Share or Not Share Your Bed with Your Dog?

Pets are part of the family. But does that mean all family members should share the same bed?

The AKC found that 21% of dog owners let their dogs sleep with them to help keep them warm. They also learned that those who do let their dogs sleep with them have less room in bed for themselves because the dog takes up more space.

While it can be fun and comforting to cuddle with your pet, if your dog is taking up more space than you are, you might not be getting as good a night’s sleep as you should. You also need to be sure that your dog isn’t carrying any fleas or ticks, or that a small dog won’t be injured. Train your dog early on whether you want them to sleep with you or not ... otherwise they just might start telling you where YOU are going to sleep. 

If you decide against letting your dog sleep with you, you can teach your dog to stay off and go to their own bed. This will take some time, patience, and plenty of treats. You’ll need to lure your dog to his bed into a down position, give the bed a name, such as bed, and reward the dog when he lies down. You can get the detailed instructions from the AKC. This can be helpful in keeping your dog off of other furniture, as well.

Make sure though, that your dog’s bed is special for him, comfortable, and warm, with some great toys, so that he’ll want to go there.

The Benefits of Training Your Dog

There are different (and often cute) names for puppy training: puppy kindergarten, obedience school, and our own Manners Daycare and Canine Training Camp.

Regardless of what it’s called, training your dog has benefits—for both the dog and the owner.

Training should start as soon as possible when someone gets their dog. This helps the dog and owner learn how to work well together and bond with each other.

A dog well-trained has the freedom to go just about anywhere; more stores or businesses may allow the dog inside and the dog also won’t have to be hidden away when company comes to visit. The well-trained dog knows that you are the leader and will listen and behave better.

In addition to being better behaved, going through obedience training is good for both the dog and you. Training can promote the following:

·         Stress Relief

·         Exercise

·         Improve your mood (and the dog’s mood)

·         Higher quality of life together

·         Build a better bond with each other

·         Entertainment

Many people consider dogs to be part of their families. Just as children are taught about life and how to navigate through it through the use of rules, dogs too can be taught. It will make for happier and less chaos all around, for both the dog and the people who love it. 

My Dog Keeps Licking Me!

It's usually pretty clear that dogs lick because they like people; it's their way of being affectionate. There are other reasons dogs lick, though, such as prior to feeding from their mom, asking for a dinner invitation, exploring something, attempting to get attention, or even a way of playing.

Dogs may also lick because they think you taste good! Your taste and scent is familiar to them, and then if you pet them after they lick you, they are rewarded for it. However, you should always pay attention if your dog is licking him or herself. This could signify a medical issue such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or even allergies.

According to petmd.com, licking due to anxiety is similar to nervous habits that humans have such a biting fingernails or drumming one’s fingers. They interviewed some behavioral specialists in order to get a better idea about dogs’ nervous licking.

Dr. Megan Maxwell explains that it can be nervous licking depending on what and when a dog licks, such as if your dog always licks something when the doorbell rings or if they consistently lick the same thing over and over again.

Regardless of the reason for licking, you might want to keep a towel handy to wipe up all that slobber.

And no matter how much you love your dog, we don’t recommend licking him or her back.

Back to School: Training Tips that will help you and your pup get an A+

It’s that time of year again – smiles and waves as we drop our little ones off at the bus stop, and tearful goodbyes as we send our teenagers off to college. Amidst all the excitement and chaos of a brand new school year, don’t forget that your furry little one has some learning to do as well! After all the backpacks and binders, dorm rooms and textbooks, take some time to focus on obedience training with your dog. Here are a few fun and helpful tips to get you and your four legged student a perfect score!


