We are bringing the same commitment to helping people with their dogs and puppies.  Obedience training, behavior consultations, and entertaining activities with the family dog.

The in-home training program is new and exciting. It offers something for everyone if you are looking for a little direction and coaching, or you are looking for help getting the dog trained while your working and taking care of your other commitments.

We are partnering with Great Canines of Mount Airy to start “The Positive Dog Trainers” a training club in Frederick MD.  For everyone that is looking for quality group class training, to people looking for opportunities to spend quality recreational time with their dogs and puppies.

I am looking forward to working with Montgomery County Parks and Recreation to bring snifferdog sport to the community.  Snifferdog sport is a recreational activity that you can do with the family and the dog.

Give me a call or send an email anytime I’m always happy to chat about your dog!

Laura

lauratotis@gmail.com

(410)236-2788

There are a lot of reasons for dogs to dig.

• Some dogs dig to escape the yard so they can go on to bigger and more exciting things.
• Some dogs dig because they are bored and it is something industrious to do to pass the day.
• Some dogs dig because they are hot and it is instinctive to dig down to the cooler damp dirt.
• Some dogs dig because they are hunting  (the girls pictured are hunting moles from the yard. They had a field day with the 17-year cicadas!).
• Unfortunately, most dogs simply dig because it is fun! Digging falls into those ‘instinctive’ behaviors that are difficult to actually make go away.

what is causing the dog to dig, and we might have some success redirecting him to a prefered activity. Some suggestions to start:

• If the dog is digging to escape or out of boredom. let’s give him some alternative things to do in the yard. Perhaps he is not a dog that likes being outside alone, so don’t leave him outside unattended for long periods of time. Alternatively, make time in the yard more exciting for the dog. Try adding a playmate (okay, a second dog is extreme, especially since you may well end up with two dogs digging to get out!). Put toys in the yard and rotate them so there is something different in the yard every day. Interactive toys, buster cubes, or treat balls may keep him entertained for a while. Hide favorite toys or part of the dog’s meal in Kongs around the yard for him to find. In short, make the yard more entertaining for your dog.
• For dogs that are hot, provide shade and access to cooler areas. Maybe even provide your pooch with a wading pool (the pool can also provide more entertainment in the yard).
• Dogs that are hunting are tough! If it is moles, they are generally in the yard because they are eating grubs. The solution is to get rid of the grubs,and the moles will move on. It may take some of the motivation out of digging. Poison is usually NOT advised for moles, as the goal is to stop the digging not make the dog sick.
• For dogs that dig just for the heck of it (because they can!), or because they are driven to embrace the notion ”If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” … provide them with a sand box area they are actually allowed to dig in. You can designate an area simply by taking a spade and turning over some dirt. Or, get that kiddie pool full of sand. Hide some prizes for the dog to find when he digs and treat it like housetraining. Watch the dog, and as soon as he digs in the wrong place, stop him and move him to the correct place where you then encourage him to dig.

when you plant or do any kind of landscaping that fresh turned earth will be an open invitation to dig, so limit your dogs access to those areas.

You thought you were getting a puppy … a soft and lovable bundle of fur. Instead, you got a miniature fuzzy alligator. This little land shark is leaving you a bloody pin cushion full of puppy teeth holes!

The good news is that most puppies outgrow the insistent need to have you in their mouth at all times when the baby teeth fall out and the adult teeth come in. That is the good news. Having said that, let me give you the bad news first! All puppies don’t read the books about what they are supposed to do, so there are always exceptions to every rule. The other bit of bad news is that although the mouthing of your body may now be over, the destructive chewing of your house and all your worldly goods has just begun.  Unfortunately, that lasts a lot longer than the few months you just survived as the puppy’s chew toy.

Following are some exercises for your biting puppy while you are waiting for those baby teeth to fall out.

1. When playing with your puppy, put toys on a short line so the toy the baby is grabbing a hold of is NOT an extension of your arm. This is good especially if children are playing, as we really want the pup to understand there is a difference between people and toys.
2. As an obedience exercise (yes, even baby-babies can learn obedience!), dab a tiny drop of peanut butter or squeeze cheese onto the back of your hand. As he is licking it off say, “Kiss-kiss … Good kiss kiss…” until you can present your hand, arm, foot, etc., and tell the little guy “kiss kiss” for him to lick. Then, whenever you feel teeth on you, simply freeze.  Don’t move, and tell the pup, “No teeth … kiss-kiss.”
3. Put an appropriate chew object into your pup’s mouth, and as he chews, you hold onto the other end. A lot of biting has nothing to do with chewing. It is all about interaction. At the Dog Day Care (DDC), pups always have parts of each other in their mouths. It is how they play and socialize. So to the puppy, this toy actually becomes an extension of your arm. This exercise is good for quiet time with you and him.

These three tips should get you started.  For more information on our in home puppy consultations call 410-236-2788.