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Category Archives: Puppy Training
Friday Fun Dog Facts – Celebrating Mother’s Day for Dogs
In celebration of Mother’s Day this weekend, this Friday’s Fun Dog Facts we pay homage to our dog’s mothers as well. 
Pregnancy
A human mom may carry her baby for 9 months. But things happen more quickly for dogs. Their gestation period is only 9 weeks (or 63 days). Puppies, however, may be delivered between 58 and 68 days.
After a female dog is bred it’s a wait and watch game for awhile. There are no kits with blood or urine tests readily available for pet owners. The earliest possible time of diagnosis may be as long as 26-35 days after breeding. At that time a vet will usually be able to detect pregnancy by feeling the abdomen. At 45 days an x-ray can help to determine the number of puppies.
During pregnancy, an expectant female dog may show some behavioral changes, especially in the last few weeks of pregnancy. She may become restless, seek seclusion, and as the time gets closer she may soil in the house. Shredding paper, blankets and bedding is also common in her attempt to build a “nest” in preparation for the upcoming arrivals. Some dogs can become irritable the last two or so weeks so it’s best to give the soon-to-be mom her space.
The Puppies’ Arrival
The size of a dog’s litter depends on factors like the breed of dog, the age of the mom, and the number of previous litters. Currently, a Neapolitan Mastiff holds the world’s record of giving birth to 24 puppies in January 2005. Yikes! That’s a lot of mouths to feed!
For the first couple of weeks after they are born a mother dog will rarely leave her babies’ sides. She will likely only leave the whelping box for potty breaks and a few quick meals during the day. Other than that, she will be nursing, cleaning up after, and otherwise caring for her pups.
When puppies are 2 to 3 weeks old their eyes and ears will begin to open. As they begin to play and explore, mom’s responsibilities become less about feeding and warmth and more about ensuring the puppies safety and teaching them proper behavior. Up until they are about 6 weeks old, she will give them her nearly constant attention
Typically puppies will stay with their mom until they are between 7 and 8 weeks old. In some states in the US it’s actually illegal to place a pup in a new home before 8 weeks. This period of time with mom and the littermates is crucial in helping to teach the puppy about boundaries and proper behavior. They will learn things like bite inhibition, confidence, and respect at this time from mom and their siblings.
Let’s here it for the hard working moms in the dog world!
Stay tuned for more Friday Fun Dog Facts next week!
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Teach Your Dog to Go Away – My Favorite of the Dog Training Commands
When teaching the dog training commands don’t forget “Place”!
Everybody wants their dog to come to them. But it is equally important to go away sometimes!
The fact is, for a dog to be well balanced they should understand three actions:
- To come to you
- To hold still
- And to go away
Check out my video to learn more about my favorite of the dog training commands – “Place”.
Which of the dog training commands is your favorite?
Be sure to share your dog training stories below! And if you have a picture of your dog on a fun “Place” command I’d love to see it. Please post it on my Facebook Wall
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
Please Help Me Keep My New Year’s Resolutions to My Puppy
I included my puppy, Nellie, in my New Year’s Resolutions. I’d like to share this list with you as a sort of accountability. Will you help me keep my resolutions this year?
1. Nellie, I resolve not to get mad at you for my management failures. For example, when you grab the end of the TP and run through the house at 7 A.M. I know you how much energy you have in the morning. Me? I have trouble getting my lazy self out of bed. I promise to either get up and exercise you or shut the bathroom door. It’s my fault, not yours.
2. When I have only 30 min before work and I have the choice of playing on Facebook or taking you for a walk, I’ll choose the walk. It’s better for the both of us.
3. I promise to ALWAYS keep you in a crate or seat belt in the car. I know that you like to look out and as you get bigger I might be tempted to let you stick your head out of the window. But I am a human and you are a dog. I am smarter and I know better. I don’t want you to be a projectile missile if I have a fender-bender. I have also heard too many stories of dogs missing who were scared and ran off after an accident. You may not enjoy the ride as much. But I vow to get you to our destination safely.
