At It’s a Dog’s World (www.itsadogsworld.biz), we promote the importance of socialization, especially during the first 16 weeks of a dog’s life. Dr Ian Dunbar, author of several best selling dog books including “Before and After You Get Your Puppy,” suggests that a new pup should meet 100 people by the age of 16 weeks.

All the places in my top 10 allow your dog to be become well-adjusted and socialized to commotion, people, kids, animals and the great outdoors. We teach socialization techniques in our group classes, in which we expose your dog to other dogs, trainers, staff and owners. However, socializing your dog in many different atmospheres, especially at a young age is very important. In addition, these places are just downright fun places to visit with your furry companion!

1.  Tom’s Farms—located off the 15 Freeway and Temescal Canyon Road in Corona. A great place to socialize your dog as there are always plenty of people, and there is a pond with ducks to get your dog used to the feathered kind. There are a few different shops although dogs are not allowed to go in them. If you come with a friend, spouse or significant other, you can rotate going in the stores and the other staying out with the dog. The Wine & Cheese Shop has a great selection along with meats and bread to prepare for a picnic in the lawn area. Tom’s Old Fashioned Burgers, Senior Frogs and some of the “best pizza” from the wine and cheese shop are all great choices to enjoy at any of the outdoor tables. Last time I visited with Bentley, my Standard Poodle, my family and I enjoyed some of the best carne asada, beans and rice burritos from Senor Frogs. On weekends there are bands playing outdoors.  During October, they have a great pumpkin patch, plus a pony ride for kids. For more info on live entertainment and restaurants visit http://shop.tomsfarms.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y#SlideFrame_3. 

2.  Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga—located off the 15 Freeway and Foothill Blvd. Tons of people on weekends and weekdays. There are a few spots to enjoy a meal with your pooch. The Yard House will allow dogs to eat on the patio area, just enter through the patio area, so someone will have to wait with your dog while you check in with the host through the main doors. You’ll also have to keep your dog tethered or tied to the patio with your dog on the exterior side of the patio gates or fence. Your dog should be very comfortable with being tethered and with people coming up and petting him or her on a frequent basis. If your dog does not have this comfort level, I do not recommend trying to eat at one of these establishments.  Instead try Johnny Rockets or the food court where you can dine at the outdoor tables and still stay in control of your dog. Johnny Rockets promotes themselves as being pet friendly and allows guests to dine with their dogs on the patio area just in front of the restaurant, although this isn’t the best spot on a hot day because there is minimal shade. There are plenty of outdoor seats right outside the food court, which includes a Quizno’s Sub, Sbarro’s Pizza and Hot Dog on a Stick. Separate from the food court, there is a Jamba Juice and Starbucks; grab a latte or smoothie and sit down with your pooch at the tables just outside each establishment or the tables outside the food court. Sitting outside the kid’s outdoor play area is an excellent opportunity to socialize a young puppy to children playing, while enjoying your favorite drink. The green belt area in the middle of the outdoor mall, outside Yardhouse, is also a great spot to watch the kids play and have your dog practice a down stay or just get used to lots of foot traffic. The nearby fountain is a great monument to check out due to the high level of activity around it, but dogs are not allowed to play in it. There is also a horse and carriage to socialize and introduce your dog to another animal. Of course, don’t let the dog go up to the horse, but from a distance let the dog see the horse.  If the dog is getting reactive/excitable, move a further distance away where the dog is not quite so reactive then work on stay or watch me commands. For a mall directory and map visit http://www.victoriagardensie.com/go/dirListing.cfm.

3.  Chino Hills Spectrum—located off the 71 Freeway and Grand Ave. This shopping mall is less crowded and a better place for dogs that are shy. There are lots of places to shop and plenty of outdoor places to grab a bite to eat or a sweet treat and sit outside with your dog. Stores include Target, Dick’ Sporting Goods and Petco (which is the only pet friendly store). Another plus is the weekend bands, which play outdoors for all to enjoy. There is also a great Asian bakery called JJ Sweets; it’s a must to try their pastries. I especially like the Red Bean Buns! Yum! Louie’s Chicken is a great place to get a healthy bite to eat, where everything is prepared fresh and there’s an outdoor area to enjoy your meal. There’s also an Applebee’s Bar and Grill and a Mimi’s Café with patio seating, which allow dogs.

