Dog Training Tips and Summer Safety – Happy and Healthy Pets

As a service dog owner, I was happy to write this dog training tips and healthy pets post.
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Dog Training Tips and Summer Safety – Happy and Healthy Pets

See that beautiful guy up there? That’s Harris The Wonder Dog. He’s my service dog and together, we’re going to go over some basic dog training tips and Summer safety measures. We want your pets to stay happy and healthy this season! The first step? Using healthy dog treats to motivate to furry friend! Before we get started, Harris wants to show off just a bit. You’re ok with that, right?

Wasn’t that awesome? While Harris was trained at a specialized facility for service dogs, the theories they use are universal. Start by finding healthy dog treats such as Nudges and begin training as soon as you bring your pet  home.

Dog Training Tips With Rewards

Be a label reader! The best dog treats and food will be made in the US. They shouldn’t contain artificial flavors or fillers. And, if protein is not the main ingredient, pick something else! Since food and treats are an everyday part of your pets life, always go for quality to keep them healthy and happy! Dog training tips can be easily summed up in 1 sentence. Rewards and praise are what dogs work for. Period. Not because they love you. Although, I’m totally sure they do! As pack animals, they look for their leader (this would be you now) to reward or correct behaviors. The best dog training tips always include command, praise, reward. Assign a 1 word ‘command’ to the action you want your pet to do. Let’s say for example… Sit. This is pretty easy to teach, even to young puppies. Simply (and gently) press on their tush while giving the command“Sit!” Firm but not angry voice. Once their little back end is on the ground, praise, praise, praise! And finally, reward with high quality dog treats. Once they’ve mastered 1 command, go on to the next. I recommend starting with all the basic ‘manners’ first. Off, Down, Don’t… Dog training tips aren’t simply so your buddy can do cool tricks. You want your dog, kids, and all visitors safe as well! Using good dog training tips at a young age makes for a super obedient dog later! Remember to train early and often. That cute 10lb puppy will grow sooner than you realize into an 85lb dog! Trust me on that one!

Summer Safety – Happy and Healthy Pets

So now that Summer is here and the 4th of July right around the corner, we need to go beyond basic dog training tips and tricks and talk about Summer safety! Harris takes Uh.Maze.Ing care of me. I’m going out of my way to make sure he’s well taken care of too! The 3 most important things you can do to make sure your pets are Summer Safe are:

• Test the pavement. If it’s too hot for your hand to touch, it’s too hot for their paws to walk on! 
• Bring water on all walks, trips to the dog park, anytime you’ll be outside for more than just a quick bathroom break! Dogs don’t sweat and since they are always wearing that gorgeous fur coat, they can suffer from dehydration and over-heat super fast!
• Scoop your poop! For real too! Don’t be the ‘bend and fake it’ like my neighbor. Kids are outside playing you guys! EEwww… Aside from the hassle of cleaning it off your shoes, it carries parasites. Be an awesome dog owner! Carry a little baggie in your pocket or even get one of these cool bag holders that attach right to your leash! There’s 200 bags and it’s like about $8. It’s cool to scoop your poop my friends! VERY cool!

Now, let’s chat real quick about what NOT to do over the Summer. These are really people tips as well as good dog training tips! Some owners just make me scratch my head sometimes. All pretty common sense stuff.

• Never tie-up your dog outside for extended periods of time. I know, you want to vacuum all that hair-up, I do too. Maybe you have company coming over and they aren’t as fond of the furry kind as you. Remember the heat? The fur coat? Yep. Totally a bad idea. You can always put the dog in another room, or even in a crate for a short period of time. But never outside, tied-up! 
• When and if you do let your pooch out (in your fenced backyard!) make sure they have access to plenty of water! Imagine that sad doggie face staring at you when they go to get a drink and the bowl is empty. {Insert sad puppy face here}
• Most states have leash laws now. And for good reason! Not only does this keep your pet safely by your side and out of traffic, it also keeps the public safe. And by default you as well! If your dog is off leash and does harm to a person or other dog, oh buddy are you in trouble! Let’s not go there! Grab your leash, attach, walk! See, super simple! Happy healthy pets are the best pets!

Unless of course you’ve got an awesomesauce fenced in dog park! Then let that guy run! Play fetch, toss a frisbee, run, run, run! All dogs need exercise! Try to get in there as early in the day as you can, that way neither of you get too hot! Just keep that water handy and watch for ‘those dogs‘. You know, the ones who’s owners used zero, zip, nada dog training tips or tricks and they have no manners. Most dog fights happen at dog parks. Since the 4th of July means picnics at the park, also be sure to watch that your little nibbler doesn’t get into the people food! Onions, grapes, chocolate, and chicken bones can be so dangerous for the furry kind! If you’re spending this holiday at the lake or out on your fancy, schmancy boat don’t forget healthy pets and water safety! They do make life vests, but Harris won’t stay in it. At all. So we keep a super close eye on him around the water! And finally, the 4th of July is the #1 biggest day for dogs to run away! The noise, the commotion, some owners are distracted watching the cool fireworks show… Harris does very well with loud noises. But most dogs don’t. It can be scary and totally overwhelming for some. You know your dog best. If this is the case, keep them safely inside and away from fireworks that go BOOM!

If you’re looking for more dog training tips and how to have happy, healthy pets for the 4th of July and all Summer long, be sure to join the #NudgesMoments Twitter party! There will be some sweet prizes! 5 $100 VISA Gift Cards! Head on over here to learn more and to RSVP so you can join the party and let us know how you ‘Nudge your pup’ (get it, #nudge your pup!!)  July 3, 2013  from  1-2 pm EST.

Also, be sure to check out Nudges Facebook page! Over there is another cool contest you can enter. All you have to do is share a picture of your dog in a special “Nudges Moment.” I know you have tons of those!! Do it!!  There are weekly prizes and a grand prize of a Samsung Galaxy S4 with a $2,500 gift card toward phone service.

And for you, the super awesome one with new dog training tips to make yours the coolest dog on the block….
Check out this digital magazine and get some great recipes, crafts, fashion ideas, etc for summer – Look to see who made the Nudges page in it! Check out my whole shopping trip for this post here.

So!! Tell me!! What dog training tips do you have to share? And great Summer safety advice for new pet owners?