Positive reinforcement
Just like kids in school, dogs should be rewarded when they do a good job. In elementary school it may be a gold star for the right answer or a smiley face sticker on a quiz well done. For our scruffy scholars, food is the best way to reinforce positive behavior when training. Does your dog have a favorite treat? Does he wag his tail at the sight of a jar of peanut butter? Does he slobber at the sound of bacon cooking? Make sure you have a stash of the most scrumptious food you can find, so your pup has something to look forward to when he does his best work. When he sits as soon as he hears the command...A yummy sausage link! When he comes when called...A chewy piece of cheese! The more your dog receives a positive reward, the better he will perform. 

                                                               Repetition 

How many times have you told your child, after they struggle with an assignment or can’t seem to figure out a difficult math problem, “Practice makes perfect"? In order to succeed, we have to give our full attention and greatest efforts, no matter how many times it takes to get it right. The more we practice, the better we get. Well, the same applies to obedience training with your dog! The more you practice a command with them, the more familiar those words will become to your dog. Try spending 5-10 minutes at a time focusing on one command. If you tell your dog “down”, and he doesn’t respond the first time, TRY TRY TRY AGAIN. Don’t give up. He may not get it at first, but after a few repetitions your dog should be able to respond correctly to the command. Much like children would spend time practicing their multiplication tables, repetition helps our dogs learn and remember what we teach them.

 

                                                                      Recess

Do your best to make learning fun for your dog. In a school setting, recess is used to break up the monotony of the day. Recess allows kids to get some fresh air and play some of their favorite games. Apply the same concept to training with your dog. Take a break and spend some time outside, allowing your pup to release some energy. Play fetch with his favorite toy or go for a quick walk. This gives both you and your dog a chance to let loose and have some fun. Utilizing recess will break up your dog’s learning time and ensure that obedience training is something your dog enjoys and actually looks forward to!

 Attendance is Mandatory

In order to make obedience training a successful endeavor, both you and your dog must want to be there. Your dog has a natural desire to please you. If you are excited to teach your dog, he will be happy to learn. So make sure to consistently train your dog, and enjoy it! Don’t just work inside your home. Be sure to change the environment every once in a while, so things don’t get boring. Have class in the park one day! Most importantly, this should be a bonding experience for you and your dog, so the more time you are able to spend training, the more you are able to spend with your loved one.

Bring your canine collegiate to Morris Animal Inn! We offer dog training programs designed to teach and reinforce basic obedience, and we provide detailed instructions for reinforcement at home. For more information click here.

Check out our Mini Canine Training Camps 

starting in September!

January is National Train Your Dog Month

This month marks the fifth celebration of Train Your Dog Month, created by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT). APDT believed it was long overdue to dedicate a month to bringing awareness to the importance of socialization and training.

This month we would like to invite pet parents to embark on enriching their canine companion’s life and most importantly, understand that training your dog can be a fun and rewarding experience!

As a proud member of APDT, we want to celebrate training your dog with everyday manners. We also wish to stress the importance and benefits of training dogs to become happy and healthy companions. Too many dogs are turned into animal shelters each year for behavior and training issues that could be easily solved with proper socialization and positive and gentle methods of training.

Beyond the month of January, there are so many benefits of training with your dog on a consistent basis:

•  Strengthen the bond with your pet
• Create a positive relationship
•  Gain an understanding of your pets behavior
•  Increase the safety of your pets, guests, and family
• Decrease daily stresses
• Make life with your pup more enjoyable
•  Fulfill your dog’s need for structure

At Morris Animal Inn, we offer many training options. From Puppy Daycare; to Manners Daycare; to Manners and General Obedience lodging packages; to a two-week Canine Training Camp, there are endless opportunities for your dog of any age! Whether you added a puppy to your family this holiday season or have been blessed with a dog for many years, it's never too early or late to train! 

So...where to begin?  APDT offers many resources to start. Our training offerings may also help pet parents get the ball rolling. Remember, training is supposed to be a fun learning experience for both you and your dog.  It requires patience, love, consistency and lots of treats!

Happy training!

Source: APDT

Should Dogs Play All Day in Daycare?

