Your dog didn’t arrive with an instruction manual. Whether you adopted your dog as a puppy or as an older dog, there is a learning curve to being a dog owner. One of the best ways for you and your dog to learn how to get along, is with dog training. And yes, these dog training lessons apply to you the owner as well. Dog training allows you and your dog to learn a shared language that makes it easier for you to communicate and understand one another. Hint: a few all-natural dog chews can be the ideal reward for good behavior and to aid in dog joint health. Along with this mutual understanding, dog training gives your dog the skills needed to play easily and safely at the dog park, to walk on a public path, to attend a friend’s barbecue, and to travel with you. It’s important to know that dog training isn’t just for puppies. While the key learning period is between three and 14 weeks, your older and even senior dog can learn new behaviors. The key comes down to choosing the right dog trainer for you and your dog. If you have a favorite dog trainer or have some books or other resources you think would help others in the Leaps & Bounds community, please share this information on the Leaps & Bounds Facebook community page. Ask About Dog Training Certification When interviewing and doing your research about dog trainers, make sure you ask about the person’s dog training certification. It’s pretty easy for anyone to create a website and advertise as a dog trainer. Contact organizations such as The Association of Professional Dog Trainers, Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training & Behavior, The Academy for Dog Trainers, or the International Association of Animal Behavioral Consultants, and ask for information about dog trainers in your area. Remember that there are many different types of dog training certification so just because someone is certified, doesn’t mean they’re the right person for you and your dog. Trust your gut instinct and when in doubt, keep looking. Ask For Referrals Along with talking to family and friends who have dogs, remember to ask your veterinarian for her dog trainer recommendations. When you do meet with a dog trainer, ask for some references and do follow up with these. You can learn a lot from the first-hand experience of others. Ask the references about the class size, the pace of the training, how dogs were disciplined, what their dog learned, and if they would recommend this dog trainer. Find Out About The Dog Training Philosophy The understanding of how best to train dogs has evolved over the years, moving from the dominance-centric approach to the more common positive reinforcement approach. It’s important that you discuss the philosophy behind the dog trainer’s approach. When looking for positive reinforcement dog trainer, ask the following key questions:

• How do you use positive reinforcement?
• How do you avoid using intimidation, physical punishment, or fear to train dogs?
• What are your thoughts on dominance training?
• How do you think and approach training from the dog’s point of view?

Don’t be shy to ask follow-up questions and to really drill down into how you and your dog will be taught and the logic behind this teaching process. Remember, that you want the best for your dog, and this means that you have the right to choose a dog trainer who makes you and your dog feel comfortable and safe. Ask To Attend A Dog Training Class Before enrolling in a dog training class or session, ask to attend a class. The first time, come alone so you can pay attention to how the trainer interacts with the dogs and their owners. At your next visit, bring your dog and pay close attention to how your dog responds to the dog trainer’s voice, body language, and mannerisms. Remember, your dog is very perceptive and might react to a situation or person very differently from you. You want to make sure that your dog feels at ease in the dog training setting and does not hide or act aggressively in response to the dog trainer. Take a few moments to talk to the other people in the class about their experiences and how their dog is reacting to the training. If the dog trainer is hesitant to let you attend a class or to talk to the other students, this is a warning sign that this likely isn’t the right training environment for you and your dog. Know What You Want From The Dog Training Sessions Think about why you want or need dog training. Are you trying to teach your new puppy basic behaviors such as walk, sit, lie down, fetch and key socialization skills? Do you have a dog who has recently started acting out and want some help with this new behavior? Or maybe you have adopted a senior dog who has never had any training and you want to teach your senior dog how to walk on a leash or to respond to your voice. Trust In Your Dog Trainer Decision You should never ever feel pressured into signing up with a dog trainer. Trust your instincts and choose the dog trainer that you feel most comfortable with. Above all else you want to choose a dog trainer that you would happily recommend to your friends and family. And don’t forget that if you sign up for classes, and you sense unease in your dog or you’re not happy with how the classes are being run – you can find another dog trainer. Just like choosing the right school for your kids, choosing the right dog trainer is critical in your relationship with your dog. We’d love to hear from you about your experiences with dog training. Please share with us on our Leaps & Bounds Facebook community page, telling us about what you look for in a dog trainer and if you have any suggestions on how to choose the right dog trainer.

