What You Need To Know About HOA Pet Restrictions

January 30, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Homeowners’ Association Rules and Regulations

HOA Pet Restrictions

Recently, we were house hunting in a state saturated with homeowner associations (HOA). It seemed every neighborhood had some type of strict HOA rule. This was our first HOA experience, and we were a bit nervous because we share our home with a Rottweiler and Bull Terrier.

As many pet owners are aware, these dog breeds are usually restricted by insurance companies, HOAs, hotels and so forth. When searching for a home, we were very leery and cautious of HOA pet restrictions. Thankfully, we finally found a great home with no dog breed restrictions listed in their HOA laws. However, not all homeowners’ association rules and regulations are alike. Before locking in your new home, follow these tips to ensure your dog is allowed.

A Savvy Realtor is Your Best Friend

By far, this was our ace in the hole! We found an amazing realtor who showed Rottweilers, so she was fully aware of breed-specific regulations. When narrowing down our home search, and before we even stepped into a home, our realtor contacted each home’s homeowners’ association.

Most realtors are well versed in homeowners’ association laws, so they can quickly detect an issue for you. Ask your realtor to contact each HOA to verify breed restriction laws beforehand. Trust me, it’s not worth falling in love with a home when your dog isn’t allowed. When searching for a dog savvy realtor, ask the local kennel club or dog trainers for recommendations.

Many HOAs Restrict By Weight

Several states have finally realized that breed-specific legislation doesn’t decrease dog bites, so they removed breed-specific laws. Arizona recently overturned breed restrictions, but HOAs still found a way to discriminate dog breeds.

Some HOAs enforce pet weight limits (usually under 20 pounds), which keeps large dogs out of the neighborhood. Even though specific dog breeds aren’t listed in the homeowners’ association rules and regulations, read the pet policy carefully for pet weight restrictions.

HOA Bylaws

Once you’ve selected a home, ask your realtor for a copy of the HOA bylaws. Read through each paragraph carefully, focusing on pet restrictions. Many HOAs limit the number of dogs per home and, of course, mandate leash laws (which is a good thing).

When in doubt, contact an HOA representative before making an offer on the home. Note the name of the HOA rep plus the date and time of your conversation.

Read and read again before making an offer on your home. 🙂

Pet Tutor: The Dog Treat Dispenser You Wish You Had

January 25, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Pet Tutor Dog Treat Dispenser Review

Technology continues to advance within the pet industry at lightning fast speed. Several new pet-friendly apps, dog monitor camera systems and remote training devices will positively change dog training forever.

At the top of the technology heap is Smart Animal Training Systems’ Pet Tutor. The dog treat dispenser is a shining star beaming with endless pet training and enrichment opportunities for dogs. With Pet Tutor’s technology, endless options and a savvy dog trainer, this tool has the power to replace shock collars. The only limitation to the product is a dog trainer or pet owner’s imagination.

What is a Pet Tutor?

Pet Tutor is a computerized dog treat dispenser programmed with different dispensing settings, which can be controlled through a smart remote or mobile app. Pet Tutor’s tube is made of stainless steel and lexan, which is a clear and super strong polycarbonate. Lexan is so strong that it’s considered bullet resistant, and used in safety glasses.

In addition, this blue cylindrical device is mobile. You can place it on the ground, mount it to a crate or hang it from a wall with a 3M removable hook.

Setting Up Pet Tutor

Pet Tutor sets up easily, dispenses dog treats soundlessly, and offers endless mental enrichment ideas and training possibilities for your dog. It only takes a couple of seconds to set up the treat dispensing function. If you’re using the training system’s more advanced settings, such as installing a Bluetooth app, setup can take 5-6 minutes.

Dispenses All Types of Treats!

Another huge bonus is Pet Tutor will dispense different types of high value treats. Smart Animal Training Systems has a patented treat dispensing design that prevents training treats from jamming, so any type of treat can be used. Think kibble, chopped up hot dogs, diced string cheese, etc. Some animal trainers use chopped up carrots to teach horses to stand still during grooming while others are dispensing birdseed when teaching birds new behaviors.

