Follow Me Dog Training

Trick or Treat

TRICK OR

TREAT!!!

Happy Halloween Everyone! Follow Me Dog Training LLC loves the holidays. Halloween is especially fun because of all the cool things going on. And the costumes they make for dogs these days are hilarious. You get your fair share of Dachshunds dressed as hot dogs and your pumpkin outfits, and this year I was sorely tempted to find a Darth Vader costume for Leinie.

Halloween can be tough for your dogs. Here are a couple things to keep in mind:

• Chocolate and raisins are toxic to dogs. Be sure to keep your bag of goodies away from your dogs.
• It can be a bit scary for your dog to have the door bell ringing and strangly dressed creatures at the door, usually screaming for treats. Keep your dog safe and away from the door if you aren’t sure how they will react. If you want them answering the door with you, keep them on a leash.
• Take your dog for a long walk before the festivities begin. Nothing like burning a little energy before an exciting evening.
• If your dog is going to wear a costume, try them out wearing it a couple weeks before Halloween. Some don’t fit right and other dogs just want nothing to do with clothing, and you don’t want your dog to be uncomfortable and cranky. Also make sure it is safe for them to wear around and don’t leave them alone while wearing a costume.
• Jack-O-Lanterns and spooky candles all at dog level are not safe. They are curious looking things and your dog will want to investigate. So put them up higher or keep the dog away so they don’t burn their nose or tails.
• For a couple days after Halloween, watch where you walk. Some kids may have dropped wrappers or candy and you won’t want your dog snatching these up and eating them.

Leinie is carrying the arm of some poor dog owner who’s dog pulled their arm off while walking down the street. Please contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC if you would like to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. Happy Halloween!

walking and picking up

There was frost on the ground this morning when I took the dogs for a walk. The cooler weather seems to have given the dogs more energy…the cold air whipping between their ears or something. I’ll be happy for daylight savings this weekend so I won’t be walking in dark in the morning. One thing I have found that is difficult is the lack of street lights or sidewalks in my neighborhood. Both dogs and I have become quite adept at jumping into a ditch to avoid a school bus! It is important in circumstances like this to be very visible to drivers. I have a bright orange sweatshirt that I wear in the morning and later in the evening and if it is really dark, my dogs have a flashing light I hang from their collars or leashes. Luckily for me it is hard to miss two well behaved dogs and me walking down the streets and now I have many of the school bus drivers waving as they pass me by. I also usually take a couple extra bags with me on my walks. I always pick up after my dogs and take it back to my trash can. And if, like this morning, I find a pile of dog poop on the road or in front of the school, or even at the edge of someone else’s yard, I pick it up. I don’t want to loose my privileges as a dog owner. Please pick up after your dogs! No one likes to step in it, non-dog owners don’t like it in their yards, and schools really really frown on dogs near their grounds if poop is found anywhere! And really let’s be honest no one likes to have to pick it up but if you have a dog it is a responsibility you need to take seriously in your own yard and out on a walk!

Follow Me Dog Training LLC can help your walks remain safe by not letting your dog pull, teaching your dog to sit while you pick up after them, and help keep your walks fun. Call or check out our website for a FREE demonstration!

Dog’s don’t need passports, but they do need ID

When I moved to a new location I made sure that Leinie and Pepper both wear identification tags on their collars. You never know what might happen and it is always good to be prepared. I always order my id tags from a company called Boomerang Tags . Their tags are awesome. They have my favorite that will fit on any kind of collar without hanging down off a ring or s hook. Their collar tags for adjustable collars are the best for me. Easy to put on, stainless steel, no noise and the text doesn’t wear off no matter the playing, swimming or time frame!

You can save your dog’s life with identification! No one wants their dog to get lost or run away, but it does happen. I’ve helped many dogs find their way back home by looking at their id tags. Don’t let your dog live without one!

If your dog likes to bolt from you or run away, contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a Free demonstration with your dog and find out how to keep them close to home!

Out and about.

Leinie and I went exploring the other day. If you see us out make sure you say hi! We were very disappointed to hear that Richmond City doesn’t allow dogs in their parks… that is sad because Richmond City has some beautiful parks! But there is a dog park and a couple other places that dogs are allowed…we’ll check those places out and let you know what we think.

We did go wander around John Bryan Park on Richmond VA’s Northside. It is 262 acres of grass, trees, lakes, ponds, trails for hiking, and apparently it has an amazing Azalea Garden, unfortunately, dogs aren’t allowed in the Garden. Dogs are allowed on leash around the rest of the grounds though. Leinie and I had fun wandering  and watching the ducks and we did a little confidence building exercises on the downed trees and logs.

Bryan Park is on the National Register of Historic Places and Richmond has done a great job of keeping it beautiful and welcoming. The park was presented to the city in 1909 by Belle Stewart Bryan and her family “…as a free park for the use of and benefit of all its citizens” as a memorial to her late husband.