You love your dog and want to give your beloved pet the best life possible. Your dog loves to walk, play, run, and eat. So you indulge your dog however and whenever you can. Taking long adventurous walks in nature and having an extra helping of dog food or favorite treat – all seems to make your dog smile. However, often many of us are susceptible to giving our dog too much of the good things. In other words, feeding our dogs too much. Just as being overweight contributes to health problems in humans, the same is true for our dogs. When your dog is overweight, a number of health problems can occur including joint health issues, mobility concerns, breathing issues, and a lack of energy. We want you and your dog to enjoy a long life together and this means you need to be proactive about your dog’s health. There are lots of factors about your dog’s health that you can’t control, but weight is one that is definitely within your control. Give your dog the best life possible – keep the extra pounds off and watch your dog move easily and live longer. How to Know if Your Dog is Overweight Before you do anything with respect to your dog’s weight, we urge you to contact your veterinarian. Get a thorough assessment from your veterinarian and do discuss weight management with your vet. If your veterinarians suggests you monitor your dog’s weight or that your dog is overweight, you can do some simple home review to monitor you dog’s weight and shape.

• Feel your dog’s backbone and ribs. If it’s hard to feel your dog’s backbone and ribs, this can be a sign that your dog is overweight.
• Look at your dog from the side. Look for a sagging stomach – this is an indicator that your dog is carrying extra weight.
• Look at your dog from above. When you look at your dog from above, you should see that your dog has inward curves between the back of the rib cage and hips. If you don’t see what looks like a natural waist, this can indicate your dog is overweight.
• Weigh your dog. Your veterinarian can give you guidelines on a healthy weight range for your dog. Your veterinarian will consider your dog’s age, breed, and overall health condition when giving you this healthy weight range.

Along with physical indicators, there are some dog lifestyle habits that can indicate that your dog is overweight. Pay attention to how easily your dog moves, his overall energy levels, his breathing, desire to play or walk, and overall health. Just like humans, when your dog is overweight, his entire lifestyle can be compromised. How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight It’s very important that you do not undertake a weight loss plan for your dog without first consulting your veterinarian. Remember, dogs are not humans – so you must approach your dog’s weight loss with a different mindset. We’ve put together some general recommendations on how you can help your dog lose and maintain his weight – however, do not follow these blindly without first consulting your veterinarian. Some breeds have a propensity to gain weight or to have a bigger heftier shape. Discuss this with your veterinarian. As well, talk to your veterinarian about tips for maintaining or losing weight for your senior dog – remember, your senior dog likely won’t be able to increase his exercise or might have other health concerns to consider.

• Exercise. The benefits of daily exercise for your dog are overwhelming. Integrate regular walks, play time, and games into your dog’s daily life. Your dog’s energy levels will increase. His joint health will improve by strengthening his muscles, joints, and ligaments. Your dog’s mood will improve thanks to the stimuli that comes from being outdoors and playing games. And to top it off, regular exercise can help your dog lose weight. Remember, don’t rush into an aggressive exercise routine. If your dog is overweight, you have to take things slowly and ease him into his new exercise patterns. Be careful that you’re not putting too much stress on his joints, breathing, or overall health with too much exercise. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to get started with a healthy and sustainable dog exercise program.
• Food. Just like humans, dogs like to eat. Discuss portion control with your veterinarian and follow the recommended guidelines that will help your dog lose weight at a healthy rate. Crash diets don’t work for humans and they definitely don’t work for dogs. Remember, your dog needs to eat to have the energy to go out for walks, to play tag, and to function on a daily basis. Never ever withhold food or skip meals. Discuss the best ways to manage your dog’s food intake with your veterinarian. Don’t forget, that like humans, dogs eat when bored – so make sure you’re giving your dog the toys and attention he needs to be engaged and interested.
• Treats. There is nothing quite like a treat. Pay attention to the number of treats you give your dog. Consider switching to an all-natural dog chew that serves double-duty as a reward and a natural joint supplement. Think about cutting treats in half – this way your dog is still getting a reward but just a little bit less. Try substituting different types of rewards – such as an extra cuddle, a new toy, or a nice relaxing brush.

Your dog is your best friend. Your dog relies on you to care for his health and well-being, therefore it’s up to you to make sure your dog is living his best life possible. If you’re concerned about your dog’s weight or have noticed behavioral changes that indicate a health problem – talk to your veterinarian before making any changes. A healthy dog is a happy dog – give your dog the best health possible.

