My Soul Dog

Oh boy, it's come around again, the 4th of July, a dog's nightmare!  Not only is it a nightmare for your dog, but it's also a nightmare for you.  So many dogs end up trembling in the bathtub or closet or worse, running away. This fear can be helped but you must start at the right time. Here are some tips that might just make things go smoothly.  Then, let's plan for next year.  

As if the Miracle Puppies didn't teach me enough, they teach me about the importance of colostrum.  Yeah, yeah, I know it's really great puppies get this from their mommas, but did you know it's just for puppies? Did you know what makes colostrum an incredible, not talked about enough, natural powerhouse?  I had no idea until I went down the rabbit hole.  Come with me on this journey and learn about this gem and how it can be useful to all age of dogs and used for people too! 

I was not expecting one week to feel like a lifetime.  I was not expecting how difficult it would be to bottle raise 5 puppies.  I have never done this before. When I said "yes" to taking these puppies, I thought I would just lose a little sleep.  Oh how wrong I was! Lost sleep was only a fraction of what happened this week.  I have made a lot of mistakes and I have made a lot of good choices. I have learned a LOT! I share all of this in this week's episode.  The good, the bad, the emotional, the heroes, the puppies' names, EVERYTHING!  

MustLuvBoxers Rescue was at it again!  Five puppies were left orphaned and needed bottle feeding.  They were not even one day old yet.  Of course MLBR jumped in and said YES!  That's where I come in!  Someone had to take them in and bottle feed around the clock.  Here is their story and the goings on of the bottle babies.   Rescue is not easy but worth it!  

Of course you made large goals. Of course you wrote out the steps to achieve that large goal.  Did you think about accountability and motivation? What is going to get you out of bed in the early morning to go to the gym? What is going to make it so after a long day, you will get your dog ready to train? I discuss two of the largest hurdles in my life that I had to overcome with the "it's not infinite" attitude and how all of this relates to training my Three Amigos a special skill for all my students to see.   

Just when you think having a "good dog" was easy, then comes Part 2!  In part one we talked about setting goals and setting mini goals.  Now it's time for accountability! Just by setting your dog training goals do they happen. If only!  Now it's time for action, but when?  When will we do this?  Have a listen to start planning your road to your "good dog".  

There is nothing in a dog's DNA that says they should sit stay, walk nicely on a leash, come when called or any of the other things we as humans want them to do.  So, each skill must be taught.  A well-trained dog is something to be admired. Did the well-trained dog get that way because the dog is smarter? Is the person smarter? Nope, neither of these are correct.  The answer is in this podcast.  What makes a well-trained dog? 

It is that time of year when the creepy crawly, the tick, comes out to play.  YUCK!  Nothing makes me squirm more than ticks!  Vets are peddling pesticides which may be harmful to your pet.  Luckily there are natural products that prevent ticks as you venture out this Spring.  They are not only good for your dog, but good for you.  Here are my top three picks and a bonus product to help your dog live their fullest life.  

Yes, positive reinforcement does involve treats.  I hear all kinds of things such as, "My dog is not treat motivated" or "When can I stop giving treats?"  I talk about treats and stories I hear time and time again from students in my classes.  

"My dog is digging craters in the backyard."
"My dog is chewing the house up."
"My dog is crazy!"
"My dog ___________ (fill in the blank of undesirable behavior)

Dogs were not meant to "hang out" while you work and then hang out while you relax and watch TV.  Having meaningful engagement with your pup will reduce both your dog's and your frustration, calm moments will improve, your possessions will not be destroyed and the relationship with your pup will be healthy and never better.  

Listen as I discuss how quality engagement with your pup is one of the foundational needs of having the well-behaved pup you desire.