4.  The Shoppes at Chino Hills—also located off the 71 Freeway and Grand Ave. One of the newest, local outdoor malls and a near mini version of Victoria Gardens. This mall isn’t nearly as crowded as Victoria Gardens, but that depends on when you go as it is much less crowded on week days, during the day. Chipotle Mexican Grill and Johnny Rockets brand themselves as pet friendly. Like most outdoor shopping center there is outdoor seating and a Subway and coffee house to grab a quick bite to eat outside. There is an outdoor fountain, which kids play in, although dogs are not allowed to partake in the fun. Avoid this mall on hot days as there are no shady areas at all.

5.  Oak Glen—located in Yucaipa off Oak Glen Road. Right now is a great time to pick Raspberries, although they’re almost gone, so hurry. Rapberry shakes from Rileys Farm are delicious. If you miss the Raspberries, Apple season starts in September and by October that place is booming with people. You can go to pick Apples, pumpkins, press your own cider, or pick up an apple pie. Riley’s has a farm store and an outdoor area for picnicking where you can enjoy barbecue items or even pack your own lunch or snack to enjoy. Mom’s Country Orchards is pet friendly throughout its produce store; they even have biscuits for visiting pups and dogs. The Oak Glen area can get really packed in October and November so if your dog is really shy this may not be the best place to go. Make sure and go early to get a parking spot. Lots of people will bring wine, food and snacks. Bring blankets, or even chairs to be comfortable. Again, if your dog is extremely reactive, try to go when it’s less crowded during the off season or during the week.  However, weekdays have lots of visitors from various schools for field trips, so if you are looking to socialize your dog to children this would be a great opportunity.  However, I would not recommend doing this if your dog is extremely reactive to kids, has nipped, tried to bite, or has bitten a child! Visit http://www.oakglen.net/index.shtml for more info about the Oak Glen area.

6.  Dos Lagos – Off the 15 freeway and Cajalco. This is a much smaller shopping area, which makes it great for the shy dog or dogs just starting out with socialization. There is a beautiful, man made lake at one end of the shopping area where you can sit and enjoy the sounds of water, watch the baby ducklings play in the water and of course people watch! There is also a grassy area if you would like to sit and relax with your dog there. Concerts and special events are frequent on the weekends. Most of the retail stores are pet friendly and indicate being so with a “Pet Friendly” Sticker on their outside window. This is one of the few places to shop where dogs are allowed inside retails shops. 

7.  Your local farmer’s market-My city, Riverside has one in downtown, on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s located at the Main Street Pedestrian Mall between 5th & 6th, in the arts and culture district of downtown Riverside and on Friday mornings in the Sears parking lot. The City of Claremont’s Farmer’s Market, which takes place on Indian Hill and 2^nd on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. features fresh flowers, fruits, vegetables and other organic items and produce. Anyone can bring their dogs as the event takes place outdoors; although dogs must be leashed. You can call any city to find out more info about your local farmer’s market and if they are dog friendly.

8.  San Bernardino Mountains- If cooler weather and fresher air is calling your name this is the place to go. Big Bear Lake area and Arrowhead Lake are the main attractions. The downtown Big Bear area, AKA “The Village,” is known for its unique shops and restaurants. There’s even a pet supplies store, Kenai’s Korner. Aside from the pet store, the retail shops are not pet friendly, so make sure you visit with a partner so one can watch the dog while the other goes inside the shops. While you’re in town you can visit Big Bear or Arrowhead Lake. Both lake areas are pet friendly, although dogs are not allowed inside the water. At Big Bear dogs are allowed on boats and pontoons; just don’t forget to bring a life jacket for your dog. There are some great hiking trails near Big Bear with spots to have a picnic or relax in the shade with your pooch. Lake Arrowhead has several great spots for camping including Dogwood Campground, which has a great hiking trail; Dogwood Trail. For more Lake Arrowhead visitor info visit http://www.lakearrowhead.net.Visit http://www.bigbearinfo.com/index.php for more info on Big Bear activities.

