It is a little known fact that in Miami-Dade (Florida) pitbulls cannot be kept as pets. There is a possibility that this ban may get reversed as Florida Legislature is discussing bills during their 2012 session that may veto any law outlawing a specific breed.

National Public Radio recently did a showcase in one of their podcasts that highlighted the pitbull ban and the bond between a man and a dog.

To hear the very moving story click here.

A well trained dog is a happy dog.  Really!  In celebration of National Train Your Dog Month we’re highlighting our dog training program at Central Bark Doggy Day Care.  We only partner with dog training professionals that embrace our overall pawlosophy.

Our dog handling and dog training program methodologies come from the reward-based, gentle, positive reinforcement school of thought.  Treats, praise and more treats is our motto!

Classes are meant to encourage stronger relationships, build a foundation for good canine citizenship and create happy, social and well-rounded dogs.

You can start as early as 7 weeks with your new pup and keep on refreshing your dog throughout his adult years.

For more information on training classes click here and don’t forget to check out some training tips that you can only find in our bi-monthly newsletter!

For additional Central Bark information call 866-799-2275.

In today’s society, there are so many people trying to convey their beliefs that it can seem suffocating.  Animal whisperer this and expert dog trainer that.  With the advent of the Internet, incorrect information regarding dog behavior and dog training is extremely easy to obtain.  Here are a few common dog training myths and the truth behind them…

MYTH: Positive reinforcement training means I always need to carry food with me.

Not true!  Training a dog using positive reinforcement simply means that you will give your dog a “reward” each time he does something right, and not necessarily in the form of food.  In certain circumstances, dogs will work for rewards like petting or verbal praise. The most important part about this type of dog training is that you mark the right behavior, following it up with a reinforcement.

MYTH: My dog is too old or too set in his ways to train.

Any dog can learn new behaviors.  Sometimes a dog appears unwilling or unable to be trained because the new behavior may be too large.  Break it down if this happens.  Try to reduce the amount of distractions for your dog to help him focus on what you are trying to teach.

MYTH: My dog knows he was wrong because he “looked guilty.”

Your dog is most likely reading your body language, voice and posture which is telling him you are angry or upset.

MYTH: You can’t play tug of war because it will cause your dog to become dominant.

There are no such things as dominant dogs, but dominant situations.

MYTH: Two puppies purchased at the same time will be easier because they will keep each other company.

One puppy alone is A LOT of work.  Two puppies is TWICE the amount of work!  These pups will need separate crates, bowls, potty trips and training time.  If you don’t have the time to devote to one pup, you certainly should not buy two.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care offers an array dog training classes.  Whether you’re looking for puppy training, basic obedience training, or even agility training Central Bark is your hot spot.

For more information on Central Bark and their many dog services click here or call 866-799-2275.

Coming off of the tail end of our last post (get it, tail end) professional dog trainer and Central Bark Doggy Day Care Brookfield and Wauwatosa owner, Kerry Krienitz, wanted to elaborate on this dominance dilemma.

Below is Kerry’s extremely interesting piece on the study of dominance and how it’s all really just misunderstood…

The ethological definition of dominance is “The ability to control resources with the least amount of effort”. 

Dominance may be one of the most misunderstood and misapplied concepts in dog training today.  Popular television shows and outdated training theories suggest that dogs have an innate desire to ‘dominate’ people and other dogs so as to increase their ‘status’ or ‘rank’ amongst the pack.  The desire to dominate is said to be the root cause of a number of canine behavior problems.  Behaviors such as jumping up, door dashing, marking, growling, and not coming when called have all been labeled as so-called dominant behaviors.  Owners are often told that the only way to curb such behaviors is by effectively showing their dog that they are in charge or are the “pack leader.”

Misapplied theories of dominance stem from the study of captive wolves over 5 decades ago.  Researchers attempting to understand wolf behavior, made the mistake of observing un-related captive wolves.  This would be similar to future anthropologists trying to study our culture by only viewing episodes of Jersey Shore (unusual behaviors arise when unrelated females and males are forced together…this is true at the zoo or the shore)  They quickly found that captive unrelated wolves behaved very differently than their wild counterparts.    Wolf packs were not filled with struggles for dominance or higher status, but operated very much like a normal family.  The term ‘Alpha’ does not refer to the most dominate wolf pack member, but the reproducing pair in the pack—otherwise known as ‘mom’ and ‘dad.’

