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Maui dog training

How To Raise The Perfect Dog

Just as in politics, there’s a lot of opinions our there about how to raise the perfect dog. Is there really a right answer? I mean what’s your definition of the perfect dog?

Is there a perfect person? Ha! We all strive for that, look for that too.

The truth is you can’t get hung up on what everybody else’s perfect is. And that rings very, very true when it comes raising the perfect dog FOR YOU!

Really, you don’t need to sign up for dog training and learn how to do high-five’s, roll over, do a commando crawl. Even fetch the paper. Is this what a dream dog does?

Raise The Perfect Dog: What Is Your Definition

Truth is if your dog did fetch the paper these days it would be a bad idea since most of us get our news on our smartphones and computers. So, there you go, to raise a perfect dog no longer needs fetching the paper as part of the criteria, in fact if they tried you’d have a very bad dog with an iPad or smartphone hanging out it’s mouth and you horrified!

In fact, being in the dog world I see a lot of stuff. I can’t tell you how many dogs I’ve met that their dear person started showing me all the tricks their dog could do, but the moment I started walking towards the food bowl, their person started freaking.

“Uhhh, don’t go near the dog bowl. He doesn’t know you, it could be a bad scene!”

Yikes.

Or how about you gotta leave your dog in the car, cause my dog will try to eat your dog. Don’t take it personal, it’s just something she does.

There’s a lot of talk about how to raise the perfect dog. It’s what we all want but the question is… do they exist? I suppose the answer is a bit like… is there a perfect person? Of course, the answer to that is… Nope!

However there are some pretty great people out there, and there are some really amazing dogs too. So what’s the trick?

Best Advice to Raise the Perfect Dog

This is my best advice. Before you get hung up about going to puppy school or dog training classes and learning how to shake a paw, roll over and the commando crawl, ask yourself this… Is this what my dream dog does?

Is my dream dog a member of the circus whom I wheel out when visitors come around so they can say “Wow that’s so awesome, how amazing is that…How did you train your dog to do that…” and on and on.

The kicker is that in many of these cases the next thing, right after the dog and pony show that the dog owner has to do is warn the visitors “Now…don’t go near his food bowl when he’s eating, and careful when you pat him not to go near his head, and keep the children away from his toys..!” It’s crazy isn’t it?

We spend so much time and effort focusing on how to do commands such as sit and stay but never even think about some of the really important stuff. And when we do it’s often too late. Like being food aggressive, or wanting to take a bite out of the neighbor’s tiny Chihuahua, or not liking men. Or something that’s a constant I gotta watch him so nothing goes bad kind of thing. Far from how to raise the perfect dog.

Want to know why this is so?

Because most dog trainers are stuck doing what everyone else is doing… And that’s training the sit, the down and the stay! That’s right. Its like sheep, everyone following each other and nobody asking WHY?

Think about it… has a dog ever been put to sleep (yes, I am talking about euthanized) because they didn’t do a proper sit? Or because their down command was a bit slow? Or because they had a poor stay? Of course not… nobody really cares about that stuff. Yet that’s what we all learn at puppy school! WHY?! But… Aggression? Oh Boy. More dogs are put to sleep for aggression, barking, growling, and challenging than any other reason. Aggressive to children, owners, strangers – its all bad news.

Get Dog Training For Exactly What You Need

There is nothing more dangerous than an out of control dog, pulling you along on the leash, ignoring you when you let them off. Never mind the danger to themselves around cars and other dogs. Yet so few dog trainers show you how to prevent all of this, because very few actually understand it themselves! Most people’s real idea of a perfect dog, in no particular order, will include all of the following 5 important behaviors:

1. Calm around cats and dogs of any size

2. Friendly to children and adults

3. Relaxed and obedient around the home

4. Amazing at coming when called from anywhere

5. Awesome at walking on the leash in public

Hhmmm… I can hear you thinking….You’ve got a point! Let me guess your next question… So how do we a dog like that? And how do we avoid the dog trainers with the “rules” that don’t focus on the perfect sit but instead on how to have a really nice dog to be around no matter what?

Great news. It’s not complicated. At least it’s not complicated or tricky anymore… all thanks to a simple video series that starts you off with how to raise the perfect dog.

