COVER YOUR EYES TRICK TRAINING GUIDE

The cover your eyes trick can be one of the hardest tricks to teach a dog. Some popular methods like tape on the nose, stickers on the nose and bands don’t always work for every dog. Sometimes they can even be painful (too sticky tape or noses rubbed free of hair). But once you find a method that works and stick to it, the cover your eyes trick can be one of the funnest tricks to teach. And it’s also one of the cutest! If you have watched my training tutorial then you will know the three methods I will be discussing in this trick guide. If you haven’t, then I suggest you watch it now so that you’ll know what each method looks like.

Method #1: The Nose Tickle

Step 1: Begin by gently holding your dog’s head in your left hand. Pet her head and tell her what a good girl she’s being. With your right hand gently tickle her muzzle and rub your hand over her muzzle quickly, roughing it up a bit. Do not pinch or be overly rough with her. Be gentle. This sensation will make her nose tickle and she’ll want to swipe at her face.

Step 2: Let her head go and allow her to paw at her muzzle. Have your treats and clicker ready. As soon as her paw touches her muzzle, even if it’s just for a split second, click and reward her. She isn’t going to hold her paw there at first; instead she’ll just swipe at it. Before you can tell her to hold her paw over her face she first needs to learn what you expect of her. Take things slow in this step. Moving too fast will only confuse her.

Step 3: Once your dog begins to understand that she’s being rewarded for covering her muzzle with her paw you can begin to slowly add duration. As soon as she paws at her muzzle tell her stay (or if your dog knows the command hold it, which is where they hold a certain position you ask of them, than use that word instead). Only ask her to stay in that position for a few seconds at a time. Give her tons of treats and praise when she does. This is a huge milestone in training this trick! Gradually build the amount of time she stays in this position over the course of a few weeks. Once she is beginning to hold this position for longer periods of time, than you want to slowly begin phasing out tickling her nose altogether and add the cue word, which is cover.

Tip*  This method doesn’t always work for all dogs. Some dogs simply think you’re giving them a muzzle massage and enjoy every moment of your attention. I recommend that you try this method first and if it doesn’t get your dog pawing at their muzzle then move on to the next method. It’s the simplest and easiest method to follow, so definitely try this one first.

Method #2: The Halti

This second method involves the use of a training tool called a Halti. It is also known as a gentle leader or head collar. It is commonly used for dogs who like to pull while on walks or who tend to be reactive to other animals or people. But I’ve also found that this is a great tool to use for shaping this trick. (This method is for dogs who have not worn a head collar before.)

Note*  There may be many people who have varying opinions on this method. Because this tool is used most commonly for shaping problem behaviors they will feel as though encouraging your dog to paw at the Halti will be counterproductive. I have used this method to train Kodi to cover his eyes and I continue to use it on walks. It has not caused him to want to rub at his Halti at all. The object of the Halti in regards to this trick is to teach the dog to cover their eyes. Once they learn that that is the behavior that gets rewarded and master the trick without the Halti they won’t try to paw at the tool every time you use it for behavior modification. Dogs are extremely smart. They understand the difference.

Step 1: Get your dog accustomed to the Halti by first letting him sniff at it. Be really happy about the whole experience and encourage your dog to be interested in it too. Once he’s studied the tool and as long as he shows no fear over it, then you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Take your dog’s favorite treats and lure his nose through the loop that covers his muzzle. As soon as his muzzle goes through the loop, click and treat him. Do this a few times to create a positive experience with the tool. Then go ahead and try it again, only this time snap the buckle into place behind his ears. Again, click and treat him for his good behavior.

Step 3: Now that your dog is wearing the Halti, he may feel a little upset about it and try to rub it off of his face with his paw. Now, because this is the behavior we are looking for we want to reward him for it. Click and treat him the minute his paw touches his muzzle. Repeat this a few times and then remove the Halti.

Step 4: Once your dog is beginning to understand what you want him to do, you want to begin to extend the duration. Simply encourage him to paw at the Halti and once his paw touches his muzzle ask him to stay. He may not get it at first but just be patient. He’ll start to understand eventually. Only make him hold this position for a few seconds and then click and reward him. Build up the duration over the course of the week. Once he is beginning to hold the position, then you can begin to phase out the Halti. Only start with one repetition without your dog wearing it and then build up from there.

Step 5: Now that your dog is offering the behavior without the Halti and is holding it for extended durations, you can begin to phase out the halti altogether and add your cue word which is cover. It may take a few weeks to phase out the Halti, so be please be patient.

