Dogs don't have an agenda.  There is no such thing as a "bad dog."  

There are dogs who bite, but it's not their fault that they have big teeth and jaws.  Nor is it their fault that we like that about them and decided to let them live intimately with us.  Furthermore, all dogs can and will eventually bite if hurt badly enough, scared badly enough, or threatened.  

Generally when people say they have a "bad dog," what they mean to say is that they have an untrained dog.  Just keep in mind that untrained, under-motivated, or under-exercised does not mean BAD!

Often when I meet clients and their dogs for the first time I am more concerned with putting everyone at ease.  And sometimes when I'm out and about I avoid telling people I am a trainer.  Such a stigma comes with my profession...people immediately get weird with their dogs, get embarrassed by them being dogs, or worse, start "showing off" how strict they can be.  I loathe strict when its obvious the dog has NO CLUE what the person wants.  

I happen to love a clever, rascally dog.  There is nothing as cute to me a dog being naughty.  

This doesn't mean I approve of dogs who bite, or bark, or steal toys, etc. But you have to admit, I'd be a really poor trainer if naughty behavior made me lose my mind instead of bringing a smile to my face.  

If you can't appreciate it, you won't want to look at it.  If you can't look at it, in detail, you won't ever know it well enough to change it.

Love your DOG!

Honor their doginess.

Appreciate them for what they are.

Happy Holidays!

Pet Products Review - Wagatha's Wheat & Lactose Free Breakfast Biscuits

You know what one of the best things about being a pet parent? giving your little loved ones special treats and biscuits, especially when teaching new tricks. If your training and obedience is first thing in the morning, than what better way to start the day than with Wagatha's Wheat & Lactose Free Breakfast Biscuits.

These biscuits are incredibly good.  I learned about them from Hilton Hotels.  Hilton includes Wagatha's biscuits in their fashionable doggie ammenities tote.

Only the very best organic ingredients go into all Wagatha's products.  Human Grade Certified Organic Ingredients: whole spelt flour, oat flour, barley flour, sunflower oil, dried apples, ground flax seed, rolled oats, brown rice flour, whole eggs, dried bananas, cinnamon, maple sugar, sea salt.  Yes, "Human Grade"so I the Secret Shopper did indeed test out the product.  I found them quite good, and even tasted the bananna. 

Each can contains about 32 biscuits, so at $8 per can, thats not bad for a month of super premium biscuits.  Shop online at www.Wagathas.com.

If you've got a product that you think will pass the Secret Shopper test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com.

et Products Review - PAWZ, Natural Rubber, Waterproof Dog Boots

Well, its winter here on the east coast, and today, New York City had over 8 inches of snow.  My dog Champ simply loves the snow.  He plays and frolicks and digs.  He is truly at his happiest when he is in the snow.  But this does cause concern for me, because all of the harsh chemicals and salts that they put on our city streets are very unhealthy for dogs.

I've tried every boot imaginable, and the only one I've found that works is PAWS all natural rubber and water.  The PAWZ boots are like balloon bladders.  They simply slip over your dogs paws and away he goes.  They are such cute little booties.  They remind me of the rubber nose Rudolph wore to hide his nose.  People stop and stare they are so adorable.

PAWZ boots are disposable but can be used time and time again.  1 package will last a whole season.  Its nice when you can actually throw away a doggie boot rather than lose one.  PAWZ boots stay on.  The package comes with 12 boots. When one wears out, you simply toss it. Plus, they come in sizes, so you know the boots you buy actually do fit your dog.  Not to mention the snappy colors.

PAWZ are not just for winter, they protect angainst harmful elements all year long.  Here are some of the baddies they keep off your pets paws:
Ice, Lawn Chemicals, Salt, Liquid Chloride, Snow, Fire Ants, Pool Liner Tears, Mud, Clay, Pad Rashes, Post-Surgical Infection, Post-Grooming Dirt, Hot Pavement, and solves traction control problems.

My recommendation always keep a package of PAWZ dog boots in the house.  I bought my PAWZ at Spoil Brats in New York, but go to www.pawzdogboots.com for a retailer near you.

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Should I use a clicker to train my dog?

A clicker is a fabulous tool for teaching new behaviors to a dog.  Ideally it is used while the dog is learning.  As the dog approaches competency, the new behavior can be named (a command added) and then the clicker can be faded out.

A clicker is much like a camera when used to get action shots.  For example if you were using a clicker to teach a puppy to sit, you might lure the action.  Luring a sit requires that you hold a treat in your hand right up to the pup's nose. Then slowly, very slowly you would move the treat up and behind the puppy's head.  This causes the pup to lean back and their back and their tail-end to drop down.  At this moment, you would CLICK, and THEN give the dog the treat that was in your hand.  The noise the clicker makes tells the dog, "Right then, you earned the treat!"

Later you can lure the behavior without a treat in your hand.  You would still use the same hand-motion & click your puppy for completing the behavior.  After every click you would treat your dog.  The nice thing about the clicker is that you don't need the food on you or in your hand when teaching.  As long as you are good at clicking at the EXACT MOMENT of success you can use 5-10 seconds to get the treat to your dog.

RULES FOR MARKING BEHAVIORS WITH A CLICKER

Click your dog when they do something you like.  Be precise and click the exact moment of success.

If you click-it, you MUST treat your dog.

If your dog does a REALLY, really good job, you still click only once!  You can give them several treats, but click only once.

It is not necessary to aim your clicker at your dog.

Never click unless you intend to train and treat your dog.

The clicker MARKS successful attempts, it does not tell your dog what you want.

NOTES ON MARKING BEHAVIORS WITH A WORD

• When you mark things that your dog does that you like, use one word.

• Always use the same word.

• Pick a word that is special -something you don't use al the time.

• Use the marker word like a camera to catch exactly the moment of success.

• Always follow the marker word with a valuable reward (food, toy, access).

• When your dog has learned the behavior and is successful 95% of the time you can start giving rewards for only the best responses.  Continue to prasie your dog for all correct responses, but use the marker word only if you intend to reward the dog with food, toys, or access to something they wanted.

 

Pet Products Review - Happy Hips Chicken & Apple dog treats by Dogswell

Recently I received a bunch of samples from the Dogswell Company.  Perhaps the most interesting treat in this selection was the Happy Hips Chicken & Apple dog treats.  I have to tell you this is unlike any dog treat I've ever seen.

The treats look like a holiday hors-d'oeuvre, a large chunk of moderately dehydrated apple wrapped with a slice of apple bacon.  Totally wierd looking, but I knew that The Dogswell Company only uses the very best quality products and it must be good for my dog.

So I gave the sample to Champ.  Well, he tried it with hesitation.  He took a nibble, dropped the treat, walked around the treat, took another nibble, then gobbled it down.  Then, came running to me begging for more.  Who knew?  Dogs like apples.  And Champ certainly liked this treat. 

It is a luxury treat at $8 for a 5oz bag, but certainly a good stocking stuffer for the pup whose been good all year.  Try it.

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