What to Know When Adopting a Rescue or Shelter Dog: Tips for Helping Your Pup Adjust

Adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter helps animals in need find good homes and prevent unethical dog breeding. Not to mention, adoption fees are generally much more affordable than buying a new puppy.

However, bringing a dog home from a shelter or rescue isn’t without its challenges. Shelter dogs can have trouble adjusting to a new home, so it’s important to know what to expect and how you can help your new family member settle in.

Here’s what to know when adopting a shelter or rescue dog, including some of our top tips for a healthy and happy pup.

The Shelter Environment Can Create Behavioral Challenges

Most dogs need support when adjusting to new environments. This is true whether you buy a puppy or rescue an adult dog. When adopting a dog, they may have come from a shelter environment that encouraged certain behavioral problems.

For example, some shelters coddle dogs, which can create an animal that is overly dependent on you, creating issues with separation anxiety. Shelters may also give dogs too much mental and physical stimulation, which can cause hyperactive or hypervigilant dogs with no “off” switch.

It’s also possible that the shelter or rescue knows about certain issues with a dog but won’t disclose them in an effort to encourage adoption, or will give future owners unrealistic goals for their new dogs. 

How to Give Your Rescued Dog Their Best Life

So, what can you do when you have your heart set on adoption but are concerned about potential challenges with your new pet?

• Know before you adopt. Get as much information about the animal as you can before adopting. In many cases, shelters may have limited information about a dog, especially if it was found as a stray. However, don’t this stop you from asking plenty of questions, especially of shelter staff who interact with the dog every day.

• Make a plan. Have a plan before your dog comes home. Set their crate up away from people to help prevent separation anxiety, know what activities will or won’t be allowed, and what their routine will be. The more prepared you are, the easier your dog’s transition will be.

• Have help available. Working with a professional dog trainer can help you help your dog settle in and reduce their anxiety and potential behavioral issues when adjusting to life at your house. A dog trainer can help you teach your dog rules, set boundaries, and properly socialize with other people and animals. 

• Be patient. Remember that rescue dogs can take more time to adjust to their new life, so it’s essential to be patient. A dog trainer can help you understand your dog’s behavior so you can adjust yours accordingly and help them settle into their new environment with ease.

Schedule Your Training Consultation With Us

Nova Pack Dog Training understands that every dog is different. We have experience working with rescue and shelter dogs of all breeds and with all types of behavioral challenges, whether your dog is fearful, aggressive, or anxious. Schedule a training consultation with us today to help your pup live their best life! 

Dog Care 101: The Basics of Properly Caring for a Dog

Inviting a furry friend into your life is a big decision. Dogs not only require daily physical care but also mental stimulation to be happy and healthy.

Whether you’ve had your canine for some time now or are getting a new puppy soon, it’s never too late to review the basics of properly caring for a dog.

Let’s review the categories of canine care so you can help your fur baby thrive!

Grooming: Brushing, Nail Trimming, and Cleaning

Dogs need support to properly maintain their skin and coat health, ear health, and oral health.

Bathe Your Dog, But Not Too Often

Just like humans, dogs need to bathe, but not as often as we do. Every dog is different—some dogs may be able to go a month without a bath; others can go two or three months. Dogs with medium or long hair may need more bathing than dogs with short coats. Use a mild shampoo (fragrance-free is best) and rinse thoroughly.

Brushing Is Important for a Healthy Coat

Brushing your dog is important to help them shed loose fur and remove dirt and debris from their coat. Long-haired breeds are more prone to fur matting and need more brushing and special tools than short-coated dogs, which do well with a rubber brush. Medium and long-haired breeds may also require occasional trimming or professional grooming, especially around the eyes, ears, and sanitary region.

Ear Cleaning to Prevent Irritation and Infections

It’s essential to keep your dog’s ears clean, but never insert anything into their ear canal. You can use a clean cloth or paper towel and a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner to gently wipe their ears. Floppy-eared dogs may need more maintenance to prevent ear infections and irritation.

