How to Teach your Dog to Stay (Video)

A great video I just stumbled upon. Teach your dog how to stay:

A Guide For Multi Dog Management

When people learn how many dogs I have, (which is inevitable, it always comes out) I get a variety of reactions: disbelief, revulsion, amazement, questions about my sanity, and less frequently curiosity and a little bit of “How would I do that?”. Not usually. Usually it is wrinkled noses and pointed questions about my marital status (like I am the crazy lonely cat lady, only with dogs). By now, I mostly ignore the predictable responses. I continue with what I’m doing and give them a minute to collect their social game face, providing only confirmation, “Yep, that many dogs”. More interesting to me (and worrisome) are the people who wonder about doing it themselves.

This many dogs, even if they all fit in one large Bowers bagel, they aren’t for everyone. They aren’t even for most. Or some. Only the tiniest percentage of families would be interested in this shit show. And that’s good. I will say it again and again, don’t be like us. If you are interested, maybe not in my level of crazy, but in pushing the boundaries of one or two dog acceptability, there are tricks to this. Ways to master multi-dogs, to keep them from revolting en mass, when you are hopelessly outnumbered.

Train Individually. That statement assumes that your train at all, which I highly recommend if you want to have more dogs than people in the house. Jedi mind control. Not optional. If you want them to behave as a group, you have to practice individually. What Hugo lacks in formal training, we make up for with individual time. The things he does know, we practice on separate outings, in the yard, the neighborhood, or even being the only dog to go on vacation with us (it’s happened). Having the behavior rock solid when solo drastically increases the likelihood it will occur with 5 of your closest buddies milling about.

Life Isn’t Fair. When we do those individual training sessions, a handfull of dogs are left out. Upset dogs. The same thing occurs when we take 3 on a walk, just because. Or when one dog goes to a friends house, while everyone else sits at home. How sad for those left behind, right? Good thing I don’t care. Not all is equal. I don’t let issue of ‘fairness’ influence how I handle beings who don’t understand the concept. With this many, dogs will get left out. The short end of the stick comes around frequently. But, all in all they live a pretty blessed existence, my dogs. Even if they don’t get to go on that particular walk.

Understanding High Value: This one took me a while, and had some drastic consequences way back when. I used to leave coveted stuffed toys free and loose to be shredded, hoarded, and fought over. That was a mistake. Stuffed toys = too high value. I had to figure out what chews dogs could be given ready access to without causing a riot. Even still, every once in a while there’s an antler everyone is gunning for. Pay attention to what is particularly important to your dogs. What’s worth fighting over? It’ll be different for different dogs. It’s not that they don’t get those items. It’s that I control their access. We have an impressive selection of stuffed toys, played with under supervision. That particularly alluring antler? Confiscated until some of the shine wears off. This accounts for reason 2,652 why we don’t free feed.

Containment: Structure. Routine. In my opinion, this is what successful dog ownership always boils down to. Whether you’ve got one dog, or nine (don’t have nine dogs). We get up at this time of day. We potty at these intervals. We eat at designated times in designated locations. We come when called. We wait at doors. All these things that happen so automatically, they become part of your dogs life. Your dogs take them for granted. My dogs spend much of the day in their kennels. One could feel sorry for them and their confinement. But, I know the truth. On days I work from home, when my dogs aren’t crated, what do they do? They sleep. They aren’t off frolicking, happy to be free from their cages. No, they are crashed out. Sometimes its in a different location from their usual day spot, but not always. Often they spend their days in the kennel with the door open. I have to coerce them into trips outside.

Tracking Accessories: If you are like me and own too many dogs or run a dog business, it's a good idea to use somekind of tracking device or some other method to find them fast. Personally, I am super happy with my Marco Polo  but there are certainly many other great picks too choose from.

Dogs with marco polo tracker

Managing a lot of dog requires a little bit of shift in perception. There are dangers. Big dog fights are scary. And they can be over something stupid, like a tennis ball. I learned much of this in a trial by fire kind of way. Unfortunately. I wouldn’t say my dogs are perfect. Far from it. I would say they are manageable, and happy.

