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Category Archives: dog training

Listen To Your Gut …

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While searching for a good dog trainer I encountered more so-called experts than sand on a beach. Each of them swears by their method and I saw more debates on training, collars, and harnesses than I can count.

I noticed that nobody is held accountable for their training and advice. Some claim if you do this now that behavior will stop immediately. Others tell you to use their collar and the pulling will stop pronto.

Well, in my experience it is often not that simple. What works for one dog may not work for the other. There is no size fits all. Even if a specific training works for 129 dogs it might not work for 130.

Don’t get me wrong. Many of these trainers have good intentions and think they are experts. In reality, they don’t know much about the psyche of a dog, instincts, and drives.

Can you hear my frustration about the whole confusing dog trainer world? I have been there and invested in courses that did nothing for my dog in the long run.

So, how can we dog owners find a good trainer for our baby?

Ask for references and recommendations and talk with these people if you can. Listen and decide afterward what makes sense to you.

Dogs are not robots; not everything works for all.

If a trainer tells you his way or the highway ... well, stay away.

Oh, I can fix that ... I don't know how many times I heard that one. And in the end, it was not fixed. Go into detail, ask questions ... before you decide.

Listen to your gut and use common sense. You spend good money and your dog deserves the best.

If you want to get your feed wet and learn about dogs in every way ... check out the Dunbars. They ARE experts (yep, I said it, lol) but don't take my word for it. Check it out for yourself ..

Christina - For the Love Of A Dog

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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What Comes Next – Training Upkeep!

Recently I finished up the private training with my Nyx. Now it is up to me to make sure she does not stop making progress.

I do not care what kind of training your dog gets exposed to. What I deeply care about is that all dog owners don’t stop the effort. This goes for me and my Nyx as well.

I keep up the mini-training I do every day. It helps to make all she learned “stick”. She does so well with all the new commands and our relationship is even closer now. When I put her in the sit-down, walk away, and make her wait until I am back, give her the release word … oh my gosh, that attention she gives to me while waiting makes my heart melt, seriously. She is so much calmer because she learns that she can rely on me.

Every repetition makes all that stronger. If you want the same do not stop the training. Some things are harder to teach and take longer to make a deep imprint on your baby. The sessions do not have to be long. Just 10 minutes can do the trick. I also integrated some exercises into our walk, and she does beautifully with the execution of it. Every little success counts towards the bigger goal you have with your pup.

Christina - Dogs Are My Soul

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training doglove dogs

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I Finally Found A Wonderful Dog Trainer

My Nyx is an awesome dog. I love her to pieces. But even after 2 years with me she seems not to be able to shake her anxiety about the outside world. Obedience is okay but also needs improvement.

I had 3 hours of private training with her right after I adopted her, and it helped me a lot to train her to walk properly and listen to commands. The location where Nyx got that training was in an industrial building without windows and AC (a sump pump was in the room). Nyx threw up after every training session in that building.

I knew I needed another location and a trainer who understands anxious, nervous dogs. It took me several weeks to finally find the “one”. It is a drive through forests (about 40 minutes from my house) and the place is a doggy paradise amid nature. The trainer lived 17 years in Germany and got all her training (Schutzhund, Therapy Dog Training, etc.) in Germany. She invited me to observe her dog club (which can be joined by invitation after an initial set of training sessions). I love everything about this place and about the trainer. If you live near Redding or Chico … leave a comment or contact me to get the info on the trainer.

Here is the thing: Take your time to pick a trainer. Many have some sort of group classes and maybe you also can go and observe the classes. It will give you the vibe of the training. I would even go so far as to schedule an initial evaluation if there is no other way to meet the trainer … however, most charge a fee for it.

Look, just because you buy some training package it does not mean you are stuck. Many trainers have a refund policy. If you do not know, ask how they handle this situation. Be assured a trainer will also terminate if he feels he can’t handle a dog or “owner”. The pet business is a big money-making machine and as for my part, I am very careful with whom I am working. I want my baby to learn something. At the end of the day Nyx needs to be happy and that makes me happy too.

Christina – Dogs Are My Soul

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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Methods To Train Your Dog That Work For You

If you are like me, you probably try anything and everything to help your pup to become a “Top Dog”. I am frank … it was not easy for me. My girl was a 1-year-old rescue and had some gruesome history that takes time and lots of patience to fix.

