A dog’s energy is generally determined by the overall energy of the other animals and humans around it. This is easiest to see when you have a multiple dog pack. Within minutes, one dog can begin a flurry of excitement among all! If your home has been turned into the Talladega Superspeedway, follow the simple tips below to restore harmony with your dogs:

1. Zip it. My favorite calming technique is the verbal silencing command called ZIP IT. This is a command originated by DOGGIE STEPS and is very effective in connecting with a dogs mind set to eliminate and silence barking. I like to give my dogs a 5-7 bark limit. After the 7 th bark, I command, ZIP IT. Once they have silenced, I praise with voice, affection, and possibly food. In time, your pooch will adhere to the verbal address of ZIP IT and the reward that follows.
2. 5 in 1. For many of my high-energy/aggressive cases I always want to give the dog a “job” or “alternate” task to complete when it appears that the energy is escalating into an unfocused channel. I teach agility commands to accomplish this. 5 in 1 is a term DOGGIE STEPS uses to channel a dog’s energy on a table command. Find a raised platform (i.e.,concrete block or picnic table) and begin a command sequence with, table (or up), sit, down, stay, and off. There you have it! Five commands in one exercise! Not only will this exercise work your dog mentally and physically, but will offer you an alternate task when confronted with an unbalanced energy challenge. When the 5 in 1 exercise is completed in a set of three or more reps, it can also be referred to as “increment” training.
3. Party’s Over. In order to obtain control and encourage calmness in your dog, they must know when the “off” switch has been flipped. As discussed with the “Zip It” command, your dog must have an understanding of the energy you are willing to tolerate. Party’s over is a term I use when a dog play-time session has lasted long enough, and I now want to gain calmness within the pack. When that time arrives, address your dog pack as “Dogs!” and command, party’s over! Place your body in the middle of the dogs to illustrate boundaries. If the dogs continue to play, bite, or chase, address your command again and continue your body blocks. Over time, your pack will learn that a play session has now ended, and the “off” switch has been flipped.
4. The importance of the Release. With many of the commands I teach (i.e., leave it/take, heel/go play), it is vital that your dog makes the connection with the appropriate release. Once you observe increased calmness with the “Off” switch, you can now begin to release your dog for normal play energy. I then use “go play” or “free” to signal my dog that they are now free to play or run.

So, for all you NASCAR fans out there, let’s keep the high energy races on the race track and NOT in the living room! Dogs are extremely perceptive to a pack leaders energy and will begin to mimic your presented calmness when need be. Stay focused with these new tips, and you’ll be crossing the checkered flag in no time!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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1. “Leave It” command. In ALL my classes, I teach an elementary dog training command called “leave it.” This will train the dog to leave (not eat, chew, or bite) a certain item or food dropping. This will also teach your dog the basics of “stopping” or “halting” if they are tempted to have continuous motion towards an unwanted item. Certain dogs have a much higher prey drive (i.e. hunting and scent retrieval breeds), but with the right training they can limit the energy to decrease their drive.
2. Alternate activity. I often let customers know that the saying is often true about cats and dogs. I can show them how to “manage” the environment, but there is NO guarantee that the animals will live in complete harmony. It is just the true nature of the animal drive and the animal hierarchy. In reference to “alternate activities”, I want the dog to begin to view a cat, bird, new-born baby, or any other motion sensory object as a “pack member”. Begin to introduce a succulent meat item, a favorite toy, or an agility exercise to divert the dog’s attention AWAY from the motion object, and onto a different activity. Over time, the dog will learn to seek out the alternate activity and eventually decrease its desire to stalk the inappropriate object.

