A frequent complaint from clients about their dog is:  

"But he KNOWS better..."

While I am always diplomatic in these situations and even sympathetic, the truth is that this type of thinking sets dogs up for failure.  We not only expect our dogs to be better than dogs; we expect them to be better than humans!

Here is a short list of things that I have done even though, "I know better..."

Roll a stop sign

Bite my nails

Scream at my dog

Pee in a parking lot or public park

Eat cookie dough with raw egg in it

Go to the beach without sunscreen

Drink beer, wine & champagne in the same evening

Use my cell phone while driving

What I would love to say to my clients (if I didn't think it would seem rude, or hurt their feelings) is:  "So, what!"  

Lets say your dog does KNOW BETTER.  Knowing is still just a small part of the equation.  There are other/more important factors.  Even without morals behavior is mitigated by:

Motivators:  Motivation is HUGE.  Even a very moral person might steal or lie if they were starving or under threat.  Motivation is at the core of debates on torture because if sufficiently motivated you can drastically alter a beings "normal" behavior.

Consequences:  The severity of a consequence, or the absence of any consequences CAN matter...but you can't control what is learned..  I got a $300 ticket for not wearing my seatbelt on a 1/4 mile drive to the corner store.  Now I always wear my seat belt in small towns.  I say CAN matter because despite fairly serious hangovers from partying too hard at weddings I continue to drink too much with old friends and I pay the price the next day.

Experience:  There are technically consequences for driving and talking on a cell phone, but my experiences with this have been good.  I have not had an accident, nor have I been ticketed... yet!  

Setting:  Could you explain to an alien from mars why peeing by a tree when camping is OK, but to do so in a public park could result in arrest for public indecency?

So the next time you find yourself thinking: "She knows better..."  

Remind yourself, KNOWING just means that you CAN do something;

it has very little to do with the action you take.  

This is true for humans; this is true for dogs.  

AND, this is why creating good habits with your dog is far, far more important that teaching them to understand your rules, logic and/or potential consequences for not following them.

Pet Product Review - Nutra Paws Osteo Pet® Total Joint Care Formula

As you may know, I do not write reviews to recommend supplement products.  Simply, the time to test the effectiveness of the product is too long for my analysis, plus, I leave any supplemental recommendations to your vet.  I do from time to time bring to your attention new products.  If you are concerned about joint care for your dog, do check out this new product from Nutra Paws: Nutra Paws Osteo Pet® Total Joint Care Formula

Here is information direct from their website:

OsteoPet® DS Glucosamine Chondroitin for dogs is a scientifically researched combination of nutritional supplements used by thousands of consumers to help dogs maintain healthy joints. As animals age, it is natural for their joints to deteriorate due to everyday wear and tear or even minor injury.  This loss of flexibility and mobility in fluid retaining joints is referred to as osteoarthritis.

Unfortunately, osteoarthritis can be painful.  Fortunately, there is OsteoPet® DS Glucosamine Chondroitin for dogs with a powerful formula of glucosamine, chondroitin and manganese ascorbate. These ingredients have been scientifically formulated to support and maintain the health of your dog's joints. There are hundreds of published clinical studies that show that the combination of ingredients in OsteoPet® DS Glucosamine Chondroitin for dogs works together to help repair and rebuild the cartilage matrix in your dog's joints while naturally suppressing the enzymes that decompose cartilage.

Right now you can take advantage of a special offer: $24.99 Buy one, Get one FREE! (Limit 5 per order)

Order your bottles at Marvelous Products: http://www.marvelousproducts.com/Glucosamine-for-Dogs-Joint-Formula-p/glucosamine-for-dogs.htm

If you think you have a product you think will pass the Secret Shopper Test, send an email to SecretShopperBlog@gmail.com

Pet product Review - standard door strap -- 6 bells by ClassicBells.com

You may be wondering why am I writing a review on bells? While it's really quite simple, I'm training my puppy Charlie to ring bells that hang from the door each and every time he wants to relieve himself. I got the idea from  my groomer Barry.

So I looked all over the Internet for two weeks to find exactly the right bells that were affordable and had a design suited to my training goals. I found the perfect bells www.classicbells.com. and the price was wonderful only $24 including shipping.

I was so impressed I wrote a letter to the manufacturer Classic Bells Ltd.I wanted to let them know how happy I was with this style and very high quality of their product. And I wanted to let them know that my intention was to use them for dog training. Here was their response:

I am very glad you like the bells -- thank you for the feedback. We try to offer a little nicer product than the usual because our goal is to offer the best quality possible for the price. Our business has just two employees -- my husband Chuck Kelly and me. We do all of our design and manufacturing in our home workshop.

We sell a fair number of our 3 and 6 bell straps to dog owners. Some folks buy the versions with antique or new solid-brass bells; others buy the less expensive plated-steel bells like the ones you purchased.

One tip for "bell training" I have heard is to put a little peanut butter or other yummy, sticky treat on the lower bell to attract and reward the dog at first, then gradually fade to the just the reward of getting to go out.

