Happy Dog, Happy Home
Below are some great items I think will make a difference in your home! I include toys and puzzles for mental stimulation, some great treats and tools to use to train your pet!
We will NOT use any pain inflicting collars or tools such as, but not limited to prong, choke or shock collars. We will be using pain and force free tactics for training. In our training together will learn how to use positive reinforcement to reward behaviors we want to see in our dogs and redirect behaviors we do not want to see. If you have questions about this please let me know!
Training Must Haves..
Before you begin training sessions here are some things that I really recommend you purchase before starting…
Treat Bags
Clickers
Harness
Leash
Treats
Treat Bags
Treat bags are so important and useful! You want to be able to give your dog a treat when they do something good right away not a few minutes later. The treat bag should be taken with you everywhere! It should come on walks and whenever you take your dog out with you, even if it is just a short walk there is always an opportunity for training! The purpose of treat bags is to give you easy access to treats without risk of running out quickly, messy pockets, treats trapped in tight pants, no pockets, etc. You fill your bag with treat and then wear it on your waist or as a cross body, this way you have both hands available and you are not juggling a bag of treats, the leash, the dog, and more.
Ive linked a few of my favorite treat bags below, personally I like the treat bags with multiple compartments because I can put my car keys, poop bags, a toy and more in the bag and I don’t need to bring a second bag with me on walks or fill my pockets.
Clickers
The value of the clicker is that it tells your dog exactly which behavior you're rewarding. By clicking at the right time, you can “mark” the moment your dog did what you wanted. So rather than having to guess what you liked, the click tells your dog precisely what they did correctly. For example you say “Sit” right when your dog puts his butt on the ground and “sits” then you Click and reward immediately. I will show you how to use these in class!
Walking Tools
When walking your dog I always recommend using a harness with a front clip and a sturdy leash. I like harnesses as they help prevent your dog from being able to slip out and they prevent any injury to their neck from pulling on the leash if they are not completely leash trained yet. A harness that the leash clips on the front by the chest will help limit pulling when on the walk. As for leashes I like to use a standard leash that is 6ft or so in length. I prefer standard leashes instead of a retractable leashes since these promote pulling. I have linked below some of the tools I love!
We will NOT use any pain inflicting collars or tools such as, but not limited to prong, choke or shock collars.
This is a great harness for the dogs that has less coverage than any other harnesses; it has a light and breathable construction while still maintaining quality and durability. I love this harness since it is super easy to adjust and very comfortable for the dogs!
My favorite harness brand! these are very comfortable for your pet with the velvet lining for under their stomach prevents uncomfortable rubbing. It clips int the front and the back to limit pulling!
Very similar harness to the first one, it is a different brand. It has the clip in the front to help limit pulling!
This is a great durable leash for your pet! I recommend 6ft for daily walking use.
Just your basic leash, for large dogs I recommend the standard width, for smaller dogs you can get a narrow one. I prefer to just use a super basic leash for them since they are comfortable for us to hold and the dogs wont feel them as much. Recommended length is 6ft.
Another great durable leash, this one has two handles so you can change how much length the dog has.
Rewards!
With in training we will be using lots of treats to reward your pets. I like to use smaller treats and break them up to make sure we are not over feeding our pets. I also love to use “Freeze Dried” Treats because Freeze-drying preserves more of the nutritional content of the raw ingredients. I linked a few treats below that I recommend!
These are really great crunchy treats for your pet. I like to give these to them to get them to stay in place at the vet, practicing stay or when I am trying to teach them to keep calm in stimulating environments.
This is a lickable treat that can be used for training. We can use it for walking, settling in public and quick rewards!
SAFETY FIRST, FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY
SAFETY FIRST, FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY
Carrying a pet deterrent is an essential tool that every dog owner should have when taking their furry friend for a walk. No matter how well-trained your dog may be, unexpected encounters with other dogs or wild animals can quickly turn into a dangerous situation! Having a pet deterrent, such as a this spray can help you deter aggressive dogs or wild animals that may approach you and your dog during your walks. This can help you get away from a conflict and protect your dog from harm.
I keep this spray in a pocket in my treat bag. If a wild or aggressive animal approaches spray this towards their nose and a burst of citronella spray is released that surprises and distracts threatening pets without harming them.
It's important to note that pet deterrents should only be used as a last resort and in situations where there is a genuine threat to your safety or your dog's safety. As a responsible pet owner, it's always best to avoid confrontations with other dogs and to train your own dog to behave appropriately in public.
Slow Feeder Bowls
Slow feeder bowls are great to slow down your pets eating process, giving your dog time to chew properly before swallowing. I also like to use these as they provide mental stimulation. Slow feeders are designed to make eating more of a challenge for your pet. The meal times are turned into a kind of puzzle, which provide mental stimulation for your dog. They need to think about how to get to the food, and use their memory! I listed a few of the bowls I recommend
This is a slow feeder specifically for French Bulldogs and other flat faced dogs!
This is an elevated slow feeder bowl. Raised feeders provide ease of access to food and water which can help facilitate movement of food when traveling from the mouth to the stomach. Consuming food from elevated dog bowls places less strain on the dog's neck, hips, shoulders and joints, which promotes better posture!
Another great elevated slow feeder that also has a water bowl!
Mental Stimulation, Puzzles and Toys
Every dog needs some form of mental stimulation through out their day. Incorporating mental enrichment and play time into your dog's life will increase their happiness and well-being. It allows them to engage in natural behaviors, which builds confidence, and gives them a feeling of accomplishment. Best of all, it prevents boredom, anxiety and frustration, and that makes life better for both of you! I like to make sure my pup has some form of mental stimulation through puzzle toys or snuffle matts at least two times a day, and play time at least 3 times a day for 10 minutes each time. During play time you can play fetch or tug of war. Below are some great puzzle toys to provide mental stimulation and some other toys your dog is guaranteed to love.
