOpSS), said: “This incident is being fully and actively reviewed, and we await the findings.
“I take the view at this time, however, that it appears to have been a tragic accident.
“I would like to acknowledge and commend the care given to Rebus in his time of need.
“Not only did an officer provide CPR at the scene, a number of members of the public offered their assistance.
“A valued police dog and a loyal companion, Rebus certainly would have known he was loved.
“Our colleague is devastated and the officer who was driving the vehicle is understandably distressed.
“They are being supported by their team and they in turn are being supported by their associates.
“Rebus was not only a fine police dog, he was a member of our policing family.
“His impeccable service was acknowledged at a memorial today in which DCC Sue Fish laid a wreath in his honour.”
Rebus joined Nottinghamshire Police as a pup in July 2012, and in his four years of service he helped catch numerous suspects, police said.
Since the launch of EMOpSS in May last year he had attended 313 incidents.
Three teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of theft following the incident in which Rebus was killed.
The two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old remain in police custody for questioning.
Nature enthusiast Chris Packham will be officially announcing the start of our Great British Dog Walk in New Forest this weekend – and bringing along his pet poodles Itchy and Scratchy for the fun!
You can join us and him at the walk on the day, or book your tickets in advance here. >> www.greatbritishdogwalk.org/foxburycommon.php
Chris Packham, who lives in the New Forest said:
“I am very much looking forward to attending Hearing Dog’s Great British Dog Walk at Foxbury Common. As a poodle owner I wasn’t surprised to find out that Hearing Dogs use that breed for some of their dogs as they are very intelligent. I really look forward to meeting lots of local people and their dogs, and helping to raise funds for this life-changing charity.
“Events like this mean the charity can raise funds to help more deaf people so I am delighted to be part of the day! I hope as many people as possible can join us at Foxbury and that the weather is good to us.”
Find out more about the New Forest Great British Dog Walk
Join Hearing Dogs and Chris Packham at our Great British Dog Walk near Southampton this weekend.
GREATBRITISHDOGWALK.ORG
