games for dogs

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Dog Games: Discover the Joys of Interactive Toys

Playing dog games is a lot of fun, but many times you cannot be around to play with him all day. You may need to leave your dog alone to do chores or to go to the office. Giving your canine companion some interactive toys has the double advantage of helping your pet be entertained while keeping boredom at bay. If your dog is busy with toys, it lessens the possibility that he will chew on your furniture or nibble on your shoes and clothes while you are away.

Kyjen Dog Games Treat Wheel Dog Toy Puzzle

Here are some highly-recommended interactive toys for dogs:

Among games for dogs, the Kyjen Dog Games Treat Wheel is an interactive toy which has had rave reviews from dog lovers. It has compartments where you can hide treats for your dog to find. Your dog will enjoy sniffing out the treats and using his paws to retrieve them. Turning the wheel reveals more compartments where you can hide even more treats.

Another interactive toy is the Jolly Pet Tug- N- Toss which is especially recommended for large breed dogs. This is made of polyurethane and is practically indestructible. Your pet may even puncture it without deflating it. You can use it for fetch as a normal ball. The handle also makes it suitable for a little game of tug of war with your pet.

The Holl-ee Roller Dog Toy is a ball that is made of rubber. The material is said to be strong and soft at the same time, making it ideal for the ball’s open design. This design allows you to store treats inside. Your pet will literally have a ball rolling this toy around and getting awarded with the treats that will pop out. Check out this YouTube video of dogs playing with this toy:

The Jolly Pet Romp-n-roll Dog Toy is an extra durable ball that can be used for a variety of purposes: chewing, fetching, rolling and carrying. Your pet will spend hours playing with this toy. It is also strung on a rope chew toy, for the times when you want to play tug with your canine companion.

You may also want to check out the Jolly Pet Teaser Dog Toy, which is a ball that has cut outs and a smaller ball inside. The material used allows it to bounce erratically when your pet chases after it.

In addition to all of these interactive toys, dogs love the well-known Kong line of dog toys. If you are a new pet owner, these are a must to check out! Your pet will enjoy his solo hours at play, as well as sharing with you his time playing games with you.

Happy playing!

Three Points to Ponder when Choosing Dog Games and Toys

In choosing the best dog games and toys to play with your pet, three of the most important factors that you have to consider are the size and breed of your canine friend, as well asyour dog’s individual personality. Here are some tips to guide you:

Does size matter?

When playing with small dogs, experts say that you must remember that they are dogs. They may be small, but they are still dogs, and as such must be allowed to walk, and not be carried around all the time. Another recommendation is to choose the same games that you would for larger dogs, but make sure to downsize the game. If a larger dog can do an obstacle course, so can a small dog – only, it has to be a smaller one. If a larger dog can play hide and seek, so can a small dog – just make sure you cover a smaller area in choosing hiding places. This will help prevent your small dog from tiring too easily. Also, consider that a smaller dog is more fragile than a larger one, so take extra care when engaging him in physical activity.

Breed-specific preferences:

Some breeds have demonstrated marked intellectual abilities and would benefit in particular from the mental and physical challenges of obedience training, tricks, and dog games. These breeds include the German Shepherd, Doberman Pinschers, Border Collies, Rottweilers and Labrador Retrievers. On the other hand, there are “working breeds” such as Doberman, Rottweiler, Great Dane,Akita, German Pinscher and St. Bernard that are especially suited to carrying weight. These usually have huge supplies of energy and would benefit from running beside you as you rollerblade or ride a bike, or playing a game of “Pull the Wagon”. You could also pad extra weight onto his dog harness so that he is carrying a heavier load. Note that a working dog that is not able to get enough physical activity may become lethargic, restless or neurotic.

