WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY DOG IN ARIZONA HEAT!

These hot summer days (and nights) are tough on all of us, especially our dogs. Wearing booties is an option however, if it’s so hot you have to wear booties, it’s probably too hot to walk outside!

Getting out and exercising your dog here in Arizona heat is tough, but there are some options so you all don’t go stir crazy! You can take your dogs to indoor places such as Home Depot, Lowes, Marshalls, Petco and even some malls allow dogs.

You can also play indoor games such as hide and seek, paper plate recall and/or do obedience work. Even treadmills can help those with high energy. Some sort of mental stimulation helps while we’re all waiting for Fall!

Gracie Loves Home Depot and their Employees!

DOGS & FIREWORKS!

July 4th is coming and there will be fireworks with loud noises and sparks!

Is your dog afraid of Fireworks? There are a few things you can do to help ease the fear.

Make sure they go outside (potty) prior to fireworks starting. Don’t let them outside where it’s louder and may see the sparks as that can increase fear.

1) Play favorite game while fireworks are going off - having fun during noise redirects brain and they lose focus on the noise.

2) Play music or TV while fireworks are going off and stay calm, do your regular routine. Do not say “it’s okay” or coddle them as that only nurtures the fear.

3) For the really fearful dogs, give them a safe place (covered crate, bedroom or even at your feet) to lay down and relax with some sort of chew bone.

HAPPY BALANCED DOGS

Do you want a dog that gets along with other dogs and people? Socializing at an early age (although you can help older dogs as well) is a great way to get a happy, confident and balanced dog - no fear of people or dogs. Here we have several dogs with different personalities, all learning how to be around others!

Bernedoodles, Dachshund, Pomsky, Shihtzu, Boxer, Portugese Water dog and Super Mutts!

WHY ISN'T MY DOG LISTENING TO ME

If you see dogs interacting, you will notice they DON’T talk to each other like humans do - it’s all body language and energy (per Cesar Millan). They learn with “pressure on, pressure off”. If you want your dog to sit, you can say “sit” several times, but unless they are paying attention to YOU and YOUR energy, they may not listen. Stand in front of the dog with calm assertive energy (without saying sit). Wait patiently and once the dog sits, you can say good dog and back away. That is pressure on, pressure off with body language. The dog is now paying attention to YOU. The less you talk (in the beginning of training) the more you’re dog will watch and pay attention to you and start to obey. Words and hand commands are taught after training with body language but first you have to have their attention on YOU.

“Now what would like like us to do?”

I’ve got their attention on ME!