All posts by supergoldens@gmail.com

Easy, Natural Homemade Dog Shampoo

Whether you prefer natural products for your dog, are a regular DIY’er, or just want to save some money, making your own dog shampoo is one way to accomplish all three. The ingredients may already be in your pantry, and if not, they’re easy to find in stores. They’re as basic as baking soda, vinegar, and ordinary dish soap. One thing you don’t want to use is shampoo made for humans. The pH level of our skin is different from that of dogs: ours ranges from 5.5-5.6, while dogs’ pH is between 6.2-7.4. Human shampoo will be too acidic for dogs and can cause skin irritations. If you’re going to mix up your own dog shampoo, you’ll be aiming for a pH level around 7. Luckily, others have done the math for you and devised simple homemade dog shampoo recipes.

 

Basic Homemade Dog Shampoo

3-Ingredient Simple Shampoo Dish detergent is formulated to cut through grease and will do a great job of washing away oils that accumulate on your dog’s coat and skin. White vinegar has antibacterial and deodorant properties and will leave his coat shiny and clean. Just be careful not to get any in his eyes. Ingredients: 2 cups of warm water 1/4 cup of dish soap 1/2 cup of white vinegar Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Then wet your dog’s coat with warm water and spray with shampoo, avoiding his eyes. Work the shampoo into his coat, creating a thick lather. Rinse thoroughly and repeatedly, even if you think all signs of shampoo are gone. Then dry him off, and he’s good to go!

 

Homemade Dog Shampoos for Dry Skin

If your dog has itchy, dry, or sensitive skin, there are a few things you can add to the shampoo to relieve his symptoms. You can make a shampoo that has glycerin, which can be found in pharmacies, some grocery stores, and online and aloe vera gel. Or you can make an oatmeal shampoo. Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties and is found in many commercial grooming products. Aloe Vera and Glycerin Shampoo Ingredients: 1 quart of water 1 cup of baby shampoo or nontoxic dish soap 1 cup of white or apple cider vinegar 1/3 cup of glycerin 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel Mix all ingredients in spray bottle and shake to thoroughly combine. Apply to your dog, avoiding his eyes and work into his coat. Rinse.

 

Oatmeal Dog Shampoo for Dry Skin Ingredients: 1 cup of uncooked oatmeal 1/2 cup of baking soda 1 quart of warm water Grind the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor until it’s the consistency of flour. Pour into a large bowl and mix in baking soda. Add warm water and stir until incorporated. Wet your dog with warm water and then lather him up with your homemade shampoo. Work into his coat and allow it to sit for a few minutes, if he’ll let you. Then rinse thoroughly and dry.

 

Homemade Shampoo to Repel and Kill Fleas

You can even use homemade dog shampoo to fight fleas. The trick is to add lavender essential oil, which is thought to be a natural antiparasitic and antibacterial. Some DIY’ers combine several oils, including peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender, but if you have to choose just one, lavender will do.

It’s important to note that not all essential oils are acceptable. Some dogs have severe toxicity and immune-mediated reactions after exposure to some essential oils (potpourri being the worst). Never apply 100 percent essential oils from aromatherapy products on your pet, especially on broken skin. Also, make sure your dog doesn’t ingest essential oils. If you have questions, always contact your veterinarian.

Flea-Repellent Dog Shampoo with Essential Oils

Ingredients: 10 ounces of warm water 2 ounces of aloe vera gel 1 tablespoon of Castile soap 2 drops of lavender essential oil Note: you may also add 2 drops each of rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus essential oils. Combine all ingredients in a clean spray bottle and shake to combine thoroughly. Wet your dog with warm water, spray on shampoo and work into his coat, especially in harder to reach places, making sure not to get any in his eyes. Rinse thoroughly.

There are hundreds of homemade dog shampoo recipes out there, most using some combination of vinegar, which deodorizes and adds shine; Castile soap, or dish soap, which helps the ingredients bind together; and baking soda to balance the acidity of vinegar and water, which is pH neutral. Essentials oils are a nice, organic touch, as well. So next time you and your dog are preparing to bond over bath time, start in the kitchen and mix up some easy, safe, and inexpensive dog shampoo of your own!

 

-AKC.org

How to Groom a Dog

Good grooming will help your dog look and feel his best. Routine grooming sessions also allow you to examine your dog’s coat, teeth, eyes, ears, and nails for signs of problems. How often you need to groom your dog depends on his size, breed, and type of coat.

