7 Ways to Help A Leash-Reactive Dog

Dogs in our Home and Public Manners class learn to focus on their calm owners around distractions.

Dealing with a fearful, reactive dog can be very stressful. We all want the perfect dog who happily walks past another dog, not the dog who snaps and snarls, pulling at the end of its leash. Sometimes the dog is being demanding and trying to drag his owner over to say hello, and sometimes the dog thinks it needs to protect his person. There are many things you can do with simple body language, whether the dog is being demanding or is acting out of fear, to show your dog that you are in control of all situations and he can calm down.

1. Stay calm and relaxed. Your energy flows through the leash to your dog. If you begin a walk stressed out and tense, your dog will be on the lookout for something to go after. Maintain a calm attitude from start to finish on your walk, showing your dog there is nothing to worry about.

2. Keep the leash loose. Walking with a tight leash tenses up your dog. If you struggle with loose leash walking, we go over this in our Home and Public Manners class. A loose leash is vital for a relaxed walk!

3. Stay between your dog and the distraction. If someone is walking toward you with a dog, instead of letting the dogs meet as they pass, move your dog to the opposite side so that you are in the middle. This simple act tells him that you are taking care of everything.

4. If your dog is out of control, move toward him and walk away. Then come back and try again. In doing this, you are telling him that every time he barks, you start over.

5. Claim your space. If your dog is jumping all over you in the house, he picks up on your weaknesses and thinks he needs to protect you in public. Instead of backing away from your dog when he jumps on you (essentially taking your space from you), stand tall and walk towards him as you see him moving in your direction. Claim your space and show your dog that you can stand up for yourself so he does not need to.

6. Teach your dog to sit to be released through a doorway. Waiting to come through not only builds your dog’s attention on you, it also shows him that you are going to take care of him on either side of the door. Whoever exits first is the one that gets to scope things out, so let him know that this is your job.

7. Sometimes professional help can be necessary, especially if you do not feel comfortable or need extra guidance. We offer a Feisty Fido class that has helped many dogs overcome their issues and learn to walk with better manners in public. Talk to a trainer about what is best for your dog.

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
nck9solutions.com

7 Indoor Activities for Cold Days

During the winter sometimes it is harder to spend as much time outdoors as we would like. Whether it is pouring rain and freezing, or just too cold to be out, there are alternatives to spending time with our dogs that do not have to be in the cold elements.

1. Read what your dog is saying. If you wake up and see that your dog is also snuggled in tight, chances are that he is just as comfortable and content as you are in your warm bed. We all have a habit of worrying too much if our dogs are receiving enough attention or getting enough exercise, but sometimes we can learn to relax from them.

2. Kongs, bully sticks, knuckle bones, and other long-lasting chewies are always your friend. You can keep your dog busy and happy while you get work done around the house.

3. Interactive toy games are a great activity for one-on-one time. Watching and helping your dog find a treat through a challenging maze not only gives him something fulfilling to do, but also shines a light on his talents and quirks.

4. Work on obedience commands. Even if your pooch has already mastered sit, stay, down, come, etc., you can still make a fun game out of drill work. Practice back-to-back commands to see how fast he can do them or how long he can hold them before being released. Lots of praise and fun!

5. If you have always wanted a dog who could twirl, roll over, or pick up his toys, bad weather can be your friend. If you would rather not bundle up and go out, but your dog is bored to death, add lots of mental stimulation by teaching your dog tricks.

6. Play Hide and Seek. You can play it to practice recall, get the kids involved, and teach them the foundation to search and rescue. Have one person hide, ask your dog to go find them, and then give lots of praise when he finds them. You can also hide their favorite toy somewhere in the house and have him search. This really gets them using their noses and makes a nice tired dog!

7. If you get cabin fever and want to take your dog somewhere, car rides can be an adventure, even if you do not plan on taking your dog out. Visit your favorite pet store and walk down all the aisles, practicing sit, stay, down, leave it, and come. Tire your dog out and then as a reward he can pick out a treat or toy.

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
nck9solutions.com

7 Ways to Build a Reliable Recall

Have fun with your dog and make coming to you a great thing!

If you want your dog to come when called, it is not something that just happens. Recall takes practice and it will be something you work on throughout your dog’s whole life. A dog who does not come when called can lead to all sorts of frustrations. Not only is your dog blowing you off (especially if you know he knows his name), but it can become a safety issue if you are near a road or somewhere unfamiliar. The good news is that it is very simple to practice and only takes a few minutes of your day.

1. Always make coming to you the most wonderful thing in the world! You want to give your dog over-the-top praise, especially if you have a young puppy, to set the bar for how meaningful it is to you. When your dog sees how happy you are for that behavior, he will always want to please you.