Pet Tutor Creator

Wes Anderson created Pet Tutor as a fun game that infuses and combines positive reinforcement training principles and mental stimulation. In the past, Wes worked as an electrical engineer and statistician. He studied neuroscience with a focus on Alzheimer’s research. Recently, Wes decided to focus on another passion and became a dog trainer. Using his extensive knowledge, he designed and created Pet Tutor and committed himself to offering the latest updates as technology advances.

How Will Pet Tutor Help My Dog?

Pet Tutor is a game changer in the animal behavior world. This dog training tool can slow down fast eating dogs, offers different forms of mental stimulation and teaches a dog that barking doesn’t pay. Yes, this dog treat dispenser will certainly help dogs.

Slow Fast Eating Dogs

For fast eating dogs, Pet Tutor will slow down meals by dispensing one kibble at a time. Instead of inhaling food within seconds, dogs may take up to 20 minutes eating their meals, depending on your chosen setting. All you have to do is go on the Pet Tutor smartphone app and change the setting to dispense treats over a period of time and voila! With a few taps, you’ve maximized your dog’s mealtime.

Provide Super Powered Mental Enrichment

Take mealtimes up a notch by teaching a dog to walk over and touch a Kong Wobbler. The dog learns that touching a Kong Wobbler, that’s sitting on the ground, will dispense a treat from the device. Simply place a smartphone that has the Pet Tutor app, or remote, inside a plastic Kong Wobbler to get started!

Stop Dog Barking

Pet Tutor’s technology will dispense treats while a pet owner is away or out of sight. Using a smart remote or app, pet owners can reward dogs for quiet behavior from another room or even online. When away, you can use the training system to reward your dog’s quiet behavior for you. Dogs quickly learn that quiet behavior pays well and barking becomes a thing of the past.

Help Dogs With Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety in dogs is much more than excessive barking; it’s a very serious issue. In short, dogs with separation anxiety panic when they’re left alone, which can result in them seriously harming themselves. The training system can certainly help with separation anxiety, but it requires the expertise of a professional dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist for best results.

Smart Animal Training Systems is committed to evolving its products as new pet technology is discovered. Pet Tutor offers remote rewards through a smartphone or tablet. Pet owners can check in on their dogs using Pet Tutor’s tablet or smartphone app. Additionally, pet owners can instantly dispense treats to reward good behavior remotely.

While many dog camera systems offer this option, there’s a slight delay between pressing the treat dispense button on a smartphone and the treat being dispensed. When changing dog behavior, timing and speed is essential.

https://youtu.be/Jrlrj62-GMY

Easy Impulse Control Exercises To Teach Dogs Self-Control

January 23, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Self-Control Games For Dogs That Work

Controlling your behavior in certain situations is tough, so it’s easy to sympathize with dogs. Many dogs struggle to behave calmly in exciting situations because they haven’t been taught what to do. As pet owners, it’s our responsibility to teach dogs self-control at an early age. Never punish a dog for getting excited, knocking over furniture, jumping up on people or stealing food from your hand. Train your dog what to do instead. These fun and quick self-control games teach dogs to control their impulsive behavior to earn rewards.

What You’ll Need

You’ll need lots of pea-sized high value treats (i.e. chopped up hot dogs, cheese chunks), a dog training clicker (or verbal marker “yes”) and your dog. Each dog training session should last 1-2 minutes, so set a kitchen timer. Give your dog a break in between sessions, and practice again for 1-2 minutes. Practice once or twice a day for best results.

Self-Control Games for Dogs

Each impulse control exercise teaches your dog how to control her behavior to earn a reward. Basically, you’re teaching your dog that doing this, instead of that, will make a treat appear.

1. Touch

Many dogs get excited and nip or mouth hands, especially if hands are moving away really fast. During a game of “touch,” dogs learn to calmly and lightly touch their noses toward the palm of your hand rather than touching your hand with their teeth. This self-control game is fun and addicting for dogs, which is a good thing. Additionally, this game can be played anywhere and at anytime.

https://youtu.be/d-spTywRXEo

2. Leave It

During this self-control exercise, dogs learn that ignoring a treat makes it appear. To begin, hide a super yummy treat inside of your closed fist. Now, place your fist right in front of your dog’s nose and wait.