We’ve collected some information from the experts regarding choosing a daycare for your furry friend, and why we value our exceptional standards as a leading facility in the pet care industry.

There are many factors involved when considering doggy daycare, but we’ve boiled it down to three: Your dog, the facility and the staff.

Your dog.  Just like people, dogs have different personalities and have had different experiences while growing up. With a wide spectrum of who each dog might enjoy spending time with, it’s important to understand whether your dog would enjoy playing in a large group, or perhaps may enjoy some quiet alone time with a staff member.

Morris Animal Inn offers private daycare for dogs who prefer spending one-on-one time rather than being part of a group.

The Facility.  There are many amenities that go into providing a great and safe environment:

• A dog’s play area needs lots of room and places for dogs to opt out of interaction if they want to go off by themselves and rest.
• The facility must be clean, sanitary, and safe, outdoors and in. All daycares should have a plan to respond to a fire or other emergencies.
• A separate play are for smaller dogs and for young pups – Morris Animal Inn’s play groups are based on size and play style. We also offer a puppy daycare for pups 8 to 20 weeks old!
• There should be a place for the dogs to nap

It is important to understand that dogs need to sleep during the day. There must be a quiet secure place where the dogs rest for at least two hours each day.

According to trainer Kathy Sdao, businesses that brag that they never have the dogs off the play-floor misunderstand their responsibility to provide a balance of activities and rest.  It's unhealthy for dogs to play with each other, uninterrupted, for eight or more hours a day. It can create problems such as bullying, barking or impulsiveness. At Morris Animal Inn, each daycare guest has a luxury enclosure where they can rest comfortably during the day in between play times.

The Staff. A great daycare facility must have:

• A high staff:dog ratio (at least one person for every 10 or 15 dogs)
• Staff should be well-versed in reading dogs for signs of stress, discriminating between appropriate versus inappropriate play, and how to effectively but kindly manage the behavior of both individual dogs and a group of dogs
• The best dog daycares conduct a thorough behavioral assessment of all new dogs
• A policy should be in place if a dog bullies others, or initiates a fight 
• Staff should be conscious of size differences and separate the dogs into different play groups if necessary

At Morris Animal Inn we have an average 1:5 staff to dog ratio.  Each of our staff members are well-versed and trained in dog dynamics and body language. Each staff member is trained through a series of courses, including courses by The Dog Gurus. We assess all dogs, and group dogs into separate play groups based on size, temperament and play style. 

We are proud to offer an exceptional daycare facility for your pet. So...should dogs play all day in daycare?  We believe the rest is fundamental for a happy and healthy pet!

Source: Patricia McConnell & Kathy Sdao

Don't Waste Puppyhood!

The first months of a puppy’s life is crucial to the way he or she will behave for the rest of their adult dog life. As a new puppy owner, you must be cautious and aware of how and what puppies learn so you have a well behaved dog. With the help of renowned animal behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar and his seminar “Don’t Waste Puppyhood!” we’ve summarized some major puppy musts.

Socialization. Dr. Dunbar believes that a dog’s temperament is forged by 12 weeks, so it’s important that the puppy’s first month at home is used wisely. He urges owners to “flood” puppies with social stimuli, and to be exposed to five new people a day -- the wider variety, the better!

Routines. New owners should continue to use a long-term confinement area with three distinct sections. This should be used whenever you are gone. While you are home, your puppy should be crated unless the two of you are interacting. It is very important that the dog learns how to be alone in small doses, and sees the crate as a comfortable resting option.

Rewards. Dunbar strongly believes that while still a puppy, a food bowl should be a rite of passage. All food should be hand-fed until your dog is perfect for you. Meals should be used for classical conditioning during socialization or for training. If there’s anything left over, it should be put in a chew toy.

Puppy Class. Puppy classes are another way to practice and improve upon socialization and obedience. Dr. Ian Dunbar believes puppy classes should be held completely off leash, but there are benefits to your puppy learning how to behave properly while leashed. The primary purposes of puppy class in the earliest stages are interaction with others and teaching bite inhibition.

