Recondition your dog to LOVE the car

When it comes to taking your dog with you in your car, most dog owners just do it - meaning they just put the dog into the backseat or cargo area and go. For most dogs, that is no problem. In fact the “it's not a big deal” attitude of the owner is the best way to approach any training. If your dog trusts you, and you convey with your relaxed manner that there is nothing to be afraid of, the dog will quickly become accustomed to riding in the car. In fact, most dogs soon learn to love it.

There are a few dogs who are anxious and even afraid in the car. More then likely, they were in a frightened state of mind when they first were put in the vehicle and have started to associate the car with this anxious state of being. Since dogs learn by association, it is important that they are given the opportunity to experience the car in a positive and fun way. Then they can become the car-loving canine companion that can't wait to get into the vehicle and go for a ride!

Is your dog anxiously pacing around the vehicle, panting or drooling? Is he whining or even getting carsick? If any of these are the case, take some time to reintroduce the car to your dog in a positive and fun way.

1. Start by getting your dog used to the inside of the car, without the engine running or the car moving.

This is important, and you should spend some time and several repeat sessions to do this. Cover the backseat or cargo area with a blanket that smells like home and put the dog bed you use in the house in the car. Be sure your car is parked in a secure area.

Get the dog into the car. If he is really afraid, you may need to lift him into the car. If this is the case, be sure to lift him forward, not with his rear into the car first. It is best that he uses his own feet to get in, so even when you lift him up, just bring him up to where he can get in and allow him to do the last few steps. For smaller dogs, or puppies, lift the dog and then let him step out of your arms onto the car seat.

Let him explore the area. He may just lay down or he may walk around panting excitedly. Either way, don't praise him too much. You don't want to reward and reinforce the anxious behavior. Just let him be in there for a moment, let him experience that nothing bad is happening. At first he should spend only a few moments in the car, gradually increase to several minutes. Repeat until he relaxes while in the vehicle. Once he relaxes, you can pet or praise him.

Get into the vehicle with him. You may sit in the front seat and just be there. Your quiet and calm presence will reassure him everything is fine. Do not leave him in the car on his own.

2. Find a fun game to repeatedly get in and out of the car.

Once the dog is becoming relaxed inside the parked car, you want to make the association of car and fun. Offer some treats or a chew bone and let her associate the car with it. Remember, you do not want to reward anxious behavior, so only use the treats or food when the dog is in a relaxed and calm state of mind.

Bring the favorite dog toy and start playing with your dog inside the car. Create a fun game of getting in and out of the car. Most dogs can get in and out of a vehicle on their own. Let the dog figure out what the best way is, by letting her get out on her own several times. Smaller dogs may hop into the foot space area first and then jump out. If the dog cannot get in and out of the car on her own, consider a ramp, especially if the dog is to big for you to lift.

3. Start with short rides that will have a fun destination.

Now that you are going to drive someplace, take a few moments to make a permanent spot for your dog. Is he going to be on the backseat of your car, or behind it in the cargo area? I used to fold down my rear seat to create a nice flat area in my vehicle. If you have a very energetic dog, that bounces around the vehicle, be sure to use a crate, or tie down to prevent the dog from jumping around the car, while you are driving.

In the beginning, it would be good to have someone else drive while you sit and supervise the dog. If this is not possible, it is very important that your dog is in a place where he cannot interfere with your driving.

Make the first few car rides short and go someplace fun. Drive only a few minutes and then stop and go for a nice long walk. The short ride home will be another opportunity to reinforce the car ride.

Your goal to reconditioning your dog is to have a calm and relaxed dog. Keep this in mind and do not move forward unless your dog is in a calm state of mind. Conditioning takes repeated experience of the wanted behavior. So take your time and have fun with the first two steps, before taking your dog on the road.

I hope the information provide is helpful to you. Please share your experience or comments below.

Until next time: Keep your Paws on the Road,

Bee

Are you (unintentionally) reinforcing your dog's bad behavior?

Many of our dog training clients have dogs with behavior problems. The dogs are annoying the neighbors with their excessive barking, chewing up the family's shoes and socks, lunging on the leash or stealing food off the counters, to name just a few.

To help correct these issues, we recommend in home training. By coming to the clients home, we can see how the dog owner interacts with the dog. 9 times out of 10, it is the owner that enables and reinforces the bad behavior. Now to be fair, they mostly do this unintentionally.

Dogs like attention, especially from their owners. Behavior problems often stem from the dog not getting enough exercise or mental stimulation. People often don't realize that their dogs are simply bored and are looking for something to do. When the animal is acting out with unwanted behavior, it is often times the owners that will reinforce the bad behavior by giving it attention. Let me illustrate with a few examples.

If the family pet is stealing shoes and socks, and chewing on them, the owners will often times go after the dog, as she runs around with the shoe in her mouth. The dog loves the chase-me-game and will not understand the owner is chasing her because they don't want her to destroy the expensive footwear.

