Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Natural Dog Training

Hi Friends!

I will spare myself the utter humiliation of revealing to you what I look like when I'm "asking my birds Dudley and Sing-Sing to exercise."  You see, I begin to "flap my wings -- or arms rather" in an effort to reach inside for my "inner bird."  All joking aside, I'm a firm believer in accepting others for who they truly are as this is what true, unconditional love is all about.  Since I'm very relationship-oriented always seeking to bring the best out of anyone I come into contact, the principles and values inherit in natural animal training has always been very appealing.  So, today, I will discuss what Natural Dog Training is and the benefits.

Natural Dog Training is simply based on what is most natural about the dog, its wildest essence, is good, and that dogs are social by nature.  Even with the most troubling ‘problem behaviors’, nothing is “broken” and so nothing needs to be “fixed”. This is because dogs perceive the world and respond to it according to its laws, rather than according to human reason.

By appealing to this part of a dog’s mind and centering our training models around this idea, a dog’s cooperative and loving nature can become the most pronounced aspect of its character. While one may come to Natural Dog Training with questions about behavior, or help with obedience, Natural Dog Training’s methods are successful because it is all about working with this aspect, – with your dog’s energy, rather than fighting against it.

The difference in Natural Dog Training is the recognition that energy itself is a form of information: not only does it animate a dog, but it actually informs him how to behave. This means that a dog already knows how to heel, sit, down, stay, come when called, – no matter what! Our actual job in training then, is not to teach him these things, but simply to elicit them and create situations where he can naturally express them. The Natural Dog Training difference is the goal for our pets to feel good when they are expressing these commands.  Finally, NDT contends that the alpha doesn’t teach wolves or dogs to be ‘obedient’, or even to hunt,- they automatically know how to do it because the properties of energy are always informing the dog how to behave, but also because of exposure in a supportive environment.

So, Natural Dog Training simply put, is the art of learning how dogs naturally behave with one another in order to communicate with the dog in its own language.  It takes a special person to fully understand and apply this concept as it requires putting aside human emotions and putting the needs of the animal first.  Many people try to get their dogs to understand human communication so they can continue to act human and communicate human towards the dog. Dogs are less complicated than humans and while it is difficult and sometimes impossible to make a dog understand human, humans can learn the language of the dog if they open their minds to the idea. You must work with the natural instincts of the animal, not against them.

Some of the best horse trainers and owners are those that apply natural horsemanship; they learn how horses communicate towards one another and use the horses’ language to speak to them. Each animal is unique in its own way. For example, horses are flight animals, meaning they have a strong instinct to run when they are afraid of something or their life is at stake. Dogs are fight animals, meaning they have an instinct to fight as their natural defense mechanism. Just knowing this small fact about these two animals should tell you that the way you handle a horse would be different than the way you handle a dog.

This is what we have to recreate with our dog: an emotional group climate which our dogs intuitively synchronizes his actions to, in order to be in harmony with his group. Because dogs are so closely bonded with the human species, most humans forget, or never even think about, their natural instincts. Some even take it as far as seeing those who do speak dog to the dog as cruel. Dogs have a natural instinct to want structure, rules and boundaries. They want to know where they stand among their pack and believe it or not, they want to know the rules and they need consistency with those rules. There are those who believe it is cruel to use natural dogmanship with a dog, but it is actually more cruel to assume your dog is human, overlooking its natural wants and needs.  Any dog that misbehaves is missing something in its life. A dog's temperament is a direct result of the owner’s ability to understand him and give him what he instinctively needs as a canine animal.  It's NEVER too late to turn a dog’s behavior around.

If you would like to learn more and I can be of any assistance in any way, please contact me anytime.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Paul

Paul F. Flotron
Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC
"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"
www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com
314-200-8561
Cell:  314-775-7107

Monday, December 16, 2013

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays From Creature Comforts - Paul, Dudley & Sing-Sing

Hi Friends & Family!

Dudley, Sing-Sing and I join in extending our warmest wishes for a joyous Holiday Season!


