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Zak George’s Dog Training Contributions

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Zak George Promotes Positive Training Methods

Zak George Dog Training
Courtesy of Zak George’s YouTube Channel

Who is Zak George?

Zak George may be a newcomer to the dog training world, but he’s been widely popular with pet parents since he began creating free dog training videos on his YouTube channel.

In the videos, he shows pet owners how to teach their dog’s polite behaviors. With his charismatic charm sprinkled in each video, it’s no wonder he starred in TV shows, such as SuperFetch on Animal Planet and CBBC’s “Who Let the Dogs Out?”

Despite his growing popularity, you can find Zak George creating videos for his website and YouTube. His most recent video for Grouchy Puppy, a fabulous website by Sharon Castellanos, shows an uncut version of the dog trainer. The authenticity of his character is much admired.

WATCH: Grouchy Puppy’s Interview

Zak George’s Training Philosophy

Zak’s contribution to the dog training world started on social media, and he has since been taking the power of positive reinforcement to the masses one video and blog at a time. His philosophy is to make training your dog fun and rewarding. He is fondest of Pitties (American Pit Bull Terriers) and has the most positive energy ever, so what’s not to love?

RELATED: Dog Obedience Training

Thank You, Zak George

I want to thank Zak George for his contribution to the dog training industry. His fun, creative, energetic and informative videos are a must for dog owners to view. Given the easy accessibility of the Internet, there’s no reason not to tune into Zak George’s YouTube channel.

Remember spending hours looking for one answer among your childhood encyclopedias back in the 1980s—or is that just me? Anyways, I subscribe to Zak’s YouTube channel and recommend my group class clients pop in and watch as a refresher or just to get a breath of fresh air about dog training.

Go, Zak, go! Tell us what you think about Zak George in the comments section below!

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Calming Dogs During Thunderstorms

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Calming Dogs Afraid of Thunderstorms

How to Calm a Dog During a Thunderstorm
Don’t wait until a storm hits. Prevention is best for calming dogs afraid of thunderstorms.

If you’ve never woken up, panicked by thunder and lightening, and immediately started looking for your dogs, then you’ve not shared your home with a dog frightened by thunderstorms. I’ve been there, many times actually, and even though it’s been five years since the last thunder girl passed, I still wake up looking for her among the light casted by a storm.

Why Are Dogs Afraid of Thunder?

We don’t know for certain, but the common denominator for thunder phobia is anxiety. Astraphobia, commonly known as thunder phobia, is an abnormal fear of lightening and thunder, and develops in both animals and humans. Some claim thunder phobia is treatable and I agree to a point.

Dog trainers relentlessly debate on precursors, meaning triggers that cause anxiety before thunderstorms. Many theorize dogs are sensitive to a drop in barometric pressure while others believe the loud boom of thunder or flashing light of lightening is the main culprit. Personally, I feel it could be all or one. All dogs are different and will react differently.

Anxiety is a wicked and complex little demon. While it can be learned, I feel some dogs and people are prone to feelings of anxiety. Some dogs are cool as cucumbers while others react to anything, but it’s the latter who usually succumb to phobias.

Just because a dog is afraid of thunderstorms, it doesn’t mean he isn’t afraid of all loud sounds. Strange, huh? At one time, I lumped sound phobic dogs into one category, but not anymore. Personally, I’ve shared my home with two dogs who were terribly afraid of thunderstorms, but completely nonreactive to fireworks. Then, I’ve encountered dogs afraid of all loud noises so be careful of labels. 🙂

Thunder-Phobic Behavior

For the most part, dogs will exhibit one, several or all of these behaviors before a storm approaches. It’s common for nervous behaviors to increase during a storm.

  • Pacing
  • Drooling
  • Heave Panting
  • Vocalizing
  • Trembling
  • Seeking Comfort From a Person (Waking You Up, Trying to Get Close to You)
  • Hiding in the Bathroom (Sometimes in the Bathtub) or Closet

Severe Displays

  • Rips crates apart, if kenneled during storms.
  • Escapes. Destroying doors, jumping through windows or crawling under fences to escape a storm.
  • Aggression. Some dogs panic. It’s just like a panic attack.

How to Calm Down a Dog

When tackling thunderstorm phobia, I find a combination approach is best. I would recommend trying each suggestion and then combining them for the best results. Another tip is to introduce products and supplements when thunderstorms aren’t present, or you’ll end up teaching your dog that putting on a Thundershirt means a storm is looming. 🙂

RELATED: Thundershirt for Dogs

Preparation

Usually, we focus on the preventive part instead of prevention, which is human nature. Use preventive products 30 minutes before a storm approaches or, better said, before your dog displays thunder-phobic behavior.

