Hey there my adored human. Surprise! It’s me, your dog here. I am doing a guest blog post today. So then, what's all this yelling “NO”. Noo. Noo. NO! I don't get it. All you say is "NO". I am trying to be a good dog, really, but I am so confused because you seem confused using this same word for everything! I get by your tone of voice you are not happy sometimes when you yell that “No” word but I am confused as to what to do. You yell my name. I look at you expecting direction and all I hear is this “No”. What exactly does “No” mean? You use it all the time for too many different things my silly human and I don't get it. 
I need to associate a specific word with a desired behavior but all you say is “NO”. Some times you change the tone of your voice and it gets confusing which leads to stress, anxiety and sometimes I can get angry if I am too frustrated because you are frustrated and angry. And then I pee on the floor. Oops.
Hey, I am a dog. My mind works different than you humans. 
Show me what you want me to do with a specific word for each behavior. And then immediately reward me. Please be consistent (and kind) in your words and action and I will be consistently good for you. It’s that easy and that simple. Really!
Did you know when you yell “NO”  ( and keep saying it over and over and over again) when I bark it sounds like you are "talking" to me in my language? So of course I bark more. Which makes you yell more. So I bark more. Do you want
me to stop barking? Ooooh OK. Then, please, teach me to stop barking with a special cue word I can associate with the desired behavior you want from me and maybe give or teach me something else to do instead like "sit" and let me know I did a good job listening with a treat or verbal praise and I will always stop when you ask! Simple, right? YES!
Also, when I have something in my mouth, don't scream at me and again just yell “NO” a hundred times and chase me if you want it back. Hey, you left it laying around. I thought I could have it. So then when you run at me and grab for it, I am thinking -game on! I am going to run and bark like a fool. Just like you. Isn't that what you want? It's what you are doing. I am trying to be like you. Oh no?
OK then my dear human. please, be concise about what it is you want. Like teach me “drop it” and reward me for dropping something I really want by giving me a treat until I totally understand the concept. Teach me “leave it” until you can pick it up so I don’t pick it back up and run off and try to play some more. I need to know what you want and expect from me so I can behave that way. “No” doesn’t cut it.
Kindly tell me what you want and give me a chance to process and respond. I will, you know. I love you. I want you to be happy and love me back and give me rewards and tell me I am a good boy and pet me nice. I do really want to be a good dog for you.
But it’s your job to show me how. Be my leader.
Oh ya, and that nice, warm , comfy couch of yours? Well, of course I want to sit up there with you, you are my human. But if you don't want me on the couch, sadly ok. Teach me “off”. Give me my own special place where I can lie down and can still see you and be near you. Teach me to “go lay down”. Remember, I am really good at associating a particular word with a particular behavior and I can learn like 150 or more words! Bring it on human! And don't forget to reward me when I listen! I really like that part. A treat, some nice pets, or nicely spoken verbal praise like "good boy". These are the things I will respond to.
Remember, just because sometimes you think I am sort of like a human and sometimes treat me like one, I am not one. My doggy brain and reasoning are different from your human one. And if I get too anxious from not understanding or wanting to please you, I may pee on the floor and there you go with that “NO” word again.
Build my confidence and help me be the best dog I can for you by teaching me in a language I can understand.
Let's have some positive communication and rewards! Be calm, kind, consistent. And patient! I will learn to give you what you expect and want. I will listen to you if you learn to listen to me.
Just an FYI, as a dog, I talk most and best with my body and heart. I am also very visual. Your tone of voice and especially your body language is what means most to me. Its what I see, hear, listen and respond to. That's how I communicate best.
So what are you waiting for? Let's have some positive two-way communication! Let's go get some training, both of us so there is no confusion in our communication. I need to know your expectations and my boundaries so I can behave. With some good training, we can learn together and be best furriends forever! This is just the begging of a beautiful relationship!
Visit our training classes here.

It's October. .
It's that time of year when PSK rules.
That would be Pumpkin. Spice. Latte. Of course!
Actually, anything pumpkin is at the top of the menu list, especially if it combines cream cheese and caramel, right?
But did you know pumpkin is good for your dog also? And most dogs naturally love the sweet taste of pumpkin!  Canned natural pumpkin puree (no sugar or spices added), pumpkin seeds and cooked fresh pumpkin have many health benefits.
The pumpkin flesh itself is low fat, low in sodium and cholesterol, and rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium, beta-carotene (which gives pumpkin that lovely orange color), potassium, iron, and zinc. The pumpkin seeds are high in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that are good for your dog’s skin and coat, and may even reduce the risk of developing cancer.