 

Brushing

Several brushing sessions a week will keep the average dog neat and clean; daily attention is even better. Brush all the way down to the skin, letting the massaging action stimulate blood circulation and loosen and remove flakes of dandruff.

The kind of equipment you need depends on your dog’s coat texture and length. Longhaired dogs need pin brushes, which have long, round-ended stainless-steel or chrome-plated pins. Short-, medium-, and some long-coated breeds need bristle brushes. There are also slicker brushes for removing mats and dead hair; rubber curry combs to polish smooth coats and remove dead hair; clippers, stripping knives, rakes, hair dryers, and other grooming tools.

When brushing, always check for burrs and other stubborn plant material; mats, which most frequently form behind the ears and under the legs; and any cuts or scrapes on the skin itself.

All dogs shed, though some definitely shed more than others. Regular brushing will help keep shedding under control.

 

Bathing

Your dog should have regular, but not frequent, baths, depending on the breed and coat of your dog. Too-frequent washing removes natural oils and causes the coat to become dry and harsh.

When necessary, use a mild shampoo formulated for dogs. Stand the dog in a tub or basin, and put cotton balls in his ears and a couple of drops of mineral oil in his eyes. Wet the dog with warm water and apply shampoo from the neck back. After lathering and scrubbing, rinse your dog thoroughly with warm water. Rub vigorously with a towel (he’ll help you with vigorous shaking!), and then blow-dry if necessary. Comb or brush as required.

 

Nail Trimming

Nails must be kept short for the feet to remain healthy. Long nails interfere with the dog’s gait, making walking awkward or painful. They can also break easily. This usually happens at the base of the nail, where blood vessels and nerves are located, and precipitates a trip to the veterinarian. If you can hear the nails clicking on the floor, they’re too long.

To trim your dog’s nails, use a specially designed clipper. Most have safety guards to prevent you from cutting the nails too short. You want to trim only the ends, before the “quick” which is a blood vessel inside the nail. (You can see where the quick ends on a white nail, but not on a dark nail.) Clip only the hook-like part of the nail that turns down.

 

Many dogs dislike having their nails trimmed. You can make it a painless procedure by getting your dog used to having his feet handled in puppyhood. Start trimming gently, a nail or two at a time, and your dog will learn that you’re not going to hurt him.

If you accidentally cut the quick, stop the bleeding with some styptic powder. If you find it impossible to clip your dog’s nails, take him to a veterinarian or groomer.

 

Ear Cleaning

You should clean your dog’s ears once a month, more if he’s prone to ear problems. Clean the outer part of the ear only, using a damp cloth or a cotton swab soaked in mineral oil. Never force anything into the ear. Some dogs need the hair plucked just inside the ear to keep air circulating; ask your veterinarian if this is necessary for your dog.

 

Eye Cleaning

Clean slight discharges with a moist cotton ball. Do not put anything irritating in your dog’s eyes.

 

Tooth Brushing

Clean your dog’s teeth frequently with special toothbrushes and toothpaste desgined for dogs. If your dog balks at having his teeth brushed, get him used to it by rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. Then put a little of the toothpaste on your finger and let him sniff and lick it; do the same with the toothbrush. Make sure to provide chew toys that will help clean his teeth. As your dog gets older, he may have a buildup of tartar that requires special cleaning by a veterinarian.

 

-AKC.org

How To Safely Change Your Puppy’s Food

Your puppy is rapidly developing his muscles, bones, cognitive abilities, and immune system and needs food that meets his nutritional requirements. That’s why he should be fed a high-quality puppy food that will have the right balance of ingredients and nutritional density to aid his rapid growth. Your breeder may send you home with a supply of the food your puppy has been eating, or at the very least, advise you on what to feed him. If at all possible, stick to that food for at least two weeks; a change in diet can easily upset your dog’s stomach.

Dogs digest food differently than humans, and changes in diet can cause diarrhea and other digestive issues.

Different foods may have different types of proteins, differences in the type and amount of fiber, and a change in the type of healthy bacteria your dog needs to digest his food. If you’re going to switch to a different puppy food, you should do so gradually over five-to-seven days.

