I just rescued an older dog, when should I start training?

Some training should start right away. Whether you let the dog keep his name or change it, one of the first things to be sure of is that he learns that his name means ‘good things’ for dog. If your dog has been in your home for a week, it’s a good idea to start a formal class.  Training builds communication and a bond between the two of you.

How old does my puppy need to be to start class?

Puppies are sponges so why not take advantage of the steep learning curve? Puppy classes should start when your puppy is 3 months old. If you wait too long you miss valuable training opportunities.

Can my puppy really learn and remember what he’s learned at a young age?

            Puppies begin learning as soon as their eyes and ears open and are like sponges between the ages of 21 days and 16 weeks.

Why do I have to use food when training?

All dogs are hard-wired to work for food. If you weren’t giving it to them for free out of a bowl, they’d work every day for food.

My dog does not like food, what should I use to train?

            If you think your dog does not like food, you should re-examine the amount of food you are giving her daily and the type of food you are using for training.  If you are over-feeding, your dog has no need or desire to work for what’s she’s given freely and abundantly. Many dogs are not interested in working for cheap, bland dog treats or kibble.

My dog works for kibble at home, why doesn’t that work in class?

            In the quiet of your house, where there are no other interesting things to compete for your dog’s attention, kibble works well. But in class, with new people, dogs, sights, smells, kibble isn’t rewarding enough for many dogs.

My dog’s favorite thing is to be petted do I still need to u se food to train?

            Your dog may indeed love to be petted but on the scale of things your dog loves food is higher and more rewarding. They are programmed to work for food.

Why can’t I name behaviors right off the bat?

            Dogs are not verbal creatures like we are; they do not learn human languages but rather they learn the sounds associated with a behavior. Before giving a behavior a name (a sound from the dog’s point of view) you should ensure your dog truly understands how to perform the behavior. Otherwise you are naming something the dog doesn’t understand how to do fluently.  It takes nearly 200 repeated pairing of a word/sound and a behavior before the dog truly understands the sound and can reliably perform the behavior associated to that sound.

What does my dog need to know before starting agility class?

Your dog should have fairly good recalls and stays and want to play with you. Agility is done off-leash so you should have some off leash control of your dog.

How can I tell if my dog is overweight?

                Your dog is over-weight if you can't feel his ribs, lacks a tuck-up where his tummy meets his hips or becomes breathless from minimal exercise.  Additionally, when you pinch up the skin over his last rib, you can feel the layer of fat underneath.

How can I tell if my dog is the correct weight?

You should be able to see the last couple of ribs and a nice tuck up of the tummy. When you pinch up the skin over his last rib, you only get skin with a minimal fat layer.

What type of food should I feed my dog?

            If you ask 50 people that question, you will get 50 different answers. The best thing you can do is educate yourself on the ingredients used in dog food and make wise choices. We can help you evaluate the food you feed and help you decide which food might work best for your dog.

How much should I feed my dog? I feed what the package says but he’s overweight.

            There is no set amount for all dogs or even all dogs within a breed. Feeding requirements are greatly influenced by the amount of activity an individual dog gets each day as well as individual metabolic rates, just like in humans. The amount you feed may also change with the seasons: if your dog is more active in the summer and less in the winter, you should adjust his feeding accordingly.

Manufacturers of dog food are in the business of selling dog food. The amounts listed on labels are nearly never the correct amount of food to feed dogs.

Should I feed a ‘lite’ diet to get my dog to lose weight?

            Diet dog foods have an increased amount of fiber and grain which many dogs cannot tolerate.  They can also lead to a poor coat quality, itching and coat loss. A better way to help your dog shed weight is by feeding half the amount of regular food you’ve been feeding combined with canned pumpkin or frozen green beans to help the dog feel full.

When should I switch to a Senior Diet?

Dogs do not require a Senior Diet simply because they turn a certain age. You should check with your veterinarian to see if a senior diet is right for your dog’s age, exercise and overall general health.

My dog is hyper despite two walks a day.  What can I do?

Two walks is not enough physical exercise for most dogs unless you own a tiny dog, think chihuahua.  While a walk or two is enjoyable and can be mentally stimulating, most dogs need more exercise and stimulation that two walks a day provides.  American dogs for the most part are bored out of their minds; with boredom comes unwanted behaviors as they think up things to occupy them.  A tired dog really is a good dog. Be aware however that if you only increase physical activity and not mental activity, you’ll have a dog that requires more and more physical activity as their strength and stamina increases.

How much exercise should my puppy/dog get?

            Puppies and young dogs under the age of 1 year should not be expected to join you on your jogs or take long walks with you. Their bodies are growing and changing at a rapid rate and their joints and ligaments are not developed enough to support pounding long exercise regimens.  Forcing exercise on tired joints and ligaments is asking for orthopedic problems. The best play for puppies is short and frequent and allows them to stop when they are tired. Wrestling with littermates and other appropriately sized dogs is wonderful exercise for growing pups.  Once their growth plates are closed after sexual maturity (after 14 months of age,) it’s fine to start gearing them up for longer walks and jogs.

Adult dogs should get ample exercise and food portioning to keep them at a lean weight. Requirements vary by breed, age, and reproductive status.