2. Use your dog’s name to get his attention, then only say “come” when he is moving towards you. Saying, “Scruffy, come!” while he is sniffing leaves across the yard gives him a chance to ignore you. Make sure he is on his way before adding the word “come.”

3. Build small, and work with a leash to practice. If your dog does not come to you when called from two feet away, he definitely will not from 10 feet. You can practice come from close by, reeling him in on leash and eliminating the chance for ignoring you. This reinforces recall all the time and builds on small successes. Gradually build the distance to working on a long line, and follow through with lots of praising. For an example of working on a long leash, watch this short video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOBF-3N08nw.

4. You can also use high value, extra tasty treats here and there, but you do not want to rely on treats all the time. Nobody wants to carry salmon treats around forever! Use treats sparingly, not always. Some dogs figure out that “come” is only when you have treats, so keep him on his toes. Maybe you have something, maybe not, but the reward is your happiness and praise!

5. Make “come” a game outside! As a family, or with friends, stand in a big circle, and take turns calling the dog over. This will get him used to coming to everyone in the house. If you are comfortable in the yard, you can move to playing at a park with bigger distractions. Keep your dog on a long leash so you can step on it and reel him to you if he gets distracted.

6. Throughout the day when you are home, call your dog over to you when he is not paying attention. This is great practice and makes it become a regular habit to check in with you.

7. Keeping recall positive means never calling your dog when you are mad, frustrated or for something he will not like. Instead of calling “Scruffy!” for a bath, nail trimming, or something he hates, go to him and lead him. Always keep “come” a good thing!

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

7 Ways to Eliminate Unwanted Jumping

Dempsey practices sitting politely to be petted at the bus stop.

A dog who jumps all over you and your guests can be frustrating and embarrassing! It can be a serious issue if your dog is knocking down children or elderly people, and getting it under control can save so much stress. Here are a few pointers on what to do about fixing unwanted jumping.

1. If your dog jumps on you, walk into his space, without looking at him, and keep on going. Dogs want attention and if you withhold the attention, they will stop jumping because it does not work for them. Zero attention for jumping.

2. If you see your dog coming toward you from across the house or yard, start moving towards him which usually throws them off. You can add a command to it, like “OFF”, showing him what you mean before he has gotten to you, but try first without any verbal command.

3. Teach your dog to sit when he runs to you. When you are working on recall, have your dog sit each time he runs to you, and then praise. This keeps him in the habit of coming to you and sitting happily, instead of running to you and clobbering you.

4. When you come home, instead of greeting immediately, put your things away and take your time greeting your family. If your dog is in an excited state, continue to ignore him until he has finally lost interest. When you see he is calm, then call him over and have your greeting. This way you reward him for having a calm state of mind instead of rewarding a hyper state of mind.

5. Ask your guests if they can help you with your dog’s training. When someone comes over, have them ignore your dog and walk inside, the same calm way you would come home. They can continue talking to you, without giving your dog any eye contact or attention. When he is calm and not jumping, then they can love on him.

6. Teach your dog to sit for petting. By holding a sit, it helps to practice self control and keeps the energy level down. If he stands up from sitting, stand tall and stop petting. You want to show your dog that any attention stops when he is not in a sit.

7. Once you have a dog who no longer jumps, you can teach your dog to jump on command if you wish.

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

7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog’s Attention

Lana and Roxy practice their commands in public amid distractions.

Do you struggle with a dog who is easily distracted or find yourself begging for your dog’s attention? It’s not likely that you always have a handful of tasty treats on hand nor want to, so you want to wean away from giving treats all the time. Here are a few ways to keep your dog’s attention on you through calm leadership.

1. Don’t dole out affection freely all the time. A dog who comes up and shoves his nose under your hand while you’re reading a book knows he can always get scratched and petted whenever he wants. Instead, make him work for the affection so that it becomes more valuable. If he approaches and demands attention, ignore him and then call him back to you when he’s moved on to something else. This shows you initiated it and you’re reinforcing recall!

2. Practice your commands! Being able to do them at home is great. You can build on your dog’s attention span by practicing the commands in new places and around the neighborhood. Give lots of praise when you are done with the exercise.

3. Make your dog sit for everything – dinner, to be petted, for a treat, to be leashed, go outside, or even just because. This keeps him working and focused, especially if you have a high-energy dog.

4. Keep moving fast. If your dog is a pro at commands, start calling them out back to back. His focus will stay on you and he will not have time to think about what he wants to do next. He will also be exhausted after an exercise like this.