Guidelines To Minimizing Upset Stomach In Your Puppy  

  • For the first two or three days, mix a greater percentage of old food than new food, about three-quarters of the puppy food he now eats with one-quarter of his new food.
  • Then give him equal portions of new and old food for two or three days.
  • Follow that with three-quarters new food and one-quarter percent old food.
  • After that, his digestive system should be ready to handle only the new food.

Sometimes owners have to switch food abruptly, due to a recall or other unforeseen circumstances. Even in this situation, you can help your puppy adjust to a new diet. Try to find a food that closely matches the existing food in ingredients, types of protein, and amounts of fiber and fat.

Give your puppy smaller meals, watching for diarrhea or other issues. If he does well with the first meal, continue to feed him smaller meals than usual and then gradually get back on your old feeding schedule. A little tummy upset is to be expected, but if he’s vomiting, seems sick, or stops eating entirely, consult your veterinarian.

Unlike humans, dogs don’t crave variety in their diet. High-quality puppy food has all of the ingredients, in the right proportions, to meet their nutritional needs.

If you’re going to switch from the food the breeder has been giving him, you can ask her or your veterinarian for advice on the best puppy food for his age and specific breed.

 

-AKC.org

Tips for Starting a Jogging Program with your Dog

It is important to do this safely and provide the proper training before you take off running! If you are a runner and think that your dog would be the ideal running partner, you may be right. However, there are some very important things to consider before hitting the pavement to ensure her health and safety.

  1. Get clearance from your veterinarian. Your dog must be old enough – he can suffer serious injury if overly vigorous exercise takes place before growth plates are closed. The age at which this occurs varies with breeds. For young puppies and very large, heavy breeds of any age, sustained running is hard on the joints. Your veterinarian can also give your dog a general health check to make sure she is good enough condition to start an exercise program.
  2. Consider the breed. Just because your dog is a running breed like a Greyhound or Whippet doesn’t mean that he can run long distances. These are bred to be sprinters. Anything more than a mile is a long distance for a Greyhound, but with proper conditioning he can certainly do more. After all, a pretty fast run for you is just trotting for him – not a full-out 35 mph run. Dogs bred for stamina to handle distance include DalmatiansSiberian Huskies, and many sporting breeds. Dogs with brachycephalic faces (including PugsBulldogs, and Boxers) may have trouble breathing when exerted heavily and should be exercised with great care.
  3. Build up: Once your veterinarian has given the go-ahead, start off slowly to build up endurance. You would not start your running career with a marathon on the first day and neither should your dog. Half a mile every other day is a good start. It’s important to condition her slowly – just as you would yourself.
  4. Humans are suited to long distance running. We sweat all over and know how to pace ourselves. Dogs, not so much. A Labrador retriever in excellent condition has a lot of stamina, but his enthusiasm can get the best of him – he might run until he drops. It’s your job to be the one who knows best. Know the signs of heat exhaustion and know what to do if this happens. Take water for your dog or a collapsible bowl if you are certain there will be water available along the way.
  5. Run early in the morning or in the evening, not during the hottest part of the day. Pavement can get very hot and can hurt your dog’s paws. It’s also just plain hotter closer to the ground, where your dog is. In the winter, snow can accumulate between the dog’s toes, and salt on the road or sidewalk can be harmful. You’ll need to wash your dog’s feet after the run. You can also try booties that are made to protect dogs’ feet.
  6. Training: Your dog needs to know the basics of loose-leash walking by your side before starting jogging. It is dangerous to have a dog that crosses in front of you or lunges to the side or ahead while you are jogging. Your dog also should be socialized and able to handle anything or anyone she sees on a run, just as she would be for any activity that she participates in with you. Use a special leash – one that is different than the one used for other walks. Your dog will learn the difference and will know that this is a run, not an amble to the park or a potty walk. And by the way, take your dog on a potty and sniff walk before the run and afterwards. This will eliminate the need for frequent stops on your run.
  7. Something to consider for yourself: a hands-free leash. Holding a leash in your hand while you run doesn’t allow you to use your arms properly; you might end up with shoulder or back pain.

Running with your dog is a great way to get exercise and also bond with your best buddy. Your pooch may top out at two miles or he may become a long-distance runner. Each dog is different, and you know yours better than anyone, so watch carefully to be sure that he is running comfortably. Happy running!

 

-AKC.org

Great Indoor Games To Play With Your Dog

Great Indoor Games To Play With Your Dog

 There’s no reason to allow your dog to be completely bored on a snowy or rainy day. You can share a tug on a rope toy or wrestle a bit on the floor. But why not try a few games to challenge your dog?

