Zukes Hard Working Treats: A Giveaway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Celebrating Hard Working Dogs!

 Many of you have written about the need for tips on training and I've been happy to finally deliver. In sharing the beginning of our training series--house training tips--Zukes is partnering with Event Barkers to bring you an upcoming Twitter Party with tons of great prizes, along with this extra giveaway to prime your enthusiasm. 

When training a puppy or recent rescue that needs bolstering of her household potty manners, a key component of your arsenal is training treats. These need to be good smelling, tiny and offered each time your pup attempts to present the correct behavior.

Check out our training tips at the following articles:

• Training Tips for New Pups, Part I
• Puppy Training Part II: Start with Motivation
• Puppy Training Tips: Part III

Is your pup drooling for a giveaway? We thought so! This terrific hand off will offer 4 winners a box of 4 bags each, to include all 4 flavors of the Zukes Mini Naturals. This will go a long way to getting your

© Paris Permenter
Tiki Smiles for Her Reward

pup to success in his house training. Other places you can learn more about Zukes include their Facebook page and on Twitter. Ask your questions and see what other folks are chatting about. 

Entries will run through Thursday, May 16 at midnight. The winners will be announced on Friday evening, May 17. Soon the Event Barkers team will finally clue you in on the details for the upcoming Twitter Party. I know you're excited to hear the theme, our plan for the party activities, and of course you're dying to learn what the prizes will be. Right? Of course!

To enter, you'll be using the Rafflecopter below. If it's napping out of site, please wake it gently by clicking on the post title above. It won't even whimper! Keep in mind that while many possibilities for entry are offered, you need only enter using those methods you enjoy. Best of luck to you all, and we'll see you soon for the Twitter Party :)
All Things Dog Blog has worked hard to prepare for our upcoming Twitter Party. We've shared some tips for crate training your dog. Watch for much more to come at the party, to be announced soon. Event Barkers is working with Zukes to help them build their online presence.

Puppy Training Tips: Part III

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Make Crate Time Great Time

Today we're going to toss out some tips for potty training/house training your new puppy or rescued dog.The more consistent you are the more successful you will be:

• Choose a crate that will grow with your puppy. Too large of a crate will allow your pup to sleep in one corner and use the other corner as a bathroom. The crate should be large enough for him to stand, lay and turn around, but not much larger. As he grows, the movable panel can gradually grow with her, allowing more space as needed. Eventually, the panel will likely be removed when the pup grows into the crate.
• Crate your puppy frequently throughout the day for short periods, allowing her to become acclimated to spending time there. Praise her when she rests peacefully without making a fuss, as well as when you remove her to take her outside. As she becomes more comfortable with these rest periods, you can begin to leave her for short outings to test her comfort level and staying power. This will take time; go slowly.
• While at home, keep your pup near you and under your supervision constantly. If you move around from room to room, tether him to your belt or waist using a leash, so you can keep an eye on him in case he begins to show the tell-tale signs of needing to go.
• Know those signs: pacing, circling, sniffing at a certain spot or in a circle, squatting (oops, you're too late)
• Make a habit of always taking your pup out immediately after sleeping, eating, playing, exercising, drinking, or anytime you see the above signs.
• Having selected the spot you'd like your pup to always use, don't waver by allowing her to drag you around. THIS is the spot; wait there until he gets the idea and takes action. The scent of his prior visits will build up and eventually give him a faster-acting release. Give him your encouraging words, such as "Go potty!" and treat immediately when he is successful.
• Once action has begun or immediately upon completion, praise sweetly and gently. Don't make too much of a fuss or you may interrupt the important event :)
• Call your puppy to his potty spot with the same sweet voice and special words each time, so he'll begin to associate these with this action. 
• If your puppy exhibits a behavior that becomes a natural signal of her need to go out, encourage that signal to alert you. Praise and treat her with your training treats as a way of encouraging this behavior that notifies you when it's time for a visit to the grass. Any signal that is acceptable to you will work: a woof, whine, scratch at the door, nose bump on your hand, ringing of potty bells that hang on your door--whatever works for your dog and you to communicate.
• Young puppies and toy dogs often have trouble house training in larger spaces. They may quickly become averse to using rooms they spend time in as a bathroom; however, other rooms may sometimes take on that role for these smaller pups. I've learned that one way to prevent this is to allow them to spend time in each of these otherwise less-frequented areas. This may be inconvenient for you while you supervise him there, but hopefully you'll find a way to accomplish a task while giving your dog time to bond with this area of your home that he rarely spends time in.
• If you catch your pup in the act of pottying indoors, scold quickly while immediately taking her outside to her special place, spending a few minutes to allow her to remember this is where she should have taken action. Do not rub your puppy's nose in his business or swat him, as he may become fearful of pottying altogether.
• If your puppy is left in a crate too long and has an accident, don't correct her. It's your fault, not hers. Simply clean her and the crate up and don't make a fuss.
• Same goes if you've left the pup alone too long in the house and you find a mistake. Often they will leave their deposit at the door or near a window, indicating their effort to get outdoors.
• If you've chosen to keep your puppy in 1 room, not using a crate, you'll want to use potty pads or a dog potty with faux grass included, in order to protect the floor, as well as to help your pet know where you want his deposits to land. It's nice to know where you can and cannot step when entering the room :) This target training is important to eventually working your way outside, if that is desirable.
• Once your pup is regularly hitting the puppy pad, you may choose a long weekend when you can spend several days working with him on the transition. Begin moving the pad gradually toward the exit, keeping your eye on the pup. It's imperative that you throw a big party every time he locates the pad and uses it. Lots of praise and a treat will help him understand that following the pad is exactly what you want.
• Once you reach the exit door, begin cutting away small sections of the pad, or closing the door over an area of it, reducing the available amount. The idea is to help Fido understand he needs to assist you with knowing what he wants--verbally or with some sort of noise or action. Many pad users will place potty bells right where the puppy is likely to bump them while using the pad, helping you to be aware of his actions. Praise and treat your little one for ringing the bells as well as using the pad. You're on your way!