Happy Holidays & Thank You From Creature Comforts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcW3DzF3uKg

Christmas is an exciting time of the year.  Gifts to buy, decorating to organize, crafts to make, cards to write and send, parties to hold, secrets to keep, and so much more.  The festive season will see us rushing around with barely a moment to spare.  That means something will be forgotten, and many times it's our innocent pets.  Our furry companions are like family - are family.  They console us when we're grieving, stick by us when the whole world thinks we've gone crazy, and calm us when everything goes pear-shaped

While Christmas may be all fun and games for humans, there are many hazards for pets at this time of the year.  Because you love your pet, you want the best for them, and do everything possible to ensure their health and safety. But like children, they don’t come with a manual.  As a result, we struggle and do the best we can.

Unfortunately our best isn’t always good enough.  Second-guessing can put our beloved pets in danger. And that’s the last thing any of us want to do.


Focusing on cats and dogs, Caring for Pets at Christmas will open your eyes to many hidden dangers for your pets, especially during the festive season. 

With decorations strung across the mantle, mistletoe & finger licking dishes galore. Not to mention tree's a glow and beautifully adorned with glistening ornaments you & your pet are sure to get in the Holiday spirit.  However, festive eye catching decorations are bound to catch the playful attention of the family pet. Whiskers can't resist climbing great heights to bat at the fragile tree ornaments, while Fido can't resist the fun urge to use them as chew toys. But what's really on your dogs mind & stomach is his hankering appetite for the Christmas ham.  Tis is the time for season's eatings!

We have all heard Christmas horror stories of a Christmas tree being knocked over by a rambunctious dog running through the room or playing tug of woof with a string of lights. Of course, your dog always wins leaving the tree & decorations toppling down. TIMBER!! Or perhaps, your Christmas dinner has fallen victim to your pups hungry appetite leaving your empty stomach growling for leftovers, but there aren't any.  No one wants these scenarios being played out or repeated again this year!


So, we were so happy to come across a wonderful insightful Christmas article that gives tips on having a safe, healthy, happy and festive Holiday with the loving pets in our lives. Let the countdown begin! The Twelve days of Christmas isn't complete without the  ”twelve pet tips of Christmas” to help keep your dog and cat safe during the eventful holiday season.


1. Anticipate your guest's arrivals and confine your dog to prevent it from escaping or worse yet “soiling” your guest’s clothes with an unwanted jump.


2. Reduce your dog's stress by maintaining its regular feeding and exercise routine. Develop a routine for your dog during holiday parties. A special treat in a special room of your house works well.


3. Put packages out of reach! Dogs who smell food in a package will rip it open. Food is the number one holiday hazard for dogs. The foods that we eat can cause havoc on an animal's intestines. Put away children's toys after they are opened. Ingested toys can cause choking and may have to be removed through surgery.


4. Tell guests not to share indulgences with your pet. Poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse, a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Also, remember that an ounce of alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma.


5. Stow chocolate candy or baking ingredients out of reach. Chocolate is the most common toxicity treat during the holidays. Small amounts cause problems. Larger amounts can cause above normal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and even death. Secure your garbage in bins with tight lids. (This is a good habit to get into all year!) A dog can chew up holiday garbage, which can result in intestinal problems.


6. Buy only decorating products that are labeled non-toxic.


7. Secure large trees to the wall to prevent tipping, or consider a smaller tree that can fit on a tabletop.


8. Remember that stomach problems can be caused by popcorn and gumdrops. Avoid using these strings of edible decorations.


9. Fasten all your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones at the top. Dogs who chew these can suffer cuts in their mouth from broken ornaments.


10. Return paper and other gift wrapping materials to their storage places after gift wrapping is finished.


11. Place holiday plants out of reach and vacuum often. Poinsettia can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting. Mistletoe causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse. When animals eat the needles from real or fake trees, they can also get intestinal blockage.


