6 Ridiculous, Yet Common Dog Myths Dispelled

November 4, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Dog Myths Dispelled: Know Your Dog Facts

You’ve heard these dog myths before, I’m sure. Every pet owner has encountered myths about dogs from well meaning animal lovers, and it’s time to dispel these dog myths. While growing up in South Louisiana, people would say that feeding a dog gunpowder will make them mean. Um, no. It will make them sick; not aggressive.

Believe it or not, I heard these 6 ridiculous dog myths this week and I’m here to debunk them.

Giving Your Dog Human Food Will Cause Begging Behavior

via GIPHYFalse. Giving your dog “people” food won’t cause your dog to beg. Now, giving your dog food (even his own kibble) from your dinner plate or the dining room table will teach your dog to beg.

Think about it this way: If someone hands out cupcakes or $10 bills by the toilet, you would hang around the toilet if you like cupcakes and money. In a nutshell, if good things happen in specific areas, your dog will learn to hang out there. Instead of handing your dog food tidbits from the dinner table, give your dog a food-filled Kong in his crate. That way, you can enjoy your meal and your dog learns that dog crates mean peanut butter Kongs (a good thing!).

Your Dog’s Warm Nose Means He’s Sick

via GIPHYNope, this is false too. Your dog’s nose reacts to the temperature or humidity and not illness. Dogs’ noses will look and feel warm, especially after a long nap. If your dog acts differently, hides in another room, refuses to eat or drink, limps, vomits, or has loose stool, then he’s probably sick.

Dogs Eat Grass Because They Have Worms

via GIPHYFalse. Dogs eat grass because they like it, especially young green grass that grows during springtime. When dogs eat grass, it’s best to keep them outdoors for a few more minutes, as most will vomit afterwards. If you notice worms in your dog’s poop or around his anus, then it’s time for a vet visit.

Humping Dogs are Seeking Dominance

via GIPHYThis is false too. Humping is a normal part of play behavior; it has nothing to do with dominance. When playing, each dog has his or her own specific play style. Some dogs pull ears, others grab another dog’s hocks and some dogs hump. If the humpee feels uncomfortable, he moves away and the humper learns to change his play style or no one will play with him.

Allow Dogs to Work It Out

via GIPHYBeyond false. Never allow dogs to work it out, ever. Allowing dogs to work it out will teach dogs to fight it out. If one dog is bullying another dog and the scared dog is unable to get away, he will fight to get away. This is called fight or flight behavior. If you’re unable to leave a scary situation, then you’ll fight to get away. When in doubt, interrupt or prevent your dog’s behavior and consult an experienced positive reinforcement dog trainer.

Dogs Run Through Doorways First to Show Dominance

via GIPHYNope, this is false too. Dogs run through doorways first because they weren’t taught differently. It has nothing to do with dominance. If you’re walking toward a doorway, such as the back door, your dog runs through the door because he wants to go outside. That’s it, I promise. Now, it’s the pet owner’s job to teach a dog to wait at the door. This prevents dogs from running out and getting hurt.

What’s the craziest dog myth you’ve ever heard? I promise I won’t laugh. I may giggle a bit, but won’t laugh.

Barn Hunt: The Nose Sport Your Dog Needs To Try

November 1, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Barn Hunt Overview

Barn hunt has taken the dog world by storm. It’s the newest dog sport that puts your dog’s nose to work. We know dogs have a superior sense of smell, but I don’t think we truly understand the magnitude.

Alexandra Horowitz wrote, “While we might notice if our coffee has had a teaspoon of sugar added to it, a dog could detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water, or two Olympic-sized pools worth” (Horowitz, 2009). Yes, dogs’ noses are that powerful! I highly recommend “Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know” written by Alexandra Horowitz. This book will blow your mind.

Now that we understand the power of our dog’s noses, let’s get back to the barn hunt!

What is a Barn Hunt?

A barn hunt provides an opportunity for dogs to hunt. All dogs hunt, and the major part of hunting is using their noses. During barn hunt classes and trials, dogs are taught to hunt for rats. Before I continue, I must explain that rats are kept completely safe at all times. That’s right. Barn hunting enthusiasts take extraordinary measures to keep rats and dogs safe during hunts.

