Dog Trainer Tenerife

Dogs are omnivores and do need a varied but balanced diet. In order to have a healthy and hardy dog, it is necessary to check its diet carefully for both quantity and quality. Just like us they require protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fibre. Too much protein is not healthy for your dog and can also cause your dog to become hyperactive or aggressive. Fibre and fat are also important in a dogs diet too but too much fat can be harmful to your dog, just like it is to humans. Essential nutrients include vitamins and minerals, if your dogs diet is lacking in these then he may start to show signs of deficiency. For example, not enough sodium can make dogs overly restless. Supplements should not be given (unless your veterinarian prescribes them) as this can actually cause an overdose of certain vitamins. And of course water must be available at all times, especially in hot weather.

It is best to buy a high quality or premium brand dog food which is usually made from a fixed recipe meaning that each bag contains the correct amount of nutrition required by your dog. Avoid supermarket food if possible and opt for natural or organic food that is free from chemicals and preservatives. You get more for your money with a high quality food because it is denser and not full of cheap ingredients and fillers so therefore your dog fills up quicker and it lasts longer than cheap food. Try to look for a dog food that says Complete or Balanced on the bag. As a general rule, you get what you pay for! Research suggests that feeding dried dog food does have a few more advantages than feeding wet food but it is really down to your personal preference. If you do decide to feed only dried dog food day in and day out, consider it from your dogs point of view! Would you like to eat the same food every single day? A strip of cooked chicken or a few cooked vegetables mixed in can be a nice and healthy treat.

Alternatively, you can give your dog human food consisting of cooked chicken, beef, liver, past, rice, potatoes and vegetables. Obviously this will take a lot more planning and effort on your behalf to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients required.

Some human foods are extremely harmful to dogs. This includes chocolate, fried foods and poultry bones (such as chicken or turkey) to name a few as there are many more out there. Chocolate can be toxic and can kill, while bones can splinter and cause a ripped intestine or life threatening infections. It is now recommended that you never offer your dog raw meat because unfortunately these days we cannot trust that the meat is infection-free in its raw state.

Treats can be given to your dog either during a training session or as good boy reward and it is advisable not to give treats regularly as they can seriously affect your dogs weight and health. Supermarket bought treats are usually full of unhealthy ingredients so maybe offer a small piece of cooked chicken, beef or liver instead.

If you plan to change your dogs diet around it is necessary to do this over a 5-7 day period to allow your dogs intestines to get used to it. Start by mixing a very small amount of the new food with the old food and slowly begin to wean out the old food over the next 5 days or so. Failure to do this can mean uncomfortable stomach cramps for your poor dog and a lovely ugly mess all over your house or lawn…you have been warned!!

Just like humans, you are what you eat! If your dog is a couch potato and doesn’t get much exercise or if your dog is an endless bundle of energy, then its diet needs to be adjusted to reflect that. If you have any questions regarding feeding your dog email me now on info@happytailstraining.com

Posted on June 8th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Health Care For Your Dog, Thinking Of Getting A Dog | No Comments »

Have you ever taken your dog down to the sea and allowed them to take a dip? I am currently working with two Spinger Spaniels and I thought I would do something a bit different with them today so I took them to a small cove around Golf Del Sur area where they could go into the sea and have a swim if they so desired. Little did I know how much fun they would actually have and I should have worn a bathing suit as I ended up as wet as the dogs did! I didnt even have time to take off their leads and they were splashing around and leaping about in the waves! We spent a good half an hour having so much fun and I hadnt realised just how much they loved swimming. Now we will be making this a once a week stop off so they can blow off some steam and I can sit and watch them and laugh at their silly antics!!

Obviously these two dogs have been used to the sea since they were pups so please dont just go down to the waters edge and throw your dog in which many people do. You have to teach them they have nothing to fear. How would you like to be thrown in at the deep end of the pool and not know how to swim, panic maybe?? Remember dogs have emotions and feelings too so make it as fun as possible for them even if it does take a lot of time to get them feeling comfortable, it shouldnt be a stressful experience.