9.  Newport Fashion Island –located off Newport Center Drive in Newport. Again I took my Argentine Dogo there when she was a pup. Also known as Fashion Island; there are plenty of places to shop, although you need a partner to hold your dog while you browse in the stores. This mall has higher end stores such as Bebe and BCBG.  The weather is nicer and cooler even during the hot summer months and there is a lot of open space so you don’t feel as confined. Visit http://www.shopfashionisland.com/Search.aspx, for more info about the shopping and stores. While in Newport, go down to the pier or walk around the shops in Newport Beach. There are plenty of restaurants, take-out places and smoothie shops to grab and enjoy while people watching. Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina had an outdoor dining area in which you can tether your dog to the outside of the fence. Great food and great service! While by the beach or pier, take a nice long walk with your athletic dog, or go for a bike ride along the boardwalk. 

10. Any beaches/board walk area- Dana Point is one of the best to go to! Dana Point is very pet friendly with lots of areas to walk at and get exercise. My family and I love to have picnics there and relax all day, then do a bit of shopping. Again, you’ll need a partner to go into the shops. Dogs are allowed on the boardwalk area and the nearby restaurants allow dogs, as well as some local hotels. Jon’s Fish Market, Harbor Deli and BBQ, and Beach Cities Pizza all have pet friendly patios. While eating, have your dog practice a down stay, especially while being approached by strangers. To look up more boardwalks and beach areas in the OC which are pet friendly, visit http://www.ocdogfriendly.com/danapoint.html.

Remember, the best time to circumvent future behavioral problems is to start socialization EARLY!

A Word of Caution: If you have a slightly fearful/shy dog you should use caution and not overdo it when going to these places. Always work at your dog’s own comfort level (at It’s a Dog’s World, we use the term “below threshold” which simply means you work with the dog right at its comfort level and do not stress the dog out with too much stimuli). 

Some indicators that your dog is getting too stressed is rigid body movement, stiffness, tenseness, rapid and repetitive eye blinking, rapid and repetitive lip licking where the tongue is darting in/out, excessive/repetitive yawning, the tail is down or in between legs, hair on back standing up (piloerectile), whites of eyes showing (this actually means a dog is about to be aggressive), or ears back if it is not normal for your dog’s ears to be carried that way. If your dog is exhibiting any of these signs, you should take it a bit slower: move away from the stimulus that is causing the reaction. For instance, you may need to move away from crowds of people, instruct people to not pet your dog, place your dog in a down stay giving treats to the dog for calm behavior, use the “watch me” command to break off eye contact, or even use a “touch” command where your dog touches the fearful object with their nose; thereby giving the dog a sense of control that they can touch something and retreat. (If you are not aware of this command contact It’s a Dog’s World on how to teach it to your dog). If your dog is more than slightly fearful, phobic, or even exhibiting aggression, such as lunging, snapping, growling or biting, then do not attempt to go to these places without a professional dog trainer’s guidance.

Labor Day is almost here and many of us are going to take off for camping trips with the family and of course the family dog. While out camping with my family I have seen dogs and owners who aren’t prepared for the camping experience.

I most often see dogs barking at other dogs or passerby’s, while they are outside at their own campsite. Dogs who have plenty of exercise such as long morning or evening walks during the camping trip are less wired and more pronged to relax while at the campsite. 

Treats will also do the trick to keep your dog from barking at passerby’s.

Work on the “watch me” command using treats to gain your dog’s focus while other campers or dogs are passing by. Owners can also use the “down and stay” command and reward with treats while they stay in that command.

Another mistake campers make is allowing their dogs to approach other people and dogs without permission. Some dogs have their own insecurities, which could cause them to be aggressive. Your dog may be very friendly, but not all dogs are.

Never have your dog off the leash while anywhere in the campground, unless you are in a secured area and are permitted to have your dog off leash. Bring plenty of poop bags with you wherever you go.

Camping allows for a great opportunity to practice all your obedience commands with your dog. While on early or late walks, don’t let your dog pull on the leash; have your dog sit before greeting any site visitors; make your dog wait at the door of the RV or camper before going out; practice long down stays while other people walk by or ride their bikes past you or call your dog back to you while engaged in sniffing a new, foreign object. Always keep a bait or treat pouch with you to motivate your dog if he or she gets distracted.

It’s also a good idea to have your dog crate trained when you go camping. If you go somewhere while on the camping trip where your dog cannot join you, such as off site for dinner or out on a lake during the day, then they can stay safely in the crate. For tips on crate training read our article, “Crates and dog runs,” at http://www.itsadogsworld.biz/index.php?id=94.

