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2017 Christmas Gifts For Dog Lovers

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Christmas Gifts for the Dog Lover in Your Life

Gifts For Dog Lovers
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Dog people are passionate about dogs; they love dogs more than fancy shoes, cars and bedazzled clothing. If you have someone who’s passionate about dogs, you’ll want to check out these wonderful Christmas gifts for dog lovers. Each present is sure to be loved and cherished by its recipient. As an extremely passionate dog lover myself, I still love each dog-themed gift I’ve received over the years because it’s so personal.

Jewelry

Understated, yet deeply personal, jewelry is perfect for dog lovers who aren’t afraid to show off their favorite dog breed. By far, Siberian Art offers breathtaking jewelry that feature most dog breeds. Siberian Art captures each breed beautifully, which means dog lovers will see their dog in each cherished piece.

Choose from detailed pendants, earrings, rings, tie tacks and prints in either silver or gold. Sterling silver options are priced right under $100, and they’re worth every single penny. Stay away from knockoffs since those will turn your dog lover’s neck bright green. 🙂

Dog Portrait

Everyone loves a beautiful piece of artwork, and it’s even better when a furry family member is included. With many personalized options available, such as Zazzle, you could place a dog lover’s favorite dog portrait on pillows, pictures, mugs and so forth.

If you want to take a dog portrait gift idea up a notch, have an artist create a custom portrait. Before cringing at the word “custom,” remember that portraits are created digitally now, which keep costs down.

When choosing an artist, look through their online portfolio first. Each artist has a certain style, and remember to always ask questions. Order sooner rather than later, as artists take at least 3 weeks to complete artwork even if it’s digital. Costs vary depending on artist and size of the portrait.

Dog-Themed Socks

Dog-themed socks are an inexpensive gift every dog lover will wear with pride. If your dog lover’s favorite breed is not available, choose a colorful paw-printed pair of socks instead. Dog-themed socks make great stocking stuffers too. Most socks cost between $10-$12, depending on the brand. Check out this great dog sock website.

Donation to Favorite Rescue Group

As always, donating to your dog lover’s favorite rescue organization is always a great gift. Print out your donation and place inside a beautiful envelope, then place under the Christmas tree. Your dog loving friend, their chosen rescue and a dog in need will thank you!

Have a fabulous holiday season!

4 Ways To Prepare Your Dog For Holiday Parties

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Preparing Your Dog for Holiday Parties and Guests

Prepare Your Dog For Holiday Parties
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Holiday season is in full swing, and everyone’s preparing their homes for festive gatherings. This week, I’ve been overwhelmed with private dog training lessons focused on teaching Fido polite manners during holiday parties. Before I share my recommended holiday safety tips for pets, it’s important that pet owners understand and set fair expectations for themselves and their dogs.

Having Fido lie leisurely under the dining table is a pipe dream. Yes, everyone wants this picturesque holiday moment, but it’s stressful and unrealistic for pet owners and their dogs. Additionally, holiday parties are noisy and confusing to dogs. And it only takes a second for your dog to run out the door while guests come in and out. Lastly, holiday guests can easily step on or unintentionally feed your dog dangerous foods.

By taking the time to prepare your dog for holiday parties, you can keep your dog safe and relaxed throughout the festivities.

1. Take Your Dog on a Long Walk

About an hour or so before your party guests arrive, take your dog out for a long walk. Ensure your dog has plenty of sniffing opportunities because sniffing is just as exhausting as walking. If the weather is terrible, play Nose Work, tug or fetch with your dog instead.

2. Prepare Pumpkin Stuffed Toys Beforehand

Giving your dog a yummy food stuffed toy will keep your dog’s brain busy during holiday parties. The night before your holiday party, prepare yummy food stuffed toys and freeze them overnight. In keeping with your holiday party theme, stuff bits of lean turkey (white meat with skin removed) and pumpkin into a food stuffed toy and store in your freezer.

