3 friendly ways to sharing your bed with dogs - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

This post officially breaks my Writer's Block of 2011.

It was inspired by my recent visit to my wife and daughters in San Diego, who are living with our new dog, a miniature dachshund mix who sleeps in bed with us. Every ones tries to get him on our side of the bed because he is soft, smells nice and keeps us warm. He is allowed to freely jump from one bed to the other if he wants, but only with our help.

3 friendly ways to sharing your bed with dogs - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

A tough article to write.

Training For Dogs at The End of The Rope - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

I struggled a lot with this article, and it took me weeks to sit down and write it. I'm not even sure what it is that kept me from starting it.

Maybe it is that I'm accustomed to doubting harsh dog training techniques, or that I enjoyed the interview too much.

Yes, enjoying the interview -or the interviewee- too much can be a bad thing for a writer, because I, at least, tend to want to please my interview when I like him/her.

When you want to please someone with your writing it goes from being an honest article to a PR statement, and that is not what I should do.

Still, after finishing it, I don't think I did justice to the story. It's an informative article, anyway and it contains a few ideas that might prompt some debate among the non-expert, which is the audience of the Mesa Dog Training Examiner page.

What do you think?

Please comment.

Help Us Save Pet Lives

Today I got so excited when outside of my work I saw a spay and neuter bus. This mobile clinic offered low cost surgery and vaccinations, this got me thinking that I must do a better job in promoting responsible dog ownership and rescue/adoptions.

So here is my response: the A Dogs Coach and Trainer Facebook page will promote more information on adoptions, rescue and behavior of dogs, so they can have better lives and a more pleasant family experience.

I will try to distribute this little poster anywhere I can.

Will you help me? Please Like A Dogs Coach and Trainer Facebook page.

Useful article on managing your dog's ticks.

Somehow someone landed on my webpage coming from this article on About.com. I don't find a referring link. I'm still grateful.

Ticks on Dogs - All About Ticks and Dogs: Ticks are an indisputably dreaded enemy – none of us wants to find a tick on our dogs, other pets or ourselves. Besides the obvious “ick” factor, ticks are bad news because they may transmit diseases and even cause anemia or paralysis. As a dog owner, there are some basics you should know about the risks, prevention and removal of ticks. With proper knowledge, you can help protect your dog from the threat of ticks.

5 Goals to Achieve in any Dog Training Program

Dog Training must make a dog a pleasure to be around, not just a trick machine.

People have many different expectations when they come into a dog training class or when they want you to give them an in-home session for their misbehaving new puppy.

Some of them remember how their idealized dog from their young years, some have watched the Dog Whisperer on Animal Planet, others have been asking everyone in the Craigslist Pet Forum or their friends on Facebook, and have come up with a shopping list of commands they want their pooches to obey.

Their itemized lists are pretty much very achievable, given the proper discipline on their part, but sometimes I wonder what is their final goal, or if they even know exactly what is the best for them and their dogs.

I don't claim to know what is best for everyone, but experience tells me that checking every item of their command list is not the way to go. What you want, and what is going to give you a more satisfactory relationship with your dog are these 5 goals:

1. Understand the way your dog communicates with you
2. Understand how your dog reads what you do and what you say
3. Give your dog calmness
4. Create habits that both your dog and you can share
5. Exercise your dogs thinking skills to adapt to everything life will throw your way in the future 

Have you seen your dog's face when you are angry at it after you find pee on the carpet? You see how guilty he looks? Well, that is not guilt, that is just an expression that means "could you please be calmer?, you're scaring me". That's why you need to understand your dog's body language, we often interpret it like human body language, and ofter err.

Have you notice that when your teacup chihuahua is aggressive to people walking by and you hold it in your arms, instead of calming down he gets even angrier and starts to shake? He understand that your hugging and petting means, "good job, that's is exactly what I want you to do. That is why you need to know how to communicate effectively in a dog-appropriate way.

