This is a BIG very IMPORTANT question that you as a new puppy owner should know about.
This is a BIG very IMPORTANT question that every breeder, vet, and trainer should tell each of their clients when they get a new puppy.
What is the one BIG word we as professional dog trainers need to tell new puppy owners?
SOCIALIZATION
Yes, that is the word and that is what needs to be done. The average new puppy owner doesn’t have a clue what that means and the ones that have heard about socialization think that taking the puppy to the pet store once a month is enough.
So here we go, I am going to tell you how to have a dog that grows up to be a happy, friendly dog that you can take around other people, kids and dogs when it becomes an adult.
First however let me explain that the period of socialization for a puppy is from birth to 20 weeks of age. This is the period of time that you have to socialize your dog. If your pup is not socialized during this period, it will start showing aggression usually between 12 and 24 months of age. That period can actually extend to 36 months on occasion.
When your dog is about 10 weeks of age and has had its third round of shots you need to start exposing your pup to new people, kids and other puppy friendly dogs in new places.
I tell my clients to grab the dog, get in the car and go someplace new. For example, stand in front of the local grocery store as if you are waiting for your spouse or a friend to come out. People can’t resist a cute puppy and they will come over to ask you questions, usually “can I pet your puppy” and you respond with a big YES, please do.
If there are kids with them that is a double win because now the puppy is being exposed to children as well. In fact, I like to have some treats so the kids can give it to my pup.
Besides being exposed to these new adults and kids they are also getting exposure to new noises and the hustle and bustle of people coming from and going to the store.
I always tell my clients to do this 3 times a week and be sure to go to different places not just to that one store.
If you want your dog to be good with other dogs in the future, they need to meet some dogs. The question is always how to I find a dog or two that is puppy friendly. Simple ask family, friends and co-workers if they have a dog that is puppy friendly. When you find that particular dog make sure that it is current on all its vaccinations. We do want to protect your puppy from any diseases and especially parvo.
I have raised several puppies over the years using this method and have NEVER had an issue with parvo.
If you will follow these steps through week 20 and then continue to expose your dog to other people and dogs on a regular basis you will have a happy, friendly dog that is welcome everywhere. Remember formal training for your pup should start when it is 4 months old. This is the age that they are like little sponges and eager to learn.
If you don’t take the time to do socialize your new dog, you will be seeking the help of a canine behavior specialist later. I see that person on a daily basis.
Good luck and enjoy that new puppy.
If you have more questions about this subject help is as near as your phone, simply give me a call.
———–
About Wayne: Wayne Booth is owner of which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S.. If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.
Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network at www.K9-University.com
Until next time,
P.S. If you have an aggressive dog please be sure to visit www.DogAggressionExperts.com for help…
Please remember we can help you with dog training or problem solving no matter where you are located. In fact we have clients all over the U.S. simply visit www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com for more information and the give us a call.
Wayne Booth created this blog site to give you information on dog training, behavior and health. This blog was started for his dog training clients and has grown to a blog for dog owners and trainers all over the world. Read More…
Traveling with Your Furry Friend During the Holidays
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothThis article is from guest writer Zara Lewis.
Any pet owner who’s ever been on vacation knows the hassle of trying to find someone to take care of their pet, and the general anxiety as you start missing them as soon as you arrive at the hotel. Do you ask your family to take care of them? Or do you hire a pet sitter? Will they have everything they need? And then there’s the fact that cats hate leaving their home, so you need to find someone who will come in and feed them every day. My dog Joey, like any other dog, hates it when I leave the house for a prolonged period of time, so handling vacations used to be nerve-wracking. However, things have changed. A lot of hotels are now completely open to pets and their owners both, and I have to say that I’ve been enjoying my holidays a lot more now that I don’t need to worry about Joey being lonely back home. Want to know how I pull of traveling with my furry best friend? Let me share some tips.
Start planning on time
Are you traveling by plane? By car? How long will your trip be? If you’re going to a different country, your pet will need a health certificate, they will need to be microchipped, and you should make sure they get all their shots well before the trip. You will probably need either a carrier or a crate where you can safely keep your pet as you travel. Keep in mind that large dogs will probably need to be kept in the cargo hold of the plane, which can be very stressful and even dangerous if they aren’t properly secured. Call your airline ahead of time and ask them about the regulations and what your options are. Here’s a handy list of specific airlines and their rules about dog travel. Bear in mind that there is going to be a fee for taking your pet with you.