Most campgrounds require dogs to stay inside a tent or RV when an owner is not present or require dogs are never left alone. These are important factors to consider when planning your camping trip and the activities that you plan on engaging in. Ask yourself, if your dog will be able to participate and if not, will he or she be able to stay at the campground safely?

Exercise pens (also known as x-pens) are great to take along with you to contain your dog within while you are busy preparing food or enjoying a game of cards. Pet tethers, which dogs cannot chew through are also great, although you may need to have two sizes; a 10 foot tether and one under six feet so you have the right size if there is not enough room for the dog to be on the longer tether. It’s a Dog’s World makes short pet tethers four feet long, since stores do not sell any under 10 feet.

When planning a camping trip with your dog keep in mind some campgrounds are very pet friendly and even offer fenced in park areas for off leash play, while others are not. For example, we camped at Silver Strand and while the campground itself allows dogs in all the surrounding areas, areas immediately around the campground do not permit dogs. There is a tunnel that leads from the campground to a bike trail that goes all the way into Coronado, and the tunnel also prohibits dogs. There is no other way to get to the bike trail except through this tunnel. So if you want to go into town (Coronado), you must take your car with your dog. We did take our Standard Poodle into town and went to a park, which had minimal shade expect for a small grassy area. I wasn’t there for more than a few seconds before a senior citizen police volunteer told me dogs were not permitted in the park. I was literally on the outskirts of the park, next to the public sidewalk standing in a small bit of shade! He told me that dogs were not allowed in any of the parks within the City of Coronado. So it wasn’t too fun to take my dog with me camping there since I was relegated to my actual campsite with my dog. Overall, I give the City of Coronado two thumbs down for “pet friendliness.”

We also recently visited KOA (who tends to be more pet friendly, but KOA rules vary from one site to another) in Ventura.  It was in the mountains so we had fairly cool, moderate weather and it didn’t get too hot for the dog. There were great trails to walk on with my dog and tons of other people had also brought their pets. There is even a little creek that you can allow your dog to play in. Although, beware of the resident peacocks and a small cat that rules the campground; it may not be a good idea to take your dog if he or she is highly reactive to animals/cats. 

Some fun things to do when you stay at KOA Ventura are visit some of the local attractions. The Ventura Harbor is a fun outing with plenty of shops and restaurants where you can sit on the patio with your dog.

Oxnard Shores Beach in Ventura, which you can enter on 5^th street, is dog friendly; however dogs must be on a leash.  Harbor Cove Beach, located on the West end of Spinnaker Drive is also dog friendly to all sizes. Dogs are also permitted on the six miles of Ventura City Beaches and on the long wooden pier, but are not allowed on any of the beaches south of the Ventura Pier or on any of the State beaches. Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after at all times.

Cafe Nouveau, open for breakfast and brunch, located at
1497 E Thompson Blvd in Ventura, has pet friendly patio dinning with plenty of trees and shade. You can enjoy pineapple upside down pancakes or delicious French toast with sausage.

Full of Beans, located on Seaward Ave in Ventura is another dog friendly place to enjoy breakfast on an outside patio. They brew fresh Santa Barbara Roasting Co. coffee creations and are known for their daily baked pastries. You can also surf the web for free here.

Reference this web page to view more places, including restaurants with patio dinning, pet friendly shopping centers and more dog friendly beaches. http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/travel/uscities/guides/w/cities/wonlinecityCAVentura_-_Oxnard.shtml.

Santa Barbara is another great dog friendly place to visit. El Capitan State Beach allows dogs of all sizes for no additional fee on campsites only, although dogs are not allowed on the beach. Dogs cannot be left unattended and must be leashed at all times. There is a dog walk area at the campground. You can make reservations on-line at http://www.reserveamerica.com/campgroundDetails.do?subTabIndex=0&contractCode=ca&parkCode=elca.

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is another dog friendly camping site to dogs of all sizes and breeds for $3 more per night. Dogs cannot be left unattended, must be leashed at all times and current with vaccinations. The shore area is not dog friendly as dogs cannot be closer than 50 feet to shore. Call (805) 686-5050 for reservations.