Reliability and Trust. While teaching obedience to your puppy, every 15-30 seconds, there should be a training interlude, where you call your puppy back to you. Sometimes you can simply grab a collar and give a treat, and sometimes try to lure behaviors like sits or downs. Then, send the puppy back to play. This helps build off-leash reliability, modulates arousal levels, and teaches the puppies to think despite distractions.

Accepting Diversity. Puppy classes and interactions with other dogs should include puppies of all shapes and sizes. It is beneficial to you and your dog to have diverse interactions with other dogs. Small dogs must learn not to run and squeak, and big dogs must learn how to be gentle.

Not sure how to begin to socialize your puppy? Morris Animal Inn has introduced a one-of-a-kind puppy daycare for puppies 2-5 months old. This program, unlike any other, gives young puppies the chance to socialize with others of similar age, learn foundations of obedience, practice leash walking, have a routine-based schedule, and receive tons of cuddles and love from our caring staff! It is important when socializing your puppy, that it is done in a safe and appropriate manner. A bad experience can result negatively for the puppy long-term. We are confident that puppy daycare will help positively guide your puppy through one of the most important time of his or her life!

Source: Ian Dunbar, Science-Based Dog Training

Clever Care for your Pet

The key to a good pet-owner relationship is understanding your dog or cat and their preferences as best you can. Learning animal body language is a vital step, but it can’t hurt to have a few handy pet tricks up your sleeve. After doing lots of reading, research and training of our own, here are four unlikely tips that could help as you work to create a great friendship with your pet. 

Earn trust by looking away – A finicky cat, or a hesitant dog, will shy away from direct eye contact, as it can be intimidating, especially when initiated by a stranger. Give the pet time to approach you on their own before meeting their gaze to avoid being seen as “rude” by a cat or a threat by a dog.

Discouraging potty training errors – Rather than pointing your dog’s nose into that pee spot on the carpet and scolding them, you can prevent a repeat incident by making sure you remove the smell completely from your rug. After soaking up the spot (a squeegee works too), a dusting of baking soda or a rub with a baby wipe should do the trick.

New is not always better – When your cat’s scratching post starts to look ratty and worn, don’t jump too quickly to replace it. Cats enjoy a worn-in post more than something new, and may switch to valuable furniture to dig their claws into if you take that away. If the post does need refreshing, adding a few coils of rope can help provide a new scratching surface.  When you need to buy a new toy for your pet, think about making one at home from old fabrics and toys laying around the house.  This will help save money, and keep your pet occupied.

The difference between bribery and reward – Training with treats is an effective way to get your dog (or cat!) to learn tricks and positive behaviors. However, you want to reward your pet with affection, praise, games and petting in addition to the treats. This way, they learn to appreciate your attention along with the snack!

For more on these clever pet care and training tips, visit Petfinder, Dog Breed Info Center or ABC News on Dr Marty Becker’s “Your Cat: The Owner’s Manual.”

Introducing Pets to Newborns

Which came first – the baby or the pet? If your pet-focused family will soon be exposed to a newborn, preparation and gradual introductions are key to a healthy baby-pet relationship.

There are few things more heart-warming than a child-pet relationship, but these connections don't always happen instantly.

SheKnows Pets & Animals blog and the ASPCA offer tips for introducing your newborn to your cat or dog. Advancing with these four steps once you are expecting can help make the transition easier for you and your pet

Step 1: Start preparing your pet early. Cats in particular do not often respond well to sudden change. Use your time wisely and as you prepare for baby, let your pet do as well. Establish off-limits areas, like the baby’s room, early on so that your pet can become accustomed to giving the baby space. If you need to move feeding areas or litter boxes, do this as early as possible.

