How to take a “SAFE” road-trip with your pooch

BEST DOG ON THE BLOCK  Dog Tips 

 

How to take a “safe” road-trip with your pooch.

by Mark Siebel – Owner - DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training

 

So, you just finished watching “Driving Miss Daisy” and you want to take your new puppy for a road trip.  GREAT!  But remember, driving is hard enough when you are trying to concentrate on other drivers, pedestrians, stray Javelinas, trying to text, and NOW an energetic puppy!  It’s okay to take your dog with you on your travels, but safety must always prevail.  To ensure you get to the dog park in one piece, follow the below simple tips:

 

1.                    Dogs belong in the back seat.   Your dog must learn that they come second BEHIND you, the “pack leader.”  By keeping your dog behind you in the car, you are reinforcing the pack order that human is first and dog is second.  Therefore, keep Fido in the back seat.  There are doggie seat belts available from your local pet store, OR use a “stay” command to keep your dog from coming into the front seats.

2.                    Restricted access to windows.   Besides eating and walking, a dog’s next favorite activity is putting their head out a car window!  Not only does this cool them off, but their strong sense of smell cause them to be mesmerized by thousands of new odors rushing into their noses!  With this said, safety is still of utmost importance.  Only lower the rear windows enough so the dogs head can stick out, and then LOCK the power window controls to restrict the windows from accidently lowering or raising any further.  NEVER have a dog in the rear of a pick-up truck unleashed.

 

Taking Fido for a car ride can be fun.  Just remember that “safety” is always the main priority when traveling with your dog.

 

Mark Siebel has trained over 500 Arizona Valley dogs, has dog training tips published monthly in various AZ magazines, appears on NBC Arizona Midday & ABC Sonoran Living, speaks regularly with local schools youth groups about the importance of dog safety and ownership, and donates time to kids who want to learn more about dogs.  He is a member of APPSA (Arizona Professional Pet Sitters Association) and ASC of Arizona (Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona).  Mark owns (2) Australian Shepherds named Leinie and Kugel.  Voted 2008 runner-up “Best Dog Trainer in Phoenix” by SonoranTails Pet Magazine.  For more information or general dog questions, go to:  http://www.doggiestepsdogtraining.com/index.html or call Mark @602.318.0122.

Unconditional Love? Take some advice from your dog.

BEST DOG ON THE BLOCK  Dog Tips 

 

Need a change in your personal relationships?  Take some advice from your dog.

by Mark Siebel – Owner - DOGGIE STEPS Dog Training

 

As a dog trainer in the Valley for over four years, I have yet to meet a customer who doesn’t display an overpowering connection, passion, and love for their dog.  Sure, they say that a real man doesn’t cry, but the love that he displays for his dog is worldly.  The closest thing to unconditional love from a dog, is the love a mother has for her child.  We joke that “dysfunctional” families have disputes that often seem as if they CANNOT be resolved.  The love from a dog lasts forever and is truly unconditional.  To ensure your wife doesn’t pick the dog over YOU for movie night, follow the below simple tips:

 

1.                    Listening is the KEY to communication.   A dog’s best sense is scent.  What is a human’s best sense?  Who really knows?  Dogs act on instinct where human beings act on feelings and emotions.  80% of my job as a dog trainer is listening, and the remainder is problem-solving and reassurance.  Having two ears and only ONE mouth should give us a hint!

 

2.                    Forgiveness and flexibility.   Have you ever known a dog to hold a grudge?  If so, for how long?  I have NEVER seen a dog at a dog park go home with ANOTHER owner!  Dogs are loyal and will remain with their original owner unless separated at the owner’s choice.  Don’t be so rigid with your loved ones.  It takes years to make acquaintances and only MINUTES to lose them!  Joy takes less energy than anger.  Forgive more and judge less.

 

Are humans designed for unconditional love?  Observe your dog’s behaviors and begin your path to find the answer to this question.

 

Mark Siebel has trained over 500 Arizona Valley dogs, has dog training tips published monthly in various AZ magazines, appears on NBC Arizona Midday & ABC Sonoran Living, speaks regularly with local schools youth groups about the importance of dog safety and ownership, and donates time to kids who want to learn more about dogs.  He is a member of APPSA (Arizona Professional Pet Sitters Association) and ASC of Arizona (Australian Shepherd Club of Arizona).  Mark owns (2) Australian Shepherds named Leinie and Kugel.  Voted 2008 runner-up “Best Dog Trainer in Phoenix” by SonoranTails Pet Magazine.  For more information or general dog questions, go to:  http://www.doggiestepsdogtraining.com/index.html or call Mark @602.318.0122.

Pete & Ashlee (Simpson) Sniff Out Dog Whisperer

Sneak Peek: Pete & Ashlee Sniff Out Dog Whisperer

Tue., Dec. 16, 2008 6:00 PM PST by Peter Gicas

Prior to the birth of little baby Bronx, Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson-Wentz wanted to make sure their two English bulldogs were well-prepared for the arrival of the newest member of the family. So who better to fetch than Cesar Millan, aka the Dog Whisperer, for assistance?

“My biggest concern is them knowing that the baby is a priority in the house,” says Ashlee during the couple’s appearance on the Dec. 18 episode of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer. ”I don’t want them around the baby at first.”

Sure enough, Millan proceeds to do what he does best, teaching Pete and Ashlee various ways to help them better control their pooches, Hemingway and Rigby, including getting these four-legged creatures to, wait for it, utilize a treadmill.