Keep in mind that rewarding your trainee each and every time he tries to get it right will be continuously building a more reliable behavior that you'll be happy to see. Zukes

courtesy Zukes

Mini Naturals are a terrific, tiny treat for rewarding good behavior, and one that your pup will love. These healthy, natural treats are made in the U.S.A. with no wheat, corn or soy, ingredients that many owners try to avoid due to possible allergens. You'll find a Store Locator at this link so you can take a personal peek and see what your local retailers are stocking of the Zukes varieties.

In less than 10 days, Event Barkers will be officially announcing a Twitter Party for Zukes. Yes, you heard it here first! While you're waiting on details, you can go ahead and check them out online at their website and on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Watch for more details  soon...and a giveaway coming shortly!

All Things Dog Blog and our Event Barkers partner, DogTipper, will soon be announcing a Twitter Party promoting some of Zukes products, including the Mini Naturals reviewed here. Soon you'll be learning about more of their hard working treats so stay tuned to our sites for additional details.

Mutt Monday Late for Work!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Oh dear! Oh my! I was so busy this weekend--making my list and checking it twice--that I completely forgot about Mutt Monday. How dare I? I'll make it up to you; I'll leave it open through Thursday, okay? Here goes:

This week's Mutt Monday theme is House and Crate Training. Feel free to link up your posts on these topics, whether instructional or just downright comical. We'll take whatever you've got. 

For next week, let's try something a little seasonal. How about tips for the holidays. You can submit anything relative, such as safe foods for Fido, behavior issues with company, selecting a method of care when you're away....whatever fits for our holiday theme. So be thinking about next week's theme:

Next Week: Tips for the Holidays

My plan is to get our Mutt Monday post up at 5 PM on Sunday. With this new program has come a few hiccups, mostly my memory and being so very busy with holiday preparations. Bear with me and know that it will happen! I hope all of you are enjoying preparing your homes for friends and family while including your pup in the daily drill of getting ready. 

One last thing:  Help me get the word out by giving this Tweet a quick hit:

#MuttMonday is digging up Archives 2 share themed articles from our best material of the past. Join in the#BlogHop 2 Link+Learn.
— Carrie Boyko (@AllThingsDog) November 17, 2012

Happy tails!