My first step was to hire a dog trainer for a handful of private lessons to get the basics. You know … pretty much training me how to train my dog correctly. That was great but … there were so many specifics I did not understand how to do. Thus, my journey with a variety of online dog training classes began. In every class, I learned something that was helpful. None of the classes however gave me all I needed until … I found the Dog Academy of Dr. Ian Dunbar. He is a veterinarian from Britain who was as a young man invited to join the dog behavior research team in Berkley California. Out of this grew the first puppy classes ever offered.

Now his classes and groups are among the best in my opinion. But do not take my word for it and check it out for yourself:

It is the most budget-friendly rounded training destination I have found online.

If you want to be part of my free group please join us. It is brand new and I would love to start populating the group with dog owners like me. Dog trainers are welcome to join too. Being part of us does not cost you a single dime ever.

Christina – Helping Dogs Is The Best Experience Ever

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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Dog Teenage Alert – When Puppies Grow Up

The second year of a dog’s life marks a critical time. If the pup's education is ignored your “sweet baby” can turn into a badly socialized and hyperactive creature.

Suddenly a dog starts doing things we thought we already took care of. You trained your furry friend to come when called, sit, lay down, and do all kinds of useful things and now your dog doesn’t listen so well anymore. He found other more interesting “hobbies”. Sniffing on a poop or rolling in the grass becomes far more interesting. You aren’t your pup’s universe anymore.

Making sure that your dog keeps his bite inhibition is super important. Just imagine … what can happen with the more powerful adult jaws!!! Cleaning my dog’s teeth and touching her everywhere (including ears) … etc. makes sure she doesn’t go wild on me or others.

Socializing is easy to neglect once the dog gets older. All the visitors you had are now people your dog knows. If he doesn’t get exposed to other people and the world, it can go downhill very quickly. Let’s change the walking route so that the dog doesn’t see the same people every day. I switch it up by going to a nature park nearby … taking her to Petco, or anything that drags her out of the routine.

If you adopt a dog, chances are it isn’t a puppy-puppy anymore. My Nyx was one year old and the window for easy socialization already closed. It takes extra effort and lots of patience to fix this. Please, if you rescue a furry friend do not give up after a couple of months because you feel it can’t be done. Realize that these animals have been in a kennel for an extended period. How they behave in the kennel when you meet them doesn’t necessarily indicate their behavior when they go to a forever home. The wildest dog in the kennel can be super shy when they are out.

Dogs in our shelter are all evaluated and trained by staff and volunteers. It isn’t perfect but I honestly think that most of our dogs are sweet animals and if treated right will make wonderful companions when they get to a home that is suited for them.

And sometimes a dog blends right into the pack … but don’t count on it, lol.

Christina - Bringing together dog lovers from all walks of life, one paw at a time 🐾

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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Volunteers Participate In Dog Group Training

One of the reasons why I decided to volunteer at the Haven Humane Society is their Canine Club Training. Volunteers get a dog assigned to train once a week in a group setting. Prerequisite: Experienced volunteer dog walker.

3 weeks ago I was ready! I signed up for the Canine Club and Zeppelin was my first dog assigned to me. This week will be my fourth week and if Zeppelin is still not adopted I will get another run with that cute male pup.

It is so much fun to get to do that. In my opinion, it isn't just a class for the dogs to make them more adoptable ... it is a class for me too. I learn how to handle and train dogs which also helps me to work with my own dog. Talking about free education ... something I value highly as a volunteer. What a package: Spending time with dogs for as long as I want and at the same time learning more about dog behavior and dog training. Regardless of what I am doing at the Haven Humane Society in Redding, there are always staff members and other more experienced volunteers to ask for support. For me, it does not get any better!

Someone asked me recently if it isn't too hard to get attached to a dog and then not be able to take the pup home. Listen, the dogs are just happy to get out of the kennel and receive some socializing time, training, and lots of love. On top of it, I see the bigger picture. I am a stepping stone on a dog's journey to be more adoptable and ultimately find a forever home.

Christina - Helping Dogs One Paw At A Time

Categories: dog health dog rescue dog training dog volunteer doglove dogs

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