Keep in mind a few must brings when camping with your dog:

Plenty of poop bags, leashes, collars, training collars, pet tags with ID, license info if your local animal shelter provides this, copy of shot records in case there is a mishap and someone needs to see it, medication, plenty of water, bowls, dog food, pet bedding, x-pen, crate, brushes, flexi lead, pet tethers (two sizes), sunscreen if you have a light or short coated breed that is sensitive to the sun, and Frontline Plus to repel fleas and TICKS!  You may want to have your dog vaccinated against Lyme Disease as well prior to your trip.  Make sure your dog is current on Bordetella as they can get kennel cough easily being around other dogs while camping.

By: Liz Reyes

Clients will very often come up to me with a dog or puppy over 6 months and say their pooch needs to develop better manners or social skills, but that it’s too late. On the contrary, some clients with puppies (between eight weeks and four months) think it’s too soon to teach their pup manners. Bottom line, it is never too late or too early to teach manners.

The first few months

It’s common that your pup will develop or try to develop some of the worst habits in the first year. It’s up to each individual to make sure these are corrected. You can start teaching your puppy manners from the day you bring him or her home, usually at about eight weeks. And most importantly, you can start socializing your pup with other puppies (as long as they are current on shots), people, including children, and in various social settings. The training sessions won’t be anything formal or voluntary on their part without a reward or treat, but start teaching your pup sit, stay, down and come. As soon as your pup is 10 weeks, enroll him or her in obedience classes, such as Puppy Kindergarten.

The first year

It has happened to some clients; they tend to neglect obedience training and realize once their pup is seven or eight months, he or she is a complete terror. Biting, digging, jumping, pawing or destructive behavior, are signs of a puppy who needs manners. It is not too late to get your dog in shape if this happens. A puppy or dog class is important at this stage because it allows for socialization, and for “out-of-control” dogs to run off their energy. In a lot of cases, too much energy is the main source of destructive behavior. Obedience classes teach you the hand signals associated with commands, as well as creative ways to correct when they aren’t listening or are distracted easily.

Approaching strangers

Socialization is the key here. The more you teach your dog to socialize, the better. Not all dogs are ready for this, however. Remember that dogs have three instinctive reactions: freeze, flight or fight. Most will freeze or flight, but some will fight. A shy or nervous dog forced into socializing may growl, snap or bite out of fear. Start socializing your dog slowly. Take them to a place with light pedestrian traffic. On their first day of socialization, don’t take them to a community park with kids and people everywhere. When your dog starts to become familiar with passerby’s and accepts their presence, reward him or her with a treat. Soon, your dog will be able to be approached by strangers and stop barking, jumping, crying or reacting to anyone passing by. It’s also important to take them to group classes where they can interact with other dogs and other owners. Dog parks are not recommended because there is no expert supervision and you don’t know how well other people have desensitized their pooches. It’s a Dog’s World’s Yappy Hour is a safe alternative because all dogs are screened, and socialization with other owners and dogs are monitored by a trainer.

Greeting visitors

It’s often you will have quick visitors in and out of your house. Possibly someone stopping in to pick up a family member, someone who is dropping off a product, or someone entering to perform a service.  These are all opportunities to teach your dog to sit and greet people instead of jumping up on them. Use treats and rewarding attention to teach your dog to sit and be petted by visitors. Make sure and give a treat to the dog as he or she is being petted.  Instruct those greeting your dog to stop petting the dog and even turn their back on the dog if he gets out of the sit command. Next time a visitor comes through your dog will remember that he was rewarded with treats and love for sitting.

The place command

When people come to visit, do you schedule your dog to be at the groomers or have to lock him or her up? A solution is the ‘place’ command. Teach your pooch to go to their place or spot on command and keep them there when company is over. You do this by training them on their leash and guiding them to their spot or place by coaxing with a treat. It’s important not to change the spot or place and to practice the routine daily. When a dog does not listen, give them a delicious treat like a stuffed Kong or Bully Stick so they calm down. Another solution is use a pet tether to keep a disobedient dog in the place command. This works when you have a puppy with high energy or a dog that wanders away from the place while they’re still learning or being trained. 