Oftentimes humans forget where dogs come from. They are derived from Gray Wolves and still on occasion will exhibit some instinctive forms of wild behaviors. Even though they NOW eat from our food bowls, keep a sharp eye out just in case Bugs Bunny stops by for a visit.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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Off-leash obedience takes time, repetition, and your dog’s awareness that YOU are the pack leader. Through daily exercises and by using a stern-voiced recall, followed by a treat and strong praise/affection, your dog may have what it takes to play fetch unleashed. To see if your off-leash dream can become a reality, follow the simple tips below:

1. Off-leash at your local baseball diamond. A great way to get your dog prepared for off-leash obedience is to work with him at an enclosed baseball diamond. Find a local ball diamond and arrive early or late in the day to ensure you will be the only ones there. Go prepared with a leash and poop bag to pick up after your dog. Enter the ball diamond and be sure ALL gates are closed behind you. Release your dog from the leash and begin to walk the perimeter of the park. After only a few times of this routine, your dog will begin to follow/come to you! You can also practice running backwards combined with the “come” command in the ballpark. For a local ball diamond near you check out: http://phoenix.gov/parks/
2. 50-foot lead. Next, your dog must link the off-leash connection at the ball park to the eventual freedom in an open park/field setting. To achieve this, purchase a 50 foot training lead from: http://www.choicepetmarket.com/ With the 50 foot lead, go to your local park or greenbelt and tie one end of the lead to your dog and the other to your waist. The purpose of this long lead is to teach your dog that he has a 50 foot radius in which to roam. If he goes straight right, you go straight left. Just as the lead is about to get taut, you will command “come!” and continue walking in the opposite direction as your dog. In time, a boundary will be set, and your dog will not exceed the 50 foot radius. Practice this exercise often until your dog no longer exceeds the entire length of the 50 foot lead.
3. Playtime with dogs already off-leash trained. With your dog now familiar with a 50 foot boundary, its time to acclimate him to a play environment with dogs already trained to be off- leash. I often help customers with this by bringing my two Australian Shepherds. Having dogs that STAY close to the handler off lead will keep a new dog close to the pack 90% of the time. If you see any oncoming passersby with or without dogs, leash up your dog to ensure they don’t run. If your dog begins to stray from the pack on this exercise, you may want to have a 4 foot lead attached just to stop your dog. If your dog roams and doesn’t stay with the pack, repeat tips 1 & 2 for a few more weeks.
4. Finally, off leash with lead still attached. You’re almost there! Now that your dog knows its boundaries and has run with an off-lead trained pack, you now can do the final test. Pick an early morning and go to your local park/field. Take some tasty treats and a ball with which to play fetch. Be sure no other passersby are near and drop your lead. Have your dog explore with the lead ON to be sure you can stop him if he strays. After you’re sure the boundary is being obeyed, you can then remove the leash and your dream has come true!

Off leash obedience can be achieved with time and patience. As stated earlier, this is NOT for every dog. After you have tried tips 1 & 2 you will have good idea if your dog will have the capacity to achieve off-leash obedience. Please also be aware of your local OFF LEASH LAWS. I’d recommend off-lead work ONLY for exercises like fetch or general retrieval. Otherwise, for safety and dog etiquette, have your dog remain leashed.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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Dogs have individual personalities and unique behaviors just like humans. If you and your significant other are at odds on a particular dog challenge, below are a few good tips to get you BOTH headed in the right direction:

1. Dogs are energy driven animals. Dogs are more in tune to human body language, tone, and smell than most people could ever imagine. Dogs hear at a wider range of frequencies than humans. The low end of the range is similar, but dogs hear noises up to 45 kHz, while humans only hear sounds up to about 23 kHz. This means that they could be hearing and responding to sounds that we can’t hear at all. They also can smell up to 10x better than humans as well. Your energy radiates to where a dog can absorb your energy fields (both positive and negative) to how you’re feeling toward them. If you do NOT change your energy and attitude toward a dog’s incessant behaviors, chances are the problem will not go away.
2. Pick your battles. I joke with my customers and say “I’m a dog trainer, not Dr. Phil.” Many decisions are based on rules and limitations with dogs and must be with direction and agreement from BOTH owners. Is the dog allowed: On the couch? On the bed? In the car? To get treats from the kitchen table? What about sitting at the dinner table on a kitchen chair? Whatever the issue, a compromise from both parties is a must. No dog behaviors will ever be changed with misdirection and inconsistent commands from either owner.
3. Together time is quality time. To assist more in the connection with a spouse’s dog, try to spend a bit of alone “quality time” with the dog. Go on a walk, play fetch in the backyard, take a swim (if allowed in the pool), perform brushing and grooming duties, or take a turn for feeding time. Any of these activities will create a stronger bond with you and the dog and eventually lead to a more trusting and bonded connection. Dog learn and grow from routine and repetition, so plan to do these activities on a regular basis.
4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. If you’re currently having a struggle with a dog in your pack, be patient! Talk to your spouse and see what steps you will need to take to rectify the challenge. Some behaviors can change quickly, other will take some time. Work as a TEAM to address the individual behavior challenges and be compassionate to the dog that may need some “special ” attention.

Dogs look to humans for direction, affection, and connection. If there are mixed signals and commands from owners and loved ones, it will be hard for your dog to become balanced in your pack. Communication is vital with couples to insure a clear training message is being delivered to your dogs. So, remember, dogs look to us for just about everything! Be a calm, patient pack leader, and your dogs will be in harmony in no time.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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The come command can be mastered with only a few simple exercises. With consistent practice and praise to your dog, your neighbors will be astonished in no time! To ensure your dog WON’T be a Yellow Dog, follow the below simple tips:

1. Come is ALWAYS a happy place. The come command should ALWAYS result in praise and affection for your dog. You NEVER want to recall your dog and correct or discipline. Any corrections or discipline should be used when you approach your dog, not on a recall command. A good recall exercise can be achieved on your daily walk; with your dog on the lead, run backwards and command come in the most energetic, enthusiastic voice you can muster. The more tone/pitch/frequency in your voice the better! I want your neighbors to look at you funny due to your heightened excitement! Bottom line, your positive energy will attract your dog to come to you, and will be seen as a happy place.
2. Hide and seek. A dog’s best sense is scent, followed by sound, and finally sight. To challenge your dogs’ senses and to help him register the come command, practice a good ole’ fashioned game of hide and seek. While your dog is distracted eating or playing with a toy, have you or one of your children run and hide in another room and yell “come fido!” When your dog seeks you out (via scent & sound) praise him with good come! This exercise will teach your dog that he is coming to a happy place when he finds you in your hiding spot.
3. Off-leash at your local baseball diamond. A great way to get your dog prepared for off leash obedience as well as mastering the come command is to work him at an enclosed baseball diamond. Find a local ball diamond and arrive early or late in the day to ensure you will be the only ones there. Go prepared with a leash and poop bag to pick up after your dog. Enter the ball diamond and be sure ALL gates are closed behind you. Release your dog from the leash and begin to walk the perimeter of the park. After only a few times of this routine, your dog will begin to follow/come to you! You can also practice running backwards combined with the come command in the ballpark as well. For a local ball diamond near you check out: https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
4. Finally – Practice, practice, practice. Mastering the come/recall command takes time and practice. As I’ve stated in prior articles there is NO perfect dog, so, remember that if your practicing come/recalls be sure to use the leash until your dog is 70% confident of the command. The leash will always reinforce that the dog MUST come to you.

Sometimes the solutions to our problems are right in front of our noses. Don’t make the come command any more difficult than it is! Dogs instinctively WANT to follow a leader. With the proper recall techniques – tone of voice, praise, and affection – your dogs days of “cat & mouse, chase me down play” will be a thing of the past. Say NO to Yellow Dog, and say HELLO to your Good Dog!