Nail Trimming for Comfort

Keeping your dog’s nails trimmed prevents overgrowth that can cause discomfort and even impair their ability to walk and run. Avoid cutting the nails too short or into the quick, as this can cause bleeding and discomfort for your dog. Some dogs do better with having their nails trimmed by a groomer or at the vet.

Yes, You Do Have to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Your dog’s teeth are subject to problems just like yours are. It’s important to brush their teeth using a veterinarian-recommended toothbrush and toothpaste a few times a week. This activity can take some work to get your dog used to. Many veterinarians also offer teeth cleaning under sedation for a more thorough job.

Feeding Your Dog a Balanced Diet

Feeding your dog a balanced diet is essential, but the best diet for your dog can vary. Some dogs have sensitive stomachs and may require prescription food, while others do well with plain kibble or wet food. Other dog owners choose a raw food diet for their canines.

Ask your dog’s veterinarian which food and type of diet would be best for them and how much to feed them to maintain an optimal weight. It’s also crucial to always provide clean water to help your pup stay hydrated, especially in higher temperatures.

Keeping Your Dog Healthy With Annual Vet Check-Ups

Vet visits are a crucial part of keeping your dog healthy. If you have a puppy, they will need a series of vet visits to ensure they get all necessary vaccinations. However, once your dog is fully vaccinated, annual vet visits are generally fine. Dogs with special health concerns may need to see their doctor more often.

It’s important to monitor your dog for any issues like lethargy, lack of appetite, changes in behavior, or changes in urine or stool. If you have concerns about your dog’s health, don’t hesitate to follow up with your vet.

Training and Exercising Your Dog

Your dog needs daily mental and physical stimulation. Exercise, training, structured play, and walks are all important, depending on your dog’s age and activity level. You can adjust the intensity and duration of training and exercise based on your specific pup.

Types of play and training include obedience training, teaching tricks and problem-solving, and basic commands. It’s also vital to properly socialize your dog at a young age. Socialization and environmental work can help prevent fear and aggression in dogs, especially as they get older. 

Start the Training Process With Nova Pack

Need support with training your dog and helping them adjust to life in your household? Whether you have a young puppy or an older dog, it’s never too late to help them learn and thrive. Contact Nova Pack Dog Training today to schedule an in-home consultation with us!

The Balance: Reward and Correction

If you’ve ever trained a dog, you know that successful training requires a balance between reward and correction.

Positive reinforcement motivates good behavior, while correction teaches boundaries and expectations. Finding the right balance between these methods is essential for effective training and building a strong bond between you and your dog.

How can you strike the right balance between reward and correction for successful dog training? Here, we outline a few helpful tips for you to get started.

Understanding Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog for good behavior, creating a positive association with a specific action or command. Treats, praise, toys, and affection are common rewards used to encourage desired behavior.

When incorporating positive reinforcement, consistency and timing are crucial. Rewarding your dog immediately after they exhibit the desired behavior reinforces the connection between the action and the reward.

Implementing Corrective Action

Correction is necessary for discouraging undesirable behaviors in dogs, such as barking excessively, jumping on people, or pulling on the leash. Correction may also be referred to as punishment.

However, it’s important to remember that correction or punishment is different from abuse. Abuse creates fear and anxiety and damages the trust between you and your dog. Examples of potential abuse include hitting a dog, spraying them with water, or administering a shock with an electric collar. These are all actions that can make the undesirable behavior worse.

In addition, putting an e-collar on the dog and pressing the button to administer a vibration or shock doesn’t properly condition your pup to behave how you want them to.

So, what does corrective action look like? Here are a few examples:

• The absence of pressure, such as using a prong collar for leash walking, is a type of corrective measure for dogs who pull on leashes. 

• Using a firm voice to let your dog know the behavior is not allowed. 

• Withholding attention when the dog engages in inappropriate behavior. 