Things You Can’t Do When You’re Not A Dog

This video will make you laugh without a doubt. It indeed points out dog behavior we tend to tolerate on a daily basis.

It is amazing how ridiculous it seems when a human is doing it, yet we can ignore it when the dog behaves this way.

Being in the dog training world for quite some time there are things in this video I find acceptable, even quite tolerable and some that really can be trained for… in the case that you really are a dog.

If you are a person, well, it’s out of my realm to get you some help… you’ll need to find that on your own!

Barking at the Front Door

This is one I can actually classify as tolerable. It is true that your home is much less likely to be broken into because you own a dog. Barking at the door can be a great alarm system. If the barking goes on and on, that’s another story but a short outburst as a live alarm system is a good thing.

Jumping on Guests

This one should be on your list for training. Really not cool for anyone to deal with no matter what size the dog. With a few tips and dog training basics your dog can learn to sit when greeting a guest at your door.

Licking Yourself

I’ve heard on a number of occasion that most men wish they could do this trick! My personal opinion on this one… personal preference. You can train your dog to stop licking on command, but don’t expect that this behavior won’t happen when your dog gets the chance. One of the joys of being a dog is you can do this one in public and get away with it.

Begging at the Table

No. Not good. Train your dog not to beg. As a lab owner this one is really important at my house. Some dogs love food more than others. Feeding from the table is a really bad idea and will encourage this habit. Guests hate this. Not cool. Send your dog to hang out on a bed or some designated spot while you eat.

Humping

Ya gotta admit, this one was funny, but if it’s your leg getting humped, not so funny all. Dogs are dogs to a certain degree, but tolerating this behavior shouldn’t be part of your relationship with your dog. *Hint: dogs aren’t good at multi-tasking. Interrupt the hump with something as simple as “sit” to stop this embarrassing behavior!

Peeing on a Newspaper

Potty training is in the top few reasons why people call Maui Dog Remedies for professional help. Many times it is simply due to your puppy or dog being confused about where to go. Starting your dog out on newspapers or potty pads is a big no in this trainer’s opinion. Dogs learn and think in pictures. Newspapers in the house to a dog that was shown this technique early on is hard habit to break. Teach your dog to go outside.

Rear End Sniffing

Another one for personal preference. A dog can get away with this one and yea, it’s sort of a dog thing. You decide what is OK and what isn’t here. As long as your dog isn’t accosting people with an over zealous nose nudge… you know where I’m talking about, a little sniffing isn’t going to hurt anyone.

Sleeping on the Bed

Yet another you decide. The age old myth that says your dog will become dominant due to sleeping on the bed is just that really… a myth. We have our dogs these days for many personal reasons and sometimes the cuddle factor is high on the list. That being said, if you have a dog with behavioral issues, this could be a problem. You know if this is the case and if so seeking professional training is highly recommended.

Taking a Dump On The Sidewalk

Another one for your discrepancy. The only rule that MUST be followed on this one…. have a bag and pick it up. Personally, I like to train my dogs where to go. At home there is an area in the side yard. When we are out and about I like to show them where I want them to go. Even better, let your dog do the duty before going out and about to cut down on the unexpected places the urge might happen. Potty training is a biggie for harmony in the household. Go about this one right and everyone is much happier…. including your dog.

Running Out An Open Door

This one goes on the not cool category. Not only is it a big safety hazard for your dog, but it is one of those things that can really hamper how your daily routine goes at your home. I know people who have to barely crack the door and slither out themselves so the dog doesn’t push through and take off. A good solid recall (come when called) and boundary training is highly recommended here.

Jt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people. Her work at Maui Dog Remedies is for people looking to live healthier and happier lives through their dogs and her passion for it has helped so many to find and do that thing they’ve been talking about or wishing to happen for so long. She is often described as a dog whisperer for our best friends. Her latest publications are Pumpkin Dog Food + Treats Recipes and 5K Training Guide | Running with Dogs.

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Chasing Tails – Buster’s Maui Dog Training Retreat

Maui Dog Training Retreat

Buster rocked his Maui Dog Training Retreat. He’s a Jack Russell Silky Terrier mix. And he loves chasing his tail, butterflies, cars, other dogs, cats, basically things that move. He’s got personality. Big time. And I just love him.

