Wanda Woof Dog Training

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1. Don't leave your dog outside. Even if you have a fenced yard, bring your dog inside where it is safe. If your dog is usually kept outside, bring him in a few times before the big night to get him used to being indoors. Your dog may be used to strangers, but so many little ghouls and goblins running about may be too much. Remember also that it is a natural instinct for dogs to protect the family from strangers, and on Halloween there will be no shortage of strangers.

2. Keep your dog restrained. If your dog is timid or scared, or if he tends to love people a little too much, it is best to put him in a separate room away from the front door to limit his excitability, aggression, and chance of running outside and becoming lost.

3. Reassure your dog. The best thing you can do for your dog when he is feeling unsettled by Halloween activities is to act as you normally would. By over-reassuring your dog or giving him an unusual amount of attention, you inadvertently can communicate to him that because you are acting differently, there must be something to worry about.

4. Have your dog get used to costumes. Your dog may see his family members as strangers once they don their Halloween costumes. Before the kids put them on, allow your dog to scent the costumes. If your costume has a mask, keep the mask off when you are with your dog because dogs can become confused when they can't see our faces.

5. Check your dog's ID tag. Be sure identification tags are secure on your dog's collar-just in case.

6. Keep candy away from your dog. Many candies-especially chocolate-are toxic to dogs. The severity of the toxicity depends greatly on factors such as breed, age, size, and how much candy was ingested, and the potency of the chocolate (Dark and Cooking Chocolate contain high amounts of Theobromine, a dangerous compound for dogs. Problems may range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. If you have any concerns at all, consult with a veterinarian immediately. If you want to keep your dog safe, make certain that sweets, including their wrappers, are kept well away from your dog.

7. Protect dogs from candles and pumpkins. Excited or agitated dogs can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Be sure those items are away from your dog's reach, or consider a battery-powered candle that does not burn

8. Think twice about dressing your dog in a costume. While some dogs might enjoy being dressed up, many don't. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being in a costume. If so, fine-he'll most likely enjoy himself and the extra attention it brings. However, if he shows any resistance, don't do it. Dogs feel enough stress around Halloween without also having to endure the discomfort and peculiarity of wearing a strange costume.

9. Be prepared. If you take your dog with you while trick-or-treating, be prepared at all times. Do not let your dog approach the door of a house, and stay clear of possible gags or gangs of goblins who will gather at the door. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at you will not hurt you; they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owner's consent.

10. Have fun but think of your dog's safety. Finally, if you want your dog to be included in Halloween festivities, think about his safety much as you would the safety of a small child. Your dog does not understand Halloween, so he needs you to provide the guidance and safety that you always do.

Why Pet Insurance Might Be A Good IdeaYou never know what your dog might snack on
Dog Swallowed a 24" Long Swiffer Handle - Relax, she lived to tell the tale. This video, taken during the emergency vet procedure, shows an 8 year old female Boxer at the Airport Animal Emergency Center in Indianapolis. Neither the owner nor the vet realized what they were about to find. Dog eats what? Follow the link to see an amazing video: http://www.dogwork.com/swiffer

I tried two other pet insurance plans before finally switching to Pet Plan - there are no benefit schedules and they reimburse based upon the rate that you choose. Click on "Helpful Pet Products" (at left) to get more information about Pet Plan insurance.

CONGRATULATIONS to KG Glaspell and her Springer Spaniel, Riley, on achieving their Canine Good Citizen designation!

Get the participant's CGC training guide at www.akc.org/pdfs/cgc/GK9GC2.pdf

Heartworm prevention is a prescription product that costs as little as $4 to $5 a month to administer. This small investment throughout the lifetime of your pet can mean the difference, though, between never having your pet infected or having to pay hundreds of dollars for several months of dangerous heartworm disease treatment.

Even indoor dogs need monthly heartworm protection - all it takes is one mosquito bite to infect them.

Please be aware that because heartworm prevention is a prescription product and your pet must be tested for heartworms (a simple blood test) before starting heartworm prevention. See your vet
annually for the test and give your dog year round monthly prevention.

Positive Reinforcement is scientifically proven as the best way to train a dog. We supplement our training using clickers - proven to help dogs learn one-third faster. We also use several tools and techniques to present you as your dog's leader.

Our lessons include games to make training time fun and rewarding! Homework (with handouts) provides reinforcement of class activities.
Our goal is to create a strong team bond between you and your dog, based on mutual respect and understanding.

Happy dogs respect their owners, are well-adjusted, more relaxed and attentive.

FACT: 97% of dogs in shelters are there because of behavior problems that could have been solved with training.

Using shock collars (aka remote training collars) on dogs is controversial. Some claim it is an effective training tool, while others say it is inhumane. Dr. Bonnie Beaver, veterinarian at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, says that the collars, in theory, are meant to provide an instant punishment, but that in reality, "the potential for over use and abuse of these devices far outweighs the benefit."

These devices [shock collars and fences] can provide an excessive punishment to the point that the dog is terrorized. They can be ineffective because the amount of shock is too little (poor contact, too much hair, weak battery).

They can be used out of context (remote control) because the owner is mad at the dog and zaps at an inappropriate time out of anger.

It can also do significant psychological damage to a dog that does not connect the shock with the reason for the shock. The shock is generally considered to be inhumane.

CLICK on the button below and help feed sheltered and abused animals. It doesn't cost you anything but helps them greatly!