Know Before You Go: What to Do Before Traveling

Know Before You Go: What to Do Before Traveling

Training, WagBreeze Life

Written by Hannah Burke Garbett, ACDBC

Planning a road trip with your best friend? A little training goes a long way to make sure you and your dog have a safe and fun vacation!

Car Confinement

The safest place for your pooch to ride in the car is in a crate or secured with a seatbelt harness. Take some time to acclimate your dog to your confinement set-up with short daily trips prior to your travel date.

Come When Called

An accidental loose dog is a scary and potentially life-threatening situation. Teach your dog a reliable recall and don’t forget to practice in new places (use a long leash for safety) to help your dog generalize the cue before your trip.

Wait

Prevent door dashing by teaching your dog to sit still for leashing/harnessing and remain quietly in the car until released, even with the door open.

Potty Cues

Make rest-stop potty breaks a breeze by training your dog to relieve themselves on cue. You can start working on this skill at home but make sure to do a few trial runs in new places before you go.

Loose Leash Walking

Busy streets and new places mean keeping your dog close by. You can help prepare your dog by practicing leash skills like walking by your side, changing speed and direction with you, and waiting patiently at crosswalks.

Settle

Plan on taking your dog to a cafe or other dog-friendly destination? Teach your pup to settle at your feet before you go. Make sure to practice with other dogs and humans walking by.

For assistance teaching your dog any of the listed skills, contact your local Fear Free certified trainer.

Just Say “No” to the Shock Collar

Just Say “No” to the Shock Collar

Training, WagBreeze Life

Written by Debbie Revell, RN, Dip CABT, CDBC, ACCBD

Dog training has seen an increasing number of pet dogs with problem behaviors due to harsh training methods, especially electronic stimulation devices such as shock collars or e-collars. Unfortunately, well-intentioned dog owners looking for a quick fix are hiring trainers who use shock collars or are buying shock collars and attempting to train dogs themselves.

Countless pieces of evidence indicate that rather than speeding up the learning process, electronic stimulation devices slow it down, place great stress on the animal, can result in both short-term and long-term psychological damage, and lead to fearful, anxious, and/or aggressive behavior. Some dogs also are physically injured due to abuse of, misuse of, or malfunction of the equipment.

Humane training methods not only solve the problems at hand but also are less likely to cause more problems down the road. Skillful training builds calm and cooperative behaviors in dogs through the structured use of reward-based training.

Position Statements

Dog-Harmony

It is the position of Dog-Harmony training that the use of electronic stimulation collars on pets is not necessary for effective behavior modification or training and is damaging to the animal.

Electronic stimulation devices include products often referred to as e-collars, training collars, e-touch, stimulation, tingle, TENS unit collars, remote trainers, or e-prods. They have been banned in Scotland, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, the province of Quebec in Canada, and the states of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and South Australia in Australia.

In the United States, major names and organizations, such as the Humane Society of the United States and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), have also made position statements against shock collars.

Dr. Karen Overall, MA, DVM, PhD

Renowned Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Karen Overall states that shock collars “violate the principles of three of five freedoms that define adequate welfare for animals: freedom from pain, injury, and disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress.”

Dr. Overall is referring to Roger Brambell’s Five Freedoms which have been a standard for assessing animal welfare since 1965.

photograph of a boxer wearing a canine electric collar

Humane Society of United States (HSUS)

“The least humane and most controversial use of the shock collar is as a training device. The trainer can administer a shock to a dog at a distance through a remote control. There is a greater chance for abuse (delivery of shocks as punishment) or misuse (poor timing of shocks). Your dog also may associate the painful shock with people or other experiences, leading to fearful or aggressive behavior.”

American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)

“Punishment (e.g., choke chains, pinch collars, and electronic collars) should not be used as a first-line or early-use treatment for behavior problems. This is due to the potential adverse effects which include, but are not limited to: inhibition of learning, increased fear-related and aggressive behaviors, and injury to animals and people interacting with animals.”

Dr. Ian Dunbar PhD, BVetMed MRCVS

Dr. Ian Dunbar, veterinarian, animal behaviorist, dog trainer, and founder of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT) sums it up perfectly,

“To use shock as an effective dog training method, you will need a thorough understanding of canine behavior, a thorough understanding of learning theory, and impeccable timing. And if you have all these things, you don’t need a shock collar.“

Why Say “NO” to Shock Collars?

  • Shock controls a dog without allowing that dog to make choices and solve problems, which often results in “learned helplessness” which is when the dog effectively learns to give up.
  • Shock forces a dog to behave with little concern for the root cause of the negative behavior.
  • E-collar training essentially cripples an animal’s true learning ability.
  • Shocking a dog can actually exacerbate aggressive behavior in the future.

Let’s ensure a better-informed pet owner who seeks out humane alternatives to pet dog training.