Ask the Dog Trainer: Two Steps for Housetraining

by Michael Baugh, CPDT-KA, CDBC

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Frequent Trips Outside

Dear Michael:

I have friends who are having big problems with their dog...not sure why she is telling me this now but they took Diego in as a stray a few years ago and he pees on everything. They have to rip up their carpets and replace the drapes in their house. Diego is about to be given up by my friends and I know their son will be heart broken, as well as their kids.

I told them they should try crate training even if Diego is 7. Do you have any resources to recommend for this???

Patti

-------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Patti,

There are only two main challenges with potty training a dog. Number one and number two. Sorry – easy joke. Interestingly, the solution is a two step process too. And, all is not lost. There is hope for house training, even later in life.


The trouble is, Diego just doesn’t know where to go and where not to go. And, rest assured, dog potty accidents are never really a matter of spite or revenge. Deigo is just confused, not unusual for a dog who’s been a stray. Here’s the solution.


First, you are right! Crate training is part of the plan, but not the whole plan. Diego needs some simple structure. 1) He should be actively supervised whenever possible, both inside and outside. That means a human is with him and not distracted by anything else. 2) If Diego can’t be supervised, he needs to be safely confined (that could mean in his crate). Dogs tend not to urinate in their sleeping places. If Diego is going to be alone for a long period of time, he could be kept in a room without carpet – but with some potty pads.


If his people follow these two simple rules they will never have to ask the question, “where’s Diego.” He will be with them or safely confined. In neither case will he be sneaking away to another room to poop or pee.


When it’s time to go outside, Diego still needs to be supervised. Once he’s relieved himself, his people should immediately praise him and give him 3 small tasty bits of food. Do that right on the spot; don’t wait for him to come back inside. This teaches Diego that going potty outdoors pays better than going indoors. That’s going to put him on track for learning house manners – and how to hold his water.

© Robyn Arouty
Michael and Stella

Enjoy Michael's Archives or check out his latest posts here:

• Target Train to Solve Problems
• Velcro Dog
• Socializing After Learned Dog Aggression

Houston Dog Trainer Michael Baugh CPDT-KSA, CDBC is the owner and chief potty trainer at Michael’s Dogs Training and Behavior. Michael's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

Ask the Dog Trainer: Rainy Day Potty Troubles

by Michael Baugh, CPDT-KSA, CDBC

(c) h.koppdelaney via Flickr.com
Don't Give Up

Hi Michael-- My little fluffy girly dog just will not go outside to potty when it is raining. Sometimes I end up with a puddle as a result. Can you share some ideas on how I might get her to be agreeable to handling things outside where they should be handled? Thank you, Marsha P.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Marsha:

Here’s what I tell my little dog Stewie.  “Even delicate flowers need to be watered.”  He’s not a fan of the rain (or the cold) either.

Certainly it’s important to be kind to your little princess.  We don’t want to throw her out in a torrent while we wait in the warm dry house peering out the window at her.  That will only make her hate the rain even more.  I’d be a bit disconcerted too if it were storming over my toilet in the morning.

Let’s try this instead.  On those dreary drizzly mornings put on your rain jacket, hook little fluffy girl up to her leash, and trudge outside with her.  Fake a smile and cheer her on for being so brave.  When she pees (she will eventually), praise her adoringly and give her three delicious tasty treats.  If she won’t follow you out on leash, pick her up and carry her to the designated potty spot.  Then, stand by patiently cooing about what a good girl she is.

If it’s raining too hard, or if she goes outside with you but doesn’t do her business, bring her back in and let her rest in her crate for a short while (10 minutes).  Then try again.  With any luck the rain will have let up a bit.  The idea here is not to give her the chance to make a puddle in your house while avoiding the puddles outside.  Most dogs won’t wet their own crate.  Eventually she’ll have to go bad enough that some light rain won’t be so much of an issue.

© Robyn Arouty

You will get past all this.  You and your fluffy girl may still curse the rain, but she will get the job done just like our own princess boy, Stewie.  He shakes off the cold wet water and burrows back under the covers on our bed.  I guess delicate flowers need to rest after they’re watered.

Houston dog trainer Michael Baugh CPDT-KSA, CDBC is the director of training and behavior at Rover Oaks Pet Resorts.