How to Have a Better Relationship with Your Dog

Different factors contribute to the existence of bond between dogs and humans bond. The dog’s amazing, ancient work ethic, for instance, is part of what makes our bond so strong. The age-old desire of a retriever to fetch and retrieve a bird, for instance, is done not for food, but for the hunter’s affections.

The bond, though, is found not only in hunting breeds, but in all types of dogs, no matter what they were bred to do. The herding dog and her relationship with her shepherd; the police dog and her K-9 officer; the search-and-rescue dog and her handler—the innate desire to work with humans has been hard-wired into our dog friends.

Strengthening the bond between you and your dog is incredible important. Spending time together builds trust, confidence and love, creates a feeling of familial belonging and is the roots of the bond. Activities such as walking, hiking, training, playing— all these are things which pull you both closer into each other, nurturing that intimacy. And obedience training, though not the primary promoter of bonding, provides the dog lover with a way to communicate, essential to any relationship.

Once you both speak the same “language,” you can develop the trust and confidence necessary for your dog to feel that special loyalty toward you. Also, training helps your dog to focus on you and ignore the many distractions that might be present. That focus is essential to building any relationship, especially the one with your dog.

For more tips on how to keep your dog smiling visit My Dog Spot at www.mydogspot.com or call (626) 399 1951.

Tips for Adopting a New Puppy

Adopting a dog is a process - both the owner and the dog need time to get comfortable with each other and bond.

Most rescues and shelters evaluate dogs for temperament and interaction with other dogs on an on-going basis. But most of dogs have been living in the shelter for several months before adoption, so they might have some difficulty understanding why they have "lost" another home and will need some time to adjust to new environment.

During first day in the new home, keep your dog on a leash and show him where his things are - his water and food dish, his bed and his toys. When he is indoors be sure and keep him confined with you and take him outdoors at frequent intervals to relieve himself.  Until he learns this new routine, he will have to be watched closely because he must get accustomed to his new home and his new routines. 

The first couple of weeks you and your pet are "getting to know one another" phase. He doesn't know why he has come to your home or what is expected of him. You have to be patient and anticipate problems before they occur. Remember that your new dog must learn a whole set of new rules so be patient and be consistent.

In order to have a successful pet-owner relationship, obedience training is a must. Professionals from My Dog Spot will take care of your dog and will offer a six to eight week class taking one hour of your time one day a week and a training lesson with your dog 30 minutes a day. They will teach your dog the necessary obedience commands and help him feel at home.

For more tips on how to keep your dog smiling visit My Dog Spot at http://www.mydogspot.com or call (626) 399 1951.

Get Walking with Your Dog

The New Year is a time that many people resolve to get in better shape. You can run, lift weights, jump rope, dance or walk. If you have a dog then you can do double duty with walking and exercise both yourself and your faithful companion.

Walking your dog is an important part of dog ownership. Walking gives your dogs the exercise they need as well as the release of energy that you would prefer on a walk and not your living room.

Taking a stroll also helps your furry friend mentally. No one is happy sitting around all day inside especially if their owner is working. It is imperative for doggie’s mind and soul to get out in the fresh air.

Dogs like to see other dogs. The chance to sniff other pooch’s behinds and wag their tales at the pretty neighbor dog is a great way for your dog to socialize. Dogs that socialize are going to tend to be friendlier and happier animals.

 As with humans a healthy life is a long life. Your trusted companion will be with you even longer if you both get out and get walking every day.

If you are looking for a local Pasadena dog walker to fill in when you’re at work, contact My Dog Spot. My Dog Spot is a qualified Pasadena dog walking service that offers behavior modification through training, dog sitting and of course walking. You can contact them at 626-399-1951 or visit them at www.mydogspot.com.

Resolve to Spend More Time with Your Pet This Year

 

New Year’s Resolutions are on everyone’s mind this time of the year and most of them involve improving some part of yourself. What about improving relationships? You can resolve to improve relationships with your parents, your children and more. How about your pets? They are an important part of your life and they definitely love spending time with you.