5. Use less words and more body language. Without words, your dog has to look up and pay attention to what you are asking. If your dog knows how to sit, have him sit by incorporating a hand signal if you do not already use one. If he is learning, give it time and he will figure out what you are asking. If you have a dog who is quick to do commands, practice them the same way without words. It is a great mental exercise.

6. Do not stare at your dog! Leaders do not look to their followers for attention, followers look up at their leader. By always looking at your dog and trying to get his attention, you are placing him in the leadership role.

7. Be the treat. Use lots of praise when your dog is doing all the right things. That positive attention will turn you into the reward, eliminating the need to always have treats, and building a better bond between you and your dog.

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

7 Ways to Avoid Pack Issues

Having multiple dogs can be a rewarding (and therapeutic!) thing when you have peace in your pack. Issues can arise when you have dogs who are bossy or competing to be leader, especially when you yourself aren’t assuming the position. Without a doubt, humans are the leaders of the pack, allowing our dogs to relax, sit back, and follow our rules. Here are a few pointers on maintaining that leadership role to keep a happy household of dogs.

1. Always maintain a calm, confident, and assertive attitude. If you are freaking out and worrying about your dogs going after each other, stressing over how your relationship will be, then all you will have is a stressed out pack of dogs who are snappy with each other. Dogs feed off of our emotions, so always project confidence.

2. Regular exercise is vital for burning off energy. If your dogs get along great and you use playtime for them to exercise, that’s great! But don’t allow playtime to substitute for a walk. Walking as a confident leader (relaxed and in front with dogs loosely beside or behind) shows the dogs who they are supposed to follow and gets their brains concentrating on you.

3. Have your dogs respect thresholds. Practice by having everyone sit at the doorway. If you have lots of dogs, especially big ones, you can always just have them wait at the door before you call them through. Whichever dog is pushiest should come through that doorway last. Reward good, calm behavior. This will help your most demanding dog see that things happen faster when they are calm. Not rushing the door shows that you control all space, coming and going, and prevents a pack of dogs from hurdling past, through, and over you.

4. Balance your attention and affection. You may have a great pack of dogs, but don’t forget to treat them as individuals. Find the things that each dog enjoys most and then make time for that. For attention, make sure nobody is pushing anyone else out of the way. Spend time with one pup and then on your terms, call the next one over to you. Always show them that you dole out the affection on your terms and never reward a demanding, bossy dog.

5. Be involved in playtime! A rumbly tumbly pack can be having a wonderful time before Fluffy chomps Fido’s ear a bit too hard and then everyone joins in for a brawl. Get your dogs used to your presence between them, bump around while they’re playing happily and practice calling everyone, separating them, maybe have them sit, and then release them to play again. You can do this many times throughout playtime, always supervising and splitting them up when they’re still having a great time. This keeps them focusing on you, keeps playtime fun, and makes recall a part of play so it’s always fun to come to you!

6. Don’t let your dogs guard anything. As the leader, you are the only one who is allowed to protect anything – food, bones, toys, etc. Supervise feeding times and don’t let anyone steal from anyone else’s bowl. This lets everybody know that you are going to stick up for them and keep the peace. If a dog gets growly over a bone, claim the object by stepping on it and backing the dog away, and then they lose that bone. Be the mama dog and let the other dogs know you are keeping everything even.

7. Another great way to maintain calm is by having everybody sit for their dinner. If your dogs haven’t mastered this, you can practice sit for dinner one at a time before you graduate to everyone sitting before being released. Sitting for dinner is showing that you control mealtimes and that it’s no time for wild and crazy play. Like the doorway, the calmest dog gets to eat first.

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

7 Things to Never Let a Child Do to a Dog

We have discussed in the past proper children and dog manners, but it can never be stressed enough the importance of supervision and proper dog-kid interactions. Educating early is the best way to encourage good interactions, prevent dog bites, and help our little humans grow up to be great leaders.

1. Never allow a child to pet a dog without permission. Some dogs may not be good with kids, may not feel well, or are in training for service or general good manners.

2. Never allow a child to run up to a dog. They should always approach at a relaxed pace, stopping before getting to the dog, and then allowing the dog to sniff you and close the gap. Since children are at a lower level, a child running straight up to a dog’s face can be very intimidating, especially if they are yelling or waving their arms.

If you don’t know the child approaching, step in front of your dog to block the child and engage them first, while at the same time showing your dog that you are taking care of everything.

3. Never allow a child to pet a dog if the dog is trying to avoid being petted. If the dog is turning away, suddenly panting, staring with a wide eye, turning its back, or all out trying to get away, the worst thing you can do is force a dog into the situation. This is a huge breach of trust and the dog will think you aren’t going to protect her from something that makes her uncomfortable, leaving her no choice but to protect herself.