Unfortunately many of the areas with a beach here in Tenerife have recently become not accessible for dogs so do make sure you check first before you allow your dog to go romping along the beach and splashing about in the waves or you could end up with a hefty fine!
As a final thought, its always a good idea to gently hose your dog off once you get home to get rid of any salt or debris left on his coat. Happy Swimming!

Posted on June 6th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Walking, Health Care For Your Dog, Tenerife, Thinking Of Getting A Dog | No Comments »

We recently made a family decision to get our 1 year old Black Labrador, Radley, spayed. When Radley first came to us as a puppy it was never our intention to leave her intact and we always knew we would have her spayed, it was just a case of when. So after 2 heat cycles and allowing her chance to grow and mature we had her done. Freshfields Animal Refuge in Liverpool were wonderful and very caring and took care of Radley during her surgery. We even received several phone calls afterwards to see how she was doing.

After a couple of weeks of feeling sorry for herself and trying to keep her quiet and calm (if only!!), she is now back to her normal self. Not only have we helped to protect her from some potential health problems, we have also given her a better quality of life and it will help to make our life much easier too!

Posted on June 5th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Health Care For Your Dog, Thinking Of Getting A Dog | No Comments »

Thank you for visiting my web-blog. Due to the recent hijack of this website it is currently being revamped which may take a bit of time.

However feel free to read and enjoy the articles and remember to email me on info@happytailstraining.com should you have any comments. Many thanks.

Posted on May 24th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

I cannot imagine who in their right mind might want to hijack a dog training site but that’s what someone did to Dog Trainer Tenerife.

It is very upsetting of course but hopefully the site will be back and better than ever very shortly. In the meantime, perhaps you could stop by at http://www.happytailstraining.com/.

Posted on May 21st, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Uncategorized | No Comments »

So now that Spring is finally in the air and the nice weather is finally here, what are your new goals?  Maybe its’ to spend more quality time with your pooch, so in this issue we take a look at some ways to have fun with your dog and some games you can play too.
Having good quality fun playtime with your dog is just as important as training him, grooming him and taking him for a walk. Spending time playing with your dog strengthens your relationship, gives your dog stimulation both mentally and physically, lets him blow off some steam and is a good way for both of you to get some exercise!

It is an important element of allowing your dog to develop social relationships with you and your family and stop him from getting bored. Playing games with your dog is not an excuse to allow your dog to completely disobey you or for you to allow him to get overly excited and start showing behaviours that are not acceptable.

Here are a couple of suitable games to play with your dog but remember if your dog does get too excited, stop immediately and allow him time to calm down.Its simple to get started as all you need is your dog along with his collar, lead, tasty treats and his favourite toy.

Hide and Seek is very similar to how we humans play it!  Take your dogs’ favourite toy or tasty treat, show it to him and tell him to sit and stay.  Hide the item somewhere were he can easily find it such as under a cushion, behind the sofa or the door.  Then go back to your dog and tell him to ‘Seek’.  Once he gets the idea you can hide it in a different room so he cannot see where you put it.  Just watch his happy tail wag as he hunts for his reward!  You can also play this outside too.

Clean up your toys is for dogs that love to fetch.  Start by scattering a couple of his toys on the floor and get him to fetch them back to you one by one.  Have a box next to you and encourage him to put them in the box and giving him a tasty treat when he gets it right will help him to repeat the behaviour.  By going in small steps your dog will eventually drop the toy in the box! (If only I could find an easy way to teach children the same thing!)

You can also teach your dog to ‘Go Get’ a certain item and by spending time teaching your dog each individual item (such as a rope toy, Nyla Bone, Kong) you can have so much fun.

When I was working with the Guide Dogs one of the students taught his dog to ‘Go Get’ the TV remote controller!What a great idea!