If your dog is watching his waistline, mix pumpkin and blackstrap molasses together and stuff inside a toy. Pumpkin is a low calorie option and molasses provides a healthy, yet sweet taste that will keep your dog busy for hours.

3. Keep Your Dog Happily Contained

Place your dog’s crate in your bedroom and place cozy bedding inside. About 30 mins before your guests arrive, crate your dog and leave him with a food stuffed toy and a few treats. Close his crate door and turn on soft music. When leaving your bedroom, firmly close the door behind you. Post a note on the door saying, “Please don’t open.” This will ensure lost guests understand this door doesn’t lead to the bathroom.

4. Meeting Guests

Of course, you should introduce your dog to guests as long as your dog and guests are comfortable meeting each other. Once everyone has sat down with a beverage, bring your dog out on leash to greet everyone. Keep a stash of yummy dog training treats in your bedroom, and grab them as you’re walking your dog out to greet everyone. This is the perfect time to reward your dog for polite choices around guests and show off your dog’s skills. After 10 minutes, grab another frozen food stuffed toy and crate your dog in your bedroom again. Your dog will be exhausted after meeting guests.

Happy Holidays!

Is Your Dog Trainer A Bully?

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Signs You Should Find a New Dog Trainer

Good Dog Trainer
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Yes, you read that correctly. Some dog trainers are capable of bullying pet owners. Bullying behavior is common within all professions, and it happens within the dog training industry too. Some dog trainers can be downright mean to pet owners and dogs while others are sneakier about it. Is your dog trainer a bully?

Expectations of a Dog Trainer

Before discussing bullying behavior, it’s important to understand the expectations of a dog trainer. Dog trainers are hired to teach pet owners how to communicate with their dogs effectively. Of course, dog trainers can teach dogs polite manners quickly, but it’s pretty ineffective unless pet owners learn how to teach and reinforce polite behaviors themselves.

In essence, dog trainers teach people and not dogs. Since dog trainers teach people, they must have excellent communication skills. Professional dog trainers should treat pet owners and dogs with respect and kindness, set everyone up for success, use positive reinforcement training methods, and celebrate wins.

Belittles Pet Owners

When teaching pet owners how to communicate with their dogs, some dog trainers will belittle pet owners throughout the entire process. Dog trainers should not blame pet owners for their dogs’ behavior if pet owners are seeking professional help. Everyone makes mistakes; you do better when you know better. Dog trainers should acknowledge that, and then explain to pet owners what to do instead of focusing on negative behavior. Finger-wagging and blaming halts the learning process and teaches nothing.

Positive reinforcement dog trainers should treat clients with the same kindness and respect they would extend to their canine clients. Additionally, good dog trainers understand pet owners are learners, so they must adjust their communication style to ensure all learners understand the concepts. If your dog trainer is belittling you, then it’s time to find a new dog trainer.

Makes Questionable Choices

There’s no room for physical pain, force, fear or yelling in dog training. These methods do not work. Instead, punishment inhibits behavior and will cause anxiety and fear. Dog trainers should never recommend hurting dogs or putting dogs in a situation that makes their behavior worse. Additionally, dog trainers should not joke about a dog’s breed tendencies or assume all breeds of dogs learn the same because every dog is an individual. Dog trainers should never recommend physical corrections with collars, leashes, shock or force.

As an advocate for your dog, if something feels wrong, don’t do it and leave immediately.

Thinking Of Getting A Siberian Husky? Read This

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Things to Know Before Getting a Siberian Husky

Siberian Husky
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Everyone remembers the first time she saw or met a Siberian Husky. The encounter is truly a magical moment. This dog breed’s striking double coat, coat coloring and gorgeous eyes are true showstoppers with which many pet owners fall instantly in love. Before you buy or rescue a Siberian Husky, there are a few things you should know before adding this stunning breed to your family.

Boy, Do They Shed!