Step 2: Familiarize your pet with new smells and sounds. Using baby powder or lotion prior to adding a baby to your pet’s environment will help them get used to what a baby will smell like. Acclimating a dog or cat to the sounds of a baby may be one of the most important steps. You don’t want a crying baby and a crying pet at the same time! Consider playing an audio recording of a crying baby on occasion, and gradually increase the volume.

Step 3: Don’t force introductions. First impressions are important, which is why they should be done when all parties involved feel comfortable. Stay calm and relaxed when making the introduction, so your pet does not pick up on your nerves. Have treats handy and reward brief, positive interactions. If your dog seems nervous to investigate, praise them in a positive and reassuring tone.

Step 4: Encourage politeness and quiet time. It can be difficult to care for a baby with a pet constantly underfoot. Training your dog to obey an “away” or “quiet” command can help make caring for both a much easier task. Reinforcing basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come” will also come in handy. Consider scheduling your dog a visit to Morris Animal Inn for our Manners Training program to help solidify these skills.

If you’re expecting a new baby, you have nine months to prepare. Spend some of that time preparing with your pet, too, and you will all be ready for the wonderful new addition to your family!

Source:  SheKnows Pets & Animals & ASPCA

They don’t HAVE to “fight like cats and dogs”

Although the cliché image of a cat and dog together usually involves a large amount of chasing, barking and hissing, it is possible for these different pets to get along. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) 21st Century Dog Owners Study, there are a significant amount of dog owners, 38%, who also own cats. But what is the best way to introduce a cat to your dog, or vice versa?

As natural predators and territorial animals, cats and dogs actually have a lot in common. This can lead to butting heads, but it also means that they can learn to coexist peacefully. Although the AKC acknowledges that a puppy and kitten that grow up together are more likely to get along than cats and dogs that meet later in life, there are steps you can take to helping your existing pet get along with a new one. 

Prior to adding a dog or cat to your family, consider the breed of dog you have or are looking to add. Certain breeds are more likely to get along with a cat than others. Non-sporting breeds will have less of a hunting instinct towards your cat, as will some smaller breeds. Research your breed closely before making this decision and speak with your vet if you are uncertain how your dog, or new dog, might interact with a cat.

Once you’ve made your decision and bring home a new pet, you want that pet to grow accustomed to their new home, regardless of what other pets live in it. Begin by confining your existing cat or dog and allowing you new pet to wander the house as they please. This will help your new pet feel comfortable in their surroundings, and allow them to get used to the smell of your current pet. Once your new pet seems comfortable, switch places and confine the new pet but let the existing one run free, allowing him or her to get used to the scent of the new pet.

Gradually allow your pets to approach each other, starting with a baby gate or fence in between them so each pet still has their own space. When you feel comfortable allowing them to meet face to face, keep your dog on leash and give your cat the option to run off to a safe place if they feel threatened. Do not force interaction between them; this new relationship will take time to develop. Don’t leave your pets together unsupervised until you are sure of how they will react.

With proper preparation, research and patient training, your cat and dog can learn to defy the cartoon cliché and get along living in the same household.

Why Do Dogs Beg? How to Train Your Mooching Pooch

As the saying goes: you want what you can’t have. Ever wonder if your dog feels that way about what’s on your dinner plate? Dogs are notorious for begging for human food, even dogs who have never tasted anything but kibble. Why?

According to a recent “Ask a Vet” post on 7x7SF, the answer can be summed up in a single word: optimism. Your furry friend is tempted by the delicious smells coming from your dining room table, whether they have tasted table scraps before or not. Think about it: if you had only eaten bran cereal all your life, and were suddenly shown a chicken sandwich, wouldn't you be intrigued? As innate scavengers, dogs can’t help tracking down human food and pleading for a taste.

Despite dog’s inbred need to mooch, begging is a fairly simple problem to correct. Veterinarian Dr. Jeannine Berger, who is quoted in the “Ask a Vet” post on 7x7.com, recommends using management techniques and training solutions to teach your dog not to beg.

