how not to pet a dog

Please Do Not Hit Your Dog!

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

Have you ever hit your dog and then the dog cowers away from your hand?

Look I know that there are times when your dog makes you mad and I understand.

Growing up, unfortunately my family thought that it was okay to hit the dog on the butt when they were not listening and it made the dog hand shy, meaning as soon as a hand is coming towards them, they get scared.

If you hit your dog, the dog can either be afraid of people’s hands or they can get aggressive because they think they are going to get hit and they have to stick up for themselves. Even children’s hands looks scary to them.

When you adopt a dog, you will be able to tell if a dog has been hit by the way they act when you go to pet them. Please pet the dog by putting your hand out for them to smell first, of course if they are not reacting aggressively towards you. Then pet the dog from under the chin instead of on top of the head.

A dog’s memory is amazing. Anything that happens to them within 4 – 9 weeks of their lives is engrained into their minds. If they were abused, for example, by a tall man that wore a hat, then every time they see a tall man with a hat, they get scared and either cower towards that man or get aggressive. Please be patient!

Through my 21 years of training I know that tone inflection and the leash are the most important and you will gain control!

Please take a look at my tone inflection video on Dog Mystic Academy YouTube Channel.

hot pavement

The Heat Can Burn Your Dog’s Paw Pads

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

When the temperature outside is over 80 degrees it’s causes the pavement to become very hot.

Please take the time to put your hands on the black pavements to see. If it is too hot for you then it will definitely be too hot for your dogs paw pads. If your male dog does not want to sit down because it is to hot for their testicles then it is unsafe for the walk.

It can cause burns on their paw pads and then they will be limping around. Also, the dogs do not sweat out of their body, they regulate their body temperature from panting and you can cool them off by dipping their paws in cold water.

Walk them on the sidewalk or the grass or just wait until it gets cooler.

blue green algea

PLEASE BE AWARE OF JELLYFISH & BLUE GREEN ALGEA WHEN LETTING YOUR DOG IN THE BAY OR BODY OF WATER

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

What Causes Blue-Green Algae?

*IT IS ACTUALLY A BACTERIA OFTEN FOUND IN NON-FLOWING FRESHWATER DURING HOT SEASONS

*Nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen

*Stable, slow-moving, or stagnant water

*Hot temperatures

*Intermittent exposure to high light intensity

If the jellyfish affect us then they will definitely affect the dogs. The jellyfish sting hurts and itches and is so uncomfortable.

Scan the water before you allow them to jump in so they don’t get stung by a jellyfish or step on Sharp rocks.

Be Aware & Present!

The so-called “algae” is not actually a type of algae but a bacteria known as cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria isn’t visible to the naked eye, but it often gives the appearance of algae when it clumps together in bodies of water.

If your dog jumps into the water with the algae/bacteria, get them out of the water as soon as possible. If you know that they have swallowed some water, please wash them off with clean water and call your vet.

If you are home, you can induce vomiting by using a children’s medicine plunger applicator (which is recommended to always have) and put a small amount of hydrogen peroxide in it and squirt it in their mouth. PLEASE DO NOT LIFT THEIR HEAD HIGH SO THEY DO NOT CHOKE! This will make them throw up.

Unfortunately, we are not able to allow the dogs to drink the water in lakes and ponds like years ago. Toxic algae smells and looks like paint on the water.

Some symptoms of toxicity to Blue Green Algae is Diarrhea or vomiting, weakness, drooling, confusion, breathing problems, seizures, and even death.

PLEASE BE AWARE AND PRESENT IN THE MOMENT!

WIGGLE BUTT

How to Stop a Dog From Piddling and What is Piddling?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

Piddling happens when a dog pees out of excitement or fear.

Most of the time it happens when you come home.

As soon as you come in, THE MOST IMPORTANT, DO NOT make high pitch noises saying their name and saying you are home.

Most of the time the dog piddles when they are puppies.

You have some different options, all depending on what type of confinement and if you have a backyard to open the door or you have to walk the dog.

Every puppy is different, so please do not get mad because they have a sensitive bladder.

  1. As soon as you are ready to put the leash on, still just open the crate or playpen door without any noise.  Your excited voice will make them pee out of excitement.  For puppies that just can not hold it to get them outside, put a pee pad on the outside of the crate, so they pee as soon as they come out. Every puppy is different, so please do not get mad because they have a sensitive bladder. 
  2. If you live in a high rise, it is best to put a potty patch on the balcony, so you take the dog straight to the bathroom on the leash, so there are no accidents in the hallway or elevator.    
  3. If you have a backyard or you are using a potty patch on the balcony, do not greet the dog until you are on the grass or the potty patch, so they pee outside instead of inside.  Less clean up for you.  
  4. If your dog is a big jumper while they are peeing and peeing on you, put the leash on the dog so you can pull back on the leash and say, “Off” while getting the dog outside .  Once outside, use a shake can, which is a soda can, rinsed out, with a handful of pennies in it.  Keep shake can behind your back and your other hand holds the leash. When the dog jumps up, shake can in face and say, “Off” then put it behind your back again, so they don’t get used to the can. If they get used to the can then they will know that it is something that makes noise and it is not going to harm them.
    *The noise is reinforcing the off command.
  5. When people come over, have them ignore the dog for a couple of minutes. Then, when they
    greet the dog, tell them not to give direct eye contact and don’t raise their voice.  You can also have the person give the dog a treat and show the dog that you have the treat and give it to your company, so the excitement is directed to the treat.  It does not have to be a big treat.
how not to pet a dog

What Is The Proper Way To Pet a Dog?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

PLEASE DO NOT PET A DOG ON TOP OF THE HEAD!