Fearless Nail Trims

Fearless Nail Trims

Health & Wellness, Training, WagBreeze Life

Written by Hannah Burke Garbett, ACDBC

Your dog’s least favorite grooming chore doesn’t have to mean stress and conflict. Learn how to keep your dog’s nails nice and short – the fear-free way!

Teach your dog to DIY

For front paws, you can ditch the clippers and teach your dog to file their own nails by scratching on a scratchboard. Scratch boards have a hard surface covered with a coarse texture that acts like a nail file. They are easy to make using sandpaper or can be purchased from sellers like ScratchPad on Etsy. Teaching your dog to scratch is a lot like teaching your dog to “shake.”

  • Start by holding some treats in your hand on the scratchboard.
  • As soon as your dog raises their paw up to try and get the treat, mark the behavior with a clicker and reward.
  • Gradually start waiting for more scratching behavior before clicking.

If you prefer to use nail clippers or a Dremel nail grinder instead of a scratchboard, follow these tips for low-stress nail trimming:

Create a Spa Experience

Make sure your dog is secure and comfortable on a non-slip surface if standing for their trim or has a comfy bed if lying down for their paw-dicure.

Condition Your Dog to Love Having Their Paws Handled

Start by just touching your dog’s paws, then immediately giving them their favorite treat. Gradually work up to touching each paw pad and eventually each nail. Slowly add the clippers back into the picture, simply touching them to each nail at first. Make sure your dog is happy and relaxed at each step before moving on.

Add a Yummy Distraction

Sometimes a tasty distraction can make all the difference, especially for young puppies. My favorite go-to is a bit of natural peanut butter on
a Lickimat (a food-grade rubber mat designed to hold spreadable treats for dogs).

For dogs that exhibit fearful or aggressive behavior, contact a Fear Free certified professional to help you develop a training plan. A directory of Fear Free certified veterinarians and trainers can be found at www.fearfreepets.com.

Can Fearful Fido Be Festive?

Can Fearful Fido Be Festive?

Holidays, Training, WagBreeze Life

Written by Amanda Rietheimer, CDBC, CPDT-KA

The upcoming holidays bring new feelings for many families as we reconnect with our loved ones. While it can be exciting to get together in large groups with our family and friends, this often tends to be very scary for our furry four-legged friends. If Fido is nervous about any variation in his environment, adding visitors or other dogs can pose a challenge to future gatherings.

Here are a few tips to help Fido be festive, too:

  • Find enrichment toys that Fido likes to engage with when only your immediate family is present.
  • Start now, well before the holidays. Start with one guest, working your way up to multiple guests in the house.
  • Put Fido up in a room/crate before a guest arrives at the house.
  • Set up Fido’s enrichment toy, such as a snuffle mat, near his dog bed or mat about 15 to 20 feet from the guest.
  • Have the guest sit down before bringing Fido out on a leash.
  • Make sure Fido is calm when you enter the room and treat him, keeping your distance from the guest.
  • If Fido is barking, growling, lunging, or showing signs of stress do not proceed.
  • Have the guest toss treats towards Fido.
  • Check in with Fido often, if he is showing signs of stress such as growling, snapping, barking, shaking, or pulling away, end the session and put Fido back in his crate or other room and contact a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant or veterinarian for help.
  • If Fido is eating treats tossed to him, walk him on the leash to his bed and have him engage in his snuffle mat.
  • When Fido looks at you or your guest and is calm, toss treats to him. It is important that we are tossing treats and never hand-feeding him, as we want him to be comfortable staying at a distance from our guest.
  • For big gatherings, install gates for safe areas for Fido to relax. Our guests can then move around comfortably and not worry about where Fido is.
  • Advise all guests that Fido likes to be a part of the party from a distance. Being pet by guests is not enjoyable for Fido. If guests cannot listen, then put Fido back in his crate/room, where he can be safe and not escalate in fear. Give Fido an enrichment toy to enjoy while he is in his crate.
  • Have buckets full of treats that can be tossed to Fido over the gate to him.
The Perfect Howliday Card

The Perfect Howliday Card

Holidays, Training, WagBreeze Life

Tips for Snapping the Best Holiday Photo

Written by Hannah Burke Garbett, ACDBC

If you’ve ever tried to include your dog in holiday photos, you know it’s not as easy as it sounds! A photoshoot can be a stressful environment for dogs. They’re often asked to remain stationary for long periods, sometimes with unfamiliar props and surrounded by flashing cameras and bustling people. The good news is a little prior training and some gradual acclimation can go a long way toward helping your dog be the star of your holiday greeting cards.

Start at Home

If you would like your dog to sit, lie down, or stay still for your photos, start training well in advance of your scheduled photo day.

Dogs learn best by starting in a low-distraction environment and with generous positive reinforcement. Now is the time to enroll in a training class to ensure your dog has plenty of time to practice before the big day.

Themed props and outfits can add something special to holiday photos. Make sure to introduce your dog to the props and costumes beforehand and practice any poses involving the props at home.