For starters, never feed your dog scraps from the table. This will only reinforce the behavior that you are trying to stop. If you do feed your dog human food, be sure to only reward them with it when they are behaving properly. Presenting the food to them in their regular dog food dish can further distance the human food from your dinner table.

Restricting your dog’s access to the dining room while you eat is one way to stop begging for good. This prevention tactic can be applied by putting up a baby gate, tethering your dog to a nearby piece of furniture or putting them in a crate with a food stuffed toy to keep them occupied.

If you prefer to keep your dog close, remove some of the temptation by making sure they are not hungry during your dinner time. Make a habit out of feeding your pet before you eat dinner, or present them with a food puzzle toy during your meal. A full and otherwise occupied dog will be less inclined to beg for your food.

You can also teach your dog to go to a certain spot during dinner, and reward them with a treat for staying there. Whether it’s a mat, bed, or corner of the room, your dog will begin to associate the spot with a reward, and become motivated to stay.

Every dog owner will find different methods that work best for their pup. The key is to be persistent. Try one training method steadily for a few weeks. If you find it ineffective, try another, and stick to it. As another saying goes: practice makes perfect!

For extra practice, our manners daycare and lodging packages help reinforce behaviors that will make it much easier to stop your dog from begging. Our staff works diligently with dogs to help build sit, lie down, and stay skills that could mean the difference between a peaceful, patient pooch and a drooling, crying dinner-time dog. Call 973-539-0377 to book a manners session today!

Beautiful Belle and her Posse of Playmates

My journey continues! I began my third week of training and I keep getting stronger! Who knew I could have this much energy? Even after a full day of fitness, I still like to romp around at home with my foster brother!

  Belle and Beckett in the Aqua Center
taking a quick break in the Aqua center

I have a new favorite spot to hang out when I visit Morris Animal Inn – the Aqua Center! Beckett, my new Black Lab comrade, has been joining my swim sessions to help get me adjusted to the pool. I haven’t gotten the courage to test the waters yet, but I’m sure I will be doing cannonballs soon enough. Beckett is super popular and she’s been coming to the Inn for a while!

We've become best friends and she’s introduced me to all of her playmates in Group Daycare! She’s taken me under her wing to keep me motivated! Beckett is a great athlete and she encourages me to shed these pounds! 

Gal pals: Belle, Sam & Rosie

I love to mingle during Group Play! Each day I visit, I find new buddies to play with! I made new gal pals: Rosie, an Airedale Terrier, and Sam, a Yellow Lab. During playtime, we play together while the boys zoom around the yard – Girl Power!

My treadmill sessions have been going great! I’ve worked up to running 3mph on the Canine Treadmill! I never dreamed that I could run this fast. Back in West Virginia, the only time anyone saw me running was to find my next meal!

 I’m very happy with my progress for this week! I’m down to 121lbs and measuring 35 inches around my belly! For a bigger gal like me, losing close to 4lbs in three weeks is pretty good! I’ve been training really hard and I keep on slimming down so it must to be paying off! Keep checking back for more updates on how I’m doing with Fitness Camp! 

If you are interested in adopting me, contact Eleventh Hour at 
(973) 664-0865. 

Bloodhound Belle was Born to Run

Belle running on the Canine Treadmill

Hi there. It’s Belle again! I’m between workouts right now and wanted to let you know how I’m doing! I knew it would take some work to get into shape – I guess that’s why it’s called a ‘workout’ – but I never knew I could have so much fun too! No matter what new activity I try at Morris Animal Inn, I  am having a blast!

I’m usually at the Inn three days a week. I am starting to notice the difference in how I feel, both inside and out. Just last week on the treadmill, I was walking at a slow pace. This week, I was actually jogging a little bit! I am doing pretty well if I could say so myself.

