Cabin Fever

Not all dogs get out and enjoy wintery weather like this guy! So, we thought it might be good to post the following article about cabin fever:

Going inside - and staying there - provides physical protection from the elements, but also opens the door to a mental hazard: boredom. A bored dog can wreak considerable havoc on his household in the form of excessive barking, hyperactivity, and destructiveness. Worse still, if the dog's efforts to relieve his boredom prompt him to partake of poisonous plants or other toxic substances, he'll need immediate veterinary attention, and you are likely to face a significant bill.

To prevent such occurrences, be sure to dog-proof your home; in other words, put any toxic, hazardous, or other forbidden items beyond your dog's reach. Then, find ways to provide your dog with plenty of indoor physical and mental exercise. Here are some activities that you and your dog can do together indoors to help the two of you stay sane:

Fetch:
A rousing game of fetch - particularly if it requires your dog to go up and down some stairs a few times - can give him a good physical work out.

Tug-of-war:
As long as you are not having aggression problems with your dog, a good tug session can siphon off considerable excess cannine energy. Rules of the game: The person needs to start the game, the person needs to end the game, and most of the time the person needs to win the gam.

Hide the toy:
To give your dog a mental workout, try hiding a toy or treat and then directing him to find it. Hold the item for him to see, then place him in another room so he can't see where you hide the object. Once you've hidden the toy, allow him to come out and look for it. When teaching this game, put the toy or treat in plain sight, gradually increase the difficulty until your dog understands how to look for it.

source: The Family Dog

Tips on Training

All dogs (unless physically handicapped) see and hear and have feelings, so your first concern should be from your pup’s point of view. One very good way to consider him is to form one especially important habit right now. If you smoke, never do it while training or playing with your Buddy. A hot ash, accidentally dropped in his eye could cause irreparable damage.

Your body can be a towering mass for your pup to fear, or, as we hope, it can be his security and something to love. In training, try to visualize everything from his point of view. Therefore, instead of bending over so that you still tower over him, it’s much better to squat down and let him see you at the same level he is.

Be careful, too, about how you use your eyes. As crazy as it may seem to you, they can be very upsetting to your pup. Never stare at your Buddy; look over his head or to one side of him. Don’t forget that your intentions are transmitted to your pup in many ways, sometimes even in ways that we cannot fathom or explain to our own satisfaction. The bond that develops between the two of you is a great fulfillment and should not be dealt with lightly.

A list of ‘Do’s’ for training:

• Teach only what you understand.
• Follow any correction with praise and work.
• Work with your pup as a team.
• Wear quiet, comfortable shoes when training.
• Wear clothing that does not interfere with your pup.
• Stop your training before losing your temper.
• Be consistent with your training, at home or in class.

A list of ‘Don’ts’ for training:

• Correct by slapping with a lead.
• Correct if you are not positive your pup fully understands.
• Be a show-off with your training.
• Over train.

You know your dog—work WITH him. Don’t confuse him with sudden drastic changes. Avoid resentment as well. Practice—take nothing for granted.

-excerpts from
The Pearsall Guide to Successful Dog Training
by Margaret E. Pearsall