Things that I have learned from dogs.....

Over the years dogs have taught me a lot about life. Here are a few lessons I've learned.....

1) Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
2) When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
3) When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
4) When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
5) Take naps, and stretch before rising.
6) Eat with enthusiasm.
7) Be loyal.
8) Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
9) Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
10) Having a PACk is always better than being alone!

Training Tip of the Day...

A very common question I get is "How do I keep my dog from barking when people ring the doorbell?".

There are several ways, here are two that work well together.

1) Work on your dogs obedience. When someone rings the bell at my house I allow my dog one bark, he is then instructed to go to his place and settle. He sits there quietly until he is released to greet the guest or until the pizza delivery guy is gone. This is achieved by first teaching your dog settle, teaching go to place, down on place, and then desensitizing him to the doorbell so he is not to hyper-excited to stay in place. Check back over the course of the next weeks to learn how to teach these basic commands.

2) Using the infamous squirt bottle. This is not a positive method like the one above, but often times a quick mist in the face from a squirt bottle is enough to get you through until you have achieved the obedience work mentioned above. The squirt bottle doesn't solve the problem (in all cases), but will manage it for a some time. Feel free to use this trick until we have made it through our online obedience program.

As some of you may be aware we are starting an online obedience program. If you follow the basic steps outlined in the program you will end up with a happy, obedient, and well adjusted dog.

Have a great memorial day weekend. Hope to see you all at the Taste of Cincinnati.

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