Method #3: The Itchy Head collar

This last and final method also involves the use of a Halti. (This method is for dogs who have used the head collar before or for dogs who have slowly been introduced to it).

Step 1: Calmly and happily put the head collar on your dog. If she’s used to wearing it then she will probably sit calmly, waiting for your further instruction.

Step 2: To encourage your dog to paw at her muzzle you’re going to need a few supplies. If you’re training outdoors, a few blades of grass or soft leaves will work. If you’re training indoors, a few scraps of soft toilet tissue or Kleenex will work. Simply take the soft leaves or tissue and gently place them beneath the top band of the head collar that sits on top of her muzzle. Be very careful of her eyes. If your brand of head collar sits to far up on the nose, close to the eyes, then don’t use this method as she could accidently cause injury to her eyes while pawing at her face. And never use anything that has sharp or pointed edges. Only soft things like grass and tissue will safely work. I REPEAT DO NOT USE ANYTHING SHARP!

Step 3: Once the tissue is placed safely beneath the head collar, take your hand and gently wiggle the tissue around. This will cause your dog’s muzzle to tickle and she’ll try to paw at it. Be extremely encouraging! As soon as her paw touches her muzzle click and treat.

Step 4: Once your dog starts to understand that she is being rewarded for pawing at her muzzle you can increase the duration she holds it there. Simply tell her to stay once her paw touches her muzzle. Reward her after a few seconds and slowly build the duration up over the course of a week. At this point you also want to slowly begin phasing out the head collar. Start with only one repetition without the head collar and then slowly build up from there.

Step 5: Once your dog begins to cover her eyes and hold it there for longer periods without the head collar, then you want to begin phasing it out altogether. It may take a little while to be able to phase out the head collar completely so it’s important to be patient. Take this process slowly. If you phase it out too quickly your dog may not understand what you want of her anymore. Now that your dog has the hang of this trick you can add the cue word cover.

I hope this training guide has helped you and informed you of three unique ways to teach the cover your eyes trick to your dog. If at any point your dog begins to get overwhelmed then please go back a step or two and work from there. This trick can take a while for your dog to learn and it can also take a while to phase out the head collar altogether. Please be patient and go slowly. Once mastered I promise this will be one of you and your dog’s favorite new tricks! If you have any questions then please feel free to leave a comment. And remember, If You’re Going To Bark, Than Bark Like You Mean It!

It isn’t about the end result, it’s about the fun journey you take and memories you make while training.

CUSTOM TRAINING PLAN FOR TIFFANY ARCHER AND HER DOG BELLA

It’s great that you have so much free time a day to train Bella! Since she loves to train and enjoys working with you so much I’m going to recommend that you keep training her three times a day, for ten minute intervals at a time. Since she’s a little nervous when she’s outside of the house I would suggest training her indoors only for the first two weeks and if she begins to get the hang of it and would like to train outside than go ahead and train outdoors in week three. I find it’s a lot easier to train tricks indoors when you first start to train a new trick anyways because there are fewer distractions. Follow whichever of the three methods I have shown you or a combination of them all, whichever ones work best for beautiful Bella. I have planned things out for three weeks, however if she learns at a faster pace (which I have a feeling she does, she seems very smart!) then feel free to progress to the next weeks plan and intensify her training.

Week 1: One ten minute interval, three times a day. Do between six to ten repetitions of the trick during the training session. If you’re using the nose tickle method, then continue to tickle her nose each time over the whole week. If you’re using the halti method or the itchy head collar method than leave the halti on during each training session for the whole week (If you choose to use the itchy head collar method, small scraps of Kleenex or toilet paper work great as an alternative to grass and leaves.). Use her favorite treats (several different kinds if you have them to mix things up), lots of praise and games of tug since she enjoys playing. Mix your rewards up also. Five treats one time, one treat and a game of tug the next, eight treats and a hug, etc. Another great reward would be letting her do one of her favorite activities. For example, for her last repetition after she covers her eyes you could click, squeal in absolute delight, and take off running around the house encouraging her to play with you! (If you don’t approve of letting her get hyper in the house that’s fine too. You could save this special reward for until you move your training outdoors J).