I was a little nervous when my friends at Morris Animal Inn suggested I try Group Daycare. The first day, I stayed to myself because I was not sure if the other canines wanted to get to know me but the next time, I took a chance and introduced myself to a few furry fellows. I made so many new acquaintances. I enjoy spending time in Group now with my new playmates but my favorite time of day is spending time on the Trail Runs! There is nothing like being outside to breathe in all of that fresh air.

Belle running in the Front Yard with Morris Animal Inn's, Lisa

When I stepped on the scale last Saturday, I kept my fingers crossed that I had lost some weight. Manner’s and Fitness Program Leader Lisa said I weighed 122.4lbs. I'm proud to say that I've lost 2lbs and one inch around my belly in one week. With my training sessions and healthy meals, I'm losing weight at a great pace. I hope all of my hard work will pay off and I find my fur-ever home! I'm excited to see what the plan is for next week! Keep following my story so I can let you know too!

Interested in adopting me? Contact my friends at Eleventh Hour Rescue at (973) 664-0865.

Benefits of Training your Dog

Did you know that January is National Train Your Dog Month? Created in 2010 by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, this month promotes dog owners' awareness of how important it is to socialize and train your pet. 

1. Professional Advice

When you seek a professional dog training service for your dog, the advice and recommendations that you receive should come from an individual who has learned and tested this information thoroughly and shares these techniques with you. Their genuine interest in your dog’s successful training inspires a certain amount of trust. It is also good to know that while your dog is undergoing this learning experience, they are in a supervised and safe situation and monitored by a trained professional.

 

2. Less Time Needed For Training

With today's busy lifestyles, some may not want to add dog training to their already large To Do List. Individuals who believe they can train their own dogs often must take classes and learn specific information about dog training before actual training can begin. This can be time consuming for the owner and detrimental to the dog, who is missing out on critical learning time.

Using the services of a professional dog trainer also decreases the amount of time devoted to training. After a short amount of time with the dog,a professional trainer can provide useful information that can be implemented almost immediately. According to Heather Inks, contributing writer of Benefits of Professional Dog Training - 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs It, a “dog owner who invests in professional dog training usually finds that their dog is trained in record speed and bad habits are broken quickly or better yet entirely averted”.

3. Being Proactive

With problems stemming from many different factors including a dog’s breed, history, personality or temperament, a dog trainer has the knowledge, either personally or through a network of other trainers, to make changes and stop bad behaviors quickly. Having experience working with many different dogs provides a professional dog trainer with the ability to curb problems with a training plan.

4. Greater Overall Satisfaction

A properly trained dog will result in a harmonious relationship with you and your dog.
Training your dog is the responsible choice which allows for your time spent with your furry friend to be filled with fun!

In certain cases, a lack of training can lead to more serious repercussions than just bad behavior. "Most dogs brought to shelters are surrendered because of the animal’s lack of training," states Fido Friendly Magazine. If problems aren't corrected, some owners may feel that surrendering the dog to a shelter or rescue is their only option. 

 For your training needs, Morris Animal Inn provides Manners Training to learn basics skills including Sit, Stay, Down and more. 

For more information about Manners Training, call 973-539-0377. 

Sources:
National Train Your Dog Month
Association of Pet Dog Trainers. "APDT Train Your Dog Month." Train Your Dog Month. Association of Pet Dog Trainers, 2010. Web. 04 Jan. 2013. <http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/>.
Yahoo 
Inks, Heather. "Benefits of Professional Dog Training - 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs It."Yahoo.com. Yahoo! Contributor Network, 7 May 2009. Web. 04 Jan. 2013. <http://voices.yahoo.com/benefits-professional-dog-training-10-reasons-why-3234833.html>.
Fido Friendly Magazine
"What Families Need to Consider When Gifting Pets for the Holidays | FIDO Friendly."FIDO Friendly. FIDO Friendly Magazine, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 09 Jan. 2013. <http://www.fidofriendly.com/blog/what-families-need-to-consider-when-gifting-pets-for-the-holidays>.

