All Things Dog Blog

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

HomeGoods Swimmers Giveaway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Haven't won any dog giveaways yet? Don't you worry, there's still plenty to come. Now I have even more awesome HomeGoods dog products to give away! Do your dog's like to swim?!? Well there's never a better time to get your dog interested in swimming than when they have a brand new HomeGoods dog wet suit, towel, and shampoo. Tanner absolutely loves his doggie wetsuit, and is always excited to hop in the pool. In fact, it's always a challenge to his training to get him back out once he's in. He loves it when I swim with him too. It's great bonding and exercise for me and him.

Now that the water is cooling down, this wetsuit is the perfect transition for allowing Tanner to continue to swim, even on chilly days. He, of course, never thinks it is too cold to swim. I have a different set of rules, though. It's the mom in me, I suppose. As you can see, the wetsuit is a snug fit, as it should be to retain body heat around the most important organs. Tanner is 70 lbs. so this should give you an idea of fit for your dog. I do not have other sizes, so please enter this giveaway only if you have an appropriate use for this wetsuit. Let's make sure it finds a good home where it will protect its new owner from hypothermia.

Oliver on the other hand is another story entirely. He would be much happier sitting on the pool deck. Well, not so much sitting as keeping a safe distance, standing, and barking at me while Tanner and I splash around in the pool. He tends to get very concerned and barks loudly as if to say, "Get out Mom, you'll drown!" But, don't fret, he always manages to calm down, and assist me with rinsing and drying off Tanner.

Love these awesome HomeGoods dog products. Now they can be yours! One winner will receive each of these two prize packages: (1) Wetsuit for a 70-lb dog and (2) Shampoo and a microfiber towel for Fido. Enter in the rafflecopter below for your chance to win. Be sure to increase your odds by doing as many entry options as possible! Check out their Facebook and Twitter to see more great products!

Entries may be made on the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. If you don't see it, simply click on the post title to refresh and it will magically reappear beneath the post.

Entries will be accepted through Sunday, November 25 and winners will be announced late on Monday, November 26. Good luck!

HomeGoods has provided these prizes as a promotional courtesy. I have not been paid to provide this giveaway or to highlight these products. No purchase is required to win.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

ASK THE DOG TRAINER, with Mike Shamp, Painfully Playful Water Dogs, Part II

by Mike Shamp
Master Dog Behavior Therapist and Trainer

(c) Carrie Boyko
Stay, Tanner. Good Boy, Tanner.

Responding to an All Things Dog Blog reader, Carol, our trainer, Mike Shamp started Carol with some tips for preparing her Lab to accept watching her family swim without her in Part I of this topic, Painfully Playful Water Dogs. If you missed Mike's first installment, you may wish to return to read it at Part I. Now we'll move on with Mike's continuing assistance for Carol and India:

Another critical skill is India’s ability to come to you no matter what distraction is present. The goal is to be able to get her attention from a distance and call her back to you. A basic Come When Called command is a crucial skill. As in any training situation, you must have control of the exercise and demonstrate to India that you are in charge. She needs to respond to you every time you issue a command. Begin by calling India from a short distance of just 4 to 5 feet away. Assume a crouched, playful position to get her attention. Use a happy, playful voice to call her, praising her as soon as she turns her head to look at you, and each step along the way. If you use a firm voice, shout the command or lose your patience, she will avoid going to an “angry boss.” The come when called command is a happy command and must be executed no matter what she has done or has in her mouth. Gradually increase the distance until she responds and comes from at least 30 feet.

Be a Happy, Cheerful boss to encourage her to come. Positive reinforcement and reward in the form of praise using light-hearted, happy voice tones is the most effective way to keep India focused on you and be willing to please you. Training Dogs the Aussie Way by Danny and Sylvia Wilson is a great resource for teaching these skills, and lists other games you can teach India.

Combine the come when called command with the sit/stay exercise to develop self control. This can be a fun, playful exercise for everyone. Use a ball or toy to begin playing. After two or three tosses and returns begin giving a sit/stay command, toss the ball or toy but keep India at your side until you release her to fetch the toy. Alternate fetch and stay commands to make the exercise unpredictable and fun.

Stop the exercise before India becomes tired. You must retain control and end the game on your terms, not because India has lost interest. The advanced stages of this game include allowing India to chase the toy and calling her back before she reaches the toy. Good distance control will allow you to call her out of the pool despite the good time she is having with the children.

By the time summer rolls around India will be more focused on you and be more willing to respond to your commands. Begin the swimming season with slow quiet activity in the pool. If India becomes excited or jumps on the children call her out of the pool to sit and watch the children from your side. Release her to go back in the pool and monitor her behavior. Each time she gets excited repeat the exercise. Gradually increase the intensity of the play in the pool until she accepts all levels of play without the explosive energy and enthusiasm she has shown this past summer.

Mike

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com

For more information on Mike Shamp and his training, you may find him at Bark Busters of Central Florida. You can also visit Bark Busters' Training Tips Page for help.

A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.