July 4th is around the corner, along with the fireworks that inevitably come with this holiday. Almost all humans with canines in the United States declare this day the worst day of the year for their dogs. Veterinarians say that July 3rd is usually the most trafficked day in their offices, with clients coming in to get drugs for their dogs. Last year, I found a lost dog on the 4th of July. He was obviously a well fed, well groomed, and well behaved dog that escaped his yard when he heard the fireworks. When I called our local Humane Society, I was informed that it is the busiest time of the year for them, as more dogs are found wandering loose on July 4th than any other day of the year in the U.S.
Eight Tips for providing a safe July 4th for your Canine Household:
1. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise earlier in the day.
2. Keep your dogs inside during fireworks, preferably with human companionship.
It seems no matter where you look on the internet there are always conversations about TV trainers to be found.
We have a few trainers to chose from here in the states. Those include Cesar Millan of National Geographic Channels "The Dog Whisperer", Victoria Stilwell of "It's me or the dog" on Animal Planet, Andrea Arden of "Underdog to Wonderdog" on Animal Planet as well as the various trainers on "Barking Mad", also on Animal Planet. (correct me if I have forgotten anyone)
You’ve got two picnic tables full of food, six kids running around the yard with popsicles, drumsticks and squealing laughter, grandma with her walker, your nephew with his skateboard and your brother in law with sunglasses, a beard, a hat and a few too many drinks in him. This is not the time to attempt to teach your dog, for the first time, about table manners, children, walkers, skateboards and drunk people with sunglasses, hats and beards!
The time to train is BEFORE the desired behavior is critical. It’s no different with recall, sitting, staying or walking nicely on leash. If you wait until it’s absolutely crucial that your dog behaves correctly without error, you and your dog will both be frustrated.
Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day and lots of people who don’t normally take their dog along with them to their workplace will do so today. Hopefully it will go well. A dog’s got to be well trained, socialized, and have a solid temperament in order to both enjoy the experience and serve as a model canine ambassador to help persuade more businesses to become dog-friendly year round. So please only take your dog to work with you if he or she is ready for it.
There are many benefits to dog ownership, such as mood elevation and stress reduction, most of which could also benefit people in the workplace.
The producers of the Dog Whisperer television program are now searching for new dogs to be rehabilitated by Cesar Millan—not just any dogs, but wolfdogs (a.k.a. wolf hybrids). Here is a link to the story… http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_12675189?source=rss