Next time, instead of chasing after the dog and trying to pry the valuable item out of her mouth, try this approach:

Stand still and find an item that the dog should be chewing on. Without paying any attention to the dog, pick up the item, like the rawhide bone, or even a squeaky toy. Start paying a lot of attention to the item you are holding. You can squat down and squeak the toy, or waive the rawhide. The dog will lose interest in the shoe she is currently holding and will come over to investigate what you have. If she hasn't dropped the valuable item you are after, don't try to take it from her, that will only start the game of tug of war again. Offer the item you have to her. Since she cannot hold two items in her mouth, she will drop what she has and take the toy or treat you are offering. Praise her and remove the item you want.

Here is another example. If the dog is lunging on the leash, jumping and barking at cats, other dogs or other people, owners often try dragging the dog back, holding it very tight and frantically telling the dog to stop. The owners are either embarrassed or frustrated or even afraid. All this is actually increasing the behavior. So if your dog tends to act out while on the walk, next time try this approach instead:

Always make sure that you are calm and relaxed. Do not tense up and hold the leash tightly. You should always have your arms down and relaxed, holding the leash loosely. At the first sign of lunging or jumping, give the dog a correction and tell him “no”. If he is already escalated to were he is fixated on the cat, dog or person, change direction and get him to focus back on you. You can walk a few feet in the other direction, and then get better control of him. Give only short corrections with the leash, but do not let it be tight. As you walk past the distraction, make sure you are not fixated on it. If you pay no attention to the distraction, your dog will be less likely to as well.

This of course only works, if you have control of your dog on a normal walk, with a loose leash. If your dog always pulls you on the leash, you need to work first on having him walk on a loose leash. Being in control of your dog on leash is the most important thing to teach your dog. If this is something you and your dog still need to work on, you may find my blog on leash training of interest. 

Whatever the behavior issue, be aware of your reaction or your actions. Are you giving attention to the very thing you wish the dog to stop doing? To correct behavior issues, you need to show the dog what behavior you want. Dogs don't understand “don't do this”,they need you to show them what to do.

For more FREE dog training advice, see our website: Modern Canine Services

I hope you find this information helpful, you may also like to read my previous blog easy exercise for calming your super excited dog.

Until next time – Keep your Paws on the Road!

Bee

Jack Russell and Mini Aussie puppy play inside tree

If you been wondering why there have not been any posts in the last few days:

We got a new puppy!

 

 

Three Reasons to Crate-train your Puppy

Crate-training is something we highly recommend to our clients. Especially when you first get a puppy, it can be one of the most versatile tools in early training and greatly aids potty training. Some of our clients don't understand the benefits of the crate and think of it as a mean cage. One of the main reasons is that many dog owners make the mistake of using the crate as a form of punishment, rather then a safe place. If used correctly, dogs see the crate as a comfortable and safe place to relax. Here are three reasons why you should crate train your puppy.

1. The crate is the best way to keep your puppy save when you cannot supervise him.

In the beginning stages of training your new puppy, it is important to supervise him at all times. Pups like to explore their new surroundings and will use their teeth on carpets and furniture, if they are not redirected.

It is a good idea to secure the pet in the crate when you cannot supervise him. Whether you want to take a shower, or need to go to get groceries at the store, leaving the pup in the crate keeps him out of trouble. He can't chew up electrical wiring or your rug. Give him a nice bed inside the crate and a few chew toys to keep him busy. Then you can leave him for short periods of time without having to worry about him getting into something he shouldn't.

2. The crate is the fastest way to house train the dog

The crate is a very effective tool to potty train your pet. Using the crate at night is the fastest way to house-train a puppy, as it prevents accidents in the house at night. Make sure that you get up about every 3 hours during the first few weeks to let the puppy out to do her business. Gradually extend the time in the crate to 4 or 5 hours. Once she gets older, let her tell you when she needs to go out, and pretty soon she will sleep through the night.

3. The crate gives the pup a safe place of his own.

The crate quickly becomes the pups den, where he feels comfortable and safe. He can get away from other pets or from children. During the day, place the crate in an area where you and the family hang out the most. Let the door remain open, and you will see the pet going into the crate to take naps, or just to lay down and chew on his bone.

Once the pet identifies the crate with safety, you can further use it to train him. As the puppy grows, and needs to go places with you, use the crate in the car. He will have a familiar place, he already associates with quiet and calmness, so the car ride won't seem so scary.

If you travel with your dog, having him crate trained is optimal, since you can bring the crate into any new and unusual surrounding and provide the pet with a place of his own.

I hope you found the information helpful, please share or comment, I love to hear your feedback.

For information on how to properly crate train your new puppy, look for my upcoming post on the subject. Until then: Keep your Paws on the Road!