Ah, there is nothing quite like spring. You’ve got your windows open, the green grass is back, and the kids are outside playing. It’s the ideal time to get outside with your dog and enjoy the warm weather, longer days, and funky spring smells. However, we do want to remind you that with this new season comes some hidden dangers and threats to your very curious dog. Whether your dog is a senior dog or an energetic young puppy, it’s highly likely that they’ll dig up some trouble this spring. We want you to get your dog outside and even when possible let him run off-leash for some extra joint-building exercise – but remember that with the melting snow comes the potential for injury and hazards. To help you and your beloved dog get the most out of the springtime weather and this almost-summer feeling, we’ve put together a list of potential threats and caution zones for you and your dog. Now, we don’t want you stressing needlessly and keeping your dog from following his nose, but remember the snow covered up a lot of garbage, junk, and other potential hazards. Watch Your Windows and Patio Doors We’ve all done it, we’ve opened our unscreened windows and patio doors and forgotten about our curious dog. Please make sure that all of your windows and patio doors have secure and sturdy screens in place. Repair any rips and tears and make sure your energetic puppy cannot blast through the screen with a speedy run. Practice Safe Driving In the winter, we relax our driving a bit and let our dogs enjoy the freedom of the backseat without being buckled in. Now that you’re driving with your windows down or sunroof open, make sure your dog is securely buckled into the car. Either keep your dog in a special crate designed for automobiles or use a seatbelt harness – this keep your dog safe and give you confidence that an accident won’t happen. Please do not put your dog in the bed of your pickup – this is extremely dangerous and can be quite terrifying for your dog. If in doubt, leave your dog at home where he is safe and secure. Dog Safe Gardening There’s nothing better than spring gardening season. You get to dig in the dirt and plan for a summer of growing and blooming. When thinking about the plants and flowers for your garden, remember that your dog might have a penchant for some garden snacking. Before purchasing flowers, plants, and bushes – talk to your greenhouse staff about safety concerns for your dog. For example, rhododendron and azaleas are highly toxic to dogs and can be fatal if eaten. Slow and Steady Wins the Race You’re eager to get out for some long dog walks and runs. Your dog is tugging at the leash, asking to keep walking and to run a little bit faster. But remember, you’ve just spent the winter taking shorter and slower walks – so make sure you increase the pace and distance of your dog walks gradually. You don’t want to get injured and you don’t want your dog to get injured. Seasonal Allergies Just like us humans, our dogs can experience seasonal allergies. Be aware of any extra scratching, licking, chewing, or coughing. These can all be signs that your dog is dealing with seasonal allergies. Take your dog in for a visit with your veterinarian – do not self-diagnose and give your dog over-the-counter allergy medication. Hydrate and Stay Cool Yes, even in the spring the temperatures can creep up to a level where you need to be extra attentive to your dog’s hydration and body temperature. If you’re going out for a long hike or romp in the park, bring a collapsible dog bowl with you and encourage your dog to drink up. Pay attention to your dog’s energy levels and if he’s flagging, take a break from playing and walking. This is a great time to have a natural dog chew and slow down a bit. Ticks, Fleas and Other Bugs Spring is peak tick and bug season. Take your dog into the veterinarian for an update on his shots and any heartworm, tick, and flea prevention protocols. After each walk give your dog a thorough check-over for ticks and other bugs. If you do find a tick, carefully remove it and safely take into your veterinarian so it can be assessed for Lyme Disease. Puddles, Garbage, and Other Springtime Hazards Your dog loves to explore and follow his nose. We want you to encourage these natural tendencies but please keep a close eye on what your dog is digging up, rolling in, drinking from, and eating. Do not let your dog drink from puddles and other stagnant water. Do not let your dog eat anything he drags from the woods or finda along the sidewalk. The bacteria risk and potential for accidental poisoning is a huge risk with anything that your dog wants to eat or drink during your outdoor adventures. Dog Park Safety Your dog loves the dog park. You love the dog park. However, with the start of a new dog park season, remember to keep an eye on the other dogs at the dog park. Be on the look-out for any dogs that are bullying or playing too rough. As well, make sure your dog is playing safely. Keep an eye on the dog park gate – it takes just a split second for the gate to be open and for your dog or any other dog to make a speedy escape. Your Spring Dog Safety Tips We want to hear from you. Tell us how you maximize spring while ensuring that your dog remains safe and sound. Your dog’s health and mobility is vitally important, so by being extra careful you can make sure your dog has a fun and active spring and summer. Visit the Leaps & Bounds Facebook community page and tell us how you get the most out of spring. Photo byAvi RichardsonUnsplash