Some folks buy bells for the outside of the door too, but I think that would only work well in warm climates. It would be tough for me to hear the outside bells here in Iowa when our heavy doors are closed tight against the winter cold.

For really small dogs or puppies, sometimes a door strap can be too short. In that case, the bells can be hung on a hook installed on the door frame or the hook can be fastened to the door itself an appropriate distance below the door knob.

If you think this type of training is right for your dog do contact www.classicbells.com.  here is the exact page I went to order my bells:

http://classicbells.com/proddetail.asp?prod=ccStd06

If  you've got a product you think will pass the secret shopper test, send an e-mail to secretshopperblog@Gmail.com

Pet Product Review: Urine Eliminator™  By Rug Doctor

Everyone knows I am a strong advocate of keeping cleaning supplies especially those that are made specifically for pet in the house.

Well and my house is cleaning products are very important. Because I have a puppy. I frequently have little pee pee stain send small accident. So when I saw at my local stop and shop store that Rug Doctor Urine Elimintor was on sale for only $9.99, which was a 50% savings. I thought this must be a good product if they initially cost $20. So I bought a bottle.

Well, let's just say I've had better experience with other cleaning products and been more satisfied. First, the To the spray nozzle was loose and I lost about one third of the product in the shopping bag. That may be furious. Then after my puppy happens have an unusually large pee accident. And I use the product, then. But had to use the product all over again it did not clean to my satisfaction and dried residue remained.

But it was more than that, I think the product is way too expensive.  Even on sale; and especially when you have to use it twice. ALso, they have a big warning lable to keep away form kids because of the nonionic detergents.  A warning for Kids, but not pets?

Anyway if you're interested in buing this product you may do so for $19,98+ $8 shipping at:  http://buy.rugdoctor.com/cleaning-products

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

Pet Product Review - Sleepypod Air

today I was not sent a sample I was sent a press release announcing the newest product specifically designed for in cabin pet travel on aircraft. Again I wish I had a sample so I can give you my opinion, but I did want to bring it to your attention. Below please find product information from their press release:

Sleepypod’s Newest Evolution in Pet Carriers Redefines In-cabin Pet Travel
Los Angeles, Calif.—September 20, 2009—Sleepypod, maker of the eponymous, multiple award-winning mobile pet bed, announces it will
introduce Sleepypod Air, its newest evolution in pet carriers, at the H.H. Backer 43rd Annual Christmas Trade Show & Educational
Conference in Chicago, Ill. on October 2-4.
“This is not just the newest evolution in Sleepypod’s line of pet carriers,” says Michael Leung, one of Sleepypod’s three co-owners and
product designers. Sleepypod Air is a revolutionary carrier that redefines in-cabin pet travel. Airline regulations regarding pets in the airline
cabin are not created equal. Each airline has its own rules, to include its own restrictions on the maximum pet carrier size.
“Sleepypod Air solves this size restriction dilemma. It has the ability to contract in size to fit in the space below a range of airline seats during
the restricted times of takeoff and landing,” explains Leung. “Once the captain announces you are free to recline your seat, simply slide
Sleepypod Air from under the seat and expand the carrier so your pet is allowed the largest space possible space while the plane is in the air.”
Sleepypod Air’s folding base allows it to be compressed from a length of 22 inches to 19 inches in length when one side is folded or 16 inches
in length when both sides are folded. Instructional diagrams on how to compress and expand Sleepypod Air can be found at:
http://sleepypod.com/air.
/>Safe Car Seat Function
Seatbelt straps on both sides allow you to secure Sleepypod Air in a car seat. Instructional diagrams on how to use Sleepypod Air as a safe car
seat for a pet can be found at: http://sleepypod.com/air.
/>Features
• Meets most major airline carry-on pet regulations
• Compresses in length from 22 inches in length to 19 inches or 16 inches in length
• Seatbelt straps on both sides allow you to secure Sleepypod Air in a car seat
• Top and ends open for easy access
• Trolley pocket to secure Sleepypod Air onto other luggage
• Large zipper pockets on both sides for essential travel items
• Removable and washable ultra plus bedding
• Easy-clean exterior
Specifications
• Available colors: Jet Black, Dark Chocolate, Orange Dream, Glacier Silver, Strawberry Red
• Maximum cat weight: up to 15 pounds (up to 7 kilograms)
• Maximum dog weight: up to 12.5 pounds (up to 6 kilograms)
• Carrier dimensions: [16 to 22] x 10.5 x 10.5 inches ([41-56] x 27 x 27 centimeters)
• Interior dimensions: [15 to 21] x 9.5 x 9.5 inches ([38-53] x 24 x 24 centimeters)
Price
The suggested retail price for Sleepypod Air is $149.99. Sleepypod’s online store, along with a list of stores carrying Sleepypod products can be
found at http://sleepypod.com/wheretobuy.

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