Siberian Huskies shed like a raging January snowstorm in North Dakota. Their beautiful double coat blows out profusely during spring and summer. Daily brushings with the appropriate brushing tools will help, but loose hair will still stick to furniture and clothes, hide in your refrigerator, and land in your mouth. If shedding doesn’t bother you, then consider this breed, but there’s more!

Siberians are Strong

This breed was bred to pull sleds at high speeds, meaning they are super strong. Siberian Huskies can easily pull down or knock over a grown adult, so care must be taken with small children. They move fast and love to run, so it’s important to ensure your lifestyle provides them their daily exercise!

Super Friendly With Everyone

While this breed was created to work in cold climates, they are not fierce protectors. Siberians love everyone and easily jump on and over guests, so teaching polite greeting manners is vital. While Siberians can scare some people with their medium size, plush coat and prick ears, they probably won’t bark enough to protect your home. Many pet owners love this characteristic, and adore their Siberian’s “Walmart greeter” behavior.

They are Not Wolves

Siberian Huskies have risen in popularity lately due to shows, such as “Game of Thrones.” Unfortunately, this has resulted in rescue groups drowning in owner-surrendered dogs. Siberian Huskies are not wolves nor are they even part wolf. They are domesticated dogs. If someone advertises wolf or wolf-hybrid Siberian Huskies, stay away. Sharing your home with a wolf is an entirely different and dangerous situation.

Still Want a Siberian Husky?

If you’re still interested in getting a Siberian Husky, then I’d recommend meeting several Siberians in person at dog shows. Reputable dog breeders show their dogs to a certain strict breed standard and health test all dogs. These are the Siberian Husky experts. Believe it or not, responsible breeders charge the same prices as irresponsible breeders, and responsible breeders provide a lifetime of support. Before purchasing or adopting a Siberian, contact these reputable breeders and rescuers first. Better yet, join the Siberian Husky Club of America.

Take time to learn more about your desired dog breed before bringing him into your home. Knowing what you’re getting into is best for everyone, including the dog.

Is Your Dog’s Behavior Improving?

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Improve Your Dog’s Behavior in 3 Steps

Dog's Behavior
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When teaching a dog one or several new behaviors, it can be tricky to gauge if a dog’s behavior has permanently changed. Dog behavior can fluctuate depending on the situation and your dog’s health (hey, he might not feel well that day). Before assuming your dog’s behavior has changed, it’s best to follow these steps to ensure your dog’s behavior improves. These steps will also help you identify where your dog’s behavior fell apart.

Step 1: Dog Readily Offers Learned Behavior

You’ll know when a dog has learned a new behavior when he readily offers it during dog training sessions. As an example, dogs learn how to “sit” pretty quickly, especially when they receive a treat for it. They will usually offer a “sit” behavior because it makes cheese appear. When teaching a new behavior, such as “down,” a dog should offer or can be easily lured into this behavior before you continue to step 2.

Step 2: Dog Responds to Cue

Once a dog offers or can be easily lured into a new behavior, it’s time to give it a “cue.” Putting a behavior on cue is extremely important because that’s how to ask a dog to perform a behavior (stimulus control).

If you would like your dog to “sit and stay” around guests, then these behaviors need a name, so your dog will know what to do when you say it around guests. Once a cue (sit) is paired with a behavior (sitting down), your dog should respond to the cue within a few seconds. Continue to practice until your dog responds within a second after hearing the cue. Rewarding generously will certainly speed up the process.

RELATED: Learn From Dog Training Mistakes

Step 3: Dog Performs Around Distractions

Most dogs can “sit,” “down,” “come” and “stay” at home, but can they perform these behaviors in the front yard or park? This is the most difficult part of improving a dog’s behavior. In fact, this is where most pet owners become frustrated and give up. As a general rule, when training your dog, 90% of teaching a new behavior is practiced around distractions. It’s great when dogs “sit” instantly on cue, but it’s even better when dogs can “sit” instantly when guests come over.

Moving from one step to the next certainly shows improvement, so keep practicing! 

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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