If you haven't gotten the chance to go hiking with your furry friend yet, your missing out! Hiking is so much fun for you and your pal and it gives your dog a chance to experience the great outdoors and JUST BE A DOG! A great way to add something to your hike is to buy your pup a backpack. Thats right, I said it--a backpack. Its a great way to give those working dogs a fulfilling job, free your hands up of some things, and 2 or 3 extra pounds in that pack will help drain a whole lot more energy. However, I personally wouldn't go putting my turkey and swiss on rye in there any time soon!

Happy hiking
Maxine

***For more information on the WGO daily woods trips contact Dave Stratton via the contact tab on the main page. For more information on where you can find some great backpacks and other dog worthy gear contact trainer Maxine Bania at maxinbania@wannagoout.net***

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Don't be so quick to label a whiny puppy as "Separation Anxiety." The word "Anxiety" is strong and usually refers to dogs who destroy things beyond belief, hurt or chew on themselves or outright freak out for hours on end when left alone. A whiny puppy is fairly typical. Puppies go through a stage with their mothers where she weans then from suckling and forces them to explore the world away from the whelping box. This stage will happen with you as well. The same as a toddler being left a school the first few times and crying, your puppy will do just about the same thing. Always make you coming and going a calm experience without making it a big deal. Ignore excited behavior when arriving home and only praise a calm submissive state of mind.

Wags and sniffs,
Maxine

***For more information on Separation Anxiety, how to tell if your puppy/dog has this and what to do about it, visit the contact page of our website and contact Dave Stratton or Maxine Bania.***

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If there's ever a time to be selfish...it's with your dog. According to your dog, your home is just another "territory" and it's very important that your dog knows its YOUR territory and not HIS territory. Your house is your kingdom and he needs to learn and follow your rules. And don't worry, he won't take it personal.

Have fun,
Maxine


***For more information on our training sessions dedicated to "Claiming your space," contact Dave Stratton or Maxine Bania from the "Contact" tab on the home page.***

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We all like to enjoy a walk with our dogs, whether it be the start to a great day or a way to wind down in the evening. Less enjoyable are the dogs who walk their humans. In the dog world there are 2 types of status; leader and follower. If you're not leader (walking next to or in front of your dog), you're follower (your dog walking in front of you). It takes some training and the willingness to be consistent but the WAY you walk is more important then where and how long. Try it and i guarantee you'll see a difference .

Keep your nose up,
Maxine

***For more information on our sessions dedicated to "Mastering the Walk" contact Dave Stratton or Maxine Bania. Info on the "Contact tab of the site.***

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I know we all like to giggle and get embarrassed when our pups sniff each others rear ends. However, this is the human equivalent to a friendly handshake and polite greeting. Your dog should always accept, with full respect, a "butt sniff" from another dog. In dog etiquette, its the polite thing to do. The anal glands of all our dogs hold an enormous amount of info for other dogs to know. So hold back the giggles and let Fido get his sniff on!


Happy Tails,
-Maxine

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