 

HIDDEN TREASURE

 Here are a few games that will exercise your dog’s mind and body:

 Dogs have a terrific sense of smell. So why not make a game of it? Gather a bunch of small boxes or containers and arrange them upside down. Place a prize, such as a treat or a favorite treat, under one of the containers. Encourage your dog to sniff around the boxes to see whether he can indicate that one contains the hidden treasure. Congratulate him when he discovers the hidden treasure—or give him the treat. Add boxes and space them farther apart. He’ll get the idea.

 

HIDE AND SEEK

 This is the same game you played with your friends many years ago. Lead your dog into the kitchen and tell him to stay. This only works if you’ve trained him to obey the command, of course. Hide. Call your dog. This only works if you’ve trained your dog to come to you, of course. If you happen to have a baby monitor in the house, you might consider using it to your advantage when calling your dog.

 

OBSTACLE COURSE

 Use your imagination. Create an obstacle course for your dog using such items as an open-ended box to crawl through, a chair to crawl under, a series of hardcover books to jump over. You get the idea. Train your dog to follow the course.

 

PLAY DATE

 Asking a friend or neighbor to visit with their dog for a play date isn’t the same as actively playing with your dog. But you will be involved because you must supervise the play date. Don’t allow the dogs to become aggressive or fight over toys. Recognize when one dog wants to take a break.

 

-AKC.org

Puppy Senses: How Your Puppy Sees, Hears, Smells, and Tastes the World

Puppy Senses: How Your Puppy Sees, Hears, Smells, and Tastes the World

  Puppies come stumbling into our lives full of exuberance, energy, and a wholehearted enthusiasm for life. It is natural that we wonder how they perceive the world, and if they see, hear, and smell differently than we do. We want to share their experiences. First, though, we need to understand how puppy senses work.

 

How Well Can Puppies See?

Humans rely heavily on sight, so of course we want to know if our dogs do, too. You may have heard the popularly held belief that dogs are color blind. This is not entirely true. Dogs’ eyes do not have as many cones responsible for color vision in their retinas as humans do, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual. Your puppy can see color, but we can safely conclude that he cannot see the same spectrum as we do.

Don’t worry, though. Your puppy is not missing out. Puppies might not see the same range of color as we do, but they certainly see better in the dark. Puppies have more rods in their eyes, which means that they see much better in dim light than we do. When it comes to detail, though, we still have the upper hand. Ever wonder why your puppy can’t always see the treat right in front of him, but can usually track a treat or toy you throw? This is because dogs are natural hunters. Their eyes have developed to detect movement, not fine details.

 

How Well Can Puppies Hear? 

Puppies are born deaf, and they can’t hear until they’re about three weeks old. Once their hearing kicks in, though, they hear four times better than most people, making your dog’s hearing much more reliable than yours. You’ve probably noticed that your puppy can hear things that you can’t. You’ve seen her cock her head to one side and look off in the distance, long before the object or person comes into sight.

Dogs’ ears have much deeper canals than ours, which creates a better funnel for sound to carry down to their eardrums. Dogs with upright ears, like German Shepherd Dogs, use their ears almost like radar antennas, thanks to the 18 muscles they have in their ears that allow them to control the ear’s position and essentially “turn up the volume” on their hearing.

 

 How Well Can Puppies Smell? 

Puppies might hear only four times better than humans, and their color vision might not be up to par, but when it comes to sense of smell, your puppy’s is far superior to yours. Your puppy’s sense of smell is approximately one million times more sensitive than yours. It is no wonder that we use dogs to sniff out explosives, drugs, and missing people, and this also explains why your puppy is able to smell where you hid the treats.

Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born, when their eyes are closed and their hearing has not developed. Your puppy even has a special organ on the roof of his mouth that allows him to “taste” certain smells. This is convenient, since dogs only have one-sixth of the taste buds that we do. So dogs use their sense of smell, rather than taste, to learn about their food.

 

Your puppy sees, hears, and smells the world differently than you do. This is part of what makes raising a puppy so exciting, and why humans have developed such a special relationship with our canine companions. Some breeds have more developed senses than others. Bloodhounds, for instance, have exceptionally powerful noses, while sight hounds like Greyhounds are better at spotting game. Learning as much as you can about your puppy’s senses is a great way to understand his needs and will help you become a more informed and responsible dog owner.