Week 2: One ten minute interval, three times a day. Do between six to ten repetitions of the trick during each training session, as you did in week one. If you’re using the nose tickle method, then begin to ask her to do it sometimes without tickling her nose. If you’re using the halti or itchy head collar method, than begin by asking her to cover her eyes a few times while wearing the halti. Then remove it and ask her to do it while it’s off. You may have to tickle her muzzle to remind her what you’d like her to do. Continue to mix up your rewards and use lots of treats and praise as explained in week one. You should be beginning to see progress by this point. Be sure to celebrate each small step of accomplishment! Your dog is incredible! (I know celebrating will be an easy thing for you two. It’s obvious you guys have a very strong bond J).

Week 3: One ten minute training interval, three times a day. Once again, do between six to ten trick repetitions during each training session. If Bella has made a lot of progress and is feeling up to it, than you can move her training outdoors. I’d start with one training session outside to begin with and work up over the course of the final week until she’ll happily perform her new trick both indoors and outdoors. At this point you should begin to phase out the nose tickle and halti completely. Move slowly, don’t suddenly stop using them altogether, and make it a gradual transition. And if you do have to go back and use them as a reminder that’s okay too. Now that you’re beginning to train outside you can use more play rewards. Games of fetch, tossing the treats for her to find and short, happy walks are all great ideas. Even a large bowl of water with ice cubes in it or chasing the water from a hose can be fun, unique rewards. Feel free to be creative! Working for life rewards in addition to treats and toys will make her perform tricks happily in situations where you may not always have treats handy. She’ll have more confidence to train and perform in situations that may otherwise make her nervous too (my boy Kodi is also a little shy, but trick training has definitely made him a lot more confident and content).

Hopefully, these methods and plans will work for you two. I know that each dog is an individual though and that no one knows your dog better than you. If you have to take things slower or if your dog is super smart and needs to move at a faster pace to stay content then that’s fine too. Please keep us up to date on your training progress. We’d love to see your videos! And if you need any extra help or if these methods don’t work for you and Bella let us know. We can brainstorm ideas to find something that will work J. And remember, If You’re Going To Bark, Than Bark Like You Mean It!

BARK LIKE YOU MEAN IT DOG TRAINING CLASSES NOW AVAILABLE

I have wanted to be a professional dog trainer ever since I was ten years old and realized while watching an episode of Petsburgh U.S.A. (my absolute favorite show when I was a kid. I didn’t watch the cartoon channels, I watched animal planet!) that there were people who made training into a career. I was shocked and also ecstatic. From that moment on I knew that training dogs was what I wanted to do with my life. So that’s why I have decided to jumpstart my career! I have officially started online dog training classes. Yay! I’m so excited!!! I offer classes in agility, tricks, and obedience training. All classes are free of charge, the only thing I ask in return is for you to subscribe to my youtube channel, follow me on this blog, and like Kodiak Bear’s page on facebook. And recommend Bark Like You Mean It Dog Training to other people too.

In return I will post training tutorials to my youtube channel, and also post step-by-step guides and customized training plans to my blog for you to follow. You will then post videos to your own youtube channel documenting your progress and I will watch them and help with any problems you may be having. It’s that easy!!!

In addition I will have four gadgets on the side of my blog (please look to your left ;). One for agility, one for tricks, one for obedience, and one for graduates. When you sign up for a class your name and your dogs name will be listed in the appropriate class you are taking, along with a link to your youtube channel. Once you have successfully taught the new behavior to your dog, your names will be moved to the graduates box. And once a month I will draw a random winners name from the graduates box and make them a personalized background for their youtube channel, blog, or facebook page. The more behaviors you successfully teach, the more chances you will have to win!

All behaviors are taught using positive reinforcement and are easy to follow. Because I customize a training plan to your specific goals your dog will learn at a much faster and happier pace because all details will be tailored to your dog’s individuality.

I admit I am NOT  a professional, certified dog trainer. I am simply a nineteen year old girl who is obsessed with dogs and has big dreams. I have been training dogs ever since I was eight years old and have over eleven years of experience. All of my training is taught using positive reinforcement and a mixture of treats, toys, games, and praise as rewards, along with life rewards tailored to each individual dog. I have trained all of our family’s dog’s over the years and currently my four year old Australian shepherd Sir Kodiak Bear knows well over one hundred tricks and obedience commands. Please give me the chance to help train your dog and help me make my dreams come true. I promise you won’t regret it ;).

For all of the details and if you would like to find out how to sign up for my dog training classes please visit my site at: http://barklikeyoumeanitdogtraining.weebly.com/bark-like-you-mean-it-dog-training-classes-now-available.html

And check out the official Bark Like You Mean It Dog Training video below:

                                                                                                 

And feel free to comment below. I’d love to hear from you guys!