4. Never let a child pull on, climb, poke, tease, or harass a dog in any way. What seems like affection to us does not say the same thing in dog language. Climbing on, wrapping arms around, or placing ourselves on the dog can be very dominating, making the dog uncomfortable. Some dogs don’t care, some dogs tolerate it, some dogs tolerate it until they have a breaking point, and some dogs hate it from the start. The best thing to do is to respect the dog’s space and not test whether they like it or not.

5. Never allow a child to disturb a dog who is sleeping, eating, or playing with bones. While no dog is allowed to guard resources, the grown ups can should take care of these behaviors and prevent incidents.

6. Teach children to never run away from a dog. Running from the dog can increase its prey drive, especially if the child is squealing too. Teach children to “make like a tree” and stand still.

7. Never, ever, ever allow a child to play with a dog unsupervised no matter how great the dog is. So many things can go wrong and it certainly has. Safety first.

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

7 Ways to Introduce Your Dog to Your New Baby

When bringing home a new member of the family, start thinking about introducing your dog well in advance for this lifestyle change. Don’t bring your baby home and expect your dog to automatically respond correctly or change bad habits overnight. Preparing your dog months ahead will help him accept a new baby in the house more easily when the big day arrives.

1. Think about daily life in the house with a baby. Are there bad habits such as jumping on you or laying on the couch that you would rather undo at this point? Work on these training loopholes now instead of when baby comes. Practice walking around with a baby doll so he gets used to you having a bundle in your arms that he is not allowed to jump on. Same with not jumping on the couch or the swinging chair.

2. Teach your dog the “Wait” command so you can have it handy for not going into any rooms that you want temporarily or permanently off limits such as the baby room while you change diapers or the kitchen while you feed baby.

3. Practice having your dog walk politely next to a stroller before baby comes, including by distractions such as dogs, joggers, squirrels, etc.

4. If your dog has never been around kids before, you can acclimate him to children by going for walks near parks and playgrounds. Be sure your walk is relaxed with your dog besides you.

5. Your dog still needs routine. A lot of times a dog is forgotten and begins to act out to get attention. As your baby grows, supervise all interactions and remember to never allow your dog to get involved when he is not invited or where you are not comfortable with his presence.

6. Have your husband/mother bring the baby blanket from the hospital to allow the dog to smell it to get used to baby’s arrival. When baby comes home, allow your dog to get used to the little bundle in your arms, chairs, etc. around the house and also by taking walks. Take your time to do the actual introduction even if it takes days or weeks.

7. If you are nervous about the actual introduction, wait until you are comfortable so the meeting is positive and happy rather than risk your stress or worry to affect your dog. This will reassure your dog that even though baby has brought a big change to the household, his leaders are not worried and are taking care of things.

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

7 Steps for Easy Living with Kids and Dogs (Part 2)

1. Teach your kids to always ask to pet dogs, even if it is a dog you know well in the neighborhood, and then listen to the owner’s instructions. Dogs, like people, can have bad days and may not always feel like being petted. The owners may tell kids to pet a certain way, may ask the kids to pet one at a time, or they may even say no.

2. Dogs should respect the humans’ space, but, equally so, dogs should have their own safe place to retreat. Teach children to leave dogs alone if they are in their crate or bed, especially if sleeping. Let the crate be just for dogs, and no playing inside it.

3. Teasing is also a big no-no. Dogs should not have to tolerate poking and prodding. Tolerating only lasts for so long before there comes a breaking point. No lying on, hugging, pulling, poking, jumping in dogs’ face, or any sort of teasing that can stress them out. Instead, promote calmness and good interactions such as proper petting and playing.

4. You can also teach kids about dogs’ body language, such as dogs turning their head away or hiding his face. These are big communications that dogs wants to be left alone.

5. Teach how to properly give a treat without getting fingers nipped. Holding fingers and thumb close together in a flat palm, kids can offer a treat to dogs without them confusing which pieces are food and which may be fingers.

6. One especially important rule is to teach kids to never approach dogs they do not know! Whether on a walk, out at a park, walking by a fence with dogs behind it, or come across a stray dog, the best rule of thumb is to stay calm, not look at the dog, and keep moving. Seeing a dog you do not know and running or yelling with excitement can excite dogs more and engage its prey drive.

7. The best thing you can do for your kids and dogs is supervise all interactions. Especially with little ones, you do not want to leave them unattended together, not even for seconds. Supervising sets them up for healthy interactions and allows you to intervene before things escalate.

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

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