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Up to this point Phender would not hesitate to play with all the usual dog toys such as Kongs, tennis balls, rags, puppy bite sleeves and even brooms. I decided to see how strong his desire to retrieve really was and so I found a few odd items laying around the training room that I tested him on.

I found a Hula-Hoop, a length of PVC pipe, and a section of plastic tarp. Each of these had a new an strange texture, as well some of them will startle even adult dogs. This retrieve test also tested Phender’s confidence levels with strange noises and sights. If he plays with the items, then it also helps to socialize him to those items so he is less likely to be afraid of them later in life.

Check out the video below to see how Phender did.

As I am walking with Phender, I an using the water bottle as a focal point for his attention. I am keeping the water bottle up high to imprint Phender with the concept of looking upward at the handler while walking. Many dogs will naturally look at their feet or the ground while walking, and later in life Phender will be learning to heel with his head up. I am building these core skills now so as to ease the transition to advanced obedience later in life.

I am also working with Phender next to a curb. The purpose of the curb is two-fold:

1. The curb acts as a distraction, and Phender tries to avoid falling off the curb, but also he will tend to over-compensate and move away from the curb. I am keeping him in the position near the curb with the water bottle, and this acts to distract him from the curb, and ultimately he will learn to ignore uneven surfaces while walking.
2. The curb acts as a boundary to teach him how close to my body he should be walking.

Remember, the point of this exercise with a young puppy is strictly exposure. He is being exposed to the concept of learning, rather than actively learning certain tasks. Very soon, his formal training will begin in which case much of this imprinting will begin to become very useful.

The video above is a short clip I shot of Phender playing with a me and a broom one day while I was cleaning the yard. As it turns out Phender is really into the broom. I can’t say why exactly, but he loves to play with it. This for me is a huge plus. Having the ability to get my dog to play with me or something I can control, such as a broom or toy enables me to train him to do a variety of tasks and maintain a high level of motivation and intensity during his training sessions.

Phender is a Dutch Shepherd X German Shepherd puppy about 12 weeks old. He will grow and develop a lot over the coming months. At this point in his life though training is about having fun (phun). The more fun he has now, the easier it will be to teach new things later on in life.

The other advantages to playing with your puppy at an early age surround socialization. By playing with my puppy in and around new situations, objects, places and people allows me to desensitize him to anything that might potentially seem scary to him. This will allow him to grow up to be a confident and well adjusted adult.

This video is from Phender’s first night at the house after a lone 13 hour journey through three airports and two planes. He’s a trooper… In the coming weeks and months you will see more video of Phender throughout his training sessions and socialization sessions. For now, we’re focusing on establishing a routine for housebreaking. Definitely my least favourite part of training. The good news is it will only take about a week to establish that routine, then we’re off to the races. If I establish this housebreaking routine now, and maintain it, then he should be well on his way to being trustworthy in a short period of time.

Anyway, here’s Phender:

Step 1:

Establish a clear and defined area. This could be a grassy area or more commonly is an area set aside and covered with pea gravel. The area need not be large, but approximately 6′ x 6′ will work well. If you have more than one dog then resize the area accordingly. Gravel for the area is ideal as it can be easily disinfected using an enzyme product such as Nature’s Miracle.

Step 2:

Remove any old feces from the rest of the yard. If necessary spray heavily used areas with Nature’s Miracle to diminish the odor that has accumulated. Well used areas are common for dogs to develop and it can take time to break the habit of pottying on the grass. Keep in mind that dogs sense of smell is far superior to that of a human’s, and their tendency is to eliminate where they smell previous eliminations.

Step 3:

Introduce your dog to the new spot. This is best done during a time when your dog is likely to potty, for example first thing in the morning. Using a leash to guide your dog, lead them to their designated spot and stand in the area. Shorten the leash to prevent your dog from wandering outside of the area. This is where patience is key. Wait there until your dog begins to sniff around and squats. As the dog begins to squat, cue them with a ‘go-potty’ command. With male dogs sometimes providing a vertical object to ‘mark’ on will assist them. When the dog begins to eliminate, praise your dog calmly until they are finished. If your dog normally eliminates and defecates during this time, then walk your dog around the yard for a few seconds then return to their spot. Continue to wait until the dog begins squatting or spinning. As this happens praise your dog calmly. After they are finished eliminating praise them lavishly.

Step 4:

Repeat. This is where patience is vital. Every time the dog goes outside to eliminate for the next month, the owner should lead the dog to their spot. You are essentially turning the backyard into an extension of your house. The patio, grass and gardens are the same as your kitchen, dining room and family room. If the dog continues to use the rest of the yard to potty without redirection then it will take longer (if ever) to teach him to potty on one spot. After 10-14 days you may no longer need the leash, however it’s still necessary to lead the dog to their spot and to cue them with a command. After 30 days you may not need to lead the dog to their spot, but rather cue them to ‘go-potty’ on their spot. Supervision at this time is critical as it will be very tempting to just put the dog outside and leave him to his own devices.