Maui Dog Training on the Chasing Problem

So, the big question. How does one train a dog to temper the chasing deal?

Simple answer. Recall.

Reward or Reprimand

I know, I know. You’ve tried before and it so seems easier said than done. But a good trainer will create a dog that knows what to do, instead of a dog that is constantly reprimanded for what not to do.

So many things can be used as a reward. Not just a food item, which is the first thing that comes to mind. And many things can be used as a reprimand. The truth of the matter is our attitude, our mindset is the most used reprimand of all.

People tend to take things out on their dogs. Of course without realizing it. We set ourselves up for failure on many levels, whether it be the amount of money we make or the happiness of our relationships or whether our dog’s listen to us or not.

We have been wiring our brains for years to connect with what can’t be done, what isn’t happening, what we don’t have. Media has done a find job of it. Fear not joy is the message. TIME TO RE-WIRE!

Maui Dog Aloha aka Re-wiring the Wag

An open mind to constantly going back to what you want more of changes the whole game. In a dog’s case, the new attitude can be picked up rather quickly actually. They don’t hold grudges and have expectations the way people do!

It’s why showing a dog what to do rather than constantly focusing on what the dog is doing wrong works.

We live on Maui, where there truly is much Aloha if you let it in. I’ve been working my Aloha with dogs for years even while on the mainland. My work here on Maui is to teach how to create a great relationship with your dog by knowing what things to do with your dog and then teaching you how to communicate the reward, the joy, the aloha of good behavior. No bad days and no bad dogs!

Jt Clough of Maui Dog Remedies is a professional dog trainer, pet industry business coach, health fanatic, and author. She is a 9 time Ironman finisher, with decades of training dogs and their people to better lifestyles, from behavior modification to fitness and health through natural remedies, mental stimulation and lifestyle choices. She is an emotional healer through dogs. Described as a seeker, Jt has an uncanny ability to teach adaptation to change and to take inspired action.

How to Trim Dog Toenails (Even When They Don’t Like It)

Trimming Dog Toenails Tutorial

Trimming dog toenails usually isn’t a favorite past time of most dog people, nor do dogs usually jump up and down in delight about it either.

It turns out though, it is way more important to your dog’s health than you may have imagined. And your dog doesn’t like it more from you freaking out about it than anything!

Not only that your dog is in more pain from long nails than from the pawdicure so let’s learn how to be comfortable doing it.

Maui Dog Trainer Advice on Nail Trimming

The dog trainer in my has to say it out loud again. Dogs pick up on emotion before they pick up on anything else. It may be a habit for your dog, this whole not liking it thing, after so many sessions of hating it yourself, but that can change.

That being said, most don’t know how to trim dog nails properly, so here is a video that is very helpful in illustrating how to do it as well as how to deal with your dog if it doesn’t happen to be the favorite activity you’ve ever done together.

Maui Dog Training Retreats and Staycation Boarding – Nail Trimming

Have you ever gone for a run and noticed your toes hurt, then discovered it was because your toenails were too long? How about the times you’ve put those sexy stilettos on and never mind your feet were killing you, but your toes were actually in horrible pain from just a little bit of extra length to make that french manicure look the way it should!

Imagine that is how your dog feels ALL THE TIME, when the toenails are too long. That sucks. And it is why it makes sense that the posture of a dog is compromised because of it. It freakin hurts. To the point they can end up with pain all over their bodies.

I’ve become a nail trimming fanatic when I realized how important it is to how dogs feel every single day. Being one of my own dogs is a Weimaraner with thick nails that grow like mad, I’ve had to become and expert.

So, when dogs come into my training retreats and staycation boarding programs they get a nail trim. Buster is a perfect example of a little snark issue that could have been brought on out of body pain. I noticed early on when I ran my hand down his back and towards his hind quarters he winces a bit. He certainly doesn’t like it. I took a look at his toenails. Oh boy. Buster Brown (my nickname for him) had quite the set growing.

His nails are trimmed up now and his person will get the run down on how to maintain it for sure. And I’m still his favorite person even though he didn’t dig it at first he got over it fast.