Specific toys can also be chosen by your dog because of characteristics of their breed – for example, Jack Russell Terriers can be very tenacious; pit bulls have very large heads – so be cautious about giving a larger dog a smaller toy. Tendencies within certain breeds, such as a tendency towards chewing, need to be taken into account when choosing toys and games for your dogs. Although of course there can be tremendous variation within breeds, it’s important for owners do their research about and take into consideration known tendencies in particular breeds when selecting toys and games for their dogs. To learn more about your dog’s breed-specific tendencies, visit the American Kennel Club website for a wealth of information.

What’s personality got to do with it?

Camilla Gray-Nelson emphasize that like humans, dogs have different personalities, and will prefer some toys over others. Your dog will tell you what he or she likes and what she couldn’t care less about. Sometimes, your dog’s choice of toys and games has more to do with your dog’s personality than their breed – as you’ll see on the videos with Tango and Sparky!

Lastly, rough-housing is neither appropriate nor safe for any size or breed of dog. Dogs must always be treated with kindness and consideration, whether at home or when playing games with your dog.

Check out this awesome video of some dogs with very specific talents and preferences for the activities that they love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=cqxTUxzOceE&feature=youtube_gdata_plaJ

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Camilla Gray-Nelson is a dog successful dog trainer and owner of Dairydell Canine, the fastest growing dog training center in Northern California. For more information about Camilla, please visit her website at: http://www.dairydell.com/media/About_Camilla.html

10 More Objects Around Your Home to Avoid When Playing Dog Games

In the last post, I discussed ten items around our homes that we need to ensure that we supervise our dogs around – not only when playing dog games, but during our day-to-day lives. Particularly for new pet owners, these valuable tips from veterinarians will serve to ensure that your dog stays safe in your home. Dr. Anthony Michael, owner of Rose Canyon Animal Hospital in San Diego, CA, and Dr. Max Rossetti, owner of Rossetti Veterinary Centre in Edmonton, Canada, warn dog owners to exercise precaution around the following items and situations:

• Dr. Max Rossetti also notes that dog owners should be wary of boiling water or
  

  Photo sent in by Sharen L.

  cooking things on the stove-top when your dog is in the kitchen with you – whatever you are cooking may smell awfully good to a dog who may be tempted to jump up and scald his or her paws.

• Toilet water – blue cleaning products and thirsty dogs are a lethal combination.
• Experts I’ve spoken to warn dog owners NOT to use outdoor hoses to make dog toys, games, or challenges. Like some dog toys, these hoses can have very toxic levels of lead and other chemicals.
• Dr. Michael also notes that any toys that have a long, continuous fiber, such as rope, twine, or ribbon, should be avoided. If dogs ingest these materials, they can be lethal because they can get stuck in their intestines and/or under their tongues. He suggests that rope toys should be avoided at all costs.
• Dental floss – because it often has blood on it, your dog may be attracted to it. If he/she ingests it, this can tie up your dog’s bowels, again because it is a continuous fiber.
• Corn husks and wine bottle corks (which can expand in the dog’s stomache) can be very dangerous to dogs.
• Anything that smells strongly of you (dirty clothes, for example) or even baby diapers can be potential hazards for your dog – because they are more likely to chew on them and potentially ingest them.
• Dr. Max Rossetti notes that rawhide can be ok for dogs to chew on, but needs to be offered to your dog in a large piece so your dog doesn’t swallow it whole, and should be supervised so that he/she doesn’t ingest large pieces.
• Tapes and adhesives should not be used when playing games with your dog because your dog is likely to lick and therefore ingest glues, which could contain dangerous chemicals or toxins.
• Pipe cleaners or other crafting materials that have wire in them should be avoided, as your dog could accidentally swallow them.

Finally, ensure that you have a poison-control number on hand, and a trusted number of a veterinarian that you can call 24 hours a day just in case your dog does get into something that he shouldn’t. Just like for children, every minute can count during an emergency.