12. Display candles on high shelves to avoid painful burns and singed Whiskers and make sure that cords are tucked out of reach. Electrocution can put a huge damper on Holiday festivities.

God's blessings, peace and love throughout the Holidays and always!

Paul

(and Dudley & Sing-Sing too)

Paul F. Flotron
Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC
"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"
www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com
314-200-8561
Cell:  314-775-7107

Love, Relationships, Loyalty & Animal Companions

Hi Friends!

Abraham Lincoln said, "I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it." Love between the pet and the owner has been immortalized by many a legends. Many novels described the love and trust that an animal and the owner shares. So did many movies. Why even you or me would have had a pet at some point of time in our lives and loved our association with it. It is probably one of the purest relationships to experience for anybody.

We talk to our pets and they listen. They give us unconditional love and await our attention. They amuse us and make us feel good about ourselves. As Samuel Butler famously said, "The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too."

After a hard day's work, the moment your dog runs to you when you are home wipes off the day's fatigue. There are innumerable incidents of where a dog saved his owner or a cat woke up her owner when there was a fire in the house. Do pets have psychic power? They do. They can understand when you are standing at the door or when you are depressed. Pets fill in that void in our lives that no human relationship can fulfill.

Medical research says that seniors who own dogs visit a doctor less than who do not. It is a proven fact that pet owners have lower blood pressure or that the companionship of a pet helps families and people cope with serious illness. Playing with your pet burns up to 250 calories an hour. There are dogs that assist blind people in their daily lives and there are dogs that help police force in their mission to protect people.

But there would probably be fewer people who would own a pet because of the above mentioned reasons. People who own pets simply love their pets and any and every benefit that they get because of the association is just a byproduct. And it is true that once a pet lover always a pet lover.

When a pet passes on we feel a huge loss that seems incomprehensible. It gets difficult to console the children in the family. Just as a loss of a family member pains us, losing a pet how much ever inevitable it might be seems difficult to cope with. We look for ways to immortalize our lost pet. It is important that we treat the memory of the pet with dignity. That is probably the first step that we can take in our grieving process.

Since we form such close relationships with our pets, perhaps we could learn through the love we share with our faithful animal companions.  Forget the self-help relationship books, your horoscope and suggestions from friends. There's one person in your family who might just give the best advice on love in the business...your pet. Dogs and cats are known for showing unconditional love, and yet, none of us bothers to look to them for the "WWYD" answer. The next time you want to rekindle that loving feelin' with your spouse or revitalize date night, stop and think: What Would My Pet Do?
  1. Greet with Enthusiasm
    Whether your loved one is a solider coming home from overseas or just coming home from the gym, dogs jump and greet them with excitement. Do the same. Run to the door. Wrap your arms around them for kiss. Encourage the whole family to do it, too.
  2. Nestle into the Couch Corner
    However small that extra cushion space is-cats and dogs help themselves to it, cuddling close to warm up and show their affection. So next time your partner has a little vacancy, make yourself comfortable.
  3. Say Yes to a Joy Ride
    Fido never says no to a car ride, and neither should you. So cold you don't want to go outside? Rev up the car and explore. Check out different towns, beach locations (even off-season) or a quick jaunt to a new snack shop. You could even hire a dog sitter for Fido for the added bonus of alone time.
  4. Go Fetch
    Sure, fetch may not be an endearing term but hear us out. Dogs will fetch anything-a ball, a newspaper, and sometimes, your slippers. Take a cue from your pup and do the same. Pick up the dry cleaning. Fill up the gas tank. Plan a date night - and the babysitter. Doing the little things goes a long way.
  5. Be Loyal
    It's clear to see why dogs are "man's best friend": They're protective, supportive and show unconditional love. So while you may find certain traits about your spouse utterly irritating, be his dependable supporter -- at work, home, and especially, in public.
  6. Take a Different Approach to Walks
    Follow your dog's lead and treat this uninterrupted time alone as your most anticipated time of day--or better yet, a date! Schedule your dog walker for morning and afternoon visits, and enjoy the evening walk with your spouse (and your pooch!). Then get creative. Take turns choosing the route or destination-it can be a fun way to connect each week.
  7. Forgive the Small Stuff
    As every dog knows, the person who just scolded you also makes you smile from head to tail. They forgive quickly. Take note, couples. Of course, you'll want to talk about why you're angry, but then focus on the appreciation you have for each other.
  8. Show off Your Skills
    Roll over. Sit. Stay. Dogs are always willing to perform tricks for our amusement (and for the treats that follow of course!). How about performing some human tricks of your own? Knit a scarf. Hang a picture. Help with a work situation. These tricks don't have to be incredible (we haven't seen any dogs perform card tricks) but just something that will make your loved one smile.
  9. Groom
    Cats are clean creatures and will clean themselves all day just to look their best. For you, it might mean a haircut, wax, a nice outfit. But take a cue from your feline friend and get "dolled-up" for your spouse every once in a while.
  10. Purr with Appreciation
    Dogs and cats know how to show they love what you're doing. Cats purr with gratitude and dogs wag their tails with excitement -- take time to thank your spouse. Want to go beyond saying the words? Leave a card for them in an unexpected place (underwear drawers, work bag). Purchase flowers for her or his favorite dessert. Even better? Dogs and cats love to be petted-offer a massage or a back scratch.
Your fellow animal loving friend,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron
Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC
"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"
www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com
314-200-8561
Cell:  314-775-7107