PET TRICK CHALLENGE WEEK 1 TRAINING SESSIONS #1 & #2

For our second training session I started out by having Kodi lie on his blanket and handing him the corner of it. He already knows the commands take it and hold it so this step was quite easy as well. I told him in my cheerfully, encouraging voice ‘Kodi, take it!’ while handing him the corner of the blanket. Once he took it in his mouth I told him to hold it. After just a few seconds I praised him and rewarded him for his great job with some treats and hugs. He was so proud of himself that you could see the bright twinkle in his brown eyes. There is nothing Kodi loves more than pleasing me. And I can’t thank him enough for how incredibly special that makes me feel.

I was feeling so happy that Kodi picked up on the trick so quickly that I decided to take things a step further. After asking him to grab and hold the blanket I asked him to rollover. I expected him to spit the blanket out of his mouth before he rolled over but to my surprise he held the blanket in his mouth and rolled over, perfectly executing the trick! My sister and I were in complete shock! Meanwhile Kodi stood up, tongue lolling out the side of his mouth and his pearly whites gleaming for the whole world to see. He began trotting around us with the blanket still draped across his back, as we cheered and praised him for his wonderful accomplishment. With the blanket like that he kind of looked like a doggy superman. We ended the training session on that wonderful, spectacular note.

For his third training session I videoed it. I continued on having him grab the blanket and hold it. He did a marvelous job and only got distracted once when our neighbors dogs began barking. Kodi ran to the edge of the fence to see what all the fuss was about. Once he was certain they weren’t in our yard and were still safely in theirs he trotted over to me and nudged my hand with his nose asking if we could continue to train. We once again did another repetition of him holding the blanket. He did fantastic so I thought I would try and attempt to see if we could have a repeat performance of his second training session. I once again asked him to rollover while holding his blanket in his mouth and… he dropped it before he rolled over. All I could do was laugh and smile at his grinning face. He was so certain he did what I had asked. And in a way he did. I know I was pushing him to soon and pressing my luck by asking him to perform it flawlessly once again before he truly even knew what I was asking of him.

I think that’s what I love most about dogs. They remind you to have patience and enjoy every little moment, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant. Every little moment is something to be celebrated and Sir Kodiak reminds me of that every day. We are taking things slow with this trick now and I have promised him that I won’t push him to do the next step of the trick before he’s ready. After all, these are two difficult tricks I have chosen for him to learn in just four short weeks. If he doesn’t quite learn them before then that’s more than fine. It’s about the journey, NOT the end result. We’re just going to enjoy every little moment along the way.

Check out a vid of our third training session:

PET TRICK CHALLENGE TRAINING SESSION 1

So for the first training session I started out by just getting Kodi used to going to his blanket and lying down. He already knows how to hit a specific mark and I have trained him to take commands and work from a distance, so this was quite easy for him. He was so happy to be learning something new and to be working with me that you could see the smiling doggy grin plastered across his face. We had a lot of fun and made a video of our first training session. Please check out our vid by clicking on the link below:

PET TRICK CHALLENGE WEEK 1

For the four week pet trick challenge I am going to be training my dog Sir Kodiak Bear (Kodi). He is a four year old Australian shepherd who is so intelligent that oftentimes he trains himself (or me!). He loves to train so much so that he usually would rather train than play a game of tug or fetch. My mom and sister both say they’ve never seen a dog with such an eagerness to learn and train before. He is something special that’s for sure! The two tricks I have chosen to train him are on the more difficult side, night night and fetch me a drink from the fridge. The first one we are going to be working on is night night. I’m not sure what the proper name for this trick is called, but it’s where the dog lies on a blanket and rolls himself up in it. I’ve chosen to call it night night and have chosen to use that as my cue word. (If someone knows what the proper name for this trick is then please let me know. Thank you! J)

A few weeks ago I lost my clicker and have not for the life of me been able to find it anywhere! And I haven’t been able to find a new one at the store either. So for right now, though hopefully not for the whole trick challenge, we are going to be training without one. It bums me out a little bit because it does help Kodi learn so much faster but he’s a happy student and I know he’ll train just fine without it. It’s just going to take him a teensy bit longer! J

PET TRICK CHALLENGE

I was so excited when I first found out about the pet trick challenge. I love training my dog and the idea of having a fun goal to work towards and knowing other people are working towards similar goals made it that much more appealing. I love having the opportunity to watch videos of other dogs and their people training, to read about their training debacles and triumphs, and being able to ask other trainers for advice. And having the chance to share videos, blog posts, and tips of my own just adds to the fun. I can’t wait to see where this awesome challenge will take us!

