Luvk9s August monthly newsletter

Volume 15 | Number 08

Summer - the perfect season to spend time outdoors with your dog. With record temperatures across the nation, remember that dogs have a more difficult time cooling down than we do.

We all know to be aware of black asphalt as it heats up very quickly. We walk our dogs early (or late) in the day and consider alternate indoor activities. We provide access to water and shade and would never leave our dog unattended in our car. But do you know the signs of heat stroke?

Click here to review the signs of heatstroke and what to do if your dog starts to show symptoms

Photo by VECSTOCK on Freepik.com

Stylin' at the dog park

(Is the dog park appropriate for your pet?)

Photo by Katrin B. from Pixabay

Dog parks—canine professionals either love them or hate them. When asked if I am a fan of dog parks, my response is “it depends.” There are many factors to consider before deciding whether a dog park is right for your dog.

Click here to continue reading and learn about more about play styles.

Fading a food lure

(How to cut back the use of treats)

Photo by Doris Dressler

Positive dog trainers are often accused of bribing dogs to respond to cues such as ‘sit’ or ‘down’. But the goal of positive reinforcement training is to reward, not bribe, the dog.

What is the difference between a bribe and a reward? Let’s use the ‘sit’ cue as an example, because this is usually one of the first cues dogs learn. If you ask your dog to sit, and he doesn’t (even though you are sure he knows how) and you then pull out a treat, show it to him, and the dog then sits – that’s a bribe!

Click here to continue reading.