Teach your dog tricks for even deeper bonding!

Every day KT and I work on learning a new trick. Her hardest trick to date has been "play dead." It took 2 months to accomplish "play dead." I'd have her lie down (she's good at that), then, I'd move a treat in front of her, over her side and around to her back. I gave her time to think about it. She wanted the treat, but wouldn't roll over onto her side. If she didn't do it, I gently rolled her onto her side and said "Play dead!" and treated her.

We worked on this once every morning with 2 attempts. Two weeks ago she finally did it on her own. Why is this important? Because we were working on something together. It was her special time to think, get "alone" attention and to feel accomplished. I never said no to her, just encouraged her with treats, my voice and belly rubs.

As close as we are, training KT to do tricks makes us even closer. Next we will learn "roll over" (this will be easier).

Old Dog New Tricks - HOUSE BREAKING SUCCESS!

Fergie, a nearly 15 year old Yorkie who had very lax housebreaking habits, now has become a very reliable and housebroken dog. How? We made her go out more often than she needed to and told her to "go potty". When she did we gave her a tiny treat. It took a month, but she is very reliable again. In fact, at lunch time she will go out and pee. Come in for her treat. Then go out again to go poo and come back in for a treat. She knows what she's doing.

We HIGHLY recommend this solution for anyone having housebreaking challenges.

How to Play Funagle

There is now a video about how to play the new board game for people and dogs to play together, called Funagle! It's posted on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16XxTJFhwz4
It's a great way to entertain yourselves and your dog[s] during the holidays and winter months. Start with lots of treats and your dogs' favorite toys. You'll be amazed at what you can get your dog to do with a little creativity on your part. Treats are a great motivator. Enjoy!

Old Dog New Tricks Follow-up

After 3 weeks of encouraging our our 14 1/2 year old Yorkie to "shake," we seem to be making progress. Fergie raises her right paw when asked to "shake" before she gets her treat every morning. It has taken longer than it would have when she was younger, but, it appears that it just may be possible to teach an old dog new tricks. What do you think? Have you had luck training elderly dogs?

How to celebrate a dog's birthday

Every year it's nice to mark your dog's birth with a celebration. What's the best way to celebrate? Well, what is your dog's favorite thing to do? Besides eat? Go on a walk? Play with friends? Chase a ball? Go to the dog park? There's your answer. Give her special attention, an extra treat, a walk to her favorite shop or tree, a belly rub. You know what she likes. Let her know how happy you are that she came into your life.

Can an old dog learn new tricks?

We decided to test the old dogs/new tricks cliche with our 14 1/2 year old Yorkie.

She never learned to "shake." A week ago we asked her to shake before she got her morning and afternoon treats. She's very good at sitting, but doesn't know shake.

We have her sit, say "shake" and lift her paw, then treat her. The 3 year old yorkie got it in 3 treat sessions. The old dog hasn't gotten it yet. We're giving her 2 weeks to catch on. We'll keep you posted.

How ManyTreats Should I Give My Dog?

Dogs don't care HOW MUCH treat you give them...they care about the actual act of giving. So, treat your dog more often with very small morsels.

One big treat each day, teaches them that they get one big treat a day. Give your dogs smaller treats more often when they have done something to deserve a reward. If you want to give your dog a treat, have her perform first. Every time you reward her for an accomplishment, she learns something.

What sized treat should I give my dog?
Give toy-sized dogs approximately a 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch treat.

Give big dogs just enough so that he can tell you've given him a treat. Try a 1/4 inch x 1 inch circle. If you can go smaller, do.

Remember, treat LESS more OFTEN!