Taking your dog out on adventures, introducing them to new sights and smells is important for your dog’s confidence and socialization. All dog owners should count themselves lucky that we are still allowed to take our dogs places. With that in mind: PLEASE clean up after your dog! Follow local laws about where your dogs are allowed, work with your dog so they are well behaved around people of all ages, please don’t assume that every dog you meet wants to meet you or your dog! (Dogs consider it rude and sometimes an aggressive manuever to have a strange dog come barging into their space and demand to be met…body language to dogs is key!) Keep your dog well exercised. And because it can’t be mentioned enough, PLEASE clean up after your dog!!!!!

If you have questions about dog training or feel you can’t go exploring with your dog because their manners might not be up to snuff, contact Follw Me Dog Training LLC for a Free demonstration with your dog!

Ok, fence me in.

Leinie and Pepper wanted to help the Fence guys from Davis Contracting Co. put the fence in the back yard. The guys didn’t need help as much as the dogs told them they knew how to work the equipment….

They were very happy with the outcome as you can see by Leinie’s big smile….he smiled until I told him the fence wouldn’t keep those acorn throwing squirrels out of my yard!

Fences are a great addition to any house with a dog. Electronic fencing, solid fencing, or just some sort of boundary for your dog to recognize to stay in the yard can help save your dog’s life. Personally I put up a traditional solid fence in my back yard…it looks pretty and is easy to maintain. I like the idea that nothing can come into my yard without permission, for example, no deer or other dogs, or even people. (It is a sad fact that there are dog knappers in the world.) Make sure all gates are closed and latched securely before you let your dogs out to romp!

However there are some neighborhoods in the U.S. that do not allow regular fencing, and if the homeowner would like fencing, their only option may be an electronic fence. Whether you put the electronic fencing in yourself or have a professional put the fence in and train your dog to it, it can be a nice reliable tool to keep your dog in the yard. Just remember, it doesn’t keep other creatures or people out and some dogs learn an escape route. The only thing to be very aware of is making sure the batteries are working on the collar and that there wasn’t an interruption on the wire or at the main breaker… when the power goes out to your house, the power on your fence goes out as well. With proper training and consistency (like many other avenues of dog training), the electronic fence will work with any dog!

Another thing to keep in mind is that the fenced in yard shouldn’t be your dog’s only place to exercise. Many dogs go into a yard and develop habits that we don’t particularly care for; digging, barking, destruction to the deck or landscaping and many others. Remember your dog still needs a good walk around the neighborhood to release energy and focus on you! I always make sure that even if my dogs are out in the yard they are supervised in some manner. Even if it is just me looking out the kitchen window…although I am usually physically out there with them. Whenever you are with your dog, it is a learning opportunity for you and the dog and I try to take advantage of that fact whenever I can.

If your dog is being destructive in the yard or house or you need help maintaining a controled walk in your neighborhood, call Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a free demonstration with your dog!

Going on a dog walk.

     I met some very cool dogs over the weekend. Roxy an English Bulldog and Rudy a Labradoodle. Two girls not liking one another in the house and playing a little rough when they were in the back yard together. Two beautiful dogs that were in the process of taking over the house, yard and soon the neighborhood from their human owners. Needless to say I am happy to have met them and excited to start teaching them a better way to live in their owner’s house.

     One of the things I stressed to the owners is being able to take these two dogs for a walk instead of just letting them entertain themselves in the yard by bringing a ball to the owners, running up and down the fence line with the boxers next door, or dragging their owners around the block. My job is to make it easier to walk Roxy and Rudy and the owner’s job is to find time in a busy schedule to take them out at least once a day (more would be great).

     Taking your dog for a walk is one of the best things you can do with your dog. I believe that, baring any physical problems, every dog should have at least one 45 minute walk a day. Of course in a perfect world we could be out playing and walking our dogs all day…they would like that as well. Even two 25 minute walks is going to help you and especially the dog tremendously!

     Why are walks importantfor your dog? Walks relieve pent up energy stored by your dog overnight, while you are at work, while they spend time in their kennel, while they roam around the backyard, and many other reasons. A focused walk has the dog walking with you…not in front and sorry folks, but not at the end of a 15 foot flexi lead. When you have your dog walk next to you or even a bit behind the dog really has to concentrate on where you are, match your speed, and concentrate on FOLLOWING you. This burns alot of mental energy and since the dog will be walking more comfortably and in control, will burn more physical energy as well because you’ll want to take them farther and for longer walks.

     Start your walking out before you even leave the house with a controlled event of putting on the leash, grabbing keys and some poop bags, and making them wait as you go out the door. As I walk I like to give my dogs a chance to empty right when I start a walk and then I’ll pick two or three spots on my walk when I will stop and let them relieve themselves. When we pass other dogs, my dogs are told to stay next to me in a calm manner. When squirrels start yelling at us and throwing nuts, the dogs are to stay next to me in a calm manner while I yell back at the squirrels.

