We begin this week’s “RUFF TAILS” featuring a beautiful 8-month-old Golden Retriever named Daisy.
Daisy is now 8 months old but has a strong personality even as puppy. She looks sweet and innocent but can be feisty and stubborn when she wants.
She is full of love and wants to be everyone’s friend even when the cat would rather not. LOL. Like a true Golden Retriever, she is ruled by her stomach.
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K9 CORNER WITH THE CHIEF
What does it mean when you have a dog that is reactive in the real world?
A reactive dog is one that will react physically, behaviourally, and/or verbally to an environmental trigger. Your dog may react by physically pulling or lunging towards a stimulus.
Behaviourally your dog may become tense and fixated. Verbally your dog may bark, growl, or whine. All these traits are not desirable to maintain a calm and relaxed disposition.
This trigger may be another human, dog, vehicle, bicycle, animal or sounds.
This is why I recommend starting the environmental process as soon as your puppy or older dog comes home.
Each day in your dog’s new home environment new triggers will be introduced. If you do not spend the time to introduce these to your dog it may become a reactivity issue. Timely correctives will be necessary or praises if your dog is good to these new triggers.
I have found that most dog owners tend to rush this training. It is a daily process, and it should be done in short training sessions, and you must “win” these sessions with your dog.
Remember if you do not have time to train, you are better not to train at all. Training with your dog is only beneficial if it is good training, and it should always end well. This is the opportunity for you to provide your dog ultimate praise for a positive behaviour response.
REMEMBER EVERYDAY IS A TRAINING DAY
Welcome to Doggie Dialogue
Many clients have asked us about pet doors for their K9’s. It is important to do your research. We recommend going to a pet door retailer.
Most retailers will have a sizing chart that will best suit the size of your pets.
Your pets’ measurements should be measured from the width of their widest point and the height from the floor to the top of their shoulders. It is recommended to add 1 or 2 inches for extra safety.
If your K9 does not fit thru the standard size pet door, your retailer can have a custom door made for you.
Talk to your retailer about the elevation of your pet door as well. If the ground outside is too low, or your K9 is short-legged or a senior dog, a pet ramp may need to be installed.
Most high-quality pet doors are designed to seal tightly, which will prevent insects and other animals from entering your home.
Remember K9’s may not know how to use the pet door at first and may require a bit of training.
When your K9 is ready to go outside start training with affection, lots of positive reinforcement and treats if necessary.
Technology has improved so much over the last 30 years, that there are pet doors that are specializing in electronic doors that allows selective entry for certain pets. (K9 out, cats stay in)
These doors are activated by a control on the pet’s collar to not only let you customize which pet can go outside, but they also prevent outside wildlife from getting in.
We recommend locking your pet door if you have a pool cleaner or gardener working in your yard, therefore preventing any accidents, should your K9 decide to run outside.
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