At first, your dog will lick at your hand in attempt to reach the treat. The moment you no longer feel your dog touching your hand, say “yes” and reward with the treat in your open hand. You’re rewarding your dog to leave your treat hand alone. Soon, your dog will turn her head away, or even remain seated when presented with a treat in your hand. Now that’s self-control!

3. Place

Teaching an energetic dog to settle in one spot is challenging. With this self-control game for dogs, you’ll teach your dog to lie down on a mat. In the beginning, you’ll teach her to place two paws on the mat, then place four paws, sit and finally lie down on the mat. Check out details for teaching the “place” behavior.

4. Sit

Usually, “sit” is the first dog behavior most puppies and dogs learn, which is a good thing. When your dog jumps up, runs out the door or gets super excited, ask her to “sit.” When your dog sits, reward her immediately and generously. Soon, your dog will learn to “sit” when guests come over, when food is on the counter or before she walks out a door.

https://youtu.be/5aaa7DxKDfo

5. Wait Before Eating

When it’s dinner time, dogs get excited! Mealtimes are a perfect time to practice self-control. When lowering a food filled bowl down for your dog to eat, wait for your dog to “sit” or back away from the food bowl. If your dog rushes toward the bowl, simply pick up the bowl. Once your dog sits or stands quietly back, lower the bowl again. Once the bowl is down, say “okay,” so your dog can enjoy her meal.

https://youtu.be/2jBFJ2fGiqA

How To Protect Yourself From Stray Dogs While Walking

January 20, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Stray Dog Protection Tips

It’s a brand new year, which means New Year’s resolutions are in full swing. Since losing weight is a popular resolution, many people are out walking, jogging and running. With that comes the off chance that exercisers encounter a stray dog while walking through the park or neighborhood. These chance encounters can be a bit scary because the stray dog’s behavior is unknown. What should you do?

How to Protect Yourself From Stray Dogs

When encountering a loose dog while walking or jogging, the first initial seconds will provide a lot of information. The moment you see a stray dog, start walking away slowly from the dog. Refrain from abruptly turning around and running away in the opposite direction. This can cause a dog to chase you even if he’s friendly. Instead, walk at an angle away from the dog, so you can keep an eye on him.

If children are present, ask them to get off their bikes and walk slowly next to you. Walk between the dog and children, and try not to stare. Continue to walk slowly while glancing back and forth to keep track of the dog’s location.

If the Stray Dog is Friendly

When a friendly dog sees you, he’ll likely bounce right over to you while licking and jumping around with loose body language. If a loose dog is friendly, slowly reach down and check his collar for an ID tag with pet owner contact information.

Most friendly dogs will follow you around, so if you’re walking in a neighborhood, knock on a few doors and ask if anyone recognizes the loose dog. When walking in a park, ask fellow walkers and runners if they’ve seen the dog before. If no one claims the dog, give animal control (AC) a call and stay with the dog until they arrive.

While no one wants to relinquish a dog to animal control, it’s important to know animal control is the first place pet owners will look if they’ve lost their dogs. Plus, animal control officers can scan the dog for a microchip and contact the pet owners if one is detected. Ask the AC officer to contact you after the mandatory 10 hold, and you can adopt or place the dog yourself.

If the Stray Dog is Fearful

When a fearful dog sees you, he’ll likely stop and sniff the ground for a few seconds. Then, he’ll run the other direction. Whew, that’s a good thing. Continue walking slowly because you may encounter this dog again.

If the Stray Dog is Aggressive

Aggressive dogs will quickly run straight toward you. Some scary dogs will bark; others may be completely silent. And yes, aggressive dogs can wag their tails too. These dogs may charge toward you, stop about 1-2 feet in front of you and bark. Other times, aggressive dogs will stand a couple of feet away, while barking, and bite when you turn around.

Scream “Sit”

When a stray dog starts charging straight toward you, it’s impossible to determine if he’s friendly or not. In this case, the moment a loose dog starts running toward you, scream a common cue, such as “sit.” You can determine the type of dog by his reactions to your cue.