4. I resolve to teach you one REALLY cool dog trick or behavior each month. I know that you love to be the center of attention. It’s only fair that I teach you something that you’ll enjoy doing because it will put you in the limelight and earn you extra treats.
5. I promise not to buy you any more squeaky toys. This one is more for me than you. But it’s not fair for me to give you a toy only to take it away because it’s so annoying.
6. Nellie, you and I are ambassadors for dogs and owners everywhere. As a responsible dog owner I will make sure that you are always polite and well mannered in public. I will not allow you to run up to people or other dogs without permission. I will always clean up after you. Dogs all over the world will benefit from our scrupulous behavior. Out-of-control and rude dogs can affect the rights that all dogs have in public places.
7. I resolve never to fake throw. Enough said.
8. I resolve to (sometimes) spoil you. As a dog trainer I know that I have the tendency to expect too much, to never give in, and to be stingy with treats and affection. I promise to sometimes give you treats for no reason and to spend some time snuggling every day. Just because.
9. I will be sure to always keep you safe and healthy. This means micro-chipping, regular trips to the veterinarian, healthy, nutritious dog food, and plenty of exercise.
10. Nellie, I appreciate that you are a wonderful and magnificent dog. I acknowledge you for who you are. You are not a human, not my child, not my fur-baby. I am your owner, not your guardian or pet-parent. I vow to be a good leader and to never disrespect you by considering you as anything but the glorious dog you are. I would never want anybody to treat me as something or somebody different than I am. I want the same for you.
I say it’s going to be a great year!
Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions for you and your dog? I’d love to help you keep your promises. Please comment and share below.
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Dogs and Thunder – Don’t Let Your Puppy Become a “Scaredy Dog”
Dogs and Thunder - Thwart your puppy’s anxiety with the very first storm
Last night we had a really bad thunder and lightning storm here in Florida. There was actually a tornado that touched down not too far away from us. Both my pup, Nellie, and I were a little nervous to say the least.
- Momma what was that loud, scary noise???
This was not only the first time that Nellie heard thunder, but it may actually have been the first time she’s seen rain! She came to me in October, after the rainy season in Florida. And now this wasn’t any ordinary storm. Bolts of lightning lit up the room and huge booms of thunder shook the entire house.
Once again I was reminded of how much easier it is to AVOID unwanted fears and behaviors from the beginning rather than trying to back-peddle and fix problems later on.
I am in a very lucky position to have a young pup to whom I can introduce the world (and thunderstorms) in a positive way.
I promise to write a more in-depth post on how to help your dog if they already have “storm phobia” or otherwise are afraid of loud noises. But for now, let me share what to do if you have a puppy or new dog and want to be sure that they don’t develop a fear in the first place.
First the “Don’ts”
- Don’t pick up, hug, pet, or cuddle your dog – There has been a growing trend in some circles of dog people that advocate comforting your dog when they are afraid. And I will say that when little Nellie came running over to me at the first BOOM I wanted more than anything to hug her and tell her everything was going to be OK. It’s human nature. However, in my 18 years of being a professional dog trainer, I have seen humans mess up their poor dogs over and over again by trying to use their human psychology on another species! Dogs don’t understand the words you are saying. They only understand that you are petting and and talking sweet them. To a dog, that is praise. Period. Praise for whatever they are doing at the time. Remember “You Get What You Pet.” Petting a fearful dog will incite more fear, regardless of what it means to you.
- Don’t try to distract your dog with treats – Now, there is nothing wrong with practicing some obedience commands and rewarding your happy, willing dog with food. But, treats are an even bigger reinforcer than petting . It is very easy to unconsciously reward the wrong behavior and a stressed state of mind.
- Don’t ignore your dog-not at this stage at least. Dogs with thunder phobia may need a hiding place. But when you have a puppy who is just becoming accustomed to storms, letting him run and hide is going to make things worse. However, if you are one of the lucky people whose dog doesn’t seem to care at all about a storm then it’s perfectly fine (and actually better) to just ignore him and not make a big deal out of things.
