Molly Doolittle's

07/09/2020

free dog walking class. I am going to host a free session on how to teach your dog to walk loose leash; no pulling. I would like to get a feel for who would be interested and when would be a good time. Location will likely be in Monroe, WA please post comments if interested and when.

11/29/2019

Teaching a dog to sit.
When starting, dogs do not know what 'sit' means. You have to teach them. I prefer hand signals to start. Once the dog understands what they are doing you can add the word 'sit' later. Also when using a verbal command, never repeat it. By the time you add the word, the behavior should be so ingrained in their brain that you should not have to repeat it. Believe, me, they heard you the first time. If you have to repeat it, they do not know what they are supposed to do.

Let's start with what NOT to do. NEVER push down on their hind end; there are 2 reasons for this:
1. you are doing it not the dog. You want the dog to do it
on their own.
2. it is really bad for their spine and hips, esp with dogs
that have a tendency to have issues with these areas.

What to do. You start with no verbal command. I am an advocate for using a clicker*. A clicker serves 2 functions:
1. a marker that they have done what you want them to
do. A clicker resonates in a different part of the dog's
brain than a verbal praise. They 'get it quicker with the
clicker'. It is also easier to click than to speak.
2. the click tells the dog that they are going to get a
reward. The clicker and the reward are not a forever
thing; it is only until the behavior becomes so automatic
that they just do it when you give them the hand signal.

To start, face the dog; put a treat to their nose, and slowly draw their nose up and back. This will automatically force the dog to put their but down. As soon as their butt hits the ground, click and reward.

All training should be done in 15 minute sessions several times a day. Puppies esp have a short attention span. Repeat several times a day. You will find that they will eventually automatically sit whenever you interact with them. Sitting also keeps a dog from jumping up on you. We will discuss jumping in another post.

*clicker training. You have to acclimate a dog to a clicker before starting training with it. This will be addressed in another post.

09/17/2019

12/16/2012

FOOD.

There are so many choices it can be overwelming. And there are diffferent opinions and what is good and what is not good. I have learned a lot since I started working at petsmart, so I would like to pass some of what I have learned on to you.

My first piece of advise is to READ THE LABEL. The first 4 ingredients are the most important. There are some ingredients you should avoid entirely: corn (which has little or no nutritional value and is not digestable); wheat (which is one of the leading causes of skin allergies); soy and meat by-products (this is the part of the animal that is not meant to be eaten at all).

The first ingredients should ALWAYS be an ANIMAL protein. Dogs and cats need animal protein for bones and muscle development and maintenance.

There has been a lot of talk about grains in food. There are some grains that can cause skin allergies = mainly wheat. There are other grains that are beneficial such as oatmeal (not sure if that is considered a grain) and barley. There are some very good brands out there that are grain free so that is your choice. But it is not vital to avoid grains entirely unless your dog or cat has allergies.

One of the signed of skin allergies from food is if your pet chews on its feet. While it could be something else, food is the most common cause. Another leading cause of skin allergies is chicken. Yes, chicken.

Puppies should be on puppy food for their first year. the puppy food is specifically formulated to meet the needs of puppies. Puppies need more protein and fat than adult dogs do. The companies that manufacture the high quality foods have done a lot of research when they create the formulas for their foods.

Dogs between the ages of 1 to 7 should be on adult food. After the age of 7 they should be transitioned to a senior or mature formula. Older dogs tend to be less active and need less protein and fat.

If you choose to switch your pet's food to a different brand, do a slow transition. Dogs and cats have a more sensitive system than people do. contrary to some beliefs, animals do not need variety in their diet. In fact, it can cause stomach and digestive upset. When you do the transition, start with 80% current food, 20% new food. slowly decrease the old and increase the new. Watch for diarrhea or vomiting. If either or both of these happen, slow down the transition. I had switched my dog Bart from Purina One to Blue Buffalo. After 2 weeks, I tried giving him all BB and he threw up. Every dog is different and for some it may not take as long.

Does your dog have tear stains around the eyes and mouth? a lot of small white dogs have this issue. if so, check the label on the dog food. some of the lower quality foods have red dye in them. This can cause tear stains.

I realize that the higher quality foods are more expensive. However, they will eat less and p**p less. More of the ingredients are going into fueling the body and less is just coming out the other end. I also firmly believe that your vet bills will be less because your dog or cat will be healthier and will also live longer.

I would also recommend going online and doing your own research on dog foods. There are several websites that have done a lot of research into dog foods and rate their quality. I think you will be surprised. Dont rely on what the packaging says; one brand says "complete nutrition" but it is not.

I am not going to post it here, but if anyone is interested is what brand(s) I would personally recommend, email me and I will tell you and why I believe they are the best.