Careful with pugs and pit bulls
I found out about this when my friend Linda wanted to take her pug with her to her vacation in France. Apparently, short-nosed breeds can have a lot of trouble breathing on the plane, and some airlines won’t allow them to travel. For these dogs, staying home might be the best option.
Check with your vet
Take your pet to a regular check-up and consult your vet. They will know more about what your furry friend needs to travel safely, and what kind of paperwork has to be finished before you take off. They can also recommend sleeping pills for your pet to ensure stress-free travel, especially if they have to be kept in the cargo hold of the plane. Do NOT give your pet sleeping pills without consulting the vet, because certain medication can make breathing difficult on the plane and can lead to suffocation.
Once you get there
Your pet will need to have a routine just like the one they had back home. Being somewhere new can make them anxious, so you want to make sure you have a bunch of the things they’re used to around, to help them adjust with ease. When Joey and I travel, I always bring his favorite Royal Canin treats and his chicken-shaped chew toy, and he’s pretty happy. Pets like exploring, so just give them the same care you give them back home and let them go on an adventure with you.
In case of emergencies
Before you even arrive, find emergency pet numbers and keep them on your phone. You can ask either your vet for a reference or the hotel where you’re staying. You never know what might happen, and you want to be prepared.
Travelling is so much fun when you bring your best friend with you. I love taking Joey because he’s a good boy, and we rarely have any trouble with him. So, if you don’t like being away from your buddy, take them with you and you’ll have the most memorable holiday you’ve ever had.
About the author:
“Zara Lewis is a regular contributor at Highstylife.com and a full-time animal lover. Passionate about creating a better world for the generations to come, she is a mum of two, raising them inseparably from their furry family members.” You can find her at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011339040658
https://twitter.com/ZaraELewis
Some New Dog Owner Advice
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothThis article is from our friends in Chattanooga, TN at https://YourChattanoogaDogTrainer.com
In this article, I want to address the new dog owner. I mean, the new dog owner that has never owned a dog before or it has been many years since owning your last dog. You need to remember that you are bringing a living creature into your home, and it will be your responsibility to give it everything it needs to become a happy member of your family.
1. One of the first things your new dog will need is a den. Dogs are den animals, and to be happy, it should have its own comfortable den. When we talk den, we are talking about a crate. We want a den-like crate so that rules out the wire cages that you see at all the pet stores and online. You will be looking for the plastic airline type crate. They are more den-like, your dog will like it better, and for several reasons, they are safer for your dog.
Remember that the crate should be big enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lay down. It should not be big enough for your dog to invite friends over for a party.
2. The next bit of advice has to do with training. Every dog needs obedience training. Obedience training is what established the dog master relationship and shows your dog that you are the pack leader.
The ideal type of training will be private in-home training. It is so much better than group class training in so many ways, and the best part is that your trainer will be able to help you solve the issues that your dog is having rather than spending time with 10 – 15 other dogs and their owners.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a great dog trainer is don’t hire the cheapest trainer you can find because usually, you will find that is wasn’t a bargain after all. A great dog trainer knows what he or she is worth to a dog owner and will hopefully give you everything you paid for and more.
3. Exercise and plenty of it is very important for your dog. For years I have told owners that a Trained Dog Is A Happy Dog, but an exhausted dog is happier, and that is a true statement.
Your dog should get a daily walk, and I don’t mean a quick trip outside to do its business, I mean a nice long walk for exercise and to build serotonin in the brain to make it feel good.
If you are not able to walk your dog regularly, you may want to consider doggy daycare. Even just 2 or 3 days a week can make all the difference in a nice, calm, happy dog and a dog that is creating chaos in the family. Check your local area for a doggy daycare close to you.
4. Good food and a good vet are next on the list. I always tell people that giving your dog the cheapest food you can find will cost in the end. Just like humans, if we eat nothing but junk, we end up with health issues and end up spending more time and money with the doctor. The same is true for your dog.
Feed food that offers good nutrition. Your vet should be able to help you make a good food selection.