• Setting rules, limits, and boundaries for the dog and enforcing them.

Use gentle but firm corrections, such as verbal cues or physical corrections, or redirect their attention to correct their behavior. For many dogs and their owners, this is a delicate process that is best done with a professional dog trainer.

Using Consistency and Clarity in Commands

Clarity and consistency in issuing commands are fundamental to successful training. Dogs thrive on clear communication and expectations. Ensure that everyone in the household uses the same commands and techniques to avoid confusion for the dog.

When your dog understands what is expected of them, they are more likely to exhibit the desired behavior. Inconsistent training methods can lead to confusion, making it difficult for dogs to understand what is being asked of them and hampering their progress.

Identifying Individual Motivations and Triggers

Every dog has unique drives and motivations. Understanding what motivates your dog and recognizing their triggers is key to creating an effective training program.

For example, some dogs are highly food-motivated, while others respond better to toys, playtime, or verbal praise. Tailoring rewards and corrections to match your dog’s personality and preferences can maximize the effectiveness of your training efforts.

In addition, identifying triggers that cause unwanted behaviors allows you to proactively manage or redirect your dog before problems arise.

Finding the Proper Balance

The right balance between reward and correction is essential for effective dog training. Focusing too much on positive reinforcement and not enough on corrective measures can create a dog who is overly focused on praise and treats and less focused on boundaries. 

Training is not just about helping your dog understand acceptable versus unacceptable behaviors. It’s also about creating a strong foundation of trust and confidence in your dog. By understanding your pup’s unique motivations and triggers, you can create a positive and successful training experience.

Train Your Pup With Nova Pack Dog Training

Balancing reward and correction is an ongoing process when training your dog. Let Nova Pack Dog Training help you strike that balance with professional dog training. By focusing on each dog’s individual needs, we help pet parents successfully establish rewarding relationships with their dogs while improving their behavior!

Can Dog Training Help With My Dog’s Anxiety?

Many dog owners seek help for their furry friends when they display signs of anxiety. An anxious dog can quickly disrupt a home, as they may bark excessively, chew on items, or even show aggressive behavior.

Just like humans, dogs can experience anxiety for a variety of reasons, from separation anxiety to fear of loud noises or unfamiliar surroundings. While there are different approaches to addressing dog anxiety, one method that has shown promising results is dog training.

Here’s how dog training can help with anxiety in dogs and what to look for if you’re a pet parent seeking help.

Root Causes of Anxiety in Dogs

To understand how dog training can help with anxiety, it’s important to first look at the root causes of anxiety.

Fear and stress are common triggers for anxiety in dogs. Your pup may be experiencing anxiety due to:

• Being left alone

• Loud noises

• New people

• Pain or illness

• Traveling or unfamiliar environments

• Unfamiliar animals or other dogs

It’s essential to note that proper socialization, training, and environmental work when your dog is a puppy can help prevent anxiety in many of these situations. Dog training can give you and your pup the skills and confidence to successfully handle different situations.

For example, socialization training can help anxious dogs become more comfortable and less fearful around other dogs and people. This is especially important during a puppy’s socialization period when the dog is between 3-16 weeks old. 

However, it’s never too late to seek professional dog training to help soothe your dog’s anxiety and build confidence.

How Dog Training Can Help Reduce Anxiety

Dog training can play a significant role in reducing a dog’s anxiety. When a dog receives proper training, it helps with obedience and behavior and provides the structure and routine dogs crave. Having clear expectations and boundaries can help reduce a dog’s anxiety by giving them a sense of security and predictability.

Training can also enforce positive behaviors, which can serve as a coping mechanism for some anxious dogs. For instance, training a dog to respond to commands like “sit” or “stay” can redirect their attention and give them a sense of control in stressful situations. 

Additionally, training can help create a strong bond between you and your dog, which can provide comfort and reassurance to an anxious pup and let them know you are there to help take care of them.

