Twosday Training Tip

TIP #1: FOOD AS A TOOL
So many times my clients will ask "so I have to take food on our walks?" Nobody thinks twice when they get out the leash or harness. Unfortunately many use prong or choke collars, too. These are all tools to help us control our dog. So why not think of food as a tool? If that's going to help your dog learn to walk nicely on a leash isn't that a tool? Let's trade those painful collars for a treat bag. Your dog will thank you.

TIP #2: HEARING LOSS HELP
The thought of a hearing-impaired dog wandering off and not being able to hear your calls is frightening. Here are some things you can do if your dog's hearing isn't what it used to be:
1. Use hand signals. Every time our dogs reach the old-age-can't-hear stage I appreciate having taught them basic hand signals as well as verbal cues. Since dogs communicate primarily through body language, hand signals are easy to teach, especially if you do it when your dog can still hear well. 
2. Run interference at home. If you have a multi-dog household, one or more of your other dogs make take offense when your geriatric pal doesn't respond quickly enough to their signals - because he doesn't hear them, and therefore doesn't look and notice their body language. Manage your household to prevent encounters that cause tension due to his lack of hearing and subsequent lack of response.
- The Whole Dog Journal

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