 

-AKC.org

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers: How to Stop Your Dog from Begging at the Table

Beggars Can’t Be Choosers: How to Stop Your Dog from Begging at the Table

 

When you sit down to eat dinner, does your dog try to get in on the action?  It’s hard to resist sharing your meal with your dog when he looks up at you with those eyes, but begging can quickly become a problem.  To help owners teach their dog to kick the bad habit, the AKC offers tips on how to stop begging at the table before it becomes a nuisance.

 

Be consistent.  Do not give in when your dog begs you.  You need to ignore the begging all the time, and make sure friends and family members do the same.  Consistency is key to changing your dog’s behavior.

Feed your dog before yourself.  You should feed your dog before you sit down to eat.  That way, you’ll have a dog who is not hungry and is more apt to settle down.

Teach basic skills.  Another way to manage your dog during meal times is to have taught basic skills such as a reliable down-stay.  This alternative behavior can be used to deter begging.

Reward good behavior.  Don’t forget to reward your pooch for a job well done.  If your dog has been well-behaved throughout the meal then take one of his favorite treats and put it in his dish. Your dog will learn this routine and might start to wait by his dish for a treat.

 

-AKC.org

How to Teach a Dog to Fetch or Retrieve

AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Erin Rakosky tells us how to get any dog interested in picking up and retrieving toys – a great game to play with your dog and also a good way to exercise your pet!

Playing fetch with your dog is a great way to burn off extra energy and bond with your pet.  Some dogs naturally pick up fetch while others may have no interest.  Some dogs like the act of chasing the ball but then, won’t bring it back.  This article will help you teach your dog how to play fetch.  We will also discuss how to help prevent your dog from chasing the ball but not returning.

For training fetch, the tools you will need are an appropriate amount of tasty treats a clicker or marker word, and plenty of fun toys.  For teaching fetch we are going to use what trainers call “shaping,” that is, allowing your dog to figure out how to perform a behavior with minimal help from you.

 

Shaping Fetch

First you want to initially pick a toy that your dog is willing to put in their mouth. Some dogs have preferences for plush toys while others like balls. After they learn the behavior, you will be able to ask them to retrieve anything you ask.

For the purpose of teaching, we will use the case in which your dog has no interest in playing with toys. For now, place the toy on the ground. Initially, you will be marking any sort of interaction with the toy. This may be your dog just looking at the toy. When I talk about marking, I am referring to using a clicker or marker word to mark the exact behavior you want and rewarding after with a treat. So, you will wait for your dog to look at the toy. As soon as they do, click and reward. Make sure to use a treat your dog will love.

Continue doing this until your dog is reliably looking at the toy for a reward. Once they have this down, it is time to hold out and ask them to do something else with the toy. This usually comes from the dog getting frustrated that their reward is not coming. Most dogs at this stage will nose the toy or touch the toy with their paw. When this occurs, mark it and reward. This is now what you require before they are rewarded.

Now I hold the toy in my hand and place it near their face. If they weren’t previously touching their nose to the toy, this is when you will require it. Wait until the dog sniffs the toy and then mark and reward.

For the next steps you are going to continue to grow from here. Again, once your dog is nose touching the toy hold out on the reward. Your dog will then get frustrated and try and mouth the toy. Immediately mark and reward this.

Once they are mouthing the toy, I will put it back on the ground in front of me. I will ask them to pick the toy up and then I will place my hand under the toy and mark and reward when they place it in my hand. From here you are ready to start increasing the distance that you place the toy from you. Remember to do this gradually and keep your requirements for getting the reward. Eventually, your dog will be willing to pick up anything you ask and place it in your hand for their reward.

Returning with the Toy

The main goal of this exercise is to show your dog that fun comes from playing with you with the toy – no matter what type of toy!

Get four to five toys that your dog enjoys playing with and set them in a circle.  Outside, in a fenced area is best for this. But if you don’t have access to an enclosed outside area, then a large space inside will work too.

Start playing with your dog with one of the toys. Act very excited, like this is the best game in the world.  When your dog is really into the play, you should take off running to the next toy.

If your dog follows you, start playing with the new toy with them, again remembering to be super excited.  If your dog stays playing with the first toy, then you should start playing with the new toy by yourself.  This is when it is really important to act like you are having the best time playing with this toy.