I'm Still Here...But a Slim, Trim, More Active Ginger

It's me, Ginger and I have some good news.... I began the fitness program at Morris Animal Inn on June 4 at 91.6 lbs and 30 inches around the waist. As of today, I am at 82 lbs and a slim 26 inches around my waist. Whoo hoo! Look at me now...

I have so much energy. If you adopt me, I will run with you, play with you, give you kisses and make sure that you know I appreciate you. If you are interested in adopting me, please contact Eleventh Hour Rescue at (973) 664-0865 or visit the Eleventh Hour Rescue website for more information. 

GOOD DOG!

Our Manners Training Program has really taken off and is getting fabulous feedback. If your still wondering what our Manners Training program can offer you, check out this video to see some of the skills your dog will master. Manners Training can be added as a package to your dog's overnight stay or as a daycare option. Good dog is only a stay away!

MEET OUR MANNERS PROGRAM LEADERS!

Lisa (left) and Michelle (right) with some of their canine students

We recently launched our new Manners Training program! This new activity package and daycare option offers a variation to your dog's stay, with group and individual manners sessions tied in with walks and play times. So your dog gets to play and learn! Combining mental and physical stimulation, your dog gets the best of both worlds!

Leading this exciting new program are long time Morris Animal Inn staffers, Lisa and Michelle.

Michelle VanWinkle, Program Leader

Q: What is your background working with dogs?
A:   In 2009, I graduated from the Tom Rose School for Professional Dog Trainers, a nationally recognized school, studying dog behavior and training for over a year. After earning my Associates, Professional, and Masters Dog Training Certification, and graduating first in the class, I owned and operated my own dog training business for four years. I have experience training different breeds, ages and temperaments in the avenues of general obedience; agility; competition and much more. I am an active competitor in many dog sports including AKC, PSA, French Ring, Shutzhund and IPO. I have been nationally recognized with my own dogs, Xander, a Belgian Malinois and Gracie, a Golden Retriever, for competition obedience and apprehension. I've worked with local shelter dogs teaching general obedience to improve their chances of finding a new home. I have been with Morris Animal Inn for five years in various positions including Activities staff, Group Play Evaluator, Lodging staff and am currently the Manners and Fitness Program Leader.

Q: Could you describe Morris Animal Inn's Manners Training program in your own words?
A: Our program teaches general obedience commands with real life distractions. Using the most up-to-date and humane training approach, the program allows for clear communication and creates a dog that loves to learn. Teaching your pet manners is crucial because it opens doors to a lasting bond between canine and owner.

Q: What do you believe is the most important skill to teach a dog?
A: The most important command for a dog to learn is to come. Every year, countless canines are lost because they never learned this basic command. For the safety of our pets, this is an important and necessary skill to teach.

Q: What is your main goal when training a dog?
A: My goal is to help enhance the healthy, happy relationship owners already have with their dog and to help make their dog a more enjoyable and respected member of the family.

Lisa Kaune, Program Leader

Q: What is your background working with dogs?
A: I've been an animal lover my whole life and professionally working with dogs for five years, first as a Lodging Team Leader at Morris Animal Inn and now as a Program Leader for the Manners and Fitness programs. After heavily researching dog behavior and psychology along with spending countless hours training my two dogs, Zeke, a black lab and Archu, a shepherd mix, I have successfully trained them both. Eventually, I would like to participate in the sport of Competitive Obedience. 

Q: What is the most important message to get across to those who are interested in this program?
A: Learning is a journey, not a destination. We will give the dog the foundation in manners but best results are achieved with consistent reinforcement at home. In doing this, the dog has a clear understanding of what is expected from him/her.

Q: What is your dog training philosophy?
A: My dog training philosophy is pretty simple - clear communication. Too often people assume that dogs just automatically understand what is expected from them. This is, of course, not the case. It must be taught and reinforced over and over again. The same commands must be used everytime and by every member in the household.

Reservations are now being accepted. Call us today!