It is cold outside bring your canine buddies inside!

Cody the little beagle relaxing on one of the dog
pillow beds at the dog training/foster shack.

We are getting some cold weather here in north Georgia (USA). According to WSB Radio ( a very reliable source for forecasts) the low tonight is going to be 13 degrees (F). I know this is not terribly cold to my friends in the northeastern USA but here in the southeast, it feels pretty cold to me! After spending 10 years of my adult life in Southern Florida (USA) I am still not acclimated to cold weather (even after 3 years or so of time back in North Georgia).

The forecast here also calls for "gusty winds". That makes it feel even colder. It is not just us humans who feel cold in this weather. Our canine friends are not used to it either!

These extreme temperatures and gusty winds are dangerous for them as well!

I understand that some of my readers (unlike myself and the Lovely Shane) do not keep their dogs in the house. I ask you all to please bring your little buddies in on nights like tonight!

Also, a word of caution to those of you who, like the Lovely Shane and I, have fenced back yards and let your dogs out from time to time: Please make sure all of your little buddies come back in the house when you open the door and let them in! I know this sounds like a no-brainer but it is easy to forget one of them!

Cody and some of the pack exploring the back yard
in much milder weather.

Our little beagle Cody loves to roam around in the backyard! He has a great time out there! Yesterday afternoon, I let our pack out in the backyard to play. I kept my eye on them checking on them frequently. After about twenty minutes of playtime, I let them back in the house making them wait at the door until I gave them the "okay" phrase to come across the doorway. Somehow, I neglected to let Cody back in the house. The Lovely Shane and I went out to run an errand and did not return for about an hour. It was then that I realized that little Cody was still outside. I felt terrible! I had missed him altogether at the door. He was shivering all over. I let him back in and The Lovely Shane and I put him on our bed and covered him in blankets. He was okay shortly after that. But, had the weather been colder or the time he was outside longer, he could have been hurt.

Now we have begun doing a dog count after they all come in to make certain that all of the pack is safe inside the shack! I urge you to do the same thing! I know that not all of you have as many dogs as we do here (right now , counting fosters we are at 5... sometimes we have 6) but please make sure the whole pack is safe!

It could be worse... this is a snow plow in Denver.
I got caught in a storm like this between Denver and
Cheyenne once when I was a business traveler (many
years ago )

Stay warm and remember if you need help making your little guy or girl a polite dog, please contact me! I always tell you, "Polite Dogs = Happy People", let me help you get happy today!

Till next time

-William

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The importance of regular walks with your dog buddies

I always explain to new students in my classes the importance of taking your dogs on regular walks. Even if you have a fenced back yard for the dog to romp in, it is still important to take them out on the leash for a walk frequently.

There are many different methods and theories regarding dog training today. Many of them disagree and conflict on many aspects however the importance of the walk is one aspect on which most seem to agree.

Those of you who have discussed this with me in the past know that I advocate at least a few minutes of what a I call a "controlled" walk each time you take your buddy out for a walk.

By controlled, I mean that I wait to get the dog calm and preferably in a sit before the walk begins. I keep the dog by my side and he does not get in front of me during the controlled part of the walk. When I stop, I give the wait command and my buddy waits beside me until I am ready to continue. My attitude during this part of the walk is that I am walking and my buddy is lucky enough to come along. 

When you do this loose leash walking properly, your dog will quickly learn to stop when you stop. The wait command is also useful to teach the dog to behave at doorways.

This is also an excellent way to strengthen the bond between you and the dog!

In addition to the training benefits, it is also healthy for you and for your dog. A well exercised dog is less likely to engage in problematic behavior out of boredom. And well, a well exercised person is likely to be in better shape :).

However, before this can work, the dog must know how to walk properly on a leash. You must also know the proper loose leash walking technique. Those of you who have been in my classes know that this is not rocket science but it does not really come natural to either you or your dog buddy.

For dogs that pull on the leash, a no-pull harness or a special martingale collar may be needed at least initially to inhibit the pulling so that the dog can learn the appropriate technique. But again, this is not rocket science either. However, not all no pull devices are appropriate for all dogs. I will be happy to aid you in selecting the proper device.

The picture above is of me and my buddy Cuddles. Cuddles is a 12 year old Corgi Mix. I met Cuddles when I met my wife, Shane. At the point that is pictured in the walk, I am giving Cuddles a little extra leash so that she can explore the terrain of the mountain roadside stop that we made on a trip together.

We spent several days in the Smoky mountains on that trip and Cuddles became a regular mountain dog :).

If your dog does not behave properly on the leash, I will be happy to assist you at anytime simply call me or email me. I strongly encourage you to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity that we all have to bond with our dogs! Take your dog for a walk now.... it will be fun and healthy for you both!


Till next time

-William

678-702-4791

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