Check the Location

Now that you and your dog have practiced posing, it’s time to take it on the road. If you are using a new location for your photo shoot, you’ll want to schedule a few visits in advance to practice with your dog.

Check the lighting in your shoot location. Dogs don’t understand a camera’s bright flash and will often squint or move away. Try to pick a location with plenty of natural light to avoid using a flash.

Evaluate distraction levels and try to choose a location that will set your dog up for success. Choosing an area off the beaten path could mean all the difference for a dog that’s easily distracted by other people and dogs.

The Photo Day

Help your dog burn off excess energy by scheduling a long walk or playtime a few hours before your shoot.

Pack extra high-value treats along with you, and don’t forget to reinforce your dog’s good behavior.

Bring along your squeaky toy and have a helper stand directly behind your photographer with it to focus your dogs gaze towards the camera.

Watch out for signs of stress and give your dog plenty of breaks to sniff and decompress in between shots.

Embrace imperfection, sometimes the “outtakes” are actually the best photos in the end.

Smile and have fun!

Avoiding Those Ghoulish Halloween Mishaps

Avoiding Those Ghoulish Halloween Mishaps

Holidays, Training, WagBreeze Life

Written by Robin Keene

Halloween is a spooktacular time for many. The most social dogs may love children and joyfully engage in goblin gatherings. No matter how social or timid your pet may appear to be, holiday precautions are always the sensible and safe thing to practice. Here are easy ways to keep your tail-waggers safe… and kids, too!

Safe Places and Happy Bellies

Give Spot plenty of exercise on Halloween day to decrease any over-stimulation the night may bring. Recognize signs of stress. If your dog is uncomfortable, remove her from the situation and put her in a safe place.

Keep your pets calm. If Buddy is anxious around a lot of activity or strangers, put him in a quiet room during the peak trick-or-treat hours. Only the most social and stress-tested pets should be allowed near children. Consider placing a barrier, such as a pet gate at the front door for extra precaution. Be sure all your pets are wearing their IDs and are microchipped in the event they decide to hunt goblins without your permission.

No sweet human treats! We love yummies and so does your best friend. But these can cause canine tummy distress or worse, a fatality. Chocolate is extremely toxic for dogs, and dark chocolate is the worst. Other ingredients like xylitol, found in many low-sugar candies, is a serious risk to your pet’s health. Keep candy out of Fido’s reach. Avoid the temptation to spoil him with a little nibble. Instead, have nutritious dog treats on hand or make homemade treats with dog-friendly ingredients.

If you like the idea of spoiling Champ with his own treats, consider some of the following ingredients: Oatmeal, peanut butter (free of xylitol), pureed pumpkin, apples, carrots, sweet potato, or wheat flour. Cranberries and blueberries are a yummy addition, too.

Jack-o’-lanterns can be easily knocked over by dogs or cats causing burn injuries. Keep them out of reach, even if you use battery-operated candles or décor. And while pumpkin is a good dietary supplement in many cases, it can still cause stomach upset. Check with your vet if you are unsure. Also, be mindful of wires or electrical cords, which are chewing temptations, especially for young pups. Avoid glow sticks! They can break with a bite and are very toxic!

Know the location and contact number of the local emergency vet and have the ASPCA Poison Control Center listed in your contacts: (888) 426-4435.

Considering Costumes

Benji might love dressing up for any occasion. Or, it might be downright stressful. Start with patience and try to understand your dog. Here is a little guidance:

Don’t wait to begin working with your dog. Even a month before the big day isn’t too soon, especially for the fur kid new to the whole costume gig. Most dogs will need some time to get used to being in a strange and amusing get-up.

Start with a lot of encouraging sniffing. Sit with the pup on the floor and allow her to warm up to the smell (washing it beforehand is probably a good idea). Little by little begin dressing her. Maybe just a paw for a few seconds and repeat. Lots of small treats for each little progression will help her overcome any ambivalence she likely has.

Continue a bit every day, increasing how the number of costume pieces with which you dress your dog. Then begin increasing the time, from mere seconds to building up to a minute or two at a time. 

When she’s decided she’s willing to humor you and participate in this odd human request, don’t wait until the big day for her to wear the costume for a long period. Do this days before…10 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, and so on. And provide lots of yummy rewards along the way! Finally, she’s showcasing her way to becoming a grand prize winner!

That said, please be mindful that not all dogs have the disposition to wear anything but their birthday suit. Things to bear in mind:

  • Make sure the costume fits properly: It shouldn’t restrict movement or be so loose that the dog gets tangled up or trips.
  • Be sure your pet can see properly, breathe easily, and bark.
  • Remove pieces that can easily be chewed off to prevent a choking hazard.
  • Look for small signs of discomfort such as scratchy tags. (We all know how annoying that can be.)
  • Most importantly, don’t force it. If Doodlebug hates it, let him sport a cute bandana, and give him a treat and a boop on the nose for still being the best dog, ever.

*For creative Halloween costume ideas for pets and parents, click here.