Camp For Dogs

Just finished interview with Kris Hanna from Camp Bow Wow. Check it out and get some great boarding and daycare tips. Learn what you should do before you leave your best friend while you're on vacation.

House Training

Housetraining Guide
6 steps to successfully potty train your dog


1) Is your dog healthy? If your pup has a physiological problem such as worms or a urinary tract infection, he has little or no control over his bladder or bowel.

2) Regulate food & water. Regulars feeding and watering schedules control the input so you can predict the output. After your dog is finished eating pick up the leftover food. Use common sense in regulating water. If your dog is outside all day he must have water at all times.

3) Supervise or confine at all times. Do not allow the pup in unsupervised areas of the house. Keep the pup in the bedroom with you at night in a crate, exercise pen or on a tie down. When you are home to supervise tether the dog to your chair or yourself so he can not sneak off and have an accident. In your absence confine the pup safely to a small room like a bathroom or laundry room or in a crate. Never tether the dog when you cannot supervise it.

4) Reward, reward, reward. Select one potty area for the pup. If you take him to the same place each time, he will start to go to his pee zone on his own. Allow 3-5 minutes to eliminate, otherwise continue supervision and confinement. When the pup relieves himself – immediately reinforce with praise and a food treat. Teach the dog to eliminate on cue (“get busy”, “tinkle”). Say this command as your dog performs the desired behavior.

5) Correction. Reprimands must occur during the act. Delayed punishment, even a few seconds after the behavior, does not work. Use sound and motion to correct the pup when he starts to relieve himself in the wrong area. As the pup starts to squat, startle and distract him. Go to the dog in a calm, neutral manner and take him outside to finish. Learn from mistakes, and watch your dog closer to prevent accidents.

Never – under any circumstances hit your dog!!

6) Odor Neutralize. Use a good odor neutralizer to clean up any messes. Nature’s Miracle and Outright are some brands sold in stores. White vinegar mixed 50/50 with water is also a great odor neutralizer. Do not allow the pup to watch you clean up accidents.







Be consistent. The more constant you are with these 6 steps, the faster your dog will learn.

Be patient. Your dog is learning something new. It will take time and effort, but the results are well worth it.

Watch your timing. The biggest mistake people make is not rewarding immediately after the desired behavior.

If your dog regresses, go backwards a little. Confine him more and reward him more often.






















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(714)393-0432
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Is Your Dog Getting Enough Exercise?

Need To Exercise Your Dog? No Time? Let Us Do it For You!		Because we're also trainers you know we will be teaching good behaviors and not reinforcing bad. All at no extra charge! leash pulling sit down attention training jumping Give your dog a work out and a training session all in one. Give Us A Try 1/2 price Special now through January 15
	Introducing Christen Carr Dogista & Dog Walker Extraordinaire After getting her first dog, Velcro, she was hooked. Jake soon followed. She's been a preschool teacher, retail buyer and pet sitter. Recently relocating to Southern California from Chicago, she's now ready for a new career - dogs! Give your dog a mid-day walk followed by training drills. Gives you peace of mind that your dog is well cared for and gives your dog a good release for energy - not to mention a chance to relieve themselves. Bonus - reinforce their training by repeating some simple drills. After years of serving humans, Christen is ready to go to the dogs! On-Leash Neighborhood Walk with Christen! 30 Minute Dog Walk: $15.00 45 Minute Dog Walk: $20.00 60 Minute Dog Walk: $30.00 to schedule a walk call (714)393-0432 or email dogsetc@yahoo.com

Feeding Your Dog Made Easy

Not sure what to feed your dog? Don't know how to make the switch? Raw food, home cooked, grain free... There are so many great choices available it's hard to determine what you should feed your dog. Check out this informative book on exactly how and what to do.

Click Here!

Go Raw!!!

Heard about all the benefits of the raw food diet for your dog, but not sure how to start? Get all the information you need to maker sure your dog is getting the best possible nutrition you can give them. They'll thank you for it.


Click Here!

Dog Proof Your Holidays - Now

The holidays will be here before you know it. Don't wait until you are rushed and things get hectic to start training your dog. The sooner the better is always the case.

Trouble shoot potentially sticky situations now, so your dog knows just what's expected of him. Practice front door ettiquette before you have a slew Thanksgiving guests in your driveway.

