We begin this week’s “RUFF TAILS” featuring a beautiful 5-month-old Silver Labrador named Sawyer.
My family says I am a happy boy, love my daily walks in the dog park, and going up to the trailer. When my mom opens the crate in the morning, I love to run to the closest toy and bring it to her.
I am getting better walking on my leash, without pulling. I still like to jump up, when I get excited, when meeting new people. My family and I are working on that, and I am getting better every day. LOL.
**********************K9 Corner with The Chief**********************************
This month’s K9 Corner we will address the concern of mouthing and/or biting. Both mouthing and biting are a way a puppy or dog expresses themselves. Mouthing is when a puppy/dog gently places their mouth on any part of your body. If this occurs and there is no pressure, and is not uncomfortable in anyway, this is your K9 feeling excited and being expressive. However, there must be no biting incidents and no other humans in your pack, should feel scared or concerned with this behaviour, especially children.
Biting is when a puppy/dog uses its mouth with pressure on any part of the human body. The pressure may cause discomfort/bruising/superficial scars and/or punctures. This behaviour is NOT acceptable and requires timely and effective corrective measures. Remember dogs historically have natural biting ability to crush bones without much effort at all.
So, to domesticate your puppy/dog this behaviour must be efficiently addressed and/or eradicated in a timely fashion. We recommend the younger the dog, the better. We have a training package that will address this behaviour. This training will assist clients to help mitigate this behaviour, therefore alleviating stress or anxiety within their K9 pack.
Enjoy every day with your K9 pack and TRAIN FOR A HAPPY LIFE!!!!
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Welcome to Doggie Dialogue
Family, friends, and fun has been the on-going theme throughout the summer months for you and your K9. With Fall just around the corner, the kids going back to school, routines will set in for you, and your K9.
Most K9’s adjusts to this phase of the children going back to school; however, some dogs dread it. Your K9 is experiencing, going from spending a lot of time with family, on new and exciting adventures, to less family time and more alone time.
To help ease your K9 into this new transition, begin by desensitizing them gradually by increasing their alone time in the weeks leading up to school. Begin slowly, by leaving them for about 30 minutes to an hour, on their own, while you run errands. Each day or every other day increase the time by 30 minutes.
Some K9’s may get depressed or destructive due to frustration and boredom, which can lead to behaviour challenges.
Consider a good, long morning walk, a great doggy daycare, or local dog care provider to help with this transition. This will help stimulate your K9 mentally and physically, by offering a different outlet.
If your K9 is particularly attached to one of your children, grab an old shirt or blanket and add it to your dog’s set up.
(Please use your best judgement to ensure your dog won’t rip it apart and eat it) Do NOT leave a t-shirt or blanket unsupervised with a puppy.
Remember at this time QUALITY time with your K9 over quantity will become the new routine.
