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Your pups problem here does not lie with the toe nail trim, they probably have an issue with handling. We have a 2 step solution to this situation.
First things first we need to get your dog very use to his paws in your hands. Doing this will take treats, time & patience.
We need to pair a thing your dog thinks is negative (holding their paws and toes) with something positive treats and praise.
Grab a paw, give a treat.
Grab a paw, give a treat.
Grab a paw, play with toes and give a treat.

This will take time but it is well worth it. Eventually you will see your pup raise their paw to your hand in anticipation of a treat.

Then we are ready for step 2. Trimming toe nails while pairing with the treat. This will either take 3 hands or your pup eating treats off the ground or chair. Very easy to make them at least tolerate toe nail trims.

Conor Davis, - Technology Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Short answer is yes. It will probably take a little longer than doing it with a puppy because the older dog will be more set in their was but it is possible.
Its all about consistency. As long as you have it the dog will follow as long they don’t have anything medically wrong with them (that’s another question all together).

Conor Davis, - Technology Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

There is usually an underlying problem at play here.

Answer me a quick question….How many times have you opened your dog’s mouth and done something they feel is positive? Im guessing rarely if ever, so that means almost every time you have handled your pups mouth it was negative (in their minds at least).

So we have to go back and teach our dog that its positive when we have to open their mouths. We do this by simply opening it and tossing a treat in, letting them nibble a treat while you pull a lip open and look at their teeth. After they start to associate good things with your hands coming to their mouths we can start adding back in the toothbrush. At first simply feed them treats while the brush is in your hand, then move to getting them eating a treat while you pull up a lip and put the brush in.

It may take a while to get from step to step but don’t rush it, we are building trust and respect (must be earned, not taken).

Conor Davis, - Technology Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

First we need you to be realistic with your breed of dog. If you have a non retrieving breed it will not be easy to make this happen, but its not impossible.

First we need to build the retrieving drive, second we will make sure they bring the toy back to us.

The best way to increase drive is to not play this game for long, always quit when they still want to play. Grab their favorite toy or ball and toss it down a hallway or into a corner where the only options they have are to go to the toy and then straight back to you. Repeat using a treat to make them sit and release the toy to your hand. When you get better head outside with a long line to help reinforce the good behaviors. As your pup gets better and in a sit and wait to the beginning, this gives you complete control over the game.

A successful game should look like this: Pup sits and waits, you throw toy, you release dog with its ok, they run to toy, they run back and sit in front of you, pup releases toy into your hand.

Conor Davis, - Technology Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

This is a very common problem. Put yourself in their paws for a minute. A loud machine that appears sporadically from a closet is then pushed all over the house sucking up everything on the floor, then disappears back into the closet. I would bark and be scared also.

Bring the vacuum out leave it in the open for the pup to investigate. Put your pups food bowl beside it (with it turned off) and let them eat beside it. Put a few treats on it and let them eat them off, slowly move it around with the power off. When they start to not be alarmed by the sight, put on their leash and collar and hold them beside with you while its running. Repeat the above steps until they become comfortable around it. It will not be a quick fix but its is fixable.

Damian Davis, - Operations Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

It sounds like your dog is engaging in separation fun! Have you granted her freedom too soon?

My best answer is to confine her so she can’t chew. Listen to our podcast on chewing. You can try spraying where she is chewing but she will probably just move on to something else.

Remember that attempting to discipline when you come home will not help. Review our podcast on effective discipline. Your dog is a good candidate for daycare!

Damian Davis, - Operations Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

I love this question!

Start by noticing the type of toy your puppy enjoys carrying. Choose one of these toys and name it like Bear.  Stand facing a corner about three feet from the wall. Toss the toy in to the corner saying ‘get Bear’. The corner encourages your pup to return to you. Praise and repeat 2 more times then allow your puppy to play with the toy.

After 3 days of practice change to a new toy and name it. Every 2-3 days add a new toy with a name. Then add your shoe with a name. You will be amazed how many objects your pup can learn. Do not allow your pup to play with your shoe! Please let us know how many names your puppy learns!

Damian Davis, - Operations Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Barking is the symptom of a deeper issue. The first step is to ask yourself ‘why is my dog barking’?

She may be guarding her home or calling for you. She might just enjoy barking.