A shout out to multi dog families! What tricks and training do you use to manage your pack? What has worked well for you? And how have you really messed it up?

Tips on Moving Overseas with your Pooch

If you are moving abroad and you own a dog, one of the major dilemmas you might face is what to do with it. You may have no choice but to leave it behind or you may decide to take it with you. If you have the opportunity and the means to move overseas with your dog, you still have to know the answers to countless questions such as the pet laws of the country you are going to, how pet friendly is the place you will be living, will there be enough space for your dog in your new home, will the destination country have available dog food that your pet is accustomed to, and so on and so forth.

Here are more common factors to consider in your plans of moving overseas with your dog:

Weather conditions– find out if your dog will be comfortable with the climate conditions of your destination country. Many dogs quickly adapt to change of weather but if they have weight problems, coat issues, or sensitive skin, they might be likely to find it a challenge to transition well. For example, dogs with long and thick coats might find it difficult to live in a tropical country. You can research and ask your vet for advice on how your pet can cope with being in another country with a climate it is not accustomed to.

The country’s culture and society – many countries around the world have the similar views about their pets in terms of maintenance and bonding. For instance, in France, most dogs are loved a lot like children and are almost always allowed in public places. But in some other countries, dogs are considered a nuisance.

The vicinity of where you plan to live – the U.S. has rural and urban areas, which vary greatly in manner of lifestyle. If your country dog suddenly moves to a busy city in another country, your dog can become quickly stressed out. Extreme environmental changes can lead to anxiety for your dog, a creature of habit. Try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible; feed and exercise it regularly and provide it with toys and bedding it is familiar with.

Moving overseas will be a huge change in your dog’s life, as much as your own. Weeks before your departure, make sure your dog’s papers are all ready, that it is fit for traveling, and it has proper identification in the form of a dog tag or microchip.

Best City-Friendly Dog Breeds

French Bull Dog - A great option for the city

If you are living in the city, you are most probably wondering what dog breed would be best for a pet. Size is usually a major factor but some large dogs have been known to adapt well to city living.

Here are some breeds that generally do well with life in the city:

• French bulldog – these dogs have an excellent temperament and are not too energetic. They make cute lapdogs that love to cuddle. Keep in mind that because of their short snouts, they are prone to respiratory problems.
• Portuguese water dog – these are relatively smaller than your standard poodle. They are fun, affectionate, and loving. They develop less dander compared to most other breeds and therefore are highly recommended to people who are sensitive to allergies. They can make wonderful family dogs.
• Norfolk terrier – these resilient dogs are quick to adapt to their surroundings. They do not require too much effort in grooming, although their coats tend to be wiry and a bit rough. Their happy-go-lucky attitude will be sure to brighten up your day.
• Labrador retriever – although belonging to the large breed, this is a common city dog. They are athletic and full of energy but they also make great family dogs. They are ideal for homes with larger space.
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel – these are friendly dogs that are great for young children. They have excellent temperaments and are generally very patient and tolerant. They are prone to heart ailments.
• Chihuahua – their small size is perfect for city living. They are ideal for homes with limited spaces such as a small apartment. They require less grooming compared to other breeds. Take note that if you are staying in cold areas that have winter months, these little dogs can easily get cold. Make sure they are warm and snug even in cold weather. Chihuahuas are also easy to carry around, intelligent, and sweet.
• Dachshund –these are lovable dogs that will make loyal companions. They are relatively small and won’t take up much space, especially the miniature dachshund. These dogs are characterized by their long bodies and have a tendency to develop spine troubles.
• Yorkshire terrier – this toy breed is another favorite among city dwellers. They do not require a lot of space in the home and they look very adorable. They need regular grooming to keep their coat silky and tangle-free. “Yorkies,” as they are fondly called, can easily be carried around since they are lightweight.

Whatever breed you decide to get for city living, you will still have to provide the proper training while they are still young to keep them from misbehaving. Also, whether they are large or small, they will need regular exercise to maintain good health.