Jt Clough of Maui Dog Remedies is a professional dog trainer, pet industry business coach, health fanatic, and author. She is a 9 time Ironman finisher, with decades of training dogs and their people to better lifestyles, from behavior modification to fitness and health through natural remedies, mental stimulation and lifestyle choices. She is an emotional healer through dogs. Described as a seeker, Jt has an uncanny ability to teach adaptation to change and to take inspired action.

Flossie and Maui Dogs

Flossie, a tropical storm predicted to hit Maui early in the morning finally hit about 12 hours later in the early evening hours before sunset. Lucky for the whole Island including me, my dogs and my dogs in training retreat all is well after heavy rain and losing power, which was quickly restored.

In the hours leading up to Flossie blowing through, what does one do with the dogs?

In the case of Max the German Short Haired Pointer Doberman mix and myself we decided to go for a run. It was good for both of us. It wasn’t the full on run I’d normally do with dogs like Max, but that’s the point of the story; doing something is better than doing nothing and sometimes getting a little creative about it is required.

Because we knew there was storm coming, there was no need to load up and head out into possible danger for major running space. Instead we stayed by the Dog Ohana and ran laps on on the 400 yard long driveway where we live! The neighbors might have thought we were a little nuts, but Max and I sure did feel a lot better.

With dogs and with people, movement dissipates anxiety. A little movement is better than no movement. Instead of choosing to just wait, get those good endorphins moving and have done your preparedness homework early on!

Preparing for Maui Tropical Storms, Tsunamis and Hurricanes

Preparing for Maui tropical storms, tsunamis, and hurricanes is something anyone living on Island should know. As dog owners we should also be prepared for their safety as well.

It is comes under common sense, but still there are things we should have ready living on an island like Maui.

Water – Drinking water is essential. Make sure to have some for you and for your dog. We have 5 gallon jugs filled with reverse osmosis water on hand but one of our tips was while we were waiting around for the storm to hit, we filled all the mason jars with filtered water. Just an extra little supply in case the water was shut off for a period of time due to flooding.
Food – Again, living on an Island, water comes into play. In the case of food, a flood could wreak havoc on your food supply so make sure to have dry food storage. Keep a sealed plastic container for your storage and even though I’m a great advocate of real whole food for both people and dogs, dry non perishable food is best. A few days supply of canned dog food will make the space and preservation an easy solution.
Identification – Have ID on your dogs in the horrible case you should get separated.
Gasoline – Not a good idea to have a vehicle to get to safer ground but no gasoline. Make it a habit to never have your tank below 1/2 full. Just in case!
Solar charger – New to the list of disaster preparedness, we operate on cell phones. Text, calls, news, the whole 9 yards. Keep your cell charged if you know a weather pattern is coming but research a good solar charger. You’ll have some connection to what’s going on and your friends and family will be much happier they can at least touch base and find out you are okay.

These are only a few of the full preparedness you should have in place. Find a full list on pet disaster preparedness here.

Are you prepared? is a great website to build your own kits and be ready to do well in the case our Maui paradise, dogs and all find ourselves weathering a huge storm, expected or not.

Need a little help with your dog to be best dog ever? Travel off island? Have a dog with some issues you’d really rather get fixed sooner than later? Maui Dog Retreats immediate pricing and information, enter your e-mail below and “Get it Now”.

Personalities | Maui Dog Training

This week A German Short Haired Pointer Doberman mix and a Sharpei mix have arrived for a Maui Dog Training Retreat. Talk about different personalities! It lends clarity to the fact dog training does not have a cookie cutter formula.

There is not a recipe that can be precisely written out and applied to all dogs. Though I hear it a lot from other professional dog trainers, and there were times in the distant past where I was even guilty of saying the rules of dog training are pretty cut and dried, I have come to understand clearly all dogs are not the same to train.

Dogs have personalities. They have things that make them wag and things that don’t. One may bark like a banshie at the neighbor and the other may go get a prized old sock and insist on giving it to them by jumping up to hand deliver it. Another dog may go hide under the table when anything new is introduced. Even if they were raised together, what one is wild about the other could care less about. And so, training dogs becomes something of a relationship undertaking.

Maui Dog Training for Lifestyle

As dog owners sometimes we forget dogs are not pre-trained. And we really forget that all the babbling human talk we are repeating to them doesn’t make any sense. It is our job as dog owners to take the time to not only show our dogs what to do, which could be classified as training, but understand the temperament or the general way we can bring the best out in our dogs.