This link will show you this puzzle toy and a few others, there are different levels you can choose if you pet has never done a puzzle toys I recommend a beginner level. Once they get better you can get more difficult ones. All you need to do here is place a treat in each compartment and let your pet figure it out. For the first few attempts you can sit with your pet and try to help them figure it out. If the puzzle you purchase has removable parts I strongly encourage that you sit with them as they complete it to make sure they do not chew or swallow on spare parts.
Lick mats are great for many reasons. I take lick mats to the veterinarian to help my pet feel comfortable as they examine them, also can be used in the shower so your dog enjoys the shower more, or while you clip their nails. I like to use these during activities they may not find as enjoyable to help make it positive. This is easy to transport, all you need to do is smear a spreadable dog treat on it like peanut butter! You can also use it when you are busy and need your dog to focus on something else!
One of my pets favorite toys! This is called a “Snuffle Mat.“ You hide treats in the fringes and allow your dog to forage. 'Sniffing is your dog's way of making sense of the world around them - and it provides lots of mental stimulation, which can help keep their brain healthy as well as their body.
Another great snuffle mat to check out!
Classic Kongs are fantastic toys to have on hand! Make sure you get the right size for your pup. I use these toys to help doggies relax if they are feeling a little overstimulated and too rowdy. If you give this to them and fill it with some sort of creamy treat they will usually just sit and lick it until it is clean! Licking is a self soothing behavior which means it helps your pets calm down. I also like to give these to my pets when they are going into their crates or I just need them to be quiet for a period of time.
This is a great filler for the kong as well as something you can spread on the lick mats, there are plenty of flavors to choose from so you can definitely find your pets’ favorite!
JW Hol-ee Roller Dog Fetch Treat Dispenser Puzzle Ball
KONG Wubba - Tug of War Dog Toy & Fetch Toy
KONG - Gyro - Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog ToyCalming Supplements
Sometimes dogs just need a little help calming down in stressful situations. Calming treats can help dogs cope with separation anxiety and environmental fears like a fear of loud noises, thunderstorms, or fireworks. They can also help dogs who feel anxious when there's a lot of commotion. I recommend using these in addition to training, not to replace training. While these help the dogs settle down, we do not want them to rely on them. Please get in contact with me if you have questions!
Chews
Chewing can help dogs self-soothe dogs by providing them with a natural outlet for their chewing behavior, which can help to alleviate stress and anxiety. When dogs chew, it can release endorphins, which are natural chemicals that promote feelings of relaxation and well-being.
Chewing also helps to keep a dog's teeth clean and healthy, and it can provide mental stimulation and exercise. However, it's important to provide dogs with appropriate items to chew on, such as specially designed chew toys or treats, to prevent them from chewing on inappropriate items like furniture, shoes, or other household items. Check out what I have linked below!
Best Bully Sticks 6-inch Gullet Thin Stick Dog Treats (25 Pack) - All-Natural Beef Dog Treats - Hollow, Quick Chew Snack for All Dogs - Great for Teething Puppies, Senior Dogs, Light Chewers
Bow Wow Labs Bow Wow Buddy Safety Device - Bully Stick Holder for Dogs.
GREENIES Original Regular Natural Dental Care Dog TreatsTraveling by Car?
Down below I linked my favorite tools to make sure that your pet is traveling safely with you!
These are two great puppy seatbelts! Its important to have your dog strapped in for their safety, seatbelts will prevent your pet from being ejected in an accident. I always suggest to have their seatbelt strapped to a harness like the one linked above in walking tools, or at the end of this section instead of their leash as it is more secure and safer for your pet.
If you have a smaller dog, I would recommend using a car seat that has a seatbelt installed, and I still suggest using the harness! I personally have one for my small dog and he loves being able to look out the window and I feel great knowing he’s safe!
If you have a bigger dog I think these hammocks are a great way to transport the dog and keep your seats safe and limit the hair fall out fro shedding. You can connect your pets seatbelt through the hammock as well!
Some dogs LOVE car rides and some dogs don’t really like them. Adaptil is a synthetic copy of the pheromone a puppy's mother emits after birth to calm and reassure her puppies. Spraying this in the car 15 minutes or so before your pup gets in there will send “comforting messages” to help puppies and dogs feel calm and relaxed in situations that may cause fear and anxiety.
Great harness for walking and for car rides! I love harnesses that clip in the front to help with pulling on walks and i use the back clip during car rides to prevent them from getting tangled.
Is your dog losing interest in their food?
When our dogs aren’t eating you first want to analyze the situation… is the food expired? If so it loses its flavor and nutritional value which so probably why they are choosing not to eat. Another important thing to analyze is underlying health or behavioral issues like stress, seperation anxiety, dental disease, diabetes, nausea, or pain as these can cause a loss of appetite.
However is none of these are the case your pup may simply be tired of the same old food. It may be time to try a new food or if your providing a nutritional, well balanced, high quality diet already and you want to use the rest of the food here are some meal toppers I suggest to add nutritional value to your pets food and make it a little tastier so they will finish it!
These are great meal toppers from amazon! You can squirt some of the beef broth or salmon oil over their food and/or sprinkle some of the meal mixers on top the food and mix it in! You can also use things like blueberries, canned pure pumpkin, hard boiled eggs, or greek yogurt. Make sure to do some research before introducing things into your dogs diet to assure they can digest it and it is safe to eat! Also everything is good in moderation, whenever introducing something new to a pets diet start with a small amount to just make sure your pup likes it and it all comes out okay.