Approaching other dogs

Again, dogs will show aggression because of fear or shyness. Socialize your dog with other dogs as young as 10 weeks. Just because your dog does well in a setting like Yappy Hour or obedience classes, doesn’t mean he will always, so take caution. Never allow your dog to approach another dog without first getting the owner’s permission. Even though your dog may be friendly and out going, the other dog may have some issues and it is proper etiquette to check with the owner first.  If your dog always pulls you to greet other dogs, this is a perfect training opportunity for the heel, stay, or watch me command.  Don’t allow your dog to have bad doggie manners by pulling to get to other dogs.  Besides, if your dog is pulling to meet another dog and you allow him to do so, you have just rewarded the unwanted behavior of pulling on the leash. Keep your pooch on a leash whenever he is approaching other dogs and go with him or her. Study your dog’s body language and approach. Keep in mind that dogs can often feel territorial, depending on the approaching grounds, and this can make for a usually friendly dog to show some signs of aggression. Allow the dogs to sniff and approach each other for a few minutes before you let them loose to play and run, in a controlled setting only. If you are unsure on how the dogs will get along, leave the leash on so that you can grab either dog easily until everyone feels comfortable.

Liz Reyes is the owner of It’s a Dog’s World in Chino, Ca, which offers group and obedience classes, private training and in-kennel training. E-mail Liz at liz@itsadogsworld.biz for more info.

Summer is the perfect time of year to enjoy a day at the park, a camping trip, or a family vacation and include your pooch or pup.

However, lately with the recent heat wave and other risks associated with summertime fun, it’s important dog owners take some time to understand dangerous situations and learn some care tips.

No Parking

The car. Lots of people want to take their dog for a ride to run an errand. Never leave your dog in the car even if you are only gone for a short period. Don’t trust the AC either. There have been situations when the AC has gone out and dogs have died from heat exhaustion. When you are traveling make sure to have plenty of water for your dog on the road, and always travel with your dog in a crate or harness.

Summer Fitness

Exercise is important for dogs even during hot times. Recent days have scorched to 100 degrees and above, so exercise your dog in the early morning or late evening when it’s much cooler.  Make sure to watch out for hot asphalt or concrete and give your dog water right after exercising.

Cool in the Shade

Spending the day at the beach or park sounds like fun. Just make sure your dog has shade to rest in between playing. Make sure you don’t overwork your dog, and frequently put them in the down and stay command so they can rest with plenty of water in between playing.

Panting Pooch

Know the signs of overheating. When a dog is panting heavily or having difficulty breathing as well as an increased heart rate, drooling, weakness or disorientation, it is likely they have heat exhaustion. If this occurs, immediately bring them indoors or in the shade, give them water and consult your vet.

Safe Splash

Many breeds love the water. Pools, lakes and beaches are a fun place to swim and interact. Dogs, like children, need 100 percent supervision when near water. If you have a pool, keep it gated and/or covered. If you’re on a watercraft make sure your dog has a safety vest. The Bid Eddy Float Coat Dog Lifejacket from www.fetchdog.com or the Designer PetSaver Lifejacket from www.carealotpets.com will keep your dog afloat in an accident.

Most people refer to adults and kids when talking about water safety. But don’t forget about an important part of the family, dogs.

Many breeds enjoy the water, playing by the shore and doggy paddling with the kids in shallow waters, but any dog can easily be injured or scared while enjoying the water.

If you have a boating dog, he or she should be a good swimmer, but in case of an emergency, a lifevest is necessary when out on any watercraft at the ocean, lake or river.

Any sustained injury or strong current or rapids can result in your dog’s good swimming skills to falter.

I recommend the Bid Eddy Float Coat Dog Lifejacket (item no. A30063) from www.fetchdog.com or the Designer PetSaver Lifejacket (item no. 10429) from www.carealotpets.com, anytime your dog is near water or on a watercraft.

Another big risk factor during summer is the heat. It’s important for owners to understand that dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke than humans are. Their heavy coats work against the cooling process when exposed to the sun and heat. Take this sentence out.

Heat stroke occurs when heat gain exceeds a dog’s ability to dissipate the heat. High temperatures are the cause, which most commonly results in dehydration, but can also result in vital organ failure, brain damage or death.

Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs are rapid, frantic panting, vomiting, or delusion.

First thing, never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the A.C. running.  A few years ago, a friend of mine left her dogs in the car with the A.C. running on a very hot day while she ran a quick errand.  When she came back, her A.C., her car had turned off, the A.C. had stopped and both of her dogs had died from heat stoke.  Second, never leave your dog in the sun without water or shade.  Some breeds of dogs such as English Bulldogs cannot stand to be in the heat (even if its in the shade) for even 15 minutes.  Because many of them have an elongated palate, it can cause them to not take in enough oxygen when they are panting heavily and cause them to go into a heat stroke.

