Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County presents
Pawsitively Amazing
Month, Year - Vol 1, Issue 1
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| Dear, Pet Enthusiast |
Welcome to this edition of our electronic newsletter designed for dog lovers who might want some helpful tips on training. This is also to help keep our Palm Beach clients informed on what's happening in our local area. To manage your subscription to this newsletter just scroll over to the sign up section. If you feel that your friends could use some information, or our services, then forward this to them. Bob Burnell Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County 561-543-5583 RobertBurnell@sitmeanssit.com
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Client Spotlight- Learning to have fun with your dog is the most important lesson we can teach.
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One of the main goals, we as trainers have is to show the client how to understand their dog better and how to have a better relationship. We try to instill in you the desire to have as much fun with your dog as we have in teaching you.
Here is Alfie, an English Golden Retriever that is as loveable as he is rambunctious.
Alfie
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Be consistent in your training
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Dogs are happier, confident and secure in an environment where the rules and exceptions are consistent.
Owners that teach a dog that a behavior is acceptable sometimes, and
then gets angry at the dog for the behavior at other times will almost
always have a difficult time eliminating the problem.
Consistency is crucial in treating behavior problems because the
problems that we want to eliminate (jumping, chewing, digging etc) are
self-rewarding behaviors for the dog.
The dog will not want to miss out on an opportunity, if given one, to partake in them.
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Common Canine Health Problems
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Cystitis- An infection in the bladder. Common
in both male and females. Symptoms include frequent urination with
possible blood in urine. Urination may appear difficult and painful.
Females sometimes have a vaginal discharge and lick the vulva often.
Treatable with antibiotics.
Common symptoms of urinary problems include excessive drinking and
urination, straining to urinate, frequent urination in small amounts,
inability to urinate, uncontrollable urination, blood or pus in the
urine, vomiting, hunched up posture, and weight and appetite loss.
Tumors- Usually occur in older dogs over the age of 5, and most are
often benign. Have a Veterinarian check any unusual lumps or growths
immediately.
Bloat- "The technical name for bloat is "Gastric
Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV"). Bloating of the stomach is often related
to swallowed air (although food and fluid can also be present). It
usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air, fluid,
and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress can be a
significant contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without
"volvulus" (twisting). As the stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to
360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at the esophagus (food
tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting stomach
traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach
obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock,
and damage to internal organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a
dog." For further information on symptoms, causes and breeds at risk,
consult this website www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm
Learn what is normal with your dog. Periodically, run your hands over the dog so that you can discover any issues or discover any areas of sensitivity. Check the dogs ears, not only for debris, but to determine their color at rest and after play. The color of the ear is an indication of how overheated the dog may be.
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Dealing with Behavioral Issues
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Continuing our series on dealing with behavioral issues
Jumping
Positive Reinforcement of Alternate Behaviors
It is important to pet and verbally praise the dog every time he approaches you without jumping.
Dogs with jumping issues usually want attention and /or physical contact- give it on your terms.
Be sure that the dog is receiving adequate human contact so that he is capable of calm greetings.
Take advantage of those times that the dog is doing the correct behavior (i.e. sitting calmly) and reward him for it.
Important Note
A dog that has separation anxiety will not learn not to jump until the anxiety issue is resolved first.
Management of the Problem and Setting the Dog up to Succeed
Be prepared for your dog before greeting them.
Anticipate and manage the dog's jumpy greeting until the dog has a strong sit.
Be prepared to redirect the dog by offering the dog an alternative stimulus before he jumps.
Scatter food or treats upon entering the yard/house. This will give opportunity to leash or apply collar and then praise for not jumping.
Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior
The most common and most preferred consequence is to remove the very thing the dog is trying to obtain, ATTENTION.
Yelling and fighting with the dog can still be viewed as rewarding by the dog.
The dog must learn that he will not be rewarded with your attention (positive or negative) while he is jumping.
Utilize remote training collar to get the dog physically off of you ("OFF"), but still maintain his focus
What should I do then?
Stop, turn away and instantly stop all interactions, both verbal and physical.
Usually, the dog will come around to try and face the person so as to jump again.
Turn away again and continue to ignore the behavior. Neither touch nor make eye contact during this time.