            And please don’t forget to follow these other amazing blogs as they share their stories on their pet trick journey too.

Dawn Miklich http://affurmation.com

Anna Bryant http://staragility.wordpress.com/

My Favorite Pup Jasmine: http://www.myfavoritepup.blogspot.com/

Melissa J. Viera "Dog Trick Project" http://dogtrickproject.blogspot.com/
Christine Childress Brando and Bogart http://brandoandbogart.blogspot.com

MY SECRETS

I have seen a lot of videos on youtube lately about people posting their secrets for the whole world to see. So I decided to make a video of Kodi sharing his secrets. We had a ton of fun making it and hope people enjoy it. Please check out Sir Kodiak Bear's secrets vid below and let us know what you think! And let us know what some of your dogs secrets are as well.

TREIBBALL TRAINING

I have recently begun to train Kodi in the sport of treibball (pronounced try ball). And so far we are hooked! Here’s why. The sport requires the same amount of teamwork and training as agility, however you don’t need a lot of expensive equipment to get started. All you need is an exercise ball or large jolly ball. The goal is for your dog to eventually be able to ‘herd’ eight exercise balls into a large soccer net using only his nose while following your commands and hand signals. We have only been training for a few weeks and already Kodi is proving to be a quick study. We are working with an exercise ball in the house and he pushes it happily and determinedly up and down the hall at my command. And he is fantastic when it comes to placement behind the ball. Outside we are using basketballs and continuing our work on placement while also adding a bit of distance. Right now he tends to push the balls in all different directions with more excitement than focus. Which can be a bit of a problem since he tends to try and bite the balls when he’s excited, hence the reason why we haven’t moved the exercise ball outdoors yet. For now we’re just taking our training slowly and enjoying every moment this unique and fun new dog sport has to offer. And I couldn’t think of a more rewarding way for us to strengthen our bond and spend our upcoming summer.

INCREDIBLE CANINE ULTIMATE DOG TRICK CONTEST

We're hosting a trick contest on youtube. It's going to be a lot of fun and there is a prize so please enter and have fun!!!
http://youtu.be/eq4SyoXAQ5M

KODIAK BEAR'S TRICK LIST

I have been asked on several occasions now how many tricks Kodi knows. While I wasn’t certain how many for sure (I have never kept count) I was pretty sure it was in the eighties or nineties. So, this past week Kodi and I sat down with a notebook and pen and made a list of all the tricks and commands he knows. It turns out he knows exactly one hundred (and we are working on several more right now). Here is Kodi’s trick list:

KODI’S LIST OF KNOWN TRICKS AND COMMANDS

1 .Sit

2. Down

3. Stay

4. Come

5. Give

6. Drop It

7. Wait

8. Watch Me

9. Hold It

10. Easy

11. Heel

12. Go Kennel

13. Focus

14. Settle

15. Stand

16. Leave It (Treat On Paws)

17. Leave It (Treat On Nose)

18. Leave It (Item He Can’t Have)

19. Okay

20. Release

21. Directed Retrieve

22. Go Right

23. Go Left

24. Touch

25. Tap Left

26. Tap Right

27. Bring It (Dropped Item)

28. Up

29. Go To Your Place

30. Ring Bell To Go Potty

31. Bang! Bang! (Play Dead)

32. Rollover

33. Beg

34. Shake

35. Cover

36. Cry

37. High Five

38. Back Up

39. Forward

40. Twist

41. Spin Left

42. Spin Right

43. Circle

44. Give Kisses

45. Figure Eight

46. Play Soccer

47. Walk And Weave

48. Jump Over Held Bar

49. Say Your Prayers

50. No Peeking

51. Paws Up (Walk With Me)

52. Reverse

53. Wave Hello

54. Jump

55. Table Up

56. Chair Up

57. Blow Bubbles

58. Under

59. Beneath

60. Speak

61. Carry It

62. Stop

63. Push

64. Go Tunnel

65. Go Tire

66. Weave Thru Poles

67. Pause

68. Over

69. Walk It

70. Jump Thru Arm Hoop

71. Jump Over My Arms

72. Jump Over My Legs

73. Jump Over My Knees

74. Push The Swing

75. Bow

76. Search

77. Head Down

78. Jump Thru Hula Hoop

79. Jump Thru Double Hoop

80. Pick Up Your Toys

81. Finish

82. Switch

83. Closer

84. Around

85. Weave (Thru Legs And Pole)

86. Which Hand

87. Show Me A Tree

88. Show Me A Red Wagon

89. Show Me The Porch

90. Show Me A Table

91. Show Me A Chair

92. Show Me The Pool Deck

93. Fetch Stuffed Dog

94. Fetch Stuffed Bone

95. Bring Me My Shoes

96. Bring Me My Coat

97. Bring Me Your Leash

98. Bring Me Your Bandanna

99. Bring Me Your Squeaky Ball

100. Freeze

HOW TO GROOM AN AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD IN 8 EASY STEPS

Australian shepherds are, in my totally unbiased opinion (okay, maybe I’m a little biased!), the most beautiful dogs in the world. With their floppy ears and feathering on their legs they are the epitome of loyal elegance. So it’s really important that we take good care of them and keep them as healthy and comfortable as possible. I groom Kodi myself because I wouldn’t trust leaving him in the hands of a professional groomer. I have seen many groomers treat dogs cruelly, brushing them roughly to the point of making the dog yelp and getting frustrated when the dog doesn’t cooperate. I’m not saying all groomers are like this and I’m sure there are a lot of really kind, gentle ones out there. But Kodiak is my baby and I will not take any unnecessary chances regarding his safety and happiness. That is why I groom him myself. I’m not professionally taught and I may not do as good of a job compared to the work of a professional groomer, but my dog’s wellbeing is my number one priority. And if that isn’t reason enough for you to start grooming your dog yourself, then consider this. At home grooming is much cheaper than taking your dog to a professional, especially during these rough economic times.

                There are added benefits to gain from grooming your dog yourself as well. Brushing your dog gives you the chance to check over your dog for any abnormal lumps and bumps a regular groomer may have missed or been to rushed to notice. You can work on basic obedience skills and get your dog accustomed to some slightly awkward handling which will come in handy during veterinary visits. It will also reinforce the bond you already share with your dog, making it that much stronger. Which is reason enough to start an at home grooming regimen in my book. Are you convinced yet? If so then read on as I show you step by step how to groom your Australian shepherd.

                *Please keep in mind I am NOT a professional groomer. This is just how I have always groomed Kodi, ever since he was a puppy and it is what works best for us. Feel free to change any of the following steps so that they suit you and your dog and meet your dog’s individual grooming requirements.*

SUPPLIES

Before you begin there are some necessary tools you will need to buy. Most of them are rather inexpensive, especially when you consider how often you will be using them. They include:

*Slicker Brush

*Pin Brush

*Currycomb

*Flea Comb

*Scissors

*Doggy Ear Cleaner

*Doggy Toothpaste & Toothbrush

*Doggy Paw Lotion

*Treats

*Yow will probably also want to have some doggy nail clippers and styptic powder on hand to keep your dog’s nails trimmed although I am not showing you how to do that here. If that’s something you don’t feel comfortable doing than most vets will be happy to do it for you for a small fee. Most vets will also be happy to show you how to do it yourself at home if you ask.

LOCATION

Now that you have the necessary supplies it’s time to choose an appropriate place for you to begin grooming. Ideally you want to choose an area where you won’t mind some dog fur floating around.  Basements, garages, and the great outdoors are all good places for you to groom your dog, assuming the weather permits. In the following pictures and video I am grooming my dog in my bedroom because it has good lighting and it was snowy outside. Usually I groom my dog outdoors so that I don’t have to worry about sweeping and vacuuming afterwards; however I sacrificed some extra cleanup time for the purpose of this piece. I personally advise against this though, unless you enjoy spending time cleaning.

TIME TO BEGIN

STEP #1: Start by using the slicker brush to brush through your dog’s coat. Work in the direction of his hair growth to remove any loose fur that’s eagerly being shed. Be thorough. Brush the back, chest, sides, stomach, and rump in this fashion. After you’ve removed as much hair as you can it’s time to begin brushing your dog’s coat against the growth of the fur. This will remove all of the dead hair that is trapped in the undercoat. Only brush your dog in this fashion along the sides, hips, and parts of the rump. Don’t brush your dog this way along the back, chest, and stomach as this won’t pull out much hair and can cause some discomfort to your dog as their hair isn’t as thick in these areas. *TIP: A little bit of peanut butter spread onto a door, fridge, or even a wall at nose height will keep your dog in a standing position and allow you to brush those hard to reach areas like the rump and backs of the legs.