Many barn hunters keep these rats as pets. These lucky rats live their lives in a massive rat condo, sleeping on the best bedding and dining on premium rat food. As a huge rat lover, I was concerned about their safety during barn hunts, so I was relieved to know multiple safety precautions are used during every class and trial.

How a Barn Hunt is Set Up

During a typical barn hunt session, an area is enclosed and covered in loose hay and hay bales to mimic a hay barn. In the center of the hay-enclosed area, bales of hay are stacked to form steps and a tunnel. Within the mounds of hay, three PVC pipes are hidden. One pipe safely holds a rat, another holds rat bedding and the third pipe is empty. For the rat’s safety, each pipe has multiple air holes for ventilation and thick caps securely fastened on each end.

Once the area is set up, the pet owner and dog enter and the dog’s leash is removed. This is the dog’s turn to shine, as she successfully finds the PVC pipe with the rat while ignoring the other two pipes. Once a dog indicates she’s found the rat PVC pipe, the pet owner says “rat” and pulls the pipe from the hay. If your dog is competing in barn hunt trials, there might be different behavior requirements, depending on your dog’s trailing level. Most barn hunt trails require your dog to run under hay tunnels and jump on top of hay stacks.

Pet Owners Learn to Trust Their Dogs

While doing a barn hunt seems pretty easy, it’s not. Dogs have to learn how to use their noses to hunt and find rats. Teaching a dog to hunt is a learning process, but they figure it out fast! Pet owners, on the other hand, usually get in their dogs’ ways.

As humans, we rely on our eyesight. Upon entering the barn hunt area, most pet owners will scan the area for glimpses of plastic pipes or gaps within straw. It’s normal human behavior to help our dogs succeed, so we instinctually scan the area. But here’s the problem: we’re usually wrong 99.9% of the time. 🙂 So many times, I’ve witnessed pet owners encourage their dogs to check out a specific area when their dogs are circling a totally different area. As you would guess it, the dog was right! In this dog sport, pet owners learn to trust their dogs!

Who Can Play Barn Hunt

Not only does this sport tap into a dog’s hunting instinct, it’s also super fun for both dog and pet owner. It’s an amazing bonding experience between dog and pet owner because they must work together while allowing the dog to do the work. Barn hunt is open to all dogs regardless of size or shape. They just need a nose. Pugs and Shih Tzus are fantastic barn hunters; don’t let their little noses fool you!

Barn Hunts in Your Area

To ensure rats and dogs are kept safe at all times, the Barn Hunt Association (BHA) was founded. BHA sets standards for practice sessions and trials across the US. Check out their website to find a club near you. Of course, you can earn barn hunt titles, but remember that practice is just as fun for your dog!

Always remember to trust your dog’s nose every time!

You may also like: How to Choose a Dog Sport for Your Dog

How Muffin’s Halo Protects Blind Dogs

October 27, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Muffin’s Halo for Blind Dogs

Several months ago, a couple consulted me about their blind dog. This case involved a younger dog that was slowly losing her eyesight, and she was bumping into furniture and walls inside her home. She had injured her muzzle several times running into a wall, and became terrified to move forward. Her pet owners felt completely helpless and wanted to improve her quality of life.

The pet owners and I agreed that moving furniture against walls would certainly help, but then I remembered something I saw a long time ago. Muffin’s Halo. They took my advice and ordered a halo for blind dogs. Soon after, their young dog regained her confidence and started happily running outdoors again.

If your dog is visually impaired, I’d certainly recommend giving this blind dog harness a try! Dogs acclimate to wearing the harness quickly and, with a bit of confidence-building games, your dog will regain her freedom again.

About Muffin’s Halo

Muffin’s Halo was created by a pet owner looking for a solution for her visually impaired dog. Muffin, the namesake for this wonderful tool, regained her confidence and was able to move through life free from stress and injury due to her new halo.