Teach your dog sit (not jump) for all greetings and goodies. A tired dog is a happy owner, so get a good exercise program going for your dog so it will be a set habit by the time the tree and decorations go up. Stock up on some Kongs and Nylabones now. Santa can always bring more but you will need them before he arrives to redirect all that canine energy away from Thanksgiving yummies and guests.

photo by Lisa Scarsi

Dominance and Dog Training

Association of Pet Dog Trainers
Position Statement

There has been a resurgence in citing "dominance" as a factor in dog behavior and dog-human relationships. This concept is based on outdated wolf studies that have long since been disproven. Contrary to popular belief, research studies of wolves in their natural habitat demonstrate that wolves are not dominated by an "alpha wolf" who is the most aggressive pack member. Rather, wolves operate with a social structure similar to a human family and depend on each other for mutual support to ensure the group's survival.

Dogs are not wolves. The idea that dog behavior can be explained through the application of wolf behavior models is no more relevant than suggesting that chimpanzee behavior can be used to explain the intricacies of human behavior. While wolves and dogs share some similarities in behavior, there are many more significant differences. Dog training and behavior modification strategies that rely primarily on misinterpretations of wolf behavior are therefore irrelevant, ineffective and can lead to serious negative complications.

While dominance is a valid scientific concept, the term "dominance" itself is widely misunderstood, such as when it is used to describe the temperament of a particular dog. Dominance is not a personality trait but a description of a relationship between two or more animals and is related to which animal has access to valued resources such as food, mates, etc. It should not be used in any way to support the belief that dogs are out to "dominate" us, especially as that misunderstanding causes some people to respond with force and aggression. This only serves to create an adversarial relationship filled with miscommunication and even more misunderstanding. The unfortunate result is often anxiety, stress and fear in both dogs and humans towards each other. The use of techniques such as the "alpha roll" on dogs, which is based on these mistaken beliefs about dogs and wolves, has no place in modern dog training and behavior modification. Dogs often respond to this perceived threat with increased fear and aggression, which may serve to make a behavior problem worse and ruin the dog-owner relationship.

The APDT's position is that physical or psychological intimidation hinders effective training and damages the relationship between humans and dogs. Dogs thrive in an environment that provides them with clear structure and communication regarding appropriate behaviors, and one in which their need for mental and physical stimulation is addressed. The APDT advocates training dogs with an emphasis on rewarding desired behaviors and discouraging undesirable behaviors using clear and consistent instructions and avoiding psychological and physical intimidation. Techniques that create a confrontational relationship between dogs and humans are outdated. Modern scientifically-based dog training should emphasize teamwork and a harmonious relationship between dogs and humans that fulfills both species' needs. Most of all, it should be a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers encourages and supports continued trainer education in order to promote gentle, effective, fast, and fun ways to train dogs using the most up-to-date information and sound, scientifically-based methods.

For more information, please see related information on our Web site at www.apdt.com.

Welcome New Class

New Classes Started This Week

New Basic Manners classes started this week at Camp Bow Wow and Founders Vet. Lots of doggies getting some learning in for the holidays. It never stops amazing me how effective this whole positive reward thing is. The dog's catch on so fast and we can correct problem behaviors so quickly. Why would anyone do anything else?

Hard to believe Halloween is just around the corner. Make sure to pick up your dog's costume before all the good ones are gone.

Letting Go...

Robbie Goes Solo


Robbie did his first solo class last night at Camp Bow Wow. All reports are that it well very well and there was a lot of learnin' going on. It was hard to stay away... but I was at a friend's birthday party so it forced me not to hover. I am the quintessential helicopter parent.

Kudos to Robbie on his next big step to crazy world of dog training. I thought I would have scared him off by now. Well, if hanging out with me doesn't scare him I guess nothing will. "Good boy, good boy."

Basic Manners Is Now In Long Beach

Basic Manners Class
at Chewsy Dog
in Long Beach

This Sunday October 11
noon - 1pm

Teaches you how to teach your dog to be a well-mannered member of the family. All you need are some treats, a leash, a hungry dog and a sense of humor helps.

Classes Starting Soon

I have a bunch of new classes starting this week and next. Shoot me an email for more info. Upcoming classes include:

• Pee Wee Puppy
• Basic Manners
• Intro To Agility
• Canine Good Citizen

Classes all meet once a week for 6 weeks and are from $95 to $115.

Get In The Dog ZOne

The Dog Zone is premiering next Monday, yeah! I'm so excited I hope you all enjoy it and get some information out of it that you can really use to help your dog. Please let me know if you have any ideas for new shows.

The podcast for this show and following shows are available at my website my-zen-dog.com