Blog – Page 23 – K9 Korral

New Year’s Eve Safety Tips for Pets

Just like the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve is a fun holiday for people but a difficult one for our pets. Fireworks, which are common on New Year’s Eve, can cause even a dog who has been through k9 obedience training to run away from the scary, loud sounds and sparks. The fun and frivolity of a party can also be dangerous for your pet.

A few common sense tips can help keep your dog safe on New Year’s while still allowing you to have your fun:

1. Keep your dog inside on New Year’s Eve. Period. Even if your city doesn’t have scheduled fireworks, many individuals in your neighborhood may be setting them off, and some people even have the frightening and dangerous tradition of shooting firearms into the air at midnight. Keep your pets inside to help ensure their safety.
2. Don’t take your pet with you on New Year’s Eve, even if you usually allow them to tag along. This will help ensure that a random frightening event won’t make them bolt away from you.
3. Make sure your dog wears an identification tag. Even with your best efforts, if your dog gets out when friends are letting themselves in and out during a party, he may bolt. If your dog doesn’t have an id tag, write your phone number with a permanent marker on his collar.
4. If you’re hosting a party, make sure that your guests keep alcohol and other dangerous foods away from your dog. Chocolate, raisins, and many varieties of nuts can be toxic to dogs, so keep your dog safely away from the temptation by crating them or locking them into a room where guests won’t be allowed.

To help keep your dog safe on New Year’s Eve – and every day of the year, you should also strongly consider Florida dog obedience training. There’s no substitute for a well-trained pet in a potentially dangerous situation.

By Mark S.|December 28th, 2010|Agility Classes, Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes|Comments Off

Enhance the Relationship between You and Your Dog

The holidays are hectic. There are family gatherings, big events, holiday parties and endless moments to share with the entire family. I do not recommend adopting a dog during this time. It is a tough time to make a dog feel at ease. A dog needs structure and a regular schedule. It is nearly impossible to meet these basic requirements when your own schedule is unbalanced for the duration of the holiday season. However, I do recognize that some people choose to adopt during this time despite expert advice against it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind on why dog training is important to building a positive relationship between you and your new pet, and what each training session means.

What is Puppy Preschool?

Puppy preschool is a class designed to teach socialization skills. It uses confidence- building exercises to ensure your puppy is comfortable meeting other dogs and playing with them. It also covers basic house manners. This varies from how to walk on a leash without tugging to discouraging biting. Additionally, the class teaches puppies the “leave it” command. This is a great time to start building that incredible, loving, strong relationship between you and your new puppy. It is the foundation of what is to come.

Who is Suitable for K9 Obedience classes?

A six week K9 obedience course covers a wide array of topics, including how to greet guests politely, the “come” command, “lie down”, and how to walk on a loose leash. It is open to dogs of all ages. The only requirement is to be positive throughout the experience. The more you interact with your new dog, the greater the relationship becomes. These classes are just as much for you as it is for your pup.

To find out more about how dog training enhances the relationship between dog and dog owner, talk to a Florida dog training expert today!

By Mark S.|December 22nd, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes, Obedience Classes|Comments Off

New Year’s Resolution: Commit to being a Better Dog Owner in 2011

Ringing in the New Year brings forth new, positive commitments in your life. You are going to eat right, exercise and build a stronger bond between you and your dog. But how do you begin to improve your relationship with your pet? It is already solid. There are ways to enhance quality time with your dog and it is through dog training. Here are the top three essential dog training tips ensuring training time is a positive experience for the two of you to share.

Remain Patient

Becoming angry at a dog does not compute. Dogs do not understand why you are reacting in a negative manner. Ditch any type of training that involves yelling or being aggressive with your pet. It is not healthy for either of you to be in this situation. Instead, focus on the rewards and desirable behavior your dog exhibits while ignoring the negative. Your dog will eventually learn the positive behavior. For positive behavior means affection, attention, treats and play time. It leaves the negative actions to the past.

Stay Positive

This coincides with maintaining patience with your dog. If you become frustrated, then the emotions will disrupt the training process. If this happens, take a break. Step away from training and return when you are able to gain a positive outlook on the training session. This is a time to bond with your dog in an uplifting environment.

To find out more, talk to a Florida dog training or a k9 obedience instructor today!

By Mark S.|December 20th, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes, Obedience Classes|Comments Off

How to Holiday Travel with a Puppy

Traveling with a puppy for the holidays is different from traveling with an adult dog. Florida dog training experts point out how adult dogs are calmer and relaxed under a wide array of scenarios. If a party is going on, then an adult dog may be accustomed to the noise, people, food and drinks associated with the event. To a puppy, it is all fresh. A puppy needs positive reinforcement on how to behave during these circumstances. Here is a guideline on how to prepare you, and your puppy for upcoming Christmas and New Year’s festivities.

Wear the Puppy Out Before You Arrive

This is a no-brainer. Puppies have tons of energy. Exercise your puppy before arriving at your destination. Do not assume the homeowners will entertain and tire the puppy out for you. It is common courtesy to arrive with your puppy prepared to rest.

Watch Out for Safety Hazards

When arriving at your holiday destination, take a look around the venue or house. Watch out for anything the puppy could get into. If there are Christmas lights hung too low, then ask if it is okay to raise it to a higher location. If there are chocolates lying about, find out if you may move it out of your puppy’s reach. Review the place just as if you were at home. Make sure there is nothing puppy accessible, which may cause harm.

Stay safe while traveling with your precious pet for the holidays. Be considerate of those you shall visit.

If you need more guidance, talk to puppy kindergarten instructors today. They will provide tips on the best way to handle traveling situations.

Happy Holidays!

By Mark S.|December 17th, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes|Comments Off

How to be a Holiday Pet Sitter

We have talked about what to look for in a pet sitter in prior blogs, but we have never discussed what it takes to be a pet sitter. If you are looking for extra holiday cash and you love pets, then being a pet sitter is the way to go. It is in big demand during this time of the year. Here are some tips on how to become an effective and successful pet sitter.

What Type of Dog Training is Necessary?

It is necessary to understand positive reinforcement training. It helps you interact in an upbeat manner using a system of rewards and basic commands. It keeps the dogs calm and following directions while still having a good time. This will help you become a popular, successful and in-demand holiday pet sitter.

List of Materials Needed for Success

The first thing you need is a customized emergency packet for different occasions. For instance, in the car you transport pets, drive them to dog parks, and take them for walks after a nice drive in the car. So keep in the car things to cater to this situation. Pack a first aid kit, extra leashes, collars, pet food, water bowl and a clean-up pet spray in case accidents happen in your vehicle.

At home, keep a packet filled with necessities. To add value to your services, take a pet CPR class. It will instill confidence in yourself, and the pet owners. They will feel comfortable leaving their loving pets in your hands.

The expenses spent to establish a pet sitting business is minimal. It is a matter of becoming comfortable with pet training. Talk to one our Florida dog training or k9 obedience experts today. Find out what skills are required to become a prominent pet sitter in your area.

By Mark S.|December 13th, 2010|Dog Boarding, Dog Care Tips, Dog Daycare, Dog Training Classes|Comments Off