You may have to ignore the dog for up to 2-3 minutes before the dog stops jumping and tries another approach.
As soon as the dog has 4 paws on the ground, attention may be given to the dog and have the dog sit
Important Note
It is EXTREMELY important that you do not give in at any time and give the jumping dog attention. This will only teach him to jump longer to get your attention and will make teaching him not to jump much harder.
Consistency in Dealing with the Problem Behavior
Be prepared to consistently practice the non-jumping exercises every single time they come in the door and continue consistently praising the dog for calm behavior when people are present.
If you are not consistent, the dog will not be consistent either.
People who teach their dogs that jumping is acceptable sometimes (while wearing house clothes) but, not other times (while wearing good clothes) will always have a difficult time eliminating the problem.
Important Note
Dogs need sufficient exercise on a daily basis. What is sufficient is based on the needs of the dog. A high energy dog that does not have an adequate amount of exercise will have a difficult time controlling such behaviors as jumping.
Next topic to be covered will be: Puppy Nipping and Mouthing
- Animal Behavior College
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Upcoming Events
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MARCH 13-15, 2009 :: Palm Beach, Florida
2nd Annual Palm Beach Home Show
Palm Beach County Convention Center
Once again, Sit Means Sit Dog Training will be participating in the Palm
Beach Home Show. Sit Means Sit instructor and his partner Kody had a
great time at the last show. People are always amazed at the level of
control we can achieve with our style of dog training. Even more
important is our dogs enjoy the interaction and freedom we offer them.
Come and see for yourself what we can do for you. Preparing to do some
remodeling or decorating? Come see some of the best vendors in the
industry at this show. Have a dog with behavioral issues? Come see us
before you make that home improvement.
www.palmbeachhomeshow.com
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MARCH 20-21, 2009 :: Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach Home Show & Pet Expo
South Florida Fairgrounds
There will be a Pet Pavillion at this Home & Garden Show and Sit Means Sit
trainer Bob Burnell and his dog Kody will be there to show off our amazing
style of dog training. Come on over to us and let us show you why Sit
Means Sit is the fastest growing US based dog training company. There
will be a doggie fashion show with 10 local radio and TV stations.
www.FloridaHomeShows.com
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June 3-4th, 2009- Palm Beach (Law Enforcement Only)
South Florida Police & Security Expo 2009
Palm Beach County Convention Center
9:00am to 4:00pm
Sit Means Sit Trainers Bob Burnell and Dennis Dalia will be demonstrating
advanced K9 obedience and protection work at the 2nd annual South Florida
Police & Security Expo. Come and see the latest innovations in K9
obedience as well as the latest trends and information in the Law
Enforcement and Security field.
www.southfloridapoliceexpo.com
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About Your Trainer
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Bob grew up in Long Island, New York
and upon graduation from High School spent four years serving this country in
the U.S. Army. Bob graduated from
Hofstra University Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Business and
earned several academic achievement awards.
Bob spent several years as an Operations Executive for a major retailer
until he joined the N.Y.P.D. Bob
graduated #1 in his class from the police academy, earning the highest academic
achievement award. Bob is currently a
full time Police K9 officer. Bob has
certifications in dog training through The Animal Behavior College and The No
Limitations School for Remote Collar Training.
Bob has worked with some of the most influential dog trainers. Bob has studied under Brian Kilcommons (noted
trainer and author) and Fred Hassen (founder and creator of Sit Means Sit). Bob has over 6 years of experience in training dogs and receives a real sense of accomplishment when he witnesses the success his clients have with our program.
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Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to work with your family. We appreciate everyone of our clients and value the relationship that we have with you. The highest compliment that you can give us, is the referral of your family and friends. Remember, we are never too busy for your referrals. If you know someone that would benefit from our services or that might enjoy what we do, please forward this newsletter to them. We are always looking to improve our service. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to us. We are always looking for testimonials from our clients so that we can show others how our training as helped you. Please feel free to visit my Palm Beach Training Blog to obtain additional information and view some more great videos.
Sincerely,
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Robert Burnell
Sit Means Sit of Palm Beach County 561-543-5583 robertburnell@sitmeanssit.comWatch Sit Means Sit as it makes its debut on Animal Planet in February 2009
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