Would you like more ideas of Games to Play with your dog ? Email me now on info@happytailstraining.com

Posted on May 17th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Training and Obedience, Thinking Of Getting A Dog | No Comments »

I recently worked with a 6 month old puppy that would guard anything and everything she could claim as her own, her food bowl, toys, bed, the TV remote controller, a dropped tissue, even the stones from the plant pot which she had managed to pinch when no-one was looking. This is known as Resource Guarding and believe it or not it is a normal behaviour for dogs (think about kids not wanting to share their toys or give them up!) and can happen in all ages and breeds of dogs if they are allowed to be the Leader of the Pack and the ruler of the house.

Now this does not mean that you have to take everything away from your dog and make it submit to you as a leader to ensure Resource Guarding (possession aggression) doesn’t happen. Food is usually the biggest resource and as dogs understand the concept of possession and resources they can show signs of aggression when you approach their food bowl or any other object which they have claimed to be theirs. The dog may snap, growl or lunge at the owner if he attempts to retrieve the item the dog is guarding and in more serious cases the dog may bite as he fears that the person is going to take his object away.

Disciplining your dog for guarding items will only make the problem worse as he will see you as more of a threat. Instead you must help your dog to understand that he has nothing to fear when you approach him and his toy as you will give it back to him and of course using a tasty treat will help too. You must go slowly and build a positive association around people when your dog is eating his meal or has his toy to make him feel less threatened. Feeding your dog’s meal to him by hand is a good way to get started for dogs that have shown signs of resource guarding. For dogs that won’t let anyone near their bed or crate, using treats to lure them away can help but don’t get on your hands and knees or in your dogs face until he is more secure with you being near his bed. Eventually you should be able to sit in your dogs bed which sends the message to him that you are the leader and can sleep anywhere you like (including his bed if you so desire!).
Start training as soon as you get your puppy or dog and get him used to the idea that everything belongs to you and it is a privilege to play with your toys and sleep in your bed. Teaching your dog to release objects and give things back to you from the start will prevent these kinds of problems occurring.

For more information about dogs and resource guarding contact me now on info@happytailstraining.com

Posted on May 10th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training and Obedience | No Comments »

Many people don’t think about using a crate to train their dog and some even think it is cruel to put your dog in a ‘cage’. Crate training is very popular in the UK and the USA and is a large container/kennel big enough for your dog to lie down, stand up and turn around in comfortably. By using a crate you can successfully manage his environment, protect your dog from harming himself, prevent him destroying your home, help with separation anxiety and it is a great way to toilet train your dog. When used correctly the Crate is an excellent tool but it is important you introduce your dog to the crate gradually and let him see that it is a nice place to be and where good things happen. Forcing your dog into the crate will make him scared and anxious and he will never want to go in on his own accord so spend time getting your dog used to it and use lots of positive reinforcement like treats, toys and petting. In the wild a dog would naturally have a ‘den’ of his own, somewhere he can rest, sleep and get shelter from the weather so using a crate can satisfy his need for a den-like place of his own and his safe haven.

When introducing your dog to the crate make sure you have everything ready, put a blanket in the bottom, something of his such as a toy and have some tasty treats ready. Whenever your dog goes towards the crate or steps inside reward him with quiet praise and a treat. Rushing this process can cause you to end up with more problems!

Eventually you will be able to put your dog in the crate, close the door and leave him in there for short periods of time either when you are going out or you cannot keep your eye on him. Remember to leave him with a toy that will keep him busy such as a Kong stuffed with yummy treats and of course he will need water.

It is important to remember a couple of things concerning crate training – Never put your dog in his crate as punishment, you must give him a good long walk to tire him out before he goes in his crate so he will settle down and sleep, do not pay any attention to him if he whines or barks, do not leave your dog in the crate for more than 4 hours at a time, always remove his collar and remember to ensure that there is adequate ventilation during warm weather as the crate can very hot inside. Crate training is not a magical solution or a way to confine a hyperactive dog; it is a great tool to help in the training of your dog.

