How To Prepare Your New Dog For Hazardous Weather

Enjoy a guest post by Paige Johnson on preparing your dog for hazardous weather.

Dog Hazard PreparednessWhen you are a first-time dog owner, odds are you haven’t had the time to consider everything your pup is going to need. Extreme weather is alarming for people, let alone a dog. As your new dog’s guardian, it is your job to keep him safe and calm. Many dogs become nervous around unfamiliar weather and may end up endangering themselves. There are a few ways you can prepare your dog for hazardous weather.

Know the Breed

Each breed of dog has different levels of resiliency to heat, dampness, and cold. Even if your dog is a mixed breed, you should make yourself aware of your dog’s tolerances. If you have a small dog, particularly a Chihuahua, your dog may be susceptible to all weather and will require protection from heat, cold, and dampness.

You also should learn your dog’s specific preferences. Some dogs are indifferent to thunder, while others panic as soon as they hear the first rumble. You need to prepare to handle both your dog’s mental wellbeing and physical wellbeing during a thunderstorm.

Buy Supplies in Advance

It can be difficult to predict what your dog will need during times of severe weather. However, you should do your best to be well prepared. Some recommended precautions include rain jackets, waterproof boots, paw protectors, first aid kits, winter coats or vests, and a Thundershirt if your dog is fearful of severe conditions.

When the weather heats up, you must consider your dog’s paw pads when taking him onto concrete, macadam, or stone. If you can’t handle walking barefoot on the sidewalk or street, it’s too hot for your dog. This is when pad protectors come into play. Some dogs also are prone to sunburn. On the other hand, when the weather turns cold, your dog will need boots and a garment to keep his core warm. For smaller dogs, you may need to invest in a full snow suit to protect their delicate body temperatures.

Keep Up With Training

A poorly trained dog is far more likely to bolt when alarming weather occurs. This puts him in danger and you at risk of never finding your beloved pet again. Make sure your dog obeys your commands regardless of circumstances and can be recalled if he is running away from you. You might want to consider professional dog training courses if you aren’t having success.

Have a Plan

For emergency situations such as flooding or tornadoes, you should have a plan in place that includes your pet’s needs. Including your pet in emergency response practices can be a part of his training. If he knows what to expect in the event of an emergency, he is more likely to remain calm. For example, in case your neighborhood is hit by a big storm, you should teach your dog a command that means he should hunker down in safe shelter and wait for you to tell him it’s safe to leave. Of course, you’ll also need to teach him the safest place to go under these circumstances.

Preparing your family for any extreme weather is stressful enough. Bringing a new dog into the mix can make things even more difficult, as you may not know how best to cope with your dog’s needs. The primary focus is keeping him mentally and physically safe from the weather with supplies and training.

Consult with a dog trainer and visit a quality pet store so that you can rest assured that your pet will be safe no matter what Mother Nature sends your way.

Paige Johnson is a self-described fitness “nerd.” She possesses a love for strength training. In addition to weight-lifting, she is a yoga enthusiast, avid cyclist, and loves exploring hiking trails with her dogs. She enjoy writing about health and fitness for LearnFit.org

image via Pixabay by Hans

How To Raise The Perfect Dog


Just as in politics, there’s a lot of opinions our there about how to raise the perfect dog. Is there really a right answer? I mean what’s your definition of the perfect dog?

Is there a perfect person? Ha! We all strive for that, look for that too.

How To Raise The Perfect DogThe truth is you can’t get hung up on what everybody else’s perfect is. And that rings very, very true when it comes raising the perfect dog FOR YOU!

Really, you don’t need to sign up for dog training and learn how to do high-five’s, roll over, do a commando crawl. Even fetch the paper. Is this what a dream dog does?

Raise The Perfect Dog: What Is Your Definition

Truth is if your dog did fetch the paper these days it would be a bad idea since most of us get our news on our smartphones and computers. So, there you go, to raise a perfect dog no longer needs fetching the paper as part of the criteria, in fact if they tried you’d have a very bad dog with an iPad or smartphone hanging out it’s mouth and you horrified!

In fact, being in the dog world I see a lot of stuff. I can’t tell you how many dogs I’ve met that their dear person started showing me all the tricks their dog could do, but the moment I started walking towards the food bowl, their person started freaking.

“Uhhh, don’t go near the dog bowl. He doesn’t know you, it could be a bad scene!”

Yikes.

Or how about you gotta leave your dog in the car, cause my dog will try to eat your dog. Don’t take it personal, it’s just something she does.

There’s a lot of talk about how to raise the perfect dog. It’s what we all want but the question is… do they exist? I suppose the answer is a bit like… is there a perfect person? Of course, the answer to that is… Nope!

However there are some pretty great people out there, and there are some really amazing dogs too. So what’s the trick?

