By Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net

It’s official, summer is almost over and the kids are back in school, (if only for two days this week!), maybe its time for your dog to take some classes too?  Dog training can involve so much more than just the basic commands, (sit, down, stay), that we all think of, and it’s a great way to bond with your dog and strengthen your relationship, while having fun.  In addition to helping your dog to be a polite, agreeable companion, being able to control your dog can save their life – think run-away dog on a busy street.

Everything my dog needed to know, he learned in Kindergarten

You can begin training a new dog as soon as you bring it home- housebreaking should start as early as 8 weeks of age.  There are various ways to get obedience training for your dog- you can learn in a group or work one on one with a professional trainer.  Please note that what should actually be happening is you are being trained- you learn how to teach your dog while reinforcing techniques you’ve both learned during the training session.  Training will be most effective if all family members take part in the training, (or at least reinforce it at home), to ensure consistency.  Group classes will also help socialize a dog and get them used to being around other people and dogs.

A puppy should not be brought to a group setting until it has completed all required vaccinations (around 4 months of age).  “ Puppy Kindergarten” is a popular way to train young dogs. (Speak to the trainers & your vet about this, opinions vary on this topic).

A puppy, just like a child, requires discipline, consistency, and patience. Owners need to take the time to train their puppy as well as take steps to make their home safe. The puppy training phase is an important part of raising a healthy and happy dog in a safe home environment.

Basic or beginner’s obedience is typically a short course ranging from 6-10 weeks where owners learn how to communicate with and train their dog in a few simple commands. Walking properly on a leash, (heeling) is often the first training required prior to learning other commands. Obedience training is often a prerequisite for more advanced training- you must be able to control your dog and they should be able comply immediately with every command given.

Advanced Obedience Training and more

Once you’ve mastered the basic commands, maybe you and your dog are ready to take it to the next level. The American and United Kennel Clubs (AKC and UKC) offer titles in Competition Obedience. Agility is also a great sport to try with your dog.

So come on, get out there and start training, helping your dog to be a well mannered canine citizen is guaranteed to be time well spent!

Editor’s note: If you are looking for a dog trainer on Long Island click here  http://www.longislandpetprofessionals.com/member-directory/ and you will be sure to find one close to your home.  Interview the dog trainer first, as different trainers have different methods.  Find the trainer that best suits your dog, you and your family. 

By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Back to School & your pet

So it’s that time of year again, for some parents the most wonderful time of year when kids head back to school.  But maybe this summer you got a new puppy, kitten or “Hammy” the Hampster, which will no longer get full time love and attention from your children.  Pets can feel depressed and sad when a routine they have become accustomed to suddenly changes.  Parents also want to make sure with schedule changes and extra curricular activities, that your children who begged you for a pet don’t forget their responsibilities.

A few tips to help keep the household running smoothly, pets happy, kids on their busy schedules are:

• Have a child care chart posted for each pet, and each child so they know what day they have responsibility for what pet.
• Hire a pet sitter or dog walker, but don’t tell your child! You don’t want them to slack off knowing the dog may have already been walked that day or hamster or bird cage might have been cleaned earlier.
• Set aside play time each day for your pet.  In other words, make sure your children know at this particular time of the day the pet gets training time, play time, or walked with your kids.  Otherwise neglected pets, especially dogs that were doing great with training i.e. not chewing, or no longer having accidents in the house, may revert to doing so due to lack of attention, not spite.
• Have a family meeting so everyone is on the same page as to what their pet care responsibilities are.
• Set a schedule.  Try to keep the pets schedule as much as possible the same as it was over the summer, feeding, walking, etc.  Making some adjustments, earlier wake up time, feeding time, etc. and the pet will quickly grow accustomed to the new schedule if it is done on a consistent basis by all family members.
• Meet with a dog trainer if your dog starts acting out once their is less attention on them.

A responsible, caring and dedicated owner is not that hard to be today.  We are lucky in this day and age there are so many professional pet sitters and pet experts available, pet knowledge at our fingertips, free courses and more, for families to learn about responsibilities of being a pet parent.  Being a pet parent, whether the pet is a family pet or an individual child’s responsibility should be taken seriously and not frivolously. Most children find the experience very rewarding, loving and caring for another living being.  Make the back to school transition easy for all family members, two-legged and four-legged ones easy – have a family meeting tonight!