Thank you,

Bee

Saturday Nov 05, 2016 - Dogs' Day in the Garden

Don't miss  this weekends' special opportunity to bring your dogs to the Desert Botanical Garden on 1201 North Galvin Pkwy, Phoenix, AZ 85008 from 8 am to 2pm ONLY!

Here is a great opportunity to socialize your dog and enjoy the beautiful November weather in the Valley! Explore the many Garden trails, mingle with other dog lovers, and pose for photo opportunities. You can also learn about local dog-related nonprofits, shop for dog stuff and enjoy some samples with Fido. There are also several canine-themed activities. Don’t miss this tail-wagging good time!

General Garden admission (Adults: $22 Children: $10) and $4 per dog. The admission fees for the dogs are going to benefit the Arizona Humane Society

Garden admission includes:

• All ages craft activity
• Samples of dog treats
• Special presentations from behavioral solutions to local activities for you and your dog
• Doga (dog yoga) spaces limited
• Before you enter the Garden, visit the Arizona Humane Society Waggin’ Wheels Mobile Adoption Vehicle near the Garden Entry | 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Special Dog etiquette, please read:
All dogs must be on a leash and remain on marked trails at all times.
Dogs must be up-to-date on all vaccinations and licenses.
Handlers must pick up after their dogs and properly dispose of their waste.
Desert Botanical Garden reserves the right to refuse entry to or remove any dog thought to be dangerous to other dogs or visitors.
Dogs will only be admitted to the Garden between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dogs will not be allowed in Gertrude’s or the Garden Shop.
Programming subject to change.

For more information go to the Facebook events page at:
Dogs' Day in the Garden Event


We hope to see you there! Please take a picture with your dog and share here on our blog. Thank you for stopping in and as always - Keep your Paws on the Road!

Easy Exercise for Calming Your Hyperexcited Dog

For many of our dog training clients, taking their dog out for a walk is a stressful and hectic task. I see them pick up the leash and usually say something like” Fido, do you want to go outside? Let's go for a WALK!” Their dog spins around in circles and excitedly jumps around and crowds toward the front door. The dog is so hyper that the owner has to fight to get the leash clipped to the collar. Then the dog owner will swing the front door open and the dog will run out, dragging the owner behind him. 

If your dog is acting in a similar manner when you try to put on the leash and take him outside, he has learned to be excited every time the leash gets put on, or the door is opened. Most of the time the excitement is increased by the owner talking in a happy voice about how fun it will be to go for a walk.

Similarly, I see many dogs get excited when they see their special toy, or even when the owner goes out through the door without them. In each instance, the dog associates hyper excitement with the item or task. I have even seen dogs that show this hyper excitement during feeding time or when given a treat.

Become aware of your verbal cues

To curb any hyper excitement, first, review your own behavior during these times. Are you increasing the excitement of the activity by speaking in a happy, excited voice? Many dog owners will communicate joyful events to their dogs in this way. What they do not realize is, the dog will pick up on their happy excited energy, and will respond in a hyper excited way of his own.

If your dog is very excited, jumping and running around, try holding back on your verbal cues all together. Animals don't actually need the verbal communication, they mostly communicate via body language. So try to say nothing at all.

Recondition your dog's behavior

Over time, your dog has learned to associate the act of you picking up the leash, or another item, or activity, with getting into an excited state of being. Dogs are conditioned over time by repeated behavior. To curb the hyper excited state of mind, you need to re-condition the dog's mind to associate calmness with the particular task or item.

Here is a simple exercise you can do a few times a day to recondition your dog and curb the excited behavior. The exercise is very short, and after reading through it, you can see it will not be hard to do.

Plan to do this when you are not going out for your walk, if the leash is the cause of the excitement.

Calm your excited dog exercise

For my description I will use the leash as the item of excitement, as this is a fairly common issue with our clients. You can substitute based on your particular situation.

Pick up the leash, or the item that creates the excitement. Fido may get super excited just by you holding the leash. Ignore the dog completely and walk around the house, with the leash or item in hand. The dog will follow you around, jump or bark; simply ignore him. Put the leash down in a few different places. It is important that you act calmly and don't speak to the dog. Say nothing, ignore Fido. Simply pick up the leash, walk a few feet and put it down someplace. Repeat several times until Fido looses interest and stops running around. Do this for a few days in a row.

After a few days, pick up the leash, walk around and then squat down without saying anything. If the dog comes over quietly, put on the leash. If he acts excited and jumps around, do not put on the leash, simply get back up and hold the leash. Continue with this until he is calm and no longer shows signs of excitement around the item. Once he is calmly waiting, put on the leash. Stand up straight and don't move, just stand there with Fido on the leash and wait. He should be calmly standing or sitting. If he is jumping around, trying to drag you toward the door, don't do anything. Simply stand still. The idea is to get him to calm down and not feed him more excitement by adding movement or words. Do the entire exercise without a spoken word.

