tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68560397218838980542024-02-20T05:53:15.404-05:00Home Dog Training of South Florida Old Press ReleasesHOME DOG TRAINING OF SOUTH FLORIDA OLD PRESS RELEASESHome Dog Training of South Floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396876802977116417noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856039721883898054.post-2839598664788480382011-08-07T16:33:00.000-04:002015-01-27T15:54:15.477-05:00For Immediate Release: Home Dog Training of South Florida Offers Tips to Manage Dogs Like Movie Star “Marley”<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Fort Lauderdale, Florida, December 16, 2008—</span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">On Christmas Day, the film version of the popular book “Marley & Me” will be released nationwide. Home Dog Training of South Florida cautions dog owners that, while the film promises to faithfully capture the sweet spirit and message of the book, its subject—Marley, a wildly out-of-control-but-lovable yellow Labrador retriever—will raise questions (and some hackles) about what the dog’s owners could have done to better understand their pet and to correct his many behavioral problems.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Labs are intelligent dogs and need to be kept busy,” said </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Robin Edwards, </span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">dog behavioral therapist</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. “They are eager to please and catch on quickly to training that is communicated clearly and consistently.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">That training needs to start with ground rules established and maintained from the moment the dog (or puppy) enters your home. When a dog—any dog—is guided by your strong leadership and setting of firm boundaries, both man and dog will enjoy an infinitely more rewarding relationship.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Dogs do only whatever they can get away with. It is up to the owner to educate the dog about the rules of the pack, which requires a commitment to consistent leadership from the owner. For example, remember that your fluffy 10-pound new puppy who loves to jump up on you will one day be an 85-pound adult dog whose jumping is no longer cute and, indeed, can cause harm to you or others. Don’t allow such behaviors to begin, and correct any unwanted behaviors right away.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Labs are a popular breed because they love to be with people, including children. They are typically playful and good-natured. Because Lab puppies are very bouncy and boisterous, they may not be ideal for households with very small children, the elderly or infirm. Labs are best for families with active lifestyles who can allow the dog to have regular outlets for his seemingly boundless energy. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">“Labs, like many breeds, are prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to behavior issues. A bored, lonely Lab with nothing interesting to do,” added Edwards, “will quickly find ways to vent his pent-up energy by barking, chewing and destroying anything he encounters in your house or yard.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Had the Grogan family who owned Marley sought training from a qualified dog behavioral therapist to help them understand and act on these human-canine fundamentals, their lives together would have been less eventful and far more peaceful.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One example of how training could have helped both family and pet is related to how Marley reacted to thunderstorms, a common fear among canines. Many dogs “learn” to cower at thunder because their owners console them when they hear a loud noise. While it is understandable that you would want to coddle your frightened pet, this does not help the dog if you are not with him when a thunderstorm (or fireworks or a noisy trash collector) comes along. If your dog is frightened by loud noises, don’t make it an “event.” Simply guide your furry friend to a place where it is safe and quiet, ideally his crate. You could also cover the crate with a blanket to soften the impact of the loud noises. The dog will quickly learn to seek shelter there whenever he feels scared. If your dog exhibits extreme fear from thunderstorms, talk to your vet about more ways to help the dog feel calmer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The following are some tips to help you manage your active Labrador retriever or any high-energy dog:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Provide toys that can handle heavy chewing. Labs are generally food motivated, so use treat-giving puzzle toys to keep him mentally stimulated.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Get into the habit of providing daily training sessions of 15 minutes or so.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Remember, dogs tire far more quickly from mental stimulation than from physical activities.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Crate training is strongly recommended for Labs. Not only does a crate help with housebreaking, it also helps to create boundaries for your pet, keeping both your dog and your house safe.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Anticipate your dog’s possible naughty behavior. Put baby locks on cupboard doors, put away trash cans, separate your dog from a small child with food. (The dog may snatch the food not out of aggression but simply because the temptation is just too great.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Use Bitter Apple spray, or other taste deterrents, on objects you don’t want your pooch to chew.</span></li>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Because Labrador retrievers are so energetic, you will gain better control of your Lab if you know how to safely “de-escalate” him when he becomes overly excited. Home Dog Training of South Florida is skilled in detecting when a dog is getting out of control and can teach you how to anticipate and counteract such potential problems.</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For more information, call us at 954-424-0170 or email us at </span><a href="mailto:info@southfloridadogtraining.com" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">info@southfloridadogtraining.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></span></div>
Home Dog Training of South Floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396876802977116417noreply@blogger.com0Parkland, FL, USA26.3107774 -80.25322489999996426.2538424 -80.333905899999962 26.3677124 -80.172543899999965tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856039721883898054.post-83290191601127647002011-08-07T16:28:00.000-04:002015-01-27T15:55:35.296-05:00For Immediate Release: HOme Dog Training of South Florida Explains Why Did Barney the White House Dog Bite a Reporter!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">Fort Lauderdale, Florida </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">—</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt;">November 14, 2008</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">—</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As stories of Barney the White House Dog biting a reporter surface, Home Dog Training of South Florida sheds light on the incident. Bark Busters explains why Barney bit the reporter and how you can prevent your dog from doing the same.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Barney was not in the mood for attention from the reporter,” said </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Robin Edwards, dog</span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;"> behavioral therapist and trainer, Home Dog Training of South Florida</span></span><span class="Heading1Char"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Whether he was angry about the election or just unsure of the reporter, Barney’s body language showed the reporter that he wasn’t interested in the attention. By watching a dog’s body language, incidents such as these are easily avoidable.” </span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Why did Barney bite the reporter?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Barney was on a leash, with no way to escape. Dogs on leash are often more tense or on edge because they cannot flee in a moment of stress or potential conflict.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Barney's body language was very clear: “Leave me alone!” His body language showed that he was feeling scared or nervous. His ears were back, tail was down, head was down, body was very still. He was not looking at anyone and was trying to avoid conflict.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. When the reporter bent down to pet him, he hovered over him, and Barney possibly saw that as a physical confrontation, as this conveys overbearing or threatening body language. After all his other warning signals went unnoticed, Barney reacted and bit Associated Press reporter Jon Decker.</span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">How could this have been avoided?</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Never assume a dog wants to be petted. Allow the dog to come into your space, as opposed to you invading his like this reporter did. </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.25pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Allow the dog to smell you but don’t put your hand out – let the dog come close to you on his own terms. Face the dog at all times, but don’t make eye contact with the dog or stare – this can be perceived as a sign of aggression. Be calm in your movements, and avoid leaning over the dog, as this may be interpreted as a threat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Although Barney won’t have to deal with reporters and paparazzi for much longer, it is important to know why he lashed out. </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Home Dog Training of South Florida's dog behavioral therapists, such as </span><span style="letter-spacing: -0.3pt;">Robin Edwards</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, are renowned authorities in the area of dog behavior. Their training system can successfully train any dog, even puppies. The company’s natural training technique leverages the same communication methods – body language and voice control – that dogs follow as part of their instinctual pack mentality. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For more information, call us at 954-424-0170 or email us at </span><a href="mailto:info@southfloridadogtraining.com" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">info@southfloridadogtraining.com</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
Home Dog Training of South Floridahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06396876802977116417noreply@blogger.com0Parkland, FL, USA26.3107774 -80.25322489999996426.2538424 -80.333905899999962 26.3677124 -80.172543899999965