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trick training

Handling Stressful Vet Visits

November 10, 2016 2 Comments

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Practicing “focus”

Between the issues both Mauja and Atka have been experiencing, we’ve been at the vet a lot. Atka doesn’t mind vet visits. In fact, I think he enjoys them. Any situation that offers him snuggles and treats is great in his mind!

Unfortunately, Mauja doesn’t share the same level of enjoyment in vet visits. To her, they are pretty much the worst thing ever. She pants, whines, and makes noises I never knew a dog could make. Obviously, vet visits are something we will never be able to avoid completely, so I had to figure out a way to survive these visits.

When Mauja’s anxiety was at its peak earlier this year, it was impossible to get her to focus on anything when she was in an uncomfortable situation. This made training and desensitization extremely difficult. She wouldn’t take treats and praise didn’t phase her. Eventually, we made the decision to start her on Prozac so we could actually reach her brain. Since starting the medication, we’re finally able to work through difficult situations.

If we're not working, she's distracted by even the tiniest noise.
If we’re not working, she’s distracted by even the tiniest noise.

The best way that I’ve found to survive these stressful situations is to keep her mind busy so she can’t focus on the extra stimuli. I keep her busy and distracted by “playing games” and doing basic trick training. Now, Mauja definitely isn’t a “trick dog”, but she does know a few basics.

We try and find a quiet corner in the waiting room to sit and work. I always go to the vet with a bag full of because I know I will be using a lot as we wait! Some simple tricks we use include:

  • Sit
  • Down
  • Stand
  • Shake
  • Touch
  • Leave it
  • Focus

“Leave it” is a very versatile game because it’s easy to mix it up and it’s also the one we play the most. Mauja knows how to leave treats on her paws, my hand, my legs, the bench, and anywhere else I can come up with in the waiting room.

Our second favorite is “focus”. For us, focus means to look at me until I give the release. In very stressful situations, I’m thrilled to get just a few seconds of uninterrupted focus from Mauja. One year ago, I never would have gotten her to look at me.

Not the best picture to tell, but here Mauja is displaying "whale eyes" Whale eyes are a commonly overlooked sign of stress where the dog shows the whites of her eyes.
Not the best picture to tell, but here Mauja is displaying “whale eyes” Whale eyes are a commonly overlooked sign of stress where the dog shows the whites of her eyes.

This technique, if you can even call it that, can be used in so many different situations. This was one we frequently used at BlogPaws this year to survive really busy events. I’d love to hear if you use this method to decrease your dog’s stress as well!

How do you handle stressful situations with your dog?

Positive Pet Training Blog Hop


Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: anxiety, focus, great pyrenees, stress, trick training

Fluffy Crawl & $1000 in Prizes #TrickorTreatDogs

October 22, 2015 65 Comments

Trick or Treat Blog HopFirst, let me say I am SO EXCITED to be a part of this fantastic giveaway hop! Big, fluffy shout out to Jessica and Luna at Beagles & Bargains and Jodi, Kolchak, and Felix at Kol’s Notes for putting this fabulous event together!

The Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop is a sponsored by Lionel Trains, the Art of AJ, pawTree, Dr. Harvey’s, Jones Natural Chews, Puppy Style Treats, Clear Conscience Pet, Whimseez, Loving Pets and Weruva. It’s Dog or Nothing only shares information we believe in and feel you would enjoy.

How Does it Work?

From October 19th – 31st, some amazing dog bloggers will be sharing their favorite trick and hold a treat giveaway! Get it? Trick or treat! Well, maybe trick AND treat? See what I did there? 😉 Here’s an awesome list so you know where to go and when!

Make sure you hop from blogger to blogger to learn all of the fun tricks and enter each giveaway. Best part, every time you enter you will also receive an entry for one of the Three (3) Grand Prizes. These include a Peanuts Halloween Train & Trick or Treat Gondola from Lionel Trains, $300 in dog treats from each of the Trick or Treat Giveaway Hop sponsors, and a Custom Halloween Pet Portrait from The Art of AJ!

The Trick

Guys, I’m not going to lie. I had totally planned on doing “speak” for this video. I taught this to Mauja when she was a puppy and it’s hilarious. She whines and yips – you really have to hear it. However, being a typical Great Pyrenees, Mauja was not into speak when I was trying to record. She absolutely refused. If I moved the camera away, she did it. When I brought the camera back out, she stopped.

Stinker.

So instead, we’re teaching “crawl” today! Mauja and Atka used to be really good at this trick, but it’s been awhile since we’ve worked on it so they needed a bit of a refresher. Check out the video below to see the fluffies crawling and see just how ridiculous training a Great Pyrenees can be.

Guard Dog + Trick Training + Noises = Distracted Fluffy

The Treat

Mauja and Atka LOVE so many of the products from Dr. Harvey’s, so we’re thrilled to be hosting a giveaway for Dr. Harvey’s treats! Enter below for a chance to win the Coconut Smiles and Sweet Potate’r Chews (giveaway open to US only). Two great treats as you teach your pup to crawl! Don’t forget to follow Dr. Harvey’s on Facebook and Twitter.

Dr. Harvey's

What trick do you want to teach your dog?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Fluffy Life, What's New Tagged With: dog training, dogs, dr. harvey's, great pyrenees, halloween, positive reinforcement, trick or treat, trick training

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Someone never lets me go to the bathroom alone. Ca Someone never lets me go to the bathroom alone. Can anyone guess whose paw this belongs to? 🐾
Tikaani has a massively floofy booty and if he doe Tikaani has a massively floofy booty and if he doesn’t get frequent sanitary trims, he gets a 💩 build up in his fur. We used to have to get him sedated for sanitary trims, but a few months ago we were able to switch to Clonidine and do them ourselves. We’ve been gradually reducing the dosage, and today, he had his first trim with ZERO drugs and ZERO growling 🙌🙌
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