On hot days, reduce the amount of exercise during the hottest periods of the day, noon to 3 p.m.

If your dog were to show any signs of heat stroke, immediately take them to a cool place and give them water, and seek immediate advice from your vet.

Another common risk factor for dogs during summer is hot pavement. Remember pavement, metal and tar-coated asphalt gets very hot under the summer sun.

If your dog is limping or refusing to walk, missing part of a pad, licking or chewing at their feet or if pads look darker than usual or contain blisters or redness, it’s evident your dog has burned pads.

Flush your pooch’s paws with cool water, and get the dog to a grassy area or indoors quickly. Keep them off pavement or asphalt until they show signs of improvement.

You can consult with a vet if you think your dog may have deeper burns.

Sunburn is another risk factor for pooches this time of year. While dogs do not get sunburn as often as people do, it is still possible.

Light colored or hairless dogs are at higher risk. If your dog’s skin appears to be more red than usual, sunburn has occurred.

Snouts, right around the nose, are common areas of sunburn for dogs. It’s safe to apply waterproof sunscreen before being out in the sun.

If your dog’s skin develops blisters, that’s evidence of a second-degree burn, which needs immediate vet attention.

Each year, many dogs are diagnosed with skin cancer, so take caution during the summer months.

If you have additional questions about summer safety, please e-mail me at liz@itsadogsworld.biz.

Dogs have become so much a part of our lives and have been domesticated for so many years, that we tend to forget they actually are captive animals, and our homes are artificial environments.  A great many canine behavior problems can be traced to a lack of enrichment. Consequently, many behavior problems can be minimized and some completely resolved once a good enrichment program has been put into place. Insufficient stimulation can cause or exacerbate a number of behavior problems including hyperactivity, destructive chewing, barking, digging, attention-seeking behavior, compulsive disorders and certain forms of aggression.

 The more types of enrichment you provide for your dog, the less likely your dog will be to develop behavior problems or health problems that are related to stress, anxiety, and boredom.  Just a few changes in your routine with your dog can make all the difference!!

What type of enrichment can you provide your dog?

When considering the natural behavior of most canines, it is obvious that the average pet dog receives very low levels of environmental stimulation. Most non-domestic animals spend the majority of their time foraging for food. In addition, they must seek out or construct resting areas and avoid predators and other natural hazards. Pet dogs on average spend less than 15 minutes per day eating because they do not have to forage for food. They are kept in static and often monotonous environments. The majority of dog breeds were developed for some functional purpose (guarding, herding, hunting, etc.) yet few dogs actually participate in these activities.

 Keep in mind, that not all dogs enjoy the same types of activities and it is important that whenever a new toy or enrichment item is introduced, that the dog is initially supervised to determine not only the effectiveness of the enrichment activity, but also to make sure the dog interacts appropriately with the toy.

           Food Toys & Puzzles

There are a number of great toys and puzzles on the market to aid in stimulating your dog’s mind and alleviating boredom.  Many of these toys involve the use of food as not only a play motivator, but as a reward for continued interest.  In many cases these food-dispensing toys can be used in place of your dog’s regular meal. Some of the more common types of treat-dispensing toys are:

           Stuffable toys  

 These toys come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your dog’s needs.  Some of the more common toys are Kongs® & Buster-cubes® but you can also use hollowed out marrow bones.  They all have the same thing in common:  you put treats, kibble or other acceptable food items in them and your dog has to figure out how to remove the food.  Some of the companies that make these toys provide recipes and treat ideas to make the toys even more interesting to your dog.  Freezing food, such as peanut butter, inside of one of these toys will also make the playtime last longer.

            Puzzles

 Puzzle toys also utilize food as a motivator for your dog, but they usually require that your dog manipulate the toy in a specific way to receive the food reward.  These toys may have a series of slots with sliding covers that hide the food.  Similar to the old “shell” game, food is hidden in one of the slots and the dog has to not only determine where the treat is hidden, but how to get it out.

In addition to purchased treat dispensing toys, you can also create some fairly inexpensive and fun ways to feed your dog while enriching the eating experience.  These can include:

• Placing dog food or treats inside a cardboard box or an old towel/rag and allow the

dog to tear the item apart to get to the food inside.