Here are some valuable phone numbers that you might want to keep on hand in case you have an animal poisoning emergency:

1. Your veterinarian’s phone number.

2. An after-hours veterinary hospital emergency number.

3. The Pet Poison Helpline: 1-800-213-6680 $35 US payable by credit card  (www.petpoisonhelpline.com)

4. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-426-4435 $65 US (www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/)

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Dr. Anthony Michael is a Veterinarian and the owner of the Rose Canyon Animal Hospital, San Diego, CA. For more information, you can contact his clinic at: http://www.rosecanyonvet.com/

Dr. Max Rossetti is a veterinarian and the owner of Rossetti Veterinary Center in Edmonton, Canada. You can learn more about Dr. Rossetti and his practice by visiting his website: http://www.petdoc.ca/

10 Objects Around Your Home to Avoid When Playing Dog Games

It can be a lot of fun to play games with your dog, but like any activity, it’s important to keep safety precautions in mind. Although there are items on this list that are common in every home, dog trainers and veterinarians I’ve interviewed emphasize the importance of supervision for your dog at all times: Anything that can be chewed up and swallowed (that isn’t food) can be potentially dangerous for your pet!

• One of the biggest problems veterinarians I’ve spoken to see in their practice is dogs eating parts of toys, especially stuffed toys because dogs can easily ingest the stuffing. Veterinarian Dr. Rossetti notes that dogs like to eat the eyes and other parts of the animal. Be cautious about buying any toys that have ‘dangling bits’ and supervise your dog when they play with toys, particularly if it’s a new toy, so you can see how your dog plays with that particular toy. Dr. Rossetti also warns that once the dog actually manages to chew off the eyeball or whatever it is on the toy that he manages to get off, what is often left is a jagged piece that can also cut into a dog’s delicate gums. He also warns that really hard toys for dogs will actually break their teeth – which can result in expensive doggy dental bills! Supervision is key.
• Dr. Max Rossetti notes that many people use simple sticks to play with their dogs, but he’s seen some disasters from this in his practice. He notes that dogs can hit a tree and ram the stick into the sides of their mouths, or they can get the stick stuck in the back of their throat if they are carrying it and trip and fall.
• Veterinarian Dr. Michael warns that tennis balls can be swallowed by larger dogs or the outer layer peeled off and ingested – therefore, supervision of your dog is required when playing with these balls. Dr. Max Rossetti also notes that the grit and fibres on the outside of tennis balls can also wear down a dog’s teeth over time. Instead, he recommends a rubber ball.
• Also check your dog’s toys (including tennis balls) for hidden dangerous chemicals. Where were they made? Research the company that made your dog’s toys to ensure that they have enforced standards restricting high concentrations of lead or phahlades. In the absence of any standard, the Kong Company uses the same standards as the U.S. has for children’s toys. Do your research and ensure that the company you choose to buy from has a high standard regarding the chemical make-up of their toys. The Bark online magazine published an excellent article titled Beware of Lead and Toxic Dog Toys that you might want to check out for some more detailed information on this topic.
• One trainer I spoke to told me stories of a toy made of knotted ladies stockings being ingested by his dog – so like kids, any toy that is small enough to be swallowed by your dog is a potential danger to him or her!
• Dr. Michael notes that it goes without saying that cleaning products should be safely stored away from your pet – but we often forget that when we wash our floors, for example, and your dog walks across it with his paws and then later licks them to clean them, can result in your dog being poisoned.
• In addition, cords can be a tempting texture for your dog to chew on, particularly if you have a puppy who is teething. Ensure that you supervise your dog at all times when they are around any outlets.
• Veterinarians I’ve spoken to warn that oleander plants can kill a dog! It contains a derivative of a heart drug which can lead to a heart attack or heart failure in your dog. Prescription medications – keep them under lock and key as these can be extremely dangerous for dogs. Even keeping them on the counter can be dangerous as larger dogs can jump up.

Although it may seem like there are a lot of things that dogs can get into around your home, attentive supervision of your dog, and not allowing your dog access to these materials when he or she can’t be supervised, is the best way to ensure your dog’s safety. This does not mean that your dog needs to be in his or her kennel while you are at work every day. It just means that we need to take appropriate precautions to ensure that there isn’t anything left out that could cause our dogs harm when we are not around. In part two of this article, I will discuss ten more items around our homes that veterinarians warn can be dangerous for our dogs. For more information about objects, plants, and foods that may be lethal for your pet, you might want to check out the ASPCA website.