As mentioned before with a lot of patience (you are essentially re-housebreaking your dog) and the correct approach even adult dogs can learn how to eliminate in one spot in the yard. Give it a try and stick with it for a few weeks. You will begin to see signs that your dog is ‘getting it’. Remember little break-throughs lead to enormous leaps forward.

To view this article in it’s entirety, visit: http://sitmeanssit.com/ashton/219/teach-your-dog-where-to-potty-in-the-yard

Getting started in hiking with your dog is not a daunting task by any means. No experience is necessary. Just a desire to try something new. Hikes can be something as simple as walking your dog around the block to the local park, or can be as daunting as an overnight camp-out in the wilderness of the mountains. Whatever avenue you choose there are a few key points to keep in mind to ensure your hiking experience is fun, memorable and most importantly safe.

1. Plan Ahead. Know your route, or hike with someone that knows the route. Take a map of the area you’re hiking, and possibly use a GPS to assist with navigation. Which ever aid you use, be sure you know where you’re going, and how long it should take. If you’re planning a hike through areas with elevation changes, remember it’s a lot easier to hike on the flat ground than on hilly terrain. Plan your time accordingly.
2. Be prepared. Remember that even in the fall, the temperatures of the Las Vegas areas can dehydrate people and dogs quickly. Plan for about a quart of water per body, per hour. This may seem like a lot, but better to have more than needed then not enough. Also, food may be necessary if you plan to hike for more than an hour. Trail-mix, energy-bars or even a peanut butter sandwich can provide much appreciated calories during a long hike. Wear sturdy soled shoes that are comfortable, particularly if you are hiking on rugged terrain. You may consider boots for your dog as well. Ruff Wear produces dog boots that are easy to fit, and hold up fairly well with normal use. Wear a hat and sunscreen if you’re sensitive to the sun. Remember even 60 degrees temperatures can result in a lot of sun exposure. At high altitudes, the sun is even more intense. White-coated dogs are also sensitive to sun exposure, so plan to protect your pooch too.
3. Always have a safety strategy. Hike in groups of two or more people. Notify someone of your hiking itinerary including where you are hiking, the route you’re taking as well as the expected return time. Cellular phone service may not reach into certain wilderness areas, so it’s not always ideal to rely on your cell phone for safety.
4. Follow trail etiquette. Always abide by the rules of the park, recreation area or conservation area you are hiking in. Most spot require dogs to be leashed. Some hiking areas on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) will allow dogs off leash, provided they are under control. Always clean up after your dog. It’s best to always practice a low-impact approach to hiking. This means minimize your impact on the natural environment by following some simple steps:
   • Pack out all trash and waste (including dog waste)
   • Minimize physical impact on trails and terrain by staying on trails. Hiking off the established trail can increase the effect of erosion as well as creating new trails can confuse and disorient other hikers, potentially leading to safety issues.

   Follow the simple mantra of: Take only pictures, leave only footprints.

Where to hike in the Las Vegas area:

There are numerous fantastic spots around the Las Vegas valley to hike with your dog throughout the year. During the late fall and summer months, hiking in the Valley can be incredible. Spring time yields unique desert wildflowers blooming and bird migrations. During the summer months, it’s usually too hot to hike comfortably in the Vegas valley, which is why many hiker turn to the Spring Mountains National Recreation area (aka Mount Charleston). Temperatures in the Mount Charleston region are often 20 – 30 degrees cooler than the valley during the summer months. In winter, the mountains are blessed with abundant snow which make for very unique winter hikes.

Some of the popular hiking spots in the Las Vegas area are:

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Desert National Wildlife Range

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

Spring Mountains National Recreation Area

Valley of Fire State Park

Great hiking areas around town for leisurely strolls:

Desert Wetlands Park

Sunset Park

Lone Mountain

Frenchman Mountain

Resources:

There are numerous hiking resources available specific to the Las Vegas area. There are hiking groups on the web that organize hikes regularly, as well as books and magazines that can provide insight into hiking in the Las Vegas area. “Best Hikes with Dogs: Las Vegas and Beyond” by Kimberly Lewis & Paula Jacoby-Garrett is a great book that has tons of information on hikes around Las Vegas, as well as considerations to take when hiking with your dog. Published by The Mountaineers Books

To view this article in it’s entirety visit: http://sitmeanssit.com/ashton/111/hiking-in-las-vegas-with-dogs