from: My Canine Companion, LLC Volume 1, Issue 2 Fall 2016 IT’S A ’S LIFE

L IVING WITH Highlights What Every & Dog Parent Needs to Know Barking Barking problems are among 10/16: Starting Your Puppy the most common complaints Off Right! that dog owners have. Why

do dogs ? 10/23: Successfully Handling Your Puppy’s Adolescence Well for a variety of reasons. 11/6: Help! My Dog is Acting Dogs will bark if they feel Aggressive threatened. They may bark when they play and get excit- 11/13: Choosing & Preparing ed. Some dogs will bark for for a Puppy attention. Some will bark if they are in pain and they’ll Presenter: even bark when they’re lone- Deborah Jay DeSilva,CPDT-KA ly, bored or stressed. Certain Evaluator: AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy breeds are also genetically AKC Canine Good Citizen, inclined to bark more than Therapy Unlimited others.

the better he’ll get at it. So Dogs typically don’t do well Where: How you’ll prevent or resolve first you must identify what is when left alone for long peri- Canine Adventure your dog’s barking issue will triggering your dog to bark. ods of time. Make sure to set 6140 Route 22, Plattsburgh partially depend on what is Then you must remove the aside time for regular walks,

triggering your dog to bark. If trigger or try to stop the bark- playtime and training ses- Time: 2:00—3:00 pm your dog is barking through sions. You’ll want to be sure ing before it occurs. the front window as dogs or that you give him the social Cost per session: $20.00 or people pass by your house, contact that he needs to keep $30.00 per couple (+tax) then blocking off access to Dogs who are left outside for his body and mind occupied. the window is a simple way to long periods of time are often

How to Register: help prevent his barking. the worst offenders of bark- ing. Your dog needs to play Anti-bark collars which use Email [email protected] or call293-7619 with the names with you and feel like he is a shock are inhumane and Keep in mind that the more of who will be attending, the part of the family. (Continued on Page 2) your dog practices barking, session title & a contact email address for billing.

*Seating is limited* H ERDING B REEDS

Herding breeds such as Ger- include barking, nipping/ Herding dogs also love to bark man Shepherds, Australian biting, chasing or a combina- and chase small moving ob- Shepherds, Australian Cattle tion of all of these in order to jects. “The dog was Dogs, Collies, Sheepdogs and control their herd. created specially Corgi’s have a strong inclina- Consider whether they will be for children. He is tion to herd livestock. the god of frolic” These dogs require abundant a good fit for your current exercise and don’t do well in lifestyle if your household - H. W. Beecher They are bred to run and work sedentary households or includes small children and/ for hours at a time. Heredi- apartment life. or other small animals. tary behaviors of herding dogs

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 2

Y OUR D OG: I S I T A T RAINING OR B EHAVIOR I SSUE ?

Not all behavior issues can be ses utilize training tech- basic learning theory, operant “fixed” with training. Normal niques to help humans more conditioning, training skills, doggy behaviors that can clearly communicate desired and how to utilized behavior become problematic for own- behavior cues to their dogs modification to change both ers may include digging, pull- (e.g. sit, down, come, stay, your dog’s behavioral re- ing on leash, barking, chas- walk politely on leash). But sponse (their actions) to a ing, jumping, and chewing (of can not address dysfunction- situation, and to treat the course there are many more!). al or abnormal behaviors. underlying emotional state of your dog . Training can address many These dysfunctional or ab- normal problem behaviors, normal behaviors might in- If you’re unsure whether your Test Your Dog Smarts! However, when these or other clude: fears, phobias, anxie- dog’s is in need of training or “normal” behaviors occur with ty, aggression and separa- behavior modification seek such frequency or intensity tion issues that manifest the advice of your vet or a 1. What gets his that they interfere with your themselves as problem be- certified professional dog name because it strikes out dog’s normal functioning and/ haviors. trainer (CPDT-KA). with its front paws when it’s or create serious safety is-

fighting? sues for people or animals in In these cases a behavior the family, your dog is in need of a behavior consultation. consultation is in order. A 2. What dog breed does not professional who offers be- have a pink tongue? havior consultations must Group basic obedience clas- have an understanding of 3. Can you name the 7

group/classes of dogs?

4. Do dogs favor one paw B AD B REATH IN D OGS regularly. Every day is (right or left) over the other? ideal; twice a week is Does your dog’s bad breath unpleasant “dog breath” is minimum. Be sure to 5. What is the smallest make you cringe when he normal and something you only use a toothpaste breed of dog used for hunt- gives your face a slobbery have to live with. Think of specifically formulated ing? kiss? your dog’s oral hygiene as you for would your own: An integral part of daily well-being and 6. What is the official state Bad breath is a common but long-term health. Here are highly treatable problem in dog breed of Maine? some prevention tips: dogs. The smell, caused by bacteria in your dog’s mouth, 1. Feed your dog high- 7. What is the smallest stomach, or lungs, most often quality food. breed of dog recognized by signals a dental or gastric 2. Brush your dog’s teeth the American Kennel Club’? issue. Don’t’ assume that (CONTINUED O N P AGE 3)

8. What is the name of the dog from “The Grinch Who B ARKING (CONTINUED F ROM P AGE 1) Stole Christmas?”

(answers on page 4) inappropriate for most kinds ground in both behavior of barking problems. In fact, and training issues for a they often make the problem consultation to get to the worse! root of the matter.