Modified Exercise

You can modify the exercise for other items. Let's say getting out a bag of dog treats from your pantry is causing the dog to act over excited.

Take out the dog treats several times per day, hold the bag and do not give the dog a treat. Simply hold the bag and then put it down in another area. After a few moments, go back and take the bag and hold it again. Each time, totally ignore the dog. Treat the bag as though it has nothing to do with your dog. Eventually the dog will lose interest and go do something other than excitedly hop around. Now go to the bag, pick it up and stand in front of the dog. Take out a treat. Wait until your dog calms down, and then reward him with a treat.

Never reward the excited state of mind

Never reward your dog when he is in a hyper excited state. Don't pet him to calm him down. Petting or giving treats is positive reinforcement. You are rewarding your dog for whatever he is doing at the time. So if you pet or treat him while he is excited, he learns that he is getting a reward, whenever he is excited.

Each dog is different, so the time needed to recondition may vary on your particular situation. Remember to show the dog calm behavior, by being calm yourself. Don't talk, communicate with your body language.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I hope the information provided is helpful to you. I would love to hear from you and have you share your experience with the exercise. Please comment on the blog below. Until next time – Keep your Paws on the Road!

Bee

Natural Supplement with amazing results in Senior Dog!

About a year ago, I notices my dog Jaeger was starting to show signs of becoming a senior dog. He was getting the white hairs around his snout and eyes. He was slowing down, walking more slowly, and at times had trouble getting up off the tile floor. I also noticed that he would lick his front paws for long periods of time in the evening, which I took as a sign that he was developing some arthritis. He still loved to play fetch, but I could tell he tired more easily and was visibly sore the next day.

I started to feed Jaeger senior dog food, with added glucosamine and chondroitin and also gave him some yucca powder on days he seemed to be uncomfortable or sore. He showed some improvement, however, he really started feeling much better, when I remembered to feed a dog supplement I had found on the internet a few years back.

I first used this dog supplement on my 12 year old Collie several years ago. The product is called Fresh Factor and is made by a company called Springtime, Inc. My Collie had  severe arthritis and was hardly walking, when I first came across this product by chance. I ordered it on the internet and within just a few days of feeding the supplement, I saw amazing improvement in my dog. He was walking around completely normal, with no signs of stiffness or pain. He even started to jump into our truck, something he had not done for some time. I kept him on the supplement until he died in his sleep at age 18, laying in the sun on my front porch. I know it added several years to his life and I am sure it made his last years a lot more comfortable.

I am so glad I remembered this stuff! Jaeger, just like my Collie, is showing signs of improvement within just a few days of feeding the chewable tablets. He is jumping around like a young dog, bringing the ball to me to remind me to play fetch with him every day. He is no longer showing any signs of being sore after playing with the ball. I have not seen him have any trouble getting off the floor and I noticed he does not lick his front paws, like he used to at night.

Fresh Factor tablets are made with natural ingredients since 1979. The company uses Bee Pollen, Chondroitin and Kelp for the main ingredients. They also add desiccated raw beef liver, which makes the taste irresistible to dogs.The wafers can easily be quartered, to help break them down in size for smaller dogs. For more information on this amazing product, go to:

 https://www.springtimeinc.com/product/fresh-factors/All-Natural-Dog-Supplements

The company offers several other natural supplements, none of which I have tried. 

I am recommending this Fresh Factor because I have personally used the supplement on my dogs, and have seen incredible improvement in them. I am not paid, nor have I received any free products from Springtime, Inc. in order to write this blog or give my recommendation for this product. 

I hope the information provided here is helpful to you and your dog. If you have an older dog, and any natural remedies or supplements that you can recommend, please do so in the comment area below. I appreciate your feedback. 

If you are looking for an online Pet Pharmacy, we like to recommend WorldPetExpress

Until next time, keep your paws on the road!

Sincerely,
Bee

Creating Teachable Moments - The Proper Way to address Behavior Issues

At Modern Canine Services, we do a lot of in-home training. Many of our clients call us to help them with behavior issues such as counter surfing, jumping or excessive barking. Behavior issues are challenging, because they are not the root cause, they are simply the symptom of other underlining issues. In most cases, daily exercise and consistency in applying direction towards wanted behavior can alleviate behavior issues within a few weeks.

To address the unwanted behavior, we talk to our clients about creating "teachable moments". You cannot correct unless you are right there when the dog is doing the unwanted behavior; however, most issues occur when the owners are not there. Therefore, it is important to set up situations, in which the dog is first allowed to depict the undesired activity. In these situations, you, as the owner, can teach the dog by correcting and then showing the proper behavior. Over time, with consistency, the dog will be conditioned to act in the new, wanted manner.

