Summer Safety Tips & Warm Weather Care for Your Dog

Warm Weather Care
In certain situations it is important for you to do special things for your dog.
Hot weather is a time that dogs require very special care.
Dogs in Cars?
On a warm day, it takes only 10 minutes for the temperature inside a car to reach 120 degrees! Please, please understand that dogs should never be left in a car in hot weather. P.S. It is also against the law!
"Ooh, ooh, this is too hot! Ouch, Ouch!"
A dog that is walking on very hot sand or blacktop (asphalt) could burn the pads of his feet. Be sure to notice the ground in hot weather. Bend down and touch it. Would you want to walk on it with bare feet? If not, then it is probably too hot for your dog as well.
Remember to do these two things on hot days:

  1. Change your dog’s water often in warm weather. The water will taste better, and it will also keep your dog’s body cooler.
  2. Provide shade so your dog will stay cooler.

If you have a hose or live near the water, these are good ways to help your dogs stay cool.
Don’t let them exercise too much unless there is water nearby.
If you are salt-water swimming, be sure to bring drinking water along, because it is not healthy for your dog to drink salty water.
Don’t let the bed bugs bite!
Keeping your dog’s area clean is extra important in the summer. Fleas, mosquitoes, and other nasty bugs can make your dog unhealthy and unhappy if he is exposed to them.
Something to be aware of!
Summer plants and flowers are beautiful, but some can be poisonous if your dog eats them. Be on the lookout for illness (vomiting, diarrhea, excessive panting and nervousness) or strange behavior.

What are these? These are called foxtails and they can be dangerous to your dog.

Reducing Fear in Your Dog | The Bark

Reducing Fear in Your Dog | The Bark.
Excellent article by Patrica McConnell in the The Bark magazine on Thunderstorms, Fireworks and more… well worth the read. Challenged some old training ideas with good scientific research.
Thought is was also appropriate for this Independence Day 4th of July and for all the summer thunderstorms.
For more thoughts on calming your dog feel free to send me a comment.
Kathy

New Service for Dog Owners

Kieranna Kathleen Veronica Dunn, owner of K9 Kelts Dog Training, www.K9KeltsDogTraining.com is now offering Board and Train Services. Have your Pup stay for at least one week in my home with my 2 dogs. Play in a spacious, fenced in yard. Learn basic obedience or brush up on manners. Look forward to hearing from you and working with your Furry, 4-Legged Friend.
You can also visit my K9 Kelts Facebook page or my personal Facebook page and check out the latest news.
Please pass the word along to all your doggy friends about this new service, and the continued classes and private lessons that are available.
Thanks,
Kathy Dunn
info@k9keltsdogtraining.com
530-356-8286

Start on the right Paw – Puppy and Dog Training Classes!

ImageWe are looking forward to beginning another series of  Puppy Socialization and Training Classes.
These classes are for puppies 10 weeks – approximately 5 months old and will meet twice weekly on Mondays and Thursdays for 3 weeks for a total of 6 classes.
Our Basic Obedience classes for the Family Dog who is above 6 months old begins the same night but a different time.
The Puppies will learn their basic obedience skills such as: sit, down and come. They will also learn some manners like walking (not pulling on a leash), waiting at the door, not jumping (on people, counters, furniture, etc.) leaving things alone like snakes, cats, socks, shoes and more. We will also cover various topics on problem solving like chewing, digging, potty training, crate training. Puppy class last 1 hour and 15 minutes each night and includes time for puppy playtime and learning socialization skills.
The Puppy classes qualify for the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy certificate program.
Family Dog classes teach basic manners and obedience skills. Family Dog class meets for 1 hour each night.
Both classes are taught by 2 long-time, experienced Certified Dog Trainers: Kathy Dunn and Cari Bowe with a combined training experience of over 45 years.
Positive training techniques are used based on the most update scientific animal behavior training techniques. Classes are held inside and space is limited so pre-registration is a requirement! Please email me for more information and registration forms at info (at) k9keltsdogtraining (dot) com.

Puppies… When to Start Training?

I was in the checkout line of the grocery store when the subject of puppies came up. Someone was talking about their brand new puppy they just got. So of course, my ears perked right up, just like my Sheltie Dani Joy, anticipating a “treat” of a discussion.
One person in line just got a chocolate lab puppy, the young man bagging my groceries was talking about new Boston Terrier pups and the checker was talking about a poodle/schnauzer mix puppy.
“I love puppies and I love training puppies.” I said enthusiastically.
The checker questioned, “I heard you had to wait until they were 6 months old before taking a class.”
I commented on how you can never start to early for puppy training and that in the right conditions and settings you can actually have puppies begin a puppy class as early as 3-4 months.
Puppies NEED training and socialization as early as possible. However puppies also need protection from sickness and diseases because they haven’t had all their vaccinations yet. So what is a new puppy owner to do?
I would recommend private lessons with a positive reinforcement dog trainer for the puppy who hasn’t had their first two series of vaccinations. There is much you can do to enrich your puppy’s life and build a solid foundation of training and socialization skills.
Then I would recommend a carefully sanitized environment for a puppy class that is just for puppies. In the classes I offer with Cari Bowe, we sterilize the class room as well as require all puppies to be vaccinated with the first two series of vaccinations. We carefully screen our puppies before letting them participate in our class.
Then the fun begins with training, fun, games, puppy playtime and more with the puppies and their proud puppy parents!
I am so looking forward to classes beginning this January 2012. These classes are also part of the AKC S.T.A.R. puppy program. If you are interested in puppy classes, drop me a note for registration forms and information. If your puppy is still too young, consider having a couple of private lessons. Don’t wait until they are 6 months old or even older.
Teach your puppy good manners and get in his socialization skills early. You won’t regret it! Your puppy will go more confidently into the world and love you more for it!
One last thing, whether your pup is 6 months old or 6 years old… they are never too old for training and learning new tricks. I also offer obedience classes for the older dogs which are also beginning this January 2012.