Thundershirt

As the name implies, this product works wonders for thunder-phobic dogs. It actually pushes against calming acupressure points just like swaddling a baby lulls a cranky baby to sleep.

Music

Oh, the power of music. I wish more pet parents incorporated it into their dog’s daily life. Not only will classical music calm a nervous dog, it will also likely drown out thunder noises. Now, when living in Texas, storms were so loud I had to blare The Doors until 4 a.m., which worked like a charm.

RELATED: Calming Music for Dogs

Turn on Lights

When lights are out, our body knows it’s time to rest. Turn on a few lights, especially if lightening is frequent and bright. This will diminish the haunted house effect of lightening. Or, better yet, turn on the TV. The constant changing light and sound will drown out all aspects of thunderstorms.

Melatonin

My first choice for thunder-phobic dogs is melatonin. It has a pleasant calming effect with minimal drowsiness. Usually, I dose 20-30 minutes before a storm approaches. If the storm misses you, no worries, your dog will get a good night sleep.

When to Seek Animal Behavior Treatment

Seek professional assistance from a veterinarian board certified in animal behavior. These experts can rule out heath issues plus have the most up-to-date information on medications for treatment, which provide minimal side effects. If your dog displays severe thunder-phobic behaviors or thunderstorms affect your dog’s quality of life, seek professional help.

Thunder phobia is treatable with a healthy dose of prevention sprinkled with a mixture of preventive products!

READ ALSO: Anxious Dog Tips

Why You Should Get Pet Insurance

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Pet Health Insurance

Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is worth the cost. However, it’s a personal decision.

In 2009, I researched pet insurance for my Bouviers. Pet insurance reviews were skeptical. No one would say “yay” or “nay” on enrollment nor recommend pet insurance companies. Well my thoughts drastically changed later that year.

Why I Chose Pet Insurance

Armond, my darling Bouvier, was diagnosed with bone cancer. I was beyond heartbroken, but determined to provide him with the best quality of life. The gold standard of pain control for bone cancer is amputating the affected leg. We met with a board certified orthopedic veterinary surgeon and set a date. To say I was not suffering from sticker shock, I would be lying. It was going to cost $5,000.

Armond came out of surgery and was sent home after a few days being monitored at the veterinary hospital. He had a few complications, such as a reaction to certain medication combinations, and needed additional pain control. However, they were minor, but tagged an additional $1,000 to his final bill.

My darling boy stayed with us for four months post amputation. However, his quality of life was excellent until he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It broke my heart paying veterinary bills even after he was long gone. I promised myself I would research pet insurance. Here are my results.

RELATED: Dog Trainer Fanna Easter

Breaking Down the Numbers

As much as we don’t want to admit it, cost is a factor. My dogs are family members and I’ll do whatever is necessary, but we still need to pay our mortgage. I’ll crunch the numbers for you, but understand, base care is not the concern. It’s unexpected surgeries, accidents and illnesses that bleed your bank account dry.

Many loving pet parents say goodbye to their precious dogs early because they simply can’t afford surgeries or medical care. This occurrence is called “economic euthanasia.” After lots of research, I’ve chosen Trupanion. They have no caps and reimburse within a week of submitting receipts.

Pet Insurance Premium Costs

Premiums depend on a dog’s age and deductible amount. I’ve chosen a small (10%) deductible and so our monthly costs are higher ($68 per month per dog). If you’d prefer a larger deductible, usually purchased to cover accidents, monthly premiums are much lower, usually $20-$30 per month.

Assume your dog will live until 12 years of age. Now, factor in monthly pet insurance premium fees per year.

$40 x 12 months = $480 per year

$480 x 12 years = $5,760

Before you balk at the final cost, let’s break down average veterinary costs.

Average Basic Care

In 2012, veterinary costs averaged $227 per year. Now, it’s 2015 and I find the average cost very low, but demographics do play a large role and I’ve always lived in a larger city. My average veterinary cost per dog hovers around $400 per year. But let’s use the average cost for comparisons.