Let me illustrate by giving an example. Your dog is chewing up things around the house while you are out at work, how do you correct and redirect him? You need to create a teachable moment to get him to chew on something he isn't suppose to, so you can catch him doing it. You can leave things, he usually likes to play with and chew on, laying around your living room floor, when you have time to teach. Shoes, socks, the TV-remote, or your children's toys for example. Stay close by and watch him, as he explores the wonderful stuff that is laying around. When he picks up one of the items he is not suppose to have, clap your hands loudly and say the word “no”. Now offer him something that he can chew on, like a nice soup bone you got from the butcher at the grocery store. In this way, you have disciplined him with the “no” and then redirected him to the right item- the bone- he should chew on.

Training should always occur in a controlled environment. Make sure you have set aside a short amount of time that you can devote to teaching your dog. Put yourself in the mindset of teaching with patience and equanimity. If you are already late for work, don't try to train your dog not to bark excessive when the door bell rings. Rather take 15 minutes in the evening, when you are relaxed and create a teaching moment by having your spouse ring the door bell, while you are inside, ready to discipline your dog's compulsive barking. When you teach a new behavior, it is important to be patient with your dog, if you are rushed and frustrated, you should not train your dog. When you are calm and have time, go through some exercises to show him what you expect.

Conditioning occurs over time. With repeated short training sessions, and eventually with consistent repeated times of doing the right activity, the dog will form a new behavior. Once you know the dog has learned the manner in which you want him to behave, you should expect it every time. That is consistency. If you have taught your dog to be quiet and calm when you put on his leash, don't allow him to jump around excitedly when you are rushing to go to an appointment.

Life is hectic and demanding. It's impossible to squeeze in dog training while rushing through your day. Consciously create teaching moments, when you can be in control of your environment and your personal state of mind. Make the training sessions short, but repeat them often. Be consistent in how you expect your dog to behave and most of all, always end on a good note!

Thank you for stopping in, I hope you find the information provided useful. I love to hear from you and value your feedback - please leave your comments below.

Until next time - Keep your Paws on the Road!

Bee

3 Favorite Homemade Dog Treat Recipes

I have started to make my own dog treats. It does not take a lot of work and I love that I can choose healthy ingredients. This way my dogs eat treats that are full of vitamins, without the preservatives and additives that store bought dog treats add to increase shelf-life.  

For dogs with food allergies, substitute ingredients that are suitable for his diet. You can also add natural remedies, such as turmeric or yucca powder to help dogs with arthritis.

Here are my 3 favorite recipes to make your own, natural and healthy dog treats.

Pumpkin Pup-Treats

Ingredients:

½ cup canned pumpkin

2 tbs coconut oil (liquid)

4 tbs molasses or honey

4 tbs water

2 cups of whole wheat flour (or almond flour)

¼ tsp baking powder

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350 F
• Mix coconut oil, molasses, pumpkin and water in a bowl (*)
• Gradually add the flour and baking powder
• Stir until ingredients are well mixed and dough softens
• Wet hands and roll small spoonfuls of dough into balls
• Place them on a greased cookie sheet and slightly flatten with a fork
• Bake for 25 minutes
• Let treats cool completely before offering to your dog!

Makes about 12 to 18 treats. I like mine a bit larger, for my big dogs, but you can adjust the individual treat size for smaller dogs.

* (during cooler weather it may be helpful to heat this mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds to make it easier to mix, before adding the flour.)

Pawlishes Ice Cream

 

Ingredients:

1 banana

1 cup of peanut butter

2 cups of natural plain yogurt

2 tbs of honey

Instructions:

• Peel and mash the banana.
• Use microwave or stove to warm the peanut butter until it is easy to stir.
• Pour all ingredients into a bowl and mix until well-combined.
• Pour into ice cube trays
• Freeze overnight
  
  
  Need the perfect Bone shaped ice cube tray? Find it here:  K9 Cakery Bone Silicone Cake Pan
  
  

 

Sweet Potato Chews

Ingredients:

1 Large Sweet potato

Instructions:

• Wash and dry the sweet potato
• Preheat oven to 250 F
• Line cookie sheet with parchment paper
• Peel and cut the sweet potato into fingerling slices about 1/3” thick
• Place on sheet and bake for 3 hours
• Turn halfway through
• Let cool completely on wire rack
• Store in refrigerator for up to 3 weeks

Chews come out of the oven still a little soft, but will harden as they cool off. If you want them real crunchy, bake them 15 minutes longer.

For more organic dog treat recipes, I recommend the book Organic Dog Biscuit Cookbook


Thank you for stopping by. I would love to hear about your dogs, or your own dog treat recipe. Please share in the comment area below.

Please share and like our blog.

Until next time - Keep your Paws on the Road!