Expert Dog Trainers Speak: The Most Common Problem Pet Parents Have

Everyone in your family has rules that they have to live by – if you have a husband, you likely have expectations for each other within your relationship; if you have kids, you wouldn’t let your children eat candy for breakfast – so why shouldn’t your dog have rules that he or she needs to follow, too?

Dog trainers I’ve interviewed tell me that the biggest problem that they see in their profession is that dogs are confused about what their role is in the family unit. Martin Deeley describes this as a “lack of clarity” for the dog. When dogs live in the wild, they live in packs – the problem is, especially if you have a fluffy little toy breed (like Tango) – it’s easy to forget that she is a relative of a species that are pack animals. This means that there is always a natural leader in a dog’s world, and dogs are most comfortable when they have a leader to follow.

When you think about it, families are no different. If children don’t have an adult that they can trust to give them a safe and predictable living environment, they can get into trouble because they don’t have someone to give them guidance when they need it. It was the same when I was teaching elementary school. Can you imagine the chaos that would have ensued if I didn’t establish some rules with the students to ensure that everyone would be safe? Rules do not make you a bad person or a bad pet owner. Having rules – fair, consistent rules, are necessary for everyone’s safety and well-being who lives in your house, including your dog.

Again, dogs are not humans, but their unique needs become clear when we compare them to us. Just like children, dogs feel safest when they have a leader to follow. So in addition to love, dogs need someone to be their leader, their protector. Not having a leader can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety and stress for your dog, because he thinks that he has to protect the entire family. And just think of how exhausting that would be for a dog! It may seem counter-intuitive, but being the leader is the kindest thing you can do for your dog.

Now I know that changing the way you think about working with your dog will likely not happen overnight. Martin Deeley notes that humans likely have far more years of living experience during which they have formed habits which can be difficult to change. However, it is certainly possible with a little bit of focus and a positive attitude. Martin emphasizes that old dogs can easily learn new tricks and new dog games – so we certainly can, too!

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Martin Deeley is the President of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and is a world renowned dog trainer, writer, and commentator. Martin has written three top selling books Advanced Gundog Training, Working Gundogs, and Getting it Right with Gundogs. For more information, please visit his website at: http://www.internationaldogschool.com/ or www.floridadogtrainer.com/

So how do I know if I’m driving?

Camilla Gray-Nelson explained that the easiest way to find out if you are perceived to be the leader by your dog is by asking your dog to do something that you have already taught him or her to do at a time when he would rather not. For example, ask your dog to sit when you know he would rather lie down. If your dog does not follow through on your request, you are not the leader.

Frank Saputo suggests that dog owners limit their dog’s freedom until the dog has learned how to be successful living in your household. Limit the rooms that your dog is allowed to be in until you have observed over time that your dog doesn’t chew or eliminate when he is in that area. If your dog is still chewing or eliminating in the area of the house when you do leave him/her unsupervised, then you need to spend more time supervising your dog and clearly communicating what is and what is not allowed in your home until he no longer eliminates or chews. Frank emphasizes that teaching your dog what is acceptable and what is not acceptable clearly is essential.

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Camilla Gray-Nelson is a dog successful dog trainer and owner of Dairydell Canine, the fastest growing dog training center in Northern California. For more information about Camilla, please visit her website at: http://www.dairydell.com/media/About_Camilla.html

Frank Saputo is a master dog trainer who is dedicated to educating his clients about the basic nature and instincts of their dogs. He is the founder of Spot On K9 in San Diego, Ca. For more information about Frank, please visit his website at: http://spotonk9.com/

Help Your Dog Thrive in His Human Family – And Put an End to Leash-Pulling!