Sometimes I find people who spent hundreds of dollars teaching their dogs all commands available and more than 50 different words, but when Fourth of July comes, there is no way to control his fears, or if you want to just lounge and relax, they get their dogs jumping all over them, playing, tugging, barking and chewing on furniture, but all they need is for their dogs to just chill with them, being calm.

About creating habits that both your dog and you can share, imagine you are sitting in front of the computer, working on an important file and your Fido rests on a doggie bed, waiting patiently for hours until you finish, or you take a car trip to visit friends while your dog sits nicely in the back seat, quiet, enjoying the ride, without distracting you.

And finally, even if your dog is a total candy at 2 years old, life is bound to bring changes, vacations, thunderstorms and any amount of other unforeseen events in your life for which neither you nor your dog are fully prepared, unless you both know how to take obstacles in stride.

That is, IMO, what you should expect from any dog training session, a preparation for life, life-long lessons that enrich you, your pets, family and anyone around.

about A Dogs Coach's training classes private, in-home and at the park.

Basic Dog Training Class

What you get with your dog training class

These are the basic abilities and knowledge that you need to start off a good relationship with your dog, no matter how old, if it's your first day or you've been years together.

Level: Basic Training and Socialization

Course Content: 

• Basic Obedience Commands, {Sit, Down, Stay, Come, Wait, Watch, etc.}
• Socialization to dogs and people, 
• Behavior Correction
• Calming Behaviors, 
• Dog-to-Human Language

Techniques: 

• Voice and Sign, 
• Clicker, 
• TAG Teaching, 
• Positive Reinforcement
• Mirror Training

Suited for:

• Puppies all ages (one-on-one training)
• Puppies 4-months and older with proper shots (group training)
• Adult Dogs with full set of shots

Requirements: 

• the dog's shots record (to show it on the first class)
• a tube of doggie toothpaste that is meat-flavored, 
• one cup of regular dog food in a zipped bag, 
• clicker,
• fixed-length leash (4-6 ft) and regular collar.

Where:

• In-home dog training in Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert.
• Group classes. Locations are announced in the Group Classes tab.

We are on Yahoo local now!

A Dogs Coach, Mesa, AZ : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local: "a dogs coach".

Same dog training, sitting and walking services, just a new search engine. Cool!

Dogs from shelter in want of training for their owners

There is a mix of virtues and handicaps of the pets you can find at shelters.
Most of the dogs I've seen in rescue organizations, both in Mexico and the United States, are perfectly healthy, happy, adoptable pets, but let's be honest, many of them ended up in there because of something.
Their problem? In most cases, lack of training.
Yes, they need training, but it's their previous owners, or the owners of the dogs that bred them while at large who lack the most training.
Lots of owners get a dog with a frame of mind that doesn't resemble anything like common sense, as if they don't understand that a living creature needs nurturing of the body and mind. They think the puppy they bring home will just know what to do. The humans in the house don't know what to do with a dog and they expect the dog to know what to do with humans? How does that make sense.
This weekend, the Arizona Humane Society is waiving its adoption fees because its overpopulated shelters can no longer receive more pets and they won't turn the new ones away (see the info here), and other shelters will be at the Purina Pro-Plan Rally to Rescue (the info is here).
In the introductory class for volunteers of the AAWL they told us that some of the reasons pets end up in shelters are:

• Potty problems,
• Behavioral problems,
• Changes in the family

All of those problems are solvable with dog training.
I hope all of those animals get the forever home that they deserve with owners who understand the need of education for them and their pets, the benefits of training for bonding and solving problems, and not with people who don't have the time, commitment, space or will to exercise them, educate them and love them.
Most benefits are for the adopters, the human factor of all adoptions, than for the pet, but when that fails, the most damage goes to the animal, who some people think of as disposable.
Come on, train you dog and make your live a whole lot better.

Dogs for adoption in the mall

Support training and rescue of dogs at the Pet Expo at Arizona Mills - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com: "From 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, visitors to the Mall will see the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue Tour where hundreds of adoptable pets from various rescue organizations are expected to be."

When you get your dog,  

More than 1,000 pets up for fee-free adoption in Arizona

Adoptions are daily, but waived fees aren't.

