The magical milestone of 33 weeks! When your puppy hits this age, be prepared for some interesting walks that would make even the most seasoned tightrope walker break out in a sweat. This is the age when your teenage dog is testing their boundaries and may suddenly forget that they're attached to you (or simply not care).
So, expect some sudden lurches, random zig-zags, and the occasional detour to chase after a squirrel or a leaf that dared to blow in their path. But fear not, my friend, with good leash handling skills, some enticing treats, and a dash of patience, you'll survive these walks and emerge victorious on the other side. And who knows, maybe someday you'll look back and chuckle about that time you did the leash cha-cha with your pup. You've got this!
This week's focus:
Pros and cons of board and trains
Why you shouldn't use shock and prong collars
Creating a predictable pattern
Slowing your dog's eating down
The strange reverse sneeze
Choosing the right leash, and more
Should You Send Your Dog to Board and Train?
Does the idea of sending your dog off to "camp" sound enticing? It may seem like a great idea, but think twice before sending your dog to a board and train program. Not only can these programs be expensive, but they often can't give you the bang for your buck you're expecting.
Many training and behavior issues require the dog's family to be consistent and do the actual training. So, often dog owners report regression a few weeks to months after a dog returns home, simply because there isn't consistency in management and training.
Plus, many board and trains rely on fast "fixes" like shock or prong collars, which simply suppress unwanted behaviors, rather than teaching the dog what to do (and how to feel) instead.
With all of that said, there are some board and train programs with force-free dog trainers that can be a good investment, but they are few and far between. Do your due diligence when researching potential board and train programs for your dog.
If you're training your dog, you might have seen shock or prong collars touted as an easy fix to stop pulling, teach solid recall, or make it so your dog responds to every little command you give. These can be popular tools, but did you know they're actually banned in many countries due to their negative effect on canine welfare?
Whether it's a shock collar, prong collar, choke collar, or simply a squirt bottle or another punishment-based training method, there is a lot of potential fallout to using these training tools. In fact, studies have shown that the use of these tools can increase aggression and fear-based behavior. So it's best to simply avoid them.
There are much better (and proven faster) training methods to use that will increase trust between you and your dog.
Being able to take a nice walk with your dog means helping them learn not to pull on leash. This isn't the iditarod after all! Leash manners are often the hardest thing to learn for exuberant young dogs, so manage your expectations and set them up to succeed.
Reward your dog any time they look at you, giving the treat right next to your leg where you'd like them to hang out the most. Balance practicing walking in a heel with time spent sniffing and just being a dog. This will help prevent frustration on both ends of the leash. Hooking the leash up to a harness is also a great safety measure.
Dogs thrive with knowing what to expect and knowing the pattern of how things work. Creating predictable patterns for your dog to follow makes a variety of experiences, such as leash walking, easier for both you and your dog.
For example, the 1-2-3 Pattern Game is ideal for building solid leash walking manners and passing by big distractions in the environment.
Hearing the number 3 predicts a treat close to your side, and your dog quickly learns that 1 predicts 2, and 2 predicts 3. When they hear 1, they quickly get their tuckus back to position so they're ready for 3 and their reinforcement.
While watching Cookie Monster devour cookies is funny and cute, the same can't be said of our dogs when they eat too fast. When dogs rapidly eat, they are at risk of choking as well as vomiting.
Additionally, the rapid expansion of their stomachs can cause some significant discomfort or a serious condition called GDV. If your dog has issues eating too fast, attempt to divide their daily caloric requirement into smaller, more frequent meals and feed them in a quiet place alone. Consider using a slow-feeder bowl, a snuffle mat, or try another recommended method to slow down their eating.
The trachea is a long, flexible, membranous ‘tube’ that extends from the back of the throat to the lungs, through which oxygen travels. It is reinforced by ‘C’ shaped cartilage rings that comprise 5/6ths of its circumference, and these are located on its underside. The remainder of the trachea is made up of a muscle.
Tracheal collapse occurs when the cartilage rings begin to weaken, causing this usually rigid structure to lose its tubular form and the trachea to flatten, particularly when negative pressure is exerted on it, i.e., when a dog inhales.
Tracheal collapse is a progressive disease that is most common in small-breed dogs and, on average, occurs about 7 years of age but can occur at any age. Excessive pulling on a dog's collar when walking could cause collapse, so prevent putting pressure on the trachea by using a harness when you go for a walk.
Have you ever heard your dog make a sound that seemed to be a combination of a cough, a sneeze, and a snort? If you have, your dog may have experienced reverse sneezing. A reverse sneeze occurs when a dog rapidly sucks air in instead of blowing it out.
Typically, the first time you see this, it can be alarming. While there is no specific cause, there are several things such as allergies or stress that can trigger it. There is nothing abnormal about your dog occasionally reverse sneezing.
If your dog has any respiratory issues or recurring episodes of reverse sneezing, consult with your veterinarian. During an episode, the main thing you can do is attempt to soothe and calm your dog.
Pro Tip: If your dog is having a long bout of reverse sneezing, go outside with them, if it's cold, or open the freezer door and let the cool air hit their face. This will usually stop the reverse sneezing.
Go for a Socialization Adventure Walk!
Just because your dog isn't a young puppy anymore doesn't mean that they don't benefit from taking in different sights, sounds, textures, and scents!
Plan a socialization adventure walk for your dog, going somewhere new to explore. This helps prevent boredom with their usual walking route and increases enrichment opportunities as they follow their nose and see new things.
A communal or public water bowl provided by a pet-friendly business or the local parks along paths or at parks is a sweet and kind gesture. However, when your dog is lapping that water, they could also be lapping up bacteria, viruses, or even parasites that could make them quite sick.
Err on the side of caution and always carry a collapsible water bowl and fresh water any time you go out and about with your pup.
Most brands of antifreeze contain ethylene glycol, a chemical compound that is sweet-tasting and odorless. It causes significant, often fatal, problems for dogs. It can affect the nervous system and the kidneys.
Know what the symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning are, and always seek treatment immediately if you know or even suspect your dog has been exposed to this deadly toxin. Dogs need to receive treatment within 5 to 8 hours, which hopefully is prior to kidney failure developing.
To avoid this hazard, use pet-safer antifreeze that is propylene glycol-based. Caution is still needed, but the risk associated with propylene glycol is less. Remember to always clean up any spills, even with pet-safer antifreeze.
We've reviewed products for safety, efficacy, and durability. What we recommend is veterinary and behavior-approved.
Harnesses that Help with Loose Leash Walking
A harness won't completely stop (or cause) pulling – only training will teach your dog what to do instead. But certain harness designs can make it easier and safer for you to walk your dog on leash.
Even if you have a pup who's a leash-walking pro, a collar is still a must-have for a few reasons. First, it's a way to display your dog's ID and Rabies tags in case they wander off or have a case of sudden amnesia regarding their address. Second, it's a fashion statement – because let's be real, who doesn't love a good accessory?
How the leash feels in your hand is an important and often overlooked part of leash training! You'll want to choose a leash that is comfortable to hold, matches your dog's size and strength, and keeps both of you safe. A good quality leather leash is often the most pliable to hold, but biothane will hold up well to wet weather and is super lightweight.