Bee

5 Questions you should ask before you book that pet-friendly overnight accommodation.

Traveling with pets takes some added preparations, especially when you are booking overnight accommodations. Whether you are staying at a pet-friendly hotel, RV park or vacation rental, there are some facts you should get, before you make your reservations. Here are 5 important questions you should ask before booking that overnight accommodation.

1. Do you have any breed or size restrictions?

Many dog-friendly hotels, campgrounds and vacation rentals have restrictions on the size of dogs that they allow. In most cases, smaller dogs and other small pets are no problem, although you may find restrictions if you travel with exotic pets. Large breed dogs, however, may not always be welcome. Many hotels and vacation rentals will restrict dogs to 60 pounds or less.

Next, be sure to inquire about breed restrictions. I found that many campgrounds do not accept all dog breeds. There may be exclusions for certain type of powerful breeds, such as Pit Bulls and Dobermans.There may also be breed restrictions at hotels or vacation rentals.

No matter how well behaved your dog, if he is a breed or size that is not allowed, do not try to circumvent the pet-policy of the establishment. Continue your search for a suitable accommodation. It is always better to get the information beforehand, rather then to get turned away the day of your arrival.

2. How many pets are allowed per room, or campsite?

I have found that most places restrict the number of pets you can have in your room or campsite. Hotels and campgrounds I have stayed at would allow up to 2 pets per room/site. Many of the vacation rentals  allow only one pet per family.

 If, like me, you travel with several pets, you need to research and look for those places that let you bring all your fur-babies. There is also a chance that the owner may make an exception for you. I travel with two dogs and a cat. Most campgrounds that had restrictions for only 2 pets per site, often allowed me to stay, when I mentioned the third animal was a cat. It never hurts to ask. But don't just assume it will be fine. It is better to be turned away at time of booking than to find yourself without a place to stay late in the day.

3. Can pets be left by themselves in the room, home or RV?

Especially if you plan to stay for several nights, find out what the policy is on leaving your pet in the room, home or in your RV. You might want to run to the grocery store, or go out to dinner at night. Most dog-friendly accommodations understand you need to leave your pets unattended at times, but they may have certain restrictions. Find out what they are, so you can be prepared to follow them.

Here is an important tip when you are staying at a hotel; be sure to put the do-not disturb sign on your door and let the front desk know how to reach you. Unaware hotel staff can leave doors open during housekeeping and your pet can be lost.

Some accommodations that allow you to leave your pets, require that you crate them during your absence. Don't just wait for them to mention it, make a point to ask. This information is important to know prior to your travel, so you can be sure to bring your crate with you.

4. What kind of pet-friendly amenities or services are offered?

Many hotels that do not allow unattended pets, offer a dog sitting service, or at least recommend one that is available nearby. You will need to find a doggy daycare or boarding facility for you dog, if you are unable to leave them in the room for longer periods of time.  Also inquire about dog-friendly restaurants in the area, so you can take your pet with you to lunch or dinner.

If your pets are dogs, don't forget to inquire about areas available for you to walk. Many dog-friendly accommodations offer dog parks, but there are also those that don't. Ask the question, rather than assuming that a pet-friendly place would have such an area. It will make your stay a lot more comfortable.

5. What are the additional costs for bringing a pet?

In most cases, you will pay an additional fee for bringing your pets with you. While most places charge a few dollars extra per night, some  charge a nightly fee per animal and  require an additional cleaning fee at the end of your stay. I have seen places that charge a pet-deposit, which was non-refundable, in addition to a pretty hefty nightly fee. Always clarify at time of booking what the costs are, so you don't get surprised with a much higher bill than you expected.

Dogs are welcome! – the Truth about Dog-friendly Restaurants

I am so excited about the end of summer here in Phoenix! Here come the beautiful weather months that Arizonans have been longing for since June. Finally we can come out from our air-conditioned homes, offices and cars and enjoy the outdoors.

One of my favorite things about the fall, winter and spring in Phoenix is sitting outside, eating at the many patio restaurants. I love finding these relaxing places around the valley and make it a habit to inquire, if they are dog-friendly. It is not an easy task to find places that allow dogs on their patios. I usually will share the information on our Azdogfriendly- facebook page. I know from my own experience of traveling with my dogs, that finding such places is invaluable for dog owners.

In my quest of finding these gems, I often times hear from restaurant owners, or their staff, that they used to allow dogs, but decided not to any longer. On occasion, I find places where they compromise and seat patrons with dogs at the outer edges of the patio, so the dog can be on the outside fence, near the owner, but is not actually allowed on the restaurant patio itself. These type of comments and situations always make me appreciate the places that do allow me to bring my dogs.

Many of my dog-lover friends wonder why not all patio restaurants allow dogs, since there is obviously no law against having pets at restaurants with outside seating in the Phoenix area. Although the law does not forbid pets to accompany their owners in patio restaurants, there are several Arizona Health Code restrictions, and the restaurant owner must follow several guidelines and be approved to offer a dog-friendly patio. 