There are many types of crates for sale so if you have questions about Crate Training your dog or any other issues email me now on info@happytailstraining.com

Posted on May 3rd, 2009 by

Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training | No Comments »

Posted on May 3rd, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training and Obedience | 1 Comment »

With Fiesta season about to start again here on the Islands, I often get calls from dog owners who are worried about their dogs and fireworks. Most dogs will panic when they hear those unpredictable loud bangs and flashes from fireworks which often results in the dog trying to escape or hide, shaking, whining, barking, panting, restlessness, destruction in the home or having an accident. Some dogs with severe reactions have been known to flee through an open door or window to try and escape.

So let’s look at a few ways to help you and your dog cope with loud noise phobias.

Being prepared and having everything in place will help your dog to become less stressed however it is advisable not to pet your dog or try and comfort him during this time as this will only make things worse. One of the best ways to de-sensitise your dog is to get a Fireworks CD or DVD which should be played frequently to allow your dog to get used to the noise of the fireworks and is a very successful way to help retrain dogs that become stressed by them. Prepare him a bed, or den, somewhere quiet and out of the way and put plenty of comfy blankets in there so he can dig into them if he needs too. Put an item of your clothing in there too so your dog will feel even more comforted.

Feed your dog earlier in the evening or even late afternoon and take him out for a long walk before it goes dark to minimise the risk of accidents in your home. Have some distractions on hand such as the TV on, music, toys to chew on or play with to try and take your dogs mind off the noise. One of my previous clients created a den area in a spare bedroom, put a music CD on and used a Kong stuffed full of yummy treats to keep her dog distracted which worked very well. Other things to try are DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) which is a plug in device very similar to an air freshener which periodically releases a calming pheromone into the air and can help to calm and relax your dog. Also consider your behaviour, if you nervous or stressed this will only make your dog worse so try to stay calm even if you are afraid of fireworks too!

If your dog gets stressed during fireworks or you need some advice on ways to help your dog overcome loud noises call me now on 699 109 837! Firework DVDs are also available.

Posted on April 9th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training and Obedience, Tenerife | No Comments »

One of my recent clients was having terrible trouble with her Yorkshire Terrier travelling in the car.  She would bark the whole time, pant heavily and spin in circles if not secured with her dog seatbelt.

This particular case was due to anxiety and stress so we set about on a training program to enable the dog to be at ease when travelling in the car.

Yes it is always nice to be able to take your dog out with you however depending where you live over here in Tenerife you usually need a car to get around! Some dogs just do not like travelling in vehicles and this can be linked to car sickness, excitement, stress, anxiety or maybe from a previous bad experience in a car (such as going to the vets).

I would advise starting at the beginning and going right back to basics with your dog to make the car a happier and more relaxed place to be.  It is always advisable to get a correct diagnosis as to why your dog is misbehaving in the car and then you can act accordingly.  However here are some basic guidelines:

• Start off by getting your dog to sit next to the car with the door closed and reward him for being quiet and good.
• Have your dog sit next to the car. Open the car door and again praise him when quiet. If he starts to bark then go back to step 1 and repeat more frequently.
• When your dog is calm, open the car door and encourage him to jump in. Give him treats and praise him quietly.
• Repeat the same as step 3 but close the door, give treats and praise him only when he is calm and relaxed.
• Go slowly through all the previous steps until your dog can climb in and out of the car without barking. This will take time and patience on your behalf and may take you a few weeks!
• When you get to the point where your dog is calm with the car door closed then start the engine, leave it on for a short time then turn it off.
• Eventually put your dog in the car, switch on the engine and then move the car just a few yards. Stop and turn off the engine. Slowly extend the amount of time your dog is in the car and how far you go.

It is important to remember to do each step slowly. If you go to fast and try to hurry your dog then he will become more anxious or excited. The key to success is to be consistent with your training and repeat each step thoroughly before moving on to the next one. Also please remember that is the law to have your dog safely secured in your car, either by a harness, seatbelt or dog-guard which are all available from local pet shops.

Good Luck!

Posted on April 4th, 2009 by Sharon
Filed under: Dog Behaviour, Dog Training and Obedience, Happy Tails Dog Training | No Comments »