The Arizona Humane Society (@azhumane) is waiving its adoption fees this weekend (Friday August 5 thru Sunday 7) to solve the overpopulation in its shelters around the valley.
From the information in its website:

AHS’ adoption fees ensure that we can provide necessary services to our shelter pets before they can be adopted. Our shelters are FULL and because finding forever homes for the animals in our care is priceless, we’re waiving adoption fees in exchange for a monetary donation of any amount, Friday, August 5 through Sunday, August 7.Adopters must complete regular adoption screening process: must be 18 years of age or older; show photo ID; provide verifiable address; and if renting, provide copy of lease agreement and landlord’s contact information so we can verify that the pet is permitted. Limit two (2) pets per household. Sorry, no rain checks will be offered. 

According to a news report by The Republic, the agency has received dozens of pets in the last weeks, and adult dogs have been arriving in multiples. A lady brought eight last week.
More than 1,100 pets are housed in their facilities and many are waiting to be put on the overcrowded adoption floor, says the report by Associated Press.

More info:

Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion

**********************************************************

1521 W. Dobbins Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85041

602-997-7586             602-997-7586      

Get Driving Directions

Sunnyslope Facility

**********************************************************

9226 N. 13^th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85021

602-997-7585

Get Driving Directions


Remember: 
 

Coupon for the new class in the Park

The Dog Training class in Countryside Park (Mesa, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Chandler) is coming through big time.
I just issued a coupon at Google Offers - A Dogs Coach and Trainer

Check it out!

Let's hear it for the City of Mesa

Well, I am officially the dog trainer at Countryside Park:

Dog and Puppy Training Classes in Countryside Park
for Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and Phoenix Arizona

Get more info on the Group Classes tab

dog puppy trainer positive reinforcement clicker TAGteach behavior modification socialization commands

Group classes are coming soon

My project to give dog and puppy group classes in Countryside Park (Mesa, Phoenix Arizona) has recently been accepted. I have an appointment to discuss the schedule and other details this coming Wednesday, which means I will have more details very soon.
This is an exciting new adventure for me, since most of my classes as private dog trainer have been indoors and at people's houses.

For the introduction of my project I am shrinking the fee by $20 dollars: my students will get 8 1-hour classes for $80. That is $10/hour. Sometimes you can't even get a dog walker for that fee.

I want to set Saturdays at 10 or at 9 for the first session (8 classes on consecutive Saturdays), but I'm open to suggestions.

The park is located here: 

 

Exercise and mental stimulation keep dogs sane and healthy

Obstacles are good for the athletic dog - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

It's the lack of that extra exercise and mental challenge that drive some dogs to eating furniture and walls, barking excessively, chasing their tails up to no end, and to developing problems like excessive shedding out of stress or constant fighting.

Special Training Needs of Working Breed Dogs

I wrote this article on Examiner.com and my Facebook page.
Does your dog need extra training because of his breed? Here is a list of working breeds according to the AKC and my advice on what training is needed.

 

St. Louis saving dogs from heat exhaustion

Did you know that in St. Louis Missouri it is illegal to keep dogs tethered outside when the temperature reaches 90ºF?
I didn't but it makes me happy. I haven't seen anyone in Arizona leaving their pets leashed outside during the heat, but you never know, someone might.
Do we have to be compelled by law to be humane, let alone have common sense?

Keep Those Pets Out of the Heat - Ladue-Frontenac, MO Patch

Owned by a pet....

Owned by a pet....


There might not be a scientific basis for what a lot of us feel, we just know that being owned by a pet makes us feel alive and loved. It makes us complete.
I'm not talking about decorative dogs alone in the yard while the rest of the family goes about their life; I'm talking about a dog, a cat, a chinchilla, a bird, a weasel that lives inside, takes part of the family activities, shares the coach and

More doggie dental health on Examiner.com

Teach your dog to let you clean his teeth in 5 easy steps. - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com:

"How hard is for a kid to enjoy brushing his teeth? Now, multiply that by your credit score and you will get a pretty good idea of what a challenge it is to get dogs to like dental cleaning. Or at least let you try it."