This halo for blind dogs has a lightweight ring that sits just above your dog’s head. It protrudes past your dog’s muzzle, protecting her face from bumping into walls or furniture. Not only will this ring prevent your dog from getting hurt, but it also slowly becomes a cue to navigate around an object.

Now, the ring attaches to a plush high collar that resembles angel or butterfly wings. The high collar and halo are attached to a comfortable harness that easily attaches to your dog. The harness doesn’t restrict your dog’s movement. Plus, it’s machine washable.

It’s important to securely fence off stairs and pools as a precaution. Also, move furniture against walls or provide a clutter-free walking path for your dog though each room. For the most part, small and medium dogs need at least a 3-foot wide clearance to walk through and turn around if needed. Larger dogs may need 4-5 feet, depending on their size.

Teaching Your Dog to Wear Muffin’s Halo

Anytime your dog wears a new collar or harness, it’s important to pair it with good things. You’ll need lots of super stinky and yummy dog treats that your dog absolutely loves!

Feed your dog treats while placing the blind dog harness onto your dog.
Keep rewarding your dog while she’s wearing the harness.
Reward her for every step she takes while wearing the harness.
Now, take it off and give her a break.

Continue to practice several times a day until she’s completely comfortable wearing Muffin’s Halo. Most dogs do amazingly well wearing a halo for blind dogs immediately, but it’s important to take a few extra steps to ensure she feels comfortable wearing it.

Confidence Building Game for Blind Dogs

Tap into your blind dog’s inner canine abilities—her nose! Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. They can detect cancer and low blood sugar using their noses. Once your dog is comfortable wearing her Muffin’s Halo, it’s time to teach her to walk while wearing it.

Play these games several times a day in the beginning. Going forward, these games are very useful in new environments, such as your backyard, a new home or hotel room.

To play this dog game, you’ll need several stinky treats cut into pea-sized bites and your dog with the blind dog halo on. I recommend bits of blue cheese, salmon treats or chopped hot dogs.

Step One: Follow the Treat

Hold 1 treat right next to your dog’s nose and give it to her.
Next, hold the treat about an inch from her nose, so she’s forced to take a step forward. As she walks forward, pop the treat in her mouth. Practice this a few times.
Now, hold a treat about 2 inches from her nose. Pop the treat in her mouth as she walks forward.
Continue playing this game until she quickly moves forward for a treat.

Step Two: Follow the Food Trail

In front of your dog, sprinkle treats 1-2 feet apart along a clear path.
Your dog may quickly walk along and gobble up the treats, which is fantastic! If she’s hesitant, verbally encourage her as she walks toward the sprinkled treats. The halo may touch the ground as your dog eats treats, but she’s learning that halo-bumping is harmless and rewarding.
If your dog’s halo bumps into furniture or walls, reward her as she’s stepping away from the object.

Keep practicing!!!

Learn More About Muffin’s Halo

Check out this video created by the inventor of Muffin’s Halo and her sweet Muffin! This product is made in the USA and available worldwide.

Do you have questions? I can answer them here!

Dog Birthday Party Ideas For Every Personality

October 26, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Throw the Best Birthday Party for Your Dog

Every dog should have a birthday, or “gotcha” day, party, because she’s an important part of your family! How you celebrate your dog’s birthday really depends on your dog’s personality. Some dogs enjoy huge birthday parties with lots of noise while others would rather snooze in serenity. Check out these dog birthday party ideas and choose the one that work best for your dog!

Dog Birthday Bash With Oodles of Dog Friends

A huge birthday party for dogs with tons of two and four-legged friends works best for extrovert and gregarious dogs. If your dog is friendly with all dogs and loves every person she meets, then plan a gathering of friends to celebrate your dog’s birthday. If your dog loves people more than dogs, invite two-legged party-goers instead.

Dog Birthday Party Venue

Choose a party venue that provides plenty of room for guests. Many dog training facilities offer dog birthday parties, so reach out and ask about rental fees and agreements. Decorate the area using a fun dog-friendly theme, such as doggie paw prints or bone-shaped designs. Of course, you need birthday hats for everyone, including dog attendees.