Eventually, your dog won’t be able to stand it and will come join in the fun.  Continue this exercise, running from toy to toy.   If you do this exercise a couple times a week, your dog will learn that you bring the fun and not the toy!

For more training tips and advice, subscribe to the AKC GoodDog! Helpline. Experienced trainers man a phone line seven days a week to help our clients with all their training and behavioral questions.

 

–AKC.org

8 Reasons Why Life Is Just Better With a Dog!

Any dog lover will say that life just seems better with a dog. Dogs keep us company, entertain us, comfort us, protect us, and seem to make life fuller and more complete. Who else is as happy to see you when you come home or is willing to binge-watch TV with you on a Saturday night? We have anecdotal evidence of how dogs enrich our lives, and science backs up the evidence that owning a dog is good for us, psychologically and physically. Here are just a few of the ways dogs take care of their humans!

  1. Dogs relieve stress. According to a study conducted more than 30 years ago, playing with a dog or even just petting a familiar dog lowers blood pressure and heart rate, slows breathing, and relaxes muscle tension almost immediately. That study is backed up by more recent ones that show a reduced level of stress hormones in blood chemistry, even in people who are candidates for blood pressure medication.

 

  1. Dogs are good for your heart. Literally. The “American Journal of Cardiology” published research about a study of 369 heart attack patients one year after they were released from the hospital. One year later, pet owners had a much higher rate of survival than non-pet owners. The research concluded that the bond between humans and dogs reduces stress, which is a major cause of cardiovascular problems.

 

  1. Dogs make us happy. In fact, even just looking at a dog can make you happier. A study found that just staring into your dog’s eyes raises your level of oxytocin. Other studies have shown that owning a dog can alleviate depression, and this is especially true for older adults. As social ties loosen and family members live farther apart from each other, seniors are at risk of becoming isolated and lonely, which is a cause of depression. Research studied people 60 years and older who didn’t live with a human companion, but had a pet. Their likelihood of being diagnosed with depression was one-quarter as likely as non-pet owners.

 

  1. Dogs increase our social interactions with other people. Think about how often you stop to talk to other people when out with your dog, whether it’s neighbors on a walk or new friends you make at the dog park. A study concluded that people who have a strong attachment to a pet report that they feel more connected in their human relationships and their communities. The study also concluded that teenagers and young adults who grow up with a dog become more confident and empathetic.

 

  1. Dogs keep you physically active. A Canadian study shows that dog owners are more likely to engage in moderate physical activity than non-dog owners. In fact, dog owners walk an average of 300 minutes per week, while non-dog owners walk an average of 168 minutes a week. Those walks around the block are good for you!

 

  1. A dog’s sense of smell can keep you healthy. Dogs can be trained to detect prostate cancer, according to a recent study. They can also help you avoid foods you’re allergic to. Several places in the United States train dogs to sniff out the slightest trace of peanuts in the room. With so many children suffering from severe peanut allergies, this can be a godsend to their families. Dogs can also be trained to alert diabetics to a low blood sugar level.

 

  1. Dogs make us want to take care of them. There must be a reason so many people become virtually addicted to dog videos, and why puppies are so irresistible. A dog’s facial features are known as social releasers and bring out an innate caregiver response in humans.

 

  1. A dog can make you more attractive to potential love interests. Singles, listen up. A study conducted in the United Kingdom surveyed 700 people: 60 percent said that owning a dog can make a person seem more attractive, and 85 percent said that people seem more approachable when they’re with a dog.

The human-canine attachment is centuries old. Dogs depend on us to take care of them and form strong bonds with their humans. We thrive on their devotion to us. But in their own way, they are taking care of us, as well. The next time someone accuses you of loving the dog more than you love people, you’ll have science to back up the reasons why you do.

 

-AKC.org

S.T.A.R. Puppy Training Classes & Obedience

The Benefits of AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Training Classes

 

You’ve brought your new puppy home, purchased the right food, a leash and collar, and all other the essentials you’ve been told you need. But what’s next? You’ve heard that it’s important to get your new dog off to a good start, but you’re not exactly sure what that means. Experienced dog owners can tell you that early training is one of the best ways to socialize your puppy (or older dog) during this important time of adjustment and development.