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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Dogs chew for two main reasons. First, to satisfy boredom and lack of a job. And second, to satisfy their natural instinct to use jaw muscles and clean their teeth. The first is often the most severe and costly. iPods are about $100. Your Pier One kitchen table is $3000. Below are a few simple tips to ensuring your dog will chew on his doggie bones, and NOT the kitchen table:

1. Teach chewing boundaries from puppyhood. Dogs have a natural sensation to chew. Chewing exercises jaw muscles, satisfies boredom, and reduces tarter on teeth. Dogs need to be challenged mentally and physically to remain balanced. So, when you bring a new puppy home, have plenty of sturdy, dog friendly chew toys available. If you catch your puppy chewing the wrong toy (i.e. your hands, couch, or table leg) verbally correct and replace the wrong toy with the right toy.
2. Less is More. Puppies will go through their “teething” stage up until about 6-7 months. During this time, it is best to keep their space limited. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times, “He only chews on the table when I’m not home!” So true. Your dog will naturally stay close to you when you’re home, and become more destructive when you’re away. So, limit his space. I recommend a sturdy metal crate, or a small room like a bathroom or laundry room. Be sure there are ample chew toys with which your dog can keep busy.
3. Routinely replenish your chew toys. It’s a good idea to routinely change your dog’s chew toys. I wash soft toys every other week, and replace “hard” bones every 3 weeks. The new smells and texture from a perceived “new” toy, will be much more attractive to chew by your dog. Hard-Nylabones, Kongs filled with cheese or peanut butter, tennis balls, and hard-meat bones are all good chewing toys for your dog. Rawhide is often difficult for dogs to digest naturally, so limit this chewing option.
4. Finally – Patience. Every dog’s chewing habits are different. Traditionally, dogs such as German Shepherds, Boxers, English Bull Dogs, Labrador Retrievers, and Golden’s will be the most intense chewers. Every dog will have the desire to chew, just supervise consistently and be sure your dog chews on the right toys and not the wrong ones.

So, the next time you’ve misplaced your iPod, don’t blame Fido. By following the above chewing tips, it’s a good chance your REO Speedwagon songs are safe and sound.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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Why you ask? From puppyhood, dogs are naturally oral animals. They lick to induce taste, acceptance, and affection. In the wild, wolf pups jump up to their mother’s mouth to render food. So, this is Ahwatukee NOT the wild, so no more jumping! Jumping can be drastically reduced by following the below simple tips:

1. Practice entering your home and ignoring your dog. You’ll survive! No touching or eye contact, or high frequency greetings to increase your dog’s energy. Remain calm so your dog will do the same. After returning in from a potty break, command your dog to SIT. Count to 5, and then praise with voice and affection. Always give affection BELOW your waist, not above.
2. Dogs want to be part of a “pack.” So, get in the habit of greeting your dog with your shoulders back and a strong firm posture. Clasp your hands together to look like the pitcher on a baseball team. When you look and act as a strong leader, your dog will begin to sit automatically out of respect. It is a dog’s instinct to bow to the leader.
3. Less is more. If your dog is used to jumping on you as soon as you walk in the door, try turning sideways to limit the surface area for him to land on. After time, your dog will end up sliding down your legs as you turn, and then sitting when you again face him in your “pitcher” posture. If he jumps again, repeat the sideways turn. Dogs learn and thrive from “routine/repetition” so this sideways turn will pay off in the long run.
4. Finally, THERE IS NO PERFECT DOG! Sure, dogs over 9-12 years old are close to perfect, but it came with great practice. So, when you have guests come over, put your dog on a leash. When he is calm after 1-2 minutes, then take him off the leash, and tell your guest to follow the above tips.

So, is teaching your dog not to jump on you and your guests easy? NO!! Routine and repetition will play a crucial role in changing your dogs jumping behaviors. Be patient and consistent and in no time at all you’ll be returning to your sisters home for the Holidays.

Mark Siebel

Since 2005, Mark Siebel has trained over 6000 satisfied K’9’s and customers alike. The goal has always been to show owners how to properly integrate their dog into the home setting. Consulting on what breed of dog to buy, where to buy/rescue from, preparing your home for your new puppy and health/nutrition are just a few ways DOGGIE STEPS helps its customers.

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