In the last post, we discussed how we can learn to meet our dog’s natural needs by beginning to understand how problem solving is core to a dog’s health and well-being, and the importance of really getting to know our dogs through practicing clear communication. Spending quality time with your dog through teaching him or her basic obedience and by playing dog games will not only strengthen the bond that you have with your dog, but will help your dog to relax into his or her place in their human family. Let’s talk about how communicating clearly and with love can change an undesirable behaviour such as leash pulling.

First, I would assume that you already have your dog on a relatively short leash to begin with. If your dog pulls ahead,simply say “Uh uh.” Don’t yell, don’t get angry. Just communicate the message clearly and firmly with your voice. THEN STOP. Bring the dog beside you again, then tell her what a good girl she is – in other words, “I love you, and here’s what I want you to do instead” You can also give the dog a treat when she is doing what you’ve asked. It’s really important to remain consistent and do the same thing each time, until your dog realizes that it is far more pleasurable to be beside you than it is to be in front of you. See, there aren’t any treats out there – the treats and affection ONLY come when she is close to you.

So again, when your dog pulls ahead:

1. First, let her know that you don’t like this: Firmly say ‘Uh uh.’ No yelling.

2. Then, bring the dog back beside you. When the dog makes eye contact with you, reward this with a “Good girl” and a treat.

3. Start walking again.

4. Repeat this process until your dog decides that hey, it’s better to be here than it is to be there!

Don’t take it personally, but expert dog trainers assure me that your dog will always choose the more pleasurable option. As Camilla Gray-Nelson light-heartedly reminds us: “If you fall into a well, your dog isn’t going to save you. He’s going to eat your sandwich.” Your dog will not choose to be beside you because she feels that is the most responsible thing to do. However, if it’s more pleasurable to be beside you than it is to be in front of you, she will choose to do that! But the message is always: No, very clearly no. I love you. And here’s how you can be successful (show them what you want.). Show the dog, guide him to doing exactly what you want, and then reward them for doing this with you. Like children: build on their successes. If they don’t understand, go back to where they were successful and try again.

Martin Deeley describes this kind of interaction as maintaining balance. He notes that there has got to be communication that what the dog has just done is not right, and that there is a consequence communicated in a humane way to the dog. Working in a partnership with your dog is essential if you want your dog to be your companion!

For numerous other ideas of fun, positive games and challenges you can do with your dog, visit my website at DogGamesAtHome.com. I look forward to chatting again soon!

Lori

Help Your Dog Thrive in His Human Family

Master Dog Trainer Camilla Gray-Nelson emphasizes that we need to address the foundational needs of our dogs, and that this means not only meeting your dog’s natural needs (as we discussed in the last post), but also communicating to your dog who is ‘driving’ so they don’t experience anxiety. This doesn’t mean that you should bully your dog into doing what you want; you just need to be the one setting the boundaries in order for your dog to thrive in his or her human family in a calm and effective way. Be pragmatic. Much like children, it’s a matter of communicating that I allow this, but I don’t allow that.

Martin Deeley, Executive Director of International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), emphasizes the importance of learning to communicate with your dog – a skill which can be honed through experience and by paying careful attention to your dog while engaged in obedience training and when playing dog games. Martin notes that when dog owners and trainers are really in tune with their dogs, they can always be one step ahead and be pro-active in avoiding unwanted behaviours.

Martin emphasizes that being calm, quiet, and relaxed is the key – the dogs like it and they respond beautifully. When you are relaxed and focused, the dog can be, too.

“Problem-solving is the core to a dog’s mental health”

- Camilla Gray-Nelson.

When dogs figure out pack relationships in the family – where they fit in their human family – this is really problem-solving as the dogs figure out what is allowed and what isn’t, which happens naturally in the wild.

Many of the experts who work with dogs speak about how dog owners in America having the very best of intentions – spoiling their dogs with lots of love and affection – but where we fall down is in realizing that giving our dogs love is only a PIECE of what they need.

Let me be clear: Dogs are not humans, and some of their needs are different than ours.