Best Advice to Raise the Perfect Dog

This is my best advice. Before you get hung up about going to puppy school or dog training classes and learning how to shake a paw, roll over and the commando crawl, ask yourself this… Is this what my dream dog does?

Is my dream dog a member of the circus whom I wheel out when visitors come around so they can say “Wow that’s so awesome, how amazing is that…How did you train your dog to do that…” and on and on.

The kicker is that in many of these cases the next thing, right after the dog and pony show that the dog owner has to do is warn the visitors “Now…don’t go near his food bowl when he’s eating, and careful when you pat him not to go near his head, and keep the children away from his toys..!” It’s crazy isn’t it?

We spend so much time and effort focusing on how to do commands such as sit and stay but never even think about some of the really important stuff. And when we do it’s often too late.  Like being food aggressive, or wanting to take a bite out of the neighbor’s tiny Chihuahua, or not liking men. Or something that’s a constant I gotta watch him so nothing goes bad kind of thing. Far from how to raise the perfect dog.

Want to know why this is so?

Because most dog trainers are stuck doing what everyone else is doing… And that’s training the sit, the down and the stay! That’s right. Its like sheep, everyone following each other and nobody asking WHY?

Think about it… has a dog ever been put to sleep (yes, I am talking about euthanized) because they didn’t do a proper sit? Or because their down command was a bit slow? Or because they had a poor stay? Of course not… nobody really cares about that stuff. Yet that’s what we all learn at puppy school! WHY?! But… Aggression? Oh Boy. More dogs are put to sleep for aggression, barking, growling, and challenging than any other reason. Aggressive to children, owners, strangers – its all bad news.
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Get Dog Training For Exactly What You Need

There is nothing more dangerous than an out of control dog, pulling you along on the leash, ignoring you when you let them off. Never mind the danger to themselves around cars and other dogs. Yet so few dog trainers show you how to prevent all of this, because very few actually understand it themselves! Most people’s real idea of a perfect dog, in no particular order, will include all of the following 5 important behaviors:

1. Calm around cats and dogs of any size

2. Friendly to children and adults

3. Relaxed and obedient around the home

4. Amazing at coming when called from anywhere

5. Awesome at walking on the leash in public

Hhmmm… I can hear you thinking….You’ve got a point! Let me guess your next question… So how do we a dog like that? And how do we avoid the dog trainers with the “rules” that don’t focus on the perfect sit but instead on how to have a really nice dog to be around no matter what?

Great news. It’s not complicated. At least it’s not complicated or tricky anymore… all thanks to  a simple video series that starts you off with how to raise the perfect dog.

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Memorial Day Dogs – A Salute To Military Working Dogs

A Salute to Military Working Dogs

A salute to military working dogs: Yes, indeed, it is a holiday. Memorial Day. But honestly it is a time of reflection. A time to give thanks. A time to appreciate.

As dog people, we get it. Dogs are a big part of our lives on a daily basis.

All our dogs are loyal companions but Military working dogs have a much bigger roll to fulfill. Today, we’d like to reflect and honor our military working dogs.

And remind you to go spend a little time doing something fun with your dog!

These dogs are highly trained. They are trained in a much different way than our companion dogs. But one of the amazing things in all the years of training dogs, finding out what works is time.

Yes, time spent with your dog.

So on this holiday, find the time to DO something with your dog. The more you do it the more it becomes the normal. It’s all about creating a life well played. Repetition.

Think about it. Where is your mind focused? Are you too busy to take 10 min, 15 min, a half hour to do something with your dog today?

Our dogs time is limited here. When it comes down to it, so is ours.

*If you’ve got the behavior issue stopping you, don’t let that be a factor anymore. Here are 5 free professional  online dog training videos with access to fixing 34 common dog problems!

Now, go out and play. Thank our military working dogs and enjoy the day.

Bark less. Play more!

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Training Leashes For Dogs


So, your dog pulls on the leash. There’s got to be a better way. Are there training leashes for dogs out there that can help my dog stop this terrible habit?

Professional dog trainers will tell you that without a doubt, there are leashes that can help and there are leashes you should stay away from like the plague. Here’s a quick guide and video that can help you with your choice.

Dog Training Leashes NOT To Use

The retractable leash. This one should be ban. Seriously. It should be illegal. Here’s why:

Whether your dog pulls regularly or not, it takes a one time lunge where you instinctively reach out and grab the leash to try and get control and these things can happen:

Accidental Injuries From a Retractable Leash

  • Laceration to the hands, arms, or legs
  • Finger amputation
  • Being pulled to the ground. When your dog has 10 or 20 feet to build up speed you can be pulled off your feet and find yourself in a serious skid from the leverage of that distance.