Thank God For Animals - Our Pets Make Life Better!

Hi Friends!

Your best friend, companion and greatest listener might be the one who snuggles up with you during a nap, can't wait to take a walk in the afternoon, and gives you big sloppy kisses or purrs when you let them know how much you love them. For those of you having a pet, you know what I'm talking about.

Over the course of 21 years, my pet parrot Dudley and I have been through many major life changes.  I attribute my ability to rise to the occasion in large part as a result of having my loyal feathered friends Dudley and Sing-Sing.  After a number of serious life blows like the loss of a marriage, jobs, and any number of bumps in the road, three factors helped me cope and overcome the trials and tribulations.  If it was not for my strong faith, the support of friends and family along with my loving pets Dudley and Sing-Sing, I do not know how I would have survived.

Research has shown time and again that there are positive benefits to having a pet in the home when you're going through a health crisis or dealing with a chronic disease. The positive benefits are true for all age groups, from young children through adults.
Some of the benefits include: decreased level of anxiety and despair, increased feelings of well being, increased social functioning, and increased mental capabilities. In other words, having a pet present can really make a difference in your daily quality of life.
They are a source of comfort and unconditional love; they require nurturing and attention (which takes the focus off of you and on to them for a while). Having a pet can also give you a sense of safety and security. A true companion at any time you might need it!

Personal trainer, psychologist, doctor.... Did you know your dog is a multi-faceted professional? He doesn't need years of schooling to be able to help you get into shape, be happier about your life, and have better physical health. It is a talent that comes naturally to animals. Are you harnessing the healing powers of your pooch?

Dog as Personal Trainer

The best of the animal personal trainers are dogs. Your dog is eager to celebrate life, and there is no one he would rather do it with than you. Next time Fido bugs you for a walk around the block or a jog through the woods, give in to his pleas. It will be great exercise for both of you. Fetch, tug-of-war, and Frisbee are other fun, healthy games to play with your dog and help improve fitness.

Establishing a regular activity regimen with your dog will lay the foundation for future motivation and encouragement from your canine trainer. If your dog expects exercise, his wagging tail and excitement will be the incentive you need to be active on days when you otherwise don't feel motivated.

Even when you're not out being active with your pet, there's a good chance your furry friend is helping you lose weight. Most pets are comedians who make us laugh with their daily antics. Laughing for 15 minutes a day can burn 40 calories, so spend some quality time with your dog or cat....surely he will find a way to make you giggle.