Now the Do’s
- Do talk silly. Maybe sing a song and play a game with your puppy. Be sure that your voice is happy and fun. Telling your pup “It’s OK…Relax…Good dog” in a low, “soothing” voice will only make your dog more suspicious of things. A higher pitched, happier, fun tone will keep things light and help your dog to relax. We want to sound and act as if everything is just hunky dory.
- Do practice your dog’s obedience commands – This is not the time for strict, military-style training. Keep it light and fun. And again, it’s fine to use a food reward here IF your dog is focused on you and not on the storm.
- Do try to block out the noise - play music, turn up the volume on the TV, etc. Shutting the blinds and building an oasis in the livingroom might help as well.
- If your puppy is still too stressed to focus, then you may need to allow him to retreat to what he considers a safe place. This may be his crate, the bathroom, or perhaps a closet. Attempt to block out the signs of what’s going on outside by keeping it as dark and quiet as possible for him while he’s in “riding out the storm”.
Hopefully, by taking steps to make storms a fun and exciting time for your puppy you can prevent problems with your dogs and thunder.
Do you have any suggestions on how to help your pup stay confident during a thunderstorm? I’d love to hear them!
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
How to Teach a Dog To Sit – What Your Dog Trainer Hasn’t Taught You
Want to learn how to teach your dog to sit?
Watch me teach my 13 week old puppy “Nellie” to sit with some tricks that your dog trainer has probably not taught you.
Remember the Three “D”‘s of Dog Training when teaching your dog and don’t forget to use your Release Command so that your dog knows when it’s OK to get up again.
Do you have any of your own tips on how to teach a dog to sit? I’d love to hear them!
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
How Do You Get a Puppy to Stop Biting?
How Do You Get a Puppy to Stop Biting?
By teaching them not to of course!
Watch my latest video and see me teaching my 12 week old Border Terrier puppy to stop biting me.
How do you get a puppy to stop biting? By being calm, patient, and actually encouraging your puppy to bite when you are able to control and correct them.
Do this NOW. Not when your puppy is chasing the kids around the house and you are distracted. The key to training a puppy not to bite is to practice when you have the time to focus on them.
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The Crucial Key to How to Hold a Dog Safely
My new puppy Nellie is pretty squirmy when she wants to get back on the floor to play. But putting her back down on the ground now could be very dangerous.
Watch my video for the key to learning how to hold a dog safely.
This puppy training tip is of course not just for puppies. Small dogs that are picked up need to learn this as well.
Be sure to teach not only your kids but everybody who picks up your pup how to hold a dog safely and be sure to never put them down when they are squirming!
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
An Often Overlooked But Important Dog Command
Don’t make the mistake of not teaching your pup or little dog this important dog command.
Watch my video to learn how to pick up a dog by teaching the “UP” command!
The “UP” command is a very important dog command for most puppies and all small dogs.
Can you imagine just walking through life and somebody swoops down and picks you up with no warning? That would really scare me!
This is an especially important command if you have children. Many dogs will learn to react and lash out if picked up with no warning.
Be fair to your dog and TELL them that you’re about to pick them up! Teach them the “UP” command.
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
How To Live In The Moment Through the Eyes of a Puppy
Want to learn how to live in the moment? Just spend some time with a new puppy
“What day is it?”
It’s today,” squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day,” said Pooh.”
-A.A. Milne
Again, I find myself fascinated and humbled by a dog. This time, she’s a 10 week old Border Terrier pup who still doesn’t have a formal name. But she already has a place in my heart.
Getting a puppy is a big step for anybody.
For me, the decision to get a dog was a considerable move forward on this journey I started a few months ago. After a very challenging year of losses and retrospect I embarked on a new chapter. I left the life that I had built, the life that was comfortable for me, and found myself moving south and starting a new life in Florida.
I also found myself without a dog for the first time in my adult life. An unsettling prospect for any dog lover. But as a dog trainer it’s truly paralyzing . A good part of my identity revolves around my life with dogs. I needed to rectified this as soon as I was somewhat settled in my new place.
3 days ago, I flew to Wilmington, DE to pick up my new puppy
When I got to the breeder’s I was immediately pounced on and accosted by 3 tiny puppies and their very animated paternal grandmother. Is there any better greeting in the world? I immediately fell in love.