No matter how big the dog is, any hand looks big coming toward their head.  

If the dog is a rescue then, most of the time, we do not know what happened to them in the past.  If they were abused then they will cower when your hand comes down or they can get aggressive and give you a warning bite, that can still draw blood.

Always put the top of your hand out for the dog to smell you first, then PET FROM UNDER THE CHIN, LIKE A CAT!!!

If the dog is very nervous or shy, try to give them a treat to show them that you will not harm them.  Try your best to not stare them directly in the eyes because it is intimidating for a nervous dog.

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How Do You Get Your Dog Used To Wearing a Collar and Leash?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE.

Please be patient with your pup

When you first get a new puppy, you can not expect the dog to be used to walking on a leash or even having a collar on. It should be done in a step by step process. If you force the dog to try and walk then they will fear the collar and that can cause problems for the future.

First thing you need to do is put the collar on the dog. Even if they are scratching at their neck, it is totally normal because they are not used to having something around their neck. Once they are used to the collar then you can get them used to the leash.

Do not put the leash on the dog and always expect the dog to be excited to walk with you. Most puppies will just lay down and refuse to walk. The best thing to do is to put the leash on the dog inside the house and let the dog walk around with it while you are home, so they get used to having the leash dragging behind them. After about 2 days, then you can try taking the dog for a walk.

Once you try taking the dog for a walk, grab a squeeky toy to get the dog excited. Start walking with the dog on the leash while squeeking the toy and telling the dog to come. As soon as the dog starts walking with you, give the dog plenty of praise, “good girl or boy come on.” Do it for a short amount of time the first time and progressively get longer each additional time. Once your dog starts walking you will be able to enjoy a long walk with your dog.  Just Be Patient!!!!

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Which Leashes Are Safe and Unsafe?

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

There are so many leashes to choose from, do you know which leashes to get?

My preference is a 6 ft. leash either nylon or leather.   The 4 ft. leash doesn’t give them enough slack in the leash when they are on a free walk.

Before you buy a nylon leash, hold it in your hand to make sure it is not rough on the edges because it can hurt your hands.  The rope leashes are good but make sure they are thick because the thin rope leash hurts your hands and you can get a rope burn.

PLEASE DO NOT BUY A RETRACTABLE LEASH!  They are unsafe and you can get a severe rope burn especially with the ones that have the extra thin rope.  It can get wrapped around your legs and fingers and cut you badly.

If you have a puppy, you should keep the dog on a watch inside the house, which means when you can watch the puppy, you have the dog on the leash with you so they can’t sneak off to have an accident or chew on something. When you can’t watch you confine. One thing you can do is get a 4 ft. chain link leash, so the dog can chew on the metal instead of chewing through the nylon leashes.

A 10 – 12 nylon leash is good for working on the come command from a distance.

dog-mom2

Please Rescue Instead Of Purchasing A Dog

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

There are so many amazing dogs that need to be rescued!

Even though there were plenty of dogs who were rescued in the beginning of quarantine, there are still so many that need to be rescued and they make amazing additions to your home.

I have adopted all of my dogs and even though most of them were mutts or now known as designer breeds, they have been amazing. When you rescue a dog they are so grateful and appreciative. They become loyal companions and will do anything to make you feel comfortable, pull you into the present moment and show you so much love.

Most of the time, the dogs choose you because they use their puppy dog eyes to make you look at them. Even if they don’t and they are scared of the world, Have Patience because you will create the most amazing bond!

Please read this amazing transformation of Honey, who was so aggressive and would have been euthanized if I did not train her and get her adopted: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gkmEkKJCHtdojisS9olttbb56DSlUC8PYiiDjr-q1Wc/edit?usp=sharing

dog-mom2

Allow The Dogs To Draw Us Into The Present Moment

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet Care

The universe has surrounded us with the perfect teachers.

Animals are in the present all the time, and their secret power is to pull us in with them!

Allow the dogs to get your attention and get you out of your monkey mind. When they are trying to get you focused on them, stop if you are able to, put your phone down (FOR JUST 5 MINUTES), and sit on the floor or if they are allowed on the bed then sit down and start petting them and breathing with them, and allow them to calm your nervous system down. There have been studies that show that petting a dog will lower your blood pressure as well as the dogs.

Remember, dogs are pack animals and want your love and attention. They have a sixth sense so they know when you are not feeling well and sad or anxious. ALLOW them to draw your attention on them instead of what you are stressing about.

Enjoy the present moment and be grateful for what you have.

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The Full Moon Affects Dogs Just As Much As People

by with No Comment Dog HealthDog owner lifeDog TrainingPet CarePet Products

There are some full moons when the dogs have no effect whatsoever and then there are some full moons when are extremely hyper, totally defiant, and testing your every move. PATIENCE! My clients have called me and said, “This dog is driving me crazy, he or she has not acted like this is a long time!”

I used to be a teacher and the full moon that had plenty of energy, the kids looked like little ants moving around the classroom. They had an internal motor that could not be stopped. Dogs are the same way!

The leash is your tool. You have control! When your pup is being defiant and putting everything in their mouth they should be placed on the leash, so they can not sneak off and get in trouble.

Training will definitely help. Even if you work with them for just 5 minutes it will help. The mental stimulation gets them more tired then just playing with their toys.