However, we can learn about how we might attend to dogs unique needs by comparing our relationships with them to our relationships with children. In raising children, one of the most important ingredients is love – but that isn’t the ONLY thing that children need, right? One of the most important messages I gave to the many children who I worked with as a teacher was learning to say “No. I love you.” But that very first part: NO – was an essential component.

For example, when my students asked if we could do art all afternoon, my message was “No, I love you, and here’s what we CAN do instead.” What did the students take away from this exchange? Ok, we can’t do art all afternoon – but she really likes me, and there is another good option. I feel safe and loved – event though she said no. The students understood the rules and the boundaries, but they didn’t walk away thinking I was mean. They asked and they were told no, but this isn’t a bad thing! Would you want me teaching your child only art every day, just because that was what they wanted? That isn’t how the real world works, and it wouldn’t be fair to them for me to let them think that that’s how the real world works. Notice also that I didn’t yell, I didn’t belittle them or make them feel that they were crazy for asking – truth be told, it would be fun to spend the afternoon doing only art – but my message was clear, firm, and delivered with a spirit of kindness and love.

Now let’s consider how this compares to our interactions with dogs. Instead of asking for art all afternoon, your dog may continually pull on his leash when you are out walking. In other words, your dog is asking for the lead, which is something that you don’t want to give your dog for a variety of reasons, including safety for your dog (which will become clear as we continue to explore this topic further). While we might think that it is simply annoying when the dog pulls, we don’t realize how easy it is to change this behaviour. And it’s really as simple as thinking about it as a blend of gentle corrective and positive reinforcement. The message you want to give is first: No. The second is, “I love you – and here’s what I’d like you to do instead.” Be sure to tune in again for my next post when I explain, in part two, exactly how you can do this!

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Martin Deeley is the Executive Director of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), and is a world renowned dog trainer, writer, and commentator. Martin has written three top selling books Advanced Gundog Training, Working Gundogs, and Getting it Right with Gundogs. For more information, please visit his website at www.floridadogtrainer.com/

Camilla Gray-Nelson is a dog successful dog trainer and owner of Dairydell Canine, the fastest growing dog training center in Northern California. For more information about Camilla, please visit her website at: http://www.dairydell.com/media/About_Camilla.html

Veterinarians Warn: 12 Foods That are Dangerous for Your Dog

We love our dogs, and in our well-intentioned attempts to give our dogs the very best lives possible, we can overlook how some of the foods we might view as a wonderful treat when playing games with our dogs can actually be dangerous – even lethal – for our dogs. With Halloween (and temptation for everyone) just around the corner, it’s important to re-visit some of those foods that we need to avoid giving to our dogs. Veterinarians Dr. Anthony Michael and Dr. Max Rossetti warn that foods that are not safe for your dog include:

• Chocolate (especially baker’s chocolate or dark chocolate with a lot of cocoa), because it contains theobromine can cause severe convulsions and can be lethal for dogs.
• Although it’s not really a food, cocoa Mulch, which is a chocolate-scented mulch sold in many home and garden stores, also contains theobromine, which is lethal to dogs and cats. Avoid it at all costs!
• Raisins, grapes, and onions can affect the red blood cells of your pet.
• Garlic can also be dangerous for your pet.
• It’s also important to be wary of other objects such as peach pits (which have to be surgically removed from your pet’s stomach).
• Xylitol – which is found in sugar-free gum, can call liver failure in dogs.
• Mushrooms and raw bread dough contain alcohol which also can affect your dog’s liver.
• Sweets and chips can lead to various obesity-related health issues for your pet. Similar to humans in this way, it is important to carefully consider how giving your dog these kinds of foods can lead to an increased risk of diabetes and other illnesses.