Injury to Your Dog or Other Dogs

  • Legs or tail amputated
  • Freaking out when and if you drop it and it slides on the ground
  • Your dog getting hit by car when they dart into the road still on the 10 or 20 foot leash
  • Dog altercations and injuries from fights because a dog even if friendly can dart in the face of another dog on one of these leashes.

I could go on and on. There is more, but you get the idea.

Training Leashes For Dogs That Are Useful and Safe

There are a few in this category. Today I’ll highlight one because it is outstanding in for several reason. Whether you are working on leash pulling or you want a leash that is convenient and allows your dog to be leash free, this one is super cool.

The Leisure Leash

Training leashes for dogsProfessional dog trainers will tell you the first mistake people make is letting their dog get out to the end of the leash. Then they try to real them back. Over and over.

The Leisure Leash solves this problem in some ways that are definitely outside the box, but work well. After all, you were looking for some magic here when it comes to leash training right?

First check out this video:

After watching the video you can see that you will keep your dog closer to you. Don’t be confused with not allowing your dog to have some sniff time.

As you can see you can use the leash to keep your dog near you and when the moments present themselves for sniffing you can simply slip the leash over your dog’s head and allow complete freedom. All the while you stay in control of your dog.

It’s an interesting concept. By giving your dog more freedom and yet being able to have close proximity control you’ll both be getting what you need and desire when it comes to a fun walk, run or outing with your dog. It’s no different than an argument. When both sides get what they want, the friction goes away! 

Get 2 Brilliant Dog Life Hacks To Get Dog Hair Off The Couch & Out of Your Car or Carpet!

Get the Dog Hair Off The Couch Here!

And for in depth leash training for dogs you can access 100’s of professional online dog training videos here!

*Note you can get the training leash for your dog here:



Do’s and Don’ts for Older Dogs – Online Dog Training

Do’s and Don’t For Older Dogs – Online Dog Training

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Ask anything you want about your dog live. Dog training tips, tricks and lifestyle.

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Weekly Live Online Dog Training Sessions

We have a subject to start with, but feel free to ask any question you may have about your dog in the chat. We even have the ability to bring you on live. Contact us and we’ll be sure to get you information on how get on with us live.

Send us your questions through the contact form even if you can’t get on live, we’ll cover it and make sure you get the replay.

Online Dog Training – our way to bring help to all those dogs who want it and need it for no charge!

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11 Dog Life Hacks

11 Dog Life Hacks – Online Dog Training

Live Online Dog Training
Ask anything you want about your dog live. Dog training tips, tricks and lifestyle.

Sign up to get notices for future online live dog training and lifestyle events or to be notified when we are live online.

Join Live Coaching & Dog Training Events

Weekly Live Online Dog Training Sessions

We have a subject to start with, but feel free to ask any question you may have about your dog in the chat. We even have the ability to bring you on live. Contact us and we’ll be sure to get you information on how get on with us live.

Send us your questions through the contact form even if you can’t get on live, we’ll cover it and make sure you get the replay.

Online Dog Training – our way to bring help to all those dogs who want it and need it for no charge!
photo credit: Photo credit: Jay Morgan Stock Photo

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The Scoop on Dog Poop – Why Dog Sniff It, Eat It Roll In It

The Scoop on Dog Poop – Why Dogs Sniff It, Eat It, & anything else pertaining dealing with dog poop! 

Because after all… Poop Happens!

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What To Do If Your Dog Eats Poop

Dogs like poop. They don’t think it’s gross. We do. Dogs don’t understand why we freak out so much when we catch them in the act of chowing down their golden nugget.

Some experts say it’s a deficiency in their diet. You can watch the training session and find out what we think. What I’ll say here though is, you need to watch your dog, stop them before they do it, or in the act and make it a pattern so they stop doing it.

Always feel free to reach out to us if you need more help with this and make sure to subscribe to our free weekly training. You can watch replays or come on live with us!

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What To Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

Dogs do eat gross things. Sometimes it gives them some serious digestive problems. Yikes. If you think it’s serious or goes on longer than 24 hours you should get your dog to the vet asap.

General rules of thumb though. Stop feeding your dog their normal diet to let their system clear for 12-24 hours.

You can give 2-3 Tablespoons of canned pumpkin. Make sure it is not the pie filling which contains sugar. Straight pumpkin is best.

Give your dog 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil twice daily. It’s anti bacterial, anti fungal, and anti parasitic.

Make sure your dog is getting water and staying hydrated. Which means you may have to lead your dog to water if he/she doesn’t go on their own.

Weekly Live Online Dog Training Sessions

We have a subject to start with, but feel free to ask any question you may have about your dog in the chat. We even have the ability to bring you on live. Contact us and we’ll be sure to get you information on how get on with us live.

Send us your questions even if you can’t get on live, we’ll cover it and make sure you get the replay.

Online Dog Training – our way to bring help to all those dogs who want it and need it for no charge!



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