But is it important, or even necessary, for dog owners to be concerned with dominance or whether their dog views them as pack leader?   Animal research and behavioral science insist that techniques used to demonstrate pack leadership are not only a waste of time, but are often coercive—leading to greater behavioral problems.   Dogs are not pack animals, contrary to popular belief.  They are social animals that do not form packs even in wild, free roaming populations.  It makes very little sense then to spend time attempting to be their Pack Leader.

The truth of the matter is that dogs care very little about dominance and it has even less to do with their behavior.  A dominant/submissive relationship is about access to resources and one that can exists only within a species and only between two individuals. We may try all we might to show our dogs that we are pack leader…but they are indeed smart enough to realize that we are not dogs.  Since dogs are not motivated by some mythical desire to dominate, leadership that is based on coercion and dominance becomes counter-productive.   An approach to leadership and training that is based on science and a compassionate understanding will help build a more harmonious and rewarding relationship with our canine companions.

In honor of the 45th Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show & Educational Conference, Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchisees gathered in the city of Chicago for the 3rd Annual Franchise Convention.

The all day event featured guest speakers that were experts in every doggy field imaginable.  One of the most compelling speakers of the day, however, was Central Bark Brookfield and Wauwatosa owner Kerry Krienitz.

As a certified pet dog trainer and professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers she spoke mainly about dominance and how it really doesn’t exist among dogs.

Kerry said that dominance among dogs is really situational.  If you put two dogs in a room with a bone, a shih tzu may get the bone over a lab one time but not necessarily every time with every dog.

She also explained how, contrary to popular belief, dogs really aren’t pack animals.  For more information on Central Bark or to find a location near you, click here or call 866-799-2275!

Many people who already have one dog might be considering getting a second dog.  If you’re one of those people, Gabriela Munoz of Central Bark New Orleans has a few helpful tips for easing the transition.

Gabriela has a Bachelor of Arts in the biology and psychology of animals, a Master of Science in zoology and post baccalaureate certificate in zoo and aquarium studies.  She’s completed Ken Ramirez’s animal training course at the Shedd Aquarium and has a background in marine mammal research.

“I enjoy teaching people how to apply training and enrichment techniques used at zoos and aquariums with their own pets, especially dogs,” Gabriela said.

With all of that said, Gabriela is CLEARLY an expert in this field and this is what she had to say easing the transition within a family when introducing a new pup…

1.  If you have on dog and are considering getting a second, try to determine if that is feasible for you.  If you’re not home much stop and reconsider.  However, doggy day care is a nice option for people with busy schedules.

2.  Double the dog means double the food, double the poop and double the vet bills.  It also means double the love.

3. If #1 and #2 haven’t made you reconsider, you’re probably well on your way to finding your new pooch.  Be sure to adopt from a responsible breeder or shelter.  The potential dog should fit the energy level, size and temperament you’re looking for.

4.  Most shelters and good breeders recommend that you bring your dog to meet the new dog you hope to adopt.  Shelters usually have indoor rooms or fenced in areas where the two can meet, off-leash, safely in a neutral area.

5.  It’s important not to rush introductions!  Allow dogs to sniff each other.  They may bark a few times, but that’s okay.   

6.  Remember to feed them in separate areas.

7.  Lastly, if things don’t go well and one of the two dogs is overly aggressive or overly fearful you might need to accept that this new dog is not the right fit for your family. Your dog might also not be suited for dog companionship.  Some dogs just prefer being around humans more than dogs.  Most shelters and breeders have a trial period lasting from one night to two weeks, so make sure you’re aware of what you have signed up for!

Good luck finding your new furry friend!

If you’d like to learn more from Gabriela click here for Central Bark New Orleans’ contact information.  To find a Central Bark Doggy Day Care facility near you click here or call 866-799-2275!

When it comes to getting fit, a person’s best friend just might be a dog.  Studies show that dog owners walk more, walk faster and are more likely to enjoy an active lifestyle because of their pooch.

“I’m fascinated by what a great motivator dogs can be,” said Dr. Sandra McCune, co-editor of the book, The Health Benefits of Dog Walking for People and Pets.

McCune said that studies show if you’re a dog walker, you’re more likely to meet the guidelines for daily activities.  Dogs are the reason behind 2/3 of the walks their owners take each week, according to a recent survey of more than 1,000 adults.

Dog walking has also been proven to strengthen social and communal ties.  So it’s safe to say that sometimes it’s the dog doing the training!

