Winter Walks.

If you have to walk your dog during winter on the sidewalks or the lane in your sub-division, here are some tips on how to keep you and your pet safe. Does your dog pull when you walk? Teaching your dog to heel is imperative. To do this, always walk your dog on your left side. Using a treat, hold it above and a little ahead of your dog, so he/she can see it. Start off, either foot, leash a bit taut, with the command "heel," using your dogs name before the command. If your dog pulls, make a correction by pulling up on the lead, or popping it, and then immediately releasing the tension. When the dog stops pulling and is back at your side, give the treat and the praise, "good heel."

Continue this training and your dog will grasp, rather quickly, the concept of the "heel" command. Now, back to the topic at hand. Once your dog will heel properly, teach "loose leash walking." This is where your dog will walk with you without any tension on the leash. Do this training in the warm weather to get ready for winter weather.

Reward polite pacing: Every few seconds, give your pet a piece of a treat as an incentive to stay close to you and match your walking pace. Also, it gets them to pay attention to you.

Surprise your pet: To get your dog to pay better attention to you, change your direction when you walk. This will get your dog to pay attention to you, along with the treats.

Forbid pulling: Stop dead in your tracks if you feel the leash tightening. Your pet will stop and then call them back to you. Get them situated again, on your left, and start off. Remember to praise and reward for good behavior.

Get help: Super stubborn pullers may need special equipment, that will not harm the dog, like a front clip harness or a head halter. I absolutely and adamantly oppose prong collars.

Hopefully, these tips will help you have a very pleasant walk with your pet.

Don't Let Your Dog Freeze.

With the weather finally acting like winter, it is going to be too cold for any dog that has to live outside. They should be brought in. When a dog is tied to a chain or rope, they can't get to any cover, if they don't have a shelter. But, feral or abandoned dogs can find caves and shelter to get out of the weather. This doesn't make it any easier on them, as they have to feed when they can. But, I see dogs everyday where I live, go without food or water. It is vital that outside dogs have plenty of food and their water checked everyday. The food provides the body with fuel to burn, and the water keeps the body hydrated. Bring in your dog(s) this week-end, as it is to be in the single digits.