Dr. Max Rossetti notes that in addition to these foods, allergies are very common for pets. Owners can look for the signs of allergies by watching out for itchy, red skin, or repeated ear infections. Determining what a dog is allergic to can be very difficult, but like humans, allergies are often related to particular foods. Talking to your veterinarian about specially designed dog foods for your dog once you determine the source of your dog’s allergy can significantly improve the quality of your pet’s life if he/she suffers from allergies such as these. Some allergies can be treated simply by avoiding that which your dog is allergic to, or medications can be prescribed by your veterinarian to help your pet. Dr. Rossetti notes that steroids can be used to help your dog deal with his or her allergies, particularly when they are suffering from dry, itchy skin. Dr. Rossetti also emphasizes that although some breeds may be more prone to allergies, such as bulldogs, all breeds of dogs can suffer from either seasonal or year-round allergies, and should receive medical attention from a veterinarian if you suspect that your dog may be suffering from allergies.

Dr. Anthony Michael is a Veterinarian and the owner of the Rose Canyon Animal Hospital, San Diego, CA. You can contact his clinic at: http://www.rosecanyonvet.com/

Dr. Max Rossetti is a veterinarian and the owner of Rossetti Veterinary Center in Edmonton, Canada. You can learn more about Dr. Rossetti and his practice by visiting his website: http://www.petdoc.ca/

The 3 Most Common Mistakes Dog Owners Make: Interview with Dr. Ian Dunbar

Photo of Matisse, sent in by Esther D.

Dog lovers around the world would be hard-pressed to find a more genuinely caring and compassionate dog trainer, animal behaviourist, or veterinarian than Dr. Ian Dunbar. I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Dunbar just recently, and during the course of the interview, he shared that the most common problems of dog owners fall into the following three categories: behaviour issues, temperament problems, and training problems. In this article, I share how Dr. Dunbar explained these three problems that many dog owners face, and what pet owners can do to help prevent these problems.

Dr. Dunbar emphasizes that the most disturbing problems he has observed among pet owners are behaviour and temperament problems. Ironically, it’s the behaviour problems that are most serious for dogs, including house soiling, destructive chewing, and excessive barking. He notes that many of these problems develop early on in a puppy’s life because many breeders are not house training or chew-toy training them, with the result being that the owner then gets a puppy who is eliminating all over their home and who is chewing everything in sight. Dr. Dunbar notes that then the common course of action is to put the dog outside where he can’t be as destructive, then on the garage, and eventually to the shelter because the owners just don’t know how to change their dog’s behaviour. Early preventative measures, including positive house training and chew-toy training for puppies, can help pet owners to avoid these problems all together.

Dr. Dunbar stresses that temperament problems, such as biting, fighting, and fearfulness, are predictable and preventable through early socialization. Simply early handling by the breeder and then by the owners in the home can help dogs to not only tolerate interactions with people, but to really enjoy them from an early age. I notice a huge difference between Tango and Sparky as a result of their differing experiences in this way in their early puppy lives. Tango enjoyed a great deal of positive early handling and socialization opportunities by the time she came home with us, whereas to this day, Sparky is still slower to warm up to other people as a result of the lack of early socialization and opportunities he had to be cuddled and held. Dr. Dunbar notes that fighting can be more of a challenge to handle, but can certainly be helped with the assistance of a professional dog trainer.

Training problems, such as general hyper-activity problems, jumping up, pulling on their leash, and general compliance problems such as not coming when called are very simple problems to resolve with time and patience. Dr. Dunbar notes that the biggest problem lies in the fact that many pet owners have come to believe that training their dog is a drag and is not enjoyable – which is simply not true!

You will receive a free audio of this interview with Dr. Dunbar when you purchase your copy of My Doggy Genius: Over 50 Awesome At-Home Dog Games & Challenges. Check it out today!

Dr. Ian Dunbar is an internationally recognized veterinarian, animal behaviorist, and dog trainer, and is the founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Dr. Dunbar has authored numerous books and DVDs about puppy/dog behavior and training, including Dog Behavior, How To Teach A New Dog Old Tricks and the SIRIUS® Puppy Training video. For more information, you can visit his website at: http://www.dogstardaily.com/