Archive for the ‘Dog Training’ Category

Summertime is here and so is the most fabulous swimming “hole” in all of dogdom!  The Splash at A Place For Paws is open and ready for business!  As the heat goes up and the humidity rises, your pups will thank you for taking them to the best place in the area for them to cool down and have fun.  Whether launching themselves in off of our doggy dock or easing themselves in via our special doggy ramp, your dogs will have a great time while getting exercise and keeping cool.

Open swim hours for dog friendly K9’s  are:

Cash and Wilbur take the slower route into The Splash!

Tuesday 4-7pm
Thursday 7:30-8:30 pm
Friday 4-7 pm
Saturday 11am -2pm (with PlayDay)

The cost is $10.00 per session and $5 for additional dogs of the same family.  On Saturday’s this price also includes PlayDay.  Inquire regarding Open Swim passes for additional discount rates.

Private swim hours are by appointment and are:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 11am-2pm
Other hours by private arrangement

The cost for private swim time is $20 per 20 minute session.

Daycare dogs can also swim while spending their day with us.  If you would like your dog to swim during daycare hours the cost is $6.00 per week with any daycare pass.

Maverick takes a leap off of the doggy ramp

We also can make arrangements for you to give your dog and his closest friends a Splash Pool Party!

Remember that if you are unsure of how your dog will like the pool, our staff will be happy to help introduce him or her in a slow, safe manner to assure your dog he has nothing to fear (and you too!).  Bring your towels and your floaty toys and have a great time at The Splash!

Whining, panting, yawning and licking are some of the signs of a ’stressed-out’ pup. Stress can come from fear or frustration or can simply be a sign of a challenge that the dog is facing. Reacting correctly to your pet’s stress is the key to helping him cope.

When you take your dog to class or to a ne place, he may feel stress and exhibit a number of stress signs including:

• Whining
• Panting
• Paw Sweating
• Sniffing
• Yawning
• Licking
• Shaking
• Tail carriage down
• Blinking
• Barking
• Excess movement

As soon as you are aware of your dog’s discomfort you should respond with some action to sooth or calm your pet.

What you should NOT do is to respond by hugging and comforting the dog with words like ‘It’s O.K. – You’ll be alright.’ Since dogs react ‘in the moment’ only, such reassurance is likely to be interpreted by the dog as his actions are correct – he SHOULD be anxious or afraid.

There are a variety of better responses to a stressed out pet. Different methods will work for different dogs on different occasions. Here are some things to try.

1. Distance – Simply increase the distance from the dog to the stress producing object or activity. Then gradually work your way closer to the action.
2. Distraction – Use food, a favorite toy or ball or a game of tug to distract your pet from the stress object and give him some time to get more comfortable and relaxed.
3. An Alternate Activity – Choose a trick or series of behaviors that your dog likes and performs reliably or simply get him moving. The change in activity may be enough to change your pet thought patterns.
4. Touch – For some dogs a firm but soothing massage of the neck, back or thighs may be enough to deflect his anxiety.

Remember, not all stress is bad or damaging. It may be a fleeting sign of your dog trying to master a new task or sort out the solution to a perceived problem. It is continued and clustered stress signs that should be responded to quickly.

Know your dog’s normal state. Watch for stress signs and respond to them quickly when you see them and your dog will learn to cope consistently with stress in a positive way.

Martingales. Greyhound Collars. Limited Slips. All are names for the best choice in collars on the market.  This collar is strong and secure while being comfortable and attractive. We recommend them for many reasons. There are very few dogs who would not benefit from a martingale collar.

One of the biggest positives to a martingale is its no-slip aspect.  Often referred to as a greyhound collar, it is thus named because greyhounds along with other sighthounds, tend to have a head that is smaller than their neck is wide.  This makes them completely capable of slipping any regular buckle collar with ease.  A martingale makes this endeavor impossible and will do the same for any breed of dog.  Most buckle collars if made tight enough to prevent any and all “slippage” are uncomfortably tight.  Martingales tighten only when the dog is attempting his escape – they lie comfortably loose when the shenanigans are over.  No slip means less danger that your dog will disappear, get hit by a car, meet up with another loose dog etc.

Control is another plus.  When fitted properly on a dog, the martingale offers a snug fit that stays where you put it.  Unlike a traditional choke chain collar, the martingale is limited.  It only tightens to fit snugly around the dog’s neck – never enough to choke the dog or cut off his airflow as a choke collar does.  When fitted correctly and placed high up behind a dog’s ears, the martingale offers superior control as well as lets your dog know, gently, that pulling and twisting will get them nowhere fast.  Control the dog’s head, control the dog.  Martingales also offer a “handy” handle when walking your dog in close quarters with other dogs or people without having to invest in a short tab leash that would necessitate you switching leashes as you walk along.  Convenient!

We recommend and offer Lupine brand martingale collars here at A Place For Paws.  Why Lupine?  They are strong, durable and pretty snazzy with a plethora of patterns and designs in several sizes and widths.  They are also GUARANTEED for life.  Your dog chews his collar or fancy matching leash?  Simply send them back to Lupine for a complete replacement.  It doesn’t matter HOW it was destroyed, Lupine stands behind its product like no other company we’ve encountered.  Made completely of nylon, there are no chain parts to the martingale at all which makes handling the collar while its on the dog more comfortable for you and for the dog.  A stationary D ring offers a place for you to put your dog’s tags without interfering with leash placement – many other martingales on the market don’t offer this perk.

So if you are frustrated with your current collar be it buckle, choke or prong, consider trying a martingale – they aren’t just for greyhounds anymore!!!