Speaking of veterinarians, there are a bunch of them out there, so find one that you like and appears to care about you and the welfare of your dog. I prefer to deal with a clinic that allows me to see the same doctor each time I go. That allows the vet to know my dog and me much better than seeing a different person each time your dog needs a checkup or is sick. That is the way most people are with their personal doctor, so it makes sense to do the same for your dog.
I hope that this article gives you some good information and things to ponder before bringing that new dog or puppy home.
If you live in the Chattanooga, TN area and need a GREAT trainer, please visit our website at https://yourchattanoogadogtrainer.com or better yet give us a call at 423-800-5170
What You Can Do About Dog Aggression
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothA great article from our friends at https://mtjulietdogtrainer.com
It is always upsetting and shocking when your dog starts showing symptoms of aggression. This aggression may be directed at other dogs, or other individuals are even yourself, it is essential to take care of it as soon as possible. Dogs are incredibly powerful creatures that can create a huge amount of harm and injury. The very last thing you need as a dog owner is for your dog to attack out of control, causing serious injury or perhaps even death.
Curing dog aggression should start by first identifying the actual cause. There are actually typically two reasons that dogs lash out: they may have an excessive amount of energy or they lack a definite pack leader. Let’s take a good look at these two scenarios.
An Excessive Amount Of Energy
Dogs — some breeds particularly — require a great deal of exercise to get rid of their excess energy. If they are cooped up for hours on end with nothing more than a quick walk plus just a little bit of play time, this energy actually starts to build. Eventually, it reaches a tipping point where it spills over and manifests itself as aggression.
The easiest way to take care of this can be by finding strategies to give your pet dog more exercise and stimulation. Try interacting them on a regular basis, taking them on longer walks and even taking them to dog parks where they are able to play and eliminate steam. You might even want to investigate signing them up for dog agility training or doggy daycare. This will keep their minds working, reducing boredom while burning energy as well.
Absence Of A Definite Pack Leader
Dogs are pack animals. Their instinct is usually to depend upon a pack leader to help and protect them. When you have not established yourself as pack leader, they will likely make an effort to fill the role. Oftentimes this simply means lashing out aggressively at people or dogs who seem like they pose a threat.
Overcoming this challenge begins by clearly establishing yourself as being the leader of your pack. There are many ways to accomplish this, and it is not an overnight process. However, after your dog has gotten the message that they no longer need to defend the pack, their aggression may naturally fall away.
Finally, an aggressive dog is just not something that ought to be taken lightly. Schedule an appointment with an animal behaviorist or qualified trainer right now to start addressing this problem before it is actually far too late.
If you have an aggressive dog that needs help feel free to visit our website at https://mtjulietdogtrainer.com and then give us a call.
You Have To Admit You Have An Aggressive Dog
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothOne thing that always amazes me is how a dog owner will not admit that they have an aggressive dog. They come up with all types of excuses and reasons why the dog is showing aggression and it is never the dogs fault.
If you have read any of my articles on dog aggression you know that I have mentioned that aggression has become an epidemic. Yes, you would be really surprised what a large percentage of dogs have aggression towards other dogs, people and sometimes even members of their human families.
I always explain to an aggressive dog owner that to be successful with rehabilitating an aggressive dog they first have to admit that there is a problem. Without that the training and behavior modification are usually merely a waste of the dog and the owner’s time and the dog does not get better.
Once I have that commitment from the owner the process of rehabilitating the dog can begin. The next commitment I need from an owner is that they will be willing to work with the dog at least once a day for no more than a 15 minute training session.
Of course repetition is the number one principle of dog training so if the owner has the time 2 or 3 sessions a day is even better. I do tell them however that if they can only train once a day they will be amazed at what they will be able to accomplish with their dog and how quickly the dog’s attitude toward the owner, the ALPHA, will change.
Besides the obedience exercises that the dog needs rehabilitation will also include some behavior modification. Each dog needs something different and we actually design a behavior modification program that is specific for each individual dog.
Rehabilitating a dog that is showing aggression does involve work and commitment from the owner. On some occasions the dog owner is not willing to commit and instead chooses to find a new home for the dog and in extreme cases even have the dog euthanized.
Rehabilitating or rehoming is always a decision that the owner and family must make and there is not one right answer instead it has to do with the commitment that the owner is able and willing to offer.
Remember, that a very large percentage of aggressive dogs are that way because they did not receive proper socialization as puppies. When you get the next puppy make sure that you find a well-qualified trainer that can teach you how to properly socialize your puppy.