     Walks are more fun when they are under control and I can enjoy watching where I am going instead of being pulled and having to watch for what is around me afraid my dogs will bolt after a cat or dog behind a fence. At the end of a long walk I will let my dogs run free for a bit in the yard. Pepper usually curls up on the front porch in a sun spot. Leinie knows I’ll pick up his toy and play with him a little, he’s earned it after expelling all that energy walking, he can relax and have fun with his toy.

     If you are interested in learning how to have your dog walk  focused and with you, or have other training needs please contact Follow Me Dog Training LLC for a FREE demonstration with your dog. Check out our website at www.FollowMeDogTraining.com

A room full of Leos

I went out to Goochland VA today to see a fellow trainer Shannon White from Every Dog Training . She was handeling a few Leonbergers at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Fall Specialty Show .  It was a lot of fun to see that many Leos in one room together!

Dog shows can be interesting to watch. You can learn about what the standard is for a certain breed, see all the different variations of size and coat, see all the different stages of dog…puppy to veteran, and sometimes feel like you are caught in an alternate world. It is a great place to talk to breeders, handlers or owners if you are scouting out a next family pet. I like going to dog shows, it gives me a chance to practice observing a dog’s gait (the way they move) and to watch dog body language which is important as a professional trainer. 

A specialty means it is just one breed of dog and this one was all Leonbergers. These are great dogs. Big and hairy, not too drooly, they do a happy dance that one has to see for themselves, they love to swim and you can spin their fur into sweaters. I have enjoyed training a couple of them myself. But I had never seen so many in one place and was impressed by how well many of them showed and how well behaved those big dogs can be.

Unfortunately, like many breeds, they show up in puppy mills. There is a rescue group for them, Leonberger Rescue, Inc and I have met a couple of these rescue Leos that have ended up at my friend Sharon’s place in WI. Those dogs (no matter the breed) coming out of puppy mills need a lot of patience and training to help them get along in the real world.

Leinie and Pepper love their Leo pack up in Rhinelander Wisconsin. And are glad that Ky, Noofy and Corvis found a home with the Canine Coach! They are just sad they haven’t been able to go out and swim and romp in the woods with their friends this year.

 That’s Corvus saying goodbye to Leinie after our last visit.

I’ve found out about dog shows or matches on line, with local kennel clubs, and sometimes through friends like Shannon. Check them out. The really big shows like Westminster and the Eukanuba shows are a lot of fun to watch on tv as well. But if you go to a dog show in person…you get to share in the fuzz therapy and meet many of the dogs be sure to ask the breeders or handlers before petting and make sure you don’t mess with a dog’s coat before they go in the ring!

I’m Easily Amused….ok maybe not

Who hasn’t done a web search on themselves…..come on be honest. I have, and before the name Renée Lamoureux started to pop up for dog training, search the name Renée Lamoureux and you’d think I was a Canadian singer.

So I finally did a little research and come to find out that the Canadian Renée Lamoureux and her band Easily Amused have a very cool sound. The band has since changed their name to Keith and Renée, and they just put out a new cd. And Renée also has a clothing line… I think I will stick with the dogs but check them out…I think I am going to have to order a CD, how cool is that to have your name on a cd…even if it isn’t really you.

Officially Launched

Today marks the day of Follow Me Dog Training LLC officially launching. So I have to put a couple thank yous out there from Leinie, Pepper and myself. Thanks to Adrienne Chappell of Napier Realtors ERA. She rocks at finding the perfect house for people. My family for some amazing support. My computer gurus at Sumner McKenzie Inc. Todd and Rachel for letting me into my house after I locked myself out! All my friends out there (you know who you are) that have helped me see that making the jump out on my own again was the best thing I could do for myself, my dogs and all the wonderful people I’ll be helping train and their dogs!

I talked to this cool lady in the Henrico Government Center today. We chatted about all the cool dog things there were to do in the Richmond VA area. Made me more excited then I already was. There was also a quote on the wall that struck me as perfect for the day and the start of this new dog training business of mine.

 ”An organization that is committed to creative collaboration will ride the wave of the future. They will go beyond the realm of assumptive thinking and welcome the dawn of innovation…because there is nothing more empowering than an idea whose time has come.” -Anonymous

Tomorrow we go exploring, we won’t get lost…it’ll be an adventure.

Follow Me Dog Training LLC comes to the Richmond VA area

Hi everyone! Welcome to the Follow Me Dog Training LLC blog. My dogs and I are excited to start our business in the Richmond VA area. Although new to the area, we aren’t new to training dogs and their owners. Pepper (my Irish Terrier) and I have over 10 years of training experience under our belts. Leinie (my Belgian Malinois) is still learning the ropes at 2 and a half years. But no matter how long we have been working with people and dogs we are still learning as well. Education and good communication between dog and owner is important to all three of us. So this blog is here to share with you how we find our way in a new environment (VA) and you can learn with us along the way a bit about dogs…humans…and a whole lot more.