Most dogs: Stop and run away when someone screams
Friendly dogs: Likely stop for a moment, which gives you time to escape
Fearful dogs: Will run away
Aggressive dogs: Completely stop moving for at least a second

When a stray dog stops walking or running toward you, this is your moment to walk away slowly at an angle. Keep the front of your body facing the dog—you may need to walk backwards a bit—to prevent the dog from running up behind you and biting.

Once you’re safely away, call animal control with a description of the dog. If this dog has a pet owner, she’ll immediately contact her local animal control first. Stray dogs can certainly bite, but more than likely they’ll be injured by a passing car instead.

Bring Spray Deterrent

Seasoned walkers, joggers and runners carry spray deterrent to protect themselves from loose dogs. Instead of using pepper spray, it’s best to use a citronella spray that sprays at least 8-10 feet away. Citronella smells strongly to dogs, and will stop a dog from running toward you. Plus, having something sprayed in their eyes will cause them to stop and paw at their faces. Citronella spray won’t permanently harm a dog, but it will stop a dog from charging toward you, so you can safely get away.

Teaching Dogs Polite Manners Around Treats

January 18, 2017 by Fanna Easter

Games That Will Teach Your Dog Manners

Dogs love training treats, as they should, because dog training treats are their paychecks. Sometimes, excitement takes over around high value treats, and dogs snatch treats from their pet parents’ hands or bait bags. This behavior is frustrating. Dogs quickly learn that snatching treats from your hand works, especially if they were successful at stealing and eating the treat. If this has happened to you, then you were mugged by your dog. 🙂

Just like humans, dogs need to be taught how to behave politely around resources they want. Soon, your dog will learn that if you do this, she can have that. Here are a couple of games that will teach your dog manners around something she really loves. Remember, it’s all about self-control.

Leave It Game

When you’re standing in front of something you really want, it’s hard to stand still and ignore it. Imagine a deliciously frosted cupcake sitting inches from your hand, and your tummy is growling. Don’t like cupcakes? Then, picture a frosty mug of beer on a 110-degree day. Self-control is key here.

Your parents have likely taught you to wait until everyone else selects a cupcake before reaching for one. It’s manners 101. Self-control is a learned behavior, and most of us need daily practice to remind us to control our behavior.

Self-control is a learned behavior for your dog too. It’s time to teach your dog the “leave it” game. Hold a pea-sized piece of cheese in your closed hand and place your hand 1-2 inches in front of your dog’s nose. Of course, she’ll lick your hand, but the moment she stops touching your hand, say “yes” and give her the treat.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]It’s important to teach dogs that human hands make good things happen.[/perfectpullquote]

Using a marker word teaches your dog her action is why she earned the reward. Take another treat and practice again. If your dog stops licking or touching your hand for a nanosecond, immediately say “yes” and reward. Practice 1-2 minutes per day. Soon, your dog will ignore your closed treat hand because she’s learned ignoring makes the treat appear.

Touch Game

It’s important to teach dogs that human hands make good things happen. The “touch” game teaches your dog to touch her nose to the palm of your hand. It’s a quick and fun dog game that can be played anywhere. Plus, this game teaches your dog how to politely earn treats instead of mugging you for them. 🙂

Holding your hand sideways, place your palm about 2 inches away from your dog’s nose. Your dog will look at you for a second and likely sniff your hand. The moment you feel her nose touch your hand, say “yes” and give her a treat. Practice for 1-2 minutes per day. Once your dog understands to touch your hand, start moving your hand farther away. Dogs learn this behavior quickly, and it’s a fun game to play with guests!

Now, your dog has learned a game that makes dog training treats appear. Be prepared, your dog may start an impromptu game to earn some treats or share food from your dinner plate. Dogs are super smart, and you can’t blame her for trying, right? If this happens, ignore it. When your dog pokes your hand, leg or treat bag with her nose, just look away for a second. Walk away and play a quick game of “touch” with your hand. This teaches your dog that an open hand means “the bar is open” and when your hand is away “the bar is closed.”