Training can typically start as soon as soon as your puppy has completed the first round of vaccines(with the approval of your veterinarian), which can be as early as eight weeks. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy(Socialization, Training, Activity, and Responsibility) is the perfect place to start. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy training classes teach the foundation for basic functional skills such as sit, down and come and provide the opportunity to socialize with other puppies and people.

positive reinforcement approach is used to teach young puppies the basics of skills such as using a food lure to guide the puppy into a sit, or having the dog owner kneel and clap her hands to encourage the puppy to come. When puppies are older, or near the end of a 6-weeks class, they will be able to perform S.T.A.R. behaviors more independently.

At the end of the six-week class, your trainer will test you and your puppy on these basic skills to see how much you both have learned. Before you know it, you’ll be receiving your puppy’s AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy certificate and beautiful gold medal.

At the AKC, we know that a well-trained dog is a joy to own. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy classes provide a starting point for a lifetime of training and learning with your dog. S.T.A.R. graduates go on to Canine Good Citizen training and earn AKC Therapy Dog titles, as well as start competing in canine sportssuch as obedience and agility.

To find an AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class near you, you can search for a Canine Good Citizen (CGC) evaluator here. We hope that you will make your puppy a STAR soon!

 

 

 

 

Getting Started In Obedience

 

WHY TRAIN YOUR DOG?

Dogs, by nature, are pack animals with a well-defined social order. As you and your family become your dog’s pack, your new dog will look to you – the leader of the pack – for guidance. Leadership can be established in a firm but friendly manner. Keep in mind that it is unrealistic to expect the dog to abide by the rules of the household without the leader teaching appropriate behavior!

Much like people, every dog is different. Some are hyperactive. Some are laid-back. Some are serious. Others are silly. Some are shy, and yet others have too much confidence. Regardless of these differences, training is necessary for all dogs and beneficial to your entire family.

TRAINING WILL

  • Help correct nuisance behaviors such as jumping on people, digging, barking, and chewing, while providing mental and physical activities for your dog.
  • Deepen the bond between you and your dog, and to increase the enjoyment, companionship and satisfaction of your relationship with your dog.
  • Ensure your dog’s safety and happiness.
  • Nurture good canine companionship for the benefit of your family, neighborhood and community.
  • Allow you to enjoy the fun and excitement of competing in AKC events. You and your dog can earn certificates and titles while you continue to strengthen your communication and teamwork.

TYPES OF TRAINING CLASSES

  • Puppy Class — A developmental training course for the 3-to-5-month-old puppy. A puppy class emphasizes socialization with people and other puppies. Instructors usually offer information on growth, nutrition, grooming, housebreaking and problem-solving and teach basic household commands.
  • Basic Class — A basic training course for dogs 5-to-6 months and older, aimed at training you to train your dog. The basic class emphasizes the essential training commands needed to make a dog a good companion: heel on a loose leash, sit, stand, down, stay in position, and come when called. Instructors also usually provide information on nutrition, grooming and problem-solving. This basic training is important in keeping your dog safe.
  • Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Class — May be a separate class or a part of a beginner class at AKC clubs and other organizations. CGC is a certification program that is designed to reward dogs that have good manners at home and in the community. Your dog will need to know the commands and exercises taught in a basic training class to qualify for a passing score on the CGC test. Dogs that pass the CGC test receive a certificate from the AKC and are recorded in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen Archive.
  • Training Classes for Companion Events — A variety of classes that prepare students and their dogs for competition in obedience, agility, tracking and other AKC events. You will be instructed in the levels of competition and titles available, how to teach your dog the required exercises, and the regulations that apply when you are competing.

HOW DO I GET STARTED IN OBEDIENCE?

The best advice is to START TRAINING EARLY! Training a puppy is easier than training an adult dog because a puppy is more open to new ideas and has not yet developed “bad habits.”

While it’s best to start young, the old saying “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is only partially true. It is never too late to train your dog, although it may take longer to retrain it to eliminate undesirable habits.

Most AKC clubs conduct a variety of classes instructed by trainers who have won awards in obedience competition with their own dogs, and they make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest training techniques. They have experience training all breeds of dogs and can help solve behavior problems. Most clubs accept all types of dogs, mixed breeds and purebreds, and prospective students are usually welcome to observe a class before signing up for a training course.

When you attend classes with your dog, instructors will show you how to teach it and will expect you to practice at home. The younger the dog, the shorter the practice sessions should be. For the best results, both you and your dog should enjoy frequent short sessions, combined with some play and rewards.

To find AKC clubs in your area that offer training, please visit our Training Resources section.

 

-AKC.org