Tea Cup breeds

If you have a small breed as your best friend remember, he is still a dog and can still follow you, the pack leader. Here's a little tip to help. Bending over and over while working with the little guy can be hard on your back. Find yourself a table about waist high to work the dog on. With the table you don't have to bend over so far and you can correct much faster. On a very small dog I use yarn instead of a leash. I have worked some dogs so small that with a normal leash they almost topple over. Good luck and please stop by and visit us at http://www.shannondogtraining.com/

Beating the winter blues! Your dog can help!

Snow has been on the ground here in Indiana most of the winter and now we get several inches of ice and wind. So many of my friends moan and groan about it and keeping talking about the warm weather that will be here in a few months. Here is how i beat the winter blues, no matter how nasty it gets. I bundle up, gather the dogs and head to the woods for some hiking and just breath in the fresh air. The dogs love to run and play and it's just makes life better for everyone. It's not always about obedience and training, sometimes we need to let them be dogs. Find a nice place to sit out of the wind and read a book, write a poem or just talk to the dogs and watch them play, you can learn so much about them this way. Then head back home, feed the dogs, fix something hot to drink, sit back and think about what a great time you and your friends had. Then maybe take a nap!
Be sure to visit us at http://www.shannondogtraining.com/

Swimming your dog

As I look at the snow and ice outside, i can't help but think about warm weather. Warm weather means good times with my dogs and getting them in shape. I love to take my dogs swimming and if you haven't taken your dog, give it some thought. It's a great way to beat the summer heat and it's good cardio and is so much easier on the joints. I throw the ball and the dogs can't get enough of this summertime activity.
Have fun and make your dog a bigger part of your life and visit us at shannondogtraining.com

Vet Visit

   Several weeks ago i was called in regards to a 4 month old German Shepherd who wanted to eat his vet. The dog was refused future visits due to its aggression. Today i took him to my vet for training and the dog was put through a mock exam of his ears, teeth, stomach, paws and even had his temp taken. The dog did not growl, whine or show any signs of aggression and very little tension. So what happened? When i first started with the dog he tried several times to bite me. This dogs only problem was he did not know how to deal with stress. He was by nature a demanding little guy and he only responded the way any dog may under stress. Read my blog on how dogs deal with stress. During my training he learned how to deal with stress and that the correct behavior gets rewarded. When you get a new puppy, see if your vet will allow you to come in and just visit a little. Let him learn that its not a bad place. Give your dog rules to live by and make him a bigger part of your life! Be sure to visit http://www.shannondogtraining.com/

Support your local shelter

The next time you feel the need to get a new dog, don't forget to check your local shelters. There are so many nice dogs waiting for a good home. When shopping for your new buddy, make sure you pick one that fits your lifestyle. Don't choose a dog that loves to run and play if you cannot provide these activities. If you live in a small apartment make sure you are able to spend time playing in a park or walking trails. So many dogs find homes in shelters only because the owner chose the wrong dog or could not provide the proper excercise or playtime. A dog who is stuck indoors all the time needs to burn up energy that builds while living in a small house or apartment. Putting a dog on a chain is not excercise, in fact it's no way to live. The dog can become tangled,  be injured or in some cases strangle itself. Also as the dog spends time on the chain or tieout it can even become more wild and crazy when its taken off the chain.  The dog is watching the world go by and wanting to be a part of it but can only run back and forth on the end of a chain. So, make sure you provide for your dog and understand that owning a dog is a commitment. Make your dog a bigger part of your life and they will love you for it!

My Photos - Wall Photos

My Photos - Wall Photos

Wall Photos

Wall Photos