Weekly Wednesday #22: Assessing canines for your home

As we search for the "perfect" (term is used loosely for all canine are truly perfect) canine to rescue, there are a few things to keep in mind as we browse shelters. 

How the canine arrived to the shelter is important background knowledge:  This knowledge can change our mind set and we then alter the way we introduce our canines to other humans - especially children and other canine. Think of a dog who was abused vs a dog who was surrendered by his past owner because of relocating... each experience would form a different energy within the canine.

So many times this phrase has been heard as people browse for new pets: Are they house broken?


We must understand that some dogs have been in the shelter for years and some were never introduced to training, a warm bed, or guidance in what humans expect.  This is the best part of rescuing!! We get to implant our routine, love, and training into a sometimes empty soul...whose return investment is always exceedingly high.  

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The shelter can sometimes be a stressful life, so we must keep in mind that the personality of the canine you meet at the shelter, is not the forever ever personality.  If we can picture a stressful job (wink, wink )... see the stressed us vs the vacation us... TOTAL CHANGE right?  It's the same for canines, once we bring them home, get them on a consistent routine - this includes proper meals, exercise, proper socialization, and training - we are bound to see the true canine!

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Never keep your heart closed to experiencing this type of connection.  It's a beautiful thing .... 

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As always, wishing you many happy tails and merry Jingle bells,
Pet Charmer

Weekly Wednesday #21: I smell corn chips, but no one is eating Fritos!

We love them and all they come with!  From the wet noses, to the wagging tails that knock your "what-nots" off the table, to the corn chip smell of their feet (or ears).  Yep, check, check, and CHECK! #puppyparentproblems

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Is this smell a reason to panic?  we owners sometimes panic over foul smells because it can at times indicate infection.  Some sources say the corn chip smell ("Frito Feet") is natural and other sources say a yeast infection is the cause of this smell and suggest a change in your canine's diet and a trip to the vet.

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Canines sweat through the paw pads, sweat mixed with dirt and who knows what else... can cause bacteria and fungi (yeast) to grow; the build up is trapped between the toes or in the furn between the toes. -This is what many refer to as natural "canine B.O.".
If the smell is bothersome, regular baths and trimming of the hair between the canine's toes can help.

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On the other hand, if the corn chip smell is coupled with obsessive licking at the feet, ears and folds of skin then this could indicate something more serious.  Talk with your vet! When a yeast infection is the cause of the smell, your vet can address any concerns.

We want our dogs to perform at their absolute best, so we must pay attention to their health! Take note of any changes in behavior, this is sometimes the first indicator of declining health.

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Wishing you always, many happy tails and merry Jingle bells,
Pet Charmer

Pet Charmer, LLC | Pet Services in Little Rock

Weekly Wednesday #20: Proper forms of Correction

Dog owners can fuss, yell, put our dogs in time out, or use physical correction but are these methods the most effective to get the behavior you want from your canine?

Human psychology does not apply to correcting canine nuisance behaviors.  Improving our knowledge of natural dog behaviors can lessen miscommunication between dog and owner.

Forms of Natural Canine Correction:

Body Blocking

Body Language

Biting

Noises/Sounds

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Forms of Human Correction:

Prison

Death

Fighting/Hitting

Spanking

Time out

Yelling/Screaming

Conversation/Pow-wow

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Here are a few training tips that will help us administer the proper forms of correction to our canine at the proper time.

1. Correction MUST be Immediate. Giving correction after the nuisance behavior is ineffective.  Dogs live in the moment, they will be confused as to which behavior you do not like if the timing of the correction is late.

2. Beware of your intensity! Too harsh of a correction can cause your canine to distrust or fear you.  Make sure the form correction fits the crime.

3. Correct only once with a COMMAND - "Sit", "Quiet", "Down", "Off"... (be sure it is a command that your canine understands) then follow up with praise for obeying your command. No is not a command!

Pet Charmer uses positive reinforcement techniques learned through the training philosophy of Animal Behavior College (ABC).  http://www.animalbehaviorcollege.com/training_philosophy.asp

Positive Reinforcement encourages repeated good/positive behavior.  During times of correction, Pet Charmer uses body movement, vocal sounds "no reward marker" (Eh-Eh), hand clap, finger snap, voice control and known commands to snap the canine out of his/her current behavior.  The canine is then able to refocus and perform the correct behavior.

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Always hoping to gather information that assist our training knowledge!

Happy Training!

Pet Charmer

Weekly Wednesday # 19: What can Pet Charmer dog training do for you?

There are many great dog trainers among us.  Pet Charmer endeavors to follow the excellent examples of the many trail blazers of the dog world.


Pet Charmer was formed from a deep love of people, animal, communication and language.  All of which is important in learning how dogs communicate, dog theory, and applying the knowledge so that it unfolds beautifully in the dog owner's mind.

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Pet Charmer is focused on making training fun and easy for you and your pups.  Do you remember your teachers?  Some left a valuable impression because they made learning fun, others made a similar impression, yet their teaching style was rather dreadful at times.  Dreadful is not the Pet Charmer way!

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Pet Charmer stands with trainers who are knowledgeable in how to observe, communicate, interpret behavior, and care for canine.  Our training and guidance creates a healthy, happy relationship between you and your pooch!

www.pet-charmer.com

Happy Training!
Pet Charmer

Weekly Wednesday #18: Don't just love your pup, LEARN from them.

At first, I began research on why we love our dogs... as the links flew bye, they all seem to match one of the following categories:

• Loyalty
• Companionship
• Fun

I'm sure I am not alone in my thinking.... our relationship with our pets go much deeper.  I attribute an incredible amount of personal growth to my study and work with canine.  My emotional, physical and mental growth buckets are overflowing.



Emotional growth is possible as we care for our intuitive canines, a few areas of growth I have noticed in self:

• More cautious in life
• More patience
• More compassion for those who do not speak our language
• More observant
• Try and try again
• Fair/Good leadership
• Be silly - it's okay
• Forgive - quickly
• Live in the moment

How can we grow physically? Take time to notice how crazy happy our pets are when they are allowed to roam free and be in nature.  I take in so much joy from watching my little girl, Jingle (pictured on the left), as we take walks (leash free) or venture to the dog park... her smile is immediate and lasting. Jingle's uncomplicated routine also impresses me... she has the same meal every day and water.  True canines do not have as many taste buds as humans, nor have they adapted to the foods we eat in order to have cravings for the unhealthy sweets or salty foods.. and I am in control of what she receives, yes, but I look at the simplicity and copy such in my life .  I have vowed to maintain a healthy routine of proper nutrition and exercise, it helps in my keeping up with the fast moving world of our canine.    

Mental growth from our care of canine is also impressive.  Personally, I have become more conscious of the energy I receive and give.  New (to me) knowledge of how canines see the world encouraged this.  Canines don't see objects and label them as "human", "car", "boat", "house", "cat" "bird", "rock","tree" for those are the labels society has created.... the energy of our emotions give off an odor, this odor can be detected by the magnificent nose of the canine; they sense the energy of the object and deal accordingly.


I hope we have been encouraged even more to pay closer attention to our canines... they speak to us in various ways... you never know what you are missing... let us be still...

Happy Training!
Pet Charmer