There are lots of things you can resolve to do with your favorite pets this year. You can resolve to walk them more, buy them special toys or enjoy more cuddle time on the porch. Adding in your pet to your morning or evening routine is a great way to make the resolution a habit as well as getting in pet time at the start and finish of your day.

You can easily mesh getting healthy and spending time with your pet together. You can start exercising with your dog or playing in the yard with your cat. You can start flossing and take care of your animal’s teeth too. If getting your dog to exercise more is hard for you because of how often you work then hiring a Pasadena dog walker may be beneficial to you.

My Dog Spot is a local Pasadena dog walking company. We also offer pet sitting and training (which is great if you resolve to not leave your pet alone so much or teach them to sit). We are more than happy to give your dog a good exercise or sniff walk and to spend quality time with them when you can’t. Don’t let your best friend get bored or lonely. Look up a great Pasadena dog walker today!

Why should I Train My Dog?

Thinking of hiring a Pasadena Dog Trainer? Here are a few good reasons why training your dog strengthens your relationship and creates a healthier, happier living environment.

Training your dog is not just about teaching dogs obedience commands. As our understanding of dogs has expanded so has our understanding of dog training. Dog Training is vital in helping dogs adjust to living in a domestic home environment. Dogs that are trained using positive reinforcement methods are more tolerant and self-controlled and are able to behave much more predictably in different social situations.

5 Reasons Why You Should Train Your Dog

1.    To Build a Positive Relationship

One of the best ways to build a strong relationship with your dog is to understand how your dog learns and to use these principles of learning in your dog’s every day life. Training your dog using positive reinforcement methods creates channels of communication between yourself and your dog that promotes security and comfort. Positive reinforcement training rewards good behavior and ignores or redirects undesired behavior that allows trainers to influence behavior without using force. Teaching your dog what you want him to do rather than what you don’t want him to do and rewarding him for it is both motivating and effective and fosters a relationship based on understanding, communication and trust.

2.    To Teach Life Skills

Living in a domestic environment can be particularly stressful for a dog. Teaching them basic obedience skills and impulse control helps to provide mental stimulation and to control anxiety. Basic obedience skills also help to equip dogs with the tools they need to navigate socially and acceptably in our human world for eg. teaching your dog to sit when guests arrive and not to jump up on them  helps your dog behave appropriately when humans are around.

3.    To Increase Sociability

As social beings we have high social expectations of our dogs. For this reason it is important that we teach our dogs from an early age to interact comfortably on a social level. Socializing your dog to different environments, people and animals will give them the confidence to cope with all the various aspects of domestic life. Make sure that you introduce your pets to people who wear different uniforms, operate different kinds of machinery, or use different kinds of walking apparatus so that they are socialized towards these new and unfamiliar appearances from early on. The best way to approach socialization is to enroll your puppy in a group class being offered by a Pasadena Dog Trainer or seek the help of a Pasadena Private Dog Trainer. They can best advise you on how to go about properly socializing your puppy.

4.    To Avoid Problem Behaviors

The more time you invest in teaching your dog how to live successfully in a human world the more you will avoid problem behaviors. Inappropriate behaviors such as destructive chewing, inappropriate barking and aggressive displays are often related to anxiety and boredom and are simply coping mechanisms for a stressed out dog. Teaching basic obedience behaviors and anxiety releasing training exercises will provide much needed mental exercise for bored or stressed out puppies.

5.    For Loyalty and Companionship

Training should be fun. Positive reinforcement training should always be looked upon as something fun that you and your dog can do together. By learning new exercises and having a good time while doing it you are naturally strengthening the bond between you and your dog.

A healthy balance of learning obedience skills, encouraging sociability and providing your dog with the right kind of mental and physical outlets is the best way to ensure their success. Training should be interactive and fun for the whole family and with the help of a professional Pasadena Dog Trainer you should be on the path to creating a healthier, happier living environment for both you and your pet.