Does she bark when you are home? Teach her what quiet means by saying ‘quiet’ when she is and giving her a treat. When she is barking say ‘quiet’. Reward her when she looks at you quietly.
Teach the ‘leave it’ command for territory barking. Listen to our podcast on Barking and Leave It.

Make sure that barking does not earn rewards, such as getting out of her kennel, getting the ball thrown or going for a walk. Ask her to be ‘quiet’ then do things as her reward.

Increase your Dog’s activity level. A good run before you leave the house is good for both of you.

Consider taking your dog to daycare instead of leaving her at home. Be sure to choose a daycare that discourages barking! Try leaving a radio on playing classical music. Television is not a good idea as the flashing lights, sound effects, and emotions in the voices can agitate your dog.

Consider using a bark collar. A citronella collar sprays citronella as your dog barks. If you choose an electronic bark collar get the one that reacts to vocal cord vibration. The cheap ones usually work with a microphone that can be activated by other noises. Using these devices is like putting a band-aid on a broken leg since you are not addressing the cause of the barking. But it beats getting evicted!

Damian Davis, - Operations Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Engage your dog in games that exercise her mind as well as her body.

Hide and seek is my dog’s favorite. She enjoys using her nose to find me. She also enjoys playing ‘Find It’. I hide toys and treats and ask her to find them.

Be careful with using laser lights to exercise your dog. If you do this have the light stop on a treat or toy for your dog. Since your dog can’t catch the light she can become agitated and frustrated.

Listen to our podcast on good games to play for more ideas. Tug of war is not a bad game if you are willing to learn the rules. You will find the rules in this podcast. It is better to tug up and down instead of side-to-side when you play. When I recorded the podcast I said never let your dog win. You can let your dog win sometimes.

Damian Davis, - Operations Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Bringing your dog to daycare is the best way to help them enjoy boarding for any period of time.

The dogs that hate boarding are the ones that rarely do it.
Coming and going and having fun relieves the stress and anxiety of being away from you. Crate training your dog is helpful as well as teaching them to relieve themselves on leash. Feed your dog on a schedule so that she is comfortable with eating 2 or 3 times a day instead of grazing.

Listen to our podcast on choosing the best daycare facility.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

We have a podcast on traveling with your dog. It is wise to secure your dogs in your vehicle either in crates or with seat belt harnesses.

Make sure the place you are going allows multiple dogs. Teach your dogs the commands they will need separately. Then practice with all of your dogs together. You will need a command to eliminate, loose leash walking, wait, come, off, leave it, and settle down as the bare minimum to enjoy your trip.

Take a copy of their vaccinations and medical records just in case you need to see a veterinarian on your travels. Please contact us if you have specific question that we have not addressed and enjoy your trip!

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Nothing. You can slow it down or make the hair shorter but if you don’t have a non shedding breed it will continue.

Getting their hair cut short will make it look like shedding has stopped but it will just be lots of short hair.

You can keep them constantly brushed and their coat blown out but that just means your trash can has all the shedding in it. You could give them products that say stop shedding, some work ok some not at all.

There are a few combs and brushed that promise less shedding and some do work when used by someone that knows what they are doing but most don’t work. If your worried about a shedding problem the best thing is to research your breeds before you select one.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

My dogs sleep on the bed!

They have to earn the privilege. My test is if I am lying on the bed and say ‘off’ will she get off the bed. If she will not then she loses her bed privileges for a while

This is also my cue to look at her overall behavior. I get lazy just like you when it comes to training my own dog!

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Tell them about our podcast called picking the best puppy for you.  We are happy to talk with them as well.

We would rather spend hours with someone exploring options then years with them fixing mistakes.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

We have a great podcast series about kids and dogs!

Teach your children the safe to greet dogs. First teach them to approach the owner instead of the dog. Show them how to stop three feet from the dog and ask the owner ‘May I pet your dog?; Then show them how to ask the dog if she agrees with her owner by turning your side to the dog and patting your leg. If the dog approaches pet her under her chin and stop. If she wants more petting she will tell you. If she does not approach then say ‘ beautiful dog’ and walk away.

Please help your children learn to leave a loose dog alone! Teach by your respectful behavior around dogs.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

I am not a veterinarian and this is one of those questions to ask your veterinarian.

Common sense would say that since our ears can be damaged by loud music your dog’s can too.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

People enjoy the company of well-behaved dogs. I love it when someone says I don’t like dogs but I like your dog.

