Advice
Need advice from a trainer or vet? Ask our experts, any doggie-related question, by filling out the form at the bottom of the page and we'll help you keep your doggie's tail waggin'!
Featured Experts:
Tina McCain, CMDT (Georgia Certified Master Dog Behaviorist/Trainer)
Tina has been successfully training dogs for over 30 years. She is a graduate of a Georgia accredited Post Secondary Dog Trainer's Vocational institute.
After six years of comprehensive training, Tina graduated in 1998 as a Master Dog Behaviorist / Trainer. Currently, she is one of only three graduates in Georgia with a Master Dog Behaviorist / Trainer certification.
Tina owns
Merry Mac Dog Training and Nutrition Center.
The Latest Advice:
Jumping Dogs
I don’t mind the dog jumping on me when I walk in the door, but my wife says if I let the dog jump on me then it is hard to teach her to not jump on anyone else. Do we have to be consistent either “no jump” or just let her jump on everyone? OR is it OK for me to allow it and then just tell her “no jump” for other people??
Thanks!
Mike
Hi Mike,
You do have to be consistent with teaching not to jump on people, because if the dog is allowed to jump on you it will not understand why it can’t jump on everyone. I would suggest you teach the dog to not jump “at all”, unless given the command to jump.
Jumping is the number one complaint I get from doggie moms and dads. I like to teach a dog to “sit” whenever the dog is greeting anyone. One you accomplish a reliable “sit, then, and only then, teach a separate “jump” command when you want the dog to jump on you. If it does not get the “jump” command, then jumping is not permitted.
Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770-579-3865
Too Late for Training
Is it every too late to put my dog in a training class?
Shawn
Shawn,
Simply – No! It is never too late to do training!
Obviously young puppies greatly benefit from training. It provides rules, boundaries and discipline whereby a puppy can grow up into a confident, well adjusted dog. Training teaches dogs how to be dogs in a human world.
Sometimes a training class teaches the humans stewards more than the dog! Training teaches how to consistently communicate with your dog. Training teaches people leadership. I find that too many people do not take the role of leader in the house as seriously as they should, and then the dog flounders. Dogs look for and need leaders of the pack. If they cannot find good leadership, the dog will take over the house and then you can run into behavioral problems. As humans we should be their leader first and a friend second.
I ran a rescue group for eight years and I always have recommended that a re-homed dog, regardless of age, should go through a basic training class. Whether or not the dog had training in their previous life, having the new family go through training with the new dog will help enhance good leadership relationships in the new home. It will also reinforce those consistent communication skills and provide structure in the new environment.
A group training class will also provide a safe place for your dog to socialize; and, the other dogs and people in the class will be good distractions for training.
We all like spending time with our dogs. That is usually one reason we have one or more. Training should be fun and is a great family project!
So go have some fun. It is a very worthwhile investment!
Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770-579-3865
Holiday Stress
Do dogs feel stressed at the holidays?
Nicholas
Nicholas,
Dogs certainly can feel stressed at the holidays. But they obviously don’t stress for the same reasons we stress. What our canine companions can stress from is our reactions to the busy season. We all have so much more to do; shopping, entertaining, wrapping, decorating, etc., and, with all those additional activities, it stresses us more than normal. Anytime we are stressed or anxious, the dogs will feel the energy from your emotions. And, just like people, all dogs react differently to those energies, anxiousness, and emotions.
I find that when I get so busy and feel I am being pulled in many directions, it helps me , as well as my dogs, to just STOP for a few minutes. Even if I have a thousand things to do, I take the time to sit down on the floor with my dogs. I play with them, I pet and love on them. I find it relaxes me as much as it does my dogs. It has even been proven that petting a pet can lower your blood pressure. I feel better because I gave my dogs some one-on-one time and I know they enjoyed that personal time with me.
I actually make it a point to STOP every day, either in the morning or before we go to bed, to play with my dogs. Life gets so crazy and the days just seem to fly by, so take the moment! You will both be glad you did!
Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770-579-3865
Weighing in on Table Scraps
Most people don’t believe in feeding their dogs table scraps, but if I have left over fish skin (non seasoned) or roasted veggies then I do put these into the dog’s bowl. Is that terrible?
Shelley
Shelley,
Table food can be a great way to add variety to a dog’s diet, contrary to what we were all taught.
It is important to remember that there are certain foods which are not appropriate for dogs, i.e. chocolate, macadamia nuts, most seasonings, etc. Be sure that you don’t feed from the table and instead, put them in the dogs bowl and serve them on the floor where your dog normally eats his/her meals.
If you are old enough to remember, until about 40 – 50 years ago, there were no commercial dog’s foods. The dogs ate the scraps of what we didn’t eat at a particular meal, or two. Just make sure you are giving your dog healthy choices, no fried foods, potato chips, etc.
Tina
Tina McCain
Master Dog Trainer/Behaviorist
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Phone (770) 579-3865
Fax (770) 579-4470
http://www.merrymacdogtraining.com
Going Through the Door
I have a dog that about goes through the door when someone walks by, comes to the porch, etc. He stops barking if I say “no bark”, but how can I get him to not have such a reaction? I see other dogs that just lie quietly by the door and watch us walk by, how can I get Max to do the same?
Katie
Hi Katie,
One of the reasons most people have dogs is for alerting us when someone is around. And it is very normal when they do bark to notify us. If your dog gets quiet when you ask him to, that is great! Good job!
However, if your dog “goes through the door”, then you might consider some behavior modification to help resolve the intensity of the reaction.
I would recommend that when you are home and supervising your dog, have him wear/drag a leash around, so when a situation arises where is trying to “go through the door”, you can grab the leash and pull him back away from the door until he calms himself. Make sure your praise him when he gets calm and quiet. You may have to repeat this several times before you see an improvement, but as with everything training, practice makes perfect.
There are some other tools we can use if you need help beyond the above. If so, please be sure to give me a call and we can set up an appointment.
Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770-579-3865
