Out N' About Dog Training

Best Limited-Ingredient Treats. I’m always looking for new dog treats that have minimal ingredients, are easy to break up, and that dogs love. Here’s a new fan favorite - Kahoots Turkey Chips. “A CRUNCH WORTH BEGGING FOR. Minimal processing means irregular sizes. Feel free to use the smaller bits as a nutrient-dense food topper for extra treating. Meant for intermittent feeding to train, reward, or spoil.” Kahoots Feed and Pet

Buy Online: https://kahootsfeedandpet.com/products/kah-dog-turkey-chips-8oz

Summertime Safety Reminders ☀️ It's getting hot out there so make sure your furry friends enjoy summer and much as you do. 🐕

-Use air conditioning and air circulation at home and in your vehicle
-Keep coats groomed for better air circulation
-Use pet-safe sunscreen to protect exposed skin
-Exercise and walk in the cooler parts of the day (morning and evening)
-Keep BBQ and festive foods out of reach
-Leave them at home for loud and crowded events

Read more: https://positively.com/victorias-blog/top-5-summertime-pet-safety-tips/

I hope your summer is this relaxing 😎🏖️

Best Water Bottle. Check out this really cool dog water bottle with a foldable cap that doubles as a drinking bowl! You squeeze the bottle and it fills up the attached bowl for ease of use. Whatever water the dog doesn’t finish, can be drained right back into the bottle! Simply genius. And it comes in pretty colors too.
Buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/F59AC873-10A9-4D42-B4D7-5FC337054000

Sometime WE are simply too busy to focus or are simply NOT IN THE MOOD. It’s perfectly acceptable to take a break from walks! Here are great examples of engaging with your pup right at home.

🚶‍♂️🐕 Walking with your dog is the reason many people get a dog in the first place. But did you know it’s totally fine to cut back on those walks? 🛑✋ That’s right, we’re officially giving you the green light to ditch the walks!

🚦 If your dog has a meltdown at the sight of another dog, 🐶 jumps for joy just thinking about a walk, 🐾💨 or feels nervous about things around them in the environment, 🌳😨 it might be a signal to scale back walks and concentrate on building their skills to help them cope and thrive in the outside world. 🎓

Dogs are master predictors, and quickly learn that walks are often scary or exciting events. 🧙‍♂️🔮 Ditching walks can actually lead to better behaviour since it stops them rehearsing those not-so-great behaviours. 🚫🎭

🐕💖 Let’s look at some alternative activities to keep those tails wagging and continue keeping your dog fit and healthy, while you work on making walks enjoyable for both of you: 🎉🐾
Puzzle games for some brain-stretching fun. 🧩🐶
Indoor or outdoor hide and seek – a classic! 🙈🏡
Set up an obstacle course in the backyard for fitness and confidence boosts. 🚧🏋️‍♂️
If your dog likes the water, swimming is a splash hit! 🏊‍♂️🐕

Remember, switching things up can keep your dog’s brain engaged, ward off boredom, and fortify your bond. 💪❤️🐾

Learn more about why training in the situation doesn’t work in our blog: 👀
📃 Help! My Dog Doesn’t Like Other Dogs

https://absolute-dogs.com/blogs/gamechangers/help-my-dog-doesnt-like-other-dogs

The 4th of July is almost here! 🇺🇲 🎆🐶✨Use these tips on Independence Day to reduce the stress and anxiety that fireworks can cause:

- Provide a Safe Space: Keep your dog indoors in a quiet, secure area away from windows, like a basement or closet, to mute the noise. Use blinds and turn on the TV or radio to block outside sights and sounds¹.

- Update Identification: Ensure your dog's tags and microchip information are up-to-date. Have a current photo handy in case they escape¹. The SD Humane Society is offering free microchips through July 3 at any of their campus vaccine clinics. More info here: https://www.sdhumane.org/services/vaccinations

- Stay Calm: Dogs can pick up on your anxiety. Stay calm and provide comfort to help them through the noisy celebrations².