One of the first requirements for being considered for a dog-friendly patio is that the patio must have a separate entrance, that is accessible from the outside. Pets cannot enter the patio by walking through the restaurant building. Also, all pets must be outside of 7 feet of the entrance of the restaurant. So when you come into your favorite place, be sure to follow this simple rule for seating yourself with your pet.

Of course, all dogs must be leashed and under the owner's control, while they are in the restaurant's patio area. Be considered of other patrons, not everyone is a pet lover and some may even be allergic to dogs. So keep your dog well contained under your table and out of the walkways, so the server does not trip over him.

Please, you should never allow your dog to go potty on or near the patio! Make sure you allow your dog to do his business before you come onto the patio area. If your dog pees or even poops on, or near the restaurant, the staff has to scrub and clean the mess, which can curb their enthusiasm about allowing dogs to their establishment.

In addition, the Health code requires that the patio is kept clean and free of dog hair and that dogs do not come in contact with tabletops and reusable food dishes or utensils. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to keep your dog off the chairs and tables and to not allow your dog to touch the plates or utensils. So if you like to share your steak with Fido, make sure you give him his share under the table, on a dish you bring with you. Never allow him to eat off the plate and don't let him sit on the chair and sniff the tabletops!

Keeping a clean and friendly restaurant is hard work, and I, for one, really appreciate restaurants that take on the extra work and make the effort to provide a dog-friendly atmosphere. Please be a good dog owner and follow the simple guidelines to ensure your dog properly behaves in the establishment.

It is best to call ahead and confirm dogs are still welcomed at your favorite restaurant, remember outdoor seating is limited and sometimes seasonal, as well as dependent on weather conditions. Make sure you show your gratitude and tell the owner or staff how much you appreciate them allowing your dog at their restaurant.

If you would like to read more about the Health code regulations, go to: Maricopa.gov

Please share your favorite dog-friendly restaurant with other dog-lovers, you can do so in our comment area, or go to our AzdogfriendlyplacesFacebook Group.

Thank you for stopping by, feel free to like and share our blog posts to help us reach more of your friends and family.

Until next time, keep your paws on the road!

Bee

Wisdom of the Paws (Pause)

Life is hectic, there is so much I have to do today! Just thinking about my to-do list is getting me all stressed out! There are deadlines and appointments, paperwork and household chores. And, on top of it all, I have to walk the dog!

My little dog is impatiently sitting at my feet, wagging her little tail and watching every move I make. I am a bit grumpy,  my head is full of all the important stuff I have to accomplish today. I throw on some walking shoes and absentmindedly hook her onto her leash.

Now her whole body is wagging with excitement! I find myself drawn in by her joyful expressions, and if only for a short moment, I forget about all the deadlines and appointments. Now I am smiling as we head out the door for our morning walk.

I am grateful for my little dog. Our walks together are more than just a few minutes of exercise and an opportunity for her to go potty. Every day, I can find little tidbits of wisdom from being with my dog. Sure, her life is much simpler compared to mine, but the lessons still apply. Let me share some of the wisdom of the paws (pause) with you.

Every day is a new beginning

Instead of jumping out of bed with my mind full of dreadful things that need to get done and anxious feelings about not having enough time to do it all, my dog meets each new day with a joyful expectation and excitement. What if I made my first few thoughts about things that are joyful and exciting? It's all about what I focus on, and my first few moments awake truly set the tone for the rest of my day.

So I tried this for a few days, and my world takes on a different look. When the alarm goes off, I stop myself from thinking about the stresses of the day, instead I take a moment to just sit up in bed and think of two things I am excited about. Just two small things I look forward to. My sister is joining us for dinner tonight and I am going to yoga class at 4pm. Next, I make a list of three things I am grateful for. Not too complicated, rather I think of simple things, like my health, the roof over my head, and my family that loves and supports me.

Be present in the moment

When I am out walking the dog, I find myself in thought about what to do next, I make grocery lists, plan dinner and think about my appointments. I notice my dog is jumping ahead, playing with butterflies. Her joyful play brings me back into the moment. Immediately my mood changes. My senses begin to fill with the world round me. I notice the sunshine on my skin, I smell the freshness of the morning breeze and see the colorful flowers by the roadside. 

It's called mindfulness. Mindfulness has become a buzz word and many people think it is a complicated method to learn. There is a lot of research about it's effects on the mind and the benefits for health and well-being. It's proven to relief stress and actually, it is easy to do. I just slow down and bring my focus to my senses. I notice the smells, sounds, sights; become aware of my breathing and appreciate the world around me. Just becoming aware of one's breath is a mindfulness technique and will automatically switch the body and mind into a calmer state of being.

