3 Steps Dog Training

2012-01-19T10:04:00.003-05:00

Hope everyone is enjoying this mild winter. Just a quick update on the home front since it's been a while: We added another 4 legged family member in 2009. Glory, another Collie. Now each son has their own dog to help take care of and train. I am currently dog training M-F from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. I have a few openings available.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-12T11:12:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year! For those of you who packed on a couple of extra pounds this holiday, getting out and walking your dog is great exercise. Make sure you do not keep your dog out too long in frigid temperatures and wipe off any salt on their feet. Salt can irritate and even burn their pads. It can also cause stomach irritation if they lick it off their feet. For your own driveways, you can use a salt free ice melter such as Safe Paw. You can find it at Sit Stay in my recommended links.

At this time, I have space available for two new clients. Please email any questions or if you would like to set up a free consultation.

Back in Business!

2008-07-31T12:48:00.008-05:00

Boy, it feels good to be back in business! I have been very busy the last 1 1/2 years in college and raising my three boys. I was dog training very little which made me realize how much I missed it. Also, I lost my gentle giant, "Glacier" due to old age :( Since then, we have a new family member "Blaze", a rough coated Collie. He is a real sweet heart and loves to play frisbee!

As of September 3rd, 2008, I will be accepting new clients. Please email for more information on times available.

Critical Periods of Puppy Development - Part III

2006-11-14T08:51:00.000-05:00

The Awareness Period happens when the puppy is approximately three to four weeks old. This is when the puppy is able to first use his senses of sight and hearing. It is also a time when the puppy needs his mother the most and a stable environment.

Learning begins during this period and it is the time when he learns what it is to be a dog.

Family Participation

2006-10-16T08:38:00.000-05:00

Dog training with the whole family can be a fun and educational experience. It is very important that every member in the household use the same commands and hand signals so the dog does not get confused. For example, when the dog jumps, if half the family members say "Down" and the other half say "Off", there is a good chance the dog will not respond to either command.

Not only is family participation good for the dog, it is also great for children. It teaches children that dogs are not stuffed animals and they need to be left alone at times. It also teaches them patience. They cannot all work with the dog at the same time.

When I am training a whole family, I have the children take turns going first. They are very excited to show me how well their dog is doing on my return visits! Remember, always play with your dog when he is done working for you!

Critical Periods of Puppy Development - Part II

2006-10-06T07:36:00.000-05:00

The second critical period is called the Transition Period. It occurs from approximately day thirteen to day twenty. This is a time of rapid phyical changes: His eyes and ears will open, his tail begins to wag, and he begins to crawl and walk. Although his eyes and ears are open, he cannot see or hear distinctively yet. His first teeth erupt, and he begins to bite and chew.

In a matter of a week, the puppy is no longer dependent upon others. He can now react to sounds, walk, go the bathroom without mothers stimulation, regulate his body temperature and eat food. That is pretty amazing!

Critical Periods of Puppy Development - Part I

2006-09-26T08:04:00.000-05:00

Over the past ten years of dog training, I have found that most dog owners have no idea about the critical periods that their puppies will go through as they grow. These periods are crucial to the development of the puppy, both physically and mentally. The first critical period is called the Neonatal Period. I'll be describing other periods in later blogs.

The Neonatal Period takes place from birth to about 12 days old. During this period, puppies have two primary functions: eating and staying warm. A puppy is born without the capability to keep itself warm, so it relies on its environment to do it for him. His mother stimulates urination and defacation. He is not able to see or hear. Though his sense of smell and touch are diminished, he can react to hot or cold, and to pain.

The puppy moves by crawling forward in a circular motion, turning his head side to side and he uses his sense of smell to find his mother. He can cry out for mom which stimulates her to find him. The puppy grows very quickly in size and strengh during this period.

Stay tuned for Part II...

On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals

2006-09-23T14:19:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what your dog is thinking, feeling or trying to tell you? Do you get nervous when your dog plays with other dogs? If so, then you need to read On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals by Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist Turid Rugaas, available at www.amazon.com. This is a must have book for dog lovers and multi-dog households.