“I strive to be the Barking when left alone may You may also want to person my dog also indicate a behavioral consult with your veteri- thinks I am.” problem such as separation narian to be sure your dog anxiety. If you think that anxi- does not have an underly- ety is the source of your dog’s ing medical issue. - Author Unknown barking, basic training will not address the issue. Contact a professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA) who has a back- It’s a Dog’s Life Page 3

N EW D OG? H ERE ’ S W HAT TO E XPECT

When you first get your dog, opportunity to redirect your he will spend the first few dog to something he can days just trying to get adjust- chew on. ed. This is the “honeymoon phase”. If your dog has any If your new dog is between 6– bad habits from his previous 18 months (depending on the home, these may not appear dog) he is in his “teenage for the first few weeks. phase”. This is typically when a dog will test his limits—and Potty mistakes can be avoid- you! This is normal, just be A Dog Creation Story ed by limiting house freedom. consistent.

This way you can keep an eye 1. On the first day of crea- on your new dog constantly so Set consistent house rules: tion, God created dog. decide as a family what the he can’t make a mistake. walks and bed times as con- rules are and enforce them sistent as possible. 2. On the second day, God This will also help your dog from the beginning. created man to serve avoid the mistake of chewing Enroll him in a positive rein- the dog. on something he should not. Establish a routine. Dogs re- forcement training class, keep Your dog doesn’t know which spond well to routines. They him well socialized with other thrive on knowing what to 3. On the third day, God things are his chew toys and dogs, people, children and created all of the ani- which aren’t. Keeping a close expect. So while they’re ad- new places. mals of the earth to eye on him will give you the justing try to keep their meals, serve as potential food for the dog.

H OUNDS FOR THE H OLIDAYS ! 4. On the fourth day, God created honest work so Holiday times can be stressful come to stay, try to preserve a man could labor for the for your dog. With some ad- few of your dog’s routines, such vanced planning and a little as regular meal schedules, good of the dog. training, you can make things walks, and play sessions. more fun for Fido and less 5. On the fifth day, God stressful for you. If your dog is excitable or anx- created the tennis ball ious, he might benefit from an so that the dog might or Keep in mind that dogs can over-the-counter remedy such might not retrieve it. be very sensitive to changes as “Composure” “Rescue Rem- edy” or “Comfort Zone DAP”. in their environment and rou- 6. On the sixth day, God You should also have a desig- tines. When family members created veterinary nated space and preplanned take time off from work and science to keep the dog quiet times for your dog to school and/or house guests healthy . relax.

7. On the seventh day, B AD B REATH ( C ONTINUED F ROM P AGE 2) God tried to rest, but he had to walk the dog. 2. Regularly. Every day is pensive dog biscuit and ideal; twice a week is a nothing more. - Author Unknown minimum for dogs 3. Give your dog hard chew Finally, be aware that a sud- toys. Chewing is nature’s den or unusually foul breath, teeth-cleaning tool for can indicate a seriously ill- dogs. ness. In this case, it is im- 4. Use a breath improve- portant to pay a visit to your ment product made es- veterinarian as soon as possi- pecially for dogs Good ble. ones do exist, but do your research so you don’t buy something that’s essentially an ex- OUR CLASS OFFERINGS

 AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy (for pups up to 10 months old)

 Canine Companion: Basic (for all dogs 6 months or older)

 Beyond the Treat (for all non-reactive dogs 1 year or older)

For more class information,  Canine Challenge (for all dogs who have completed a basic class) scheduling and registration visit us at:  AKC Canine Good Citizen & TPU (for dogs 1 year or older)

www.canine-adventure.com  Canine Freestyle: Move with the Music (for all non-reactive dogs that have and click on: completed a group class) “Services”  Canine Scent Work (for dogs that are non-aggressive towards people) “Information and advice pro- vide in this newsletter is gen-  Agility Foundation Skills (for dogs who have completed a basic class) eral in nature and should not be relied upon to solve any  Beginner Agility (for dogs who have completed Agility Foundation Skills) particular situation. For all issues with your dog, please seek the services of a compe-  Treibball (New! beginning spring 2017) tent professional. The author and publisher shall have nei-

ther liability nor responsibility for any loss or damage OUR TRAINING AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES caused or alleged to be caused by the information in  Private Training (providing an individualized program for you & your dog) this newsletter.”  Consultations (dealing with inappropriate behavioral issues)

 Temperament Testing (helping you choose the perfect little puppy)

 Dognition Testing (revealing your dog’s thinking & cognitive skills)

 Assessment (gauging what’s below the surface in a pre-adoptive dog) For training and behavioral services call or email Deb DeSilva

Deborah Jay DeSilva, CPDT-KA (518) 293-7619 Answers to : “Test Your Dog Smarts” on p. 2: [email protected] “Cultivating Canine Companionship”

1. Boxer; 2. Chow; 3. Toys, My Canine Companion, LLC , Herding, Sporting, Non-

Sporting, Working, ;

4. Yes—just like humans, dogs can be right pawed or left pawed; 5. Dachshunds (They are low to the ground, which allows them to enter and ma- neuver through tunnels easily.); 6. Labrador ; 7. The Chihuahua ; 8. Max © 2016, My Canine Companion, LLC