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:
Helping Her Adjust
My four and a half year old goldendoodle, Maddie, has been sleeping with me since she was about three months old. She is non-dominate and very well trained (if I do say so myself!). The issue is that in two months I am getting married, and have conceded to my fiancee that Maddie will not sleep on the bed. I am worried about how the transition will happen and what effect that it will have on her. What I want to avoid is making her feel that she is being punished. So far I have come up with putting her bed next to my side of the bed (that’s where she slept as a puppy before I let her on the bed) and maybe giving her something of mine to sleep with (something she loves to do when I am gone – I often find her with an article of clothing, for example). Is there anything else I can do to ease the transition?
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
This is a simple one! You are doing the exactly what you need to do. I would also suggest that you start the new sleeping arrangement now, so that she is used to sleeping in “her” bed before your new husband arrives! By then, she will be totally used to the new situation and it will be less stressful for everyone.
Please try to not feel guilty about the new sleeping arrangement. Never say “I’m sorry” or “It’s ok!”, as you say that with empathy. Always be upbeat and praise her when she gets in her new bed. Maybe even give her a “night-night” treat when she goes into her bed each night!
Be strong if she gets up on your bed in the middle of the night also! Lead her back to “her” bed and praise her again (no treat) ! Leadership is “consistency and persistency”!
I wish you luck, happiness and health as you start a new chapter in your life!
Tina
MerryMac Dog Training & Nutrition Center
Sprayberry Square Shopping Center
2550 Sandy Plains Road NE, Suite 365
Marietta, GA 30066
Phone: 770-579-3865
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