STEP #2: Next comb the ears using the flea comb. I like using a flea comb because the teeth are close together which allows you to really separate all of the fine hairs that grow on the ears. Be sure to check for any signs of matting as this is a common area for dogs to get mats. If you do encounter any then wedge the comb through the mat as close to the skin as possible and keep the comb between your dog’s skin and the scissors. This forms a sort of barrier which will allow you to very carefully cut the mat out without accidently cutting your dog. If your dog won’t hold still or you have shaky hands then by all means please visit a trusted, well researched groomer to have the mat removed. When it comes to the safety of your dog you’re better off safe than sorry. Once you have combed the ears it’s time to comb the feathering on your dog’s front legs. Brush outward and down to separate the fur and follow the same information above on removing mats if you encounter any on the legs.   

STEP #3: Now go back over the coat using the pin brush. Brush with the growth of the hair like you did earlier when you used the slicker brush. Brush every inch of your dog, starting at the neck and working your way over the back, sides, hips, rump, chest, and stomach. Doing this will ensure you’ve removed any loose hair that you may have missed earlier.

STEP #4: Next, it’s time to trim the feet hair. You must be EXTREMELY CAREFUL because if you’re not you could accidently cut your dog’s foot. If your dog doesn’t hold still very well or you are nervous about doing this then please visit a trusted, well respected groomer and have this done professionally. It is extremely important to trim your dog’s foot hair, especially in the winter. While your dog plays outside or goes for walks the snow will stick to the long hairs on his feet causing cold, painful ice clumps to form between the dog’s toes. Not only is this uncomfortable but it can also lead to frostbite on the paws if your dog is in the snow for too long. Harsh road salts can also get trapped between the toes and get accidently ingested when your dog cleans his paws. To avoid these painful and sometimes even dangerous situations then you need to trim the paw hair. Start by combing the hair to ensure there isn’t anything already trapped between the toes. After you’ve separated the hair it’s time to begin clipping. If the hair on the feet is long enough then you may be able to wedge the comb between the hair and the paw forming a barrier to ensure you don’t accidently cut your dog. This isn’t always possible though, so you’re just going to have to work slowly and carefully. Take lots of breaks and let your dog stretch if he’s getting antsy. You don’t have to worry about trimming all his feet in one day. Aim to trim one foot a day or the same foot over a few days to get your dog acclimated to the feel of it. You may need to restrain him or have someone help you by holding the leash and keeping your dog calm. It may take a while so please be patient and supportive of your dog. Offer him lots of encouragement and rewards. If you stick with it you’ll soon have a dog  who will eagerly let you trim his feet hair (as long as you’re generous with the treats!).  *TIP: While it’s important to trim the hair on your dog’s paws he may also benefit from a pair of insulated dog booties to help keep his feet warm when he’s outside. They come in many different colors and sizes and can be bought at most pet supply stores or online retailers. Take your time when getting your dog used to wearing them. The first time I put a pair on Kodi he grabbed it with his teeth, tore it off his paw and tossed it across the room. I can guarantee you no dog will instantly like wearing them!  And don’t forget to wash your dog’s feet after each and every walk to be certain there isn’t any chemicals he may ingest while cleaning himself.      

                                                

STEP #5: Now it’s time to clean your dog’s ears. You can buy specially formulated doogy ear cleaner from your vet, your local pet store or even stores like Wal Mart and Target may carry it. First get your dog to lay in a relaxed position and lift back his ear flap before generously pouring some of the cleaner into his ear. Then fold his ear flap back down and gently massage the base of his ear to evenly distribute the cleanser. After you do that you then want to fold his ear flap back again and very gently wipe out the wax and other residue using a soft tissue. Only clean the portion of his ear that you can see. DO NOT stick anything into your dog’s ear as you can damage or even pop his ear drum. Then let your dog stand up and shake his head. There’s a good chance he may have loosened some more gunk from deeper inside his ear so you may need to go back and wipe out his ear again. Then repeat this same process on his other ear.