Why would anyone not like dogs? Probably because they do not enjoy being jumped on, licked, barked at, growled at or bitten.

Share your commands with your guests and keep your dog under control.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Great question! First train her to behave!  Teach her the commands she will use at your party. These are ‘off’, ‘leave it’, ‘settle down’ and ‘place’.

Think of training the same way you think about insurance. If you don’t have insurance and you need it then you can’t use it! If you have not taught and practiced commands and concepts with your dog and you need them then you can’t use them.

Once you have taught your dog and practiced have a small ‘dog training’ dinner party. Your guests will understand that you will be working with your dog and asking them to help you. This is a dress rehearsal for the bigger party. Please tell all of your friends where you learned how to have a great dog!

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

The answer is you can’t.

I know that if I make the choice to release my dog I am always with her. It’s not pretty and it’s not easy. I want to be the one to say goodbye.

There are pet grief counselors trained to help you through this tough time. I get another dog before I make this choice. This does not replace my friend but it sure helps me.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

I have had to make this decision several times in my life with my own pets. It is never an easy choice and always comes with many tears. I decide by quality of life – my dog’s and mine. I always just seem to know. That may not help much but you are asking my advice.

I love my dog dearly and spend a good deal of time with each one of them. I know when they are suffering beyond what medicine can help. I also know when they are suffering because they are embarrassed (totally unscientific) when they can no longer go potty in the right place.

I do know that I will not keep my dog around for my benefit. I respect my dog as a dog and I know, as you will know when they no longer really want to be here. God bless.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

YES! The cost of veterinary care is rising. I am not a veterinarian although my father was and my brother is.

Veterinarians do not have the benefit that medical doctors have of central hospitals. That means each veterinarian has to equip and fund his own hospital. That said, they are increasingly referring surgery and internal medical cases to central facilities. Routine veterinary care is costly enough, specialty veterinarians for orthopedic, soft tissue injuries, eye problems, coronary care, neurological problems and skin care just to name a few is expensive.

Most insurance plans really help with these costs. Why would your dog need this care? She might tear an ACL ligament in her knee, or injure her eye, or have a stomach issue that requires special treatment – in short your dog is subject to the same injuries and ailments that we are. Would you be comfortable living without health insurance? Insure your pets – just compare and contrast the companies that offer insurance!

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

There is certainly a wide variety of dog food to choose from. Visit http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com for a great comparison between brands.

Your dog’s stool is a good indicator of how well the food is agreeing with her as well as her weight and coat.  I am not a veterinarian, I can only tell you what I have observed over the years. Loose stools can be a sign of overfeeding and hard dry ones can mean underfeeding.

A good rule of thumb is if your dog has energy, looks good, has good stools and likes her food then you made a good choice!

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Some of my best friends came from the shelter! And some of my biggest challenges as well. Think with your head instead of your heart when you look for a rescue dog.

  Dogs living even in the best shelters are stressed. Some dogs become energized under stress. These are the dogs that are barking, spinning and jumping on the kennel gate. Some dogs shut down under stress, these are the ones that seem calm. Choosing based on kennel behavior is not a reliable choice!

Take the dog outside of her kennel and walk her around. Choose the dog that walks with you with no slinking or crouching. Jumpin gon you is better than trying to get away from you. Without giving it much thought give the dog a bear hug. Don’t want to? Then this is not the dog for you.

There is no such animal as the perfect dog regardless of where they come from. Dogs are living, breathing and dynamic animals. Your dog needs socializing, bonding and training.

Also listen to our podcast on choosing the perfect puppy for more details.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

Is your dog friendly and playful with puppies and small children? If your answer is ‘No’ then find a trainer who can test your dog around a cat. If your dog has a history of chasing or injuring cats then I wouldn’t get one. Before you get the cat do scent mingling to help your dog become familiar with the scent before meeting the cat. Have a helper with you when you let them meet. Be sure your dog is on leash. Review body language so you can read your dog’s intentions.

Consider adopting a 3-5 month old kitten instead of an adult or little baby. This age cat adapts well and socializes easily.

The fact that you asked this question makes me wonder why. Please contact us for specific instructions.

Margaret Davis, - Founder -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

You have found the right website! All of our classes are on line for free or at a reasonable price. We offer extensive on line help as well as phone consultations and Skype sessions.

We are available to help you.

Conor Davis, - Technology Director -
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10 years ago 125 months ago

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