Birthday Games for Dogs

Provide a play area for dogs, but only if all four-legged attendees are comfortable playing with other dogs. Or plan games for pet owners and their leashed dogs to play. A few birthday game ideas for dogs include: dodging for tennis balls in a small swimming pool, musical chairs by asking dogs to sit when the music stops, or which dog wags her tail the longest. You can reward game winners with gift baskets of dog treats, cute certificates or even paw-shaped trophies.

Dog Birthday Cake

Don’t forget the birthday cake! For a huge birthday bash, you’ll need a cake for dogs and another cake for humans—unless your human friends enjoy meatloaf cake with mashed potato frosting. 🙂 Ask guests to place birthday gifts on top of a table and ask friends to leash their dogs while your dog is unwrapping gifts. This prevents resource guarding, especially over high value items, such as bully sticks and treats. 🙂

Vacation Destination Birthday

Traveling is certainly fun, especially if your dog enjoys it! Vacation destination birthday parties work best for dogs that enjoy their family and love visiting new areas. For beach-loving dogs, choose a pet-friendly bungalow next to the beach and enjoy a long sandy stroll for your dog’s birthday.

For snow-loving dogs, plan a trip to the mountains and romp in snow for hours. If your dog enjoys a certain member of your family and that person lives far, plan a weekend getaway, so your dog can enjoy quality time with her favorite person for her birthday.

RELATED: 4 Tips for Traveling With Dogs

Quiet Dog Birthday Party at Home

Sometimes, a quaint and quiet dog birthday party at home works best. If your dog is an introvert and enjoys staying home, plan a quiet evening with you and your dog. Of course, you can celebrate with a birthday cake for your dog or you can both enjoy a nice steak dinner together. Play your dog’s favorite game and, most importantly, spend plenty of quality cuddle time.

This is your dog’s day, so plan her birthday around her needs.

Happy Birthday From Dog Training Nation!

3 Halloween Pet Safety Tips You Need to Read

October 25, 2016 by Fanna Easter

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Halloween is almost here! Halloween festivities are a blast, but sometimes it’s best to keep pets home for their safety. Before you purchase Halloween candy or open your door for trick-or-treaters, please review these Halloween pet safety tips again!

Safely Confine All Pets Indoors

Many pets disappear during Halloween, so it’s best to keep all pets, including cats, safely confined indoors. Think about it: every time your front door opens for trick-or-treaters, it’s an opportunity for your dog or cat to escape. Plus, costumed trick-or-treaters look scary.

It’s best to keep dogs safely in their crates, tucked away in another room, away from all the commotion. Play soft music in the background to drown out loud knocks and doorbell rings. Classical music works best. Crate time doesn’t have to be boring! Give your dog a frozen yogurt stuffed toy while resting in his crate. This way, he can join in on the festivities too. Check out this Halloween frozen treat idea for your dog!

When bringing your dog outside to potty, keep your dog leashed at all times. When pottying your dog in a secured backyard, stay with your dog until he finishes his business and bring him back indoors. Supervision is key during Halloween.

Don’t Force Pet Halloween Costumes

Most pet costumes are uncomfortable and not easy to walk around in. If your dog refuses to walk or seems stressed, it’s best to remove the dog costume. Instead of a Halloween hat, choose a spooky sweater. Or better yet, stick to a Halloween bandana or a candy corn-themed collar with current ID tags.

Keep Halloween Candy Away From Your Pet

While we know dogs and Halloween candy don’t mix, there’s still a steep increase in Pet Poison Control calls around Halloween. Believe it or not, it’s their busiest time of the year. Keep all Halloween candy away from your dog—even non-chocolate varieties.

Also, candy wrappers are a choking hazard and bowel obstruction. When trick-or-treaters are out front, keep your candy high up, such as on the wall shelving next to your front door. During the week of Halloween, keep all candy in your closed pantry preferably on a high shelf.

Just in case, here’s the Pet Poison Helpline number: (855) 764-7661. They charge $49 per call, and offer amazing advice!

Have a safe and happy Halloween!!!

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