STEP #6: Next it’s time to brush your dog’s teeth using specially made doggy toothpaste and toothbrushes which you can also find at pet supply stores. First put some of the toothpaste onto the toothbrush and encourage your dog to be interested in it. Then in a very happily and friendly manner pull back your dog’s lips and gently begin massaging his teeth, working the toothpaste into his teeth. Your dog may put up a fight or even try to eat the toothbrush but don’t get discouraged, just keep at it. Be consistent and brush his teeth every day if you can. In a short amount of time your dog will be eager to let you brush his teeth, especially if he knows there’s a treat waiting for him when you’re finished. There are a few different toothbrushes which you can get, the two most common being a brush that looks similar to something we ourselves use and the other is a finger brush. I recommend using the regular handle brush, especially when you’re first starting out because it’s easier to maneuver and if you’re not careful your dog can actually steal the finger brush right off your hand and swallow it. The finger brush can come in handy to help you clean those harder to reach teeth once your dog becomes accustomed to it, but I really like it for the front teeth.

STEP #7: Now it’s time to soften up your dog’s paws. Use a specially formulated dog specific lotion. The one I use not only helps to heal and soothe dry, irritated paws but it helps with the irritation caused by snow, ice, and hot pavements in the summer. It helps to repair the damage caused by problems commonly associated with the weather. First make sure your dog’s paws aren’t cracked open or bleeding . If they are then don’t apply any lotion as this can cause even worse irritation and pain for your dog. You will have to wait for his paws to heal completely before you can soften and repair them. If your dog’s paws are in good condition then you can begin applying the lotion. Very gently put some of the lotion onto the pads of your dog’s feet and massage it in until it is completely absorbed. Do this with all four of his feet.

STEP #8: Now you are ready for the final step. Take the currycomb and simply go back over your dog’s entire coat brushing with the growth of his fur. This will make sure you have gotten every last stray hair that may have been out of place and give your dog’s coat a healthy shine. Finish off with lots of praise and his favorite treats.

Congratulations! You have just groomed your Australian shepherd all by yourself! I hope this guide has helped you to see that you don’t need to spend a lot of money or take your dog to a professional to achieve a beautiful coat. You can groom your dog yourself right at home and improve your bond dramatically with him. Which is what having a dog is all about, right? If you have any questions or comments please post them below and let me know what you guys think. Thanks! And remember, IF YOU’RE GOING TO BARK THAN BARK LIKE YOU MEAN IT.

AMAZING DOG OBEDIENCE STARRING KODIAK BEAR

This is a super cute video of Kodi showing off his amazing obedience skills. He loves to have a job to perform and I certainly love the extra help! Please leave your comments! I love hearing from you guys.

KODI’S IN LOVE

Meet Trixie McBimbo, my sister’s five year old Labrador retriever and Kodi’s first girlfriend. Kodi has been smitten with Trixie ever since he was a puppy and this week they made their relationship official. They fell in love going for long evening walks together, exercising on the agility course, and watching the sunset from the comfort of their favorite chairs. When asked what Kodi liked most about Trixie he woofed, “How can you not melt when you look into those soulful, brown eyes? She is the most beautiful dog I’ve ever seen!” The two of them are now enjoying life as a couple and are eager to see where the coming months will lead them.            
                   

KODI’S NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

1. Get Married

2. Learn Lots Of Fun New Tricks

3. Make More Cute Videos For My Wonderful YouTube Fans

4. Get Back In Shape (I’ve Gained A few Pounds Over The Holiday Season. Mmmm…  Dog Bones And Rawhide Sticks!!!)

5. Spend As Much Time As Possible With My Best Friend And Adoring Owner Dice

MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

1. Watch Kodi Get Married

2. Teach Kodi Tons Of Fun New Tricks

3. Make More Cute Videos For My Awesome YouTube Subscribers

4. Get Back In Shape (I’ve Gained A few Pounds Over The Holiday Season. Mmmm

… Christmas Cookies And Pies!!!)

5. Spend As Much Time As Possible With My Best Friend And Loyal Dog Kodi

NEW YEAR, NEW PHILOSOPHY

Many people believe that 2012 marks the beginning of the end. Whether you believe in the apocalypse or not is completely up to you, but I say this is the year for living like there’s no tomorrow. If there is one thing I’ve learned from Kodi over the past four and a half years it’s this; every moment of everyday is a gift to be cherished. So this year I’m going to follow his lead and live like a dog. I plan to embrace everything that comes my way, both positive and negative, and accept the constant change of life. I’m not sure if it will be easy or that I won’t have days where I just want to give up, but I intend to see it through. So bring on the challenge! No matter what happens, I don’t want to look back on this year with any regrets.                            

Hey people and dogs! Welcome to my new blog. Please take a look around. I hope you enjoy what you see and continue to come back!