Dog as Psychologist

"Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." A novelist from the 1800s, George Eliot, wrote these words in appreciation of the relationship we can develop with pets. Dogs don't mind what our pasts hold, how we dress, or if we didn't get that promotion. A true friend through good times and bad, a dog is always offering unconditional love.

This unwavering dedication from dogs provides tremendous emotional support to the people who share in their lives. A wagging tail and a slobbery kiss, or a head-butt and a purr are the perfect smile inducers when you're feeling down. A pet encourages optimism, decreases stress levels, and improves overall mental health.

There have been multitudes of studies on the influences of pets on people. It has been proven that the presence of an animal can lower a person's blood pressure and heart rate to a point that is similar to a body's condition after meditation. Next time you leave work frustrated with your boss, skip that visit to the bar, and come home to your furry friends. Give them the opportunity to change your mood and ease your mind.

Not only do dogs improve the mental health of their families, dogs also serve as psychologists publically. Therapy dogs lifted the spirits of both survivors and rescuers at September 11th's Ground Zero. When grief and horror filled the minds of all the people who witnessed the attacks, wagging tails were there to lend comfort and support. Even on such a terrible day, dogs were able to bring smiles.

Dog as Doctor

Through encouraging exercise and decreasing stress levels, dogs also improve the physical health of humans. It has been proven that having a dog can decrease your odds of suffering a heart attack, decrease your recovery time after a heart attack, improve cholesterol levels, improve vital signs, decrease frequency of minor illnesses, and help prevent depression.

Not only do companion animals improve health in the everyday lives of pet owners, there are also pets trained specifically to lend a helping paw and encourage healing in hospitals and nursing homes. Some therapy pets make regular visits with a handler to these facilities, and some are resident pets, especially in nursing homes.

Therapy dogs are loving, furry friends who have passed a temperament and behavior test and have met set criteria to be allowed into medical care settings. During visits, patients pet, brush, talk to, and play with the therapy dogs. These interactions help the patient relax, easing worries and dropping blood pressure and heart rate, which is conducive to well-being and physical healing.

Some therapy dogs are even used as encouragement in physical and occupational therapy. Patients may walk the dog, play fetch with him, groom him, or speak commands toward the dog as exercises in their rehabilitation. The presence and enthusiasm of the therapy dog help the patients relieve their minds of their frustrations and their bodies of their pains.

Having assisted my family care for my grandmother's last few years, I visited my grandma in the nursing home on a regular and frequent basis.  Since my grandma loved my parrot Dudley, I would bring Dudley along for our visits.  Very early on I was approached by the nursing home's activity director proposing that we begin a pet therapy program.  Fifteen years later, I am still reaching out to people with animals in order to create smiles.

I would love to hear how your pets have impacted your life and the lives of others.  Please share your stories of your beloved animal companions.

Thank you for your support and friendship!

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron
Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC
"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"
www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com
314-200-8561
Cell:  314-775-7107

Friday, December 6, 2013

Pet Behavior Modification

Hi Friends!


Over 21 years ago, I adopted a beautiful Yellow-Nape Amazon Parrot named Dudley.  Not by any fault of his own, before I welcomed Dudley into my home, Dudley experienced being passed from one caretaker to the next.  With a "colorful past" and a life offering good material for a soap opera, Dudley's first 12 years involved a number of challenging transitions.  Consequently, I immediately began working with Dudley for modifying negative behavior.  I committed myself to provide Dudley with the best of care, unconditional love and my devotion.

To modify Dudley's negative behavior, I achieved the most success when I provided structure and clear communication.  So, I apply the same approach in my work with dogs.  Dogs ultimately thrive in an environment where they are provided with clear structure and communication. Desirable behaviors are rewarded, whereas, undesirable behaviors are discouraged by implementing clear rules and avoiding any forms of psychological and physical intimidation. Modern scientifically-based dog training and modern dog behavior modification focuses on teamwork, and ultimately, the creation of a harmonious relationship between dogs and owners.