For some that could be food. For some it could be play. For some it could be a stricter more disciplined set of tasks to complete. For some its about a lot of organized exercise, or it could be about a daily romp on the beach with the freedom to jump in the water and swim with wild abandon after a stick. And for some it’s really about being super calm and steady.

We finesse these things in our relationships with friends, family, lovers, and co-workers. On a conscious level we get to know these people and we know when to talk, when to be quiet. We know when a physical gesture makes all the difference in the world and when a small gift of appreciation speaks a million words of gratitude. We look to get the pono (goodness, do the right thing) response.

The same is true of our dogs. We just have been buying into the idea that to have a well trained dog, it must look utterly military style and there are only 6 words that should be followed through without fail. Sit, stay, down, leave it, come, and heal.

So not true. Your dog could be able to do those things and still not be that well behaved companion we’ve created in our mind’s eye.

The Balanced Happy Island Dog

Max the German Short Haired Pointer Doberman mix needs some big play time. He loves a food reward. He needs structure and he needs an all out speed racer run or big ass swim in the ocean. It’s what turns him on.

Loki the Sharpei mix needs to be with his person. Physical touch, a soothing voice to go along with some exercise and teaching structured things he knows how to do well bring out the playful guy he is. He needs calm to walk him through his moments of fear of other dogs, or of the leaf that suddenly blew up in his face in the lawn.

It’s a bit of time and understanding and a way to speak dog that explains my philosophy of training dogs. It is why I love doing retreats with dogs. I get to spend that one on one time and bring a dog’s personality out, showing off the best side. Understanding what makes a dog tick, what is their passion is truly he best way to diminish bad behavior, or to help a dog get over fears which on many occasions appear to be aggressive behavior.

Maui Dog Mahalos

Mahalo for spending more time with your dog and wanting to have the best life ever together. If you’d like to know more about my retreats with dogs on Maui, sign up below to get immediate information and be ready for some pawsome-ness for you and your dog.

Jt Clough lives in Maui, Hawaii and practices health, happiness, natural remedies and training for dogs and their people. Her way of communication with both dogs and people is healing and her training is effective physically and emotionally. She is a contributor to articles in Runners World, Women’s Health and many other publications.

Maui Dog Training | Thinking in Pictures

Maui Dog Training

We tend to get our dogs with the most rose-colored loving glasses on. A picture of a best friend that we can do every thing with. And we want to do every thing with them. Until it starts to become difficult. More difficult than we thought it would be. More difficult than we remember our last dog being. Especially that perfect childhood dog lodged in memories.

Other people begin to judge our dogs and though our love for our own dogs prevail, we tend to find ourselves falling to the judgement, taking our dogs to fewer places.

And before we know it our dogs who are supposed to have at least 12 or 14 years of life, tend to only have one year over and over. Because we limit them to very few experiences and spend time being frustrated with behaviors that bug us. Daily.

It all started with the best of intentions, but dogs don’t come already trained. And though there has been repeated dog training attempts, the same behavior keeps showing up.

Thinking In Pictures

No matter how young or old dogs are, they can turn all of that around. It’s a matter of learning a few dog training tricks. One of which is thinking in pictures.

Its one of the biggest mistakes in dog training. It’s the biggest reason people find themselves asking, “Why isn’t my dog getting it? What am I doing wrong?”

Here’s the long and short of that answer. Dogs don’t logic. They think in pictures. And humans, logic things right to death!

It’s a paradigm shift that’s way cool.

It works in the dogs’ lives. It works in people’s too.

Get More Of What You Want fom Maui Dog Training

Get more of what you want with your dog, and with your own life. Start creating pictures and stop chatting your head off, trying to logic your dog through a habit that’s been going on daily for sometimes years. Your dog doesn’t get it. And you probably are really tired of listening to yourself.

I am devoted to training dogs in a way they “get it”, and to teach their humans how to communicate in a gentle, understanding manner, where less is more and a Maui Dog is a Good Dog! For more information contact me.

Learning that your dog thinks in pictures will end up bringing that best friend that can in fact do everything with you here on this gorgeous island of Maui.

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