If you have multiple dogs, Online Dog Coach recommends that you establish a feeding routine.  This ensures that each dog gets his or her fair share and can helpful making feeding time less crazy.  In this video, 3 year old Chase shows you how feeding multiple dogs works at our house.  Please note that these dogs have had an established feeding routine for multiple years and we do not recommend that a young child try this without proper training and supervision.

Check out the video on our Facebook page.

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Don’t Lick the Dog – Making Friends with Dogs by Wendy Wahman is a wonderful children’s book that teaches children how to interact with dogs.  I read this book regularly with my 3 year old son. The books illustrations encourage my son to ask questions about what the dogs are doing and feeling.  This is a must have for families with dogs and young children. 

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When you have both children and dogs, the little ones can get snappy. And I’m not just talking about the dogs! Read the July 24, 2011 For Better or Worse comic, and you may get a new perspective!

This is a tolerant dog who loves his boy! Most dogs don't like this level of closeness - think of the appropriateness of hugging a stranger.

Teach your child to behave appropriately, and not only will your dog thank you, but your child will become safer around other people’s pets. Some tips for your child are:

1. Use walking feet and inside voices. Dogs see a running screaming child as a playmate, and dog play sometimes involves jumping and nipping.
2. Always ask an adult before approaching someone’s pet.
3. Approach dogs from the front so they see you coming.
4. Let the dog sniff you first, then pet him on the neck – not the head.

Learn how to read dog emotions so you can help your child meet and interact with family dogs. For more information on reading dog body language, see our blog entry What is Your Dog Telling You? Read His Lips…

Still having nipping problems? Find a trainer who specializes in aggression issues. Be prepared that good trainers teach people as well as train dogs, and you and your family will need to do some homework. If training with a professional doesn’t work, your dog may not be suited for a household with children. To find a new home, go through a no-kill organization to guarantee your dog is adopted rather than euthanized.

Your dog (and everyone else’s) will thank you!

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Halloween is almost here!  Check out Judy’s Online Dog Coach article on how to keep your dog safe.

And the Top 10 Halloween tips from the Online Dog Coach trainers are…

Number 10: If your dog is trick-or-treating, keep him or her on a short leash.
Number 9: Be sure your dog’s costume does not impair his or her vision or movement.
Number 8: Train your dog to stay at the door with the help of a family member or friend.
Number 7: Keep a positive attitude – Halloween is a great opportunity to train good behavior when the door bell rings.
Number 6: If you have a split screen door, take the top half out to allow you to hand out goodies while keeping your dog safely in the house.
Number 5: Keep the candy bowl and kiddies’ loot away from your dog – it can make them sick.
Number 4: If your pets are overzealous at the door, it might be better to put them in another room while you are attending to trick-or-treaters.
Number 3: If you have a storm door, leave the front door open, or watch through a window so you can see the trick-or-treaters before they ring the bell.
Number 2: Rent a dog training facility for a doggie Halloween party for other dog lovers that would rather spend the evening with their four-legged friends.
Number 1: Turn off the lights and pretend you’re not home!

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Shake and High Five were the first tricks my cocker spaniel learned when he was a young pup. At 10 years old, he is now teaching my son to high five. As you can see from this video they are both having a blast!

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