Dogs and cats sometimes engage in behavior that their humans don't like or find troublesome. Both species respond better to positive responses than to punishment, and fortunately you can draw on an array of modification tools to encourage the kind of behavior you want from your pet.


Dog training behavior modification is based on changing your dog's attitude and responses. It's different from standard obedience training, which has a stronger focus on specific commands and teaching tricks.

1. Base your training on relaxation. Helping your dog stay calm is at the heart of behavior modification.

2. Don't show your dog fear or anger. Instead, create a healthy rapport between you and your dog based on leadership and respect.

3. Employ passive behavior modification. Manage your dog's aggressive behavior by teaching him to defer to you. You can do this by rewarding him correctly: give him treats only when he is in a calm state.

4. Utilize desensitization techniques. This is the process of honing in on the areas where your dog acts aggressive. Approach such behavior in a non-threatening way. If he shows aggression toward animals, start exposing him to other dogs from a distance.

5. Rely on counter conditioning in dog training behavior modification. This involves changing your dog's association with something through repetitive techniques.

6. Use positive techniques. Do not use violence to train your dog. Encourage him through kindness and respect. You will develop a stronger bond between the both of you and he will follow your commands better.

7. Reinforce repetition and consistency. Build and strengthen good habits by establishing routines and repeating behavior. Keep up the routines even after your dog learns the new behavior.

8. Pump up the exercise. The more activity your pet has the better he will do with his dog training behavior modification. Walking and retrieving activities will help him release anxiety and forgo bad behavior, like improper chewing.




Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement, also known as reward-based training, can be an excellent tool for changing your pet’s behavior. When the animal does what you want, you provide a reward—a treat, praise or anything else that motivates her. When she doesn’t obey, you simply ignore her. Most pets dislike that, so they do whatever will result in attention. Cats can be more difficult to train than dogs, because they’re usually more independent and you may have a harder time finding the right incentive. But if you’re patient and persistent, you should be able to modify your cat’s behavior using positive reinforcement.

Clicker Training
Clicker training expands on the idea of positive reinforcement. You can use a clicker designed for this type of training or something like a clicking pen that you already have in the house. When your pet does what you want, you immediately click and give him a treat. Eventually, he should associate the click with the reward and perform the desired behavior when he hears the click. You need to repeat the training enough for your pet to learn what you want, and don’t exhaust him with long sessions.

Changing the Environment
Altering your pet’s surroundings can be an effective tool for preventing unwanted behavior. For example, if your dog likes to drink from the toilet, leave the toilet lid down or close the bathroom door to resolve the problem. If your cat jumps on the kitchen counters, put down tinfoil or double-sided tape; cats hate stepping on either of those.

Provide Other Outlets for Natural Urges
Some behaviors are natural for dogs and cats. You might not be able to change them, and trying could take far more time and energy than you want to spend. Dogs and cats both like to chew. Cats scratch furniture and climb curtains, while dogs chew your shoes and run circles around your house. Rather than trying to change the animal's behavior, find other ways to satisfy these natural urges. Take your dog on on daily jogs or to the dog park so she gets exercise. Give your cat a scratching post to sharpen his claws and a cat tree he can climb.

Other Options
If nothing else works in changing your pet's behavior, you might need to consult a professional behaviorist. Your vet should be able to suggest someone reputable in your city or area. Make sure this person has the appropriate training—he should be either a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) or a veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB). Another option your vet might suggest is medication. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications can help control symptoms, such as nervousness and agitation, that could be preventing your pet from responding to behavior-modification training.

I am interested in any experiences you may have had with training and modifying your pets negative behavior.  What worked for you and your dog?  What didn't?  Please share your pet's behavior problem and how you modified it.  Did you work it out on your own, with a vet, behavioral specialist or a trainer?  Please share your experiences.

Thanks for your friendship and support!

Warmly,

Paul

Paul F. Flotron
Creature Comforts Great & Small, LLC
"Giving your creatures the comfort they deserve"
www.CreatureComfortsGreatnSmall.com
314-200-8561
Cell:  314-775-7107