Canine Good Citizen Pit Bull

January 8, 2011 By mike

When my 8 year-old son said he could train our unruly boxer/pit bull puppy I had my doubts, but I also knew to whom I should send them. Mike and I have know each other since before my son was born; I knew I could trust him to work with my son and his dog to the best of their abilities. Together they trained from basic through advance obedience. In July 2010 my son and his dog passed the Canine Good Citizen test with flying colors. Their next goal is to become a therapy team.

Lou Hozeska
Northern Kentucky

Magnum & Kong, Northern Kentucky

January 8, 2011 By mike

Karen Kiefer's Canine Companions

I have known Mike Dixon for over 10 years from when he used to work as a trainer at PetSmart and I would take my Rottweiler, Magnum in to socialize him. He was always personable, friendly & outgoing & would always take time to say ‘hi’ & love on Magnum, who loved him in return. When Magnum got bone cancer in 2009 I took him to see Mike one last time & told Mike he was on his “bucket list”. He sat down with Magnum & took a video of him with his phone while Magnum gave him kisses. I think Mike mourned him almost as much as we did when we lost him.

We got a new Rottweiler, Kong & I took him to Mike for training, going through 2 levels with him. Mike also provided private training using a training collar which worked well. Mike is very knowledgeable about all breeds of dogs and what training works best for them. I’ve been training with my dogs for over 30 years and Mike is the best trainer by far.

I highly recommend his classes to everyone I meet who want to train their dog. I will continue to use Mike for future dogs as I trust him completely. I even trusted him to keep our 2 Rottweilers for about 10 days while we went on vacation last summer. I knew they were in the best place & got wonderful care & love from Mike.

Karen Kiefer
Northern Kentucky

Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD)

January 1, 2011 By mike

I nearly got it that time

Often times the face of Canine Compulsive Disorder (CCD) is that of a dog spinning in circles, or snapping at a fly that isn’t there, and without knowing, we may laugh at these images. But this is a very real disorder that mirrors all too well the human counterpart Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, where the dog obsesses on a behavior for hours ignoring their owners, and their own primary needs of food and water.

“Every species has its own compulsive disorders that are derived from what’s normal for that species,” describes Nicholas Dodman, B.V.M.S., Dipl. ACVA, ACVB, professor of clinical sciences at Cummings

School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Northürafton. Mass. “When you look at what’s normal for a dog, it runs in a pack, grooms itself and chases prey. These normal behaviors can exhibit themselves in compulsive disorders: by spinning, flank sucking, paw licking or fly chasing.”

If a dog seems to have developed CCD or compulsive symptoms you should first take your dog to their veterinarian to check for other illnesses, or neurological disorders that may have caused the behavior. Once a medical condition has been ruled out most experts will recommend a combination of medical treatment, lifestyle and behavior work. Getting your CCD dog on a consistent routine avoiding punishment and using a reward based training can aid in the process.

Once medical conditions have been ruled out, you may be in need of a behavioral trainer.

Potty Training Tips

January 1, 2011 By mike

If you have a new puppy you may be looking for some helpful tips in getting the little fellow potty trained. The best advice is to get started on a standard routine. Here are some tips to help you out.

Sorry puppy had a potty accident

Things to keep in mind while setting up a potty training routine:

Up until the age of 12-13 weeks a puppy has little to no control over their bladder or bowels. The reason a puppy can hold it all night without eliminating is due to their lower resting metabolic rate. In the daytime they’re more active and therefore have to eliminate more frequently. After 12-13 weeks your puppy can in general “hold it” up to 2-3 hours. The general rule is that with each additional month of age your puppy can hold it an hour longer (ex, if a puppy is 4 months of age they should be able to hold it for 3-4 hours). Again this is a general, and each puppy can vary in how long they can go in between eliminations.
Puppies are not born knowing to eliminate outside. They have to be shown where they need to eliminate. If you allow them to potty in your house then they will prefer to eliminate inside.
Do not allow your puppy to play while going potty outside or play after they go potty. If you mix potty and play, then you will produce a puppy that will want to play instead of going potty. If you want your puppy to play then wait until after they eliminate outside, bring them inside and wait for a few minutes and then let the go outside to play. It is okay if your puppy eliminates while in play.
You will need to allow your puppy to go potty after eating, drinking, naps (when they awake from a full night’s sleep), and after heavy play or exercise.
If your puppy goes outside to potty and does not eliminate ( only when you know they have to go potty, ex; like after they ate) then go inside, put your puppy in the crate or keep them on a leash and wait for a few minutes, then go back outside to let them eliminate. The best way to stop a behavior is never let it start. Do not let them back inside and go to the next room and go potty.
Crate training is the best way to potty train a puppy. Your puppy should be in the crate when you cannot watch them and at night. Never allow your puppy to sleep in bed with you at night!
If you have to ask“where’s Spot?” then your puppy is more than likely learning a bad behavior. You should never find a potty in your house. Remember your puppy is not trustworthy. They have to earn trust.
You must keep a consistent routine for your puppy to learn to potty outside. Remember your puppy will have accidents, it is normal. The accidents will always be in front of you so you can teach your puppy that was wrong and to eliminate outside. Again constant supervision is required, this means you should never find a potty in your house. If you do then you discourage the potty training process, and you puppy will continue to eliminate in your house.

I hope this information is helpful, for more information about potty training attend our classes.

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