- Engage the Mind: Offer high-value treats or puzzle toys to keep your dog focused on something other than fireworks³.

- Supervise: Stay with your pet, or have someone they trust be with them, to provide a sense of security⁴.

Remember, every dog is different, so tailor these suggestions to your dog's specific needs and reactions to ensure a stress-free holiday for both of you.

Sources:
(1) How to Help Keep Your Dog Safe on July Fourth - American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/keep-dog-safe-july-fourth/.
(2) How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Fireworks - American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-keep-your-dog-calm-during-fireworks/.
(3) Tips to help dogs during fireworks on the Fourth of July. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/july-4th-fireworks-dog-calming-safety-tips/.
(4) July 4th fireworks can be stressful for dogs. These 6 tips can keep .... https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/july-4th-fireworks-stressful-dogs-tips-calm-safe-64109162.
(5) July 4 safety | American Veterinary Medical Association. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/july-4-safety.

Best Dog Wash
If you are in the North Park area, Pet Palace Grooming is a great spot for self-service dog washing or full-service grooming. They also have a wide selection of pet products for both dogs and cats. I loved the spot and chatted with the owner who was exceptionally friendly.
3827 Ray Street, San Diego, 92104
https://petpalacegroomingsd.com

Happy Father's Day to proud dads everywhere!! 🐕❤️🐈

Prepare Now for a Fear Free Fourth of July! 🇺🇸 🎆

Fear Free® is a great organization that equips professionals and pet lovers with the knowledge and tools to look after both a pet’s physical and emotional wellbeing. They recently published this infographic to help everyone have a Happy Fourth!

We recommend these products to help your pup stay fear free!

- Soothing supplements: there are many over-the-counter calming supplements, as well as fast-acting prescription medications that your veterinarian can recommend. Be proactive and call early to find out what would be best for your pet.
- Calming Music: iCalmPet music for dogs: https://icalmpet.com/
- Compression Garments: Thundershirt: https://thundershirt.com/products/thundershirt-for-dogs

Download the graphic: https://www.fearfreehappyhomes.com/give-your-pets-a-fear-free-fourth-of-july-infographic

FOMO at its BEST! You can see that the gate behind all the dogs is OPEN, yet they choose to stay near me!
These dogs keep me on my toes and remind me of the days at Guide Dogs For the Blind, where I had 15 dogs all together with no barking and no scuffles. Today, I was pleasantly surprised that I had these 6 quiet! I’ve been working with a handful of young dogs (most under 3 years) that would probably be kicked out of any traditional daycare. They’ve been coming to me once or twice a week to have some fun and burn off some steam. However, they have to play “nice” and play QUIETLY! Not an easy task, but one that I’ve truly enjoyed teaching them! kindness

Planning to take your dog to the beach this summer? Now's the time to freshen up these skills so everyone has a good time. Tips for enjoying the beach with your dog:

Determine Sociability
If your dog is nervous around new dogs or people, the beach is probably not a good idea.

Refresh the “Leave It” Cue
There are lots of “treasures” at the beach your dog shouldn’t eat, chew or roll in.

Practice Recall
A strong recall cue will remove your dog from a dangerous situation. Consider keeping your dog on a 20 ft. long-line as well.

Happy Mother's Day to All Moms! 🐶❤️🐾

Recently, I’ve been entertaining the idea of supplementing my dogs’ regular kibble with home-cooked food. This website helps guide the process of creating a balanced and simple nutritional addition by eliminating the guesswork. “Founded in 2003 by Dr. Sean Delaney, Balance It®provides homemade food solutions for beloved dogs and cats. Personalized recipes, proven results, happy & healthy companions. Balance is our Motto.”

https://balance.it/recipes

My favorite way to start a day - a morning walk with my pups, sun protection, and getting heart rate up. Sporting my new weighted vest… some may say I’m nuts, but I don’t care.

