Dog Park Tips

• Know each dog park’s rules, and follow them. 
• Keep your dog leashed until you’re inside the park’s fenced area.
• Keep your dog’s vaccinations up to date.  Other dogs may not be and your dog could be exposed to disease.
• Never leave your dog unattended, even in an off-leash dog park.
• Maintain voice control over your dog at all times.
• If your dog starts to play rough, correct him and leash him immediately.
• Don’t bring toys unless you want other dogs to play too.
• Socialize your dog before going to dog parks.
• Never bring a female dog in heat to a dog park.
• Always clean up after your dog.
• Bring water because water stations at the park have been used by other dogs and wildlife and could be a source of disease.
• If you bring children, watch them closely.

“It’s important for dog owners to take precautions at dog parks,” says California Veterinary Medical Association President Dean Henricks, D.V.M.  The dog park isn’t right for everyone, but if your pet loves them just take these precautions.

Off Leash Dog Parks

I have a list of Off leash dog parks on my website at http://dogercisela.com/doggy-tid-bits/dog-parks/ and I was browsing around on the internet to see the kinds of lists that were out there and I found a great website that has all dog parks on them too and wanted to include them. www.ecoanimal.com/dogfun/

Stop Leash-Biting

1. Why Do Dogs Leash Bite - Boredom

One of the most common reasons for leash biting is boredom. Overexcited dogs and puppies want to go everywhere, smell everything, and meet everyone at top speed. When they are forced to walk for long periods of time in a heel position, they get bored and may start biting or playing with the leash. I would go a little stir crazy too if forced to walk in a fixed relative position, with my head looking forward at all times, and a strict no-exploration rule.
To stop a bored dog from leash biting we simply make the walk more FUN.

• Give our dog a job to do while walking.

Side Note on Barking and e-collars

My last five posts have been on barking because i get questions on it more then anything else.  That is why I started this blog with that subject.  I wanted to ad this final opinion on the subject!

As a side note, I think e-collars have their place-but it should be a last resort and you should get a professional opinion (or two) on your dogs particular case before you even consider using one.  They are often mis-used and unnecessary, leading to more problems or masking the problem instead of fixing the behavioral issue.  I do believe they can be useful and have used them myself, but rarely are they necessary and should only be used for a short period of time before the dog understands its purpose.
Remember-most dogs just need more stimulation physically and mentally.  Exercise is most important-only then can the discipline you set be useful and understood.  After that you give them all the love you can because they deserve it!!!

Practice tips for Excessive Outside Barker

When showing progress inside with excessive barking, take it outside.  Outside there is even more reasons to bark!  Or so the dog thinks.  You must claim these situations by using the same techniques as above except always have a leash on the dog and make sure you practice in controlled situations.  Like asking the neighbor to come by or the neighbor’s dog.  Whatever is the trigger for your dog’s barking.  5 minutes a day.
You can also purchase a Gentle Leader.  This way you can close his mouth and redirect his head.  Make sure the halter is put on the dog properly so he doesn’t fear it.  He must be comfortable with it so be patient and put it on slowly.  Then give him a treat.  Then take it off and put it on again…treat.  You get it!  It’s just until he is comfortable with it.  Of course if he is comfortable from the get-go then no need for this.  When Fido barks at someone you lift the leash up so his mouth closes and he will sit.  Then move again, forward or just elsewhere so you stop him from focusing on what made him bark and we get his attention on us.  Make sure the leash becomes

Exercises to Get Rid of Excessive Barking

The most common reason I see excessive barking is lack of exercise.  Build your relationship with your dog and build you and your dogs confidence by going on controlled walks, playing games with toys and treats, fetch, tug of war, obedience, and even exercises of the dog sitting quietly next to you, then in other rooms of the house, and in his crate.  This will exercise his body and mind and he will be less likely to bark for no reason.  But you must put in the time.  Exercise the dog yourself or hire someone to do so, and spend 15 minutes a day on different exercises.  Like, 5 minutes on learning not to bark, 5 minutes on a new obedience command, then play a new game for a while that incorporates exercise.  For instance, put your dog on a stay where he can see you, hide a treat, and tell him to ‘find it’ or whatever release word you like.  Eventually you can put him in another room on a stay and hide a treat where he can’t see, then have him find it.    Soon, when he does bark, he will quiet down when told.  I have a yapper on my hands and she barks at many things!  But when I tell her to be quiet…she becomes quiet.  It’s possible!
Now, when correcting your dog, make sure you follow through with it.  MOST IMPORTANT. 

Excessive Barking

I was at the park with one of my dogs today and we encountered a very excited pup barking her pretty little head off.  Probably one of the questions I get asked more than any other is how to stop their dog from barking so much.  I won’t lie, it’s not easy to figure out or fix, especially if your dog has been an avid barker for quite some time.  So, if you want to fix it, start NOW, or right after you finish reading this .
Dogs bark for so many reasons.  It’s necessary to know why before you start.

Puppy Barking

Puppy barking needs to be nipped in the bud gently.  We don’t want to damage your relationship with your dog before it begins, but you need to make it known that excess barking is unwanted.  Making an odd sound, or clapping your hands, or even a light poke with your fingers in his side can distract him enough to stop.  But you must remember with a puppy there will be a lot of repetition, so whatever method you use, be prepared to us it over and over.  Consistency is key!  Also, do not give any positive attention to puppies that whine.  You may think you are comforting them, but you are actually encouraging the behavior.  Puppy thinks, “Great, when I whine, I get attention!”  When they are whining in their crates at night, you must tough it out.  Yelling does no good even though I know you want to.  By yelling you are still giving the puppy the attention he wants.  Try putting a blanket over the crate to lessen distractions and light. Try to make it feel more like a den to him.  After all, he probably just left a family of other dogs and isn’t used to it yet.  But he will come to love his den/crate if done right.  Never let him out when he’s whining or over excited (goes for all dogs).  Just sit in front of his crate, calm and assertive.  Let him come out when he is calm and quiet.  Treats are good to use here too.  I always put treats in my pups den/crate.  It is a comforting place for them.  If that doesn’t work, put the crate next to the bed, and slowly wean the dog into another room.  Just don’t break down and let him in the bed!  Stay strong!