Dog Dental Health article for Examiner.com

Use these 3 tips to do mouth cleaning while dog training - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com:

"Using many treats can speed up the training process but it can affect your dog (giving it a 'plus' size), his diet and the health of his teeth, since soft foods can overstay their welcome in a mouth and create tartar"

Dogs walk in the path of zen

Dogs walk in the path of zen:

"The walk was done, the energy burnt, the bully mellowed down to a thirsty boy. He walked away with his foster mom. I guess he forgot about me right there and then. Zen is like that. You live in the present, free from the categories people think you fit: he was no bully anymore, just a dog."

Seventh-grader girl to hold dog agility training camp for kids

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jul/01/seventh-grader-to-hold-dog-agility-training-camp/

This is a good story about dog training, about people passionate for dogs and all the things they can do, like sports, obedience, socialization, you name it.

Avoid the fireworks scare

How to Prepare your Dog for the Fourth of July Fireworks - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com

Treadmill exercise for senior dog, part 2

I feel elated.
On our second dog training session Tete got on the treadmill on her own, just by the lure, with more confidence. We are more than halfway there.
Here is the brief story: Tete is a 6-year-old shepherd mix female dog that has been gaining weight since the family moved from California to Arizona; because of the heat and their busy life, they can't keep up with their habitual daily walks outside and asked me to teach Tete to walk on the treadmill so she can get more exercise and keep a normal weight.

On our first session I noticed that she was not only uncomfortable getting close to the treadmill while it is turned off, but the sound of her nails scraping on the mat unnerves her. We worked on giving her more confidence and she kinda sorta did, she could walk on the treadmill sideways, putting her back legs out of the machine and her two front legs walking for a couple of seconds.
Today I sat on the end of the treadmill with hot dogs and asked her to get on, "súbete" in Spanish, without touching or pushing her in any way so she could get on on her own time. She did, so I flooded her with rewards to create a powerful pleasant experience with this exercise on the machine.
Eventually she got so tired that sometimes couldn't lift her back legs to get on the treadmill, so I gave her a break and after 10 minutes, tried it one more time for success and rewarded her.
She still has some way to go, but it's a big advance, since we are working not on a trick (get on the treadmill) but on her confidence, losing fear, assessing her independence.
She is smart. She will get there.
This is a follow-up to "Treadmill exercise for senior dog".

Treadmill exercise for senior dog

This morning I started the training of a senior dog so she can take walks on the treadmill.
Since they moved to Arizona, her daily walks are virtually gone and she has gained some weight, which can affect her joints as she dips deeper into her senior years; she is six now and probably 40 pounds.
It was fun. She is very smart and tried everything to get her prizes (bits of hot dog) without jumping on the treadmill.
We are halfway there. Her nails are long and when she heard the sound of them scratching the treadmill got anxious, so I asked the owners to have her nails trimmed and we will try it next week.
Wish me luck.
Have you taught your dog to walk on a treadmill? Do you have any anecdotes of tips you want to share?

Prepare yourself and your dog for the summer walks on a leash

Read my article Leash Training your dog needs some prevention on Mesa Dog Training Examiner.
You can facebook-like it there or comment. If you have any questions, please ask them. I'll be happy to answer them.

Before you start leash training your dog, you could use some words of prevention.
The dog days of summer are almost here, and though average high temperatures float around 105ºF, Mesa has had record temperatures of 119ºF, according to the Weather Channel.
As the temperature starts to rise, it's time to remember that our pooches have special needs when it comes to preventing dehydration.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Leash Training your dog in the summer needs some prevention - Mesa Dog Training | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/dog-training-in-mesa/leash-training-your-dog-the-summer-needs-some-prevention#ixzz1OjCV9GPP

The Quest for Dominance and a hundred tales

We've all heard it, loud or whispered, dogs are on the lookout for dominance, a lifelong, all-encompassing quest.
Must we believe it?
I don't, not quite.