I recommend pumpkin a lot for dog clients that have dogs with digestive problems or sensitive stomachs.  The food I recommend with almost 100% positive feedback for people that say they are having trouble finding a food their dog will eat, stomach issues when changing foods or just common diarrhea  is Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Chicken, Sweet Potato and Pumpkin .  This particular style  is available at most pet specialty stores, affordable and rated 4 (out of a possible 5) stars from  www.dogfoodadvisor.com  .
 
Two of the most popular and common uses of pumpkin for your dog are for digestive health and weight loss.

1) Digestive Health. Pumpkin is a great natural remedy because of its high fiber content that helps keep dogs regular. Diarrhea is typically a symptom of something, usually with the digestive system, more than a disease. A lot of things can cause diarrhea in your dog but whatever the cause, in most cases, a simple and natural solution is canned pumpkin puree.  The fiber in the pumpkin absorbs excess water in the stool and it usually firms up quite quickly. For diarrhea, the typical amount recommended is 2 tsp for small dogs and 2 tbsp for large breed dogs.- or 1 tsp per 10lbs of dog.
Surprisingly, if your dog is constipated, a little more of the pumpkin will also soften the stool and relieve the stomach problems associated with the constipation.

2) Weight Loss. Obesity in animals greatly reduces their life span and, like humans, leads to many other health issues. Pumpkin is a nutrient-packed, fiber rich, low fat food that's also low in sodium and cholesterol. If your dog needs to shed a few pounds, try replacing a portion of their food – 1/3 up to ½ the amount - with an equal amount of canned, natural pumpkin (no added spices or sugar). Ideally, your dog should be fed 2 times a day.  Instead of cutting back on food and having a hungry dog, with 3 grams of fiber per cup, the pumpkin lets them feel full, satisfied and less like to get into things.
Pumpkin is 90% water and also helps with dehydration, improves digestion by increasing gastric juices essential to proper gastrointestinal and urinary health.
 
A few tips and reminders – with pumpkin a little is good, but more is NOT better.
Pumpkin is a good addition to your dogs regular meal when changing foods to help decrease the possibility of an upset stomach. And while the antioxidants and fatty acids in fresh pumpkin seeds help maintain healthy skin and shiny coats, go easy on the amount given to your dog.  The seeds are also best when roasted and ground up. To roast the seeds, coat seeds with a little olive oil - NO salt- and roast 5-10 minutes @375 degrees.  They can be stored in an airtight container or frozen.

A great website for pumpkin dog treats you can make your self is http://www.best-dog-treat-recipes.com/pumpkin-dog-treats.html .
 
Now, a little treat for yourself!  Here is the recipe for one of my favorite pumpkin cookies- Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with caramel cream cheese frosting. Oh YUM! http://www.chef-in-training.com/2015/10/soft-pumpkin-sugar-cookies-with-caramel-cream-cheese-frosting/ .
 
NOTE: I am NOT a Veterinarian so ALWAYS check with your dog’s veterinarian if your pet shows any signs of out of the ordinary behavior, starting a new diet or any issues that may require medical attention.

Where’s the magic biscuit? Good question!  When it comes to training your dog, yes, it can be frustrating and a challenge at times - for both you AND your dog.
Every family wants a puppy and every puppy should become a great family dog! Bringing it all together in a harmonious co-existence between kids, pets and parents sometimes seems lthe impossible. Dog training has gone through a lot of changes and evolved in to a more positive interaction between people and pets. Communication over domination. That’s a good thing because it makes learning- ours and the dogs- much more fun.
DogSnog loves our dogs and we want to share some tips and tricks so you can inspire and motivate your dog towards being the best furriend and companion ever. We like to think of it as Human Solutions to navigating your dog’s world. It’s easy, and yes, fun! And it’s a great way to build that special bond with our furry companions and family members.
A dog taught with positive reinforcement learns trust instead of fear, to behave instead of reacting to adverse actions. DogSnog likes to reinforce positive handling and learning on both ends of the leash. Stopping unwanted behavior is not the same as teaching good behavior. And guess what – YOU are the “MAGIC BISCUIT”! YES! YOU have the power to make your dogs bad habits disappear.
Welcome to the pack. Come stay and play with us at DogSnog. We love new furriends!