• Scattering food out in the grass in the yard or across the floor in your house to make the dog

search for each piece.

• Dividing portions of the dog’s meal into small Tupperware containers and hiding them around the house for the dog to find.

• Adding bullion (or other broths) to water and freezing into a popsicle in a variety of sizes of Tupperware. You can add various pieces of food items to these: cereal, fruits, vegetables, dog food, cheese, meat, etc. 

Besides toys, there are other ways to enrich your dog’s life and alleviate potential boredom.  Take into account the specific breed of dog you have and tailor the activity to meet the dog’s instinctual needs.  For instance, if your dog is a scent hound, you may want to place novel scents in the environment using small amounts of spices, herbs, extracts, or synthetic animal scents (e.g. rabbit, quail, squirrel, etc. available from a sporting goods store).  Vanilla and anise are two favorite scents that dogs enjoy.

 You can also try some of the following:

• Build the dog a sand box either by sectioning off a 4-5 foot square area in your yard or buying a child’s wading pool and filling it with sand and dirt.  Bury a variety of toys, bones, etc. and encourage your dog to dig in the sand box.

• Fill a child’s wading pool with water. If the dog enjoys both water and digging, you can alternate the substrate in the pool each week.

• Hang rope or inner tubes from a branch or other item in the yard for the dog to play tug with.

• If your dog is sociable with other dogs, try scheduling doggy “play-dates” with your friends or arrange for your dog to go to an interactive Doggy Day Care one or two days a week

• Participate in training sessions or other dog sport activities (flyball, agility, tracking, Frisbee, etc with your dog.  These not only help stimulate your dog’s mind and burn off your dog’s energy, but it also provides an excellent bonding opportunity between you and your pet. 

Summertime is approaching fast. The kids will be out of school soon and camping and hiking trips are planned.

Wait, there’s only one problem. The kids want to bring the family dog, but Buddy has a few issues. He often runs off when you’re calling him to come, he rarely listens to “sit” or “stay,” and he greets new friends with too much excitement.

So rather than keeping him in the old dog run while you and your family take off for the lake, get Buddy in shape to tag along.

It’s a Dog’s World in Chino, Ca has some interactive classes scheduled for you and your dog this summer.

Most dogs should begin with the Basic Obedience Course, which helps with basic commands and addressing behavior issues. Classes begin Thursday, May 20 at 6:30 p.m.; Monday June 14 at 6:30 p.m.; and Saturday, June 19 at 9 a.m. The course runs for seven weeks and the cost is $125.  Our summer special is $15 off.

If your dog is still a pup, simple manners and commands can still be taught. Puppy Kindergarten is for pooches 8-16 weeks, and is a great way to introduce socialization and confidence building. The class is $18 per class or $69 for a four pack. The classes are drop in format and are held Saturdays at 9 a.m., and Tuesdays at 6 p.m. beginning in June. This summer’s special is sign up for four and receive $10 off.

Some proud owners can say their dogs already know the basics of training, so the Intermediate Obedience courses will further their dogs skills and ability. This one is a six-week program and classes begin, Saturday, June 26 at 10 a.m.  The cost is $160, but It’s a Dog’s World summer special is $15 off.

A “Good Citizen” test is available for dogs at the end of Intermediate Obedience.

Frisbee fun on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. is another way to bond with your dog. It’s a Dog’s World has a great special on Frisbee classes, including one free class. Dog owners save $10 off enrollment when they enroll for four sessions at their free class.

Rally-O brings obedience to the competitive level. This 6-week course gives your dog experience in the ring without the pressure of being judged. Class begins Wednesday, June 2 at 6 p.m.

Conformation Handling gives you the basics of how to handle your dog in the show ring, this is a beginning course and is perfect for juniors. Classes are Mondays at 7 p.m. and the same Frisbee special applies. Receive one free class and $10 off any package of 4 sessions.

And if your vacation is further or longer and Fido can’t go, now is the perfect time to leave your dog with It’s a Dog’s World, who does all the hard work for you. Wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a well-trained dog. Call the office for details. Ask about May Specials.

Your dog may be ready for off lease training. Come in for a consultation to see if Fido or Buddy is ready for the next level. Off leash training pays off when the family goes out hiking or to the river.