Professional training can also help minimize anxious behaviors such as excessive barking, destructive chewing, or displays of aggression. By teaching the dog to respond to commands and cues, they can learn to navigate their environment more confidently and with less anxiety.

When Dog Training Is Not Enough

While training can certainly be beneficial in addressing anxiety in dogs, training alone may not be enough to help every pup.

Severe or complex anxiety issues can be the result of an underlying medical issue or trauma, which may require professional intervention from a veterinarian or certified animal behaviorist, including medication or other therapies in conjunction with training.

When engaging a dog trainer, it’s essential to work with a professional who tailors their approach for each dog. Triggers and anxious behaviors can vary from dog to dog, so choosing a professional who works to understand your pup and their anxiety can increase your chances of helping them (and you) live a happier life.

Book a Consultation for Professional Dog Training

Is your dog showing signs of anxiety? At Nova Pack Dog Training, we have experience working with dogs of all anxiety levels and can help you determine the right approach for helping your pup. Contact us today to book a consultation and let’s get started!

Are Dog Training Collars Effective and Humane?

There are a few different types of dog training collars on the market to consider for your pup. These collars can be invaluable tools when training dogs, but some people express concerns about their potential for causing harm.

When using the right collar, pet owners can reinforce verbal commands, protect their dog’s well-being, and build a positive relationship with their dog. Choosing the right tools to help you train your pup is essential, so let’s explore the different types of dog training collars and whether they are effective and humane.

Types of Dog Training Collars

There are a few popular dog training collars that are marketed as tools for training dogs. These collars include:

Electric Collars

Also called electronic collars, e-collars, or shock collars, these devices typically work with a remote that allows owners to deliver an electronic stimulation, often described as a buzz, tingle, or mild shock to the dog when a specific behavior is exhibited.

Proponents of e-collars often cite their effectiveness in training dogs, particularly for off-leash obedience, behavior modification, and addressing specific problems such as excessive barking or chasing.

However, we have found that these collars don’t allow owners to provide personalized instructions to the dog. We don’t recommend them to our clients because of this and their potential for abuse.

Harnesses

Harnesses are generally used to teach dogs to pull, so they aren’t a great training tool for most dogs. However, we will use and recommend harnesses for dogs that cannot tolerate traditional collars, such as those with weak tracheas. These are generally brachycephalic breeds or those that can have difficulty breathing, such as bulldogs, boxers, shar-peis, pugs, and some mastiff breeds.

Flat (or Martingale) Collars

Flat collars, also called martingale collars, have an adjustable loop that tightens if the dog pulls on their leash, making it difficult for them to slip out of their collars. 

These collars are different from choke collars in that they cannot choke a dog if properly adjusted and fitted. Therefore, they have much less risk of abuse than e-collars or choke collars, and they allow most people to handle their dogs well and develop their relationship with their pup without conflict.

We use martingale collars and recommend them to our clients because of their effectiveness, humaneness, and low risk of abuse.

Prong Collars 

Prong collars are designed to apply pressure to the dog’s neck when they pull on their leash. These collars aren’t intended to hurt the dog but to discourage them from continuing to pull. 

We only recommend prong collars for specific clients, such as for bigger, stronger, or less sensitive dogs or owners who are much smaller or physically weaker than their dogs.

Choosing the Right Training Collar for Your Dog

When evaluating the use of dog training collars, it’s essential to consider your dog’s individual background and needs.

Every dog is different and may respond differently to certain training methods. Factors such as breed, temperament, and previous training experiences should be considered when determining the most appropriate training approach for any given dog.

It’s important to choose a training collar that supports your dog’s well-being and your relationship with your dog for long-term success, and a professional trainer can help you do this.

Get Personalized Collar Recommendations With Nova Pack Dog Training

Ultimately, the decision on whether to use dog training collars should be made after thorough consideration of all training options, talking with a professional trainer, and considering your dog’s unique needs. Learn which collar would work best for you and your dog by scheduling a training consultation with Nova Pack Dog Training!