Top 7 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs a Daily Walk

Dog walking in Pasadena has become very popular, and for good reason. Like food and water, daily walking is an essential part of keeping your pet healthy and happy. If you think your dog is content with sitting inside your home all day, here are 7 reasons why you should rethink that dog walk:

1.    Physical Health – Like humans, dogs need regular exercise to keep their muscles fit and strong. And it’s not just the muscles that get a workout when you take your dog for a brisk walk. Their lungs are also exercised, which causes the heart to beat more rapidly and increase circulation. With better circulation comes a pet who is able to fight off infection, not to mention the benefit of keeping them at an ideal weight.

2.    Mental Health – A dog’s natural instinct is not to sit around all day doing nothing. At one point in their family line they were hunters or scavengers with keen senses that they still love to use. When your dog gets a chance to go out past your property line, they are able to engage their mind by using those senses.

3.    The Chance to Socialize – Dogs would never have made it into human homes if they were not social creatures by nature. Yet they may grow bored with only your company. Give them the chance to meet new people and dogs, and they will become even more of a pleasure to have around the house.

4.    Release of Energy – This is especially true for younger dogs who are boiling over with energy. If you don’t get them used to using a daily walk to release their excitement, it will be released inside of your home instead.

5.    Reduce Behavioral Problems – This often ties in with releasing energy from dog walking in Pasadena. Chewing, digging, and ripping your pillows apart are all signs that a dog has way too much energy on their paws, and no way to get a good release.

6.    Provide Training Opportunities – When a dog is walked daily, they are given more chances to learn basic commands, such as heel while waiting for a light to change, or sit when you want to stop and buy a drink.

7.    Extended Life Span – A dog that is walked regularly is healthier, leading to a longer and more fulfilling life for the animal. The muscle strength will help to support the joints as your dog ages, allowing them to continue to get around for an extended period of time.

Don’t make your dog suffer in silence because your busy schedule does not afford time for a daily walk. If you want that wagging tail at the front door for years to come, enlist the help of a dog walker in Pasadena to take care of this basic necessity.

Debating Sitting or Boarding for Your Dog When Planning a Trip

Dog owners have more to consider than what to pack when they are getting ready for a trip out of town. The decision whether to use Pasadena pet sitters or a kennel is a big one, especially if your top concern is your dog’s security and health. Before jumping into what is sometimes the cheaper option, consider the pros of a reliable pet sitting provider in Pasadena.

The Pros of a Pet Sitter

Pet sitting involves hiring a pro who will keep an eye on your dog while you are out of town. They enter your home, and make sure that all of your dog’s basic needs are taken care of. Some of the reasons why this is more beneficial for your pet include:

• They can stick to their own routine. Your dog is used to eating, sleeping and going out at certain times of the day. That routine won’t be interrupted if they are allowed to stay in the comfort of their own home while you are away.

• You will keep your pet safe from contagious disease. A kennel could be harboring diseases that your dog is not exposed to at home. These include illnesses like parasites, distemper and kennel cough. You eliminate the risk of your pet contracting any of these by using Pasadena pet sitters.

• Your dog will also be protected from other, more aggressive animals. Anything can happen in a kennel environment, and your dog could be the victim of an attack from another. There is absolutely no chance of this happening when your pooch is allowed to stay home.

• Your four legged friend will not be subjected to hours on end locked in a cage. Your dog will not have the same freedom they are used to, which is no way for them to have to spend your vacation.

• Professional pet sitters in Pasadena will not only feed and walk your dog, they will engage with them in the same ways that you do. This involves special attention and even playtime, which is not included in the cost of a kennel stay.

• Added services, such as taking in the mail or turning on and off lights, are typically a part of your pet sitting service. So not only is your pet being taken care of, your home is being protected.

Are There Any Cons to Pet Sitting?

There may be a slight price difference with pet sitting over kennels, but when you factor in the differences, that cost is well worth it. You won’t be hit with a large vet bill to treat a wound or disease, your house is also secure, and your dog much happier when you return. That alone should be a compelling enough reason to choose a sitter over a kennel every time you plan a trip.