Trust your instincts

All of a sudden I notice that my dog is frozen and alert. Front paw up in the air, she cautiously sniffs the air in front of her. Now she is lowering her head and backing up slowly, as I get a glimpse of a snake slithering away under the bushes. My heart races and I call her over to me and swoop her up into my arms. I am so grateful that she knows to trust her instincts! I only saw the snake for a moment, but it surely looked like a rattlesnake and my small dog could easily have been bitten, had she gone after the snake.

After my heart stops racing and after we move on, I think about myself, and how I get into situations at work that don't feel right. Too often, I just push the gut feelings aside and rely solely on my rational thinking. Many times I find out later that it would have been better not to proceed so quickly. Sometimes it's in everyone's best interest to stop and back off for a moment.

Life is complicated and full of responsibility, but there are simple truths, that apply to all of us. I, for one, find myself contemplating the little life lessons I learn from my beautiful dog. I hope, you too, can benefit from the wisdom of the paws (pause). Celebrate each day as a new beginning, take time to enjoy life by being in the moment, and start to trust your instincts when making important decisions.

I hope you enjoyed the blog. Please share it and comment below.

Until next time, Keep Your Paws on the Road!

Bee 
 

"Comfy and tired equals quiet" - Eliminate excessive barking when you leave your dog alone.

We take our dogs everywhere! That is why we love traveling with our dogs. We plan our vacations around them and for them. Still, there are times when we go out without them. They stay behind when  we visit a museum or to have dinner at a nice restaurant that does not allow dogs. Our dogs need to be comfortable by themselves in our hotel room or vacation rental and be good dogs.

We have stayed in many hotels and heard dogs barking and howling. Same in RV parks, where we walked past someone's site and the dogs inside were barking loudly and excessively. We hear from vacation rental owners that guest dogs are not to be left alone, because they have had so many bad experiences with dogs disturbing other guests with their excessive barking.

There are a lot of reasons why dogs may be barking excessively when left alone. Most commonly the dog will be anxious or bored. Whatever the reasons here is a simple formula that has proven successful to eliminate excessive barking and destructive behavior in most cases.

The formula is: “Comfy and tired equals quiet.”

Consider these two areas: exercise and comfort. When dogs are given a comfortable familiar place to stay and properly exercised, they will likely be tired, quiet dogs who will want to rest and sleep while left behind when their owners are gone.

"A tired dog is a good dog"

Many dog owners do not realize the benefit of regular exercise for their dogs. Especially when traveling, a lot of dogs simply get walked to relieve themselves. Regular exercise is very important to drain energy and help the dog be balanced.

 Even if you are walking your dog on a regular basis, are you making sure you are exercising him just before you leave him by himself? This will only require a little preparation and time before you have to go out. Allow yourself enough time to take your dog for a good 30-minute walk, or  play fetch with him in a fenced area, or take the dog for a swim and run on the beach. The average adult dog spends between 14 and 16 hours a day sleeping. However, if your dog is not getting enough exercise, he will expel pinned up energy by barking and even destroying things around the house.

The beauty of the need for exercise is that it also makes you get out more!

Jaeger and Heidi play at the beach

"A comfortable dog will rest quietly" 

Now that your dog is properly exercised, give her an area that is both familiar and comfortable. Put down her bedding, or prepare her crate. I know you are tempted to buy all new dog beds for the special vacation so that everything is nice and fresh and clean. But honestly, that is the worst thing you can do for her. She wants to have the bed she uses at home, the one that smells like her and like you. The one that has all her dog hair all over it. Using her regular bed or blanket will transform the strange hotel room or vacation rental into a familiar place for her.

 Provide some of her favorite toys, and if need be, add one of your old t-shirts - unwashed- for added comfort.

Nico is comfy in his bed

I recommend you have a special treat for her. This would be a chew toy or chew food that she can keep busy with for some time. I personally use soup bones, which I purchase at the local grocery store for my dogs. These special treats are reserved for this purpose, meaning only give them when the dog is left by herself for some time.

Find a good boring talk show on the TV, or tune the radio to a talk channel. You are looking for some talking, not a high action shoot-them-up movie.  Adjust the volume so that the sound will drown out any outside noises, but not so loud as to disturb the neighbors.

If possible make sure the dog cannot look out of the windows. Especially smaller dogs tend to get on top of sofas to peek outside.  You can draw the shades or block access to the window areas. All this will make the dog less likely to bark when someone walks past.

If your dog has been used to barking excessively for some time, practice for shorter sessions with this setup. Gradually increase the length of the sessions. Providing your pet with a familiar, comfortable surrounding and plenty of exercise before you leave him alone, will balance your dog and make sure he is calm and quiet while you are away from home.


Thank you for stopping by, I hope you found the information useful. I value your comments and appreciate your feedback.

If you feel others may benefit from the information provided, please "like" and "share"!


Until next time, keep your paws on the road!

Bee