As a professional, however, I knew that I couldn’t forgo some basic puppy temperament testing. I know (or so I’d like to believe) to follow my head and not my heart when it comes to choosing a dog. But I will admit, these pups were easy to fall for.
Knowing that I was coming to see the female I intentionally ignored her in the beginning to see her reaction. She was determined that I notice her. When I did handle her I restrained her and removed her from her littermates to test her confidence away from “the pack”. This girl passed all of my tests with flying colors. She sealed the deal when she fell asleep in my arms 15 minutes later. She was clearly bored that the humans were chatting and no longer giving her all of our attention.
“Puppy” spent two nights with me in a hotel in New Jersey before flying home to Florida. I was amazed at how comfortable she seemed right away. Car rides, elevators, new people…her socialization was starting right away and she seemed game for anything.
It was on the flight home that it really hit me.
As we were taking off I realized that this gorgeous puppy is now also on a journey. The adventure of a lifetime really. Just two days ago she left the only life that she knew; her littermates, her breeder, her comfortable and familiar existence in Delaware. And here she is now; contentedly chewing her toy in a soft crate under my seat on a SouthWest Airlines flight to Florida, seemingly without a care in the world.
Now that’s how to live in the moment.
Why is it that we humans need to be continually reminded of this. Why do I waste time pining for my past life? Why am I up at night worried about what tomorrow will bring? As this little dog knows, life is right now. The present moment. She’s not worried about tomorrow. Nor is she wishing it was yesterday. She is living her life as it is happening…right now.
“The here and now is all we have, and if we play it right it’s all we’ll need.”
- Ann Richards
Thanks for the reminder little girl.
More about Lisa Flynn on Google+
How to Help a Dog With a Little Hope
It is possible to help a dog with a little hope.
Linda first brought her German Shepherd Dog to me for training when Mya was only 4 months old. Already lunging
at strangers and cars, Mya was quickly becoming a nuisance. It’s my job to help a dog overcome these types of issues so they don’t become a real danger to society.
Linda confessed to me at our first meeting that she really hadn’t wanted a dog. She had lost her Corgi a few years before and her son thought that she needed another dog. The loss of her Corgi was still very fresh. I could quickly see that the odds were stacked against Mya already. No dog can ever replace another. But for we humans, it’s sometimes hard not to compare.
At the time of our first meeting Linda was at her wits end. She had agreed to meet with me so that she felt that she had “done everything” before giving up her dog. During our conversation Linda told me that she honestly didn’t even like Mya and if the dog ran away she’s not sure she would go looking for her.
As harsh as that may sound I could understand Linda’s frustration. I had been there myself years ago with my first dog Jake. Of course that was before I became a dog trainer.
I explained to Linda that, for both her and Mya’s sake, she needed to commit herself, do everything that I suggested and put in the work. Because of Mya’s current behavior she really didn’t stand a very good chance of being adopted. Who wanted a dog who threw themselves into oncoming traffic to chase cars? We decided that if, after following my training protocol, Linda still decided not to keep the puppy, at least Mya would be more adoptable.
During that first lesson I gave Linda instructions on leadership, helped her set up some structure and rules for Mya, and taught this headstrong pup to walk on a loose leash .
The next week Linda and Mya came back for lesson number two. By now Linda had learned how to keep Mya’s attention during walks and she had established a new routine for the two of them at home. “She’s actually a pleasure to walk now” Linda admitted.
By lesson number three Linda came to class with a huge grin, anxious to show off Mya’s new skills. “I love this dog!” she declared. “She’s so much fun and she just loves to learn new things”.
Mya practicing her Place Command at the shopping plaza
Yeah for Mya and Linda! Three weeks of work and Mya was finally able to work her way into Linda’s heart.
Was Mya perfect after that first lesson? No. But Linda saw just enough change; a glimmer of hope that started the ball rolling. Sometimes that’s all it takes to start a bond that will last a lifetime.
Have you seen that glimmer of hope for your dog? Please comment and share below.
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