7 Steps For Easy Living With Kids and Dogs

Kids and dogs can live together wonderfully, but the first step is understanding that it should be a respectful relationship on both sides. Your dog should respect your rules and boundaries, and your children should also understand what is appropriate behavior around dogs. If you have the expectation for your dog to be well-mannered around children, but do not show your children how to properly interact with your dog as well, only half of your job is done and can lead to some frustrating and potentially dangerous interactions. This week’s post will cover some guidelines for your dog. Be on the lookout for the next post, where we will go over different ways to ensure your children are learning the correct manners as well.

1. Do not reward jumping, nipping, pawing, or any demanding behaviors. Instead, teach your dog to sit to be petted. If he stands up while he gets petted, attention stops. Once he learns to hold that sit while he is getting scratched, it will make it much easier for everyone to love on him.

2. Make sure that your dog has a designated spot in the house where he can settle down and that is off limits to kids. Keep him busy with a toy or chewy while on his bed, and he will not be in the middle of what you are doing such as watching TV, homework, or playing a board game.

3. No chasing! Dogs love to chase fast moving things, especially little kids running by, squealing with delight. If you know your dog has a tendency to fixate or chase, correct him early before he gets zoned in on the chase. Exercise your dog properly to channel that energy elsewhere. A tired dog is a good dog.

4. Go on walks as a family so that the dog sees all humans in the household as leaders, not just the grown ups. Not only does the walk show the dog to look up to his people, it’s also a great way for everyone to exercise together! Proper walking is covered in classes at http://www.nck9solutions.com if you are not familiar with this concept.

5. Spend time playing games together, supervising all interactions to know what is going on and proactively prevent issues. Being present is imperative so you can step in before things get out of hand. The moment your dog gets jumpy or mouthy, even if not malicious, you do not want your dog to see the children as littermates.

6. Regular walks near playgrounds, parks, bus stops, or other areas where there are big groups of children will help your dog get accustomed to being focused on you while the sounds and movements of kids become regular background noise. You can incorporate lots of commands on the walk, moving at a fast past so that your dog starts looking for your next direction instead of looking for something to fixate on.

7. Most importantly, be aware of what your dog is telling you with his body language. Does your dog have his ears pressed back? Is she turning her head away or turning her back to avoid what is coming closer? Sometimes ducking their heads or doing anything to turn away is saying “I don’t want to play, please leave me alone.” The best thing you can do for your dog is to stop whatever interaction is happening. A dog who is panting but isn’t hot or yawns but shouldn’t be tired, is showing signs of coping with stress. Other red flags that the dog would rather not play include growling, baring teeth, a wide wall-eye (where you can see the whites of their eye), a stiff body, or suddenly closing their mouth after panting. When a dog shuts his mouth after that type of panting, he’s saying “the next time I open it, it’s going to be worse!”

In the next post, we will cover things you can do with your kids to teach them proper dog manners, making it more pleasant and harmonious. Kids well educated on dog behavior at an early age will likely share their knowledge with their friends as well and be safer in other home environments that have dogs. This also helps them grow up to be responsible pet owners.

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
http://www.nck9solutions.com

7 Steps for Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

Summer is here, bringing us longer days of sunshine and fun in the great outdoors, as well as heat that can lead to dangerous heat stroke for our dogs.

1. Pay attention to what your dog is saying
Dogs cool off with heavy panting and excessive drooling. If your dog sits down, refuses to move, or tries to go back home, they’re not likely being hard-headed. They might be asking to go back to where it’s cool. Brachycephalic dogs (short-nosed dogs like pugs, boxers, bulldogs, boston terriers, etc.) are quicker to overheat because of their short airways, so avoid too much exposure. If you see your dog digging outside, take a second to watch – many dogs will dig to find cool earth to lie in.

2. Don’t overdo it
Exercising, whether walking, jogging, or running, is great, but go early mornings or later evenings. This will be better for both you and your pup. If you do have to take a walk in the heat of the day, stay in the shade, let your dog walk in the grass instead of on the hot sidewalk or pavement, take plenty of water, and keep your walks shorter.

3. Fresh water
Make sure, whether inside or out, that your pups have access to fresh water all the time. If they have a giant bowl full of water, but it’s been sitting in the sun all day, fill it with fresh water. You wouldn’t want to drink a hot glass of water.

4. Play with water!
Some dogs love water. Fill up a kiddie pool up and place it in the shade. Some dogs will lie in it, while others may just play fetch while you throw their ball into it. Super soakers or playing with the hose can be fun for dogs who like to catch water in their mouths, and some love to play in the sprinkler! If your dog doesn’t like water, you can always leave a wet towel out in the shade (if not a chewer!) or freeze a big bowl of water. Putting that big block of ice out in the yard is like a big popsicle for a kid, and your dog can choose to take a lick whenever it feels like it.

5. Keep their paws cool
Dogs release heat through their paws, so walking on hot pavement or sidewalk traps that heat is miserable for them. They can also burn their pads. A good rule of thumb is taking the back of your hand and pressing it against the pavement, or walk around barefoot. If it’s not comfortable for you, it won’t be for your dog either. If you end up walking during the heat of the day, have your dog walk on grass. You could also try using dog booties to protect their pads or even paw wax. Paw wax protects their pads from concrete heat during the summer and from road salt and cold during the winter. While out and about, you can spray your dog’s paws with water, and also their stomachs, to help keep them feeling great.

6. Products that keep dogs cool
There are so many things out there made to beat the heat like bandannas or cooling vests, elevated outdoor dog beds that allow air to flow underneath, and frozen chew toys. If you shop around in small pet stores, a lot of times you can find unique and interesting products to stay cool.

7. Never leave your dog in a hot parked car!
When it’s 75 degrees outside, the temperature in a car can still quickly heat up. Even in the shade with the windows cracked, the car will get hot in minutes without air circulating or the air itself being hot. Another reason they may become dehydrated faster is excitement from watching other people walk by or from being nervous that you’re gone. Even at lower temperatures than 75 degrees, the humidity might be too high for your dog to stay in a car so be aware of the humidity level as well. If you don’t want to sit in a car on a certain day, neither do they! If you’re travelling with your dog, remember to keep the air conditioner running and have plenty of water available.

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
http://www.nck9solutions.com