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Do you need help with an aggressive dog? We can help. If you are in , Chattanooga, TN, Clarksville, TN, Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, ALand Indianapolis, IN visit our website and give us a call.
Please remember we can help you with an aggressive dog no matter where you are located. In fact we have clients all over the U.S. simply give us a call so we can tell you how.
Until next time,
P.S. Do you need some advice from a Canine Behavior Specialist? If so CLICK HERE now!
About the Author: Wayne Booth is owner of which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S.. If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.
Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network. If you would like to become a Professional Dog Trainer he can get you started.
Do You Still Need Dog Training?
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothI talk to a lot of people that need dog training.
A bunch of those people simply can’t afford the training that they need.
Now you can!
Canine Behavior Specialists has created an online program that gives you everything you need to have a well trained dog at an affordable price that everybody can afford.
It’s easy. it’s in your home and only takes 15 minutes a day.
Behavior problems? We have you covered with a bunch of behavior solving information.
Do it now and you can have a trained dog in 4 weeks. In fact you will see a difference after the first lesson.
It is easy to do at TrainMyDogAtHome.com
What Can I Do With My Puppy To Avoid Aggression Later?
in Uncategorized/by Wayne BoothThis is a BIG very IMPORTANT question that you as a new puppy owner should know about.
This is a BIG very IMPORTANT question that every breeder, vet, and trainer should tell each of their clients when they get a new puppy.
What is the one BIG word we as professional dog trainers need to tell new puppy owners?
SOCIALIZATION
Yes, that is the word and that is what needs to be done. The average new puppy owner doesn’t have a clue what that means and the ones that have heard about socialization think that taking the puppy to the pet store once a month is enough.
So here we go, I am going to tell you how to have a dog that grows up to be a happy, friendly dog that you can take around other people, kids and dogs when it becomes an adult.
First however let me explain that the period of socialization for a puppy is from birth to 20 weeks of age. This is the period of time that you have to socialize your dog. If your pup is not socialized during this period, it will start showing aggression usually between 12 and 24 months of age. That period can actually extend to 36 months on occasion.
When your dog is about 10 weeks of age and has had its third round of shots you need to start exposing your pup to new people, kids and other puppy friendly dogs in new places.
I tell my clients to grab the dog, get in the car and go someplace new. For example, stand in front of the local grocery store as if you are waiting for your spouse or a friend to come out. People can’t resist a cute puppy and they will come over to ask you questions, usually “can I pet your puppy” and you respond with a big YES, please do.
If there are kids with them that is a double win because now the puppy is being exposed to children as well. In fact, I like to have some treats so the kids can give it to my pup.
Besides being exposed to these new adults and kids they are also getting exposure to new noises and the hustle and bustle of people coming from and going to the store.
I always tell my clients to do this 3 times a week and be sure to go to different places not just to that one store.
If you want your dog to be good with other dogs in the future, they need to meet some dogs. The question is always how to I find a dog or two that is puppy friendly. Simple ask family, friends and co-workers if they have a dog that is puppy friendly. When you find that particular dog make sure that it is current on all its vaccinations. We do want to protect your puppy from any diseases and especially parvo.
I have raised several puppies over the years using this method and have NEVER had an issue with parvo.
If you will follow these steps through week 20 and then continue to expose your dog to other people and dogs on a regular basis you will have a happy, friendly dog that is welcome everywhere. Remember formal training for your pup should start when it is 4 months old. This is the age that they are like little sponges and eager to learn.
If you don’t take the time to do socialize your new dog, you will be seeking the help of a canine behavior specialist later. I see that person on a daily basis.
Good luck and enjoy that new puppy.
If you have more questions about this subject help is as near as your phone, simply give me a call.
———–
About Wayne: Wayne Booth is owner of which is headquartered in Nashville, TN but serves clients all over the U.S.. If you have a dog with aggression, behavior problems or simply needs training feel free to contact him.
Wayne has also been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of Canine Behavior Specialists Network at www.K9-University.com
Until next time,
P.S. If you have an aggressive dog please be sure to visit www.DogAggressionExperts.com for help…
Please remember we can help you with dog training or problem solving no matter where you are located. In fact we have clients all over the U.S. simply visit www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com for more information and the give us a call.