Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dog lovers turned dog parents would be aghast at any complaints or raised eyebrows in the direction of their beloved pet and cute pup. Yes, we know your dog is the apple of your eye and can do absolutely no wrong! But let’s face it, dogs are buzzing balls of energy that need to be disciplined like any other pet.

They’re adorable, cuddly, and loyal to a fault, and their mischief-making tendencies can only be attributed to their need to constantly be with their best human buddy. If your dog has been with you for a while, chances are they’re always on their best behavior. Read on to find some helpful tips and tricks to train your new mutt.

What’s in a name?

Apparently, everything. Believe it or not, some names are better when it comes to a dog’s inclination towards being disciplined.

Enunciating their name clearly, and stressing especially on that last syllable enables dogs to be more receptive to any instructions that follow. Names that are best suited to the purpose include Rover, Max, and Bailey.

Important to consider here is whether or not your dog is an older one. An older dog might have had a previous home, which means they already have a deep association with their current given name.

If your dog has been abused, however, you should encourage yourself to change it, no questions asked. Dogs are highly adaptable creatures, and it is your responsibility as their new owner to make sure they’re out of the trauma they’ve sadly endured.

Help them relax

If your dog is a newly-adopted pup, you need to make sure their transition to a new life is more than comfortable.

They are very likely to be nervous in new surroundings, and one way in which you can ease their anxiety is by recreating a similar space at home.

Because your pup was living with other pups at the pound, what you must do initially is introduce a small ticking clock along with a hot-water bottle and place it near their bed. Doing so will emulate the body heat and soft heartbeats of the friends they’ve left behind.

X marks the spot

Before your precious Spot goes bonkers marking many an X all over the house, make sure they know their limits.

Of course, a great starting point for this would be to give them their own space. Not only will such a set-up prove to be a source of great comfort, it will serve as Step 1 in trying to make them understand boundaries better.

At the end of the day, just like us, dogs need some serious downtime too. Consider reinforcing their positive behavior by rewarding them and giving them yummy treats.

Teach them to sit

Once your dog starts getting comfortable at home, teach them to obey voice commands. It is advisable that the first one they learn is “sit”.

One reason for this is that sitting as an action comes naturally to dogs, and by prompting them into doing so using the command will help set the tone for your relationship with them.

Additionally, it sets the stage for you to train them using an array of other voice commands, inclusive of but not limited to “stay”, “roll over”, and “play dead”.

Reward them

Needless to say, this goes a long way. Do you remember the time you weren’t considered for that big promotion even though you worked like a dog? No pun intended. The point is, everyone needs to rewarded time and again to boost morale and sustain motivation levels.

Similarly, in the context of your dog, good behavior must not go unnoticed or unacknowledged. One way of conditioning your pet to act or behave in a positive way is to reward them when they do something you approve of.

Keep some treats on hand and shower them with all the love they deserve!

Discourage jumping

As mentioned, dogs are super energetic beings. Judging by how sad they can get when you leave them in the morning to go about your business, it’s not surprising in the least when they jump on you as soon as you return.

While this means they’re excited to see you and do this with utmost love, it can lead to them jumping at strangers and/or any visitors you might have.

Using your words to reprimand them will get you nowhere. Instead, discourage this behavior by turning your back to them the next time they jump. Stay that way till they settle down; they will once they realize you’re not giving them any reaction to work with.

Pretend to be hurt when they bite you

Some dogs have a tendency to bite and chew on anything and everything. Their favorite targets can range from your shoes to the pants you’re wearing, and everything in between.

First off, if it’s you and your loved ones your dog is biting, feign being hurt and you’ll notice your dog will stop immediately. Do this by making a pained expression or howl/yell in pain.

In order to distract them from chewing objects around the house, invest in some chew toys or get them a bone. They’ll love you for buying them their own set of toys and will no longer ruin your personal belongings.

While dogs can be a handful, they’re also a source of great joy and comfort. They don’t ask for much and give without taking. Because they are ever-ready to show you how much they love you, they tend to become a little unruly.

They’re ultimately your best friend and you know you couldn’t spend a single day without them by your side. So keep these tips close, and your pooch closer.

by Maria A Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.