Clicker training is a powerful and highly effective dog training method that has become increasingly popular over the last decade because of its humane and science based methods.  This kind of dog training allows dog trainers to give timely and consistent feedback.  It enables the dog to learn much more quickly and easily.

How does it work? Clicker training uses a small device (called a clicker) that makes a distinct click sound when pressed.  You beging by creating an positive association between the click and a dog treat.  This is done by clicking, then immediately giving your dog a treat.  Repeat this about 10-15 times.  The click is now associated with positive reinforcement.

You then use the clicker to mark the behavior you like by clicking the second your dog engages in the behavior, and then of course following the click with a treat.  So, if you were teaching your dog to sit, you would click the second your dog’s butt hit the ground and then treat.

Why is clicker training effective?  Timing is one of the most important aspects of dog training and is crucial in the development of reinforcement.  Communication with our dogs needs to be as consistent and quick as possible.  The click enables a dog trainer to accomplish this, whereas a vocal tone and inflection can change each time.

Central Bark Doggy Day Care offers different types of dog training classes depending on your dog training needs.  From puppy training to basic obedience training, Central Bark offers it all.

For more information on Central Bark’s dog training services click here or call 866-799-2275.

Depending on the temperament of your dog, your schedule and your amount of patience it might be easier to hire a professional to do the dog training.  But how do you know which dog trainer is going to work best for your pooch?  Just like people, dogs learn at different paces, in different ways and react differently to different teaching styles.

The FIRST thing you should do is ask yourself what you want your dog to learn.  Are you looking just for basic obedience training?  The type of dog trainer who might be proficient at agility training may not necessarily be your first choice for puppy training.

SECOND, think about your own philosophy on learning and your own ethics.  Are you absolutely opposed to choke collars?  If the owner is feeling bad about a dog training technique, the dog will more than likely feel the same way.  Make sure the dog trainer you choose agrees with, and supports, your own values.

The THIRD step is to check out the dog trainer’s certification.  You probably wouldn’t trust your children with just any teacher, so you shouldn’t trust your dog with just anyone either.  It is true that some dog professionals are not certified, and while there aren’t any rules that mean a certified trainer is an expert, certification makes the dog trainer accountable to basic dog training guidelines.

One of the most important steps is step FOUR:  Get Referrals.  Some people even suggest that if you find a dog trainer in the phonebook, to ask if you can speak to previous clients.

FINALLY, make sure the dog trainer includes you in the training process.  This is important for multiple reasons.  You need to know what tactics the trainer is using so that you can understand them and execute them.  You also need to establish yourself as an authority with your pooch.  Show them who’s boss!

Central Bark Doggy Day Care offers dog training classes at its locations around the United States.  For more information on Central Bark, their services or to find a schedule of dog training classes in your area click here or call 866-799-2275.

Spring and summer are some of the nicest times of the year to take your pups for a walk. For many dog owners walking the dog isn’t exactly a walk in the park.  It can be a struggle to enjoy a leisurely walk when your four-legged companion is pulling you down the street.  Excessive pulling on the leash can be frustrating and, for those with larger dogs, it can become a safety concern.

When it comes to choosing the right “walking” equipment, the choices can be completely overwhelming and even more confusing.  There seems to be an abundance of leashes, collars and harnesses that are designed to help with the most wild of walkers.  But how do you know which doggy products are right for your dog?

For dogs that pull, you want to avoid prong or choke collars as they are designed to work by inducing pain or discomfort.  This pain or discomfort can then become associated with whatever the dog encounters while walking, causing behavioral problems. In addition, although prong and choke collars can be very effective, there is a great deal of training, skill and timing required to achieve the very best results.  It is really a matter of philosophy.

The best products are ones that humanely and effectively inhibit pulling, such as harnesses or head halters.  Head halters work by causing the dog’s head to turn when they pull. The Gentle Leader, although an effective head halter, may be difficult for some dogs to get used to because of the way it sits on the nose.  The most effective harness on the market is the Premier Easy Walk that can be found at Central Bark Doggy Day Care doggy boutiques.  It differs from other harnesses because it clips the leash to the front of the dog’s chest for maximum control.

If you have any questions about leashes, collars or other dog products stop by your local Central Bark doggy boutique location and ask our doggy experts anything your heart desires!

If it’s dog training you’re looking for Central Bark locations offer everything from basic obedience training to agility training and even frisbee training!

For more information on Central Bark locations click here or call 866-799-2275.