Young children with family dogs were 23 percent less likely to have social interaction problems than children whose households do not have a dog, some recent research suggests. The finding comes from an analysis of data from a three-year study of 1,646 households with preschool children ages 2 to 5. Specifically, the researchers found that…
Focus Dog Training wants to pay respect to Police K9 Sultan. Yarmouth Police Department: “One by one they came to say goodbye and scratch his head. The morning was brutally cold in South Portland, Maine, but none of the two dozen police officers, firefighters, and EMT technicians from across the state who gathered around Shane Stephenson’s…
Pay attention to how the trainer communicates with you and answers your questions. How knowledgeable are they about your dog’s breed? How familiar are they with your dog’s problems or your requests? Years on the training field count big. If you came to me when I was in the business for a year, I had…
1. Military Working Dog History Dogs have been involved in armed forces almost as long as people have been. The Romans, Greeks and Egyptians are all recorded to have used the four-legged friends in battle. It is only since World War II that the U.S. military has formally recorded dogs as part of the force…
According to the Guinness Book of World Records the oldest dog was 29 years 5 months, an Australian cattle-dog named Bluey, owned by Les Hall of Rochester, Victoria, Australia. Bluey was obtained as a puppy in 1910 and worked among cattle and sheep for nearly 20 years.1 In honor of Bluey’s 29 years, here are 29…
Getting out with your Dog – Camping Have you ever wanted to take your dog camping, but have been worried about behavior issues?? Ticks? Getting lost? This is the blog post for you. One of the best ways for families to bond with their dog is to get outside and get moving! Because camping is…
The bond we have with our dog is a special one, but not always easy to maintain. Oftentimes, owners will attempt to discipline their pets without follow through, or ultimately give in to negative reinforcement. This creates a cycle of frustration, and inconsistent behavioral fixes that are adverse to a healthy relationship that could be…
You and your dog are best friends. What goes into selecting a trainer for your best friend? Keep a few things in mind when selecting a trainer. Not all dog trainers are the same nor have the same approach. There are different kids of dog training (see my article Forms of Dog Training that discusses…
There are many things to consider when bringing a dog into your family. What kind of dog? What kind of food do I feed my new dog? What kind of collar? What kind of leash? How do I train my new dog? Do I use a crate? So many unanswered questions. As with any subject,…
Happy holidays from Focus Dog Training! Holidays can be a huge stress on dogs owners. All the company in and out of the house, the parties, the kids running around, strange noises–these are potential triggers that stress dogs and can wreck your holiday fun, if you’re dogs are nervy or untrained. Sometimes, the only option…