Be wary of those tax scams! 😂🐶

Rainy days getting your and your pup down? 🌧️Here are a few ways to have fun with your dog when the weather won't cooperate:

- Indoor Training Sessions: Rainy days provide an excellent opportunity to work on obedience training or teach your dog new tricks. Practice commands like sit, stay, down, and come, or work on more advanced skills such as agility exercises or scent work.

- Interactive Toys and Puzzle Games: Keep your dog mentally stimulated by engaging them with interactive toys or puzzle games. Toys that dispense treats or require problem-solving skills can provide hours of entertainment and help prevent boredom.

- Indoor Fetch or Tug-of-War: If you have enough space indoors, you can play a game of fetch or tug-of-war with your dog. Use soft toys or balls designed for indoor use to avoid any accidents or damage to your home.

- Hide and Seek: Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your dog to find them using their nose. Start with easy hiding spots and gradually increase the difficulty to keep the game challenging and fun.

- Gentle Exercise: If your dog still needs to burn off some energy despite the rain, you can engage in gentle indoor exercises such as practicing short walks around the house or playing a game of indoor fetch with a soft toy.

- Relaxation and Bonding Time: Sometimes, rainy days are best spent cuddled up on the couch with your furry friend. Take the opportunity to relax together, watch a movie, or simply enjoy each other's company.

By keeping your dog entertained and engaged with these indoor activities, you can make the most of rainy days and strengthening your bond! 🌈

Spring showers bring... happy pups and muddy paws! Happy Spring! 💦🐾

Is training your dog worth the time and effort? Here are just a few ways you can benefit from investing in training your dog.

- Safety: Training your dog to respond to cues can be a lifesaver in emergency situations, keeping them safe both indoors and outdoors.

- Good Behavior: Teaching your dog obedience cues like sit, stay, and come can help prevent unwanted behaviors and make outings more enjoyable.

- Bonding: Training sessions create special moments of connection between you and your pup, strengthening your relationship and trust.

- Mental Stimulation: Just like us, dogs need mental exercise too! Training provides them with mental challenges that keep their brains sharp and engaged.

- Confidence Boost: Watching your dog learn and succeed boosts their confidence and self-esteem, making them happier and more well-adjusted pets.

Whether you're teaching basic manners or mastering advanced tricks, training is an investment that pays off in wagging tails and endless love! 🐶 🐾❤️

Here’s a perfect little treat pouch to put in your treat pouch! Mix it up and use different treats for different levels of distractions when you are Out N’ About. This little gem is reusable, washable, and the ideal size. I always have some yummy high value treats (usually refrigerated) just in case my dog does something magical. With this pouch, I’m ready to give them something super special as a reward!

Buy online:
https://www.target.com/p/re-zip-reusable-leak-proof-food-storage-snack-stand-up-bag-1-cup-5pk/-/A-82227355

February is the month of love, and what better way to show your pups some love than by being the best dog owner you can be? Here are 5 tips to get the most out of your training sessions:

Consistency is key: Dogs thrive on routine, so make sure to establish a consistent schedule for feeding, exercise, and training. Your pup will thank you for the structure!

Positive reinforcement works wonders: Reward good behavior with treats and praise. This encourages your dog to repeat those behaviors and strengthens your bond.

Patience is a virtue: Training takes time, so be patient. Remember that they're learning and growing just like we are.

Socialization is crucial: Introduce them to new people, animals, and environments. This helps them become well-rounded and confident companions.

Seek professional help if needed: If you're struggling with training or behavioral issues, don't hesitate to consult a reputable dog trainer. They can provide guidance and support tailored to your pup's needs.

Remember, being a responsible dog owner means providing love, care, and guidance. Let's make this month extra special for our furbabies! 🥰

WestPaw Dog Toys keep your pup occupied! These three tough chew and treat toys are available from me. Text 619-417-2368 or email [email protected] to order and you can pick them up!
- Toppl, best-selling customizable puzzle and treat toy
- Tux, the toughest treat toy
- Qwizl, a super tough treat toy