Dog Training Nation

In Dogs We Trust

You are here: Home / Blog

3 Reasons Why You Need Non Slip Socks for Dogs

by

Non Skid Socks for Dogs

Non Slip Socks for Dogs

Oh, there are so many ways non slip socks are useful. I could go on and on, but here are the top 3 reasons why you need grip socks for your dog! There are tons of options out there. However, I’ll share my favorite product with you.

Benefits of Non Slip Socks

Provides Traction

Non skid socks are perfect for senior and tri-pawed dogs needing an extra bit of traction when navigating slick surfaces, such as tile and hardwood floors. With arthritis, most senior dogs’ legs will splay out from underneath them. It’s difficult to bring their legs back under them so most fall to the ground. With non slip socks, they have traction, which prevents splaying even on slick surfaces.

Protects Hardwood Floors

Sometimes, no matter how trimmed your dog’s nails are, they still leave scratch marks on hardwood floors while running through the house. Grip socks prevent damage on hardwood floors while providing traction. It’s not fun when dogs slip and crash into your breakables. 🙂

Aids in Wound Healing

Personally, I’ve used non skid socks to aid in healing foot wounds. Wearing a sock prevents dogs from licking and irritating the wound further. I would much rather use these socks than force my dog to wear a neck cone. 🙂

Woodrow Wear Socks: My Personal Favorite

Woodrow Wear creates the best non slip socks that actually stays on your dog’s foot. They are washable, made of breathable cotton fabric and have a wide band that keeps the sock on your dog’s foot. Each sock contains non-skid pads, and they’re easy to take off or put on. Plus, Woodrow Wear socks will not turn or rotate, keeping the traction pad in place at the bottom of the foot if fitted properly. When choosing a size, I recommend sizing down, meaning choosing one size smaller than your dog’s foot, as they will stretch a bit.

WATCH: 3 Reasons Why You Need Non Skid Socks for Dogs

You may also like: Dog Tug Toy

Teaching a Dog “Look at Me:” Capture It

by

Teaching a Dog to Focus

Dog Training
Click and treat for eye contact. Good boy!

If your dog is a “Looky Lou,” meaning he gawks at everyone but you, take a couple of minutes and teach your dog “look at me” instead. Yes, it will make your life easier. 🙂

Training Your Dog to Look at You

Grab super yummy treats, a clicker and your leashed dog of course. When teaching your dog a new behavior, it’s usually easier to keep him leashed so he’ll stay with you instead of becoming distracted by something else. Over time, you don’t have to leash your dog any longer as he’ll learn the presence of a clicker means training time!

Practice each section a few times a day for one minute. After three days, move onto the next section.

Capture Good Behavior

  • Holding a treat in your left hand and your clicker and leash in your right hand, slowly move your left hand away from you.
  • Your dog will likely watch your treat hand so wait for your dog to look back at you instead.
  • The moment your dog’s eyes look back at you, even for an instant, click and give her the treat in your left hand.

Tip: Refrain from staring at your dog’s face. Instead, focus on his chin, as direct eye contact is creepy for dogs and humans alike. 🙂

After a few sessions, you may notice your dog ignoring your “treat moving hand” and focusing on you instead, in which case click and treat. This means you’re doing an excellent job!

VIDEO: Teaching a Dog “Look at Me” Step One

READ ALSO: Teaching a Dog “Look at Me:” Adding a Cue

How to Teach Your Dog to Focus

by

Teaching Your Dog to Focus Around Distractions

How to Teach Your Dog to Focus
You’ll need lots of yummy treats to get started.

Once your dog reliably looks at you when she hears her name, it’s time to add distractions. This is the hard part because teaching a behavior is not easy. Now, it’s time to take it to the real world!

Introduce Distractions

You’ll need a clicker and lots of super yummy treats.

  • Practice indoors. Say your dog’s name when she’s looking at something random, such as a toy or the window. Click when she looks at you and toss the treat by your feet so she comes over to get it.
  • Outside, while on leash, practice for a few days.
  • After one to two weeks, bring yummy treats and your clicker in the backyard and practice. Squirrels and other dogs romping around are hard to resist so use yummy treats and attach her to a leash, if needed.

RELATED: Dog Training Treats

Problem Solving

When adding distractions, move slowly. If you’re a singer, just starting out, it would be tough to sing in front of a stadium full of people, right? Start slowly by singing in front of family, friends, small gatherings and such. This builds confidence and ensures you have a full understanding of expectations.

  • If your dog ignores the cue, recall her to you and reward profusely! Clip a leash to her collar and try again.
  • Distance is your friend: Practice 20 feet from other dogs and playing children, and slowly move toward the distractions over time.