$227 x 12 years = $2,724

Accident and Illness Costs

Veterinary costs are on the rise just as human medical care skyrockets so let’s look at average costs for unexpected treatments:

  • Cruciate ligament repair (torn or partially torn ACL): Averages between $2,000-$6,000, depending on severity and size of dog.
  • Foreign body removal surgery (removing undigested items from a dog’s digestive tract): Between $1,400-$2,000.
  • Accidental poisoning (human medications, insecticide and so forth): $791
  • Removal of lumps or bumps: $200-$1,500, depending if dog was anesthetized.
  • Dental cleanings: $200-$400, if tooth extractions are needed. Some dogs, especially small breeds, need yearly or biyearly cleanings.

Costs Add Up

Choosing pet insurance is a personal decision and some call it a gamble. As a dog lover and trainer, it seems I’ve lost the gamble with all my dogs. So, in my perspective, pet insurance is worth it’s weight in gold. Yes, I still pay for routine costs, such as heartworm medication, exams, spay and neuters, but I do sleep better at night knowing my dogs are insured.

Another Option

While this option will not reimburse costs, it can provide a lower interest rate for unexpected veterinary costs. It’s called CareCredit and accepted by most veterinary clinics. For larger costs, I charge to my CareCredit card and pay it off once reimbursed by our pet insurance company.

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Complete New Puppy Checklist

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Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing Home a New Puppy
I want all this stuff! Woof!

You’ve reached the ultimate puppy or older dog checklist! Here, you’ll find tons of information all rolled up on one page.

How to Use the Checklist

Before bringing your new puppy or older dog home, it’s important to shop for essential items and brush up on skills. Below is a complete new puppy checklist, which I recommend printing for reference. Click on the links within the list to explore brand names, pros and cons of products, dog trainer-approved products and product instructions.

Complete New Puppy Checklist

New Puppy Links

Once shopping is complete, it’s time to brush up on new puppy training skills. Don’t worry, we have you covered! Each link redirects you to tips and tricks on preventing, cleaning or using recommended products. Feel free to print these articles for further reference.

Enroll in a Dog Training Class

Yes, it was mentioned earlier, but it’s worth repeating you should enroll in a dog training class within 1 to 2 weeks. You’re beginning to build an extremely strong bond, which is invaluable. Plus, you have an expert available for any questions!

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Surviving the First Night With Your Puppy

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Your Puppy’s First Night Home

First Night With Your Puppy
Ah, you can survive your puppy’s first night home!

Take a deep breath. I have super simple tips for you, which really work!

Many dog enthusiasts provide “hard and fast” rules, which create frustrated pet parents. Following too many rules, especially during your puppy’s first night home, is like filling a 5-lb sack with 10 lbs of sugar. It’s too much and it causes confusion for both puppies and pet parents.

Dive into these mistake-proof tips, which make the first night home with your puppy a seamless experience while still teaching good manners. I promise the dog training gods will not pull your toes during the night if you allow your puppy to sleep in your bed, especially during the first night. (Wink!)

Shake off all that stress. Your goal is to make your puppy’s first night at home happy!

Prepare Before Your Puppy Arrives

Take the extra time and prepare. This will make it much easier when bringing your new puppy home.

Set up a crate in your bedroom

Place the crate right next to your side of the bed. Instead of a shiny new bed, add old cozy towels and blankets in your puppy’s crate. Save the new bed for later like when your puppy is 6-months-old or so or you’ll be purchasing lots of new and shiny beds until the teething process halts. It’s probably a good time to review (and print if needed) potty training tips too.

RELATED: Crate Training

Invest in a sound machine

Or, better yet, download classical music. Music and sound will prevent your puppy from becoming frightened around strange sounds while soothing her to sleep. Plus, turning on music becomes a cue to sleep, which is a blessing.

Prepare for a few sleepless nights

Plan on it. You’ll probably get little sleep so pick up your puppy on a Friday so you have plenty of time to catch up on sleep during the weekend.

If your puppy whines during the night, bring her outside to potty. Bring her back inside and put her back in her crate with a food stuffed toy. This will give her something else to do instead of whine and she’ll likely drift off to sleep. I’m not too concerned about whining meaning going outside right now. This is a tough time for puppies and you so keep it simple. There’s plenty of potty training time to come!

Tired Puppies Sleep Woohoo!

Once your puppy is home, she’s probably pretty tired already. Just in case, spend 30 minutes playing with her, introducing her to new family members and showing the array of her new toys. Provide free access to water until an hour before bedtime. Plus, this is usually a good time to feed her too. Bring her potty immediately after eating and drinking and again before bedtime.

You can do this. Don’t stress. Have fun — you have a new puppy! There’s plenty of time for training. 🙂

READ ALSO: Complete New Puppy Checklist

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.

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