Turid Rugaas has been studying canine social interaction for many years, and coined the phrase "calming signals" to describe the body language that dogs use to avoid confrontation with other dogs and humans. I have read this book quite a few times, and it has helped me tremendously as a dog trainer.

The Milford Feed

2006-09-21T07:45:00.000-05:00

If you live in Milford, MI or any of the surrounding towns you need to visit The Milford Feed. Store Owner Kathy Percy has owned and operated the store for more than 35 years and has a vast knowledge of pet health and nutrition. Not only does she have a huge selection of pet food, toys, and treats, but she also carries lawn care and farm products.

For store hours call 248-685-3011, best time to talk to Kathy is Monday-Friday between 1-6 p.m.

You can find the Milford Feed Store here.

Does your dog bolt out the door?

2006-09-20T07:52:00.000-05:00

Not only can it be dangerous, it is also a sign that the dog feels he is the leader. You need to teach him to sit at the door first and then wait to hear his release command. You ask for a sit, praise him for that and then slowly open the door. If he gets up, shut the door and ask for a sit again. Repeat until you can open the door all the way and then release him. The release command can be "OK", "free dog" or what ever command you want. If you are afraid your dog is too fast for you, try it with a leash on. This works great for the car door as well.

Mega March For Animals

2006-09-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, October 8th the Michigan Humane Society will be hosting its inaugural Mega March which consists of a two mile walk in Detroit to help raise funds for the care of over 100,000 animals each year. Everyone is welcome, even your four legged friends. For more information call: 1-866-MHUMANE, ext. 149.

When is the best time to start training?

2006-09-17T13:38:00.000-05:00

One of the most common questions I get asked is "When is the best time to start training?" The answer to that is simple: As soon as you bring your new puppy or dog home!

You need to start training him where to go the bathroom, when it is time to eat, acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, where to sleep and when to play. Don't forget the 3 P's of dog training: Patience, Persistance and Praise! Getting a new dog on a schedule will help the dog settle into his new environment and let him know what is expected from him.

Feeding a new puppy on a schedule will also speed up the housetraining, because you will learn the puppy's elimination pattern. Most puppies will go the bathroom within ten minutes after eating, but I have seen some go two hours after eating. Knowing when your puppy needs to go will help reduce accidents in your house. Don't expect an eight week old puppy to hold it through the night. If you see that he is having an accident at around the same time every night, set your alarm clock for 15 minutes earlier and take him out. Slowly adjust the alarm clock forward until he can hold it through the night.

How to be the Leader of the Pack by Patricia B. McConnell

2006-09-16T08:48:00.000-05:00

How to be the Leader of the Pack ....and Have Your Dog Love You for it! by Patricia B. McConnell is a MUST HAVE booklet for every dog owner. It provides simple steps that you can follow to make sure your dog knows who is the leader!

McConnell says that you must teach your dog to sit or lie down before you pet him. This also prevents the dog from learning that jumping up on humans is acceptable behavior.

You can find this great resource for dog owners at Dogwise.com or Amazon.com.

Cosmo's Canine Bakery

2006-09-15T17:13:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you know about a company that makes awesome dog treats! Cosmo's Canine Bakery uses no artificial preservatives or flavors. They use Vitamin E as a natural preservative, and let me tell you my dogs love them!

For training I use the Peanut Butter Training Treats which can be softened for puppies baby teeth or given as a crunchy treat. For picky dogs that lack motivation, try Sadie's Liver Sticks, the dogs go crazy for them!

Visit Cosmo's Canine Bakery for other flavors!

Please excuse the mess while we upgrade...Technorati

2006-09-14T18:09:00.000-05:00

I'm posting my Technorati Profile on this post...please move on, nothing to see here...
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Do you have a dog that jumps?

2006-09-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

Jumping up is a way that dogs demand attention/petting, and it is a sign of dominance. Never pet a dog while it is jumping, you are only reinforcing the behavior. Instead, teach the dog to sit first before you pet him/her.

Welcome to the 3 Steps Dog Training Blog!

2006-09-12T19:28:00.000-05:00

Hello and welcome to my blog! I'll be writing about dog training tips, techniques and other dog-related subjects.