Focusing at Dog Parks

This is a tough one and may take months to perfect, as dog parks are the mecca of distractions! 🙂 Again, this is equivalent to singing at Madison Square Garden. You must hone your craft before practicing it in front of the world. Personally, I’m not a fan of dog parks–too many rude dogs there. Anyhow, try:

  • Practicing outside about 20 feet from dog parks for a few sessions.
  • Slowly moving closer to the park. If your dog becomes distracted, back up and try again.

VIDEO: Teaching Your Dog Focus: Introducing Distractions

You may also like: Teaching a Dog “Look at Me”

Teaching a Dog “Look at Me:” Adding a Cue

by

Train Your Dog to Look at You

Teaching a Dog to Look at Me
It’s time to add a cue!

Once your dog will look at you, instead of holding treats in your left hand, it’s time to move forward by adding a cue.

How to Add a Cue

It’s best and much quicker to add a cue to behavior after your dog understands what to do. Choose a cue meaning “look at me instead of everything else.” I suggest saying your dog’s name. The cue doesn’t really matter, as long as you use the same one each time.

  • Holding a treat in your left hand while the leash and clicker are in your right hand, move both hands away from your face. Basically, you’re increasing the distraction level.
  • As you move both hands away from you, say your dog’s name once. The moment she looks at you, click and give her the treat.
  • Keep practicing. Try moving your hands above your head, waist level and so on. Say your dog’s name once and wait for her to choose looking at you instead. It’s worth the wait. 🙂

RELATED: How to Train Your Dog Around Distractions

Problem Solving

If your dog ignores her name, wait for her to look at you. If she doesn’t look at you after three seconds, then she’s probably confused or really distracted.

  • Use super yummy treats. Remember, treats are your dog’s paycheck so the higher you pay, the faster your dog will learn.
  • Take a step back from distractions. You may have moved too quickly too soon. This is normal. Think about learning how to drive. It’s not fair expecting you to merge on a 16 lane highway packed with traffic during your second week of driver’s ed. 🙂
  • At times, your dog will sit and look around instead. Remember “sit” is usually your dog’s default behavior when confused. She’s thinking, “I don’t know what she wants so I’ll sit. That usually gets me treats.” Instead, wait her out. See if she will over something else, which is usually “look at me.” If, at anytime, your dog becomes confused, take a step back to “capturing look at me.”

VIDEO: Teaching a Dog “Look at Me:” Adding a Cue

You may also like: Teaching Your Dog Focus

How to Brush a Dog’s Teeth

by

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

How to Brush a Dog's Teeth
avevstaf/Deposit Photos

As much as we put it off, it’s vital to brush your dog’s teeth several times a week. Our veterinary dentist recommends daily, but as much as I try, I usually average 3-4 times per week. Brushing your dog’s teeth should be quick and easy, and without force. Check out these positive training tips!

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

This is easily the most important step because if your dog hates it, then you’re less likely to brush your dog’s teeth. Children are taught to accept teeth brushing as a normal part of their daily routine.

Practice each step for a few days with 5 reps of each. Once your dog will easily complete each step, move on to the next step.

Introducing a Toothbrush

  • Using a VOHC-approved toothbrush, hold it in front of your dog and click/treat when he looks at it.
  • Now click/treat when he touches it with his mouth or nose.

Putting a Toothbrush in a Dog’s Mouth

  • Put dog-approved toothpaste on the toothbrush and place it in front of your dog. Most doggie toothpastes are flavored so your dog will lick the toothpaste off the brush. This is a good thing, as your dog is actually cleaning his tongue. 🙂
  • Place toothbrush with toothpaste in your dog’s mouth. You’re not brushing yet, just placing the brush in his mouth. Click and treat as the toothbrush touches your dog’s mouth.
  • If your dog is uncomfortable with you touching his mouth, check out this article.

Brushing Teeth

  • Place toothbrush with paste in your dog’s mouth and brush 1-2 teeth and end session. Click and treat as you’re brushing the second tooth.
  • Continue to extend teeth brushing sessions until you’re able to brush one side of your dog’s mouth.
  • Now, try brushing the other side of your dog’s mouth.
  • Lastly, brush both sides.

More:
Small Dog Dental Care Tips
Large Dog Dental Care Tips
5 Reasons Why You Need a Dog Dentist
Why You Should Get Pet Insurance

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

Dog Training Nation

Quick Links

Dog Training
Dog Behavior
Dog Training Videos
Become a Dog Trainer
About
Contact Us